Finding [delicious] Japanese bakery goods fresh is hard in AZ - you either find it, or you don't, there's no mid-way point! A friend of mine brought me here, it was my first time and I was looking forwards to it! Upon entering the cute little bakery, it had a very light atmosphere, they have classical music playing, three table sets you can sit at (although I was hoping you could also sit outside to enjoy eating the sweets and the weather) and in the back through a window where they place the finished orders through, you can see the Patisserie making sandwiches or new bakery items! It's really fun when you're waiting for your food! I really love their curry bread ("an-pan" [or "pan"] in Japanese), I had bought a Fraise and it was REALLY good - the cream was "heavy" but also light and sweet, the strawberries were sour, but they complimented the cream nicely along with the strawberry jam and shortcake at the bottom. When we went back the next day they didn't have it - so I'm assuming they keep a rotated bakery menu so you always have to go back to see what new pops up! (Which, in my opinion, is very smart!) Personally, the price for their deserts are set just right because of how high quality they are. I am going back when I have the free time to go again since I still have to try more of their menu!! read more

Arai Pastry - (left to right) Yogurt Parfait and Fraise - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

I wrote a faux review for a college class on this place. I can't recommend it enough. They make some really fantastic looking cakes but I can't say I've ever had the occasion to pick one up. What I have had, however, is the bread. This place is loads better than the bakery outside the Mekong Market and their curry pan is downright sexy. This is a great place to take someone who has never experienced being in a bakery before (as supermarkets seem to dominate this country, and especially Maricopa county) as the smells began to swirl around your head the moment you walk in. They have items for just over a dollar (little chocolate buns, sweet bean paste trifles and the like) and even make sandwiches for 6 or 7 bucks, which are made in the traditional Japanese style, but didn't impress enough for a second try. A freshly made loaf of bread here is a must. If you grew up eating Aunt Hattie's or Wonderbread your brain might bleed out of your ears after trying something hot from Arai. As a final note, this place is sort of hard to find. You can use the Dunkin Donuts as a land mark to make sure you're in the right place. There is also a hoagie shop and a computer repair/parts store. Good luck! read more

We tried the eclair and the strawberry cake there. They are so good! I will definitely come back to buy birthday cake. The dessert is not too sweet and it is authentic Japanese dessert taste. Eating their dessert is definitely not give you guilty feeling at all.. because it is so fresh and light. I will come again to try the green tea mousse cake and the green tea drinks as people recommended here.. hopefully it is as good as what they say.And I heard Ichiro came here when he stays for spring training to get his favorite bread and desserts read more

With the little amounts of Japanese people in Arizona I am surprised there is a bakery. I am glad there is. I have seen this bakery for year as I frequent the neighboring businesses. On one such occasion I decided to give them a shot and ordered a sandwich and some pastries. I have to say, as good as it gets here in Arizona. From what I can tell they are very consistent and the staff have been here for a very long time so you know they know what they are doing. A hidden gem in the valley! read more

I can't say enough about this bakery, everything is so delicious! The bread is fresh, soft and light as a cloud in your mouth. I only wish we had a bakery like this in San Diego. Each time I go to Phoenix I visit the bakery daily. The chocolate horns are to die for, the lightly sweet soft horn really blends well with the not overly sweet chocolate filling. I bring several loaves of bread home with me every visit. I can't get enough. If your ever in the area you HAVE to visit this place. read more

I would highly reccomend trying the UFO bread. It's basically fluffy bread with a crunchy cookie coating. You will not be disappointed. I almost didn't try it because I wasn't sure about the name. I'm assuming the name comes from the shape if the pastry. I looks like a flying saucer. I'd love to go back and try more of their pastries! read more

