INTERNATIONAL BAKERIES

AROUND THE WORLD TRIP WITH FIVE INTERNATIONAL BAKERIES

Story and photos by Gary Kohatsu

Too often, college students fall back on familiar standbys, which can lead to gastronomic indifference: Burger and fries? Stale and soggy. Tacos and burritos? Burp and gas. Nachos and cheese? Runaway dripping. Fried chicken and biscuits? No cluck. Beer and pizza? Wake up! Desserts? Ah, getting warm… pastries with an international flavor? YES! There is nothing like a sugar high with a cultural twist. Going international can be just what the taste buds need to send a hungry student orbiting the galaxy and back in time to wrap up a study session.

1. JBJ’s BAKERY

Students who haven’t indulged in Filipino pastries might need a lesson in dessert etiquette. A Warrior Life recommendation is to sample JBJ’s Bakery in Carson — it might be a wakeup call to the tastebuds. JBJ’s is a family-owned business that has been around for 19 years and is as small as a pie box. However, many Yelpers swear by this bakery’s pastries, including its rainbow macarons.

Address: 860 E. Carson St., Ste. 117, Carson

2. ADELITA BAKERY

Bakeries such as Panadería Nueva Adelita or Adelita for short, encompasses all of the wonderful aromas, tastes and visual colors of Mexico. This hole-in-the-wall business will fool many in its lack of ambiance. But the flavorful bolillo, pan dulce and even Mexican meals and drinks on its menu are worth the visit. Prices are reasonable and street parking is abundant.

Address: 14807 S. Western Ave., Gardena

3. KING MEDITERRANO

Technically this is a small Mediterranian-Middle Eastern restaurant, rather than a bakery. Customers might come for lunch, but will likely leave with dessert. Located in a huge strip mall, King Mediterrano gets a Yelp thumbs-up for its variety of tantalizing dishes, as well as its Baklava. Sandia cookies and other pastries are a visual delight in shape and color, sweet and crumbly at Gardena’s Adelita Bakery.

4. ALPINE VILLAGE MARKET

Alpine Village Market is still the hub of German food and products in the South Bay and its bakery is worth a visit. Consumers line up for the variety of sweet rolls, cream puffs, pretzels, cookies and cakes. The market bristles with activity and purchasing just one dessert item can be an agonizing but tantalizing experience.

Address: 833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance

5. SAKURA-YA

There is a reason why Sakura-ya has lured dessert lovers away from the downtown Little Tokyo bakeries. This tiny, confectionery shop in Gardena has remained unchanged since 1960 and that goes for the way Mas and Yuki Fujita prepare their daily treats. Fresh, ultra soft, delicious and flavorful are just some of the adjectives adoring Sakura-ya fans chant.

Address: 16134 S. Western Ave., Gardena