So sad to see this place closed! They had unique seasonal lattes but the pastries were the best part -- not to sweet yet floral and fruity. The cardamom mango croissant pastry was delightful! They don't have seating at the register, you have to go through the next door restaurant to the shared back patio. It had grape vines and was pretty cute but needed some upkeep. Hope this location can open up again! read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I would Flaker(ie) on this bakery. I saw this place on Insta and unfortunately it didn't quite live up to the hype. Stopped in on an early Sunday morning- the store front was tiny with no visible seating. They had a range of pastries in a bunch of interesting flavor combinations. I tried the miso caramel pecan cruffin ($7.50) sounded so interesting but unfortunately it was way too sweet and tasted stale (which is odd since I went early in the morning). I also got an iced matcha ($6 + $1 for oat milk) which tasted ok but nothing special. Overall, considering how pricey it ended up being I was pretty disappointed. I really wanted to love this place and applaud the attempt at unique flavors, but probably won't be coming back. read more

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While visiting Washington D.C., it was recommended that we check out Saku Saku Flakerie. When you walk into the shop, you are greeted with an ordering counter and a glass display case with pastries. They actually occupy the space next door, which has multiple tables for seating. Food I ordered a white chocolate mocha and a Cinnamon Mochi Roll. The mocha was very tasty and had a good presentation. The cinnamon mochi roll was very tasty. It was my first time combing the two. 4/5 Service Staff was friendly as we placed the order. We had multiple people in our party, so the order took about 10-15 minutes, which is reasonable. 4/5 Ambiance It had a nice ambiance when walking in. The space isn't large, but they make it feel inviting. 4/5 Saku Saku is a nice local coffee shop. In a world full of large coffee chains, I always like helping smaller coffee shops when I can. read more

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Sorry I was there back in March and finally got to post this. This was my last day in dc visiting, I want something yummy for breakfast to remember my trip and came upon this little bakery. It is small but mighty. The cashier is friendly and patient with me. The decor is simple but chic. The pasties all look amazing delicious and irresistible. I have to hold myself back but I figured I can buy some to take home! So I got yuzu blackberry cruffin, apricot thyme crème cruffin, marble tahini cookie and a Sakura matcha latte. I ate it when I got back to my place. They were so good. And so delicious, definitely recommend them!!! read more

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I was pleasantly surprised to stumble across this bakery one weekend. I ordered the mochi cinnamon roll and had it warmed up - perfectly sweet and fluffy with a nice chewy texture from the mochi. It's a small storefront to order but they're also connected to the space next door which has a lovely outdoor patio. read more

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Unapologetically mid. Had high expectations due to the hype but was thoroughly let down. Baked goods are not fresh and are microwaved. The roll came HARD while the box was hot from the microwave. The croissant was sorry. It was soggy and soft. Hojicha was the only decent thing here. Would not pay these prices for mid food. Theres plenty of seating and is fairly clean and the server was just decent. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Saku Saku Flakerie was a bit tricky to find, as there are two doors, which made things a little confusing. It seems like they're expanding and still undergoing renovations. Just a heads-up, if you're planning to visit, the door on the right is where you order drinks and pastries, while the left door is where you wait for your drinks. The area where you order is extremely small so only four people are allowed inside at a time. I arrived around 3 PM, and most of the pastries were already sold out. If you're coming to try pastries, I'd recommend coming earlier. We tried the strawberry matcha latte, cinnamon (?) latte and small croissant pastry which were all pretty underwhelming. The drinks weren't sweetened, so you have to add sweetener yourself. Unfortunately, the service wasn't the best. The staff didn't seem very friendly and looked annoyed when answering questions. While I didn't have to wait outside, I noticed that if there were more than four people, they would loudly tell people to step out. Overall, I'm not sure it's worth a return visit. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Love this cute little outpost of Saku Saku Flakerie, a delightful bakery serving Japanese-inspired treats based in Tenleytown. Their Cleveland Park location offers the same friendly staff and variety of tasty pastries, featuring incredible flavor combinations like their strawberry lychee rose cruffin, black sesame kouign amann, and miso salmon quiche. I love that their menu is constantly rotating so there's always something new to try as the seasons change, and they also have a phenomenal selection of various teas / tea-based lattes as well. I particularly love their hojicha latte, which is often overlooked in favor of their matcha, but I find the earthy, slightly smoky flavor of this roasted green tea absolutely incredible, especially when paired with a tasty treat. The space is quite small so there isn't anywhere to sit, but Saku Saku has a partnership with the bar next door. It's a bit ominous to walk through the empty bar while they're closed, but they have a lovely garden courtyard in the back that is a delightful and super picturesque place to enjoy your pastries. read more