In December my boss was flying into town to help celebrate a major service anniversary. I knew immediately who I wanted to bake the cake - Arai Pastry has been my first choice for all special occassions. I ordered a half sheet whipped cream chiffon cake. The filling too would be whipped cream with strawberries and the top was decorated artistically with mandarin oranges, strawberries and kiwi. The cake when we picked it up two days later was so picture perfect, it didn't look real. Back in the office when everyone got to have a piece, the question asked repeatedly was where did this cake come from. Everyone commented how light it was and that it wasn't overly sweet like the typical sheetcakes from other bakeries. If you need a cake for a special event, this is the place to come. I ordered it over the phone giving them the 2 days notice they requested and then made special arrangements to pick it up early before the shop opened. Arrangements could not have been any easier and the cake was out of this world. read more

I was super excited to come here and dragged my boyfriend with me for some sweets on a Sunday morning. They didnt have a very large selection, and I opted for the cheesecake. $4.50 for a VERY small slice and basically no flavor, tasted like a sweet roll. Very disappointed and won't be back. read more

I was a brat to think that I'll be deprived of Japanese pastries and baked goods in AZ. Of course, it is not the same compared to L.A. Japanese Bakeries but Arai Pastry is more than what I expected. *Selection = not as many BUT they are all pretty good. *Quality = spongy is better than mousse (it is surprising because I usually like mousse way more) *Bread Loaf = Amazing! Very spongy (fuwa fuwa) and freshly baked. *Service = Polite and attentive *Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich = Yummy *Green tea smoothie = GOOD :) read more

This is the best Japanese bakery by far in AZ. Nothing is overly sweet and everything has a great flavor and is made with quality ingredients. I highly recommend the strawberry cake, curry pan, and cream pan, but I have liked everything I have tried. 5 stars (also their loaves of bread are really good). read more

Went back and got the green tea mousse, I wasn't expecting the cake bottom, or whipped cream middle, but it was pretty delicious. read more

Arai Pastry - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Not a fan of the citrus that they put in with their flan and cakes. My custard bun was pretty lackluster. It had a strange aftertaste I couldn't figure out and was not very eggy or vanilla-infused. It had very little filling. It could not hold up to other custard buns sold at Lee Lee or Asahi Bakery. They would sell a lot more bread if they bought a slicer. The cashier said many people ask them to slice the bread and I am positive they would sell more loaves. The $6 minimum charge to use a credit card is also annoying. read more

Wonderful quality of bread. The cream buns and curry buns are great snacks, but the loaves are totally worth it too. I recommend going earlier in the day for best selection of loaves, buns restock all day and cake is plentiful. read more

Um, what can I say?!? We always stock up on the breads here. My hubby loves the butter white bread. Cut it into thick pieces and just toast. Yum! And we both enjoy the wheat bread. We both love all the selection of their pans, esp the curry, sausage, chocolate, and cream ones. (I do wish they had more selection of breads cuz I think they do them so well!) The desserts - I like the flan, the earl grey cake, and pretty much all of them. I can't remember. We've tried so many. I like to experiment ;) And the mixed sandwich. Nice and refreshing on a warm/hot day. A good snack to satiate the hunger. Try the sukiyaki beef sandwich. Don't forget to ask to toast the bread. SOOO good! I prefer the beef over the chicken. It's juicier. And the cakes! If you've never ordered a cake here, it's a must! For your next special occasion! The whipped cream is not too heavy and sweet, the cake in general is airy and light and perfect on the sweetness (meaning not too sweet like most desserts you eat these days). Filled with different fruits depending on what you order. Just get one and see for urself! A few years ago we ordered a cake and then bunch of different cakes and asked them to cut it into little pieces as desserts/cake for our wedding guests. Everyone LOVED it! (I know... shame on me for not posting till now, but hey, I'm fairly new to yelp ;) ) We love the service here. read more

Awesome cakes and best for birthday. Here to pickup cakes for my daughter's birthday. Go for the Green Tea. And Coffee Cakes read more

Arai Pastry - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

This is possibly the only bakery that makes cakes that are not too sweet but wonderfully delectable. No matter which cake you get, the taste is very "classy" and delicious. I highly recommend the fruit short cake and the pudding parfait! read more

