Cover Vodka pasta (Photo: Adobe Stock)
Vodka pasta (Photo: Adobe Stock)
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Take a look back at these viral food trends that have dominated Instagram and TikTok in the past few years
We’ve all been there—scrolling through Instagram and TikTok at night, seeing glorious recipes and sumptuous mukbangs and making ourselves hungry. There’s something so addictive about seeing these luscious dishes trend on social media, and even more enticing is the idea that you can make them at home to enjoy yourself.
From the infamous Gigi Hadid vodka pasta to a newfangled fascination with flavoured water, Tatler takes a look at some of the hottest food trends on social media that, even after all these years, we’re still obsessed with.
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1. Flavoured water
TikTok’s newest obsession has bitterly divided users—and over something as innocuous as water. Nicknamed #WaterTok, the trend sees users mixing powdered flavouring or syrups into tall bottles of water, often filled to the brim with pebble ice. They come in basic flavours like orange and green apple to flamboyant ones like watermelon cotton candy.
Proponents say it’s delicious, helps people to get their daily water intake, and wean off higher sugar drinks like soda. Naysayers point to its harmful effect on dental health. But no one can deny, #WaterTok is taking the app by storm.
2. Gigi Hadid pasta
The world basically shifted on its axis when model Gigi Hadid posted a recipe on Instagram for a creamy, luscious pasta with a bright shade of orange. Remember, this was right when lockdowns were being introduced all over the world in 2020—suddenly, if you were a foodie, your social media feeds were swamped with this pasta.
But this pasta has been around long before it became a viral sensation. Called “pasta alla vodka”, it’s made by sizzling shallots and garlic in olive oil (extra virgin, of course) before cooking down a dollop of tomato paste. A splash of vodka lifts up any caramelised bits on the pan for even more flavour before heavy cream goes in to give the sauce its creaminess and body. Finished with Parmigiano Reggiano, it’s a simple weeknight dinner you can whip up in an instant.
3. Butter board
You’ve heard of charcuterie boards, but have you heard of butter boards? The idea comes from James Beard-winning author Josh McFadden in his 2017 cookbook Six Seasons, but went viral on TikTok in 2022 when Justine Doiron (@justine_snacks on TikTok) posted her own recipe, pairing her softened butter with lemon zest, herbs, edible flowers, and a coriander honey.
Since then foodies all over social media have put their own spins on it, like adding fresh figs and chilli crisp. It’s certainly got its naysayers (most can’t stand the idea of room temperature butter left out for hours) but all things considered, it is a lovely grazing board that’s both a visual and gustatory feast.
Read more: Are Butter Boards the New Cheese Platters? Here’s How to Make Your Own
4. Chilli garlic oil noodles
Few things in life are better than noodles and garlic. Add the two together and you’ve got a recipe that takes social media by storm.
The roots of the recipe goes back to the Sichuan province in China, which is known for its bold and spicy flavours. The noodles are made by pairing cooked noodles with garlic, soy sauce, and Chinese black vinegar, along with any other toppings you may have. Some chilli powder is drizzled on top, and then a generous serving of hot oil is poured over the entire bowl in a dramatic sizzle. The oil allows all the other flavours to bloom, giving off an irresistible aroma.
5. Green goddess salad
It’s no surprise that the green goddess salad made its rounds on health-conscious TikTok and Instagram. There’s no one way to make it, but the dressing is typically made with tarragon, anchovies, chives, sour cream, mayonnaise, and a splash of lemon juice or vinegar for bright acidity.
The green goddess salad is said to originate from the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, when head chef Philip Roemer created the dressing for a salad for George Arliss, the lead actor of the 1921 play, The Green Goddess. Today, everyone has their own version of the green goddess salad. Don’t like anchovies? Take it out. Need some garlic? By all means. It’s own salad dish that shows healthy doesn’t mean tasteless.
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Ethan Kan was Tatler Singapore’s dining writer.