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The cinnamon roll is chewy and fluffy! However, I hate that we got a corner piece because it's tough. Get to the center, you'll see a blob of mochi filling. Never have I had this combo, but it was great! I love that this dessert isn't too sweet. Although great, I did find it pretty pricy. The cinnamon roll was about $7. I also had a cappuccino which was excellent. Can't wait to try more options! read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Mochi cinnamon roll - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Went on a weekday morning and the woman taking my order was so nice! She walked through the different pastries with me and I ultimately selected their tiramisu mochi roll to-go! Mochi roll was good, in that the tiramisu was sweet and the mochi roll wasn't too sweet. However, I found the roll part to be too dry. Would come back to try a different pastry as well. The menus and overall vibes were in a sweet, cherry blossom pink, which was quite fitting considering their name. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Tiramisu mochi roll - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Easy to overlook but this bakery is fun & cute! A lot of exciting flavored pastries - I had a mochi cinnamon roll. They microwaved it for me. Latte was just okay. The real hidden gem is the back patio you can sit at behind the store. Ask for directions if you're not sure. Tons of tables to sit and relax at with shade. Would definitely try if you want something new. read more

I was excited to go to Saku Saku for a pretty long time and unfortunately it fell short of my expectations. The storefront was very small with just enough standing room for probably 3-4 people and maybe it was because we went around 11am that there were items sold out but the selection was smaller than I had anticipated and we got the matcha white chocolate chip cookie which was okay but nothing special and the iced latte which was good but very standard. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Would give a 3.5 if I could but alas I'll bump it up cause I'd be more likely to come back than not to try more things but of the 4 I had 2 were great, one was just ok and one was a total miss (have to say I wasn't a fan of mashed white beans on top of my sweet pastry). I appreciated their different flavor ideas but only some of them were pulled off. But I'd come back to try some more and get a wider variety to review before making a full determination. If you like the classics this isn't the place for you but if you like Asian flavors pushing boundaries this is your kinda place read more

I've been wanting to try this place for a while and unfortunately my first visit fell a bit flat! I went on a Saturday morning for the seasonal mochi roll which is advertised as a soft and fluffy roll on their Instagram stories and really attracted me to try! I am sad to say mine did not live up to the hype and had an overcooked edge that was pretty much inedible. I'm not sure if it was just the batch but it was disappointing to say the least. The roll was good but not as great as I think it was supposed to be and it also had a bit more frosting than I typically like. I also got the miso salmon quiche which was surprisingly spicy! I enjoy spicy but if you don't like spicy it may not be for you. Again, not sure if my batch just had more pepper or something but it was not expected. The hojicha latte was just as expected and delicious! The staff there was nice but I asked to have the quiche heated and although the box came out very hot, the quiche itself was still cold. As mentioned by others, the space is very small and just a counter but they utilize the Al Volo space for eat-in diners so I took advantage of the outdoor space. Overall, Saku Saku Flakerie wasn't my favorite but I would like to revisit and give it another chance with some other items. I love seasonal items! read more

