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This may just be the most ‘authentic’ versions yet of the viral Dubai chocolate — the new Pistachio and Kunafa bar and the Manila-exclusive Ube Baklava bar — as chef Nouel Catis himself collaborates with a local chocolatier
MANILA, Philippines – When Filipino pastry chef Nouel Catis first created his Fix Bar in Dubai in 2021, it didn’t immediately take off. However, after three years, the chocolate bar suddenly sparked interest when a TikTok video of someone cracking open their dessert creation went viral.
It garnered millions of views and turned it into one of the Middle East’s most viral desserts.
Now, Catis, who grew up in Dipolog selling his mother’s baked goods at school, is the face of the viral Dubai Chocolate pistachio bar, which has gained immense popularity around the world.
There have been many local iterations of the chocolate bar by small businesses over the past year, but the award-winning Davao-based brand Auro Chocolate carries maybe the most “authentic” version yet, in collaboration with chef Catis himself.
Can’t get e-‘knafeh’
Auro Chocolate and SNA’AP Manila — a dessert shop founded by Catis — have teamed up for a special collaboration of two new Dubai chocolate bars, available at all major Kultura stores in Metro Manila.
It’s the first direct collaboration of Catis with a local chocolatier. But before this, Catis has been supporting Auro since 2017, helping them develop their recipes in Auro Chocolate Bahrain, which opened in 2022.
The Pistachio and Kunafa bar is a nod to the Dubai hit, and the Ube Baklava bar is a Manila exclusive. Both highlight the texture that made the Fix Bar famous — kataifi, or shredded phyllo pastry, which adds a crisp crunch to balance out the creamy fillings.
The Pistachio and Kunafa is compact in size but thick, decorated just like the viral bar, and is meant to be cracked open in the middle. While the filling isn’t as oozy as what you see online, it’s packed with buttery flavor: the nuttiness of roasted pistachio comes through, layered with the addictive crunch of kunafa.
The Ube Baklava is a strong local contender; inside, the ube filling tastes real and not artificial, making this variant proudly known as a Filipino specialty. There is a slight nutty sesame flavor from the tahini paste.
Both chocolate bars use Auro’s single-origin 42% Milk Chocolate.
The bars cost P575 each. Aside from Kultura stores, they’re also available at Auro Cafés, Auro’s official website, and on LazMall. – Rappler.com
