Dessert and Café Trends — 오늘의 디저트와 카페 메뉴 트렌드

Today's New Menu Highlights

Compose Coffee — Rich Cream New Menu Line

• Category: Beverage
• Launch/Availability: Launched early May 2026 (currently available)
• Key Features: Following feedback on the Ruliweb community that the "character visuals are the soul of the drink," the brand is doubling down on this aesthetic. Previous releases like the 'Vanilla Cream Latte' sold over 350,000 cups in just one week, providing a solid foundation for this new series.
• Why it matters: The strategy of using character IP for bundled goods has proven effective. Compose Coffee is looking to secure its market position with these beverages ahead of the intense summer cup bingsu season.

SPC Samlip — Sanrio Characters Bread & Vending Machine Pop-up

• Category: Bakery / MD
• Launch/Availability: Vending machine pop-ups operating in Seoul until May 14
• Key Features: Launched 10 types of bread featuring Sanrio Characters like Hello Kitty and Kuromi, with unique vending machine pop-ups at major locations. It directly targets MZ and Alpha generations.
• Why it matters: This experiment with vending machine pop-ups is drawing attention, and the limited-time nature (ending May 14) maximizes the scarcity marketing effect.

Starbucks Korea — Introducing Cup Bingsu, Butter Ddeok, and Do-Jjon-Ku

• Category: Dessert / Beverage
• Launch/Availability: Currently available as of early May 2026
• Key Features: Acknowledging that "sticking only to premium isn't easy," Starbucks has introduced budget-friendly items like cup bingsu, butter ddeok, and do-jjon-ku. They are also shifting toward more mass-friendly operations, such as installing kiosks.
• Why it matters: Seeing the largest premium coffee brand in Korea adopt value-for-money desserts highlights the massive impact that low-cost coffee trends are having on the entire industry.

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Franchise Trends

• Starbucks: Pivoting strategy to absorb low-cost trends, introducing items like cup bingsu, butter ddeok, and do-jjon-ku while focusing on operational efficiency through kiosks.
• Compose Coffee: Continuing their hit streak with the 'Rich Cream' line and the previous 'All Day Compose' series. They are simultaneously expanding customer experience via character goods sets.
• Ediya Coffee: Strengthening their summer lineup with 6 types of bingsu (ranging from cup to bowl sizes), catering to the rise of individual consumption and value-based spending.
• Global Expansion: Ediya, MegaMGC Coffee, and Compose Coffee are all accelerating overseas expansion. Ediya recently entered a Galleria Korean Mart in Thornhill, Toronto, Canada.

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Convenience Store & Bakery New Arrivals

• SPC Samlip — 10 Sanrio Characters Breads & Vending Pop-up: Limited-edition collaboration targeting the "Zalpha" (Gen Z + Alpha) generation, running until May 14 in Seoul.
• Paris Baguette — 'Café de Dessert' Opening: Opened dessert-specialized stores inspired by Parisian vibes, aiming for the premium market. According to Food & Beverage News, this reflects the trend of incorporating B2B innovations (seen at events like KIBA 2026) into consumer-facing stores.

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Today’s Trend Keywords

1. Cup Bingsu War: With Starbucks joining the fray, major franchises like Ediya (6-item lineup) and MegaMGC Coffee are racing for the summer market. Cup bingsu, which sold 1.2 million units last year, remains a key item for 2026.
2. Character IP Collaboration: Marketing combining character IP (like SPC Samlip's Sanrio or Compose Coffee’s Rich) with F&B is spreading rapidly, turning simple consumption into an experience.
3. Dubai Chocolate & Pistachio Trend: Following the success of 'Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha' and 'Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha' at Starbucks US in January 2026, this combination is becoming a global standard that is also fueling domestic signature drink development.

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Global Comparison

The global market continues to ride the viral wave of Dubai chocolate since 2025. While US cafes are quick to adopt pistachio, matcha, and chocolate cream combinations, the Korean market distinguishes itself by blending these global trends with local dessert materials like bingsu and rice cakes, creating a unique "K-fusion" identity.

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Events to Watch Next Week

• SPC Samlip Sanrio Pop-up Ends (May 14): Expect a rush of final visitors to the Seoul pop-up locations.
• Summer Bingsu Competition: Expect intensified promotion and potential new product announcements from mid-May as the heat sets in.
• KIBA 2026 Follow-ups: New products based on frozen dough and smart equipment showcased at the Korea International Bakery Fair (KIBA 2026) are expected to enter the B2C market.

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Reader Action Items

• For Menu Planners: Explore blending global standards (pistachio/matcha/Dubai chocolate) with familiar K-ingredients (tteok, injeolmi, black sesame). Leverage character IP strategies for packaging and gift sets.
• For Café Operators: Prioritize adding at least one cup bingsu or reconfiguring existing bingsu into "convenient, single-serve" sizes. Remember, Starbucks' shift proves that value and convenience are now essential for every price bracket.