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I arrived about 30 minutes after opening on a weekend, and there wasn't a line, although there was a constant flow of people coming in and out. Seating is very limited, so unfortunately I had to take my pastries to go. They have a great selection of both sweet and savory pastries, all made with Hokkaido flour from Japan. I really liked how light the pastries felt--I was able to try several without feeling overly full or heavy. Most of what I tried was very good, although nothing really stood out as a must-have. I'd come back to try some of the other options, but I'm not necessarily in a rush. Their black coffee is also really good if that's your thing.
Finally got to try this bakery for the first time this past weekend but the experience was quite underwhelming. Came here after a early morning run and arrived about 20-30 minutes after opening. They had all kinds of options laid out, and visually looked interesting, so we picked up a variety to try. Personally, I felt the breads were a bit dry or stale. I wasn't a fan of the matcha they used since it didn't have any bold flavor, which made it hard to distinguish from the milk. I was told later on by a couple of friends that their hojicha latte is better than the matcha latte. Overall, unsure if I would come back since I feel that I could get better pastries and drinks from other bakeries and cafes nearby.
Cute cafe! I'd give it a 2.5 to 3 stars. I did street parking, but there is a public lot across the cafe. I came on a Saturday at 3pm, and there were still plenty of pastries left. They probably didn't taste as fresh as they usually would since I came later in the day. I will say, the AC was barely on, so it was really hot in there. I noticed other people getting really hot and sweaty. There are 5 tables, and they were all full. My total was $37 for 7 items. Overall, the breads are super soft and fluffy. The drinks are tasty, but nothing crazy or special. Sakura Strawberry Latte $7 - The coffee flavor definitely outweighs the strawberry and sakura flavors. It tastes like a strong coffee latte with a strawberry undertone. I didn't really taste a lot of sakura or floral notes. Still good though! Premium Matcha Latte $8.50 - I added matcha foam, which was $1.50. It wasn't worth the extra cost. I'm a fan of sweet foams, and this one was salty. It also didn't really have a matcha taste. The actual latte was good, but nothing special, especially for the price. I liked that it wasn't chalky. The drink was smooth, and the sweetness was just right (I got regular sweet). Takoyaki Pan $4.50 - Soft bread with an actual takoyaki inside. I enjoyed the flavor. Sunrise Matcha $4.25 - Super soft with a crunchy sugar exterior. I could taste a hint of matcha, but overall, it was just a standard sweet and soft bread. I'd get it again though! Tomato Basil Salt & Butter Roll - It was okay, nothing special. I'd give it a 3/5. Curry Pan - It would taste really good warmed up. The curry filling was tasty. It had crunchy bits on the outside, and the bread was soft on the inside. I'd take it to go next time and heat it up at home. Oyaki Shumai - It had a pork filling and a crunchy outside. It didn't taste as fresh, but it's probably because I came later in the day.
Unfortunately as a somewhat 9-5 WAGECEL, it's impossible for me to go here unless I do something funny or if I go to the weekends, so like most of the masses, I have to go here on the weekends. It's definitely not as fisted as it used to be since my friend said she used to see the line go outside and even with the visible crowds inside, so long as it was contained inside, the wait isn't as bad as it used to be. We came here around an hour or so before closing and they were mostly sold out of everything. A couple fresh bread came out in that final our (brick of toast and corn croissant), but the main heavy hitters and some of their drinks were sold out too, so just keep that in mind and don't have super high hopes based on when you go. Because it was busy, the relaxing and low key vibes and ambiance was not what was intended. A bit of crowding, tables were unsteady and could easily spill something or swing around. A little bit of trash here and there, but not awful. And despite the crowds the rest room was clean which was nice. We got the: 1) Salt & Butter Choco Bread: -This is the one my mom said was okay and a bit too dry the next day. -It's a nice mix of salty and sweet. 2) Salt & Butter Corn Mayo Bread: -Can never go wrong with the sweetness of corn and the tangy flavor of mayo. Great with the light salted taste of the bread. 3) Salt & Butter Tamago Bread: -This is an egg salad bread. Okay amount of egg salad in the middle. Light and fluffy. I'm a glutton so I would have preferred a heavier flavor profile for the egg salad part but if you want a daintier and lighter flavor, this works. 4) Milk Bun: -Not too sweet, filled with milk cream in the middle. Decent sweet bread. 5) Melonpan: -Again, a bit dry on the second day, but the sugary texture on top made for a nice yummy crunch. -Solid classic. 6) Premium Matcha Latte: -This was a matcha that another friend was raving about. They do hand whisk it in the cafe, which is nice. But that does take some time too, so keep that in mind when they're backed up with orders and when it gets busy. -Decently strong matcha taste. Think a more watered down Yamari (this is a good thing for people who can't handle that level of matcha intensity). After a day, the baked goods weren't as good as the day of (regardless of fresh baked or not), which makes sense. My mother said they got a bit dry, so definitely eat them ASAP. I did enjoy the salted bread. Not too dry, has a slight salty taste to compliment the butteriness and the other flavors of the bread. I can see why this is a trend nowadays. Not bad, hopefully I can go here when it's better stocked to try more breads.
Wa Iro Bakery is such a cute little spot in Pasadena! Everything we tried was delicious. It's definitely a little on the pricier side, but honestly, I think it's worth it! If you like salt bread, you have to try theirs -- you might become obsessed! My favorite was their curry bread. It was so light, airy, and flavorful without feeling heavy. I went with my sister on a weekday morning, and we parked nearby with plenty of street parking available. We got so lucky because there was no line when we arrived, which felt like a miracle! We grabbed a table and started tasting our breads, and that's when people started coming in and a line quickly formed. I didn't get their coffee this time because I had already had a cup about an hour before coming, but their coffee smelled soooo good. Definitely trying it next time! Such a cute place with delicious bread already looking forward to coming back!
