Dogok-dong walnut pie café, signature pie & americano: Hodu Kkakki

What kind of café is Hodu Kkakki Brothers in Dogok-dong?

Hodu Kkakki Brothers (호두까끼형제) is a café specializing in walnut desserts, near Yangjae Station in Dogok-dong. I was hunting for healthy, not-too-intense desserts in Dogok-dong, and the name was so cute I couldn't just walk past it. Turns out it's a walnut dessert specialist. The moment I walked in, a nutty aroma wafted over me... this already felt like a proper dessert hotspot 🤩👍

From the entrance, it felt like I was traveling abroad ❤️

What are the walnut pies at Hodu Kkakki Brothers made of?

As a walnut pie specialist, Hodu Kkakki Brothers was packed with a really wide variety of walnut pies 🤩 They say it's a handmade premium dessert café that started in 2017 and is now around 10 years old.

They reportedly use oligosaccharide syrup, honey and maple syrup instead of refined sugar, plus organic flour and natural dairy butter. With natural premium ingredients rather than cheap, easy ones, they break away from the old idea that "what's good for you tastes bad," and you can really taste the healthy, delicious pie itself 👍

What did I order at Hodu Kkakki Brothers?

I ordered the signature walnut pie 😆 Everything looked delicious and I couldn't choose, so my second kid, next to me, insisted the signature is always the best and picked it for me, haha

Café atmosphere and gift packaging at Hodu Kkakki Brothers

The shop has a warm wood-tone exterior, plus the charming touch of nutcracker doll props!! I thought it would make a great gift for the coming Parents' Day or Teachers' Day 😊

The warm wood-tone interior of this Dogok-dong café! I filmed it on video too!

After one taste, I think I'll always get my walnut pie from Hodu Kkakki Brothers! Thanks to the neat, upscale box packaging, it's reportedly popular for return gifts, holiday gifts and gifts for the families' first meeting before a wedding! The packaging is so pretty that I decided on it for this year's Teachers' Day gift right away, haha

Is the walnut pie at Hodu Kkakki Brothers too sweet?

The pie crust blends organic flour and rice flour, and no refined sugar is added, they say. It's folded in many layers into the thinnest possible crust, so you barely taste any flour.

Using natural honey, oligosaccharide syrup and maple syrup instead of cheap, convenient refined sugar, the pie is neither too sweet nor unsweet, a "sweet that isn't sugary" taste. Top-quality nuts and sweet filling come together in a moist walnut pie where you barely taste flour 🤩👍

How to store the walnut pie and eat it at its best

The walnut pies keep up to 7 days refrigerated or up to 3 weeks frozen, and they recommend eating cream pies within 4 days. Room-temperature storage is not okay!

The walnut pie at this Dogok-dong café isn't a pie you eat warm, it's one you eat cold. They say it's best eaten chilled from the fridge, or stored frozen and then thawed naturally at room temperature for 5–10 minutes 🤤

How did the signature walnut pie taste?

You really taste the natural aroma and flavor of the pecan pie, so one slice is never enough, lol. I think even people who don't like nuts would enjoy it 🤩

• ✔️ Crispy pie texture
• ✔️ Sweet but not overdone filling
• ✔️ And above all, a rich nutty walnut flavor

Eaten with an americano, the walnut pie here is honestly heavenly!! The texture of densely packed walnuts and the crisp crust make a fantastic combination that blooms in your mouth 😆

Who I recommend Hodu Kkakki Brothers to

• ✔️ Anyone looking for a great dessert spot near Yangjae Station
• ✔️ People who like desserts that aren't too sweet
• ✔️ Anyone looking for a dessert to give as a gift
• ✔️ Walnut lovers (this place is the real deal)

If you're torn about dessert in Yangjae, the walnut pie at Hodu Kkakki Brothers is a safe choice! It's a nutty, mild dessert that you'll crave again after one bite 🤤👍

Location, parking and hours of Hodu Kkakki Brothers

Hodu Kkakki Brothers is at 10 Nambusunhwan-ro 351-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Unit 101), about 100m from Yangjae Station Exit 4. Parking isn't available, so please use a nearby parking lot :)

Hours are Mon–Fri 11:00–21:00 (break time 14:30–15:30), Saturday 11:00–20:00 and Sunday 11:00–19:00. I recommend this Dogok-dong café to anyone who wants a healthy walnut pie!