The cheesecake craze that took the Bay Area by storm is ending. Basuku Cheesecakes announced its closure after a five-year sweet run. Owner Charles Chen is relocating to Asia to pursue new opportunities. Despite the continued high demand for his Japanese-style Basque burnt cheesecakes, the decision was born from a need to balance professional commitments and personal life. Chen told the San Francisco Chronicle, "I’m still selling out every week. It just came time to make a personal decision."
Bay Area residents have just a few weeks to enjoy these caramelized delights that became a signature treat during the pandemic. Basuku Cheesecakes, known for their creamy texture, which former Chronicle restaurant critic Soleil Ho described as "phenomenal," are set to quickly disappear from local pickup spots. Chen deliberately chose not to expand into permanent premises due to the financial risks. "There’s a massive financial strain at that point, which becomes a personal strain," he noted, outlining the challenges of moving from a pop-up model to brick-and-mortar in the costly Bay Area, per the San Francisco Chronicle.
Chen's cheesecakes, which include flavors like yuzu and roasted banana, were famously difficult to replicate, spawning imitations throughout their tenure. In an Instagram update from the Basuku account, Chen thanked the community for their support and teased a final celebration of the cheesecake's classics in the Bay Area. "Our 5th anniversary is coming up the the first week of June," reads the Basuku's Instagram post.
As Chen gradually steps away from the Bay Area market, he remains open to the possibility of continuing Basuku in a different form. "One thing I’ve learned is never say never when it comes to these things," he mentioned in Basuku's Instagram update.
