These cakes are typically made with pistachio cream, white chocolate, butter-fried kadaif dough strips, marshmallows, and cocoa powder, giving them a rich, buttery flavor.
A trending dessert called "Dubai mochi" or "Dujjonku" is taking South Korean youth by storm, causing long lines to form at popular bakeries.
The craze intensified after stars like Jang Won-young and Kim Se-jeong posted pictures of these cakes on social media, leading to a surge in searches on delivery apps.
However, the rich, buttery flavor and rather dense texture of the cake have led to concerns that it is high in calories and could cause a spike in blood sugar levels.
In response to these concerns, a team of health experts from Kormedi.com conducted an experiment to find out.
These cakes are typically made with pistachio cream, white chocolate, butter-fried kadaif dough strips, marshmallows, and cocoa powder.
Despite their small size, weighing in at around 40 to 60 grams each, they are primarily made from ingredients high in fat and calories.
Based on nutritional estimates gathered from social media and dieting platforms, a 50-gram cookie contains approximately 28 grams of carbohydrates, 14 grams of sugar, 4 grams of protein, and 13 grams of fat, totaling about 245 calories.
To test their impact on blood sugar levels, three adults with different body mass indexes (BMI) measured their blood glucose levels before eating the cookies and then 30 minutes and one hour later. One participant recorded an increase of approximately 40 milligrams on the deciliter, while the other two saw only modest increases of 13 milligrams on the deciliter and 6 milligrams on the deciliter, respectively.
Compared to the typical increase of 50 to 60 milligrams per deciliter after eating two slices of bread or a bowl of rice, biscuits appear to have a relatively small impact on blood sugar levels.
One major reason, according to experts, is the unusually high fat content in this dessert. The large amount of fat from pistachios, butter, and cocoa butter slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine.
This delay also slows down the absorption of carbohydrates, helping to prevent spikes in blood sugar. The proportion of refined sugar in total calories is also lower compared to many other desserts.
However, the relatively mild blood sugar response does not mean this dessert is suitable for dieters or people with diabetes.
The calorie content of each cookie is equivalent to or exceeds that of a bowl of rice, and regular consumption can easily lead to exceeding the recommended daily intake.
Nutrition experts suggest that it's best to enjoy this dish in small quantities and infrequently.
For people with diabetes, the risks are even greater. Even without a sudden spike in blood sugar, the accumulated calories and fat can put a strain on long-term blood sugar control, and the small size of the cookies makes it easy to overeat.
Doctors say that people who are managing their blood sugar should avoid this dessert if possible, or monitor their blood sugar carefully if they choose to eat it.
The scarcity and high price of the cookies are primarily related to the unstable supply of key imported ingredients such as kadaif cookie flour and pistachio cream frosting.
Due to high global demand and the international popularity of Dubai-style confectionery, bakeries have limited daily production, resulting in this dessert selling out in many places.
Industry experts say supply could begin to stabilize in the coming months.