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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.
Drinks are still delicious but the service is very inefficient. There are lots of people working but the persons taking the order are confused or cannot communicate effectively. A worker sneezed near the pastries which was disconcerting . Other Japanese places have their workers masked in a crowded small cafe like this one. Their salt bread is good but overpriced imo at $4. Their bakery items are good but not at the level where they should charge the prices they do. They should make some customer friendly adjustments so that they can continue to stay in business at this spot after the hype dies down. read more
I found this spot on social media and came to try the matcha and pastries, and they definitely didn't disappoint! We ordered the matcha latte (whole milk, less sweet), the curry pan, and the Japanini. We started with the Japanini, which was a great grab-and-go option. It had what seemed like bacon, shiso, cheese, tomato, and basil on a light, fluffy bread that made it feel fresh rather than heavy. It reminded me of a pesto panini, but the shiso gave it a subtle Japanese twist. Asked to warm it up, but said pastries are fresh and didn't get it warmed up but I wish it was warmer to enhance the experience. The curry pan was my favorite. It was served fresh and warm with a crispy, golden exterior and a soft, fluffy interior. We had it fresh out of the oven and the curry filling was flavorful, making every bite satisfying and fun to eat. I'd definitely order this again. The matcha latte was made with Nodoka matcha and had a nice balance of roasted and grassy notes. It was smooth, well-prepared, and let the quality of the matcha shine without being overly sweet. It's not my favorite type of matcha flavor profile but I appreciated the new flavor! Overall, I enjoyed everything we tried and want to go back to explore more of their pastries. There was a consistent line of about 7 people on Saturday morning, but line moved fast! read more
Stood in line for about an hour on a late Saturday morning. It takes awhile for the line to go through because there's about one to two staff helping people box their treats while everyone else is making drinks or baking new treats. It's not the staff's fault: customers can be slow to pick things up! Salt butter - honestly thought it was overrated flavor-wise. The center texture is unreal in that it's perfectly baked, but buttery soft as if it's underbaked. It was high quality, but again the flavor of butter and salt can only take you so far lol. My hot take is it's worth a skip and go try the cookie or tomato/basil one instead. Cookie - no filler and same internal texture as the salt and butter one, but had a sweeter exterior. Not too sweet with a bit of a crunchy cookie bite. Perfect sweet treat for people who only like lightly sweet desserts. Cinnamon roll - good not great, but the frosting wasn't too sweet so that was a plus! Very soft. Takoyaki - no squid inside. Basically a ball shaped bread with all the flavor of a traditional Takoyaki. I liked it, but I can see how the lack of filling might be off putting for some. Curry - honestly the standout for us. The curry filling didn't include meat, but has onion and other veggies. Super flavorful and very satisfying. I regret not picking up the yakisoba because clearly the savory pasteries were far more superior than the sweet ones. Definitely give the various pasteries a chance and not be like the woman in front of us that bought 6 of the salt butter pastries. They were baking throughout the day so don't be discouraged if it looks empty while you're in line because by the time we got the front, the yakisoba, cinnamon roll, and salt butter roll were all freshly done! read more
We just happened to be in the area and decided to stop in, and I'm so glad we did. The highlight was definitely the mentaiko salt bread. We got lucky because it had just come out of the oven, so it was warm, pillowy, and incredibly soft. I would've bought another one if I had room. The hojicha cream bread was also really good. There was a bit too much cream, but the bread itself won me over. It was light, fluffy, and had such an amazing texture. The only thing I'd skip next time is the fish filet pastry. It wasn't bad, but it was pretty forgettable and didn't really do the bakery justice. Definitely worth stopping by if you're nearby, and if you see the mentaiko salt bread coming out of the oven, don't think twice!! read more
this is my favorite japanese bakery in pasadena! they have plenty of selections and everything is so fresh and tasty! stand outs are the japanini, curry pan, french toast, and salt bread! the japaninis are the perfect size and if you heat them up. they're delicious. filled nicely and i loved the grilled cheese on the top i love french toast so i had to try that one and it did not disappoint!! buttery, soft yet with a crunch and the best taste of maple. they're very nice here and always greeted with a smile. will be back! read more
