2020 is not your usual year. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything about life as we knew it. All our planned trips and events were pushed back due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine, which took place last March 16, 2020. Aside from that, we also felt the burden we collectively faced, from job layoffs, businesses closing, and people falling ill to the dreaded COVID-19.

But even if this year was bleak and dismal, we still discovered ways to make a living and to enjoy. If there's one thing that united us together, it's none other than FOOD. Whatever happens, Pinoys will continue to cook, eat, and be merry. One bright side about 2020 was the food trends that prevailed during the course of the lockdown. This helped our kababayans make a living through online selling.

Here's a rundown of the yummy food and drinks that made waves across social media.

1. Ube cheese pandesal

We all have our own ways of enjoying our pandesal, a breakfast staple. But 2020 added a sweet and salty twist to it: by coating pandesal in ube and filling it with oozing cheese inside. It became an instant hit in online Facebook and Instagram stores selling baked goodies! This is truly an ingenious way of savoring our favorite pandesal.

2. Dalgona coffee

Korean food easily caught up with the Filipino taste buds. The last few years, we have seen samgyupsal (barbecue) restaurants sprouting left and right across the metro. Not only that, we also appreciated Korean instant noodles, Kimchi rice, banana milk, and now, Dalgona coffee. This coffee first trended in South Korea and during the first month of the lockdown, it was seen across social media.

What was the reason why Dalgona coffee became so popular? This was because it only had four ingredients, which could be found inside our fridge and pantries: black powdered coffee, sugar, hot water, and milk. Whip the black coffee, sugar, and a tablespoon of hot water in a bowl and add the foamy mixture on top of cold milk. Voila! You now have a coffee shop inspired drink that's also perfect for your Instagram feed.

3. Baked sushi

Our Japanese favorite got a brand new makeover this year. Baked sushi is composed of Japanese rice and any chosen ingredients baked in a casserole. It can have salmon, chopped crab sticks, mango, mayonnaise, and cream cheese. To eat this, you scoop a tablespoon of the baked sushi and wrap it in nori. It's cheesy, tangy, and spicy goodness all rolled in one!

4. Minimalist cakes

This is another yummy food trend from South Korea. If you're seeing those plain frosted cakes with the usual "Happy birthday" or something funny written on top, this is called a minimalist cake. Because it boomed in popularity this year, we can call this the official quarantine birthday cake.

5. Food hacks

One positive side to the quarantine situation is the delicious meals we can prepare despite the limited ingredients on hand. From creating gourmet-inspired meals like sardines pasta to easier dishes like pancit canton mixed with cheese, fried egg, and even spicy sauce, our boredom was gone during our stay indoors because of food.

What 2020 quarantine food trend is your favorite? Share it with us! We hope for yummier goodness to come this 2021!