Cheese, kimchi, and hummus: What to add to your “girl dinner”, TikTok’s latest viral food trend

Here are the most convenient bites to add to your “girl dinner” when you’re too lazy to cook

A new food trend is in town, and it’s called “girl dinner”—a name that has inevitably invited much debate and many lingering questions. What exactly is a girl dinner, and why is it gaining so quickly in popularity?

The idea of a girl dinner is simply a platter of snacks that are uncooked or minimally cooked. Think of a charcuterie board, but with the freedom of putting anything you want on your plate, including things you need to clear out from the fridge. Put simply, a girl dinner is the perfect low-effort dinner for those with busy schedules or are too lazy to cook. No, the concept is not new. It’s only been given a new lease of life, thanks to the power of virality in the age of social media. And like every viral topic, the rise of the girl dinner has also raised some eyebrows. Some say the meal of snacks is insubstantial and promotes disordered eating (it is also unfortunate that it is named after a gender that disproportionately suffers from eating disorders).

But the trend’s creator Olivia Maher says that girl dinner is in fact all about the freedom and joy of eating whatever you want to eat, and a liberation from preconceived notions of what a meal is supposed to be. Of course the girl dinner is not representative of every meal you should have, and anyone—not just girls—can enjoy a lazy dinner thrown together for convenience’s sake.

In that spirit, here are some ideas for your very own girl dinner, that will not only bring joy and excitement, but also free you from the pressure of planning and cooking an elaborate meal on days where you could really use a break.

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1. Cheese

Above Cheese (Photo: Unsplash)

This is a no-brainer. Girl dinners are direct descendents of the charcuterie board, and there’s something utterly satisfying about nibbling bits of cheese for dinner. Besides, cheese on your plate is a good way to cover your calcium needs for the day. You can be as adventurous or as specialised as you want, with an array of hard and soft cheeses or just one of your favourites. Comté, gouda, brie, and camembert are some cheeses that never disappoint. For those with a taste for funky cheeses, a good blue cheese like a gorgonzola or a Bleu d’Auvergne will go perfectly with bread or crackers.

2. Cured meat

Above Cured meat sausage (Photo: Unsplash)

Another must-have, cured meat is a simple way to pack protein into your girl dinner without going through the hassle of cooking. Paired excellently with cheese, you can choose deli cuts like prosciutto, or opt instead for flavourful sausages like salami or Spanish chorizo, which gets its signature smoky aroma from paprika.

3. Tako wasabi

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For an alternative protein option, look to Japan, which has produced gems such as tako wasabi. This raw octopus dish seasoned with wasabi root packs a powerful punch of flavour, adding complex dimensions to your girl dinner. It comes in frozen ready-to-eat packs, so all you need to do is defrost and enjoy.

4. Fruit

Above Figs, a good addition to your girl dinner (Photo: Unsplash)

Fruit is a wonderful way to add a bit of refreshing sweetness and crunch to your girl dinner, while offering lots of fibre to help your gut. Classic choices include strawberries and grapes, though pomegranate seeds can also add a wonderful pop of colour and acidity to your food spread. Pick blueberries for a powerful antioxidant boost to your system. And for an Italian flair inspired by the classic prosciutto e melone, opt for juicy slices of cantaloupe to pair with decadently salty and fatty shavings of prosciutto.

5. Dips

Above Hummus, a classic dip for your girl dinner (Photo: Unsplash)

Everything tastes better with dip. There are so many ways you can take this—a lemon aioli might be lovely, as is a simple guacamole. You can’t go wrong with hummus, although if you’re looking towards the Middle East for inspiration, a thick and savoury babaganoush, an eggplant dip, is another delightful way to get fibre in your system.

6. Bread

Above Sourdough, a fabulous palate base for more flavourful items in your girl dinner (Photo: Unsplash)

Contrary to popular belief, carbohydrates are not your enemy. They are quickly broken down into glucose in the body, providing necessary energy for your brain, cell, and muscle functions—which is why they deserve a place on your girl dinner. Bread is one of the most basic sources of carbohydrates and keeps well, making this the perfect food to spread dips on or eat cheese with. You can never go wrong with a classic sourdough, though other varieties such as rye, whole wheat, or even brioche can satisfy your stomach. Choose a loaf with flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, or any other seed for some extra protein. Or opt for a flatbread instead, with options as flavourful as a garlic naan or as plain as a pita.

7. Kimchi

Above Kimchi, a fermented food that's good for your gut health (Photo: Unsplash)

If you need some spice to add dimension to your girl dinner, look no further than kimchi, a Korean staple that’s sour, savoury, and spicy in equal measure. What’s great about kimchi is that it is fermented, meaning it is full of probiotics that help promote gut health. Beloved by many, kimchi is one food that justifies its spot on your girl dinner.

In case you missed it: 5 fermented foods to boost your gut health

8. Vegetables

Above Vegetables (Photo: Unsplash)

Don’t underestimate the power of the humble vegetable, be it raw or cooked. One of the best sources of fibre, you can choose from a myriad of raw vegetables like celery, carrots, radish, edamame or sweetcorn to go with sauces and dips. If you prefer leafy vegetables, lettuce can be a crisp, refreshing base for other ingredients. Of course, you can also blanch the vegetables in hot water to slightly soften them. Doing so can also help break down cell walls so that certain nutrients are more easily absorbed.

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Topics

Girl dinner Snack plate Charcuterie board Picky bits Cheese Cured meat Tako wasabi Bread Fruit Dips Vegetables Kimchi

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What to add to your “girl dinner”, TikTok’s latest viral food trend