Sister planned to buy some pastries from Wa-Iro and meet up at 3:15pm. I arrived about 3:00pm and waited inside the store. While I was waiting for my sister, it was really hot, and there appeared to be no air conditioning... I should have bought the pastries while I waited for her, because parking was hard to find there, and she arrived at 3:50pm. By the time she arrived, there were a lot of people, and we just got the Curry Pans. I tried the Curry Pans, and they tasted very good. I'll have to come back for more pastries next time. read more
Finally had the chance to try this place, but honestly, I didn't think it was anything special. I've had salt bread from other bakeries that tasted better. The aesthetic though? Super clean and cute! I ordered a couple of pastries but they gave everything to me in separate bags instead of putting them in a box... why?! I also tried their premium matcha, and that was actually really good. The staff were all very nice and friendly too. I'd still come back, but I'm not sure it was worth the wait or the hype. read more
Came here before closing around 1pm! There was no line and some pastries remaining. I ordered the salt and butter roll, the salt and butter with chocolate roll, and the yakisoba roll. I was most surprised with the yakisoba! The noodles had the perfect amount of salt, perfectly complimented with the bread. The bread was soft and airy. The salt and butter rolls are simple but good! The amount of butter and salt is the perfect amount! There's some seating available, the cafe is cute and cozy!! I also tried their hojicha latte. It is definitely on the creamer side, but it has a good hojicha taste. read more
This is a great Japanese bakery in Pasadena. There are so many options and the bread is soft and delicious..I enjoyed the tomato basil and the mentaiko bread. The yakisoba panini was ok. But friends really liked the fish panini and matcha breads. The awesome thing is they have many delicious breads and variety, the downside is that they often run out of items, but with that happening they have fresh new items come out. So in that sense it's a pro and con that they run out but have new items. There is no rhyme or reason or timing to those varieties. The staff was nice and attentive. The atmosphere is lively and busy. It's very packed and long lines. But it moves fairly quickly. read more
5 months ago
What a beautiful quiet chill bakery that's in the heart of Old Town Pasadena! The wait isn't too long after day 5 (30minutes). Just be aware of line cutters and just be patient. Order the matcha bolo bread, jalepeños salt butter bread, red bean butter bread, salt butter bread, and Purin a la mode. Ordered a hot matcha latte and it was delicious. Roughly the pastries are roughly 4-5 dollars. Spent about 30ish$. Definitely worth coming again read more
Dear Wa-iro, you had me at first bite. As my teeth sank into that crispy shell only to further sink into a pillowy soft center. My tongue tasted salty and sweet deliciousness. The cloud like texture was unbelievably melt in my mouth goodness. Lastly that buttery richness filled my senses and made me smile. Where have you been all my life? The salt & butter bread definitely lives up to the hype. You can definitely tell the quality of the ingredients and balanced flavors in every bite. The line moves pretty quickly and currently is only allowing 6 items per person. Definitely plan to get here early and wait. Parking is along the street or at the green street garage. It's a cozy spot but definitely plan to take your order to go as it can get crowded. The staff are friendly and kind. Bon appetit yelpers! read more
This place is 100% worth the wait! The pastries are so yummy and fresh and the drinks are so good and pretty! We got a few different pastries to try and the line moved pretty quickly, the staff was so nice and the inside is really charming! there's seats available so if you wanna eat inside you can. Definitely coming back to try as much as I can! read more
Newest bakery in Pasadena. The line was out the door. When we arrived around 11:30 am, there were prob 10 people ahead. By 12pm, one of the staffs came out to announce that they will be outta bread soon. We weren't part of the cutoff line so we stayed. There were only 3 or 4 options left when it was my turn. The salted breads were part of the new batch. Right when I got to the register, another different batch of bread came out. I m surprised that they didn't offer to those in line getting ready to pay. They headed straight to put the breads on the display. THEY SHOULD ASK since we all been waiting for breads!! Tried to call out to ask what kind of breads, but they walked by like no one was there. Service was really really slow. The staffs also looked worn out or something. Not to be mean, but they need to open up their ears. I get it that it could be loud there...however, I repeated myself like 5 times, but none of the staffs said anything. Basically all the customers behind me heard me lol maybe the staffs were too tired and chose to ignore...I dunno The breads were fresh. Salted breads were ok. The takoyaki exterior was too salty. The filling was somewhat bland. The square pastry was not bad, but also nothing special. The drinks were ok. A little more on the creamy/milky side. I would like to return to try the other breads. The savory ones looked good, but sadly they ran out of almost everything... read more
