These Viral Vietnamese Pastries Look Just Like Potatoes — And People Are Obsessed

A new food trend in Vietnam transforms potatoes into cake-y replicas of themselves. The Hanoi-based bakery Cha Cha Cakes is behind the edible illusion, dubbed “fake potato cakes,” and made by repurposing mashed potatoes into sweet cheese-stuffed pockets meant to resemble real spuds. 

@curiousaboutvietnam The hottest food trend on Vietnam TikTok right now is this fake sweet potato, so of course I had to track it down and try it for myself. I found a spot that doesn’t just make fake sweet potatoes but also fake potatoes, and honestly they look even more real than the real thing. The whole thing is so cute. Holding two steaming hot potatoes in your hands is super fun, especially if you’re in the mood to try something different. 📍Check out my Vietnam Food Maps and join one of my Hanoi food tours for a fun, delicious way to eat like a local. YUMMMYFAAACE 🥰 🍠 Cha cha cake Ngõ 11 – Tô Ngọc Vân, Quảng An, Tây Hồ, Hà Nội #hanoitravel #vietnamtravel #foodtrend #foodreview #hanoifood #viral #foodporn #dessert #vietnamesedessert #vietnam ♬ Happy / Video CM / Ukulele ♬ Cooking / Family(897363) – ImoKenpi-Dou

There are two flavors: a sweet potato that resembles a purple yam and a regular potato that resembles a small Russet, which includes sausage in the filling. A video shared by the bakery cheekily shows how the pastries are made by hand.

@tiembanhchacha Vợ kêu làm clip giới thiệu sản phẩm chuyên nghiệp lên tí , làm vầy đủ chuyên nghiệp hơn chưa mn 😙😙#chachacake #tiembanhviahe #banhcukhoailang #xuhuong ♬ nhạc nền – cнα cнα cαкε

The mashed potatoes are seasoned, stuffed with cheese, re-formed into the shape of a potato, dusted with purple or brown, then baked. The consistency is doughy, chewy, melty, and mash-y all in one. 

@denny190703 Bánh khoai lang phô mai quán nì ok nha mí mom. Tui 2 ng 2c là quá đủ r. Giá hợp lý mà nước cx ok nha 📍 Cha Cha Cake, cuối ngõ 11 Tô Ngọc Vân, Tây Hồ #fpyシ #xuhuongtiktok #banhkhoailang #chachacake #hanoifood ♬ C u p i d O r i g i n a l – rdn

Fake potato cakes are inventive, crave-worthy, and customizable, so Cha Cha Cakes is definitely onto something with this viral treat. It’ll be interesting to see what other flavors it comes up with.