Modu Cafe
Coffee shop · Highland Park
5805 York Blvd Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Highlights
Korean-influenced pastries & coffee drinks in a minimalist setting
Korean-influenced pastries & coffee drinks in a minimalist setting
"All pastry cases spike our endorphins, but there’s an amazing feeling that hits us the moment we walk into Modu Cafe in Highland Park. The tall ceilings and natural light remind us of an Apple store, except the experience is more zen than replacing a water-logged iPhone. The Korean-influenced pastries are as light and balanced as the space: subtly tangy lime tarts with sugar-crystalized perilla leaves, not-too-sweet kabocha cakes decorated with a bouquet of dried persimmon, and black sesame chocolate cookies with soft, spongy centers that taste like they’re genetically part-cake. Modu has a four-pastry-per-person policy, but we could try each one and not feel like a walking cream bun after. The shop does occasionally sell out on weekends, though, so stop by on a mellower weekday if you can." - brant cox, sylvio martins, arden shore, cathy park
"A minimalistic cafe in Highland Park with a big communal table that emphasizes community. The south-facing space allows sunlight to shine through a big glass front, creating different shapes and sizes throughout the day, transforming the interior's look and feel." - Wonho Frank Lee
"A Los Angeles bakery helmed by a Korean American baker producing inventive pastries informed by her upbringing, including items such as dark chocolate mochi brownies and kabocha–persimmon cake that blend tradition with contemporary technique." - ByEmily Wilson
"After years of popping up across Los Angeles with her pastries, Jiyoon Jang opened Modu Cafe in Highland Park. The cafe and bakery serves a line-up of Jang’s classic sweets like chewy dark chocolate mochi brownies, barley tea-infused boricha madeleines, black sesame chocolate chip cookies, hojicha mochi muffins, and miso and misugaru cookies. Alongside the pastries, Modu serves a full coffee and tea menu in sculptural cups, with a focus on matcha. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor" - Eater Staff
"Modu Cafe is our preferred method of morning meditation. An endorphin rush hits you the moment you step into this airy, minimalist bakery in Highland Park, and even more so once you lock eyes with its gorgeous pastry case. Tall glass windows let in tons of natural light, so for a split second, you feel like you’re ordering matcha at an Apple store. Similar to the zen space, Modu’s Korean-influenced pastries are light and balanced. A beautiful lime tart hides a subtly tangy citrus filling under a sugar-crystalized perilla leaf. Moist, not-too-sweet kabocha cakes are topped with a bouquet of dried persimmon, and while the black sesame chocolate cookies might lack chewy edges, they’re soft and nutty in the center. Modu has a four-pastry-per-person policy, but we could try each one and not feel like a walking cream bun. Modu’s creations aren’t too dense or indulgent, but they do occasionally sell out on weekends. A weekday morning is your best bet for a relaxing hojicha mochi muffin, cream top latte, or curated coffee flight that will jumpstart your day." - Sylvio Martins
