How to Make Viral Dubai Chocolate Recipe (Japanese Matcha Twist)

Dubai chocolate has become a global sensation, and Japan is no exception. This chocolate bar is filled with rich pistachio cream and crispy Kataifi (also spelled Kadaif or Kadayif), a shredded Middle Eastern pastry. The creamy pistachio filling and crunchy Kataifi create the signature texture that has made Dubai chocolate so popular.

The original version wasn't actually called "Dubai chocolate." It was first introduced as "Can't Get Knafeh of It" by FIX Dessert Chocolatier, founded by Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian entrepreneur based in Dubai. As its popularity spread, people simply began referring to it as "Dubai chocolate." FIX is also known for its witty chocolate bar names, including "Baklawa II The Future" and "Catch Me If Pecan."

In this recipe, I'm sharing a matcha-inspired twist called "Matcha: Impossible," inspired by FIX's playful naming style.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Supposed, you’ve already enjoyed the original Dubai chocolate, you may now be craving something new. This matcha Dubai chocolate will definitely fulfill those cravings. And once you learn how to make it, you can customize your own versions by adding different ingredients or flavors.

Ingredients Overview

Kataifi (Kadaif / Kadayif) - A very thin, shredded dough made from simple ingredients like flour, water and sometimes starch. It’s often called “angel hair” because of its delicate strands. It’s traditionally used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean desserts and savory dishes, adding a light crispy texture to both sweet and savory creations.

Pistachio paste - I used 100% pure pistachio paste, which contains no sugar or other ingredients, so to add sweetness, I mixed it with white chocolate. If your pistachio paste already contains sugar, you may not need to add the white chocolate.

Chocolate - I made matcha chocolate by blending white chocolate with Uji matcha powder, but you can also use pre-made matcha chocolate to simplify the process.

Note: Japanese Taste doesn't stock Meiji chocolates during the warmer months, but it will be available again once the weather cools. In the meantime, feel free to use any good-quality white chocolate from your local grocery store.

Although according to FIX dessert chocolatier, the original Dubai chocolate contains tahini as its one of the main components, I omitted it in my matcha version, as I felt the rich sesame flavor seemed to overwhelm the delicate matcha notes.

Tips to Know Before You Start

• Kataifi should be evenly toasted to create a crisp, golden layer.
• Adjust the sweetness based on the pistachio paste that you use.
• Remove any leftover moisture or water from the kitchen tools you use, because water can cause the chocolate to seize.

Variations & Serving Ideas

Just like this recipe, Dubai Chocolate can be versatile. Just a simple ingredient swap can create something new. For example, you can use strawberry chocolate instead of using white chocolate and matcha powder. This way, you can easily get a fun Strawberry Dubai Chocolate, and it can be more enjoyable to top it with some dried strawberry pieces or strawberry powders for decoration!

As the Dubai Chocolate is quite a rich dessert, I recommend enjoying it with coffee or tea. Since this Dubai chocolate is made with matcha, I suggest paring it with Japanese green tea or hojicha.

Love this recipe? You may also like:

• Nama Chocolate: Unlike ordinary chocolate, Nama chocolate is famous for its exceptionally soft, silky texture just like “Nama (raw)”!
• Matcha Nama Chocolate: Matcha nama chocolate is a Western-style Japanese truffle made with white chocolate, heavy cream, matcha powder, and butter. The melting texture and matcha flavor is irresistible!