Love trying new places and stumbled upon this Japanese bakery. Interesting pastries I've never had before. Tried the yakisoba savory treat and concha sweet treat. Both very good and tasty. Really loved my drink though. The Cloud Hojicha Latte with almond milk was delicious and best drink I've had in a while. Staff were very welcoming and kind. Explained the different pastries to me. The small space was very warm and inviting. Glad I stopped by on a whim!
When I went to order the lemon custard (I got a weak spot for lemon desserts), they picked it up and a piece broke off when they grabbed it with their tongs. I saw they noticed but did not grab a different one or the piece that fell off.. that did not sit well with me. In terms of taste it was very light and airy which makes for a dangerous but delicious dessert item. They recently added a promo to do some sliders in the evening, shame it wasn't yet time, but they did look good (albeit expensive for a slider, but I wanted to try). Value wise it's a bit pricier, but the breads taste premium. I think that if the worker did not break off a piece or actually got grabbed the piece or a different lemon custard I would give it a 5. I did not like the lack of attention especially when they were near closing.. just give me the nicer looking pieces!
Wa-Iro is the latest place to draw long lines for their baked goods. As you know, this Diva ain't standing in line for nothing unless it involves fashion or booze. I happened to drive by just before they opened on the Friday before the July 4th weekend. There were only a few people out front, so I decided to give it a try. The staff have an assembly line system, so the line moves fairly quickly. The salt breads disappear fast but are replenished fresh out of the oven. Made with flour imported from Hokkaido, the salt breads are all the rage but I decided to try the cinnamon roll instead. Apparently, the specialty flour produces an extra fluffy bread. I could tell because the cinnamon roll was soft & fluffy and was artistically topped with a dollop of cream cheese icing that I spread to cover the top. It added the perfect touch of sweetness. The cinnamon roll was exceptionally good but I wouldn't stand in a long line for it. They also serve frothy matcha lattes & espresso-based beverages. *Metered street parking or $1 90-mins parking in the structure across the street.
Delicious, my favorite was the cookie salt bread. Went during weekday 3pm, no line, almost closing, there is still quite a bit of pastry left, but the popular options are gone. Must order 6 pastries to get a box or else it's $1.50. Bread was good, it didn't really stand out. The employee was attentive, answered our question and was awesome. Order 6 baked goods and drink which came out to be $37. Ordered sesame latte, very sesame flavored. Strawberry matcha was average, though, it really delicious on a hot day. The cafe has plenty of seating. Onto the bread, super fresh. My favorite is the the salt and butter and curry pan. The curry has a lot of flavor. Overall, delicious bread and solid drinks.
I was looking for something unique and not very sweet, and this place caught my eye. The hype is real. I came during the morning time in the middle of the week (since they close so early) and all the seats were full of people. Luckily there wasn't a line, but when I paid for my order, a line already had formed. I took advantage of my luck and ordered a box of savory pastries and a box of sweet pastries. I got their signature pastry - the salted butter bread - and it was..okay. I'll be honest I really liked everything else they offered more than their signature lol. Nothing was overly sweet, and my favorite pastries were the red bean mochi, the panini's were so good - especially the ham and pesto, as well as the spicy curry bun. I don't know if I'd wait in a long line for these pastries, but if I'm ever in the area, I'd definitely drop by again for their panini. Also I had not tried their drinks either. All servers were very friendly and parking can be found on the streets or in the parking garage across the street.
Cute cafe, clean, great service, and the natural light in there is doing everything right. Very good bones. Husband got the sea salt matcha cold brew and loved it. I got the dirty black sesame latte and wanted more coffee flavor from her. She was pretty but she needed to commit. We got there late so pickings were slim and split a japanini and sausage panini. Both were fine! The sausage panini had arabiki sausage cut into pieces instead of whole which was a choice. A strange choice. But a choice nonetheless. Go early because the pastries sell out fast and I have a feeling I missed the best part. Will be returning to find out.
This has to be one of my top bakeries in Pasadena, which says a lot since Pasadena has definitely stepped up their bakery game. I visited Wairo twice and was impressed both times. The service is efficient, accommodating, and kind. The ambience of the store is super well-maintained and they have a clean bathroom. There are several tables inside and it's usually not too crowded. The drinks that I've tried were the Matcha banana, the black sesame latte, and the sakura latte. I would personally skip the sakura latte as it came off a little bit sour. They claim to have some strawberry in the latte and you can also taste the slightly artificial taste of cherry blossoms. This personally wasn't for me. The Matcha banana and the black sesame latte are both great drinks though! The tomato basil salt bread is super tasty! I think my favorite salt bread would have to be the cookie salt bread. They also have an awesome cinnamon roll - I'm usually not a big fan of cinnamon rolls because they're super sweet but Wairo uses a plain bread base and less frosting so it's the perfect balance!! The Smores danish was a standout too, a mini treat. The marshmallow is soft and toasted too. The Purin à la mode is photogenic and unique tasting. I'd highly recommend putting this bakery on your watchlist. They bake everything using Hokkaido flour and the ambiance of the cafe is super cozy and fun.
There are so many inventive flavors, and the bread is so soft! Curry pan 5/5 - GET THIS!! The curry is flavorful and the panko crust is crispy. It's exactly what you want in a curry pan. Black sesame roll 4.5/5 - rich in black sesame flavor and surprisingly just the perfect sweetness. Tomato basil salt bread 3/5 - the bread was soft, but the filling was a little lacking. The service was quick and friendly. The interior feels very clean and modern. There's limited seating, so I wouldn't imagine bringing a laptop here. But it's a great spot to catch up with a friend.
