SakuSaku Flakerie

Been wanting to try this bakery for some time now so we decided to make a stop after visiting some museums around the National Mall. We arrived around 130pm on a Saturday and there was nothing left. Literally about 5 slices of bundt cake, 4-5 cookies, and two sad looking sandwiches. We desperately looked around thinking surely this couldn't be it. It was. Since we had already trekked to the SakuSaku, we decided to make the best of it and order a few of the remaining items and some coffee. The cookies (matcha white chocolate chip and white miso chocolate chip) were good, not mind-blowing. The miso/matcha flavors weren't super pronounced in either cookie so they just tasted like a good chocolate chip. We also ordered a piece of lemon blueberry cake, which was dry and very average. It tasted like day-old cake. I'm not sure I understand this business model - if you know you sell out of food by 1pm on a weekend, why not restock mid-morning? Or maybe since two other outposts recently opened this one is no longer a priority? We watched so many groups of people come in after us, express confusion, and then leave empty-handed because there was just nothing left, especially after we ordered. Seems like a waste to have two employees keep the bakery open for several hours if there's nothing to sell. Might also be a good idea to update Instagram etc. (maybe I missed it?) with availability of items or mention that they are sold out. If you are already at the museum and want coffee then this bakery will suffice. But was it worth a 20 minute walk in the rain with two little kids in tow? No, it was not. Overall, a pretty disappointing experience.

Saku Saku Flakerie opening inside the National Building Museum is a win for all. It's very small and ambiance is not in the forefront at all, but they do sell their famous Japanese-inspired pastries. Sadly, they don't have an espresso machine, but they do sell drip coffee. I ordered the Souffle Cheese Cake and it was perfect. It wasn't too sweet and the texture was impressive.

Such a cool place to eat all of the flakey goods. I typically go at 10am when they open. Because this location runs within a museum, they will sell out of certain items faster on more touristy days.

Love this bakery, the chocolate pistachio croissants have a chokehold on me. It’s just a shame they have to follow the museum’s wonky hours/days opened - so plan accordingly.

Not many pastries left by 1pm