Japonaise Bakery and Cafe

Smells amazing when you walk in. Everything looks good behind the counter. I got a smoothie which was great and you can’t beat the price either! Worth checking out

The Azuki Cream is good! I normally don’t like red bean but the cream that they put complements the red bean really well. The result is a very good Japanese pastry that you should try!

Service: Really friendly and helpful staff. Asked about keeping their onigiri in the fridge over night and they gave some suggestions (I usually just devour them after purchasing so saving it for tomorrow is something foreign to me…)
Food: As per other Unilocalers, the maple brown is really delicious and light. As with most Asian pastries, it tends to be less sweet and delicately light than some might be used to but tasty in its own right. We ordered:
Maple brown — my favourite so far but I’m still eating
Almond croissant — their croissant game is strong but the filling is lacking in flavour in my opinion
An pan — I believe this is a milk based bun with red bean filling. Just took a bite: soft, light, pillow like texture with a generous filling of red bean paste. Tasty!
Melon pan — reminds me of the Chinese pineapple bun but tastes pretty different. The cookie crust on top almost has a custard like taste to it. Definitely better crust to bread ratio than the Chinese bo law bao
Cappuccino — standard
Thai iced tea — a little on the sweet side :(but so very good. The gentleman behind the counter informs me that it’s made with authentic Thai tea and sweetened with condensed milk. Definitely taste the Thai tea but then again my only reference is from the one at Khao San Road in Toronto.
Two konbu and two spicy tuna onigiri for the road tomorrow.
All in all a very nice little find for us this morning. If I could make it here tomorrow before my flight, I would!

This place has been my go-​to for small and light cakes. A bit on the pricier side, but well worth it. I’ve ordered cakes multiple times, never with any issues — our favorites are the strawberry shortcake, green tea cake, and we’ll usually grab a couple extra azuki cream pastries to eat there.

Not much choice of pastries from Japonaise bakery, but the azuki cream croissant & twist donut are awesome.

I would like to give this place 5* because I have tasted various of product here.
First of all, I want to mention that most snacks here are imported from Japan, such as cookies, chocolate chips and cup noodles. These products are delicate and the tastes are also delicate.
Secondly, the bread I recommend is maple brown. The sweetness is just proper and every time I buy the bread itself is always crispy.
Last and foremost, the strawberry cakes are fantastic. Sweet strawberry slices are added between each layers in each slice of cake. The sweetness and softness of cakes are extremely outstanding.

What a gem! The only Japanese pastry shop I know of in Boston. Seems like a mom and pop type of shop. The ichigo cream (strawberry croissant) was not too sweet. I would definitely recommend the azuki cream and the apple bread pudding! Their desserts aren’t too sweet and while they appear small at first, it’s actually the perfect size for you to enjoy without the dessert becoming too overwhelming.

Glad to see a japanese bakery in boston as theres really a need for lighter pastry options in a zone where everything’s trying to put you to sleep after you eat it.
Pleaseeee get the strawberry croissants (called ichigo cream). Although not the best ive had by any means, these are so light and refreshing; croissant, cream and strawberries is just a recipe for greatness. Only thing that holds me back here is the price for everything is rather high. Like i can eat 10 of these things without thinking but at 2 $+ each i could also eat dinner with that money as well.
Besides that ive tried the green tea cake and fruit tart. Tart was rather good but green tea cake literally tasted like i was chewing air and a bit of flavorless jello.
* an i eat too much dessert protip: take your box of strawberry croissants across the street to tatte for some more bomb dessert offerings and ig photoworthy atmosphere to snap photos of your japanese snacks.

This small cobblestoned bakery in Brighton has a unique charm all its own. From the friendly staff to the baked treats, Japonaise is a shop you wouldn’t want to miss out at while in Boston.

Come here to get the azuki cream pastry! It really is so good — perfect blend of cream, flaky pastry, and red bean paste. I’ve tried some of their other cakes which were only okay. The café itself is very basic, but there is a section of Japanese snacks for those interested.

