Move over, traditional baklava—Bakla Baes just pulled up with a Filipina flair, and my taste buds may never recover. Founded just three months ago, this women-led business is already serving up creative, crispy, and flavor-packed baklava combinations that will make you forget every store-bought version you’ve ever had.
I tried three of their flavors, and here’s the tea (or… the syrup):
CINNA My Name
Churro with Chili Pistachios
If a cinnamon churro went on a hot date with pistachios and got a little spicy, this would be their love child. The subtle heat plays perfectly with the buttery layers, making it both cozy and bold.
No Matcha No Cry
Matcha, Cashews & White Chocolate
This is the flavor for when you want dessert to also feel like a hug from your matcha latte. Creamy white chocolate smooths out the earthy green tea vibe, while cashews add that perfect crunch.
If you’re a dessert lover who thinks they’ve tried it all, Bakla Baes is here to prove you wrong—in the most delicious way possible.
UBE Baby One More Time
Ube & Almond
A Britney-inspired masterpiece. The nutty almond and rich ube filling are the ultimate sweet pairing, giving the baklava a slightly floral, totally addictive twist. If purple had a flavor, this would be it.
The Verdict
All three were perfectly crispy with balanced sweetness—never cloying. The fillings were rich but not overwhelming, letting the flaky pastry shine. Bonus: you can reheat them in the air fryer at 300°F for five minutes, and they taste like they just came out of the oven.
Where to Find Them:
📍 Official Website: baklabaes.com
📸 Instagram: @baklabaes
Check them out at Josephine’s Empanadas in City of Industry, CA
Address: 18204 Gale Ave Suite G, City of Industry, CA 91748
They’re also available at Native Fields in Walnut, CA
Address: 18750 Amar Road, Walnut, California 91789
Bakla Baes’ History
Established in 2025.
“Bakla Baes started as a sweet labor of love between partners L and Joh. Born in the Philippines and raised in California, they bonded over food, culture, and queerness. Joh was the baker—L just fell in love with both Joh and Joh’s baklava. What began as a fun kitchen experiment—infusing baklava with bold flavors like ube almond and roasted chili pistachio—quickly turned into something more. They created a version of baklava that felt personal, rooted in both our Filipino heritage and queer identity. The name Bakla Baes is intentional: bakla means gay in Tagalog, and they’re proud to reclaim it. From home kitchen to pop-ups, they share desserts full of joy, spice, and community.”
About the Business Owners
Born in the Philippines. Baked in Anaheim.
Bakla Baes puts a bold, playful spin on baklava—layered with Filipino flavor, queer joy, and love from partners Joh & L.
About the Author
Christy started Disarray because she missed writing what she wanted. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), she covers conventions, expos, concerts, fashion, food and events. From hiring writers, to contacting publicists, and making assignments, Christy is responsible for the editorial strategy of Disarray. Questions, comments or interview requests? Contact Christy@disarraymagazine.com – You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok or check out her travel blog: ChristyWanders.com ✈️
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