Red Ribbon

Fans of Asian bakeries like Tous Le Jours in KTown and Fay Da in CTown will want to add Red Ribbon to their list. A popular chain back on the islands known for their celebratory pastries and heart-tugging commercials, this is where I go when I’m missing my family a little more than usual, or when I want to point out to my mom that NYC isn’t just one giant set for Home Alone 2 and has something from back home too.

Peer through the glass cases and you’ll see European-style cakes that have since become popular in the Philippines, like the super chocolatey Black Forest Cake as well as others that have taken on more Filipino spins with flavors like mango, ube, and yema caramel. If I’m bringing a cake to a party though, I go for the one that’s so difficult to make, it could only have come from Red Ribbon. This would be the sans rival. Brought to the Philippines by students who were studying in France in the 20s, this Filipino take on the dacquoise meticulously alternates layers of cashews, meringue, and buttercream that no one on their way to a party has time to do on their own.

photo credit: Eun Hee Kwon