Best Japanese Bakery I wish I could have tried each of their pastries but my medical diet leaves me to a limited selection of which I thoroughly enjoyed. My husband really liked their Curry Pan and Scrambled Egg Salted Butter. I got to enjoy their yummy Custard one that was almost too cute to eat and having it as soon as it was placed out meant I was able to enjoy a hot/warm soft pastry. Custard wasn't too sweet and tasted so good. I especially likes their Milk Cream, whatever cream they used had the right amount of sweet without being overwhelming and they didnt overindulge on the cream stuffed in their fluffy soft bread. Very well balanced. Of course, I had to try their plain salted butter bread and even if that's the only pastry I ordered; I'd have been satisfied because it is just that good. I've also been searching for a delicious Hojicha Latte but hadn't had any luck outside of one particular Cafe in Little Tokyo until now! Their Cloud Hojicha Latte is the best Hojicha latte I've ever had and I'm so happy to have come across this gem of a cafe in Pasadena. It's worth all the hype. Small seating arrangements inside means you can be left without a seat but don't let that stop you from giving this Japanese Bakery a try. The staff were all so helpful. The place was clean and new. Such a cute spot. Street parking can be limited. I'd like to keep this place a secret but clearly many already know about it so I might as well join the Wa-Iro Fan club if one is ever made. Lol! Oh and don't even ask if I'll be back. I definitely will. read more
7 days ago
Had a wonderful experience at Wa-Iro! The workers there were welcoming and took our orders quickly. The bread was hot and fresh. I got the salt bread, curry pan, earl grey melon pan, japanini and the cheese jalepeno bread. My personal favorites were the salt bread and curry pan. The salt bread was light and fresh. I would prefer for it to be more buttery and crispier at the base though, but it was still pretty good! The curry pan was also delicious! The breading was light and they give a decent amount of filling. There is some seating inside the store. Parking is a bit difficult since it's located in old town Pasadena so you'll either have to find street parking or pay for parking. Would highly recommend! read more
10 days ago
This little bakery is located in Old Town Pasadena. They're open daily, except Tuesday Hours are 8am-4pm Parking can be difficult but there are nearby parking structures, as well as metered parking Inside is small but love how clean it is and there are a few tables and chairs. Love that their pastries are made with 100% Hokkaido flour! There is a good variety of sweet and savory pastries, as well as drinks and prices were reasonable. Service was very friendly and welcoming. Salt & Butter Roll ($3.85) was so soft. It was so fresh and buttery. Loved how it wasn't too greasy or salty. This is one of their signatures so this was so good! Oyaki Mental Caviar ($4.85) was just ok. I liked how soft the bread was but the filling was pretty salty so it wasn't as enjoyable as I wanted it to be. Takoyaki Pan ($4.50) was my least favorite. Takoyaki is one of my favorite appetizers so I was so excited to try this but it was extremely salty so it was very hard to enjoy. The sauce on top was overwhelming and made it hard to enjoy the bread. The filling has a small piece of octopus, which was pretty good. Overall, I thought this bakery was unique but I'll probably pass on the savory pastries and try the sweet pastries next time. read more
I arrived about 30 minutes after opening on a weekend, and there wasn't a line, although there was a constant flow of people coming in and out. Seating is very limited, so unfortunately I had to take my pastries to go. They have a great selection of both sweet and savory pastries, all made with Hokkaido flour from Japan. I really liked how light the pastries felt--I was able to try several without feeling overly full or heavy. Most of what I tried was very good, although nothing really stood out as a must-have. I'd come back to try some of the other options, but I'm not necessarily in a rush. Their black coffee is also really good if that's your thing. read more
Finally got to try this bakery for the first time this past weekend but the experience was quite underwhelming. Came here after a early morning run and arrived about 20-30 minutes after opening. They had all kinds of options laid out, and visually looked interesting, so we picked up a variety to try. Personally, I felt the breads were a bit dry or stale. I wasn't a fan of the matcha they used since it didn't have any bold flavor, which made it hard to distinguish from the milk. I was told later on by a couple of friends that their hojicha latte is better than the matcha latte. Overall, unsure if I would come back since I feel that I could get better pastries and drinks from other bakeries and cafes nearby. read more
Cute cafe! I'd give it a 2.5 to 3 stars. I did street parking, but there is a public lot across the cafe. I came on a Saturday at 3pm, and there were still plenty of pastries left. They probably didn't taste as fresh as they usually would since I came later in the day. I will say, the AC was barely on, so it was really hot in there. I noticed other people getting really hot and sweaty. There are 5 tables, and they were all full. My total was $37 for 7 items. Overall, the breads are super soft and fluffy. The drinks are tasty, but nothing crazy or special. Sakura Strawberry Latte $7 - The coffee flavor definitely outweighs the strawberry and sakura flavors. It tastes like a strong coffee latte with a strawberry undertone. I didn't really taste a lot of sakura or floral notes. Still good though! Premium Matcha Latte $8.50 - I added matcha foam, which was $1.50. It wasn't worth the extra cost. I'm a fan of sweet foams, and this one was salty. It also didn't really have a matcha taste. The actual latte was good, but nothing special, especially for the price. I liked that it wasn't chalky. The drink was smooth, and the sweetness was just right (I got regular sweet). Takoyaki Pan $4.50 - Soft bread with an actual takoyaki inside. I enjoyed the flavor. Sunrise Matcha $4.25 - Super soft with a crunchy sugar exterior. I could taste a hint of matcha, but overall, it was just a standard sweet and soft bread. I'd get it again though! Tomato Basil Salt & Butter Roll - It was okay, nothing special. I'd give it a 3/5. Curry Pan - It would taste really good warmed up. The curry filling was tasty. It had crunchy bits on the outside, and the bread was soft on the inside. I'd take it to go next time and heat it up at home. Oyaki Shumai - It had a pork filling and a crunchy outside. It didn't taste as fresh, but it's probably because I came later in the day. read more
