Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe
Bakery · Anaheim ·
Japanese & French pastries: bear buns, curry pan, Japaninis
Japanese & French pastries: bear buns, curry pan, Japaninis
"Okayama Kobo is a Japanese bakery chain tucked into a Little Tokyo hotel lobby with a whole pastry case of cute, animal-shaped buns. This location, however, is better known for its milkshake-thick matcha lattes than bread. The best one is the banana cream, which might as well be pudding in liquid form: cold vanilla-banana cream, a heavy dusting of Nilla wafer crumbs, and matcha that’s strong enough to cut through the dairy richness." - cathy park
"This tiny Japanese bakery—originally from Okayama, Japan—opened in downtown Anaheim in 2018 and, like the Big Bang of baked goods, changed the city's pastry scene for good. Between their savory and sweet breakfast pastries and excellent desserts, there isn't a single item we've tried here that's been a miss—but if it's your first time, the spicy curry pan, strawberry cream croissant, and any type of Japanini (their take on a French panini) are a fine way to start. They also bake light fluffy loaves of Japanese milk bread with flour imported straight from Hokkaido that will easily last you a week's worth of sandwiches. " - brant cox
"Okayama Kobo is one of those places we’re almost thankful that we don’t live close to, because we’d eat there every day. Then we get sad, because all we want to do is eat there every day. The tiny Japanese bakery in downtown Anaheim has only been open since 2018, but it originated in Japan, where they’ve been baking tremendously savory breakfast pastries and desserts since 1986. We haven’t tried one thing here that we don’t like, but the spicy curry pan, croque monsieur, and any type of Japanini (their take on a French panini) all need to hit your table. They also make bread in-house with flour imported straight from Hokkaido that’s light, fluffy, and will easily last you a whole week." - Brant Cox
"Okayama Kobo is best known for its kawaii Kobo Kuma bear — vanilla bean custard and soft chocolate kitty emoji buns — stuffed with dark chocolate and custard. The sandwiches, paninis, and other pastries are handmade using flour from Hokkaido, Japan. Online orders are available but are limited to five items and must be placed a day in advance. Phone orders can be picked up on the same day." - Jenn Tanaka
"In Miramar I found a recently opened bakery and deli that’s a spinoff of Okayama Kobo, offering most of the original bakery’s menu—including its signature crescent rolls—while also developing items unique to San Diego. Run by Stuart Schaffer and William Sutjiadi, Salt & Butter operates a Miramar production hub and storefront that’s currently open weekdays for lunch service and delivers freshly baked goods to pop-ups around San Diego, with weekly drop-offs at Matcha Cafe Maiko in Clairemont and Escondido and another stop coming to National City. Everything is made with an additive- and preservative-free dough using flour from Hokkaido, and the lineup includes Salt & Butter rolls flavored with chocolate or red bean, classic curry pan, and fluffy Japanese milk bread loaves used for French toast or as the base of a croque monsieur; there’s also a range of panini filled with pork katsu, smoked salmon, roast beef and cheese, and pesto. They’re looking to expand their pop-up distribution, may open more San Diego locations, are partnering with nonprofits for fundraising pop-ups, and will mark a Miramar grand opening the weekend of Friday, September 9 with free samples, raffle giveaways, Japanese cuisine from local vendors, and the chance to pre-order meal kits from LA ramen spots." - Candice Woo