French macaron maker Laduree to return with pop-up at Ion Orchard from Nov 18

SINGAPORE – Move over, Pierre Herme. French patisserie Laduree is back to muscle in on the macaron action in Singapore.

In time for the festive season, it will start with a pop-up booth at Ion Orchard’s Level 1 Atrium, running from Nov 18 to Jan 11. 

The famed macarons will be sold at $4 a piece, and from $23.80 for a box of six. 

Flavours include classics such as vanilla, chocolate, pistachio and rose, along with newer options such as matcha and Dubai chocolate. 

A recently introduced creation is the Eugenie – named after 19th-century French Empress Eugenie – a layered combination of textures featuring a crisp, gluten-free biscuit with an oozy centre encased in a thin chocolate coating. 

Created in 2023 by Laduree’s head pastry chef Julien Alvarez, the delicate treats are priced at $3.90 a piece, and from $22.80 for a box of six.

Other items include milk or dark chocolate-coated Marshmallow Bears ($9.80 a piece) and Langue de Chat ($28 for a box of 16) – in assortments, featuring flavours such as vanilla, caramel, strawberry, and milk or dark chocolate. 

Lifestyle merchandise such as key rings, tote bags and notebooks will also be on sale. 

Limited slots for islandwide delivery will be available from Nov 19. 

Behind Laduree’s return is master franchisee Alvin Ng, 42, the co-founder and managing partner of home-grown food and beverage company Wabi-Sabi SG. 

Over the years, the company has brought in several brands, such as Japan’s Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory and LeTAO; cinnamon roll specialist Cinnabon; sweets boutique Sugarfina; and Hong Kong’s traditional pastry shop Hang Heung.

Laduree is no stranger to Singapore, having debuted to much fanfare in 2013 in collaboration with luxury watch retailer The Hour Glass. It ran a takeaway counter and retail boutique at Takashimaya Shopping Centre, which both shuttered in 2020.

In March 2021, Laduree – with a bakery legacy that dates back to 1862 in Paris – joined the French Lov Group’s portfolio, which includes luxury hotels, online gaming and multi-platform content production. 

Since then, the brand has been gaining momentum with international expansion. 

In July, it reopened in the Philippines after exiting the market in 2019, with an outlet featuring both a cafe and tea room Salon de The that offers full-service dining.

In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times, Mr Ng says that after Laduree exited the Singapore market, he started talks with the previous owners four years ago to bring it back. 

When its ownership changed, he restarted the conversation with the Lov Group. He says: “We want to represent the best in class for gifting brands. Laduree will be the biggest one under Wabi-Sabi’s umbrella and we want to do it justice since this is its second time in Singapore.” 

So, he is being cautious with the brand’s comeback, opting for a pop-up first. He is finalising plans to open a shop in Orchard Road in 2026, and is considering a tea salon in the future. 

Acknowledging that Laduree’s return comes on the back of Pierre Herme’s debut at Resorts World Sentosa in August, Mr Ng adds: “Singapore can handle both brands. We hope to be top of mind for macarons and to showcase our standard of production, ingredients and finesse.”