Korea’s viral Standard Bread has finally landed in Manila, on the 3rd floor of Mega Fashion Hall in SM Megamall, and tearing into one of their loaves is now a foodie rite of passage. But is it really worth the hype? You’ll need to plan your visit to get an allocation of their coveted loaves, whether for take-out or dine-in. Unlike its branches abroad, which mostly run as self-service or grab-and-go bakery counters, Standard Bread Manila is a full-service restaurant built for dine-in. Read this first before you go!
about
Standard Bread started in Seongsu, Seoul, in 2024, built on the belief that “the most basic bread can create the most perfect taste.” Each of its Korean stores has its own theme, from a garden in Seongsu to a secret kitchen in Dosan. The brand has since expanded to Singapore, Taiwan and China, and its signature loaves, French toast and brunch dishes became a must-visit for travelers to Seoul.
The Manila branch began with a trip. Co-owner Alex Yu visited the Seongsu store on an anniversary trip with his wife, loved the bread and quietly reached out to the team behind it. Back home, he gave some loaves to his friend Malvin Ang. Two weeks later he learned Malvin had frozen them, and Malvin’s daughter had reheated them in an air fryer to the whole family’s delight. Alex told Delish that if they still loved it after two weeks, they knew they had something special. The two partnered to bring “a piece of Korea to those who haven’t or can’t travel there.”
read source post: Delish | Standard Bread | How An Anniversary Trip Started a New Business Venture
To get it right, they import Korean flour and use French butter, Belgian chocolate and 100% cacao mass. Standard Bread’s head of R&D flew in to run blind taste tests on local water and coffee, and staff trained in both the Philippines and Korea. The first Philippine branch opened on October 28, 2026, at the 3rd floor of Mega B, SM Megamall, with two Manila exclusives: the Thick Bacon Kimchi Rice and the Bulgogi Doenjang Orzo Risotto. In its first week, lines formed at mall opening and the bread sold out by early evening.
STANDARD BREAD Philippines
📍3/F Mega Fashion Hall (Mega B), SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Seoul’s viral bakery, now in Manila ✨
🕙 Open daily, 10:00am – 10:00pm
IG @standardbread_ph
signature loaves
Classic Bread Loaf (₱180)
Standard Bread’s signature soft and pillowy milk bread loaf (they call it “Tosik”), and the most affordable loaf on the menu.
It was already sold out during our visit. All the bread is made and baked on-site, about 4 hours per batch, with a fresh batch coming out every 30 minutes. Loaves are allocated as each batch comes out, so you won’t see long lines at the counter: most freshly baked loaves are claimed right away.
Dine-in guests get a loaf allotment of 8 loaves per variant per seating (lunch at 10am, afternoon at 2pm and dinner at 7pm). So go early, ask what’s available before you sit down, and claim your loaves right away.
Salted Bread Loaf (₱220)
A full loaf version of their famous salt bread: buttery, soft, and with just the right touch of salt.
Look at that golden-brown crust, made with 100% French butter, while the Korean flour they import gives the bread its pillowy texture. I prefer the salted version: it’s tasty on its own and pairs perfectly with their coffee.
Chocolate Bread (₱450)
The viral loaf made famous by @johnhkchoi in Manila
Pull apart the Chocolate Bread and molten Belgian chocolate oozes out, like a chocolate drink hidden inside the bread. Ang sarap! It’s the most coveted loaf and often sold out, so secure your allocation early to make the trip worth it.
Basil Tomato Bread (₱480)
The most premium loaf, a soft brioche-style bread filled with sun-dried tomatoes and basil.
It tastes like a margherita pizza on brioche, and for us it’s the most sulit and savory loaf, perfect for merienda.
all-day brunch
Eggs in Hell with Bread (₱460)
A Standard Bread signature from Seoul and Korea’s favorite brunch dish: shakshuka-style eggs poached in a mildly spicy tomato sauce, served with toasted brioche for dipping.
Masarap yung pagka-tomato ng shakshuka, and you can dunk the toasted brioche to soak up all the sauce and egg. Must order!
Thick Bacon Kimchi Rice (₱450)
A Manila exclusive: savory kimchi fried rice topped with smoky thick-cut bacon and a soft-boiled egg.
The kimchi fried rice is addicting, mix the soft boiled egg for added creaminess and savor the slices of the thick-cut bacon. You can order an extra bacon for ₱120.
Crème Brûlée French Toast (₱380)
Thick brioche with a caramelized crème brûlée crust, finished with a rich, sizzling custard cream and served with maple syrup and house-made jam.
One of the best French toasts in Manila! The custard cream pools all over the plate and soaks deep into the toast. Eat it while it’s sizzling, best with a drizzle of maple syrup and a bit of their house-made jam.
Standard Iced Mocha (₱220) – One of the best iced mochas we’ve had, with a rich blend of espresso and 100% cacao mass. Standard Spanner (₱220) – Their signature iced espresso topped with a sweet cream layer. Both pair perfectly with the breads.
The iced mocha was so good! It’s made with 100% cacao mass and blends smoothly with their signature coffee blend. Their take on the Einspänner, with a creamy top and just the right amount of sweetness.
Berry Berry Smash (₱210), Yuzu Blend (₱180) and SB Sparkling Water 1L (₱120)
We also love their citrusy yuzu blend and the ice-cold berry smash. You can also order a 1-liter bottle of sparkling water to keep your meal refreshingly bubbly.
final thoughts
So, is Standard Bread worth the hype? Yes, especially if you plan ahead. It’s one of the most exciting openings in Manila this year, with everyone buzzing over these premium loaves despite tough economic times. Make sure to secure your Chocolate Bread and Basil Tomato Bread allocation during your visit. For dine-in, I’d definitely go back for the Eggs in Hell, Thick Bacon Kimchi Rice and Crème Brûlée French Toast for an awesome brunch with friends. Their coffee is quite good, especially the iced mocha, and we love their yuzu blend and the option to order a 1-liter bottle of sparkling water for the table.
Congratulations to Malvin, Alex and the whole Standard Bread team on an awesome opening in Manila!
STANDARD BREAD Philippines
📍3/F Mega Fashion Hall (Mega B), SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Seoul’s viral bakery, now in Manila ✨
🕙 Open daily, 10:00am – 10:00pm
IG @standardbread_ph
Live an Awesome Life with Christ,
Founder & Digital Creator, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: This article was written entirely by a human—reflecting my own biases, opinions, and insights—with grammar, clarity structure and details checked and assisted by claude. Thank you to Malvin for hosting us and congratulations!
p.s. ganda ng packaging and good as pasalubong to your family and friends