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My friend and I came over the weekend to get some of the spring season special pastries! (Some to eat there and some others to go!). Since we arrived around 8AM on an unexpected sunny but really cold morning, we decided to just sit down inside the restaurant next door (that's closed this early in the morning) instead of the patio/garden area (definitely when it gets warmer I would love to sit down there). I got their regular drip coffee ($4) and the clerk gladly gave me some almond milk for my drink. I really want to try their specialty iced lattes, but this day wasn't the day As for their pastries! Having their "Japanese Sweet Potato Roll w/ Ube Cream Cheese" (about $5) freshly baked, was amazing and so comforting on a cold morning! The bread was pillowy soft and had a nutty milky taste because of sweet potato, the amount of Ube cream cheese was generous and so rich! Anything Ube is delicious! Their London Fog and Blueberry cruffin ($6) is not only beautiful to look at, but every bite feels decadent and luxurious! The blueberry provides a tang to the creamy filling of the cruffin! Love how they laminated the pastry, and honestly the best way to enjoy it is to tear every layer and dip it on the tea cream! I bought their "Mystery Pastry Bag" for $6, got 2 ham & cheese croissant rolls and a pistachio croissant, husband approved the ham&cheese one! (I don't eat meat, I'm glad to treat him something delish!) great price, but will recommend to get it the bag if you don't have any dietary restriction or allergy, because may contain meat or nuts! I haven't had the Sakura Mochi A Pan, but can't wait to have it for lunch today! I just want to say that it looks so cute and the bread feels soft! (Expected for a sweet bread). read more

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A small storefront that allows only one to enter; there is apparently seating in a nearby courtyard. Or you can just take your pastries around what is an eminently walkable neighborhood. This place offers some fantastic-looking baked goods. You can get a chocolate-pistachio croissant or a chocolate-almond, answering my perpetual question of why I have to choose between flavors. Beverages are on offer as well, and the bitter taste of a matcha (or, even better the roasted tea latte they call hojicha) offers an appealing contrast in flavor to the sweeter and more delicate baked goods. The price was premium for sure, but the taste was as rich as I'd hoped, and the flakiness the name promises didn't disappoint. They've expanded into other locations, but this original spot is definitely a worthy stop in a neighborhood that needed something like this. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Nice bakery with cute selection of bakery. Loved the pecan miso one, forgot its full name though.

I ordered the tamago (egg) sandwich, which is pretty rare to find with Washington, D.C. Compared to ones you'd find in Japan, I would say it's less fluffy, but I do appreciate the homemade feel of the sandwiches (I took photos, but I don't think they give a fair representation of the sandwich). Part of me wishes the portion size was bigger and that it was a bit creamier and could use a little salt, but I overall like this cute little shop, it's nice workers, and i look forward to trying their assortment of pastries. read more

Cute small Asian/French bakery with good baked goods. I tried the following: - Sesame scallion focaccia with homemade chili oil - a bit cold, would taste better if heated, but good subtle flavors - Zaatar gruyere croissant - tasty; soft buttery interior with a nice crispy exterior - Miso salmon quiche - a bit cold; again, it'd taste better if it was heated up, but the flavors are bold and good. Very satiating/filling. - Latte with oat milk - not the best latte I've had, but it's solid - Hojicha latte with oat milk - not sweet at all - Black sesame latte with oat milk - thick and creamy, definitely noticeable sesame flavor read more

If you can't get to Sapporo, the sandos will come to you! Fun coffee shop with an ever-changing set of special pastries and sandos that are so popular in Tokyo and Sapporo these days. And without the travel time! read more

