I Tried the Famous Dubai Chocolate Bar People Can’t Stop Raving About, and It’s Better Than Promised

published Sep 19, 2024
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Interior of chocolate bar.
Credit: Ali Domrongchai

Food trends and the idea of a “viral food” can be a bit hard to swallow — something hordes of people rush to grab simply because so many others are, only to have it disappear as quickly as it arrived. (Looking at you, whipped coffee.) Often, it’s swiftly replaced by the next big thing (and then the cycle repeats). 

I don’t typically jump on the bandwagon, but every now and then, something catches my eye and I just have to try it. Take: the Fix Dessert Chocolatier Can’t Get Knafeh of It Chocolate Bar.

I’ve been ogling over the chocolate bar packed with toasted kataifi-covered pistachio cream from afar for months. I wasn’t alone in that sentiment. The bars, which have been all over my TikTok page, were only available overseas at the time. Naturally, many people tried to re-create them at home, which in return led to a nationwide pistachio cream shortage. 

So when I learned the Nuts Factory was importing these treats FROM Dubai, I did what anyone in my position would do — I dashed over to snag one for myself. Unfortunately, it seemed like everyone else in New York had the same idea; each time I went in (three times, to be exact), they were sold out! But persistence pays off, and my lucky day has finally come; Yes, I scored THE Chocolate Bar.

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

What You Should Know About Dubai Knafeh Pistachio Chocolate Bar

Coined the ‘Dubai Chocolate Bar’ by TikTok users, this milk chocolate marvel is packed with pistachios and knafeh (or kunafa), a crispy shredded phyllo pastry. It was an exclusive Dubai treat until the Nuts Factory started importing it just a few weeks ago. 

The bars are about $20 each (I know!) and come in a plastic container. I, too, was taken aback by the price, but it is a pretty hefty-size chocolate bar (comparable to three Hershey’s chocolate bars stacked on top of each other). According to my local store manager, Nuts Factory receives shipments of the bars a few times a week, and getting your hands on one depends on availability. So if you’re on a quest for this chocolatey treasure, you might want to call or text ahead. 

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

My Honest Review of Dubai Knafeh Pistachio Chocolate Bar

While I had plans to carefully bring this chocolate bar home and pour myself a glass of oat milk to do some kind of special ritual for the occasion, I just dove right in. I broke it in half with my hands (like nearly all of the online videos do) and was struck by its beauty — the pistachio-knafeh contrasts beautifully with the milk chocolate bar. I snapped a few photos to brag to my friends, and then went right in. The verdict? It’s amazing. 

The chocolate is sweet and smooth, but the real star is that pistachio-knafeh filling that is crispy, nutty, and decadent. It’s so creamy yet crunchy, and after one bite I totally understood how it went viral in the first place. Ola, our assistant culinary producer, was there with me and I watched her eyes widen with amazement. After a few speechless moments she said, “this is a really, really good chocolate bar.” 

Credit: Ali Domrongchai

I saved a piece to give to Mara, our senior groceries editor, the next day to get her reaction, and to no surprise she reported back how delicious it was, comparing its chocolatey texture to velvet. 

The only problem? It’s a $20 chocolate bar that I want to buy again, and again. 

Find it in stores: Dubai Knafeh Pistachio Chocolate Bar, $20.00 for 1 bar at The Nuts Factory

Have you tried the viral Dubai Knafeh Pistachio Chocolate Bar? Tell us about it in the comments below.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: I Tried the Famous Dubai Chocolate Bar People Can’t Stop Raving About, and It’s Better Than Promised