"Making 130 Million Won a Day with Dujjonku"... This Is the Original Creator

Original Creator of "Dubai Chewy Cookie" Revealed
Kim Nara, Former Navy Aviation NCO and Confectionery Manager
30,000 Cookies Produced Daily... 130 Million Won in Sales

The nationwide craze for "Dubai Chewy Cookies" (Dujjonku), which have become scarce due to overwhelming demand, shows no signs of fading. Attention is now focused on the revelation of the original creator of Dujjonku: Kim Nara, a former Navy aviation non-commissioned officer and current confectionery manager.

Kim Nara, known as the original creator of Dujjonku, a former Navy aviation non-commissioned officer and confectionery manager. Screenshot from SBS "Master of Living" broadcast.

Recently, SBS's "Master of Living" spotlighted Kim, the original developer of Dujjonku. Kim began home baking as a hobby during his military service and, after being discharged, entered the dessert business with Lee Yunmin, CEO of Mont Cookie, whom he had met during his time in the military.

'Dujjonku' Born from a Regular Customer's Request

The first product Kim introduced was a coated "chewy cookie." Gaining popularity for its soft texture, this cookie reached a turning point in April of last year, when Dubai chocolate became a trend on social media. The catalyst was a request from a regular customer who asked, "Can you make it in Dubai style?"

Kim completely overhauled his original recipe. By incorporating kadaif and pistachio paste-ingredients used in Middle Eastern desserts-he created a dual texture: chewy on the outside and crispy on the inside. After months of experimentation, the result was the "Dubai Chewy Cookie."

The broadcast also revealed in detail the recipe development process of Manager Kim. Screenshot from SBS 'The Masters of Living'

The broadcast also revealed in detail Kim's recipe development process. For example, he minimized the moisture in the kadaif by using brown rice as a natural desiccant, and kept the dough elastic by melting only 70% of the marshmallows rather than fully dissolving them. The unique identity of Dujjonku-chewy on the outside, crispy on the inside-is the product of this relentless experimentation.

30,000 Cookies Produced Daily, Daily Sales of 130 Million Won

As word spread, the production scale of Dujjonku increased explosively. The company now produces about 30,000 Dujjonku cookies per day, with a manufacturing staff of 50. On the broadcast, Kim stated, "The daily sales amount to approximately 130 million won."

Manager Kim stated, "The daily sales amount to approximately 130 million won." Screenshot from SBS's Master of Living broadcast.

The Dujjonku phenomenon has spread throughout the industry. Starting with Dujjonku, a variety of derivative products such as "Dubai Chewy Gimbap," "Dubai Towel Cake," and "Dubai Tart" are now appearing across the country. In many places, daily lines stretch for hundreds of meters.

"No Intention to Monopolize the Name or Recipe"

However, Kim made it clear that he has no intention of monopolizing the Dujjonku name or recipe. He said, "I believe the current trend was made possible because many shops have interpreted the Dubai Chewy Cookie in their own way," adding, "My goal is to build a brand that is loved for a long time, rather than just chasing a short-term trend."

Online reactions have been enthusiastic. Comments include, "I've always wondered who developed Dujjonku," "Thanks to this, my wallet has gotten thinner," "Daily sales of 130 million won-amazing," and "If he's the original creator, it's only right that he earns that much."

The broadcast also revealed in detail the recipe development process of Manager Kim. Screenshot from SBS 'The Masters of Living' broadcast.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.