Bake by MEL launched a new pistachio kunafa series & I tried it all—worth it?

If you’ve been scrolling through your feeds and dreaming of the viral pistachio kunafa chocolate bar, you’d know exactly what I’m talking about.

I simply couldn’t resist the urge to stuff my face with every single one of their new releases to see if they were as good as they looked on screen. As the bakery confidently debuted this new series right around its first anniversary, I was also eager to find out if they could truly bring that TikTok-worthy magic right to our plates.

For those who may be out of the loop, this pistachio series is inspired by the viral ‘Can’t Get Knafeh of It’ chocolate bar from Dubai’s FIX Dessert Chocolatier. Still clueless? Click here to drool.

Image Credit: @fixdessertchocolatier on Instagram

I won’t lie—while I was genuinely pumped to try the entire range, my eyes were set on one item and one item only: Bake by MEL’s pistachio kunafa chocolate bar. I could already picture myself taking a massive, gluttonous bite that would leave my TikTok For You Page trembling with jealousy.

Walking into Bake By MEL is a treat in itself. The space is inviting, with a modern aesthetic that reflects the creativity behind its offerings.

Succumbing to my intense cravings and true to my word, I tried it all.

MFT’s Review

The pistachio kunafa madness did not start with the chocolate bars, I wanted to enjoy those in the comfort of my own home. Instead, I started with their kunafa-inspired treats beyond the bars.

Kunafa Cookies (RM11.50)

Visually, this one caught my eye right away. It was a very yummy cookie that wasn’t overly stuffed with the pistachio kunafa filling. Sweet fillings can be overwhelming sometimes. It had chunks of high-quality chocolate chips and chopped pistachios, giving one a textural experience. The cookie was soft and crumbly, not raw, which I appreciated. Immediately, I could tell that they used premium pistachio cream. A standout cookie that vanished in minutes.

Kunafa Cromboloni (RM14)

I was excited for this one as I’ve never had a cromboloni despite its hype among foodies. Unfortunately, it was cold and hard by the time I got to it, making it difficult and messy to break apart by hand. The filling was quite sweet and left a slightly oily aftertaste. While I did enjoy the bites I took, I would have preferred it piping hot out of the oven, with a touch less sweetness and a bit more filling.

Pistachio Kunafa Croissant (RM16)

A flaky croissant with a layer of pistachio kunafa filling—just the right amount. Like the cromboloni, it risks getting stale quickly, so it’s best enjoyed fresh and hot. I really enjoyed the buttery layers of the croissant; in fact, I would have liked it plain as well. Unlike some overly sweet pistachio croissants, this one strikes a subtle balance without being cloying.

Kunafa Brownies (RM13)

Honestly, the brownie looked a little dense and dry to me, so I didn’t have high hopes. Yet, it was exactly what I would have wanted from a pistachio kunafa brownie. It maintained a rich and fudgy texture and was not at all dry, with chunks of pistachios which balanced out the density with some texture. It was not too heavy on the pistachio kunafa and had a lovely dark and rich chocolate flavour. A decadent brownie that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The main event

Finally comfy and away from prying eyes, I unwrapped the chocolate bar—cue the fanfare!

Pistachio Dubai Kunafa Chocolate (RM39)

The bar was visually stunning, featuring the playful paint splatter design familiar from FIX Dessert Chocolatier bars, definitely Instagram-ready.

As I held it, I noticed that it was much softer than other pistachio kunafa chocolate bar dupes I’ve tried, and I was right. Taking a big bite was effortless! It was soft and crumbly right out of the fridge, yet it maintained a satisfying crunch on the outside. The experience mirrored what I had seen people enjoy on TikTok.

Inside, the kunafa filling was the creamiest one I’ve tried yet—rich and indulgent without being overly sweet, hitting that perfect ratio of kunafa and pistachio. The crunchy chocolate shell beautifully contrasted with the smooth filling, creating a gasp-worthy textural experience.

It was everything I hoped for and more. Is it worth RM39? Oh, definitely! If you’ve been on the hunt for a ‘Can’t Get Knafeh of It’ dupe, this is by far the best I’ve tried.

Bake by MEL’s new pistachio kunafa series

The entire series lives up to the hype and tastes just as good as it looks on screen.

The premium quality pistachio cream combined with their creative flair, truly set them apart. You can feel the time and effort that went into crafting these pistachio kunafa treats, as everything strikes the perfect balance—nothing feels out of place.

Their chocolate bar even made my TikTok pistachio kunafa dreams come true. So, if you’re a fan of pistachio or looking to try the viral pistachio kunafa, I highly recommend Bake by MEL’s latest nutty series.