by REERA YOO | @reeraboo
editor@charactermedia.com
Let them eat cake! Magnolia Bakery has debuted its first Korean branch inside the Hyundai Department Store in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. It is the franchise’s second branch in Asia after Tokyo.
Founded in 1996 at 401 Bleecker Street in New York City, the original Magnolia Bakery is renowned for its vintage décor and fresh baked goods, particularly its handmade pastel cupcakes. The bakery rose to international fame after being featured in an episode of Sex and the City.
Carrie and Miranda eat Magnolia cupcakes in an episode of Sex and the City.
Since then, Magnolia has expanded to 20 locations around the world, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Moscow City, Beirut and Kuwait City. In an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo, Magnolia Bakery’s CEO Albert Hasse said he plans to open an additional 12 bakeries by the end of 2015. The franchise is also eying Singapore and Hong Kong as possible international branches.
On Friday, Aug. 21, Magnolia’s Seoul location opened as part of the Pangyo Hyundai Department Store’s grand opening. The mega shopping mall boasts about 900 shops, according to the Korea Herald.
Magnolia Seoul plans to introduce 40 different cupcakes to Korean customers and gradually increase the flavors to 70. According to Hasse, banana pudding cupcake seems to the all-time favorite among Korean consumers, though red velvet and vanilla butter cream reign as the company’s overall bestsellers.
While cupcakes may be Magnolia’s most famous dessert, this writer highly recommends trying the bakery’s banana pudding. It tastes like dream clouds and happy childhood memories.
See Also
[VIDEO] What Asian Country Has the Best Dessert?
The Story of a Cupcake: Interview with Hyo Kwan
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Featured image courtesy of Alexi Ueltzen/Flickr