Cute little bakery tucked in the corner of a little strip mall. The lady behind the counter is so delightful and helpful. We got the flan and cream puff which was delicious but I must admit after a while I was custard out. I would come back and try their sandwiches. read more

Arai Pastry - Flan and cream puff - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Decided to try the bakery after reading other's reviews. Spot on...delicious! Customer service excellent. I think she was an owner because she thanked us for supporting local. She also took the time to explain their bakery and show us their design book. I will be ordering from them. And the plus...it is not sweet! read more

Arai Pastry - Earl Grey tea cake and green tea mouse! - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Other than I love this place.. I can't say enough about Arai.. try it, you won't be disappointed.

Ordered a strawberry cake here for a party. Everyone liked it and it had a cute frosting puppy decoration on top. The selection of fruit arranged on the cake was also nice. It looked quite fabulous. They sell weeaboo-friendly foods like chocolate coronets, ufo-pan, an-pan, and puddi. read more

Hubby surprised me with a treat of a curry bun as well as a black bean bun. Both were just perfect; just enough sweetness but not too much that you think your teeth are going to fall off. Will go back there every time we are back in the area! read more

Don't judge by appearances when you first enter. You won't be blown away by the decor. This is a great place. It's not as great as the places found in San Francisco and LA, but it's passable. I want to give it four stars, but I'm a bit torn, if I could, I'd give it 3.5. What this place does really well is cakes and pastries. The cakes are light, fluffy and moist. Like Asian pastries should be, it's not overly sweet and oil. The flavor, taste and texture are right on. The bakers here also don't skimp on using good ingredients in the right proportions. The matcha mouse tastes like matcha and the frosting on the cake tastes like whipped cream beaten from heavy cream. What this place doesn't do well is baked goods. Their breads aren't great. It's kind of small and too airy and it just isn't very satisfying or impressive. I've tried multiple times and I'm just not a fan. If they just sold cakes and pastries I'd give the place four or maybe even five stars, but the breads are really lacking and detract from the overall quality of the establishment and experience. As I'm writing this, I realized that 3 stars is just cruel to a place like this, but I keep my ratings pretty strict, four stars is four stars and 3-3.999 is 3. Also, this place is a bit pricey if you're use to Safeway prices, but the taste is definitely better than Fry's or Costco. p.s. The cookies aren't great either. read more

Mind you I have only tried their strawberry cake and raisin bread and it was very delicious! The strawberry cake was not too sweet and it was moist which is how I love my cakes. My boyfriend got the raisin bread which he eats with cream cheese for breakfast and he loves it a lot. Definitely going to go back and try out all their other desserts. I am hooked! read more

Arai Pastry - Strawberry cake slice! Just perfect in my mouth. - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

The cakes here are so delicious and beautifully presented! A hidden gem next to the Japanese grocery store!!! read more

Arai Pastry - Strawberry cake, caramel cake, and flan - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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if you want, Cheap-ass Japanese cake, you come here. If you want "good" cake, you go to AJ's pastry section, that's the real cake. Service: three male employees working there seem to have no soul.....poor them. They work without a word. They need to be trained how to be friendly and attentive. read more

I had some pastries from this bbn place. I came in toward the end of the work day, just before they were about to close. I got what was left. The pastries I got were still very delicious. I really wish I got to try a cake but I came in too late. I'll be sure to come back to try more pastries. read more

I lived in Japan as a kid and regularly stuffed my little face with Japanese French style pastries. I always worried I wouldn't be able to find similar bakeries States-side. Well, Arai's cakes taste EXACTLY how I remembered mine from Japan. Lightly sweet and airy. Freakin perfect! And the goodies look super kawai, too. My Arai faves are the strawberry short cake, rolled crepe with fruit, and fluffy ass wheat bread loaf. I must stress that the pastries here are lightly sweet! If you like to taste nothing but overwhelming sugar in your mouth, then don't come here. read more