Unfortunately, I came when there was construction on the sidewalks, so I couldn't really sit down to eat and drink, so I just did so in the metro station. It's a very small area to order so I was happy I was the only one there at the time. The items I got were okay in my opinion. I got the matcha tea which was fine, but kept dripping everywhere from the tea bag so my hands were getting very wet. The red bean roll I got was okay as well, but tasted more like a regular roll with glaze, nothing really red bean about it. Kind of dry too, and for $6.50, I did not feel like it was worth it. Overall, I feel like today was a bad day for me, but I'm sure there are better items or that it's usually pretty good. Not sure if I'd come again after this experience though. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Saku Saku Flakerie has become one of my favorite spots for trying creative pastries! I love that they rotate out weekend and monthly specials with fun, seasonal flavors. So far, I've tried their black sesame mochi roll, their purple sweet potato mochi roll, their blueberry and early grey cruffin, and their cherry blossom an pan. It's worth getting here early in the morning so that you can have their baked goods fresh from the oven. The shop is tiny and staff here aren't always the friendliest, but I'm not too fussy about that; I really just care about the food. Their black sesame roll was easily my favorite - it was soft, tender dough with a lovely nutty flavor from the sesame and a bit of tang in the frosting. I would come back for this 1000 times! The cherry blossom an pan reminded me a lot of the pastries I loved in Japan. I appreciated that they used actual cherry blossom filling and not cherries like so many places - they're very different! I loved the addition of some mochi in the middle to add some chewiness and break it up a bit. I do think that their flavors are a bit too subtle (sometimes verging on bland) and could stand to be punchier. The cruffin was lovely, but I was not getting earl grey or blueberry - it was lovely and smooth but tasted like nothing. However, the quality of the dough is high and I enjoy the textures and variety of their fillings. If they could bring out the flavors a bit more it would be a 5/5, but I appreciate a well-made pastry regardless and will no doubt be back again! read more

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Pastries in the display look amazing! It was a bit difficult for me to choose one... so we ended up getting two pastries to share. Sesame scallion focaccia with homemade chili oil - amazing and savory bread with a twist of Asian taste! Scallion and sesame do bring some flavors out of an ordinary focaccia bread. Then have this focaccia bread drizzled with chili oil, it really brings everything together to satisfy your taste bud! I'd hope to have it warmed to enjoy it even a bit more! Zaatar Gruyère croissant - flaky and buttery pastry filled with delicious Gruyère cheese and a dash of zaatar flavor. I'd get this again as I'm a huge fan of cheese croissants. It's a bit different without ham but still so satisfying. Little different yet delicious! Hojicha latte with oat milk - I was thrilled to see that on drink menu as I've enjoyed this drink very much when I traveled to Japan. It is basically roasted matcha green tea latte so it's subtle hint of green like you'd see matcha green tea drink but it's more brown as it is roasted. So it brings a hint of smokiness flavor in matcha tea. Tastes toasty, warm and not so sweet which is perfect for this chilly weather. Latte with oat milk - it sure tastes great and does its job to perk your day up with caffeine. Smooth and strong taste of coffee eased with creamy oat milk. The space is nice and big but with limited seating indoor and it is next door to closed business place. It's not crowded by 11:30am on Sunday. Perfect setting for my partner to settle in and work on her project as I get to chill and sipping some of my latte. read more

Great DC pastry spot! We got the matcha cream pan, and the hojicha (roasted green tea) sticky bun. The cream pan was my favorite and I can't wait to try their other flavors! Think kind of brioche bun-y, filled with silky cream; in this case earthy from the matcha. Their coffee options looked pretty solid too, along with some seriously flaky croissants. Hope to be back to try more! read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Matcha cream pan - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is some of the best coffee I've had in DC. It's made from local, freshly roasted beans and tastes amazing