Unfortunately as a somewhat 9-5 WAGECEL, it's impossible for me to go here unless I do something funny or if I go to the weekends, so like most of the masses, I have to go here on the weekends. It's definitely not as fisted as it used to be since my friend said she used to see the line go outside and even with the visible crowds inside, so long as it was contained inside, the wait isn't as bad as it used to be. We came here around an hour or so before closing and they were mostly sold out of everything. A couple fresh bread came out in that final our (brick of toast and corn croissant), but the main heavy hitters and some of their drinks were sold out too, so just keep that in mind and don't have super high hopes based on when you go. Because it was busy, the relaxing and low key vibes and ambiance was not what was intended. A bit of crowding, tables were unsteady and could easily spill something or swing around. A little bit of trash here and there, but not awful. And despite the crowds the rest room was clean which was nice. We got the: 1) Salt & Butter Choco Bread: -This is the one my mom said was okay and a bit too dry the next day. -It's a nice mix of salty and sweet. 2) Salt & Butter Corn Mayo Bread: -Can never go wrong with the sweetness of corn and the tangy flavor of mayo. Great with the light salted taste of the bread. 3) Salt & Butter Tamago Bread: -This is an egg salad bread. Okay amount of egg salad in the middle. Light and fluffy. I'm a glutton so I would have preferred a heavier flavor profile for the egg salad part but if you want a daintier and lighter flavor, this works. 4) Milk Bun: -Not too sweet, filled with milk cream in the middle. Decent sweet bread. 5) Melonpan: -Again, a bit dry on the second day, but the sugary texture on top made for a nice yummy crunch. -Solid classic. 6) Premium Matcha Latte: -This was a matcha that another friend was raving about. They do hand whisk it in the cafe, which is nice. But that does take some time too, so keep that in mind when they're backed up with orders and when it gets busy. -Decently strong matcha taste. Think a more watered down Yamari (this is a good thing for people who can't handle that level of matcha intensity). After a day, the baked goods weren't as good as the day of (regardless of fresh baked or not), which makes sense. My mother said they got a bit dry, so definitely eat them ASAP. I did enjoy the salted bread. Not too dry, has a slight salty taste to compliment the butteriness and the other flavors of the bread. I can see why this is a trend nowadays. Not bad, hopefully I can go here when it's better stocked to try more breads. read more
Wa Iro Bakery is such a cute little spot in Pasadena! Everything we tried was delicious. It's definitely a little on the pricier side, but honestly, I think it's worth it! If you like salt bread, you have to try theirs -- you might become obsessed! My favorite was their curry bread. It was so light, airy, and flavorful without feeling heavy. I went with my sister on a weekday morning, and we parked nearby with plenty of street parking available. We got so lucky because there was no line when we arrived, which felt like a miracle! We grabbed a table and started tasting our breads, and that's when people started coming in and a line quickly formed. I didn't get their coffee this time because I had already had a cup about an hour before coming, but their coffee smelled soooo good. Definitely trying it next time! Such a cute place with delicious bread already looking forward to coming back! read more
Love trying new places and stumbled upon this Japanese bakery. Interesting pastries I've never had before. Tried the yakisoba savory treat and concha sweet treat. Both very good and tasty. Really loved my drink though. The Cloud Hojicha Latte with almond milk was delicious and best drink I've had in a while. Staff were very welcoming and kind. Explained the different pastries to me. The small space was very warm and inviting. Glad I stopped by on a whim! read more
1 month ago
When I went to order the lemon custard (I got a weak spot for lemon desserts), they picked it up and a piece broke off when they grabbed it with their tongs. I saw they noticed but did not grab a different one or the piece that fell off.. that did not sit well with me. In terms of taste it was very light and airy which makes for a dangerous but delicious dessert item. They recently added a promo to do some sliders in the evening, shame it wasn't yet time, but they did look good (albeit expensive for a slider, but I wanted to try). Value wise it's a bit pricier, but the breads taste premium. I think that if the worker did not break off a piece or actually got grabbed the piece or a different lemon custard I would give it a 5. I did not like the lack of attention especially when they were near closing.. just give me the nicer looking pieces! read more
Wa-Iro is the latest place to draw long lines for their baked goods. As you know, this Diva ain't standing in line for nothing unless it involves fashion or booze. I happened to drive by just before they opened on the Friday before the July 4th weekend. There were only a few people out front, so I decided to give it a try. The staff have an assembly line system, so the line moves fairly quickly. The salt breads disappear fast but are replenished fresh out of the oven. Made with flour imported from Hokkaido, the salt breads are all the rage but I decided to try the cinnamon roll instead. Apparently, the specialty flour produces an extra fluffy bread. I could tell because the cinnamon roll was soft & fluffy and was artistically topped with a dollop of cream cheese icing that I spread to cover the top. It added the perfect touch of sweetness. The cinnamon roll was exceptionally good but I wouldn't stand in a long line for it. They also serve frothy matcha lattes & espresso-based beverages. *Metered street parking or $1 90-mins parking in the structure across the street. read more
2 months ago
Delicious, my favorite was the cookie salt bread. Went during weekday 3pm, no line, almost closing, there is still quite a bit of pastry left, but the popular options are gone. Must order 6 pastries to get a box or else it's $1.50. Bread was good, it didn't really stand out. The employee was attentive, answered our question and was awesome. Order 6 baked goods and drink which came out to be $37. Ordered sesame latte, very sesame flavored. Strawberry matcha was average, though, it really delicious on a hot day. The cafe has plenty of seating. Onto the bread, super fresh. My favorite is the the salt and butter and curry pan. The curry has a lot of flavor. Overall, delicious bread and solid drinks. read more
