Food trends rise quickly in the age of social media. A dish can go from niche to viral overnight, thanks to the world we live in, where we're constantly craving more. But once the novelty fades, not every trend stands up to daily eating or real-world value. In a recent online discussion asking users to name the most overrated food trends, hundreds chimed in with their opinions, letting their taste buds do the talking.
The story
A Reddit user recently asked, “What’s the most overrated food trend right now?” Over 500 people gave their personal opinion on the question. As someone who writes about food professionally, I agree with more than a few of them.
The reactions
Several people responded with Dubai chocolate. “Dubai chocolate is overpriced and doesn’t taste better than normal pistachio chocolate.” This chocolate went viral literally overnight, with people not batting an eye at paying upwards of $20+ for a single bar. Personally, I agree, and sadly, there are so many options on the market now that aren't even close to real Dubai chocolate. They're extremely overpriced and don't taste the same.
Another popular response was smash burgers. “Why is everything a smashburger now?” What started as diner food is now appearing on every restaurant menu. I personally also prefer a thicker, juicy burger where the meat quality shines. Smash burgers tend to be a bit dry and thin for my liking, and they feel more trendy than filling.
If you are a fan, though, here is a video from @bonappetit showing how to make a smash burger.
Flavored oils were a specific food item that readers agreed was overhyped. “Truffle oil is for charging people more for fries that taste weird.” Truffle flavoring isn't for everyone. It's fragrant and does have a very bold flavor. Too much is added to a dish, and it will easily overpower it. I'm a big fan of truffle oil, but it should be used as a finishing accent, not a garnish. The hype can be real when it's used correctly.
A big theme of the thread was the overrating of avocado toast and the creation of Instagram-worthy plates. “It’s always avocado toast with ingredients glued on top.” Social media feeds are full of toast topped with edible flowers, runny egg yolks, and slices of avocado. Visual design alone does not make a satisfying snack or meal.
Seasonings were a common complaint throughout the thread. “Every dish doesn’t need everything bagel seasoning.” Once you start to season popcorn, hummus, salads, veggies, and frozen snacks with the same seasoning, it's borderline flavor fatigue. I do think that seasoning trends can be fun and delicious, but shouldn't become a blanket addition to all foods.
Readers chimed in that charcuterie boards have passed their peak appeal. “It’s just random food on a board now.” The original snack boards focused on cured meats and cheeses, but now they're stocked with candy, baked goods, potato chips, and whatever else needs to be used up. I do think that charcuterie boards can be a beautiful addition or centerpiece, but curation is more meaningful than volume.
Extravagant drinks were mentioned in the thread as well. “Milkshakes should not have a slice of cake taped to the straw.” Massive milkshakes and cream-topped coffees attract views but often overwhelm with sugar and artificial flavor. I tend to agree that when the drink's toppings overshadow the drink itself, the balance is lost, and it just becomes a high-sugar dessert.
A few responses also mentioned Fusion foods. “Every popular food just gets forced into another cuisine now.” Fusion can be delicious when grounded in understanding and cultural respect, but poorly executed mash-ups chase novelty instead of harmony.
'Marry me whatever' stated by another user. It started with marry me chicken and has now evolved into marry me chipea, marry me gnocchi, marry me salmon. While most of us love the comforting aromas of the "marry me" concept, it is getting out of hand.
Taste evolves, and trends come and go, but excellence in food remains constant. If viral dishes cannot deliver flavor and function, they'll be forgotten, and consumers will quickly move on.
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