MANILA, Philippines — The viral pistachio chocolate bar from Dubai has been making its social media rounds lately, with many foodie Filipinos wondering what the hype is about.

Snagging an authentic piece of Fix Desserts’ best-selling pistachio kataifi bar isn’t easy (it’s only sold in Dubai and costs more than P1,000 a bar).

Thankfully, a few local brands have taken it upon themselves to recreate the Middle Eastern sweet treat in their own ways — pistachio kataifi filling (shredded phyllo dough) and chocolate included, and other unique additions and creative twists!

Bueno Barks

Since its launch in 2019, Quezon City home-based biz Bueno Barks has gained a loyal following for its inventive chocolate barks, ranging from nostalgic s’mores to almond crunch flavors.

The brand also latched onto the Dubai pistachio chocolate trend, creating a high-quality take with the same crunchy kataifi filling inside a colorful milk and dark chocolate bar at P675 each (both kinds work well, but of course, if you prefer it less sweet, go for the dark).

Bueno Barks also has a White Chocolate Biscoff bar, filled with an actual Biscoff cookie inside — this was a smooth and decadent treat that almost any sweet tooth would like.

If you’re curious about the pistachio hype, it’s a novel thing to try once if the budget allows. Although pistachio and chocolate together isn’t a groundbreaking combination, the crunchiness of the pistachio kataifi filling is interesting enough to try out (and can get quite addictive to munch on after the first few bites)! Bueno Barks does a good job of providing that distinct texture.

Slots at Bueno Barks get filled up fast, so make sure to stay updated!

Mindful Indulgence

Founded by Trix in July 2020, vegan business Mindful Indulgence is on the quest for healthier versions of the owner’s favorite treats.

The idea for a vegan version of the pistachio chocolate bar came from her customers, who wanted a gluten-free, dairy-free, preservative-free, and refined sugar-free option.

Her “Klean Kataifi Krunch” bars, priced at P379 each, have the familiar flavor of pistachio blended with creamy, dairy-free “mylk” chocolate. The surprise remained to be the kataifi — it was also crunchy and addictive. The allure of the treat is largely due to the unique texture and filling!

Bram’s Macaron Bakehouse

Since 2010, Bram’s Macaron Bakehouse has been known for its mastery of macarons in classic flavors and macaron-topped cakes.

Now, the brand is exploring Dubai pistachio chocolate!

Love, Patissier by Princess

Located in Pampanga, Love, Patissier by Princess offers mini knafeh bars priced at P380 for two and bite-sized knafeh bonbons in a box of 9 pieces for P800.

The Bellevue Manila

The Bellevue Manila’s pastry corner features a Dubai-inspired creation that combines dark Belgian chocolate, pistachio paste, and string pastry in one bar.

Priced at P640, the treat comes in Pistachio, Mango, Hazelnut, and Cappuccino flavors. Due to its popularity, it is often out of stock, so be sure to check frequently for updates! – Kila Orozco and Steph Arnaldo/Rappler.com