Cocohodo - Buena Park

The first question you will ask yourself passing by this branch of Cocohodo is "What the heck is a Cocohodo?"

The second question you will ask yourself when you find out they sell walnut pastries is "What the heck is a walnut pastry?"

Soon you find out that Cocohodo is Korean purveyor of hodo gwaja, the walnut pastry in question. Hodo gwaja is, in fact, uncannily shaped like a walnut; but for all intents, it's just a bite-sized version of a Japanese taiyaki with a walnut morsel embedded in the azuki paste filling.

Since it's as big as a donut hole, you can fit one in your mouth. Doing this, however, is very stupid idea. When a hodo gwaja is just freshly made, formed in a walnut-shaped waffle press, the azuki will be a scalding, sticky equivalent of red hot lava.

Wrapped up in tissue paper and boxed up like precious truffles, you wouldn't think they'd be such a first-degree burn hazard, but be warned! Eat them. Enjoy them. But bite into them carefully, blowing to cool it off.

Do it as you ponder the last question you'll ask: "Where has this been all my life?"

Note: Irvinites don't have to go to Buena Park to try Cocohodo. There's a store inside Zion Market on Irvine Blvd.

Cocohodo
5327 Beach Blvd
Buena Park, CA 90621
(714) 994-5965

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