In 2025, viral foods aren’t just meals—they’re cultural phenomena shared across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Defined by bold flavors, photogenic presentations, and cross-border appeal, these dishes have amassed billions of views and turned street stalls into international landmarks. This ranking draws on TikTok play counts, Instagram hashtag usage, and insights from food influencers to highlight the year’s most unmissable bites. Whether you’re a street food enthusiast or a social media foodie, these global gems promise to satisfy both your taste buds and your feed.
1. Pad Thai (Thailand) – TikTok Views: 1.2B+ | Hashtag: #PadThaiVibes
Origin: Bangkok street stalls (popularized post-WWII as a national dish) Core Appeal: Silky rice noodles stir-fried with shrimp, tofu, bean sprouts, and crushed peanuts, balanced by tamarind sauce’s sweet-savory kick. Its vibrant colors—golden noodles, crimson sauce, green scallions—make it a camera favorite.
Why It Went Viral: Food bloggers flocked to Bangkok’s Thipsamai (313-315 Maha Chai Rd) to film its iconic “wok fire” cooking shows, where chefs toss noodles mid-air. The stall’s 2-hour wait times and neon-lit queues became viral content themselves .
Pro Tips: Order “Pad Thai Goong” (shrimp version), squeeze fresh lime, and add a pinch of chili flakes. For the best photo, shoot the noodles twirled on a fork with a peanut碎 (peanut crumble) sprinkled on top.
2. Chocovia Dubai Chocolate Bites (UAE/Global) – TikTok Views: 850M+ | Hashtag: #DubaiChocolate
Origin: Dubai’s candy markets, popularized via Costco’s 2025 global stock Core Appeal: Rich milk chocolate enrobed in crunchy pistachio pieces and delicate kadif (sweet vermicelli), a nod to Middle Eastern dessert traditions. Individually wrapped for on-the-go snacking.
Why It Went Viral: Influencers showcased its “golden wrapper + vibrant green pistachio” contrast in unboxing videos. Costco’s bulk packs (1.5kg) sparked “sharing challenges” on social media, with users creating charcuterie boards featuring the bites.
Pro Tips: Pair with Turkish coffee for a TikTok-worthy “Middle Eastern下午茶” (afternoon tea) setup. Available globally at Costco or Dubai’s Bur Dubai Old Souk.
3. Pho Bo (Vietnam) – TikTok Views: 780M+ | Hashtag: #VietnamesePho
Origin: Hanoi’s street stalls, a staple since the early 20th century Core Appeal: Clear, aromatic broth simmered for 12+ hours with beef bones, star anise, and cinnamon, served with springy rice noodles and tender beef slices. Topped with fresh herbs (basil, cilantro) and lime.
Why It Went Viral: The “broth pour” moment—chefs ladling hot broth over raw beef to cook it—became a viral visual. Hanoi’s Pho Gia Truyen Bat Dan gained fame after a Lonely Planet feature on its “authentic street-side stools” experience.
Pro Tips: Add a spoonful of sriracha and hoisin sauce for heat. For late-night eats, hit Pho Bo Ly Beo (Hanoi) – open 24/7 with celebrity photos lining the walls.
4. Mini Buffalo Chicken Rolls (USA) – TikTok Views: 620M+ | Hashtag: #CostcoViral
Origin: Costco’s 2025 deli section, a bite-sized twist on classic buffalo wings Core Appeal: Flaky pastry stuffed with spicy buffalo chicken, celery, and creamy ranch, ready in 3 minutes (microwave or air fryer). Perfect for game days or quick snacks.
Why It Went Viral: “Air fryer hacks” dominated social media, with users showing the rolls turning golden and crispy. Sports influencers featured them in “game day spread” videos, driving Costco’s stock to sell out within 48 hours of launch.
Pro Tips: Serve with blue cheese dip for an Instagram-worthy platter. Available exclusively at Costco locations in the US, Canada, and UK.
5. Mango Sticky Rice (Thailand) – TikTok Views: 590M+ | Hashtag: #MangoStickyRice
Origin: Central Thailand, a beloved dessert for over 50 years Core Appeal: Glutinous rice soaked in coconut milk, served with ripe, juicy mango slices, and drizzled with extra coconut sauce. Sweet, creamy, and refreshing—ideal for hot weather.
