The first time I saw a video of the Dubai Bar on social media, I knew I wanted to try it. Not just wanted, but needed to find the sweet to determine if one, it was as good as TikTok said, and two, if it was worth the $25 and up price tag. But first, let’s discuss the Dubai Bar and how it made it onto mainstream media.
What Is the Dubai Bar
Dubbed the Dubai Chocolate Bar, this moniker came thanks to a slew of TikTok users who helped bring the treat into American minds, leading the way to getting the bar here. It does, as it turns out, hail from Dubai.
Overall the candy bar is a large, high-quality chocolate rectangle stuffed with a mixture of toasted kataifi and pistachio cream. Kataifi is a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean ingredient made from delicate, thin strands of shredded phyllo dough. To make the bar, the kataifi is cut into small pieces, and browned in butter.
Next the kataifi gets blended with spoonfuls of pistachio cream, which can be made at home or purchased already jarred. Often the bright green cream has sugar or honey added to make it sweeter. Almonds, cardamom, and other spices may also get added, depending on who is making it. Finally the mixture hits the cooled chocolate in a thick layer, and is topped with more chocolate to encase it. The resulting “paste” gives the Dubai Bar its sweet and salty crunch.
Where the Dubai Bar Came From
Up until about a month ago, the sweet, salty, and rich dessert was only available overseas. It originated at the Fix Dessert Chocolatier, located in Dubai. Here, founder Sarah Hamouda creates an array of stuffed chocolate bars including one with cinnamon-spiced phyllo pastry, vanilla custard, caramel, and peanut butter; and another with fudge and Nutella brownies.
While these sound delicious, it was the pistachio cream and kataifi that gained traction. Over the last month the candy went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms. Given the popularity of the bar’s concept, it’s not surprising Americans found a way to get it.
Find the Dubai Chocolate Bar In Colorado
While New York might have boasted the first place to make the Dubai-style treat, thanks to The Nuts Factory, it’s now available across the country. Even in Denver.
The first iteration we tried was handmade by Life of Mam. Right now the $35 bars are sold out of CôNu’s Corner Cafe & Bánh Mì Sandwiches (4400 W. 29th Ave., Denver). Choose from white, dark, and milk chocolate, all with the same filling. Overall, the candy was thick and about as large as a king-sized chocolate bar, plus a little extra. The quality of the chocolate could instantly be tasted, melting at the touch into a gooey, delicious mess. Inside the cream was light with a pleasing kataifi crunch. Certainly rich, but light at the same time.
The second bar we tried came from Reem’s Bakery (2418 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver), a Middle Eastern shop serving trays of beautiful baklava, pistachio rolls, and other desserts. The Dubai Bar costs $25 here, but even with the lower price it proved bigger than the first we tried. Also handmade, this version only offered one type of chocolate, milk, but an array of pretty colors to choose from.
Because the rich chocolate also melted on touch, we cut it into chunks, sharing between six people. Even with that many mouths, we didn’t finish it. One fun-sized piece was enough to satisfy. At least, until later that night. As for whether or not the expensive treat was worth it, considering how much we still think about the sweet the answer is yes, totally. Especially when going for Reem’s larger, $25 version.
Would you pay this much to try the viral Dubai Chocolate Bar? Let us know in the comments.
