Dubai Chewy Cookie 2026 Korea: Ultimate Guide – Where to Buy, Price & Recipe (Dujjonku 두쫀쿠)

Are you wondering:

  • “Where can I buy Dubai Chewy Cookie in Seoul?”
  • “How much does Dujjonku cost?”
  • “Is Dubai Chewy Cookie worth the price?”
  • “What does Dubai Chewy Cookie taste like?”

You’re in the right place! This complete guide answers everything.

If you’re planning to visit Seoul in 2026, there’s one dessert you absolutely cannot miss: the Dubai Chewy Cookie, locally known as “Dujjonku” (두쫀쿠).

Dubai Chewy Cookie

As of January 2026, this is the most popular dessert in South Korea, with people lining up for hours just to get a taste. What started as the viral Dubai Chocolate trend has evolved into something uniquely Korean that’s taking over Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

  • Average Price: ₩7,000-₩10,000 ($5-$8 USD) per cookie
  • Wait Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours at popular locations
  • Best Time to Visit: Weekday mornings right after opening
  • Shelf Life: Best consumed within 24 hours
  • Calories: Approximately 400-500 calories per cookie
  • Where to Buy: Cafes, department stores, delivery apps across Seoul

How to Pronounce “Dujjonku” – The Korean Name

Before you order, here’s how to pronounce it correctly:

  • Official Name: 두바이 쫀득쿠키 (Dubai Jjon-deuk Cookie)
  • Shortened Version: 두쫀쿠 (Du-jjon-ku)
  • Phonetic Pronunciation: “Doo-jjon-koo”
  • English: Dubai Chewy Cookie

Pro Tip: Show this Korean text to café staff: “두쫀쿠 하나 주세요” (One Dujjonku, please)

The Original Dubai Chocolate Trend

The phenomenon started with Dubai Chocolate – a viral Middle Eastern dessert featuring:

  • Premium pistachio cream
  • Crispy kataifi (kadayif) pastry threads
  • Rich chocolate coating

Korea’s Unique Twist: The “Chewy” Revolution

Korean food culture is obsessed with texture (식감, “sikgam”), so local bakers innovated by:

  1. Replacing chocolate shells with thick, chewy cookie dough
  2. Adding marshmallow layers for extra stretchiness
  3. Creating the “cookie pull” – that Instagram-famous stretch
  4. Maximizing the pistachio filling for richer flavor

Result: A dessert that combines:

  • ✅ Crunchy kataifi center
  • ✅ Creamy pistachio spread
  • ✅ Chewy, mochi-like exterior
  • ✅ Instagram-worthy cross-section

Celebrity Endorsements

The trend exploded when K-pop idols started posting about it:

  • IVE’s Jang Won-young (장원영) – Featured Palette Dessert
  • Multiple idol groups mentioned it on variety shows
  • Korean food bloggers with millions of followers

Economic Impact in 2026

With Korea’s challenging economy, Dujjonku has become a lifeline for:

1. Café Owners

  • Acts as a “magnet product” bringing foot traffic
  • Customers buying coffee + cookies = higher revenue
  • Small cafes reporting 30-50% sales increase

2. Delivery App Success

Popular on:

  • Coupang Eats (쿠팡이츠)
  • Baemin (배달의민족)
  • Yogiyo (요기요)

3. Unexpected Sellers

Even non-dessert businesses are selling Dujjonku:

  • Sushi restaurants
  • Korean fried chicken shops
  • Traditional Korean restaurants
  • Coffee chains

Why it works: High profit margins despite expensive ingredients

As a local Korean, I ordered Dujjonku through a delivery app and paid ₩7,000 for one cookie. Here’s my completely honest, unbiased review:

Marshmallow Exterior (Texture)

Rating: 6/10

  • Chewier than expected – quite tough actually
  • I ate it straight from the refrigerator, which might have made it extra firm
  • Similar to thick, cold mochi or marshmallow taffy
  • Takes significant effort to bite through when cold
  • Tip: Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before eating!

Pistachio Spread (Flavor)

Rating: 9/10

  • This is definitely the star ingredient!
  • Rich, nutty, not too sweet
  • Balances the overall sweetness perfectly
  • Authentic pistachio flavor that justifies the hype
  • The main reason people keep coming back

Kataifi Threads (Crunch)

Rating: 8/10

  • Provides necessary textural contrast
  • Stays crunchy even with creamy filling
  • Fun sensory experience
  • Works well with the chewy exterior

Overall Experience & Value

Rating: 7/10

  • Taste: Unique and worth trying once
  • Now I understand the hype!
  • Best shared with friends due to richness and price
  • Pairs well with Americano coffee

My Honest Opinion on Price:

At ₩7,000 per cookie, I found it quite expensive. While the taste and experience were good, I personally think I’ll wait until the price drops before buying again. Once the trend settles and competition increases, prices should become more reasonable.

My Recommendation:

  • ✅ Try it once for the experience
  • ✅ Take photos for Instagram
  • ❌ Maybe not worth becoming a regular purchase at current prices
  • 💡 Wait for prices to stabilize (expected in 6-12 months)

Best Value Strategy: Split one cookie with a friend to try it without spending too much!

Important Note:

With hundreds of cafes now selling Dujjonku, any nearby café will likely have good quality. The recipe is fairly standardized, so don’t stress about finding “the perfect” shop. In my opinion, Koreans seem to be more driven by curiosity about trying a place out than by any particular interest in original or popular cafes.

