Image via The Glutton Life / I Am A Food Blog

Staying indoors more this year has led to spending more time in the kitchen for most people. Thanks to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, it looks like everyone is trying to compete for the ‘Home Cook Of The Year’ award!

Every few scrolls on social media, you’ll see a dish or dessert that has been trending for a couple of days. But we’re not complaining! Food brings people together, even virtually. So here are some of the recipes we’ve been seeing a lot on the internet over the last few months.

#1 Dalgona Coffee

Originated in South Korea, this beverage is made by whipping equal portions of instant coffee powder, sugar and hot water until it becomes creamy. Then, use it as a topping for milk. If you’re feeling extra, you can also add cocoa powder, crumbled biscuits or honey on top.

It quickly turned into an internet challenge while everyone was in lockdown—people were trying to whip the coffee by hand instead of using an electric mixer. This takes at least 15 to 20 minutes of non-stop whipping, so you understand why this went viral.

#2 Cereal Pancakes

Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside and just plain cute to look at, cereal pancakes are the miniature and crispier version of the breakfast pancakes we’re used to eating, served in a bowl.

It’s more time-consuming to make cereal pancakes compared to the regular ones, but time is all we have these days, isn’t it? You can enjoy it with some maple syrup, honey, fruit, and even ice cream or frozen yoghurt. Either way, it’s a good way to start your mornings.

#3 Fluffy Cloud Bread

This recipe only requires four ingredients, but the outcome is so satisfying. Like its name, this fluffy bread uses egg whites, sugar, cornstarch, and food colouring (up to your own creativity).

Like its name, cloud bread is the fluffier and more colourful sister of meringue. It tastes almost like marshmallows but when torn apart, the aesthetics will blow your mind. You can also add some cocoa powder or chocolate chips into your mix for a chocolatey taste.

#4 Meatballs

When a certain Swedish furniture retailer released the recipe for their cult-favourite meatballs and cream sauce, everyone wanted to give it a shot at home simply because, well, we couldn’t physically go to the store to satisfy our cravings.

With this recipe, people began putting their own spin into the meatballs, mixing different kinds of minced meat and spices together, and voila! Plate them nicely and you got yourself a fancy meal right in the comfort of your own home.

#5 Brown Sugar Milk Tea

We’re no strangers to this addictive beverage that seems to be trending forever. Staying home more often has made us miss the sweet old brown sugar milk tea even more. So why not make it yourself at home?

You basically need brown sugar, granulated sugar, water, and of course, boba. You can even try making the pearls from scratch if you’re feeling adventurous.

#6 Ramdon

This South Korean dish took the internet by storm after it was featured in the film that dominated all the awards, Parasite. The term ramdon was coined specifically for the movie’s English subtitles.

However, the actual Korean name is jjapaguri, which is a combination of two different instant noodles—Chapegetti, Chinese-inspired jajang ramen noodles, and Neoguri, Japanese-style udon in a spicy, Korean seafood broth.

In the movie, the rich family adds grilled premium beef to the noodles, giving it an extra luxurious feel. Considering how critically-acclaimed Parasite was, almost everyone wanted to attempt this recipe.

#7 Burnt Cheesecake

The Insta-worthy dessert is basically baked cheesecake with an extra dark and cracked crust on top, which makes it look more like a baking fail. But the delightful taste and texture can melt your lockdown sorrows away.

With only five ingredients—cream cheese, heavy cream, sugar, eggs, and flour—it’s a lot easier to make compared to the typical cheesecake that calls for a water bath. After being deprived of visiting our favourite cafés that serve this unique cheesecake, people decided to make their own.

#8 Souffle Pancakes

After cereal pancakes, here comes another pancake recipe that got people challenging themselves at home. This fluffly and jiggly pancake is the best Boomerang post when done correctly.

Created by the Japanese, the ingredients are similar to regular pancakes, but the texture is a lot softer. Have them with whipped cream, fruits, syrup, or chocolate chips and nut toppings, and it’ll make the perfect dish for afternoon tea.

#9 Sourdough Bread

We’re sure you’ve heard it. Anybody who loves bread would have raved about sourdough bread by now. But the process to DIY is not exactly the easiest to follow.

It may take days to try and multiple attempts to get it right, but once you have yourself the perfect sourdough bread, that taste of success tastes so good. Plus, you can start having brunches at home too! After all, homemade bread is one of the best things you can have in your pantry.

These are just a few of the many recipes that have gone viral this year. Have you tried any of them yet? If not, it’s never too late to start!