Barrett Balzer 
The expression ‘too pretty to eat’ comes to mind when looking at the gorgeous macarons from Chiboo Bakery. Chelsea Tan is the baker behind these sweet bites, and her journey to becoming a master at macarons started with a pandemic pivot. Chiboo’s new storefront at 11312 Washington Plaza in the historic Lake Anne Plaza in Reston might be the most cheerful spot in Northern Virginia. The macarons are inspired by Chelsea’s Malaysian background, with flavors like pandan, ube, and yuzu making frequent appearances. Read on for more about Chelsea Tan and Chiboo Bakery.
About Chelsea Tan
Chelsea Tan is the baker behind Chiboo Bakery. She was born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and she said food has always been the center point of her family. Baking has always been Chelsea’s hobby, so when she moved to Tysons for her husband’s job at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and couldn’t find work, she turned to baking. The first thing she ever sold was cinnamon rolls. “I think I posted them, and someone was like, they look so good, can we buy it?” she said of the experiment. That began the idea to sell desserts. After selling the cinnamon rolls, Chelsea realized there was potential. Since she was still looking for a full-time job, she leaned into the bakery and its growing popularity.
Chiboo got its start at Frontier Kitchen in Chantilly, and was originally called Yuzu Dream. Chelsea worked part-time and juggled the space with 60 other companies. Despite the chaotic nature, Chelsea found that working in the early morning and at night was best for using the space. When the name was changed, she wanted something sweet and personal to her, and landed on Chiboo, a childhood nickname from her parents. “It’s a term of endearment,” she said.
At first, macarons weren’t the only thing on the menu. Chelsea began her journey by selling variety boxes, including fun bite-sized desserts like apple pie bites, and of course, macarons. Eventually, similar to how the cinnamon rolls were sold, Chelsea transitioned to specializing in macarons after people began requesting them for events and in favor boxes.
Chelsea takes her classic French macaron recipe and blends it with native flavors from Malaysia into a tasty gluten-free snack. Her taste of home comes in the form of pandan. Pandan is a blade-like grass incorporated into dishes to add a sweet flavor. Chelsea describes it as “a little caramel and coconut.” She grew up eating Pandan Kaya, a traditional Malaysian jam, which she describes as a “custardy coconut spread.” This experience led her to incorporate Pandan into her macarons.
Image credit: Mynor Ventura
The bakery started off with pop-up events at farmers’ markets and other special events. Chelsea moved into a shared space in Herndon in 2023 and eventually moved to Reston in late 2025. Chelsea also opened another shop at Union Station in 2025. All the while, she was taking custom orders for parties and other celebrations, developing new flavors, and expanding macaron production.
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For Chelsea, being in her own space after being in a commercial kitchen brings mixed feelings. Being in a shared space fostered a supportive environment while cultivating friendships with other small business owners. Being on her own allows Chelsea to control all elements, from cleanliness, kitchen humidity, and access to her equipment whenever she needs it. “As we grew, we also took up more space, and knowing exactly how our work flowed, it only made more sense to have our own,” said Chelsea.
What to Expect
Chiboo Bakery now focuses solely on macarons. Chelsea began specializing in the French delicacy after many people began asking solely for macarons. There are 12 to 15 tasty flavors offered at the shop. From classics like raspberry to unusual flavors like Earl Grey, Chelsea honors her Malaysian heritage with pandan-flavored macarons. Now that Chelsea has relocated to Lake Anne Plaza, Chiboo Bakery is 100% gluten-free, safe for those with a gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease.
The bakery also caters to all sorts of events; weddings, bridal showers, celebrations, the possibilities are endless. Catering includes macaron towers, cakes, and party favors. In the summer, Chiboo Bakery hopes to expand beyond macarons by adding a drink counter and offering baking classes to anyone interested. The macarons come in seemingly endless assortments of color, flavor, and even shape combinations. Chelsea can work with clients to create just the right mix to match the vibe – like these cherry blossom macs for a Northern Virginia spring.
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Our springtime visit to Chiboo’s shop in the historical Lake Anne Plaza in Reston was a double treat, as we were able to enjoy macarons and the cherry blossoms just hitting peak bloom over the lake. TFG macaron pick: lemon curd. Chiboo Bakery is located in the residential-shopping Lake Anne area and is a bit tucked away. Once you see the orange ‘Chiboo’ sign, the entrance is only steps away.
Chiboo’s Union Station location is open Monday through Thursday from 10AM – 6PM, Friday from 10AM – 7PM, Saturday from 10AM – 6PM, and Sunday from 11AM – 5PM, while the Reston location is open Friday through Sunday from 11AM – 5PM.
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