Did You Know a Filipino Chef Is Behind Dubai’s Viral Bar?

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Meet Nouel Catis Omamalin, the culinary genius behind the chocolate bar taking the world by storm.

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If you’ve been scrolling on TikTok, chances are your feed has been taken over by the “Dubai chocolate bar”—a decadent, gooey treat stuffed with crispy knafeh and creamy pistachio spread. But did you know this viral sensation is the brainchild of a Filipino chef?


Meet Nouel Catis Omamalin, the culinary genius behind the chocolate bar taking the world by storm. Originally created for Fix Dessert Chocolatier in Dubai, the bar—aptly named “Can’t Get Knafeh of It”—blew up last December after a UAE-based food influencer’s video racked up over 80 million views. Since then, it’s become a global obsession, with copycat versions popping up everywhere from New York to Auckland.

Omamalin, who hails from Dipolog City in the southern Philippines, blended nostalgia with creativity to craft this masterpiece. “I always think of childhood memories—whether from my culture or others,” he shares. Inspired by knafeh, the crunchy Middle Eastern dessert loved by Arab kids, he thought: Why not turn it into a chocolate bar?

Read More: The Dubai Viral Chocolate Bar Has Been Turned into a Cake!

The journey to viral fame wasn’t easy. Nouel and his team used to hand-make each bar, a labor of love that took up to eight hours for just 25 pieces. But the effort paid off as the bars sold out daily and gained international fame, even fetching $32 apiece in the Philippines!

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A pastry chef trained in Paris, Nouel has lived in Dubai since 2009, embracing its rich culinary diversity. “I wanted to be the first Filipino to break ground in this region,” he says, and with this viral creation, he’s done just that.

So next time you see that iconic green filling on your feed, remember—it’s not just a chocolate bar. It’s a piece of cultural fusion crafted by a chef putting Filipino talent on the map. 🌍🍫

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