tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post5880565839387427621..comments2024-03-02T00:35:37.844-08:00Comments on Exile Kiss: The End of an Era - The Airy, Pillowy, Handmade Japanese Sweets of Sakura-yaExile Kisshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-28327135107186770612010-02-03T21:13:19.079-08:002010-02-03T21:13:19.079-08:00Hi k.dee,
Thanks for your report back. I'm *s...Hi k.dee,<br /><br />Thanks for your report back. I'm *so* happy that you enjoyed Sakura-ya's legendary White Mochi. :) Isn't it just absolutely delicious? That reminds me that I have to go back soon... :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-85158338992055521352010-02-03T14:54:48.813-08:002010-02-03T14:54:48.813-08:00Hi! I work just a couple miles south on Western. I...Hi! I work just a couple miles south on Western. I often drive up the street heading for Pacific Square, and whenever I saw Sakura-ya, I would wonder what the store, and "manju," was about (I'm not of Japanese descent). Thanks to the old-school storefront would even wonder whether it was actually still in business despite the OPEN sign in the window.<br /><br />Anyway, after stumbling upon your post, I was really intrigued. I have had mochi (store-bought) before, so I tried their white mochi after reading your review of it. I just assumed you were exaggerating for effect ... but your description is DEAD-FREAKIN'-ON!!! <br /><br />Thank you for such a beautiful AND accurate review. :-) <br /><br />BTW, each item apparently costs $1.05 now. Not that it suddenly because overpriced or anything!k.deenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-16434158843449720172009-06-28T07:52:38.125-07:002009-06-28T07:52:38.125-07:00Hi Anon,
Thanks for your comments. Yah, Sakura-ya...Hi Anon,<br /><br />Thanks for your comments. Yah, Sakura-ya is a small, unassuming shop and its location in a quieter, slower part of town doesn't help. I hope you enjoy the visit; please let me know how it goes. :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-15221473418863476032009-06-27T13:06:32.223-07:002009-06-27T13:06:32.223-07:00Wow, I've travelled to Japan for several times...Wow, I've travelled to Japan for several times...always trying traditonal sweets, esp. manju and mochi, not ever knowing that there's a place in the South Bay (where I grew up) that actually handmades such delectable sweets. I definitely need to go to Sakura-ya for a visit. <br /><br />Thank you for this important post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-70074098840542027142009-06-04T13:16:33.573-07:002009-06-04T13:16:33.573-07:00Hi justJENN,
That's good to know. Thanks for ...Hi justJENN,<br /><br />That's good to know. Thanks for broaching the subject with them. Talking with Yuki-san (and seeing the elderly appearance) I feared it would be much sooner than that. I'm glad to hear they're willing to work past normal U.S. retirement age for the love of the kashiya! It's still unfortunate that they have no one to pass on their Mochi-making craft to. :(Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-39467458660184835582009-06-04T13:14:01.105-07:002009-06-04T13:14:01.105-07:00They are not closing for a very long time. I just ...They are not closing for a very long time. I just called them, thank goodness. He said, 'Maybe in 20 years.'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-72194766569023295792009-06-04T13:06:35.863-07:002009-06-04T13:06:35.863-07:00Hi The Food Librarian,
Thank you for sharing your...Hi The Food Librarian,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your touching story! :( I had no idea Sakura-ya touched so many people's lives. Now I wish I worked at Sakura-ya over the summers to learn more about Mochi from the Fujita brothers.Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-8627629915945147792009-06-04T13:03:40.241-07:002009-06-04T13:03:40.241-07:00Hi George,
Thanks for the info on Shuei-do. Very ...Hi George,<br /><br />Thanks for the info on Shuei-do. Very nice to know they learned their Manju making ways from Sakura-ya! :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-61042014884003492042009-06-04T13:02:04.591-07:002009-06-04T13:02:04.591-07:00Hi Gordon,
I don't know the exact date of the...Hi Gordon,<br /><br />I don't know the exact date of their closing; I felt it might be too forward on such a sad subject to ask him. But they look like older gentlemen so I think it might be sooner rather than later.<br /><br />I'm using a simple Canon, nothing special. (^_^;; Thanks!Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-16229426925972543382009-06-04T12:10:21.343-07:002009-06-04T12:10:21.343-07:00If there are typos in this comment, itis because t...If there are typos in this comment, itis because tears are streaming down my face. Oh my gosh. I worked at Sakura-ya in high school, and the Fujitas are the nicest family in the world. This pains me so. Nothing is better than Sakura-ya mochi.The Food Librarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09964596880945435097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-68317928303465644062009-06-04T10:26:33.676-07:002009-06-04T10:26:33.676-07:00OMG, first Tin Sing, now Sakura? Oh no, the best o...OMG, first Tin Sing, now Sakura? Oh no, the best of Gardena is slowly going away. I've been going to Sakura for decades. Even when I moved away from Gardena, I stopped by everytime I was in town.<br /><br />I've been to many manju shops, including Mikawaya in Pacific Square, Fugetsu-do in downtown LA and Yasukochi's in San Francisco, but none of them even come close to the flavor and most of all the delicate texture of Sakura's manju.<br /><br />Like many things in my life, knowing that it will go away soon makes me cherish and appreciate it that much more.<br /><br />One interesting side note: I found a manju place in San Jose, California called Shuei-Do that was almost as good as Sakura. When I talked to the owners, they said that they actually learned their technique from the folks at Sakura! So Sakura's legacy continues indeed!Georgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-10181780665252382502009-06-04T10:01:24.864-07:002009-06-04T10:01:24.864-07:00Do you happen to know exactly when they are closin...Do you happen to know exactly when they are closing? I want to try it before it's gone forever. btw, what kind of camera do you use to take your pictures. They are always really clear and in focus. Makes your blog one of the best imo.gordonbiershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14535521171981060794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-43627250115680250692009-06-02T19:17:36.698-07:002009-06-02T19:17:36.698-07:00Hi burumun,
