Japanese Delights: Yuki Bakery

If you ask me, bakeries are the best places to go to after a hard day, especially with a friend or two. Sit down, take a long breath, and relax. A slice of cheesecake, maybe a dish of sweet, soft mousse, or even a macaron or two -- what better foods to bond over? 

I used to be a regular here back in the college days. Coming back to enjoy a couple of treats really brought back some memories, although the colours and the atmosphere of the small bakery totally changed -- they've had two renovations in the past couple of years. It's no longer the same snug, little hole-in-the-wall it used to be; they're going for a fancy, classic look, but their treats still taste exactly the same. It's like rekindling an old friendship -- warm and sweet. 

Yuki Bakery is run by the talented pastry chef Yukiko Sekiya and her husband Hank. The biggest, glaringly obvious japanese touch is the abundance of green-tea-flavoured confectioneries: scones, cheesecakes, cookies, and more. The green tea mousse (3.75$) is my favourite. This springy dessert melts in your mouth, letting the deep, fragrant tones of quality matcha bloom until you feel like you are a living, breathing tea tree. Rich, creamy, and just the right amount of sweet. When you get to the dark chocolate, the bitter hues of cocoa and green tea combine into the most delectable treat. I just can't get enough of this one. 

The mocha cake (3.95$) was okay. Decadent at first, but the rich fudgey cake was too much to bear by the end. Heavy frosting is something you expect from Yuki, and isn't always a bad thing, but this time, it missed the spot; the butter so thick that the frosting almost broke off in chunks. The peanut brittle was the best I've ever had, funny enough. 

The salty caramel cupcake (2.95$) is the best in the world, or at least, in Montreal. I'm not even joking. I really like fleur-de-sel caramel cupcakes, and it's something I always always get at cupcake places. Light eaters beware: this is a really heavy treat. The frosting is a calorie-bomb if I've ever seem one, a thick, delicious salty caramel bomb that is absolutely delightful. Worth every second. This cake doesn't need a filling, because the whole thing is the star of the show. 

Yuki Bakery still has great desserts. Sadly, their prices have gone up a bit. Most people would be reluctant to spend 2.95$ on a cupcake, after all. Nonetheless, I invite you to drop by and try some of their delightful creations.

5122 Sherbrooke Ouest
Montreal, Quebec
H4A 1T7
(514) 482-2435
http://www.yukibakery.com