I was looking for something unique and not very sweet, and this place caught my eye. The hype is real. I came during the morning time in the middle of the week (since they close so early) and all the seats were full of people. Luckily there wasn't a line, but when I paid for my order, a line already had formed. I took advantage of my luck and ordered a box of savory pastries and a box of sweet pastries. I got their signature pastry - the salted butter bread - and it was..okay. I'll be honest I really liked everything else they offered more than their signature lol. Nothing was overly sweet, and my favorite pastries were the red bean mochi, the panini's were so good - especially the ham and pesto, as well as the spicy curry bun. I don't know if I'd wait in a long line for these pastries, but if I'm ever in the area, I'd definitely drop by again for their panini. Also I had not tried their drinks either. All servers were very friendly and parking can be found on the streets or in the parking garage across the street. read more
Cute cafe, clean, great service, and the natural light in there is doing everything right. Very good bones. Husband got the sea salt matcha cold brew and loved it. I got the dirty black sesame latte and wanted more coffee flavor from her. She was pretty but she needed to commit. We got there late so pickings were slim and split a japanini and sausage panini. Both were fine! The sausage panini had arabiki sausage cut into pieces instead of whole which was a choice. A strange choice. But a choice nonetheless. Go early because the pastries sell out fast and I have a feeling I missed the best part. Will be returning to find out. read more
This has to be one of my top bakeries in Pasadena, which says a lot since Pasadena has definitely stepped up their bakery game. I visited Wairo twice and was impressed both times. The service is efficient, accommodating, and kind. The ambience of the store is super well-maintained and they have a clean bathroom. There are several tables inside and it's usually not too crowded. The drinks that I've tried were the Matcha banana, the black sesame latte, and the sakura latte. I would personally skip the sakura latte as it came off a little bit sour. They claim to have some strawberry in the latte and you can also taste the slightly artificial taste of cherry blossoms. This personally wasn't for me. The Matcha banana and the black sesame latte are both great drinks though! The tomato basil salt bread is super tasty! I think my favorite salt bread would have to be the cookie salt bread. They also have an awesome cinnamon roll - I'm usually not a big fan of cinnamon rolls because they're super sweet but Wairo uses a plain bread base and less frosting so it's the perfect balance!! The Smores danish was a standout too, a mini treat. The marshmallow is soft and toasted too. The Purin à la mode is photogenic and unique tasting. I'd highly recommend putting this bakery on your watchlist. They bake everything using Hokkaido flour and the ambiance of the cafe is super cozy and fun. read more
There are so many inventive flavors, and the bread is so soft! Curry pan 5/5 - GET THIS!! The curry is flavorful and the panko crust is crispy. It's exactly what you want in a curry pan. Black sesame roll 4.5/5 - rich in black sesame flavor and surprisingly just the perfect sweetness. Tomato basil salt bread 3/5 - the bread was soft, but the filling was a little lacking. The service was quick and friendly. The interior feels very clean and modern. There's limited seating, so I wouldn't imagine bringing a laptop here. But it's a great spot to catch up with a friend. read more
2 months ago
TLDR: Cute Japanese bakery with savory/lightly sweet, soft, fluffy breads and several standouts--especially the hojicha milk cream, miso walnut roll, and s'mores Danish. Come earlier for a better selection, and plan ahead for parking. Wa-Iro is a small, charming Japanese bakery with a calm, inviting feel. I stop by about 30 minutes before closing, so the selection is more limited. I got 6 items: brioche, salt bread, lemon custard, miso walnut roll, s'mores Danish, and hojicha milk cream. Overall, the breads are soft, fluffy, and not overly sweet, which I really appreciate. The hojicha milk cream is especially good, with a rich roasted-tea flavor and balanced sweetness. The miso walnut roll and s'mores Danish are also easy reorders. The salt bread is their most popular item and has a very soft, fluffy interior, but it is just alright to me and does not stand out as much as the other pastries. Service is straightforward and pleasant, and the compact space feels cute and relaxed for a quick bakery stop. I plan to try the drinks next time. Parking in Pasadena can be a hassle, although there is metered street parking nearby; getting dropped off makes the visit much easier. read more
2 months ago
I tried Wa-Iro on 2 separate occasions and it is my favorite japanese bakery ever! So so so worth waiting for! GET THE SALT & BUTTER ROLL AND HONEY BUTTER RED BEAN TOAST!! The first time I went, it was on a Wednesday afternoon and I waited in line for about 15 minutes. The second time I went, it was at about 8:35 (35 minutes after open) on a Sunday morning and there was no line. Both times I went, the service was fast and the workers were always so, so friendly! I loved them shouting out fresh bread when pastries straight out of the oven were added to the lineup. There are limited seats there so I suggest bringing the pastries to go if you are able! FOOD TRIED: -Salt & Butter Roll -Chocolate Salt & Butter Roll -Egg Salad Salt & Butter Roll -Honey Butter Red Bean Toast -Yakisoba Panini -Japanini -Takoyaki Pan -Smores Danish -Matcha Mochi Anpan DRINKS TRIED: -Sakura Strawberry Latte -Sea Salt Matcha Cold Brew My favorites have been the Salt & Butter Roll (always gone for a reason - a classic and BEST when fresh!!) and the Honey & Butter Red Bean Toast! Can't wait to try the rest of the pastries and drinks! read more
I love Japanese pastries! This bakery reminds me of the ones I ate in Japan. When I arrived, I was shocked to see a short line. Then shortly after ordering, the line was out the door. Boy was I lucky! Bakery is clean and has some seating but it's not very big. It got really crowded by the register area as there were many people waiting for their drinks. Ordering the pastries is quick but it took awhile for my sea salt matcha cold brew. Thankfully it was worth the wait. It was yummy! The pastries I ordered were delicious and very fresh. My favorite was the egg salad salt & butter. There was a good amount of egg salad and it went well with the bread. The matcha melon pan was good too. Overall yummy breads and solid drinks. Looking forward to coming back. read more
