A dessert that recently went viral in South Korea has now arrived in the city that inspired its name, sparking excitement among food lovers across Dubai. Popularly known as the “Dubai chewy cookie,” the sweet treat gained momentum through social media endorsements by K-pop celebrities and influencers before making its way to cafés in the UAE
The dessert first rose to prominence in Korea, where online users frequently posted pictures and reviews, leading to repeated sell-outs at bakeries. Many Dubai-based netizens, already familiar with the trend through platforms like Instagram, reacted enthusiastically once local cafés began offering it, with comments such as “Finally!” and “It’s here at last.”
Local lifestyle publication Time Out Dubai featured the dessert earlier this month in its forecast of food trends expected to gain popularity in 2026, predicting strong local demand.
The Dubai chewy cookie blends Middle Eastern and Western dessert influences. It typically includes pistachio spread, white chocolate, butter-fried Kunafa, marshmallows and cocoa powder, resulting in a dense, stretchy texture and rich flavour. Its pistachio base is considered a key reason for its appeal in the UAE, where nut-based sweets are already popular.
Several Dubai cafés have already introduced the cookie, including Gato Cake Studio in the Al Mina district. Videos showcasing the dessert have attracted thousands of views online, with many users expressing amusement that a cookie named after Dubai became famous abroad before debuting in the city itself.
Food bloggers and café owners say the dessert’s novelty factor, combined with its fusion of flavours, could make it one of the year’s most sought-after bakery items in Dubai.
