TikTok is often filled with food trends, but there are ones that seem to transend our tiny little screens to become a reality, with users across the world recreating the dish.
Recently on our radar, we spotted the viral hwachae trend, started by TikTok user Amyflamy1.
@amyflamy1 Can’t sleep? Dessert. 새벽 3시 화채 먹방🙊 #먹방 #mukbang #koreanfood #koreandessert #화채 #hwachae #weightloss #다이어트 ♬ original sound – amyflamy
What is hwachae?
Originating from Korea, hwachae is a refreshing dessert or drink that is often savoured during the warmer months in the East Asian region.
Traditionally hwachae is served within a watermelon with the juicy inner centre carved out to form a makeshift bowl. The watermelon pieces are then placed in the “bowl”, along with any other selected fruits such as pineapple and berries, and it is filled with strawberry milk, Sprite and ice. Sometimes people opt to add condensed milk to sweeten it a bit more.
The dish has been adapted over the years, but the principal ingredients of watermelon, Sprite and milk are key to this hydrating, sweet treat.
Should you try making hwachae?
For those opting to try a new dessert option when those hot balmy evenings come around in December, we would have to agree with the global consensus that this is a very hydrating dessert – and a must-try!
South African food blogger and content creator Zorah Booley Samaai, also known as In The Midnight Kitchen, has prepared a South African version with classic Steri Stumpie adding the strawberry flavour.
@inthemidnightkitchen Let’s try Hwachae #hwachae #hwachaemukbang #hwachaerecipe #koreansnack #korean #fruitbowl ♬ original sound – inthemidnightkitchen
What exciting ingredients will you be adding to your hwachae this summer?