I got the green tea latte and azuki cream. They were good and if u dip the azuki cream in the latte, it tastes yummy too. I didn’t try anything else.
The place can be a little bit brighter or more inviting. It looks a little bit run down. However, the people working there were super friendly.

Back when I was in college I would literally take the C Line and stop at Saint Marys St JUST for this. The azuki creams are to die for, and I don’t even like azuki (red beans). I’ve noticed they’re sold out a lot around evening hours, which is not surprising because I’m pretty sure everyone else is in love with them… The Ichigo cream, curry donut, melon pan are also some of my favorites. I’d also recommend getting the shoku pan/​heavy cream shoku pan. I use them for sandwiches or just eat them on their own. Super soft and rich, especially the latter.
I hope the lighting of the store could be a bit more bright but otherwise I have no complaints. Best Asian bakery around!

I really love Asian bakeries and wish there were more of them in Boston (I believe this is the only Japanese bakery but I could be wrong.) Whenever I am having a bad day I can always count on the pastries here to be fresh and delicious to make me feel better! My favourite pastry is the Ichicgo (strawberry) cream, but I’m sure you can already tell to get that from all the other Unilocal reviews! I’m not sure how their prepared foods are, but I can without a doubt attest to how great their baked goods.
Some warnings if you come here: if you’re looking for a specific pastry make sure to go early as some of the items actually sell out! Also, I would definitely recommend getting your pastries to-​go as the café itself is not very large or Instagram-​worthy if that’s your thing.

Stopped by Japonaise on a Friday morning before school. I had heard wonderful things about it and couldn’t wait to try it! I had also heard to get there early in the day to avoid them running out of the more popular items. So I showed up right at 8 AM when they opened. I was the first customer. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful — they were excited to have a first time customer.
I ordered three items to try: the Azuki cream, the Ichigo cream, and an almond croissant. All three items were being freshly placed into the display case and the croissant was still warm!
My Friday foodie adventure was about to commence. First, the almond croissant — buttery, flaky, the right amount of almonds and powdered sugar. Absolutely delicious!
Next, the Azuki cream — what can be said about this that hasn’t already been said?! Cream and red bean paste in perfect sweet harmony. Out of this world!
Last, the Ichigo cream — gone too soon! The fresh strawberries, decadent cream, and flaky pastry were a delicious trio in my mouth.
Japona

I’ve been to this little bakery a couple of times, usually after getting dinner at Gyukaku or Sichuan Gourmet right next door. It is a cute little bakery located next to a grocery store. Don’t be fooled by the small, unassuming interior and appearance though — the desserts are delicious!
I highly recommend the Azuki and Ichigo creams. The Azuki cream ($ 3.50) is a delicious, crunchy pastry shell filled with a light whipped cream with a sweet red bean paste filling at the bottom. The Ichigo cream (which was sadly out of stock today) is also a standout, with strawberries and fresh whipped cream wrapped inside a pastry shell. Since they were out of the Ichigo cream, I tried the cream pan ($ 2.50). It was quite good, and consisted of sweet dough with custard cream on the inside. I didn’t like it as much as the two aforementioned creams, though.
If I lived close to this place I would come every day and just nom nom nom on the Azuki and Ichigo creams. They are the definition of happiness!

The bake goods are delicious. I think if this place want to improve their business they should get rid of the ice cream, sandwiches, and selling snacks to just focusing on bake goods and coffee. The place is small, only 2 tables are available with chairs and there is no bathroom. You have to park on the street and you can go next door to the whole foods in order to use the bathroom.
My favorite baked good is the azuki cream and the green tea cake. It took me a while to like the green tea cake, because it wasn’t as sweet as I was used to but you can eat a lot of it without being sick and its not heavy. The azuki cream is the best dessert I ever had. Inside is cream and sweet red bean, when you first bite into it the cream can get on your nose and make you look silly but wipe it away or not and continue to eat. The crème brûlée is also good, but I wish it was bigger.
Overall, my favorite dessert place in Boston at the moment. The dessert is not too sweet and you can eat a lot of it without feeling gross. Highly recommend the azuki cream.

