Japong Bakery — Restaurant in Rockville

March 2023 Update We ordered a 10" Taro birthday cake for my grandma's birthday. We asked them to write a message in Chinese, which they did with purple colored frosting (not icing). The cake itself was a plain sponge cake, and the filling was taro paste. It was much tastier than Corner Bakery (though more expensive).

The service was a bit iffy when we picked up the cake. Despite arriving past our stated pickup time, the cake was not ready for pick up. The cake was done, of course, but it had not been boxed yet. Worse, they didn't know where the boxes were. We waited about 5-10 minutes for someone to find the boxes, make a box, and then box the cake. They also included a cake server

Feb 2022 We came here several times before this review. All the food tasted great, with some things they could work on. The prices are pretty average for a boutique bakery (more expensive than a supermarket) and definitely worth it. This place is pretty small but obviously very popular. The staff are friendly and bag your purchases for you (even if you bring your own bag). All the staff wear masks and there are no dividers or occupancy restrictions. They provide hand sanitizer at the door.

Most of the buns and pastries are on the shelves around the store. They are periodically restocked by the staff throughout the day, but certain favorites still go fast. If you don't see something you want on the shelves, just ask a staff member if it's available. On the shelves to the right are the breads, croissants, and cookies. They have a fridge in the front left corner with the cheesecake slices, the sliced and whole chiffon rolls, drinks, and some pastries. Behind the counter are the puff pastries, cakes/tarts, and whole cheesecakes.

I admit we first came here for the cream puffs and the matcha stuff. The cream puffs were bigger than expected but the inside filling was pretty watery/not thick enough. Either they didn't whip it enough or the storage space wasn't cold enough and the cream reverted back to liquid form. They all tasted very good though. For the matcha, the one with the most matcha flavor was the cream puff. The matcha cheesecake, chiffon cake, and normal fruit cake had very little matcha flavor. Kinda disappointing though they were very good otherwise.

All the buns and cakes were fluffy and light. Though the matcha cheesecake was too dense (maybe matcha powder is too heavy?). The regular cheesecake was awesome. The pastries with fillings had generous amounts of fillings and were pretty good. The taro and red bean paste fillings were very delicious. The donuts were not too sweet with a chewy donut texture. Note when you get a whole cheesecake, the cheesecake is wrapped in this thin cloth that keeps it moist (very important for a Japanese style cheesecake!).

For the normal (birthday) cakes, note they are all fruit cakes. So they have fruit both on top and inside the cake. They also use whipped cream frosting instead of icing, making the cakes lighter and less sweet than typical American cakes. We got a 6" matcha cake. And while the cake itself was light and fluffy, it was more fruit and whipped cream than cake. And the matcha flavor was practically nonexistent. It was still good cake, but disappointing. Note the box the cakes come in are very sturdy and I think they use one size box for all the cake sizes.

Overall, will definitely come back for some pastries, cheesecakes, and...

Easily one of the best Asian bakeries in the DMV. This delightful little Taiwanese bakery has a wide selection of buns, cakes, and other treats, and I have had it delivered from Rockville all the way to DC an embarrassing number of times. Literally every single item on their menu is phenomenal, but a few favorites include:

(1) Matcha cheesecake -- this viral Japanese cheesecake is just as jiggly, fluffy, and airy as Instagram promised it would be. I appreciate that you can opt to buy the entire cake or just a slice, and the matcha flavor is quite prominent. The cake isn't overly sweet, but the earthiness of the tea helps to cut down the sugary taste even further.

(2) Red bean bun -- you can truly never go wrong with this Asian classic, but I find Japong's especially delightful. The bread is soft and pillowy, but also quite light. It's lightly sweetened and basted with an egg wash to give the outside a beautiful glossy finish. The red bean filling is slightly sweet but rich and plentiful.

(3) Pineapple bun -- another classic pastry that's just executed perfectly. The pineapple topping is absolutely gorgeous and they've truly mastered the art of shaping butter, sugar, and flour into the most beautiful patterns. The crispy top perfectly contrasts against the soft, pillowy bread to make the...

From the moment you step into Japong Bakery, the warm aroma of freshly baked bread envelops you, promising an experience that's as delightful as it is delicious. As a family, we've found our little slice of heaven in their wide array of baked goods, but it's their Milky Butter Bread that has us coming back for more.

This isn't just bread; it's a masterpiece of soft, fluffy texture paired with a creamy, milky filling that's both comforting and indulgent. Each bite is a testament to the bakery's commitment to quality and flavor, making it my personal favorite and a must-try for anyone with a penchant for sweet treats.

But the magic doesn't stop there. Japong's Taiwanese-style breads are a culinary journey, offering a fusion of traditional techniques and innovative flavors that are sure to captivate your taste buds. Whether it's the subtle sweetness of red bean paste or the savory punch of pork floss, there's something for every palate.

In conclusion, Japong Bakery is more than just a bakery; it's a community staple that brings a piece of Taiwan to our town. Their dedication to creating authentic, mouth-watering breads is evident in every loaf, and their friendly service only enhances the experience. If you haven't tried their offerings yet, you're missing out on a truly...