My girlfriend and I came by around mid day Saturday for a mini meal of bakery pastries, and coffee after shopping in the area. I was not expecting to fall in love on first bite the way I had here. When I was browsing around for local pastries prior to deciding I was intrigued and curious to try Japanese pastries as I don't believe I've had many experiences trying 'em before. When we were walking up to the bakery we saw there was line out the door and got in queue. That was a promising sign. While my girlfriend stood inside I did some recon to get an idea of what we might want. I was already salivating at their creative savory options and unique espresso menu. We ended up trying almost a dozen separate pastries mixed between sweet and salty options. It's safe to say to we were easily impressed by the quality of bread, traditional Japanese flavors featured in their different bites and brew. I loved my black sesame latte as well. It wasn't exactly a stinger coffee choice, but it was certainly delicious and not too sweet for me. I'd certainly plan on returning when in Pasadena again. I had only found out they were only open for a couple of weeks prior to my visit but from my experience I can see them being a cornerstone for pastries in the area. Their staff and presentation were quality and made our visit memorable. read more
12 hours ago
Visited Wa-Iro during their soft opening and there was already a line. It moves on the slower side but granted this was during the soft opening. The menu rotates as items sell out and new ones get introduced, so keep an eye on what others are ordering while you wait. I tried the salt and butter which was so simple but so delicious, the zoof, the bacon, and the japanini. I also got the premium matcha latte, which they sweeten with Monin simple syrup. As someone who is particular about matcha, I was genuinely impressed. They hand whisk every order and the matcha quality is excellent. All the pastries were dangerous, I had to pace myself not to finish it in one sitting. read more
I've come here a few times now and have tried an assortment of things. The line moves kind of slowly so keep that in mind, and the inside has very limited seating. Personally, I don't think the Salt Bread is that great; and it's best while it's still fresh. My favorites so far have been the Curry Pan and their Fish Filet Panini. The curry flavor was perfect and I do like that it's vegetarian. Out of the few times I've come here I've only been able to get the Curry Pan once because it sells out quickly. I didn't expect to like the Fish Filet as much as I did, but it was perfectly balanced in flavors. I also really enjoyed their Cheesy Jalapeño Panini. I haven't particularly liked their sweet breads that I've tried, but I've enjoyed all of the savory ones! I also tried their Hojicha and was disappointed. It tasted more like milk and didn't have a strong Hojicha flavor, but they do have my favorite Koatji milk here! Overall experience has been great and the staff is lovely as well. Will continue to keep coming back to try new things! read more
New Japanese bakery on Old Town on Raymond Ave. Expect lines and a long wait time. Good service takes time and since there are so many options, people need time to peruse and decide what they want to buy! :) Staff are friendly and welcoming. When I went, there was a sign limiting the number of items one could buy (6) and no more than 4 salt and butter buns. The breads and pastries are incredibly fresh, bouncy, and soft. No vegan options that I saw, unfortunately. Good mix of sweet and savory. Some fun and creative options like the Purin a la Mode. My favorite was actual the simpler salt and butter buns: I tried both the original (plain) and red bean. The matcha pineapple bun was also good. I didn't like the honey butter toast. It was way too sweet for me and the slab of butter in it was overkill, but I'm not a butter fanatic. I like small amounts in some items, not on everything. I didn't order a drink but excited they offered Kaotji oat milk. Also, since they are baking throughout the day and there are so many people, they will run out of items. After I had paid for my box of pastries, they came out with a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls! Disappointing! The store itself has a decent amount of tables and seating. It's a welcoming, well designed space. I'll be back to get a latte with the Kaotji dairy alternative and a less sweet and buttery baked item, but will probably let the hype mellow out a bit first. read more