Japonaise is one of my usual stop on my way home from work. I come here way too often, so my wallet is often sad because of that — but tummy happy.
First came here to buy my friend a birthday cake because she have been raving about it from the Unilocal pictures. Curious I also got myself a flan. I love love flan. They call it Japanese pudding though, same yumminess. Then. I discover my kryptonite: Crème brûlée. Let my friend tried my cb and she proceed to like it so much she ate all of it :’(
My obsession go so far as to have me come here almost daily trying to get it but they were always out! Why do you hurt me so! Don’t be fool, just ask them DO YOU HAVE ANY PLEASE GIVE ME (in a more civilize way, they probably have some more in the back.) Yay.
The creaminess and sweetness is literally too perfect.
My other favorite is the onigiri. Now I can make it at home and its quite ugly but I just find it very convenient to get it here: D I’ve tried all the flavor, my favorite is the spicy tuna.
Ichigo cream is pretty good too. Also adore the melon pan.
Watched as my other friend inhaled his chocolate croissant once so I’m going to bet their chocolate croissant must be very good.
The people there are usually very nice. Only sometime they have trainees that don’t really like to be helpful so it’s very sad. But I believe the owner is very nice so I will always support them.

While my wallet might think otherwise, I consider myself lucky for living within walking distance to Japonaise. Well, even if I didn’t, I don’t think distance would discourage my frequent visits.
It’s a quaint, no-​frills bakery specializing in Japanese pastries and baked goods like melon pan (melon-​flavored bread), cream puffs, and all things red-​bean. A personal favorite of mine is the azuki cream, which is the perfect combination of flaky bread, fluffy cream, and rich red bean. Their onigiri (rice balls) are another go-​to of mine since they’re great for a quick lunch while on-​the-​go between classes!
Do note that they only accept card for orders and purchases $ 8 and more. If you have Bank of America there’s an ATM nearby, but if not you can always solve the problem by ordering more!

If u like French pastries like croissants and you also like Japanese pastries and breads like their popular Azuki Cream (thanks to Ming Tsai, and he’s right… it’s ridiculous!) or the Ichigo (strawberry) Cream, Ham n Cheese Croissant (for breakfast) or the classic Japanese sandwich bread, shokupan… This is the place! I crave many of their pastries every morning. Currently, I’m really into their lemon-​blueberry scone and I don’t even like scones, generally. This one is well worth it.
If u haven’t already go check them out! 1020 Beacon Street, Brookline

Ordered my birthday cake here and I must say this is the best strawberry cake I have eaten so far. It recalls my time in Japan. The sweet is good enough but reaches a perfect balance point compare to other desserts we usually think its sweeten is too muh over.
Highly recommend to every one!!!

If Ming Tsai says the azuki cream is the best thing he’s ever eaten then you best believe I’ll be there. It took me three tries to actually get my hands on these bad boys because for the first two times they were sold out. I was greeted by a sweet Japanese lady and narrowed in on my targets: one azuki cream and one ichigo cream. In hindsight, I should’ve ordered more than one of each because I scarfed them down so quickly that I couldn’t remember eating them.
The azuki cream was my favorite. The pastry itself reminds me of a croissant — buttery and flaky — and once you break through the exterior, you instantly get a bit of cool, very lightly sweetened cream and finish with delicious red bean on the bottom. Absolute perfection.
Onto the ichigo cream. This was definitely a close second. The puff pastry has a slightly crunchy exterior and soft interior that’s filled with a delicious sweet cream and sliced strawberries. Again, delicious and had the perfect amount of sweetness.
So I’ll definitely be here every day for the rest of my life. I’ll be the little asian girl covered in powdered sugar and pastry bits, shamelessly stuffing her face with azuki and ichigo creams. Join me if you’d like, but I will not share.

Workers looked confused when I asked about the pastries. The place looks old and rundown. The lighting kinda makes it feel like old food. Bought a pastry for the sister, forgot what it’s called but it was the wild berry flavor .
They need to clean up the place because it looks run down.