Trader Joe’s has done it again. Just when you thought you had tried every viral snack the grocery store had to offer, a new product is taking over social media: Mango Sticky Rice. Inspired by the classic Thai dessert, this sweet and tropical snack has caught shoppers’ attention with its combination of mango, coconut, and sticky rice flavors.
Mango sticky rice is not a new treat. In fact, the dessert itself has been around for hundreds of years. It originated in Thailand with steamed glutinous rice, sweetened coconut milk, and fresh ripe mango slices. As for Trader Joe’s, they took this popular dessert and created a more accessible version of it. You’ll find it in the frozen section in the form of a pre-made mango sticky rice, ready to eat after you heat it up in the microwave.
TikTok may be a major reason Trader Joe’s newest Mango Sticky Rice dessert is getting so much attention. The product only recently hit shelves, but shoppers have already been sharing first impressions, taste tests, and reviews online. Creators like @adriannacatalina and @snackeatingsnacks have taken to social media to rave about how amazing it is. “The rice itself is that perfect kind of stickiness and sweet and has that perfect texture,” @snackeatingsnacks said in his video, adding that the fried mung beans “taste like rice crispy treats.” In Adrianna’s review, she agreed. “The sticky rice is so good and the flavor is bomb,” she said. “There’s nothing I would recommend to change in this.”
The timing may also be part of the reason why mango sticky rice is having a viral moment. Mango is strongly associated with summer, when the fruit is at its sweetest and is featured in everything from smoothies and salads to desserts. That seasonal appeal makes a mango-based snack especially easy to market and extra tempting to shoppers looking for something refreshing during the warmer months.
Some shoppers have criticized the small serving size and mushier texture of the mango after microwaving, but even those reviews acknowledge that the flavor combination works. Another creator, @Theduongtwins, took to TikTok to give their honest opinions on the dessert. “It’s not as fresh, but it will do the trick if you’re craving mango sticky rice, ” they said. Despite that criticism, their overall reaction is overwhelmingly positive.
Early reviews of the new treat have been overwhelmingly positive, with shoppers describing it as everything from “amazing” to a 10/10. Nearly every video taste testing the desert talks about how good it is and encourages shoppers to try it for themselves. So, if TikTok convinced you to put it in your cart, you might actually be glad you listened.