Since opening in early July, Mikan Bakery has become an instant hit for pastry lovers across Los Angeles, drawing customers with Japanese-inspired baked goods, specialty matcha drinks and an unmistakable orange theme rooted in its founder\u2019s childhood.<\/p>\n
The bakery was created by JINYA<\/a> founder and CEO Tomonori \u201cTomo\u201d Takahashi, who was born and raised in Japan before bringing his restaurant concepts to Los Angeles. <\/p>\n Takahashi opened his first JINYA restaurant in Tokyo in 2000 and later launched the ramen chain\u2019s first U.S. location in Studio City in 2010.<\/p>\n Marga Moller poses inside Mikan, a trendy new bakery from the founder of JINYA. CA POST<\/p>\n Mikan Bakery serves a variety of unique matcha flavors. Matt Elias for CA Post<\/p>\n The name \u201cMikan\u201d means mandarin orange. Baker Jia Buhrman said the concept was inspired by the neighborhood where Takahashi grew up, which was filled with orange trees.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCalifornia’s top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n That influence can be found throughout the bakery, from its citrus-colored decor to menu items including the Mikan Matcha, Mikan Tonic and several orange-based desserts.<\/p>\n Since opening, the bakery has generated plenty of buzz. Barista Amber Lopez, who has worked at Mikan since its first day, said crowds packed the shop during its opening weeks.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was literally insane,\u201d Lopez said. \u201cThose first couple of weeks, even the first month, the lines were just crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n Brandy Teves and Grace Hawthorn enjoy matcha at Encino\u2019s new Mikan Bakery. Matt Elias for CA POST<\/p>\n Mikan Bakery is known for their Japanese treats. Matt Elias for CA Post<\/p>\n Behind the scenes, staff members produce fresh breads, sandwiches and Japanese pastries from scratch each day.<\/p>\n Among the bakery\u2019s signature offerings is the Mikan Cube, filled with house-made orange custard and orange whip, then topped with candied oranges. Buhrman also recommends the strawberry fruit sandwich, made with soft bread and light cream.<\/p>\n Other popular choices include the sausage shio pan, corn shio pan, banana matcha, sesame latte and Matcha Grey.<\/p>\n Customers praised the bakery\u2019s matcha, atmosphere and distinctive menu. One compared visiting Mikan to traveling to Japan for Japanese food and quality matcha, while another customer said she returned the next day and planned to come back again.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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