Dessert and Cafe Menu Trends — 2026-04-28

Today’s New Menu Highlights

Starbucks Korea — May "Month of Gratitude" Gift Lineup

• Category: MD / Gift
• Launch Date: Available starting Monday, April 28, 2026
• Key Features: The lineup features packages designed to appeal to collectors, such as cookie tin cases and exclusive reusable bags, targeting gift demand for holidays like Children's Day and Parents' Day in May. The products are themed around sharing heart-felt messages with loved ones.
• Why It Matters: Limited-edition gift items for May serve as a strategy to drive merchandise revenue alongside beverages and desserts, encouraging repeat visits from the "goods-collecting" MZ generation.

1 sources

asiae.co.kr

asiae.co.kr

Starbucks & A Twosome Place — Targeting the "Ube" Dessert Trend

• Category: Dessert / Beverage
• Launch Date: Reported around April 25, 2026; currently available
• Key Features: The vibrant purple hue and exotic flavor of "ube" (purple yam), a Southeast Asian ingredient, are gaining attention for their "Instagrammable" quality. Major coffee chains like Starbucks and A Twosome Place are introducing ube-based desserts.
• Why It Matters: Following the success of Dubai chocolate, the "visual dessert" trend has shifted to ube. Its eye-catching color is highly effective at attracting younger consumers through social media viral marketing.

2 sources

img1.daumcdn.net

img1.daumcdn.net

namu.wiki

=https://t1.daumcdn.net/news/202604/25/552788-vZw4wcp/20260425165804254lwmc.jpg

Paris Baguette — Launching "Cafe de Dessert" Specialized Stores

• Category: Bakery / Dessert Cafe
• Status: Currently operating as of April 2026
• Key Features: Paris Baguette has opened "Cafe de Dessert," a specialized store concept featuring a Parisian vibe, expanding into experiential bakery spaces. It’s a strategic move to reposition the brand from a traditional bakery to a premium dessert cafe.
• Why It Matters: This reflects the broader trend of major bakery chains evolving their store concepts to strengthen "dessert expertise" alongside the specialty cafe boom.

Franchise Trends

• Starbucks Korea: Strengthened its MD lineup with the April 28 launch of "Month of Gratitude" gifts. Ube dessert menus are also currently running.

• A Twosome Place: Achieved record-high annual revenue of 582.4 billion KRW in 2025 (for the third consecutive year) and is targeting MZ palates with ube-based desserts.

• Paris Baguette: Bolstered its premium dessert cafe positioning by opening the Parisian-inspired "Cafe de Dessert" stores.

• Global Coffee Brand Ranking (Reference): Starbucks (>40,000 stores) > Luckin Coffee > Dunkin’, etc. Domestic Korean brands like Mega MGC Coffee, Compose Coffee, and Ediya have successfully entered the Top 10, signaling the rising status of Korean value-coffee brands.

Convenience Store & Bakery New Products

• 7-Eleven — Donut & Macaron Lineup: With bakery sales growing year-over-year, 7-Eleven added a line of donuts and macarons catering to both snack and meal needs, including products using premium ingredients like chocolate conch bread.

• Paris Baguette "Cafe de Dessert": A dedicated space themed after Paris, offering a premium experience distinct from standard bakeries, specifically designed to attract younger consumers.

Today’s Trend Keywords

1. Ube: A purple ingredient from Southeast Asian purple yams. It’s becoming the most potent "visual trend" material since Dubai chocolate because its striking color is perfect for social media sharing.

2. Dubai Chocolate + Matcha + Pistachio Combo: Triggered by global Starbucks’ January 2026 launch of "Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha" and "Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha," this combination continues to spread across cafes in the U.S. and Korea.

3. Month of Gratitude Gift MD: Limited gift items targeting May holidays are becoming a core revenue strategy. High-collectability goods like Starbucks’ cookie tins create brand touchpoints beyond simple beverage sales, driving repeat visits.

Global Comparison

Globally, the combination of Dubai chocolate, matcha, and pistachio has become a staple following Starbucks’ January 2026 releases. In Korea, this trend has evolved into "ube," which offers similar visual intensity but adds a layer of exotic storytelling. While pistachio and matcha remain strong in Korea, Dubai chocolate continues to maintain global momentum, even appearing in cafes across the New England region in the U.S.

Upcoming Events to Watch

• KIBA 2026 (Korea International Bakery Fair): An exhibition covering the entire K-bakery spectrum, including frozen dough, smart equipment, and premium raw materials. It will showcase innovation trends in the domestic bakery industry.

• May Gift Season: The gift items released on April 28 will be sold throughout May, with peak demand expected during Children's Day (May 5) and Parents' Day (May 8).

• Post-Seoul Coffee Expo Trends: Expect to see new materials and equipment introduced at the April 15–19 Seoul Coffee Expo and KIBA starting to appear in actual cafe menus throughout May.

Reader Action Items

• Menu Planners: Consider developing signature items that combine "high-visual" ingredients like ube, Dubai chocolate, matcha, and pistachio. Focus on textures and colors that pop on social media. Ube, in particular, is a great candidate for market entry as it is currently less saturated in Korea.

• Cafe Operators: Prioritize planning limited-edition gift packages (e.g., cookie tins, reusable pouches) for the May holiday season. High-value, collectible goods can significantly boost the average transaction amount beyond single-drink sales. Also, check out KIBA 2026 for potential upgrades in frozen dough and smart equipment.