The Ultimate Guide to TikToker-Inspired Dishes: Are They Worth the Hype?

In the age of social media, TikTok is not just a platform for sharing fun short videos, but also a thriving e-commerce platform that attracts many users. Many TikTokers have leveraged their popularity by collaborating with brands or starting their own businesses, especially in creating their own food products that capture the interest of consumers.

Le Anh Nuoi’s Braised Pork with Shrimp Paste

Le Anh Nuoi is a well-known TikToker who shares videos about diverse and nutritious meals. Besides delicious recipes, he also won the hearts of his fans by regularly cooking meals for children in remote schools. Leveraging his influence, Le Anh Nuoi ventured into selling products such as braised pork with shrimp paste, hand-pounded sesame salt, and a versatile dipping sauce on e-commerce platforms. His braised pork with shrimp paste, in particular, has been a huge hit, often selling out each time it is restocked.

Despite receiving praise for its flavor and reasonable price, Le Anh Nuoi’s braised pork with shrimp paste has also faced some controversies. Some customers complained that the product’s quality did not match its price, and there were also concerns about the transparency of its production date, leading to debates on social media platforms that affected Le Anh Nuoi’s image and reputation.

Hang Du Muc’s Xinjiang Red Apples

When it comes to Hang Du Muc, many people immediately think of the Xinjiang red apples that she frequently promotes during her livestreams. These apples have become her signature product, selling for VND 228,000 per kg. Each time she goes live, the apples quickly sell out, and customers have to be quick to get their hands on them. According to buyers, Hang Du Muc’s apples are larger than usual, with a chewy texture and a unique flavor reminiscent of the apples used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are perfect for eating fresh, making desserts, or brewing tea.

While Hang Du Muc’s apples receive many positive reviews, there are also mixed opinions about their quality. In some clips reviewing the apples, buyers pointed out issues such as inconsistent quality or improper storage leading to spoilage upon delivery. However, those who have purchased the apples multiple times, like five times, assert the consistent quality of the product.

Thien Nhan’s Beauty Porridge

Thien Nhan is famous for his beauty and health-related content, so it’s no surprise that his beauty porridge gained a lot of attention and trust from his followers. Marketed as a nourishing and cooling dessert, Thien Nhan’s beauty porridge was once considered a go-to solution for those seeking to improve their skin. However, some customers were left disappointed, complaining that the porridge didn’t taste as good as expected, with some even finding it too sweet or lacking in flavor.

Despite its popularity and strong sales, not everyone is satisfied with Thien Nhan’s beauty porridge. Several customers have expressed disappointment with its quality, finding it underwhelming and sometimes too sweet or lacking in flavor.

Sung Bau’s Hmong Glass Noodles

Sung Thi Bau, born in 2002, is one of the most famous ethnic TikTokers, known for sharing insights into her life and cuisine. Her Hmong glass noodles quickly became a social media sensation, attracting attention with mouthwatering visuals and rave reviews about its taste. The glass noodles, made with natural ingredients and following traditional recipes, showcase the unique flavors of Hmong cuisine.

However, the rapid growth in popularity and demand for Sung Bau’s glass noodles also presented challenges in maintaining consistent quality and meeting customer expectations. Some customers were left disappointed, feeling that the glass noodles fell short of the hype, with issues such as underwhelming flavor, inconsistent quality across orders, and improper preparation techniques.

Ta Cong Bang’s Shrimp Crackers

Ta Cong Bang, born in 2000, started his TikTok channel in 2018, sharing simple and authentic moments of his daily life with his grandmother, including cooking, household chores, and casual conversations. Leveraging his popularity, Ta Cong Bang turned his everyday life content into an opportunity to promote homemade products, especially his shrimp crackers. Videos documenting the cracker-making process and the daily operations of his workshop not only maintained viewer engagement but also boosted sales significantly.

Ta Cong Bang’s shrimp crackers are now produced in larger quantities, with sales happening up to three times a week, sometimes offering as much as 200 to 500 kg per batch. This rapid success not only reflects customer satisfaction but also showcases the effective combination of social media content and e-commerce. However, some buyers have experienced the crackers becoming soggy and not as crispy as advertised.

While the foods associated with these TikTokers tend to be popular and generate a lot of buzz, the quality can be inconsistent. Despite captivating advertisements, consumers should consider trying the products themselves to form their own opinions about the quality and taste.