Get the curry pan (if you like Curry, it's very good. Very very good). That's all. Absolutely worth a stop! 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

Wa-Iro - Honey Butter Toast, Chocolate Salt and Butter Roll, Purin à la Mode, Curry Pan, Cheesy Jalapeño Panini, Takoyaki Pan - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

Wa-Iro - salt bread french toast - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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

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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

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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

Wa-Iro - Danish - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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

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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

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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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

Wa-Iro - "If you buy 1 more you get a box" me: ok, *also me* why did I get a box it's not even a better deal - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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

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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

Wa-Iro - Banana creme matcha latte - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

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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

Wa-Iro - Strawberry matcha - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

Wa-Iro - Surprisingly amazing iced latte - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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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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

Wa-Iro - Banana matcha - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

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Japanese Bread and Flour! Sounds delicious. Ordered the following: 1. Curry Pan 2. Fish Panini 3. Sausage Panini My favorite was the sausage panini. Overall, the bakery is clean. read more

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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One of my favorite bakeries in SoCal is Okayama Kobo, and I was intrigued to try this spot because the packaging and some of the breads look so similar. There wasn't too long of a wait when I went Sunday morning, and I ordered an assortment: salt bread, salt & butter mentai, red bean salt & butter, takoyaki bread, and honey butter toast. The staff member informed me that I could get a box if I got 6 breads but I didn't care for it, so they packaged each bread separately. Of all the breads I tried, the honey butter toast was so so good. I don't even like red bean, but the paste was smooth and the slab of butter on the crispy honey toast was chef's kiss and my new guilty pleasure. Probably way too many calories but totally worth it. The salt bread was good, but I wish it was warm. Overall, I would definitely return when in the area! I really wanted to try the pudding bread but it wasn't available, so there's always a next time. read more

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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

Wa-Iro - Salt and Butter, Salt and Butter with Chocolate - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Small shop with a few tables for sitting. bread is soft and yummy!! Matcha is nice and earthy taste! read more

Wa-Iro - Premium matcha latte - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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The bread is sooooo soft!! Hojicha latte needs improvement though (minus one star). Got here around 11am on a Saturday and there was a line (approximately 10 people) out the door! Took almost 10 minutes to get inside. Another 10 minutes to get my bread and an additional 4 minutes to get my drink. They have a few different types of bread to choose from: Salt & Butter ($3.85) This is what they are known for. Super soft and fluffy, lightly salted and the butter makes it smell so good. It wasn't oily at all. They also have salt and butter chocolate, salt and butter tomato basil, salt and butter mentai, salt and butter red bean. Takoyaki ($4.50) Super fluffy bread. Unfortunately too salty from the sauce. Wish there was more octopus filling. I was most disappointed in this one :( Sunrise ($4.25) Japanese concha! No filling. They have a regular kind and a matcha one. The matcha flavor wasn't too obvious to me. The outside is slightly sweet with the a light layer of sugar on top. The bread was also super soft and the outer layer was slightly crispy. It was so good! Japanini ($4.85) This was really good! Great flavor and the same soft bread. Contains pesto, tomato, jack cheese, bacon, and shiso. So fresh and delicious! This is a great savory option if you prefer savory breads. Fish Filet Panini This is just like the Filet-o-fish at McDonald's but way fresher! The bread is still perfect, not soggy or tough. The outside is nicely toasted and the fish is still crispy inside while tender inside. It also contains cheese and tartar sauce - so yummy!! My top favorite for sure! If you buy 6 or more bread, the box is free, otherwise it's $1.50 for the box. Cloud Hojicha Latte I was really hoping this would be good, but I can hardly taste the hojicha. It was more milky, very light tea flavor. The cloud on top was good though, but I would not get this again. Don't recommend :( It's a bit small inside, so it felt crammed with so many people. It was nice and clean though, with simple, minimal decorations. They also have coffee blends and matcha powder for sale. Overall, I would recommend checking this place out! Their bread is delicious and they have a nice variety. They are pricey, but I would go back for the bread once in a while! Not sure if I would try their other drinks. 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

Wa-Iro - Curry bread, Takoyaki, salted butter, cinnamon roll, and cookie salted butter roll - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

Wa-Iro - Black Sesame Latte - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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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

Wa-Iro - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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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

Wa-Iro - Salt & butter, turkey panini and some sort of their sweeter style bread - Bakeries Near Me - Pasadena, California

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

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