A food influencer known as Cian has been criticised online after posting a viral TikTok video in which he branded a famousTokyo pudding stalla 'tourist trap', sparking debate over food reviews, cultural respect andinfluencer behaviour.
The creator, who is known for posting travel and street food content, shared footage of himself visiting a long-running dessert stall in Japan that has become popular on social media. The vendor is widely recognised online for serving a traditional custard pudding and for an animated plating style that has attracted queues of tourists and food lovers.
However, what began as a highly anticipated tasting quickly turned into controversy after Cian delivered a blunt verdict once he finally secured a serving.
Cian is a TikTok food and travel creator whose videos focus on street food, trending restaurants and viral dishes from around the world. His content often features first-time reactions to popular destinations and highly rated eateries.
The Tokyo pudding video has become one of his most talked-about uploads, drawing attention not only for the review itself but for the backlash that followed.
In the clip, Cian explained that he had tried several times to buy the pudding during his trip but found it sold out on each previous attempt.
He said the stall only makes around 50 portions a day, which has helped build its reputation online and contributed to frequent queues.
After eventually purchasing the dessert, his tone changed quickly from excitement to disappointment as he began tasting it on camera.
During the review, Cian described the pudding as bitter and lacking the quality he expected after seeing its popularity online. He also compared the texture to 'egg whites', suggesting it did not justify the hype surrounding the stall.
In his strongest criticism, he referred to the business as a 'tourist trap', a remark that rapidly spread across social media and drew sharp reactions from viewers.
Source: International Business Times UK
