Dogok-dong pie shop, a birthday gift for Dad: Hodu Kkakki Brothers

I bought these as a birthday gift for my dad, and they turned into the whole family's dessert of a lifetime: this is my takeout story about the premium handmade pies at Hodu Kkakki Brothers (호두까끼형제). 🥰

Why I chose handmade pies instead of a birthday cake

For Dad's birthday I picked handmade pies from Hodu Kkakki Brothers in Dogok-dong instead of a birthday cake. The same old birthday cake always ends up forgotten in the fridge after everyone has had a slice or two, right? This time I agonized over finding something more special that would also be good for my parents' health. Then I suddenly remembered the already-famous Hodu Kkakki Brothers and ran right over.

It was a huge success!

What kind of place is Hodu Kkakki Brothers?

Hodu Kkakki Brothers is a handmade premium dessert shop that started in 2017 and is now around its tenth year. The moment I walked in, the cozy yet stylish interior caught my eye. The pies aren't harsh, sugary-sweet ones but have a natural sweetness, which makes them perfect as a gift for older folks!

What do they use instead of refined sugar?

Hodu Kkakki Brothers says it sweetens with honey, oligosaccharide syrup and maple syrup instead of refined sugar. Reading the guide in the shop, I could see how stubborn the owner is about ingredients.

• No refined sugar! Instead of cheap, convenient sugar, they get a natural sweetness from domestic wildflower and acacia honey from a three-generation source, plus oligosaccharide syrup and maple syrup.
• They blend organic wheat flour with domestic rice flour and almond flour and bake fresh every day.
• They insist on top-grade premium ingredients only, such as New Zealand grass-fed unsalted butter and French milk cream.

That's why my stomach felt comfortable, not bloated, even after eating!

Do they get a lot of courier and delivery orders?

Looking around the shop, I saw not only takeout boxes but also tons of boxes for delivery and courier orders heading all over the country. As a well-known shop, you can see its popularity with your own eyes. Once you taste the pies, you understand why people order them from far away 👍

Boxes of walnuts piled up in a corner of the shop, haha

Even the packaging box, with its nutcracker doll illustration, feels classy. I was already feeling proud just handing it to Dad, haha.

The Hodu Kkakki Brothers menu and what I picked

My pick was the Premium Mixed Pie (8 pieces / ₩34,900), which lets you try the whole nut lineup!

The look is honestly a work of art, so pretty I almost couldn't bring myself to eat it. Anyone else feel that way? 🤣🤣

How did the pies taste?

What surprised me most about the pies was the texture of the crust. After admiring the picture-perfect home café look (I couldn't not take photos), I finally dug in. You'd usually expect pie to be hard and crumbly, but the crust here is nicely crisp while melting softly in your mouth, so it was easy to eat.

Original pecan pie

The original pecan pie got a unanimous first place from my parents and me! It completely won me over. Look how densely packed with pecans it is, with no gaps. Instead of an artificial sugary taste, there's a subtle, natural sweetness that isn't harsh, and combined with the chewy texture it's the ultimate in nutty richness.

Signature walnut pie

The signature walnut pie is the classic original, bringing out the clean, tidy nuttiness of the nuts themselves. Plump, glossy walnuts are piled on so generously they look ready to burst. Bite in and you get the fresh, mild flavor of tender walnuts, which is just wonderful!

Hazelnut cacao pie

The hazelnut cacao pie was my chocolate-loving husband's pick! Even though it's a chocolate dessert, the flavor is refined. You get a bittersweet taste with a faint hint of coffee in your mouth. It feels like enjoying a high-end handmade chocolate brownie as a very soft pie.

Macadamia cheese pie

The macadamia cheese pie has crunchy, softly crumbling macadamia nuts studded into a cheesecake base. The rich, creamy cheese flavor plus the nutty, clean macadamia texture makes it not greasy at all, and it melts in your mouth, a charming surprise.

How to enjoy the handmade pies even more

The pies were much tastier when I kept them in the fridge and ate them cold. The crust stays soft while the nuts turn pleasantly crunchy, so it was so much better! 🥰 My parents also said they could taste the good ingredients, and I can't tell you how proud and happy that made me.

Hodu Kkakki Brothers ordering info

In case you're also looking for a special gift for someone precious, or craving a healthier dessert, I'm leaving the Hodu Kkakki Brothers ordering info here!

Verdict: are handmade pies a good birthday gift for parents?

Choosing Hodu Kkakki Brothers' handmade pies over the same boring birthday cake was a stroke of genius. With their classy look and a well-being feel, they hit the spot for older folks' tastes, and I can't think of anything better for a parent's birthday, a holiday gift or a housewarming. If you want a thoughtful way to show your feelings to someone special, I strongly recommend the whole pie set from Hodu Kkakki Brothers in Dogok-dong!