The Cookie Everyone in South Korea Is Chasing! Fans Queue for the ‘Dubai Chewy Cookie’

A new dessert trend is sweeping across South Korea, and food lovers cannot seem to get enough of it. Inspired by Dubai’s famous sweets, this chewy chocolate treat has quickly become the talk of the town. From bakeries to convenience stores and even restaurants that usually do not usually sell desserts, places are seeing long queues of people eager to get a taste. The growing buzz around this indulgent sweet has turned it into one of the country’s most talked-about food trends.

Why this cookie stands out

The original Dubai chocolate is rich, with pistachio cream, tahini, and small pieces of knafeh pastry. South Korea has adapted this idea into a chewy cookie that is soft and thick, more like a rice cake than a normal cookie.

The dessert is made by filling chocolate marshmallows with pistachio cream and bits of knafeh. Its unique texture and rich flavour are a big reason why people cannot get enough of it.

How it became popular

As mentioned in a BBC report, the trend started when Jang Won-young from the girl group IVE shared a picture of the cookie on Instagram last September. Fans noticed it quickly, and the post went viral. Soon, many people began searching for shops selling the dessert, spreading the craze across the country.

Shops struggle to meet demand

The Dubai chewy cookie is selling very fast. According to the report, many stores sell hundreds of pieces within minutes, and some have started limiting the number each customer can buy.

Tracking the cookie craze

The BBC report mentioned that the dessert is so popular that someone created a map showing which stores still have it in stock. Fans can check it to find the cookie before it runs out.

Prices of ingredients rise

Because pistachio cream is a main ingredient, its demand has increased. Reports say some supermarkets have raised pistachio prices by about 20 percent this year.

Imitation versions appear

As the cookie became popular, some copies started appearing. Some buyers complained that these versions did not have knafeh or the soft marshmallow coating. One person said they paid 11,000 won for two cookies, but they were disappointing.
Thumb image: Instagram / @pariscoguam