In photos: South Korea's bakery cafe chain Paris Baguette opens 1st store in Manila
MANILA, Philippines — South Korea's top bakery cafe chain Paris Baguette brings in its popular pastries, including the Guinness World Record holder Silky Roll Cake, with its first store in Manila.
The first Paris Baguette is conveniently located at the ground floor facing the Ocean Drive of SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City.
Last Wednesday, some Filipinos were lucky enough to get the first taste of Paris Baguette's eye-pleasing pastries neatly arranged inside its display counters.
Their cakes entice onlookers with their generous portions, including whole cakes (Fresh Cream Cake sells for P1,990, Dark Choco Pistachio Cake for P2,190, among others), and their slices sold for around P270 to P290 per slice.
Their sweet croissants, which can fit an average person's palm, sell for P130 to P150 each. For those who love their croissants with savory cheeses and meats, they can choose the Egg Mayo Croissant Sandwich (P385), which can be a meal in itself with its sizable portion.
They also offer Croque Monsieurs for those who love their ham and cheese sandwiches at P165.
There's a baguette sandwich, too. First-time visitors can grab the Caesar Chicken Baguette Sandwich, which is also generously sized and good for sharing, at P385.
Those who are looking for familiar Filipino flavors can try Paris Baguette's take on the favorite Ensaymada. For their take, they filled a soft white bread filled with cream made with 100% pure Korean milk and vanilla bean in their Korean Milk Cream Ensaymada (P145).
Pair this or other pastries with the Ube Latte (P180) or Ube Chocolate (P175).
Their drinks selection include coffees (from Espresso, Americano and cold brews priced from P135 to P170), teas, green tea latte, Korean Yuzu Mint Tea and its signature chocolate drink. The teas and other drinks sell starting at P150 to P180.
Of course, the first Paris Baguette in the country also sells its record-breaking Silky Roll Cake (P695).
In a report of The Korea Herald, the said cake was awarded a Guinness World Record certification for its best-selling roll cake brand in 2020.
Its Silky Roll Cake sold 12.49 million from January 2015 to December 2019 in five countries, namely, Korea, China, the United States, Singapore and Vietnam.
More to come
There are two more planned Paris Baguette stores in the metro slated to open this year.
Frederick Siy, Vice Chairman of Paris Baguette Philippines and President and Chief Executive Officer of Middle Trade Inc., told Philstar.com at last Wednesday's opening that the upcoming two stores will have a similar size as the MOA bakery cafe.
"They are similar to this one, about 200 to 250-square-meters. One will be open in the third quarter, while the other will be opened in the fourth quarter," he said.
The planned stores are in SM South Mall and SM North Edsa.
Middle Trade Inc. with Berjaya Food (International) Sdn. Bhd. are the principal operators of the Paris Baguette stores in the Philippines.
"We want to open in many places, but the thing is, it's hard to get the right size and location. We've spoken to other developers. We're always open if something comes up, but what is definite now is four, three more SMs. But definitely we're on the lookout for Makati, Bonifacio Global City and beyond," Siy added.
Siy said that dining and grabbing a pastry at Paris Baguette is an experience.
This is most especially true for those who are K-drama fans who have seen its iconic signage and stores as setting for a scene or for those who have had it while visiting South Korea, where it is ubiquitously seen with over 3,500 stores. Paris Baguette has also expanded to other countries and territories with 480 locations in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, China, France, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore.
"It's a mix between the familiar and unique because people think Baguette is French, obviously. Paris Baguette has some French influences, but it also has a lot of Korean influences. The Asian taste is a bit unique from European. So, I think it's a good mix," Siy said.