Why It Went Viral: The “mango cross-section” shot—showing bright yellow flesh against white rice—became a staple on travel influencers’ feeds. Bangkok’s Mae Varee (Thonglor Soi 13) is famous for its oversized mango portions.
Pro Tips: Visit during mango season (March–May) for the sweetest fruit. Ask for “khao niew mamuang sai kati” (extra coconut sauce) for a more indulgent bite.
6. Nutella-Stuffed Crepes (France/Global) – TikTok Views: 550M+ | Hashtag: #CrepeHeaven
Origin: French Brittany, reimagined by global street vendors Core Appeal: Thin, buttery crepes filled with warm Nutella, fresh strawberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar. Some vendors add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a “hot-cold” contrast.
Why It Went Viral: The “Nutella drizzle” close-up—chefs pouring melted Nutella over the crepe—garnered millions of views. Paris’ Creperie de la Rue Montorgueil is a网红 (viral) spot for its “Instagram-friendly” paper cones.
Pro Tips: Opt for “crepe sucrée” (sweet) and ask for it folded into a triangle—better for holding and photographing.
7. Tom Yum Goong (Thailand) – TikTok Views: 480M+ | Hashtag: #ThaiSpice
Origin: Thai central plains, a staple in street food and restaurants alike Core Appeal: Spicy-sour soup with plump shrimp, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and galangal.椰奶版本 (coconut milk version, “tom yum nam khon”) is milder for beginners.
Why It Went Viral: Food bloggers raved about the “flavor explosion”—the first sip of tangy broth followed by the heat of chili. Bangkok’s Pee Aor (Phetchaburi Soi 5) is known for its thick, flavorful broth.
Pro Tips: Say “mai phet” (Thai for “less spicy”) if you’re sensitive to heat. Pair with jasmine rice to balance the sourness.
8. Bobo’s PB&J Oat Bars (USA) – TikTok Views: 420M+ | Hashtag: #NostalgicSnacks
Origin: Colorado-based Bobo’s Oat Bars, launched in August 2025 Core Appeal: A hybrid of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and oatmeal cookies, crustless and chewy. Available in strawberry and grape flavors, with no artificial preservatives.
Why It Went Viral: “Nostalgia content” drove its popularity—millennials shared videos of the bars alongside childhood PB&J photos. Mom influencers praised it as a “kid-friendly, mess-free snack.”
Pro Tips: Freeze for 10 minutes for a “cookie-dough-like” texture. Sold at Whole Foods and Target in the US.
9. Banh Mi (Vietnam) – TikTok Views: 390M+ | Hashtag: #BanhMiVietnam
Origin: Hanoi, a fusion of French baguette and Vietnamese flavors Core Appeal: Crispy baguette filled with grilled pork, pickled daikon/carrots, fresh cilantro, and chili sauce. Some versions add pâté for extra richness.
Why It Went Viral: The “crunch test” videos—biting into the baguette to show its crispness—went viral. Hanoi’s Banh Mi 24 (Nguyen Hue St) is famous for its oversized portions and affordable price (around $1.50).
Pro Tips: Ask for “banh mi thit nuong” (grilled pork) for the most flavorful option. Eat it within 10 minutes—baguettes get soggy fast!
10. Tiramisu (Italy/Global) – TikTok Views: 350M+ | Hashtag: #TiramisuLovers
Origin: Veneto, Italy, a classic dessert since the 1960s Core Appeal: Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream, dusted with cocoa powder. Modern versions add a splash of rum or amaretto for depth.
Why It Went Viral: “Layer reveal” videos—scraping a spoon through the dessert to show the creamy texture—were trending. Rome’s Da Enzo al 29 serves a “deconstructed tiramisu” in a glass, perfect for photos.
Pro Tips: Look for “tiramisu al caffè” (coffee-only) for an authentic taste—avoid versions with fruit or chocolate chips.
The Secret to 2025’s Viral Foods: Authenticity + Visual Flair
This year’s top viral foods share two key traits: they honor traditional flavors (think Pho’s slow-simmered broth or Pad Thai’s balanced sweet-sour) while being “camera-ready” (mango sticky rice’s vibrant colors, Nutella crepes’ drizzle). As food culture becomes more global, the best viral dishes aren’t just tasty—they tell a story, whether it’s a Hanoi street vendor’s legacy or a Costco snack’s nostalgic twist.
Which of these have you tried? Tag your foodie friends and share your favorite viral bite in the comments!
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