Stopped in for a mid afternoon snack on a Sunday, and we saw the employees restocking various savory pastries. I tried the following: 3.5/5 Shumai Bun: Molded into a triangular shape, it looks more impressive than it tastes. It was like a non-soupy pan fried pork bun (sheng jian bao) with pork filling you may find in such a bun. 5/5 Matcha Melon Pan: The best melon pan I've had in any Japanese themed bakery or grocery store in the U.S. (so far). It was covered in crunchy sweet bits, and not too sweet, like a sugary version of Korean salt bread. The matcha flavor was there, and the bread under the crunch lent a nice chewiness that was as soft as a pillow. Very satisfying to bite into. There was some seating in the bakery, and I took a mental note of an intriguing square-shaped pastry I may try for next time. read more
Salt bread in the 626! I love the salt bread craze that's taken over social media and coming in bakeries. I saw this spot on TikTok and finally decided to stop by after their grand opening. There's very minimal street parking available but we were able to find one that's 15 minutes since we were going to do a grab-n-go. Unfortunately, I know that they're still figuring things out but I would've loved seeing all their baked breads displayed in their display case out front. When we walked in, it was clear display cases with signs of what breads they might have or might not have. They do let you know how long you have to wait for the breads to come out and it took a few minutes but hey, fresh bread! I ended up getting 7 breads since you have to order 7 in order to get their box. The total came out to be $30. Food: Salt and Butter Bread (8/10): This was heavenly! The bread was soft and the salted butter melted through all the layers. The butter hole was there too! I do wish the top of the bread was more brown in color and the bottom was fried more from the butter. This was still a delicious tasting bread after a day. Salt and Butter w/ Chocolate (5/10): This one was interesting. I took a bite after I got into the car and I was disappointed that the chocolate wasn't melted at all. Maybe these were sitting for a while? I'm not sure but this one didn't hit the spot for me. read more
A very welcome to addition to the Pasadena bakery and coffee scene. I was not disappointed- the service, the bread, and the coffee were superb! Definitely coming back. I ordered a variety of savory pastries, salted bread, and a s'mores puff - all yummy. Coffee was perfection. Service from the staff - amazing. Parking is street or on the nearby parking structures. read more
There's always a line, and they clearly haven't figured out the baking-to-waiting ratio yet. First visit was at 1PM -- big mistake. Everything was already sold out, we waited 45 minutes for nothing. Someone needs to do the math: if you know how fast your stock moves, you stop the line before people waste their time. Came back a second time at 10AM, which worked out better. Still grabbed a few things, though a lot of items were already gone, and some had a 30-minute wait even after you'd reached the front. That part's genuinely frustrating. We tried the Original, Cookie, Takoyaki, Jalapeño Cheese, and Ham & Cheese. The Original is basically a softer Shio Pan -- not bad, but it wasn't even warm, which was a letdown. The Cookie one was the clear standout: a sweet cookie layer on top that hits that perfect salty-sweet balance. The others were fine, just nothing memorable. Drinks selection is solid, I'll give them that. Overall though, between the wait times and the hit-or-miss availability, I don't see myself going back. read more
5 months ago
My sister and I arrive on a Saturday morning 7:30am in early May to park in front of the bakery. There instagram mentioned of soft opening hours of 8am. So we arrived early and waited outside at 7:45am. We were first line and soon more people came after 8am. While waiting in line, the staff was placing more bread in the glass counter. The ambiance was nice and clean of small tables. There were cinnamon rolls, salt butter croissant, fish bun, Sui Mai bread, curry bread, bacon bun. Nice staff and the owner was helping us and explained some of the breads. My favorite was bacon bread and salt butter bread. As we're leaving, the line got longer. Nice addition in old Pasadena. Best to park at the school house parking lot for 1hr free. read more
4 months ago
Came for the hype and was not disappointed. Enjoy my banana cream Matcha. It was not too sweet and had the perfect balance. Got the regular soft bread as well as the salt bread with the red bean filling. I preferred the latter as the plain salt bread was a little too plain. It is also more of a Japanese milk bread soft texture rather than a flaky texture. We got a few more pastries to try as well. I really liked the takoyaki bread and the sausage bun. The Matcha mochi bun as well as the honey toast with red bean filling was just OK. Overall, really interesting selection of pastries. Will return again. read more
