Dessert 39 officially opened its first branch at SM Mall of Asia on December 20, bringing a wide range of 39 types of desserts from different countries with a Korean twist. According to Kyeong Kwangho, general manager of Dessert 39 Headquarters, it started as a small concept in Itaewon, Korea and grew to nearly 700 branches across Korea within a decade.
According to Kwangho, the brand aims to offer tastier and healthier desserts. Aside from the Philippines, there are plans to open in the US in 2026 and a new branch in Mongolia this year. Dessert 39's entry into Southeast Asia is through The Bistro Group, which brought the brand to the country.
April Sy, Vice President of Operations of The Bistro Group, explained that all menu items are currently being made in Korea and are undergoing strict approval. There is a possibility of LTO (limited time offering) in the future, but they need to coordinate with their Korean partners first. The location at Mall of Asia was carefully chosen because it is the first branch in the Philippines.
Apart from sweets, Dessert 39 also offers savory dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, sandwiches, and rice bowls for lunch and dinner customers. According to Sy, it is important to offer more than just desserts so that more customers can be accommodated throughout the day.
Popular drinks include the Einspanner coffee and the matcha bucket, with the strawberry matcha recommended. The recipes are original and the team underwent training in Korea, with the head baker from Korea personally teaching the staff. Dessert 39 also plans to open a second branch in 2026 as part of its expansion in the country.
