Hello, fellow foodies! I grew up watching countless Korean baking videos, and the precision and artistry behind each dessert always leave me in awe. I’ve tried making these cakes, but the amount of work and attention to detail required makes it nearly impossible to replicate the nonpareil cake you see in those videos. Thankfully, I discovered a bakery that brings those South Korean cakes straight to you without all the effort: Paris Baguette. Despite its French-sounding name, Paris Baguette is a South Korean multinational chain of bakery-cafés, boasting over 3,890 locations across the U.S., Canada, and several Asian countries. They recently opened a new location in Newport, Jersey City, which I’m thrilled about because it’s just a five-minute walk from my house. It might even become one of my new favorite bakeries! The Hoboken location, on the other hand, is a bit of a trek from campus. But if you start from the gates near the CPH dorms, it’s a more manageable walk. Once inside the bakery, you’re captivated by the modern industrial charm that blends minimalist design with European bakery aesthetics. The patterned tiled floors immediately caught my eye, and the neatly arranged pastry displays evoke the feel of a European bakery.
Paris Baguette offers cakes that feature clean designs with airy cream piping, vibrant fresh fruit, and thoughtful chocolate accents. The first Paris Baguette cake I ever tried was its chocolate ganache cake covered in strawberries, and it was unbelievably decadent. The chocolate buttercream was incredibly light and fluffy while maintaining a hint of chocolate flavor. The cake was fluffy and delicate. One of the best things about the cakes from Paris Baguette is that they aren’t overly sweet or dense. It’s been nearly a year since I had that chocolate cake, but I find myself longing for it every day, as it is probably the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted. The other day, I was craving cake, so I ventured into the freezing cold to get my maple pecan and strawberry soft cream cake. Probably not the best idea, but when my sister and I dug into the strawberry soft cream cake, it was so worth it! While some people complain that the cakes are dry, I’d argue that an authentic Korean cake is meant to be more airy and light rather than moist, with frosting that mimics whipped cream. The strawberry cake tasted good, but it felt like something was missing. It was just an ordinary sponge cake with whipped cream and strawberries.
The maple cake, on the other hand, was bursting with flavor. The whipped buttercream had an indulgent, luscious maple syrup flavor, and the top was elegantly dusted with chocolate powder. I first thought the chocolate leaf decoration would be typical white chocolate, but to my surprise, it also carried a delightful maple flavor. While the cake was a simple vanilla sponge, the layers of maple pecan soft cream between the cake brought a rich, cozy fall vibe. The crunchy pecans added the perfect texture, beautifully balancing the fluffy elements of the cake and soft cream. Every bite was a blend of flavors and textures that captured the essence of autumn. While the prices at Paris Baguette can be high, especially for cakes like the Blueberry Chiffon Cake or the Cappuccino Cake (shaped like a coffee cup), they are worth the money for the quality compared to other stores. The sweets and pastries are more reasonably priced and easier on the wallet. The range of menu items, with the attention to detail and aesthetics, is exceptional. I could write many more articles to capture the decor and beauty of each menu item. Paris Baguette’s extensive menu features everything from unique donuts to fresh sandwiches. Every time I see one of these cakes, I can’t help but feel they are the perfect way to make any occasion a little more exquisite and scrumptious.
