From Europe to Saipan: Paris Croissant’s different café style

With a name like “Paris Croissant,” one can’t be faulted for not immediately knowing that this bakery and café is of Korean influence.

The second version of this establishment is owned and operated by Young Min Choi, who has been on the island for 10 years. She is responsible for renovating and expanding the old Paris Croissant, which used to sell only baked goods for 23 years.

“For the longest time, I wanted to open a café in Garapan,” Choi said. “I’ve been searching for a place but I can’t find it. When I saw this place and they wanted to sell it, I decided to make it a café.”

Choi said she wanted to introduce a different style of café to the community.

“The locals, they only know the island-style, so I wanted to introduce to them other styles,” she said.

When asked, however, why their name doesn’t sound Korean at all, Choi said they were also inspired by other cultures.

“In Korea, they admire the European technique of making bread. …Koreans want to do something like that because they are inspired by that,” Choi said.

New offerings

Since reopening in May, the new Paris Croissant not only retained their tried-and-tested recipes for bread and pastries, they also started offering a wide range of selections from coffees to desserts, and even lunch meals.

Their drink selection alone makes it hard to choose a favorite. This includes espresso, americano, caffe con pana, cappuccino, caramel macchiato, café latte, mocha latte, vanilla latte, affogato, tea latte, sweet potato latte, mint choco latte, and hot or iced chocos.

“Our coffees are fresh from Korea,” Choi said. “If I order today, they will roast it today, send it tomorrow by air.”

According to Choi, she chose to import their coffee because “Saipan coffee is too strong for me. Our coffee is fresh and mild so I bring it here.”

They also have smoothies and juices made from fresh fruits as well as bubble and organic teas. Paris Croissant also offers yogurt ice cream and yogurt drinks.

Unique

What sets Paris Croissant apart from cafes on Saipan is their famous snow ice.

“Locals know our place for snow ice. This is very famous in Korea,” Choi said.

“Three years ago I went to Korea to meet my friend and she introduced me to snow ice and I tried and I [loved it]. What is this? This is nice. Then I started it here,” she added.

Unlike the usual snow ice, which just uses water, Choi says they use milk and a hint of honey to achieve their ice’s snow-like, melt-in-your-mouth texture and delicious taste.

Toppings for their snow ice include blueberry, mango, melon, kiwi, milk, and rice cake.

Another different offering from Paris Croissant is their cheese latte. It’s a cheese-flavored drink that uses milk as well. Choi said they couldn’t find it anywhere here so they decided to try it.

Choi admits that their products are a bit pricey but their guaranteed quality and healthy ingredients make up for it.

Paris Croissant is open from 7am to 10pm every day. For more information, call 233-9292.