5 months ago
Would have given 5 stars without the 40 minutes wait LOL. And I am talking about the line being up to Blick Art only', as I have seen some people seeing line up to the street corner. Their servers delivered top-notch service though. Warm welcome and very helpful even they didn't seem fluent enough in English, which was so appreciated. Decent despite not many sit-down spaces to dine indoor. We got their Takoyaki, Curry Pan, Japanini, and Anpan/red bean salt bread. The takoyaki was literally the octopus ball in soft fluffy bread with the sauce itself being so flavorful. The curry pan had generous filling and rich seasoning; bit greasy for my liking but expected as it's indeed fried one. Love the Japanini with chunks of bacon and abundant melted cheese; so tasty especially when served warm. My top pick though was the sweet one - red bean. Their salt bread being so moist with nice milky touch was certainly the key, but the twist of sweet red bean paste with salty bread top created stellar duo. read more
5 months ago
What's not to love about this bakery & cafe? Forget the hype because it's cute, Japanese-inspired, and an influencer convinced you to come here, but instead focus on the quality of the goods. The flour that they use produces airy, soft pastries that does go stale quickly if you don't eat it within a small window of time, but it is the best when its fresh out of the oven. My favorites thus far have been their plain salt bread, shumai bun, and their french toast. Their sea salt foam cold brew and banana cream iced matcha latte are so good. Pro-tip: if you don't like overly sweetened drinks, get it without any sugar since the foam or cream topping has enough sugar in it to balance out the beverage. I've been here during their early soft-opening phase where there was a line to the Blick art supply store before their 8 a.m. opening time and then wrapped around the corner when I left. Today, while they are still in their soft-opening, is much more calm with a couple of people ahead of me around 8:45 a.m. I was told by the cashier that it's slowed down a bit and the best time to get here are on weekdays when they first open. Thank goodness I live walking distance from here. read more
Came here at the end of the day, luckily there were still some pastries! Everything my husband chose was absolutely delicious! He also got me a matcha strawberry latte and it was amazing! We will definitely be back earlier in the day so I can try all of the pastries! read more
2 months ago
WOWWWWWW I am so impressed with my experience here!! I got the curry pan, cinnamon roll, and iced latte. The curry pan was excellent. The curry was flavorful and delicious. The bread was a dream, it had a slight chewiness which I loved! Almost like a mochi chewiness but I loved it. The cinnamon roll was yummy, the frosting was very good. The iced latte was surprisingly amazing. I am sooo picky when it comes to my coffee, and this iced latte gets a double thumbs up from me. If you only want to order drinks, you can go straight to the register, I was told. Good to know. But I probably will always want to get a bread with the drink :-) Excellent experience, can't wait to return. Also, I didn't have to wait much at all when I came on a Saturday afternoon, I was surprised! read more
2 months ago
Their IG kept showing on my feed, so since I was in the area, I stopped by to buy some of their breads. It's typical japanese bread, it's soft & yummy. Too bad I didn't try their coffees, I only bought their tea but they only have 2 kind of teas. The staff are so friendly. They welcomed to help me, since it's my first time. they're so patient to answer my questions. The place is not so big but quite comfy. They also provide some chair outside. If I'm at the area, definately will come back. read more
I finally made it to Wa-Iro now that the initial hype has died down a bit. I used to love Okayama Kobo Bakery in Anaheim and Little Tokyo, but Wa-Iro is officially my new favorite. Every bite is fresh, soft, salty, buttery, and chewy. It's like stepping into salted bread heaven and never wanting to leave. We showed up on a recent Saturday around 8am and the line wasn't bad at all. The only thing that took a while, almost 15 minutes, was my hot hojicha latte, which is handmade by just one worker, while the cold drinks came out much faster. It was flavorful and delicious, but I really wanted to enjoy it alongside my bread rather than after. Something to keep in mind for next time. Don't sleep on the salted bread "cookie," which has a delicious crumbly bottom, or the green red bean mochi, which is amazing. read more
5 months ago