Wa-Iro Bakery brings a taste of Japan to Pasadena with an assortment of freshly baked breads and pastries. The space has a cozy, minimalist interior, though seating is quite limited, so we opted to take everything to go. Service was polite but fairly routine, without leaving much of an impression. **Takoyaki Pan: 2.5/5** I was especially excited to try this unique pastry, which playfully resembled an oversized takoyaki ball complete with the classic toppings. Inside was an actual piece of takoyaki, though it lacked the signature crispy exterior and instead had a mushy texture that blended too closely with the already soft bread. Unfortunately, it contained only a small amount of octopus, and the sauce was noticeably too salty, overpowering the other flavors. **Cheesy Jalapeño Panini: 3.5/5** This savory panini was simple but satisfying, with sliced jalapeños providing a gentle kick of heat without becoming overwhelming. The combination of toasted cheese and Japanese mayo added a touch of creaminess, especially after being warmed up. However, the bread was slightly dense and a little dry, and it could have benefited from a more generous amount of filling. **Curry Pan: 4/5** The Curry Pan featured a delicately crisp panko-coated exterior that gave way to a soft, pillowy interior. At its center was a rich, savory Japanese curry studded with tender cubed vegetables, creating a warm and comforting bite. While delicious as is, a spicy version would add another layer of depth and complexity to the flavor profile. **Honey Butter Toast: 2/5** This toast was a bit too over-the-top for my taste. A thick slab of butter made each bite uncomfortably heavy, while an excessive coating of honey made it overwhelmingly sweet, sticky, messy, and surprisingly difficult to bite into. Although the red bean filling was enjoyable on its own, it wasn't enough to offset the richness. **Purin à la Mode: 4/5** Easily one of the standout items we tried, this pastry showcased exceptionally soft, fluffy bread paired with a silky smooth custard filling reminiscent of flan. The visually stunning presentation was complete with a dollop of whipped cream and a bright maraschino cherry on top, while a small pipette of caramel sauce nestled into the cube-shaped bread added a fun finishing touch. **Chocolate Salt & Butter Roll: 3.5/5** Since Wa-Iro is known for its salt and butter rolls, I had high expectations for this variation. The chocolate filling complemented the salted butter, creating a pleasant balance of sweet and savory. However, I was disappointed that it lacked the signature golden, crispy bottom I typically look for in salt bread, keeping it from being particularly memorable. While Wa-Iro offers a creative selection of Japanese-inspired baked goods, the overall experience felt somewhat inconsistent. Although there were a few highlights, other items left me wanting a bit more in terms of execution. Given Pasadena's growing selection of excellent bakeries, I ultimately left feeling underwhelmed and would probably explore other nearby options before returning. read more
3 months ago
I FEEL THE NEED TO write a review to defend whoever is saying this bakery is meh. This place is SO GOOD. The bread is fluffy and not too sweet. The flour is definitely better quality. I love Japanese food so so much because of the dedication to small details and mastery of the craft. To the people saying there's no flavor- MAYBE ALL baked goods don't need to be overly sweet??? And if you're complaining there isn't a selection that's your own fault for going too late- if you're disappointed go earlier LOL. I am guilty of clearing out their inventory when I go. My bread bill last week was almost $200 for my weekly trips as a "treat yourself" for working so hard. I literally look forward to going here every week! Their melon pans is the best I've had in the Us. I usually get the max 6 everytime I go- and have to deal with the annoyed looks behind me but WHATEVER I REFUSE TO SHARE WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON and I always get a few to share with family and friends. Their matcha melon pans is also good but i prefer the original. Other favorites - matcha red bean mochi bun- the mochi is soooo delicious I love this combo. The strawberry cream on a danish is so good- the milk they use for the cream is amazing. The white milk bread, curry pan, cinnamon roll are also good. The salt bread was just ok- surprisingly I thought I would like this the best. Matcha latte (I think) was just ok but the cold brew with matcha cream was fire. Service is ok- they move quickly- they sometimes seem kind of stressed and not so friendly but whatever just gimme my delicious bread I don't mind the service. I do think some of the workers are from Japan- so culture is just very different here. Shop is cute and clean- not a lot of seating and mini tables so more of a grab and go place. Street parking or the structure down the street. Also a cute little park across the street for kids. Only downside is some of the street smells like pee lol and be careful for some of the crazies read more
The salt and butter rolls are a must have when stopping by Wa-Iro. Got to Wa-Iro a half hour after they opened on a weekend and there was a long line. There was limited space inside, which made it difficult to find a spot to stand around while waiting for my drink. I ordered: Mentai salt & butter roll - super soft and filled with roe. Lightly salted and didn't leave my hands oily at all. Matcha cold brew - I really liked the matcha foam, but could not say the same for the cold brew. The two did not mix well, and after mixing, you lose the matcha flavor from the foam. read more
3 months ago
My husband has had this place bookmarked since its grand opening but we waited until things calmed down. It was Friday morning, street parking was free until 11am and there was only a group ahead of us in line. All the pastries looked appetizing and were displayed well. There was a good mix of sweet and savory items. For the baked goods, we opted for the Salt & Butter Roll, Honey Butter Toast, a Cinnamon Roll and a Cheesy Jalapeno Panini. For drinks, we had a regular hot Latte and their Sea Salt Matcha Cold Brew. The Salt & Butter Rolls, especially when they are fresh from the oven are dangerously good! We ordered 3 and we could have easily eaten a dozen. The Honey Butter Toast had a red bean filling, also delicious. The Cheese Jalapeno Panini wasn't overly salty and surprisingly had a sweetness to it as well. The cost was $36.96 including tax and tip. Our drinks were good, no notes. Space did get a little tight while we were waiting for our drinks because the line of customers grew and there isn't much of a waiting area. Aside from that normal occurrence, our experience was positive and we will likely visit again--on a weekday. read more
