From a Local Café Treat to an International Sensation

For years, South Korea’s cultural exports have extended beyond K-pop and K-dramas. As international curiosity about Korean cuisine grows, a lesser-known dish is making waves in cafés across the globe: Honey Butter Bread.

At first glance, this sweet and buttery toast might seem like a European or American creation. However, its origins trace back to South Korea, where it was first introduced in 2004. Now a staple in cafés nationwide, this thick-cut, oven-toasted bread, drizzled with honey butter, caramel syrup, and cinnamon, is gaining traction internationally.

A Dessert Born in Korea, Now a Café Favorite

Honey Butter Bread was developed in 2004 by Kim Eun-hee, the founder of the South Korean café chain Coffine Gurunaru. While helping run her brother’s coffee shop, Kim saw an unused oven and sought to create a menu item that could complement coffee.

“What started as a simple experiment turned into one of our best-selling items,” Kim said. By 2007, her newly established café chain introduced a ‘bread series,’ featuring variations of the original Honey Butter Bread. The dessert quickly gained popularity, becoming a signature item across multiple franchises.

From Seoul to the World: The Rise of ‘Korean Brick Toast’

The dish’s popularity is no longer confined to South Korea. In recent years, cafés in Japan, Southeast Asia, and even the United States have started offering their own versions of Honey Butter Bread, often under the name ‘Korean Brick Toast.’

The international versions vary slightly from the original. In Japan, the toast is often served with red bean paste or matcha ice cream, while in the U.S., chocolate syrup and fresh berries are popular additions. These adaptations reflect local preferences while maintaining the core elements that made the dessert so popular in Korea.

For international travelers hoping to try this Korean café staple, searching for ‘Korean Honey Butter Bread’ or ‘Korean Brick Toast’ can yield the best results.

The Honey Butter Boom: A Decade of Sweet Success

Honey Butter Bread was just the beginning. The Korean ‘honey butter’ trend saw multiple iterations, each achieving massive success.

• 2013: The Honey Chip Ice Cream from Softree gained cult status.
• 2014: The Honey Butter Chip became a nationwide sensation, selling out in stores across South Korea.
• 2023: Paris Baguette introduced a Honey Toast, proving the enduring appeal of honey-flavored treats.

Industry experts attribute this trend to the original Honey Butter Bread, which set the stage for South Korea’s obsession with the sweet and savory combination.

Why Coffee and Honey Butter Bread Are the Perfect Pairing

More than just a dessert, Honey Butter Bread has become a staple in Korean café culture. With its thick-cut bread and rich toppings, the dish offers a satisfying balance of sweetness and texture.

“The combination of crispy toasted bread, creamy whipped topping, and a hint of honey is unbeatable,” said a café owner in Seoul. “It’s filling enough to be a meal, but light enough to be a snack.”

The dessert’s intense sweetness also makes it the perfect companion to coffee, a key factor in its sustained popularity. As Korea’s coffee culture has grown, so has the demand for desserts that pair well with strong, bitter brews.

What’s Next for Korean Honey Butter Bread?

With K-pop and K-dramas fueling global interest in Korean culture, Korean desserts are following suit. As more South Korean café brands expand overseas, Honey Butter Bread is likely to become a familiar name in international coffee shops.

The dish’s widespread appeal suggests that it could become the next K-food export, much like Korean fried chicken and tteokbokki.

For now, Honey Butter Bread remains a must-try for visitors to South Korea. And as it continues to capture hearts and taste buds worldwide, it may soon solidify its place as a global café classic.