Korean Sweets Boom! A Wagashi Enthusiast Tries the Trend – Are They Worth the Hype?

OKUDO Ōkudō (Okudan)

Okudan is a Jeju Island-style bakery café, often referred to as “Korea’s Hawaii.” It has gained popularity after K-pop idols were seen eating there, drawing crowds of women eager to try its famous soboro bread.

Soboro bread features a crumbly cookie-like topping, giving it a crispy texture with a soft, mildly sweet interior. However, at Okudan, the soboro bread is fried to make it even crunchier. Among the various flavors available, the “Black Cocoa Cheese” is the standout. Inspired by the rugged black rocks of Jeju Island, this jet-black bread looks nothing like regular bread. But when you tear it apart, the mozzarella cheese inside stretches beautifully. Expecting a donut-like sweetness, I was instead met with an unexpected yet perfect balance of cheesy saltiness and subtle cocoa sweetness. It was so delicious that I couldn’t help but exclaim, “This is amazing!”

Let’s introduce the ordered items (prices include tax).

◯ “Soboro Bread Black Cocoa Cheese” – ¥500
A crispy-textured soboro bread with a cookie crumble topping. Among the various flavors, the jet-black “Black Cocoa Cheese” is the most popular at the café.

◯ “Dubai Chocolate (Small/Dark)” – ¥500
An innovative sweet featuring a chocolate bar filled with pistachio paste and kadayıf—ultra-thin, crispy noodles made from corn flour. This treat gained attention after Korean influencers shared it on social media.

◯ “Sea Salt Coffee (Iced)” – ¥800
A rich and creamy coffee with a generous amount of fresh cream, enhanced by a subtle salty accent that adds depth to its flavor.

 ■ OKUDO Ōkudō ■ Address: 2-2-9 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0073 . Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.