Finally got a chance to try Wa-Iro and it did not disappoint! I did street parking for $1.25/hr but there's a parking structure across the street that may be cheaper. Only a small line on Monday morning. What I got: 1. Mentai Salt and Butter Roll - The seafood flavor really comes through. I wish there was more filling though or even some creaminess. 2. Salt and Butter Roll - The people in line told me to get this and they were RIGHT. Exterior wasn't too crispy which is what I prefer and inside was super soft and buttery. 3. Takoyaki Pan - Tastes exactly like takoyaki. Would've liked more bonito flakes to have some in every bite but a really well-composed bun with a surprisingly creamy center that contained octopus! 4. Matcha Mochi Anpan - Super yummy red bean and mochi filling, nice and chewy. Matcha flavor in the bun doesn't really come through. read more
3 months ago
There's street and structure parking to get here. They close when they run out of pastries so arrive early. Even then expect to wait in line. There's also a chance the pastry you want won't be there. The staff are nice and friendly. It's very casual inside but also a bit hectic since it's very busy. The drinks do arrive fairly quick! Faster than expected. I got the banana creme matcha latte. It's pretty good. You can taste the banana flavor. It's a tad bit sweet. You do get a decent amount of latte since this is iced. I got the chocolate salt & butter bun. It's pretty good! The salt compliments the sweetness of the chocolate. I also got the regular salt & butter bun. Still good but I actually ended up preferring the chocolate one more. Overall, I'd return here again. read more
This is a new find for me, but wow, so nostalgic...A real Japanese bakery, super yummy! I've been to Japan & have experienced many Japanese bakeries in Singapore growing up, & they bring back great memories! It's a small space, so you'd have to be in line from the door, which is tricky, if you are new. I took a moment to look over the items before getting in line, but it confused other customers. A simple solution is to have a rope or stanchion so people can distinguish between being in line, or not! Other than that, everything was great, especially the bsked goods!! Very fluffy & light, with a lot of buttery flavor! There were several drinks that looked interesting too, but will have to try that another time. Looking forward to my next visit! read more
Waited a whole month after the grand opening to check out Wa-iro and it was definitely worth the wait! The lines have been down the block since they opened, but now I totally get the hype. Wa-iro offers a unique and delicious mix of high quality, sweet and savory Japanese baked goods. We visited around 10:30am, so some items were already sold out, but there was still a great selection. We picked 6 pastries just by how good they looked; you really do eat with your eyes first! Favorites included the Coconut Cream Bun, Salt & Butter Mentai, and the French Toast. Our drinks were fantastic too: the Sea Salt Matcha Coldbrew (cravable with a strong brew and sweet-salty matcha cream) and the Banana Creme Matcha Latte (bold banana flavor and perfect with the matcha). The cafe was a bit crowded to fully enjoy the cute seating, but the service was excellent; smiling faces eager to help. Huge bonus: you can buy frozen pastries to enjoy at home! We spent about $45 for 6 pastries and 2 drinks, which feels pretty standard for the quality and quantity. Can't wait to come back and try more goodies. Hopefully with a shorter line next time! read more
3 months ago
Another new bakery in Pasadena! I came on a Saturday morning around 10am and there was a short 5 min wait. I got the salt and butter bread, Purin à la mode, cheesy jalapeno panini, matcha red bean mochi, shumai bun, and the curry pan to try. The salt and butter bread was light and fluffy. My 3 year old absolutely loved this. The Purin à la mode had this pudding custard in the middle and was surprisingly tasty and not too sweet. My 3 year old also really liked this one. The matcha bread and the curry pan were good but nothing special. The cheesy jalapeño panini was tasty with a good spicy kick but I thought it could have more filling to bread ratio. I didn't really care too much for the shumai bun. It had too much bread and not enough filling. My friend got the fish filet panini and I tried a piece. It was pretty good and definitely tasted like a more elevated version of filet-o-fish. Interior and ambiance is very cute and bright. There's not too many seats available so definitely come early if you want a table! Overall, a great addition to the area! read more
Amazing selection at opening, with so many fun sweet and savory options. Last time I came at lunch and mostly wiped out, so came early today with success. Staff were efficient and moved the line rather quickly. I really enjoyed their French Toast (firm outside, soft inside) and Matcha Mochi bun (great tea outside with red/azuki bean and mochi inside). Their salt and butter croissant with chocolate inside was my personal favorite, very simple but not too sweet. They had a lot of other great interesting ones we enjoyed including their Takoyaki pastry and Yakisoba filled pastry. Their Cold brew with Matcha foam was also quite good. Will be back! read more
Wa-Iro has only been open for about a month, but it's already building quite a following in Old Pasadena. Don't be surprised if the line stretches outside the door. The good news is that it moves fairly quickly thanks to a staff that is both efficient and incredibly kind. Parking was easy using the structure directly across the street, and the first 90 minutes are free. Once inside, the shop has a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of seating available whether you're enjoying your food, waiting for your coffee, or meeting up with friends. The music playing throughout the café adds to the overall vibe. One thing to keep in mind is that many of their popular pastries sell out quickly. Fortunately, the staff works hard to replenish the shelves throughout the day, but a little patience may be needed if you're visiting during peak hours or hoping to grab one of their signature items. The menu offers a great selection of flavored coffees, teas, matcha drinks, and specialty lattes. There is something for both coffee lovers and non-coffee drinkers alike. The quality of the drinks, combined with the bakery offerings and inviting atmosphere, makes it easy to see why this place has become so popular so quickly. If you're planning a visit, come with a little patience, especially on busy days. The line, the wait, and the occasional sold-out pastry are all signs of a place doing something right. read more
