So, what exactly does Kaymak taste like?

'Taste of Heaven' Kaymak, Finally Tried It

Among all episodes of the tvN variety show , there is one food that stands out the most. It is Turkey’s Kaymak. Watching Baek Jong-won’s visit to Turkey and his high praise calling it “food from heaven”, I have often thought, “If only I could step into the TV right now and take just one bite of that Kaymak, I would have no other wish.”

Kaymak, a dessert made by slowly heating milk to separate the fat layer, requires a lot of effort and has a low yield. However, recently I heard the news that this dessert, which Baek Jong-won himself couldn’t import due to its complicated production process and poor profitability, can now be tasted in Korea. Among the various shops selling Kaymak, I visited Mosen’s Sweet, which has locations in Hongdae, Ewha, and Sinsa.

Mosen’s Sweet is a place that makes Middle Eastern desserts using recipes passed down from a Jordanian dessert cafe that has been operating for 160 years. They sell not only Kaymak but also ‘Bal S?t,’ a honey-infused milk, and ‘Kunafa,’ a traditional Middle Eastern dessert made by baking thin dough strands filled with butter or cream. I ordered Kaymak and Bal S?t. The prices were 9,000 KRW for Kaymak and 5,000 KRW for Bal S?t.

The Kaymak was served with baguette. The Kaymak was slightly smaller than a scoop of ice cream and drizzled with honey on top. The baguette was not hard but had a soft and chewy texture similar to ciabatta. The way to eat it is simple: cut the bread into appropriate pieces and top it with Kaymak and honey before eating.

I had expected a texture that would spread softly like whipped cream, but in reality, it was firm and dense like cream cheese. The taste was similar to whipped cream, cream cheese, or the honey butter served with Bushman bread at Outback Steakhouse. It was like a plate condensed with the fresh flavors of cream, butter, and cheese. After savoring it quietly, I could understand why it was praised as ‘food from heaven.’ It wasn’t a new or surprising taste, but the freshness of the ingredients was truly felt. The combination of the mild-flavored baguette and the sweet, flavorful Kaymak was impressive, though the portion size was somewhat disappointing.

Bal S?t was served in a cup with warm milk, with yellow honey settled at the bottom. I tasted the milk first without mixing the honey, and it was quite rich, like high-fat milk. At first, there was a slight fishy smell typical of warm milk, but after mixing in the honey, the milk’s odor was subdued, and a sweet and savory flavor stood out. The milk flavor was very rich but not greasy, pairing well with the Kaymak.

It was my first time tasting Kaymak and Bal S?t. Although not a new flavor, after slowly finishing a plate, I was completely captivated by their softness and sweetness. If you are a fan of or have been curious about the taste of Kaymak, I strongly recommend trying it at least once. It’s also a great choice for those who want to try trendy desserts or feel like they are traveling abroad. Besides Mosen’s Sweet, you can also taste Kaymak at Nontanto in Gangnam and Yeonnam, and Alpedo Bakery in Itaewon. Each cafe has a different atmosphere and menu, so visit the one that suits your preference.

Photo by Kim Bomi