Dubai Chewy Cookie Sparks Korea’s Newest Dessert Obsession

Filled with pistachio cream, knafeh shreds, and chocolate marshmallow, the Dubai chewy cookie is quickly becoming Korea’s most talked-about sweet treat.

Dubai’s Viral Chewy Cookie Takes Over Korea

If you love rich, indulgent desserts, there’s a new trend you can’t escape in Korea right now. Inspired by Dubai’s famous chewy sweets, the “Dubai chewy cookie” has become one of the country’s hottest dessert sensations in recent months.

From dessert cafés to convenience stores, this unusual cookie is appearing everywhere — and selling out almost as quickly as it arrives.

What Is the Dubai Chewy Cookie?

Despite its name, the Dubai chewy cookie is unlike any ordinary cookie. Instead of a crumbly texture, it offers a soft, stretchy bite that feels closer to Korean rice cakes.

The dessert is made by stuffing pistachio cream and fine shreds of knafeh pastry into a chocolate marshmallow base, then coating the outside in chocolate. When pulled apart, the filling stretches dramatically, revealing its bright pistachio center — a moment that has become wildly popular on social media.

Its unique combination of textures — crisp chocolate, chewy marshmallow, creamy pistachio, and delicate pastry — is exactly what sets it apart.

A K-Pop Post That Started It All

The trend gained explosive attention last fall after a well-known K-pop idol shared a photo of the dessert on Instagram. Almost overnight, bakeries across Seoul began creating their own versions, and long lines soon followed.

Some stores reportedly sell hundreds of cookies within minutes, while others have introduced limits on how many each customer can buy. Prices typically range from 5,000 to 10,000 won per piece, with premium variations costing even more.

From Cafés to Convenience Stores

What makes the Dubai chewy cookie phenomenon especially remarkable is how quickly it spread beyond specialty bakeries. Sushi restaurants, noodle shops, and even casual eateries have added the dessert to their menus.

Major convenience store chains have also joined the trend, releasing ready-to-eat versions that have sold in the millions within just a few months. Suppliers now admit that production is struggling to keep pace with demand.

Fans have even created online maps tracking which shops carry the cookie and when new batches are released.

Rising Pistachio Prices and Copycat Versions

With pistachio cream at the heart of the recipe, soaring demand has begun affecting ingredient prices. Several supermarkets have raised pistachio prices this year as supplies tighten.

At the same time, imitation versions have appeared across the market. Some customers have taken to online reviews to complain about missing knafeh or fillings that lack the signature stretch. Even so, the craze continues to grow.

Why Korea Fell in Love With It

Food critics say the dessert perfectly matches Korea’s current food culture.

“The appeal lies in its thickness, density, and visual impact,” one critic explained. “It’s a dessert designed to impress before the first bite.”

With its dramatic pull-apart texture and luxurious ingredients, the Dubai chewy cookie seems tailor-made for social media — and for Korea’s love of bold, eye-catching sweets.

From Dubai to Seoul — A Global Dessert Journey

What began as a trendy confection in Dubai has now become a symbol of how fast food culture travels across borders. And judging by Korea’s enthusiastic response, the Dubai chewy cookie is likely to remain a favorite for some time.

Whether you try it in a café or recreate it at home, one thing is clear — this chewy dessert has officially earned its place in Korea’s dessert hall of fame.