Korean Momma — Restaurant in Cambridge

The best cheesecake in the GBA.

Came upon this place while looking for new bakeries in Cambridge a few weeks ago. After reading a couple of rave reviews about their cakes, I decided to get one for my friend’s birthday. Since the business is still in its early stages, they offer a limited selection of 2-4 flavors per week, and pick-ups are only available on Sundays (unless you specifically request an earlier pick-up).

Basque Cheesecake became a trend in Korea a few years ago, and I've tried my fair share during its popularity. Even compared to those, the Basque cheesecakes here were much better. On my first visit, I got the OG Burnt, and my friends and I were all raving about how good it was. The exterior was dense yet pillowy, while the interior was soft and oozy, reminiscent of biting into ice cream. The Graham crust at the bottom added a nice burst of sweetness, so its sweetness level struck the perfect balance between the less sweet "Korean" Basque cheesecake and the typically sweeter American cheesecake.

The following week, I picked up three large cakes to share with my colleagues: OG, Lime Margarita, and Borim’s Matcha. The OG and Matcha cakes were particularly popular, but all of them were just as good as the first one I tried. Duly also generously included a small Panama Coffee cake, which had a subtle and pleasant coffee flavoring that everyone enjoyed.

Highly recommend getting one of these cakes before they become even more popular. I've seen people paying high shipping fees just to try them from NY. Will probably satisfy my cheesecake cravings exclusively from here...

Discovered these cheesecakes randomly one day through Cicada Coffee Bar, with whom Korean Momma was doing a collaboration at the time. I was bummed that I missed the sea salt shaker samplers (I believe that's what the collaboration flavor was), but I placed an order for the OG burnt basque cheesecake immediately afterward because the pictures looked so good, and I love supporting AAPI businesses.

The cheesecakes are available for pick-up in Cambridge on specific dates indicated on Korean Momma's website, though I don't know how frequently they drop. As of January 2024, there are four flavors and one size available (but there is word of a double size coming!).

Cheesecake is not my favorite type of cake/pie, but believe me when I say this was one of the best I have ever had. After one bite, I was already in love. The OG is basically a crème brûlée/flan in cheesecake form. The middle is dense enough to stand on its own upon slicing but melts in your mouth. The caramelized top is incredibly tasty and the perfect amount of sweetness, and the burnt bottom crumble adds a nice texture variety and aftertaste.

The cheesecake can last up to seven days in the fridge, but good luck actually having the restraint to let it last that long. At $38-$45 a cheesecake, you might think it is expensive after seeing the size in person (though, the packaging is very cute), but I seriously think it is worth trying at least once. It definitely tastes homemade and higher quality.

Also, the owner, Duly, was very friendly. Can't wait to try more flavors at...

These Basque cheesecakes are smooth, creamy, not too sweet, satisfying enough to have small slices at a time, and somehow manages to have a bit of the graham cracker-y crust that’s the best part of a traditional American cheesecake. In my opinion, the best Basque cheesecakes are simultaneously set on the edges and runnier on the inside. I’ve tried making Bon Appetit and Nigella Lawson’s versions, but it was nowhere as smooth and melt-in-your-mouth as this version is. And because of how rich it is, it really did take 6 people to finish one cheesecake, so I feel like the price is worth it despite its unassuming size.

I got the OG and the Sea Salt Shaker which were both excellent, half of the group preferring the OG and half loving the sea salt’s strong coffee flavor (you can see the small flecks of coffee in other people’s photos), so I highly recommend trying both the OG and a flavored version. The baker was also able to make a reduced sugar version for dietary reasons, and the allulose replacement didn’t affect the taste or texture at all when comparing it to the non-modified samples he gave.

The pickup process is a little unusual because it’s a home baker and not a company; I received an email on the day of pickup with the address and instructions. Street parking is always a gamble in Cambridgeport.

Update: the Matcha is amazing! Full matcha flavor and not too bitter. As far as I know, this is the best matcha cheesecake you can...