What makes a traditional rice cake go viral in one of the world’s most luxurious cities? How did strawberry and chocolate sneak into the heart of Korean-style tteok in Dubai? Discover the delicious story behind Dubai’s chocolate glutinous rice cake craze.
Dubai chocolate glutinous rice cake
In recent years, Dubai chocolate glutinous rice cake has become a standout in the city’s eclectic dessert scene. Drawing from the chewy, nostalgic texture of traditional Korean tteok, this dessert incorporates luxurious Middle Eastern influences and modern flavor twists like dark chocolate ganache and infused fillings.
What makes it unique?
While Korean-style tteok is usually filled with red bean or mung bean paste, Dubai’s twist adds deep, velvety chocolate centers made from premium cocoa, often imported from Switzerland or Belgium. This isn’t just dessert—it’s a multi-sensory experience. Many cafes in Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai are presenting these chocolate tteoks in jewel-like packaging, mimicking the luxury of the city itself.
Real taste, real stories
When I visited a café near Burj Khalifa last December, I tried their signature “Midnight Mocha Tteok”. It had a delicate mochi-like outer layer, but the center exploded with warm chocolate and hints of cardamom—an homage to local spice culture. The texture was as important as the flavor, and the café had even paired it with a traditional Arabic coffee to balance the sweetness.
Another shop in Dubai Marina offered date and dark chocolate tteok, tying in the local love of jujube and date-based sweets, making it a hit during Ramadan for Iftar gatherings.
Growing influence
As demand soars, more bakeries—especially Korean-run shops—are popping up under names like “Dubai Tteok House”, specializing solely in glutinous rice cakes with modern flavors. Some even offer customized fillings like matcha chocolate or Nutella-strawberry fusion. These stores are making a name for themselves as cultural crossover hubs, loved by both locals and expats.
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Strawberry chocolate glutinous rice cake
The rise of strawberry chocolate glutinous rice cake is an offshoot of Japan’s ichigo daifuku, but it has gained its own global identity, particularly among Dubai’s international foodie crowd.
Sweetness meets balance
In this variety, the rich chocolate interior is balanced by a fresh strawberry core, adding natural acidity and brightness to the otherwise indulgent profile. It’s especially popular during Dubai’s strawberry import season (usually between December and March), when cafés feature limited-time specials.
My personal kitchen experiment
After tasting it in a Dubai boutique bakery called “Sweet Hanok,” I was inspired to recreate it at home. I sourced glutinous rice flour, Valrhona chocolate, and fresh strawberries flown in from Korea. The process was surprisingly simple:
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Mix glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water; steam until translucent.
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Wrap a whole strawberry coated in melted chocolate.
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Dust the final product with corn starch.
The result? A chewy, chocolaty, and fruity bite that mirrored the flavor of a Parisian chocolate truffle inside a mochi skin.
Pairing trends
Many cafés now pair these strawberry chocolate tteoks with rose water lattes or mint teas, which highlight the fruity undertones. Some upscale dessert spots even plate them like French pastries—with gold foil flakes and edible flowers.
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👉”Find Strawberry Tteok Recipes”👈
Dubai Tteok House
The name Dubai Tteok House is now synonymous with innovation in Korean confectionery. It represents more than a brand—it’s a movement that merges Korean tradition with Dubai’s cosmopolitan luxury.
Brand identity
These tteok houses typically feature:
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Minimalist yet elegant interiors
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Open kitchens where customers can see the rice cakes being made
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A rotating seasonal menu
They also integrate QR-based storytelling, where each tteok flavor has a scannable code that shares the ingredient journey, from Korean rice paddies to Dubai artisan kitchens.
Two case studies
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Myeongdong Tteok Dubai Run by a second-generation Korean chef, this location is famous for their “Arabian Nights” tteok, infused with rose syrup and saffron-laced white chocolate.
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Seoul Meets Sand A food truck concept that roams Dubai’s outdoor markets. Their standout product is “Spiced Strawberry Choco Tteok,” inspired by Emirati flavors like clove and orange zest.
Cultural impact
Beyond food, these tteok houses host K-food workshops, teach how to pair rice cakes with Arabic teas, and even sell DIY kits for families to enjoy at home. Some have even expanded their menus to include savory tteok-based dishes, making them holistic cultural ambassadors.
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Conclusion
“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” — Hippocrates
Dubai chocolate glutinous rice cake is more than a dessert—it’s a bridge between worlds. From the luxurious ganache of Dubai’s finest chocolatiers to the humble sweetness of glutinous rice, every bite tells a story. As strawberry chocolate variations rise in popularity and Dubai Tteok Houses spread across the city, one thing becomes clear: tradition doesn’t stand still—it evolves, fuses, and thrives across cultures.
Whether you’re a dessert enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or a curious cook, these treats promise a bite of heritage wrapped in indulgence.
