Tiktok
The Kitchen Truth-Teller Who Tests Every Viral Food Trend So You Don't Have To
If you've ever scrolled through TikTok wondering if those viral food trends are actually worth trying, you've probably stumbled upon Dzung's brilliantly relatable experiments. The creative force behind Honeysuckle started as a corporate finance professional who needed an artistic escape, and now she's become the trusted friend we all wish we had to test whether rainbow grilled cheese or baked feta pasta actually work in real life. Her transition from spreadsheets to saucepans wasn't just a career change—it was a mission to demystify fancy cooking for everyday people.
What makes Dzung's approach so refreshing is how she treats each viral recipe test like a genuine kitchen experiment rather than a polished performance. She doesn't hide the mess when she tries "cloud bread" that collapses into goo, or when she attempts to recreate those impossibly stacked milkshakes that inevitably topple over. Her "I Tested 1-Star TikToker Recipes" series has become a cult favorite precisely because she approaches even the most questionable food hacks (like cereal milk ice cream made with actual cereal floating in it) with genuine curiosity and zero pretension. There's something deeply comforting about watching someone tackle these trends with the same hesitation you'd feel trying them yourself.
Behind the scenes, Dzung's Los Angeles home kitchen has become a laboratory for culinary truth-telling. She often shares snippets of her kids wandering in mid-taste test, asking why mom is making ramen in a mug... again. This authentic blend of parenting and food experimentation resonates with her million-plus followers (affectionately called "BuzyBeez"), who appreciate that her content acknowledges the reality of cooking with limited time and energy. Whether she's trying Starbucks copycats or testing whether you can actually make sushi with a Sharpie (spoiler: you can't), she maintains a balance of expertise and approachability that makes gourmet techniques feel achievable.
Dzung's influence extends beyond just recipe testing—she's built a community around mindful consumption, partnering with brands like Sprouts Farmers Market and California Avocados to highlight sustainable food choices. But what really sticks with viewers is how she seamlessly weaves her Vietnamese heritage into her content, like when she taught her son to make traditional banh mi while laughing about how he insists on adding extra sriracha. Her newsletter subscribers get early access to these personal moments, plus honest reviews of kitchen gadgets that actually work (turns out, not all TikTok-recommended tools pass her "will I use this more than once?" test).
What started as a creative outlet in 2009 has evolved into something far more meaningful—a digital space where cooking isn't about perfection but connection. Whether she's attempting to recreate that viral chocolate lava cake that looks perfect in 15 seconds but takes 45 minutes in reality, or sharing how her daughter declares some experiments "yucky" while devouring others, Dzung reminds us that food should be joyful, not stressful. And honestly, isn't that exactly what we need more of in our feeds?