Loved loved loved!! I want to come back here again but the line was definitely worth the wait. however when we arrived at 11am the pastries were almost all gone and we ended up getting whatever was left. They did have more pastries coming in and out the ovens but of course we couldn't wait. The place is nice and small, not many seats so most people ordered and left. Hopefully next time I can try more things. read more
4 months ago
Let's not be too critical, let's not be too lenient. Wa-Iro is a great addition to Old Town Pas but it is also still a bit too trendy, so a line will be there. You can plan it and map it out but just don't discount them to defy the hype. Because... their variety is good! They appeal to sweet tooths, savory fiends, and Japanese milk bread fans. I feel like with more time and once the viral trend dips a little bit, Wa-iro will settle and have more consistency of offerings throughout the day and will still keep visitors on their toes every time they visit. It's too hard to get there and not at least pick a minimum of 4-5 items! For our first trip we treated ourselves to: Salt breads, the jalapeno chesse, tomato basil, curry pan, and their takoyaki pastry. My favorite was their curry pan! It was the burst of flavor I was expecting without it being too heavy. The salt breads were great and it motivates me to want to try more just to compare other spots, which is more of a compliment. As for drinks, we went with a matcha espresso and a strawberry matcha. Both washed down our bites without being too empowering and were just the right drink we needed to match our little taste of everything for breakfast one Wednesday morning. There are for sure some solid sweet windows of time to go but nothing that isn't worth waiting in line a bit for. I feel like the frustrating part would be coming when majority is sold out. So, a weekday between opening time to that time in the morning when majority are already at work is one of those sweet spots of time where a trending line won't scare you. We'll be back soon, Wa-iro! PS: For any sticker collectors or junk journal fans, peeling off and saving the sticker from their drinks is a fun little badge to check off that you went. read more
3 months ago
I was driving by around 9am on a Sunday and noticed the line was not very long. I had seen this place on social media, so I decided to stop in. I was maybe 4th in line outside of the store front. The emplyees kept it moving. Not everything you on social media was out and I saw customers in front of me asking all sorts of questions but the staff would check things for them, but kept it moving. The line moves quickly enough given how many boxes of baked good some people order. Here was my order: 2 salt bread, 1 matcha mochi bun, 1 curry pan, 1 fish paining and 1 yakisoba bun. The salt bread is amazing as long as you reheat it. The matcha mochi bun was good, it had red bean and mochi inside. Curry pan was great not greasy at all. Fish panoni was much better then it sounds, had a very dill-y slaw on it which goes so well with fish and cheese. I didnt care for the yakisoba, maybe cuz there was a heavy ginger powder flavor in the one I got. The seasalt matcha cold brew... im conflicted. It was delicious, but nowhere in tej description did it say it had milk or milk alternative. I was so confused by the color whe I got it. If scared me cuz I couldn't tell if it had dairy and I am lactose intolerant. I only took a sip a gave the rest to my friend. The inside is pretty bit absolutely nowhere to sit or stand. They have table and chairs, but people everywhere. read more
4 months ago
Newish Japanese bakery in Old Town Pasadena serving fresh baked goods using flour from Hokkaido! I went around 8:15am on a Friday morning and there was ~6 people in front of me. The line doesn't move super fast and it took about 30 minutes from the time I lined up to when I had both pastries and drinks. Service was fine, some of the workers are quite friendly while others have no problem walking away mid-bread pick without saying a word. There is a 6 per person limit (2 of each type) when they're extra busy but this wasn't in effect when I was there. They have some staples that are always there (such as the salt & butter breads) but other pastries are on rotation--for example, a strawberry danish was available shortly after I ordered and I've seen other danishes from other reviews. I ordered a few different pastries and enjoyed almost all of em. The bread is super soft and pillow with a nice chew, and if you enjoy this type of bread like me, this is definitely the bakery for you. My favorites were the matcha mochi anpan (no matcha flavor but still good) and the butter & red bean toast. Curry pan was salty but still pretty tasty. French toast was slightly sweet and eggy. Only one that was really unpleasant was the takoyaki because it's a bun with a takoyaki baked inside, and when you transition from the bread texture to the soft batter texture of the takoyaki, it's like biting into raw dough... aaaand the sauce on top was quite salty! Also grabbed a strawberry matcha which unfortunately tasted like nesquik strawberry milk :( and the strawberry sakura latte. Both were not great not terrible. read more
I liked the salt butter cookie the most. The service was wonderful, the lady asked us to wait and thanked us for our patience when she's back. She grabbed the fresher bread for us for one of the choices we chose. Overall, good variety of breads. read more
I had heard the lines here can get pretty long, so I came on a Sunday morning before working out. They open at 8 AM, and I got there around 8:10 AM, but there was already a line. I expected to wait, so I was not bothered by it, but I was still surprised that there was a line only ten minutes after opening. I picked up their popular salt bread along with a few other items to bring for my basketball team. I did not get a chance to try everything myself, but one friend who had the matcha bread said it was one of the best breads he has had recently. Everyone also enjoyed the salt bread. Since it was right after opening, I assume it was freshly made, but it definitely lived up to the hype. Personally, I think the salt bread at the similar bakery in Anaheim is slightly better, but this place was still very good. More than anything, I am just happy to have a Japanese-style bakery like this in Pasadena now. The atmosphere is fine--clean and pleasant, but nothing especially memorable. The only downside is the line, which will probably be part of the experience for a while. Still, if you like Japanese baked goods, this is absolutely worth trying. read more
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