Roji Bakery

"I live about 500 feet from Roji, a Japanese bakery on La Brea that churns out baked goods that taste just as good as they look, which means I’m there often (maybe too often). On most days, I go with the honest intention of just getting a “dirty” Thai iced coffee, but I almost always end up walking out with a handful of pastries. And I almost never regret it. Before hitting the road for Colorado last week, I ordered a box full of baked goods that included a potato croquette pan, a curry pan, and a melon pan with custard cream. I also got their seasonal purple sweet potato danish, a cranberry, cheese, and walnut bread (which is straight-up like a bread and cheese course stuffed into one loaf), and a Roji staple: an almond cookie-encased chocolate croissant. That seems like a lot, I know, but it’s like 15 hours to Colorado. - Anikah Shaokat, Editorial Ops Coordinator" - the infatuation los angeles crew

"This long-standing cafe and bakery is giving away 100 meals per day to hospital workers as part of their Frontline Meals Program. More information can be found here. They’re also open for pick-up, and delivery is available through most platforms." - team infatuation

"Roji Bakery began as a small bakery in Kumamoto, Japan in 2006. The owner, Mr. Tokunaga, met his future business partner, Japanese-American owner Mr. Shin, and decided to collaborate on a bakery in LA, which opened in September 2019. Shin said they felt inclined to formulate the business to fit in with American culture and curate a menu with more American-influenced pastries. But over time, they realized the nostalgic comfort of their classic Japanese baked goods was starting to translate. While Asian customers were taken back to their childhoods with the curry pan and milk loaves, non-Asian customers loved trying different flavors like black sesame and matcha. With this, Shin said they felt more confident in staying authentic to their roots while also putting their own spins on classic pastries. When they first opened, they relied on passers-by to discover the shop, but when the pandemic hit, Shin used social media to promote the business. Through the virtual food community, they’ve gained a lot of traction in La Brea, and hope to continue developing those relationships both digitally and in person. Order this: The milk loaf and a few croissants." - with warm welcome, leslie yeh

"Between the potato-stuffed croquettes, cranberry cheese walnut bread, and melon pan filled with sweet, sweet custard, walking into Roji Bakery is like entering the gates of heaven. That is, if heaven was filled with baked goods (we hope it is). Located in Beverly Grove, this new Japanese bakery churns out beautiful, fluffy pastries that look like they were ripped from a Pinterest mood board - and luckily, taste just as good as they look. We recommend almost everything, from curry pans to seasonal sweet purple potato danishes, but our favorite thing is a Roji staple - an almond cookie-encased chocolate croissant that’s sweet, crunchy, and combines most of the things we love in this world." - Kat Hong

"Mid-City— Roji Bakery, which opened in 2006 in Kumamoto, Japan, serves the unbeatable combination of carbohydrates and caffeine. With loaves of milk bread, lovely pastries, and plenty of coffee on offer, this place is perfect for mornings and afternoon pick-me-ups." - Cathy Chaplin