“What is Japonaise?”
Self-taught pastry chef and owner, Hiroko Sakan, describes it as French pastries with a Japanese twist. The bakery traces its history back more than 25 years to 1983, when she suddenly became a single parent with three young children. Although going back to Japan would have been the easier choice, she decided to stay in the US, believing that life here would be better for her children’s future.
Traditionally, American sweets that were always too heavy and full of sugar never succeeded to satisfy her sweet tooth. Motivated to open people’s eyes to a “new” type of bakery, she opened her first store in Newton Center in 1985. With her otherworldly palate, meticulous attention to detail, and sheer determination, she has now expanded Japonaise from a single “hole in the wall” establishment to three current locations, two in Brookline and one in Porter Square. Along the way, she has received numerous awards and write-ups, not only in Boston, but also in Japan.
My name is Takeo Sakan, and I am proud to call Hiroko Sakan my mother. We work together now and are trying to raise Japonaise to the next level. Quality always takes precedence over quantity; like my mother always says: “if I won’t eat it myself, I won’t sell it!” Making everything from scratch, by hand and with top-of-the-line ingredients, we believe we have something special in our hands.
Come see what makes Japonaise stand out from the rest, and we hope to see you soon!
Japonaise Bakery & Cafe
Hiroko
Takeo Sakan
1020 Beacon St.
Brookline MA
02446
617-566-7730
japonaisebakery.com
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