Visited on a Thursday morning around 9 am and there was a small line. Although the line was small, the wait was a little long as they only allow a certain amount of people inside. The staff is super friendly and the interior is very modern and spacious. Whenever a new batch of bread is brought out, the staff all yell "French bread". The woman who took my order was very happy and super friendly. Ordered a box of goods and a matcha latte with almond milk. The matcha latte was smooth and not overly sweet, although I did order half sweet. Salt & Butter Roll: so soft with a crispy bottom Honey Butter Toast: very sweet and surprisingly loved the addition of red bean Matcha Mochi Anpan: the dough tasted a little undercooked and was not that impressed with this one Sunrise: very good! The bun was soft but the top was crispy! Takoyaki Pan: such an interesting combo! Tasted exactly like a takoyaki! read more
This Japanese bakery's take on salt bread is airier & softer in the mouth than a Korean bakery's take but just as buttery and crispy with less emphasis on cream fillings and leaning toward savory. My salt bread was still slightly warm and had a crispy bottom! The Bacon danish was fine and less of a standout since it was super mild in flavor with a couple decorative bacon nubs on top. They announce "fresh bread" when restocking their display case. A tray of cool looking Takoyaki bread came out after I had bought my limit of 6 pastries for the day. Will be back to try that! The friendly staff are still getting their footing but they're eager and smiley toward the line of customers. There's a relaxing seating area with upholstered chairs and wood benches to enjoy your baked goods with an iced hojicha (it wasn't too sweet nor too strong) or matcha latte. read more
Came to check out Wa-Iro before their grand opening but they're still ironing out some details with soft opening. I arrived promptly at 7:55am to get in line as they open at 8am but sadly they didn't actually open their doors until 8:25am (not sure if they're trying to create a buzz with the line or what). The girl that helped me actually couldn't answer a lot of my questions (what's inside this bread, is it savory or sweet) as it was her first day at work. I got 6 breads - 3 of their salt breads (original, red bean, and jalapeño), their curry bun, ham panini, and shumai bun. The salt breads are where it's at for me - my favorite one was the red bean - it's not too sweet and has a great texture. My least favorite was the shumai (not memorable) and curry bun (very greasy). All the breads came out to under $30 - it's about $4-5 per bread and all of their signature drinks are $7. If you're in a rush in the morning, I wouldn't come here because the actual opening time is hard to gauge. Weekend lines seem long and I hear they tend to sell out before noon. They have seating indoors but only for parties of 2 and the tables are very limited. Theres also one gender neutral restroom. Parking is generous as it's on the corner of Old Town Pasadena - so lots of metered street parking or you can park and walk over from one of the garages. I actually came on Tuesday but nowhere said they were closed on Tuesdays until I saw it on their instagram story. They later added it to their instagram bio but still sucked that I had to make the drive twice. To be honest, it's yummy but I'll probably wait for the hype to die down before visiting again. read more
12 days ago
Got in early at Wa-Iro this morning! We were greeted by the beautiful interior and wonderful staff! Had a few offerings today and each one was flavorful and portioned generously! Thank you! read more
13 days ago
My favorite strawberry matcha latte!! I love (fake) strawberry milk, and this tastes like a refreshing balanced strawberry milk matcha fusion. It's not too sweet, earthy, bland or bitter. And it's cute! She's really that drink! Also, the staff is really nice and are quick with the orders! read more
Discovered this place after a Liverpool game (YNWA! ) at the bar across the street at 9:30am. Saw a line. My poor decision-making skills kicked in, so I waited 30 minutes for the privilege of... buying bread. It was a soft opening, so they kindly allowed us to purchase six whole items. Six pieces of bread. Not loaves--pieces. I've tried two so far, and neither made me want to write home, let alone wait half an hour again. It's good bread. But not good enough for 30 minutes of my time. Grabbed a matcha cream cold brew. It was too sweet for me, but that's on me--I drink unsweetened stuff like a bitter old wizard. The flavor itself isn't bad, just aggressively sweet for my zero-tolerance palate. Staff was nice. A little inexperienced, but they're trying. You can see the effort in their eyes. Like golden retrievers operating an espresso machine. Cute, but chaotic. read more
This place is still in its first soft opening week, so theres a rotation of items that dont show up every day or maybe later in the day including the takoyaki bun, the curry puffs, various red bean pastries, etc I like the japanini (egg, ham, some basil pesto) and the red bean butter toast. Everything here is pretty fresh, expect ~5$/item , 7$/drink read more
2 months ago