I hope you make it down there before ...Hi burumun,<br /><br />I hope you make it down there before they close for good! (;_;) It's quite sad, and a loss for So Cal when they finally retire.<br /><br />Let me know your visit goes. Thanks. :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-11062690084759935472009-06-02T11:05:17.171-07:002009-06-02T11:05:17.171-07:00How sad, I hope they're not closing just yet :...How sad, I hope they're not closing just yet :< I'll make a point of coming here next time I'm in the area (which is not that rare these days, and it is partly because of your blog, Exile Kiss!)gourmetpigshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17043385325645560283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-13249459392935119132009-06-01T19:49:59.971-07:002009-06-01T19:49:59.971-07:00Hi Joann,
Thank you. :) It's definitely a bargain...Hi Joann,<br /><br />Thank you. :) It's definitely a bargain at only $1 per Handmade Mochi and Manju. I hope you like them. :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-14297663895006883882009-06-01T19:48:39.362-07:002009-06-01T19:48:39.362-07:00Thanks for the great detailed post with pictures. ...Thanks for the great detailed post with pictures. these definitely look like a bargain at $1 each!!Joannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06558395286286826371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-14824156789606609432009-06-01T12:57:29.731-07:002009-06-01T12:57:29.731-07:00Hi Pinkfoodie,
Definitely give their White Mochi ...Hi Pinkfoodie,<br /><br />Definitely give their White Mochi a try (along w/ Ohagi, Pink Mochi, Kinako Mochi and uh, a few other things :).<br /><br />Let me how the visit went! :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-26607963891278497152009-06-01T12:37:26.338-07:002009-06-01T12:37:26.338-07:00I'm sad I didn't hear about this gem sooner. The T...I'm sad I didn't hear about this gem sooner. The Tsubuan looks amazing along with everything else. I am a huge fan of Japanese sweets and will be heading over there asap. Thank you for sharing.Pink Foodiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15912629372871920575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-28643212265463336082009-06-01T11:09:40.927-07:002009-06-01T11:09:40.927-07:00Hi pink,
Let me know if you end up going! I hope ...Hi pink,<br /><br />Let me know if you end up going! I hope you enjoy it. :)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-58217477720544260022009-06-01T09:03:01.190-07:002009-06-01T09:03:01.190-07:00Exile, I have never been before! It is definitely...Exile, I have never been before! It is definitely on my must-try list. :)Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790932725913110515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-9669384132719037672009-06-01T08:43:50.208-07:002009-06-01T08:43:50.208-07:00Hi pink,
Thank you. If you've never been to Sakur...Hi pink,<br /><br />Thank you. If you've never been to Sakura-ya it's definitely worth a try. And at a measly $1 for each of their handmade Sweets, it's a bargain. (^_^)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-87623828709162772912009-06-01T08:42:20.235-07:002009-06-01T08:42:20.235-07:00Hi Keri,
Thank you for sharing your story about S...Hi Keri,<br /><br />Thank you for sharing your story about Sakura-ya. I'm touched and happy to hear about you learning a bit about the Mochi-making process from Mas and Yuki during your high school years.<br /><br />They will be missed. (;_;)Exile Kisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07510114278526493928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-52384684647114130702009-06-01T08:33:17.263-07:002009-06-01T08:33:17.263-07:00Great post! I love traditional Japanese sweets su...Great post! I love traditional Japanese sweets such as these. <br /><br />And you're right - it is rather unfortunate that these places are becoming harder and harder to find.Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790932725913110515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3432738012032826252.post-33821673118948449452009-06-01T06:58:44.434-07:002009-06-01T06:58:44.434-07:00This almost made me cry. This is hands down the m...This almost made me cry. This is hands down the most amazing place to get mochi/manju in all of southern California. I worked here during my high school years and fell in love with the process of making mochi. Mas and Yuki were so patient and taught us even how to make some (not sure if they were ever used!) It was a little family...each person who worked there was handpicked by a former worker. <br /><br />The simplicity of the mochi/manju made it the best. No frills, no fluff. Just honest to goodness delectable treats.<br /><br />I always knew that they may be the last of the line. But, to read it in writing is heartbreaking. <br /><br />Thank you for sharing this!kerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04522008438630832050noreply@blogger.com