Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe

First time here. I really enjoyed the breads and drinks. It’s a $1 more for any other milk except whole milk. I got almond milk. There’s only one person picking the treats for you and one person checking you out so it’s a bit of a wait. Got there an hour after opening and there was a bit of a line but left 30 minutes after and the line was long.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This is probably going to be an unpopular review, but I just kinda liked it. Perhaps it was too much hype? Some of the items tasted great, but it also hit or miss with many of the other items. It just was not worth our 45 minute drive plus 30 minute wait in line to try it. If I'm a local, then I'd definitely stop by here. But I really don't get how people routinely wait 30 minutes for these pastries. Highlights for me were the latte, matcha cold brew, red milk cream cube, chocolate emoji. The savory items were just so-so. Didn't care too much for the salt & butter roll. /shrug/

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Bakery

I bought 7 pieces of bread and the girl didn't want to give me a box
I said only many pieces and he put them in individual bags
That looked bad and piled up in a big bag
He just ignored me
The chai I ordered was too spicy
I didn't like it
More advertising and queue than quality and service

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Curry pan was really good! The curry was a thicker version of the dish, but I wish it had more solid filling. The Kuma pan had weird expression but still cute. Service was very efficient!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Terrible!!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

a bit small but very adorable pastries

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

the line was long, but totally worth it!! I tried the banana cream matcha latte which was really tasty. the matcha is great quality and not bitter, and very flavorful. the banana cream tasted just like banana pudding and had almost thr same thickness as their custard, which was pleasantly surprising. i usually shake up all my drinks but the thickness compared to the thinner matcha made it so you could get a little bit of both with each sip, and experience both flavors separately too! I also got the bear shaped vanilla custard bun which was so soft and had the perfect kind of sweet vanilla custard filling. I got the matcha melon pan which was very fluffy, and it maintained the crispiness of the cookie topping really well (I bought it at 2 and left it in the car until 8!) overall everything was really tasty, and I have so much respect for the workers here!!

Parking: spots aren't too hard to find, they'll pop up and disappear really fast though. there's a paid parking garage around the corner which is $3 for 0-.5hr, etc. I ended up paying 7 dollars.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Matcha Sunrise

Had to try here after hearing so much good things about Okayama ? their Mentai salt and butter roll and fish fillet sandwich are really good ? can’t find them anywhere else

Their matcha is kind of light in taste. Had banana cream top matcha latte. Very rich banana flavor but kind of sweet side.

Stopped by 30 min before they close on Sunday but still had a long line ? The wait wasn’t too bad. Highly recommend if you like Japanese pastries ?

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

I waited in line for 20 mins with no warning that they were out of almost all bread and baked goods. I got the last two cinnamon rolls. The two ladies working the front messed up the orders of the three people in front of me, took 5 or more minutes to figure that out. They take at least two large groups of people behind me to the next register for drink only purchases.
I finally get to the front to check out and there was no apology for the wait and mess. Then it was going to be a 10 minute wait for my coffee. So I told them nevermind, that was too long. Waited 30 minutes total and walked out with nothing but a bad experience.

Please put a sign or something outside that can be updated as you sell out. Not sure I’ll be giving this place another chance.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

I adore this place so much I'd go here so much more often if it was in my area I really wish I had the recipe for their banana creme latte it's so good

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chocolate Emoji, Curry Bread

They open 8-4 Tuesday to Sunday. We came on a Saturday at 8:20 and the line was a few doors down past the barber shop in front of Lazy Bird. Took 30 mins to get to the front and out at 9. Once you’re in, it’s fast.

If you want to get drinks only or get drinks while you’re waiting in line, there’s a separate door to the left (the exit). It’s so much faster than the bread line.

You can also place orders on line and pick up to save time.

We scoped out the menu while we were in line and knew what we wanted. I ended up with the list below:

*6 Spicy curry pan
2 Cookie and sea salt butter roll
*3 French toast
2 Chocolate croissants
Bacon jalapeño croissant
Turkey cheese croissant
*Honey fromage pizza
Matcha rose latte
Yuzu lemonade
Caned strawberry milk
=$98!

Flour is imported from Japan, breads are baked fresh daily and they sell out. No preservatives or additives.

For some reason at this place, I only like their savory pastries. I usually get red bean salt and butter at other Japanese bakeries but didn’t have it here. The exterior on the cookie sea salt roll was not brushed with a buttery glazed for a sweet and salty taste, it was bland and then the cookie was sweet.

Spicy curry pan was the best. Had great filling ratio and the panko crusted bread was soft. Everything savory, we liked which is total opposite of what I normally like.

I expected more from the matcha latte like a better quality on the matcha. The yuzu lemonade was refreshing.

I would come back for more spicy curry pan and try the banana matcha latte. Banana seems to be trending and I didn’t see this option on line or on the menu until after I ordered when a small poster was next to the cashier.

Parking in this area is limited along the streets. There are also parking structures nearby.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The BEST matcha! Also all the staff were really lovely

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Aaron was incredibly helpful in curating a variety of options. Overall environment and baked goods tasted delicious. Would come again

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Love getting a curry pan here or a great coffee. Just wish they had more inviting outdoor seating. Usually just pick up and go. Very friendly and efficient

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Adorable Bakery with Amazing Pastries and Drinks!

This Japanese-style bakery is an absolute gem! From the moment you walk in, you’ll be greeted with the cutest pastries, like the chocolate emoji buns and more. I highly recommend the curry bun and the salt butter pastry—they are simply delicious! My wife had the matcha taro latte and said it’s a must-try for anyone visiting.

The outdoor patio is a great spot to enjoy your food and drinks, providing a cozy atmosphere to relax in. This place is a perfect stop for anyone looking for high-quality, tasty pastries with a charming vibe. Can’t wait to come back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spicy Curry Pan, Salt & Butter Roll, Curry Bread