Original Maker of Viral 'Dubai Chewy Cookie' Didn’t Expect Nationwide Craze
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Lee Yoon-min, founder of Mont Cookie, and pastry chef Kim Na-ri developed the original "Dubai Chewy Cookie" (두바이쫀득쿠키, abbreviated as 두쫀쿠) by combining Dubai chocolate and marshmallow with pistachio paste and Middle Eastern kataifi (카다이프, shredded pastry) wrapped in a chewy outer shell. After first launching on April 16, the treat spread rapidly via influencers and celebrities, prompting convenience stores and franchises to release similar items. The pair spent about three months solving technical problems—like stabilizing a runny pistachio paste by lightly freezing it—before creating the current round, dumpling-like second version. Mont Cookie prefers the smaller original size over the later larger "wang" (왕, "king") version that became common. Although other shops gained fame after K-pop idol endorsements, Lee says he’s proud of using 100% Italian pistachios and high-quality chocolate. Mont Cookie, founded in August 2024, has grown into a company with 10 full-time and about 160 part-time staff. The brand plans popup stores in Seoul and Taiwan and is exploring U.S. exports as part of promoting this "K-dessert." Lee expects the item may peak soon but hopes it will stabilize into a regular category like macarons. (Note: CPO = Chief Product Officer)
