When a snack comes with an aroma that stops you mid-bite, you know there’s more than flavour at play. In late September 2025, a South African TikToker under the handle @thatdorkay sparked a delightful debate: she lined up popular snacks from home against their UK counterparts, and the results got mouths salivating and minds racing.
From Cream Soda Surprise to Chip Nostalgia
The first contender: cream soda. The UK version came out of its bottle looking clear and smelling intensely sweet. She said, “It smells so sweet, oh my gosh,” she said, surprised by the aroma and difference in appearance. But rather than recoil, she admitted she enjoyed it.
Switching to the green South African cream soda was like reuniting with childhood. She rated both versions 9 out of 10, each for its own reason.
Next up: jelly babies. The UK batch, dusted lightly, leaned sweeter, while the South African version felt more fruity, with less sugar overload. She gave the SA version 7 out of 10 and the UK version 8.5.
Then there were chocolate bars. She matched the UK Starbar with SA’s 5Star. Her verdict? They’re like cousins, similar DNA but not identical. She scored them both a solid 9.
Finally: Nik Naks. Her love for the SA version runs deep, “my childhood,” she said. The UK version tasted sweeter and more fruity, but she still enjoyed both, giving each an 8 out of 10.
Mzansi Weighs In
The video took off. Views climbed, likes piled up, and the comment sections filled fast. Some were shocked by the UK cream soda’s aroma. Others poked fun at the green colour of the SA version (“My brain is so confused”).
People debated texture, sugar levels, colour, and nostalgia. Some claimed the SA versions had more soul. Others celebrated how the UK versions brought a new twist to familiar treats.
This kind of food comparison taps into something deeply South African: the love for our flavours and the surprise of seeing how small things shift across borders.
Why This Resonates Beyond Snacks
This isn’t just cute content. In a world where emigration, travel, and social media have many of us moving across cultures, food becomes a portal to memory and identity. A sip or bite can remind you of a childhood, a place left behind, or the thrill of discovery abroad.
Plus, when influencers test what’s “same but different,” they spark conversation about more than taste. We think about product standards, flavour regulation, food nostalgia and how brands adapt to different markets.
In South Africa, we love a good taste test. From street food wars to debates over rusks or biltong, we lean into flavour. This viral video did more than compare candy: it nudged us to question what makes a snack “ours.”
@thatdorkay SA 🇿🇦 vs UK 🇬🇧 snacks that I think are same same but different! Honestly had so much fun! Both are incredible😍🫶🏼💕 #snackreviews #uksnacks #sasnacks #snackvssnack #trygirl ♬ original sound – DorKay💕
The Sweet Smell of Curiosity
No matter which side you’re on, Team Green SA cream soda or the “clear and fruity” UK version, the magic is that one person’s curiosity ignited a communal flavour party. Snippets of video are in stories, memes are born, and for a moment, every comment section turns into a tasting table.
Even without knowing if one version is “better,” we all win when we taste, compare, and talk.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: iStock
