'Small Luxury' 400,000 Won Christmas Cake Already Sold Out Craze

This Year's Most Expensive Cake Record Broken by Shilla Hotel
Small Luxury Trend Boosts Starbucks and Tous Les Jours to 80,000 Won Range
Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours Also Popular for Cost-Effective Cakes

Christmas, the peak season for the distribution industry, is just a month away. In an era of high inflation, wallets may be light, but consumers do not miss the perfect opportunity to indulge in a 'small luxury.' A representative item of this small luxury is cake. In line with the demand for cakes soaring two to three times in December, fierce marketing competition is underway among bakeries like Paris Baguette, coffee brands such as Starbucks, and hotel chains including Shilla Hotel.

Shilla Hotel Holiday Special Cake 'The Taste of Luxury'. Photo by Shilla Hotel Gong

The Most Expensive Christmas Cake is Shilla Hotel's 'The Taste of Luxury'... Priced at 400,000 KRW

This year, hotel chains are offering Christmas season cakes priced in the tens of thousands of won.

According to the distribution industry on the 25th, the most expensive Christmas cake priced so far is Shilla Hotel's 'The Taste of Luxury Cake.' The selling price is a whopping 400,000 KRW, which is 100,000 KRW higher than last year's 300,000 KRW. Inside the cake are layers of truffle cream, truffle slices, mille-feuille, and chocolate ganache stacked neatly. Each bite offers a taste experience akin to a fine dining course meal.

The reason for the price increase is attributed to upgraded ingredients. A Shilla Hotel representative explained, "Compared to last year, we increased the amount of fresh black truffle by about 25% to enhance the flavor, and used Ch?teau d'Yquem, a French dessert wine known as the 'golden drink,' to allow the matured fruit aroma to be enjoyed."

InterContinental Parnas' signature festive cake 'Wish Wheel'. Provided by Parnas

The next most expensive cake is the 'Wish Wheel' from Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. It is priced at 350,000 KRW, which is 100,000 KRW more expensive than last year's highest-priced cake at the hotel, the 'Merry-Go-Round' (250,000 KRW). This cake, completed through a meticulous crafting process by chefs, features a Ferris wheel that actually rotates, boasting a high level of artistic perfection. Underneath the Ferris wheel is a hidden chocolate box containing five types of chocolate bonbons: Dubai chocolate, yuzu ginger, stollen, vin chaud, and caf? caramel. A Parnas Hotel representative explained, "Due to recent increases in ingredient costs and the delicate, labor-intensive process involved in making the Wish Wheel, the price has risen further."

Coffee Brand Cakes like Starbucks Also Hit 'Record High Prices'... Yet Still Sell Out Early

However, only a few consumers can get their hands on these ultra-premium hotel cakes. They are very expensive and limited to just a few dozen units. To satisfy consumers who feel disappointed, coffee brands are competitively releasing high-end cakes. These cakes are cheaper than hotel cakes but are presented as 'premium cakes' through collaborations with luxury brands.

Starbucks Joseon Deli Noel Tree Cake. Provided by Starbucks

For example, Starbucks' 'Chosun Deli Noel Tree Cake' sold out early. This product, which went on pre-sale at 12:10 AM on the 25th, sold out in just 13 minutes. The price is 89,000 KRW, making it the most expensive Starbucks Christmas cake ever. Despite the high price, it sold out before the scheduled reservation closing date of the 27th. The secret to its popularity lies in the collaboration with Chosun Hotel. Shaped like a Christmas tree, this cake is made using ganache and black velvet sheets, incorporating Chosun Deli's 110 years of expertise.

Twosome Place also introduced the 'Johnnie Walker Blue Label Cake' for consumers dreaming of a small luxury. This product offers a unique taste combining the rich gold chocolate ganache infused with the luxurious flavor of Johnnie Walker Blue Label whiskey and the refreshing yet sweet blood orange coulis and cream. Priced at 85,000 KRW, it is also the most expensive cake Twosome Place has ever offered.

Cakes Priced in the 10,000 KRW Range Also Exist... The Biggest Players in the Cake Market Remain Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours

While ultra-premium and premium cakes from hotels and coffee brands are gaining attention, the biggest players in the cake market remain traditional bakery brands like Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours. They maintain their position by offering cost-effective cakes priced between 10,000 and 30,000 KRW, targeting consumers who do not want to spend a lot on cakes.

Paris Baguette, 2024 Holiday Cake. Provided by Paris Baguette

This year, Paris Baguette unveiled its seasonal products under the theme 'Wish You a Happy Holiday.' The main products are priced between 20,000 and 30,000 KRW. These include Wish Cake at 35,000 KRW, Wishing Tree Cake at 36,000 KRW, Santa Elf Cake at 36,000 KRW, Holiday Gingerbread Man at 31,000 KRW, Santa Village Little Soldier at 32,000 KRW, and Happy Holiday Cake at 29,000 KRW. A 20% discount is applied when pre-order benefits are used.

Similarly, Tous Les Jours released seasonal cakes under the theme 'Holiday Wishes, Dream Wish Shop.' Prices range from 10,000 to 30,000 KRW. Key products include Shining White Choco at 34,000 KRW, Twinkle Mango Tree at 38,000 KRW, Lovely Holiday at 19,000 KRW, and Winter Joy! Snowman at 28,000 KRW. Up to a 20% discount is available for those participating in the pre-order event.

A distribution industry official said, "December, with its Christmas special demand, is a period when cake sales can triple," adding, "The competition is becoming fiercer as sales channels diversify from traditional bakeries to convenience stores."