I have heard amazing things about this place and was excited to finally pop in. I asked for some recommendations and got a variety of savory and sweet. Unfortunately my order got mixed up so I didn't get quite what I had intended but what I did get was still tasty. I definitely recommend their savory foods! Their which were delicious and unique! They definitely get points for creativity in their flavors. While everything was good, I wasn't blown away. And my cruffin was a bit stale. I want to come back and try them again, maybe then I could get them to five stars. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Strawberry and cream cruffin - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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This Japanese's-French fusion bakery is on Cleveland Park's Main Street. Living close by, I've been here a few times and I've never been wowed. The customer service leaves room to be desired. The few times I've went, the worker seemed like they didn't want to be there. The inside is very small, but I've read from other reviewers that they utilize the next door space that was previously Al Volo for seating. I've ordered: The Japanese soufflé cheesecake- was a little disappointed by this. It's not a light, fluffy Japanese soufflé cheesecake. Taste and texture wise, it is much closer to an American cheesecake. Marble tahini cookie- good, I enjoyed it. White miso chocolate chip cookie- this was pretty good too. Brownie cookie- a little bit hard and crumbly. Not bad, but I wouldn't order again. For Asian bakeries, I prefer Rose Ave in Woodley Park. read more

Come here early on weekends if you want to be able to try any of their pastries! We came at lunch hour (around 12-1) on a weekend and they were sold out of most things. Nothing that was left really appealed to me, so I ordered a couple cookies which were okay, kind of crumbly (the black sesame and the matcha/white chocolate). My drink tasted a little strange, I think it was hojicha latte (mixed with citrus if I remember correctly, and overpowered by that citrus). The outdoor seating is cute, but it was also pretty hot that day and there wasn't enough shade. Would maybe consider coming back if I'm in the area and have an early start on my day. read more

I stopped by last week to get a coffee and snack. It's very small so you might miss it initially. The counter is pretty much right there as soon as you walk in and there's not much room inside. When I walked in, the woman working the register immediately greeted me and was pleasant. They didn't seem to have many pastry options that day, it was a mid Friday morning so i was a little bit disappointed. I ended up getting an iced coffee and the chocolate pistachio croissant. The chocolate pistachio croissant was very good. I love pistachios and the filling was very tasty. The coffee was okay. Nothing to rave about but was good. They have outdoor seating but you have to go through the restaurant next door, which was a bit confusing and awkward since the restaurant is not open and you walk through the mostly empty space, while employees are prepping. The patio, however, is lovely! It's similar to a courtyard with a lot of greenery. Overall, I'd say this is a solid place to grab a coffee and pastry for a quick bite. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Chocolate pistachio croissant and iced coffee - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Great and fun and flaky and tasty pastries. The passion fruit cruffin was a special hit. The pistachio croissant was also excellent. We will definitely be back. read more

Along Cleveland Park's main street is a small bakery that sells Japanese-French pastries like strawberry cream rolls and pina colada cruffins. Run by a husband-wife team, there's often a line. Here's why you should go: 1) Food: Their menu often rotates with seasonal pastries, but you can always find some basics like croissants (plain, pistachio chocolate, chocolate, etc.). Many of their pastries use Japanese-inspired flavors like their matcha white chocolate chip cookie. 2) Drinks: They have a drink menu, including coffee items. 3) Space: It's a tiny space. Due to the pandemic, they ask one customer/party at a time, which can cause a line. Next door is an outdoor patio inside Al Volo that is open for Saku Saku customers during the day. It's a great spot to work from or meet with friends. 4) Service: The staff are kind and proud of what they have created (as they should be). When I was there, a man was very upset by the line and the staff handled it with grace. read more

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So delicious! We ordered a bunch of different breads and pastries and picked the everything scallion pancakes as our favorites

While trying to find the place was mostly confusing due to all the signage saying it's an Italian/pasta place, there is a small chalkboard to the side saying it's Saku Saku. I went a couple months back,so maybe that's changed. They had some cherry blossom themed pastries at the time but at 11am they were sold out of those. But the chocolate pistachio croissant I got was one of the best dang things I've ever eaten. You order then if you want to sit on their patio, you go through this closed restaurant hallway to their backyard. Again the logistics are a little strange but the patio is cute and the pastries absolutely make this a 5/5 experience. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Key lime cruffin - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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| Light, Yet Scrumptious Treats. | Enjoy rotating specialities! I've had rose/cardamom and pistachio so far for their rotating pastries. A nice place to grab a snack pre-zoo or post-run! They have drinks from Japan (KIMINO) as well as made to order tea! | Order At Counter. | This location is small and takes one customer at a time. But, it's apparent what they have for sale and makes ordering at the counter easy. | Outdoor Seating. | It shocked me a bit at first, but the next door restaurant is closed and you can walk through it to get to a lovely garden patio. Most tables seat up to 4 and half the outdoor patio has an awning if you come when it rains. read more

