Jujumao: Bringing international flavors to your TikTok feed

Want to learn how to cook dishes from around the world? Head to Jujumao’s TikTok page—a digital treasure trove of mouthwatering global recipes. Each of Juju’s videos is a culinary journey, where he brings international flavors to life with his vibrant cooking. From American Gumbo, Malaysian Ayam Percik and Russian Liver Cake to Thai Pad Kra Pao, Korean Jjolmyeon, and Filipino Adobong Kambing, Jujumao takes viewers on a flavorful tour of countries, offering an immersive experience that beautifully blends culture and cuisine.

Jujumao demonstrates his cooking skills and discusses his journey as an emerging TikTok Food Content Creator.

As one of the Philippines’ emerging food creators, Jujumao’s TikTok has amassed over 2 million followers, with each video offering a visual feast. His viral recipe like the Cheesy Calamares—a twist on Filipino street food favorite cheese sticks—racked up 9 million views, while his  Garlic Parmesan Calamari and Taiwanese Style Calamares videos soared to 11 million and 21 million views respectively. Juju’s content is not just about cooking—it’s about creating a vibrant, global culinary experience.

The Birth of a TikTok Foodie

Jujumao happily posts with the procedure and different flavors of Calamares, (from left to right) Cheesy Calamares, Taiwanese Calamares, Buffalo-style Calamari and Sweet corn calamares paired with a variety of sauces such as the sweet chilli sauce, and aioli sauce.

Jujumao’s love for cooking started long before social media existed. Raised by adventurous parents and guided by his Kapampangan and Ilocano grandmothers, he grew up immersed in a world of diverse cuisines. After college, Jujumao worked as a line cook, but a shift to sales pulled him away from the kitchen. “I found myself missing the kitchen more and more,” he shares. This longing eventually brought him back, and this time, he started sharing his culinary creations on TikTok.

The pandemic was a turning point for Jujumao. As the world turned to social media, he found himself captivated by TikTok’s “#FoodTok” trend, where creators showcased their dishes. “I was inspired by the food content of creators I idolized,” he recalls. This inspiration rekindled his passion for cooking, and after weeks of reflection, Jujumao posted his first video. “I had nothing to lose,” he remembers. That video gained unexpected traction, motivating him to create more content and dive deeper into his creative journey.

Culinary Influences and Evolution

For Jujumao, food is where creativity meets tradition. His parents’ adventurous tastes exposed him to international cuisine early on, shaping his palate and curiosity. Though he dreamt of traveling the world to explore different food cultures, he brought those flavors into his kitchen instead—recreating recipes through cookbooks, TV shows, and online media.

Jujumao’s content reflects this love for culinary exploration. Whether he’s recreating authentic global dishes or putting a unique spin on Filipino classics, his creativity shines. “I love blending traditional Filipino food with international influences,” he says. “I research extensively to keep it authentic but always add my own twist.”

Jujumao shares the story behind his TikTok viral Calamares recipe.

His fast-paced, visually engaging format was inspired by creators like Bayashi, Albertcancook, Owen Han, Salt Hank, and Samseats. “Fast-paced content keeps me hooked, and I wanted to bring that style to Filipino viewers,” he shares, noting that this approach works well for audiences with shorter attention spans—like his own.

A Growing Platform, A Thriving Community

Through TikTok, Jujumao has not only refined his culinary skills but also grown as a videographer and editor. Over two years, his content has evolved, and so has his confidence. “TikTok has pushed me out of my comfort zone to explore different cooking techniques and cuisines,” he reflects. “Looking back at my old videos, I’m happy to see how much I’ve grown, both in my cooking and my production quality.”

Jujumao explains his TikTok journey as a food content creator while preparing his TikTok viral dish, Crispy Calamares.

Perhaps one of the most fulfilling aspects of his journey is the sense of community. TikTok has connected him with like-minded creators, many of whom have become collaborators and friends. Jujumao fondly recalls his collaborations with renowned food creators like  Bayashi, Kenty, Chef Hiro, and Omuraisupuro. These experiences have not only broadened his horizons but also reinforced the idea that food connects people across cultures. 

“Being part of a thriving TikTok food community has taught me so much,” Jujumao shares. “I’ve learned how to improve my content, and I’ve made meaningful connections with creators from around the world.”

Embracing Challenges and Staying True to the Craft

While the road to becoming a successful food content creator may seem glamorous, it’s not without its challenges. One of Jujumao’s more memorable experiences was when he was asked to recreate a dish from the “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon” TV series. “I didn’t know where to start since the meals there were so obscure and hard to recreate,” he laughs. However, with his signature creativity and determination, he not only pulled it off but even donned a costume to get into character.

For aspiring creators, Jujumao serves up a recipe for content creation success.  “If you’re set on becoming a food content creator, never give up. You may not see results right away, but if it’s something you want to pursue and you’re genuinely passionate about it, I believe you will succeed. Expose yourself to different formats, ideas, and concepts, and keep reinventing yourself,” he shares. 

Jujumao’s story shows that mixing passion, talent, and hard work with a sprinkle of perseverance can cook up some truly mouthwatering food content. Thanks to TikTok, he’s able to serve his delicious creations straight to a global audience, keeping them engaged and hungry for more.

What’s cooking in Jujumao’s kitchen? Visit Jujumao’s TikTok page. https://www.tiktok.com/@jujumaoo 

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This article is brought to you by TikTok.