Salt Lake City's Japanese dessert shop 'Doki Doki' closing after eight years

The owner cites health and financial pressures as reasons for the closure of the popular dessert destination.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:56pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus scene featuring a display of Japanese-inspired desserts, including fluffy pancakes, crepe cakes, and taiyaki, captured in a warm, hazy, and dreamlike style that evokes the bittersweet emotions surrounding the closure of the Doki Doki dessert shop.As the beloved Doki Doki dessert shop in Salt Lake City prepares to close its doors, the owner's decision to prioritize her health and family reflects the bittersweet reality of running a small business.Salt Lake City Today

Doki Doki, a beloved Japanese dessert shop in Salt Lake City known for its fluffy pancakes, crepe cakes, and taiyaki, is closing its doors on April 19 after eight years in business. The owner, Irie Cao, announced the closure on Facebook, citing her own health and the financial pressures of running the business as the primary reasons behind the decision.

Why it matters

Doki Doki was a unique and popular dessert destination in Salt Lake City, offering Japanese-inspired treats that were not widely available in the area prior to the shop's opening in 2018. Its closure is a loss for the local community and highlights the challenges small business owners can face, even after years of success.

The details

Irie Cao, the owner of Doki Doki, announced the closure on the shop's Facebook page, explaining that her 'health, both physically and mentally, needs attention, and the financial pressure of running this business has become more than I can carry.' Cao also expressed gratitude to the Salt Lake community for supporting her dream and turning the 'little shop into something so much bigger than me.' In the lead-up to the final day on April 19, Doki Doki will be open seven days a week, allowing customers to visit and say goodbye.

  • Doki Doki opened in February 2018.
  • Doki Doki will be closing its doors on April 19, 2026.

The players

Irie Cao

The owner of Doki Doki dessert shop in Salt Lake City, who is closing the business due to health and financial pressures.

Doki Doki

A Japanese dessert shop in Salt Lake City that offered unique treats such as fluffy pancakes, crepe cakes, and taiyaki, and was open for eight years before announcing its closure.

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What they’re saying

“My heart and soul are now calling me elsewhere; where my family and my next chapter are waiting… I've had to face the truth I can't ignore anymore: my health, both physically and mentally, needs attention, and the financial pressure of running this business has become more than I can carry.”

— Irie Cao, Owner, Doki Doki

“To the Salt Lake community… thank you will never feel like enough. You didn't just support a business. You gave life to a dream. You showed up in ways I will never forget, and turned this little shop into something so much bigger than me.”

— Irie Cao, Owner, Doki Doki

What’s next

Doki Doki will be open seven days a week leading up to its final day of operations on April 19, 2026, allowing customers to visit and say goodbye to the beloved dessert shop.

The takeaway

The closure of Doki Doki, a unique and popular Japanese dessert shop in Salt Lake City, highlights the challenges small business owners can face, even after years of success. The owner's decision to prioritize her health and family over the financial pressures of running the business serves as a reminder of the difficult choices entrepreneurs sometimes have to make.