Cuisine Scene: Filipino Bakeries

Filipino baked goods are becoming increasingly popular and there is a growing number of bakeries in Long Beach serving them up. From longtime fixtures like Gemmae Bake Shop to newcomers like LaMon Bakehouse, there are several spots in Long Beach to pick up delicious breads, cakes, or other tasty treats to enjoy the Filipino tradition of masienda–a small snack between meals.

GEMMAE BAKE SHOP

Gemmae Bake Shop (1356 W Willow St) has been a family-owned and operated business on Long Beach’s west side since 1993. Led by mother-daughter duo Prescilla and Catherine Tolentino, Gemmae’s decadent creations include an ube banana cream pie and pandan tres leches cake. In addition to breads and rolls, pastries, cakes, and desserts, Gemmae offers traditional Filipino dishes, like its famed lumpia Shanghai, by the tray through its catering services.

FOODOLOGIE

Foodologie (195 Claremont Ave), which opened in Belmont Shore in 2023, blends owner Maria Leyesa’s love of Filipino and American baked goods, primarily cookies and brownies. Her creations include ube brownies and s’mores cookies made with graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallows. You can find Leyesa’s treats sold in pop-ups and coffee shops around Long Beach, and she also ships goodie boxes nationwide via USPS.

SAN & WOLVES BAKESHOP

Owner Kym Estrada started San & Wolves Bakeshop, the first established vegan Filipino bakery, on the East Coast in 2017, and later brought it to Long Beach as a pop-up. She soon gained an enthusiastic following and is set to open her brick-and-mortar location (3900 E 4th St) in summer 2024. One of her most creative and popular treats is an ube- or coconut custard-filled pop tart topped with brilliant purple icing. Estrada also offers custom cakes, with orders currently being booked a month or two in advance.

LāMon Bakehouse

LāMon Bakehouse (2742 E Broadway) was founded by a husband and wife team who started by selling cookies and other treats at LA-area farmer’s markets, eventually opening their brick-and-mortar storefront in Long Beach in December 2023. Baker Monica comes by her expertise honestly–her parents run a bakery in the Philippines. LāMon still stocks their popular cookies, as well as pies, cakes, macarons, and brownies. Try the Ube Cheesecake Creme Brûlée, made with homemade Ube Halaya, the yam paste that gives the cake its stunning purple color.

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About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for nearly 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.