“Why Does a 9,500-Won Dubai Chewy Cookie Feel Like This?”... Ingredient Used Instead of Kataifi Was Plain Thin Noodles

[Financial News] Controversy is growing online amid allegations that the recently popular Dubai Chewy Cookie is being sold at a high price even though plain thin noodles are being used instead of its original ingredient, Kataifi (kadayif).

Yonhap News TV reported on the 11th that these allegations surfaced through a review and post left by a consumer on a food delivery app.

The post, titled “Why did they put plain thin noodles in a 9,500-won Dubai Chewy Cookie?”, spread quickly via Social Networking Service (SNS) platforms and surpassed 1.06 million views within a day of being uploaded.

The author, identified as A, shared a cross-sectional photo of the product ordered under the name “Dubai Chewy Cookie” and claimed, “It looked like plain thin noodles were used instead of Kataifi (kadayif).”
The Dubai Chewy Cookie is a dessert inspired by Dubai Chocolate. It is a fusion dessert that combines pistachio, Kataifi (kadayif), chocolate, and Marshmallow, and it went viral after Ive member Jang Won-young featured it in a mukbang video.
However, A stated, “There was no notice anywhere in the product description or ingredient information that plain thin noodles were used,” adding, “Just from the appearance, it was clearly in the form of plain thin noodles and definitely not Kataifi (kadayif). The texture felt hard and rough rather than crispy.”

The seller’s response also became an issue.

A did not request a refund and instead left a review saying, “Isn’t this fraud? The contents shown in the posted photos are different from what I actually received,” but the seller reportedly replied with a copy-and-paste style comment unrelated to A’s review: “Thank you for leaving such a lovely review.”

Along with the controversy, other reviews left by consumers on the delivery app are also drawing attention.
Multiple reviews have repeatedly stated that “the unique texture and flavor of Kataifi (kadayif) could not be felt at all.” Some also pointed out, “You can hardly taste the Marshmallow or pistachio cream either.”

Complaints about the price are mounting as well. Consumers argue, “For something priced at over 9,000 won, the quality is unacceptably poor,” and “If the ingredients have been changed, the selling price should be adjusted accordingly.”

y27k@fnnews.com Seo Yoon-kyung Reporter