The raisin bread its to die for. FUWA FUWA bread time! Gloriously soft, I could eat the loaf in one sitting. Also the anpan is airy, light, and delicious as well. I haven't had a chance to try the deserts, but I swear each slice and cup look absolutely adorable and perfect. read more

Arai Pastry - Mushipan - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

What a wonderful bakery, if you feel like treating yourself without feeling guilty about it come here!! I was greeted by a wonder person I definitely felt the customer service. The cake was delicately sweet , very light and fresh. Perfect sweet treat without feeling the guilt read more

Love this place. The Japanese style breads and baked goods are delish! My personal favorite is the raisin bread. Toasts up well. I also recommend the strawberry cake. A real treat. read more

Oops! Looks like I'm breaking the trend of five-star reviews. This place is okay, but definitely not 5 star-worthy. First, the eats: The pastries, while I'm glad to say are made with decent ingredients (they post them, and there's no soy crap or margarines/hydrogenated oils), they're not very impressive. Their cookies are the hard, crunchy kind which I generally dislike (especially when they look big enough to be the soft kind). The other pastries, like their red bean rolls and things of that nature, are reminiscent of a sweet hot dog bun filled with whatever filling. I will admit I haven't tried any of their cakes, but given that I didn't like the other stuff... Next, they're not too great with customer service; especially ostensible contrast. What I mean by that is that both times I've been in there, I have been preceded by a Japanese customer to whom they were very jovial and nice. Then, here comes the white guy (me) and they're kinda like "eh." They also really oughtta hire a woman to be up front, as the guys there (including the old guy I saw in the back) all seem pretty brooding and preoccupied. I dunno; I get the tendency of people to give 5 star reviews based on the fact a place is locally owned and/or novel (Wow, real Japanese people!). I just feel that in this case, it's hype. read more

I have been coming here for years and have NEVER been disappointed :D Now i buy my birthday cake from here and my family loves it! read more

I drive 30 minutes for this bakery because I love it so dearly. But I've been there twice and I have never seen nor tried the famous green tea cake!!! I tried the green tea mousse, though, and it was amazing. Not overly sweet and very smooth! I also tried the earl grey cake and it was amazing!!! Definitely a must try. I usually don't like sweets but this place is worth every calorie and blood sugar spike. read more

The strawberry cake here is everything! The people here are always very courteous and even though they ran out of the strawberry cake today, I still enjoyed their flan cup. Hopefully the cake is in stock next time I come up to Phoenix! read more

Arai Pastry - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Service was great all out of cheese cake but the strawberry cake was heavenly. It was the perfect combination of soft and sweet but not over sweet read more

Have been coming to this place for years growing up! Love all of the baked goods. My brother always loved the drinks as well, but they always seem to be out. Everything here tastes good, but I wish there were some lactose-free options. read more

We bought a slice of each: cheesecake, strawberry cake, golden caramel cake and chocolate cake. Got home and all gone within 30 mins devoured by my husband and kids. I like the soft, not too sticky sweet cakes with whipped cream in the middle. Great dessert/coffee companion without the guilty feeling. The elderly man behind the counter also very polite. read more

Arai Pastry - Bakeries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

The strawberry cake exceeded my expectations--and I'm somewhat of a picky eater. My bf looooved the coffee cake! Combined with the aesthetics, the desserts were an unforgettable treat. The creaminess and just right sweetness could not have been more perfect. I'd highly recommend this place if you're craving something sweet that's also pretty to look at while you devour it. read more

Happy to see authentic Japanese bakery in Az. Breads were good & my family says green tea cheesecake is awesome!

Best cake I've tasted. Cake is not too sweet. Just the right sweetness! They have different types of bread as well and they're all delicious. The ambience is nice. Just have a seat, listen to the background music and enjoy the pastry! read more