Trader Joe’s is regularly making headlines for its viral bag drops (with the peach insulated grocery bag and pastel mini canvas totes being two of the more recent) and wow-worthy dupes. While on the topic of the latter, TJ’s has done it again with the launch of its very own take on the cult-favorite, TikTok-obsessed Dubai chocolate bar. We got our hands on one of the beautifully packaged, pistachio cream-filled dark chocolate grids, and the hype is true: This chocolate bar is a unique must-try for foodies and chocolate lovers near and far.
What Is Dubai Chocolate?
The viral Dubai chocolate bar features a deep-grid silhouette made of decadent milk chocolate filled with flavorful pistachio cream and crunchy kataifi.
“For those unfamiliar: kataifi = vermicelli-like pastry ‘noodles,’ made from finely shredded phyllo dough, often used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts,” the Patislove Pistachio Dark Chocolate Dubai Style product description reveals.
What Is The Trader Joe’s Version Of It?
News of a Trader Joe’s Dubai chocolate bar dupe first dropped back in early May, with avid foodies eagerly anticipating its official release. The Patislove Pistachio Dark Chocolate Dubai Style officially hit store shelves the week of May 26, with many locations selling out.
So, what makes the Trader Joe’s Dubai chocolate bar special? For starters, it’s a fraction of the price of the original. The bars that started the trend on TikTok ring up around $20 a bar, while the TJ’s version is just $3.99 for the 3.52-ounce sweet treat. Price aside, the TJ’s Dubai chocolate bar is coated in delicious dark chocolate—a departure from the OG bar. It also features more pistachios in the mix. “Pistachios make up 50 percent of the filling’s recipe, which is more than you’ll find in most Dubai-style bars, and the filling accounts for an entire third of the bar,” according to the Patislove Pistachio Dark Chocolate Dubai Style product description.
Lastly, while it’s dubbed a Dubai chocolate bar, it’s actually manufactured by Illinois-based chocolatier Patis Food Group and made in Turkey. Still, it hits the trend nail on the head with its ultra-unique flavor profile, which we’d happily treat ourselves to again and again.
Speaking Of…What Does A Dubai Chocolate Bar Taste Like?
While I can’t compare it to the OG, as I’ve never had an authentic Dubai bar before, the TJ’s version is creamy, crunchy, and subtly sweet. It’s not super thick, though, so you aren’t getting a major mouthful of filling, which would probably make the flavor profile more prominent. Still, with a soft, palate-pleasing flavor and a price tag just shy of $4, it’s well worth adding to cart—and Instagrammers agree.
“For $3.99, I think it’s a more affordable option and is well balanced with the use of dark chocolate rather than the usual milk chocolate. I will say I do wish there was more crunchy kataifi inside,” one food Instagrammer (@eatsbyrachel) shared. “I had the same exact thought! Solid for only $3.99,” someone commented on her post. “This sold out so fast! Waiting for the next restock,” another Instagrammer wrote.
Where Can You Buy The Trader Joe’s Dubai Chocolate Bar—And For How Long?
Want to get your hands on the Trader Joe’s Dubai chocolate bar? Find your nearest TJ’s location here. Before driving over (unless a grocery re-stock is also on your list), call your local store to make sure they have the bars in stock.
And keep in mind: It won’t be here forever. “This rich, textural treat is a must-try for chocolate lovers and trend-chasers alike—and it’s available at your neighborhood Trader Joe’s now through July,” the product description says. However, Trader Joe's Public Relations Manager Nakia Rohde told USA TODAY that if the bars are met with major fanfare, more could be sold.
Rebecca Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Over the past 10+ years, she’s heavily covered a range of lifestyle topics, including travel, home, beauty, style, wellness, and celebrity news. She is a graduate of George Mason University, where she earned a B.A. in Media: Production, Consumption, and Critique, along with a minor in Electronic Journalism. When she's not writing, she can be found strolling with her Jack-Chi, Cash, sipping iced matcha lattes, indulging in delicious cuisine, perusing farmer’s markets and antique sales, collecting colored glass, getting lost within the pages of a book, and exploring new bucket-list cities.