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Very excited a Japanese style bakery is here! Sampled the miso chocolate chip cookies -- two thumbs up. Iced strawberry matcha was ok, more milky than creamy, but I did like that there were real strawberry bits. Bit into something hard which worried me. Looking forward to trying their other pastries. read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Milk bread, strawberry matcha, nitro cold brew. - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Like other reviewers mention, the storefront is very small for only a couple people to stand and order. There is a garden patio available behind Al Volo and there are signs to direct you. The garden patio is cute and quiet. I was there around 8:30am on a Saturday. Part of the seating has a lot of grapes that attract wasps and bees so some people pull the tables out towards from under. Hojicha latte is good. I wish the flavor was a bit stronger. Kouign Amman is really good if you like cinnamon and croissants. I think the pastries are a little small for the price of ~$5 each. Parking directly in front isn't available but there's parking in the neighborhood side streets - just pay attention to signage. read more

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I am so sad to leave this review. This was THE spot for me for many years. They used to make the world's best croissants. I was a loyal customer in the pandemic, contributed to the kickstarter, and cheered them on as they grew. I would tell everyone who would listen they HAVE to go here, bring their pastries to brunches and family gatherings, etc. Sadly, it is not the same. Each time I go, the croissants are smaller and smaller (and costing more). I'm talking at least half the size it was a year ago. I would love to keep supporting this local business in my neighborhood, but not the way it is now. read more

I love this place!!!!!!! I love all the new flavors! You can never get tired of this place! Favorites: regular croissants, almond croissant, chocolate croissants, tahini cookies!!!!! I didn't love the peach lemon scone; too sweet for me. Iced coffee and lattes are good! They have milk alternatives!! A little pricey but I can't get enough of this place - the quality and flavors are on point! Come early as they sell out. You won't be disappointed. They also have a garden patio that's covered if it rains! read more

Saku Saku Flakerie - Bakeries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

A friend picked up a SOUFFLE CHEESE CAKE from Saku Saku Flakerie for dessert. The cheese cake was pretty fluffy & bouncy, yet super creamy at the same time. It is a bit small (maybe 8"?) and more dense than I preferred. But we all enjoyed a small slice of it. Saku Saku's been on my list to try for awhile, and the pastries are still on my list to try. read more

Two friends with a love of baking took advantage of the pandemic and their friendship with Al Volo's owners to finally open a pop-up bakery! Open every day from 8 am - 3 pm, SakuSaku Flakerie brings the most delicious, high quality, and Instagrammable Asian themed desserts to the DC area! If you are a fan of Rose Ave Bakery but just can't get on their pre-order list on time, SakuSaku Flakerie is a very solid replacement. Think items like Lychee Cream and Oreo Cream Kouign Ammans, Cream Puff Cakes, Matcha Custard Melon Buns, Japanese egg sandwiches and more. For Lunar New Year, I ordered two boxes of their Chinese tea cakes that came in assorted flavors like salted egg, taro and pork. The packages were so beautifully packaged and it was the perfect way to show my parents that I still care about them from a distance. The gave it the ultimate Asian compliment "It's not too sweet!" and were so amazed by how pretty all the swirls in the pastries looked. I came at the tail end of service so I missed out on their pick-up treats but managed to snag three chocolate croissants and oh my goodness, these are the flakiest, mile high, layered pastries I've had in awhile! Even a day later, unheated, it still tasted perfect. Plus it was STUFFED with chocolate. Definitely the most memorable croissant I've had this entire pandemic. I can't wait to order more. read more