Boston's popular Japanese bread is not as good as mine

🍞 Little L Bakery: Newton’s Japanese Bakery—A Nostalgic Nibble, but Not Quite a Revelation This Newton spot has been on my radar since my first year in Boston—back when it had a different name, a cute Shiba Inu logo, and a laid-back Japanese owner who’d often close early (I missed it so many times). Then, he retired, and the shop shut down. Cue my dramatic disappointment (I might’ve grumbled like a pig 🐷). Now, his former apprentice has revived it with a new name and logo, in the same spot—and I finally got to try it. 😊 The Bright Spot Matcha Scone: 🍵 The standout. Rich, earthy matcha flavor with a hint of ginger and fresh strawberries, baked into a crumbly, buttery scone. Pair it with a strong matcha latte, and it’s a cozy, layered treat—sweet, slightly tart, and full of tea depth. 😐 The “Meh” Matcha An Pan & Red Bean Bun: 🥖 Classic Japanese pastries, but underwhelming. They’re sweeter than traditional versions (likely to suit American tastes), with lackluster fillings: the matcha cream is mild (not bold), and the red bean paste is (bland), no depth. (Full disclosure: I think my homemade versions are better—see pics 4&5. As Su Dongpo said, “A foodie who can’t cook isn’t a real foodie,” right? 😌) Matcha Latte: ☕️ Decent, but no match for Ogawa Coffee’s version. Ogawa’s matcha lattes (and coffee) are next-level—don’t skip them if you’re nearby. ✨ Verdict It’s like running into your middle school crush: the “vibe” is familiar, but the magic’s faded a bit. The scone is good, the buns are fine, but there’s no “must-visit” urgency. For Fans: Stop by if you’re in Newton—curiosity is worth satisfying. For Others: No need to make a special trip. Budget Score: 3.5/5. Fair for the quality, but not a steal. Little L Bakery is a nice nod to its past, but it doesn’t quite live up to the years of hype. Still, that matcha scone? I’d eat it again. 📍 Little L Bakery 232 California St, Newton, MA 02458 #BostonBakery #JapanesePastry #NewtonEats