However, here are the most famous locations if you want the “original” experience:

Location: Gimpo/Seoul area (Delivery-focused)
Why Famous: Credited as creating the round Dujjonku shape

📍 Find on Maps:

Insider Tip: Order 1 day in advance during weekends

2. Palette Dessert (팔레트디저트) – Celebrity Favorite

Location: Incheon (Online ordering available)
Why Famous: Jang Won-young’s favorite(K-pop Iodl) extra rich flavor

📍 Find on Maps:

Insider Tip: Often sells out by 2 PM on weekends

3. Kokoro Kara (코코로카라) – Hongdae’s Premium Option

Location: Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Why Famous: Legendary pudding shop’s Dubai series

📍 Find on Maps:

Insider Tip: Visit on weekday afternoons for shorter lines

Department Store Pop-Ups (Easiest for Tourists)

Major Seoul department stores regularly host Dujjonku pop-up shops:

The Hyundai Seoul (더현대 서울)

  • Location: Yeouido
  • Floor: B1-B2 Food Hall
  • Advantage: Multiple brands, English-speaking staff
  • Best Time: Weekday mornings

Shinsegae Gangnam (신세계 강남점)

  • Location: Gangnam Station
  • Floor: Basement Food Court
  • Advantage: Premium brands, convenient location
  • Best Time: After 3 PM on weekdays

Lotte Department Store (롯데백화점)

  • Multiple Locations: Main Branch, Jamsil, Myeongdong
  • Advantage: Frequent pop-ups, tourist-friendly
  • Best Time: Check Instagram for pop-up schedules

Pro Tip: If you see a long line in a department store basement, it’s probably for Dujjonku!

Why Are They So Expensive?

The high price is due to:

  1. Imported Kataifi Shortage: Korea imports from Turkey/Middle East
  2. Premium Pistachio Paste: Scarce in Korean market
  3. Labor-Intensive Production: Can’t be mass-produced quickly
  4. Limited Daily Batches: Fresh batches sell out fast

How to Avoid Sold-Out Disappointment: Smart Shopping Strategy

Best Times to Buy (Highest Success Rate):

⏰ Weekday Mornings (9-11 AM): 90% success rate

  • Fresh inventory
  • Shorter lines
  • Better selection

⏰ Weekday Afternoons (2-4 PM): 70% success rate

  • Moderate crowds
  • Second batch often available

❌ Weekend Anytime: 40% success rate

  • Long lines (1-2 hours)
  • Often sold out by noon
  • Higher stress

❌ After 5 PM Any Day: 20% success rate

  • Usually sold out
  • Only remnants available

Inventory Reality Check:

Due to:

  • Ingredient supply chain issues
  • Time-consuming production (2-3 hours per batch)
  • Limited oven/staff capacity

Most cafes produce only 50-100 cookies per day

Solution: Arrive early or use delivery apps to reserve

YouTube Recipe Popularity

Search these Korean keywords on YouTube:

  • “두바이 쫀득쿠키 만들기” (Dubai chewy cookie recipe)
  • “두쫀쿠 레시피” (Dujjonku recipe)
  • “Dubai cookie recipe Korea”

A: Best consumed within 24 hours. Refrigerate for up to 3 days, but texture changes. Pro tip: Warm it slightly in microwave (10 seconds) to restore chewiness!

A: Yes! Pack in carry-on luggage. Many tourists do this. Stays good for 1-2 days in cool conditions. Great souvenir idea!

A: Limited. Some cafes offer vegan versions. Ask: “비건 있어요?” (Vegan isseoyo?). Halal options are rare.

A: NO! Contains pistachios. Not safe for nut allergies. Always inform staff about allergies.

A: Generally no due to short shelf life. Must consume in Korea. Some delivery to nearby Asian countries only.

A: Korean version has chewy cookie/marshmallow exterior instead of chocolate shell. More focus on texture (“sikgam” 식감).

A: Approximately 400-500 calories. High in sugar and fats. Consider sharing if watching calories!

A: Some cafes offer variations (chocolate, matcha, strawberry, Nutella) but pistachio is the classic and most popular.

A: Due to ingredient shortage (imported kataifi from Middle East, premium pistachio paste), labor-intensive production, and high demand.

A: Likely yes! As more cafes enter the market and ingredient supply stabilizes, prices should decrease by late 2026. Currently in peak hype phase.

Pros:

✅ Unique texture experience you can’t find elsewhere
✅ Instagram-worthy presentation
✅ Part of 2026 Korean food culture phenomenon
✅ Widely available across Seoul
✅ Memorable souvenir/gift idea

Cons:

❌ Expensive (₩7,000-₩13,000 per cookie)
❌ Often sold out
❌ Long wait times at popular locations
❌ Very sweet – may be overwhelming for some

Our Verdict:

YES, try it at least once if you’re visiting Seoul in 2026!

It’s more than just a dessert – it’s a cultural phenomenon. The Dubai Chewy Cookie represents how Korea innovates on global trends and creates something uniquely Korean.

Best Strategy:

  • Don’t stress about finding “the best” location
  • Visit a nearby local café
  • Go on a weekday morning
  • Share with friends
  • Take photos for memories!

The experience of trying Seoul’s hottest dessert trend is worth the price and effort. It’s a delicious snapshot of Korean food culture in 2026.

Happy eating! 맛있게 드세요! 😊

Save this guide for your Seoul trip planning!