Yewon Rice Bakery

For California residents seeking unique, authentic, and high-quality baked goods, Yewon Rice Bakery in Santa Clara, CA, offers a distinct and delightful culinary experience. Unlike typical Western-style bakeries, Yewon specializes exclusively in Korean rice cakes, or tteok (pronounced dduk or ddok). This focus makes them a cherished local institution for those looking for traditional Korean desserts, celebration foods, and snacks made from rice flour.

The bakery is a specialty destination, known for its dedication to the craft of making tteok. The products are not only delicious but also deeply rooted in Korean cultural traditions, often used for major holidays, special events, and gifting. Customers frequently note the shop’s authenticity and the care put into each product, setting it apart in the vibrant Santa Clara Koreatown area. This local business is run by what customers describe as a "caring couple," adding a personal touch to the professional service.

It is important for new customers to understand that the primary focus is on rice cakes, which translates to a different shopping and product experience compared to a conventional bread and pastry shop. Their menu features a variety of traditional rice cake types, including different kinds of seolgi (steamed rice cake) and injeolmi (sweet rice cake dusted with powder). While the products are widely praised for their quality and taste—with many calling them "delicious" and "top-notch"—customers should be aware that the pricing structure is geared towards quality and traditional preparation, and they may find large-volume, low-cost options elsewhere. The distinct nature of their product—the rice cake—positions them as a specialty shop for celebratory or gourmet treats rather than a mass-market bakery.

Yewon Rice Bakery is conveniently located in the Santa Clara area, an accessible spot for many living in or traveling through the Silicon Valley region of California.

The physical address is: 1591 Pomeroy Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA.

Being situated in a commercially active part of Santa Clara, the bakery is easy to reach. The business demonstrates a clear commitment to accessibility, which is appreciated by local patrons.

• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The premises feature a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring that all community members can easily enter and exit the establishment.
• Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot: Dedicated wheelchair accessible parking is available, adding to the convenience for customers with mobility needs.

A key note for potential visitors, based on public customer feedback, is the shift in retail operations. While the shop is at this address, some long-time customers mention that direct over-the-counter sales from the shop itself may not be the current business model. Instead, customers often find the products available for purchase at local Korean markets nearby, such as the Hankook Market down the road. It is highly recommended to call ahead before a visit to confirm current in-store pickup options or direct sales availability.

As a specialty bakery, Yewon Rice Bakery focuses its services on providing high-quality rice cakes, primarily geared toward special events, gifting, and pre-orders.

• Takeout Service: The primary service option available is Takeout, allowing customers to pick up their orders to enjoy at home or at an event.
• Specialty and Custom Orders: The bakery excels at creating custom rice cakes for significant events. Their online catalog showcases products perfect for traditional Korean celebrations, such as Baekseolgi (steamed white rice cake) used for a baby's first birthday (cheot-dol), which are available with a minimum order size and are often individually packaged.
• Gifting and Ceremony Sets: They offer gift boxes (dapryeyong), which often include various types of rice cakes like Kong Seolgi and Injeolmi, making them a popular choice for corporate gifts, wedding favors, or to thank party guests.
• Wholesale/Retail Partnerships: Based on customer comments, it is understood that the bakery also supplies its products to local markets in the Santa Clara Koreatown area, offering an alternative channel for customers to purchase their rice cakes outside of a direct shop visit.

The distinct features of Yewon Rice Bakery are rooted in the authentic Korean products they craft, which have become favorites among the California community.

• Authentic Korean Rice Cakes (Tteok): The shop’s dedication to traditional recipes and ingredients is its defining feature. They offer a comprehensive selection that covers the spectrum of Korean rice cake styles.
• Excellent Injeolmi (Sweet Rice Cake): A consistent customer favorite is their Injeolmi, especially the Mugwort Injeolmi (Ssuk Injeolmi). This particular item is frequently highlighted in reviews for its beautiful appearance and excellent flavor, often recommended as a great gift option.
• Specialty Rice Cake Varieties: Their menu features unique and traditional items such as Black Sweet Rice Dduk (Heukmi Mo-deum-baegi), Sesame Injeolmi (Heuk-imja Injeolmi), and Gungjung Yaksik (a sweet rice concoction with nuts and dried fruits), showcasing a commitment to traditional Korean confectionery.
• Celebration Rice Cakes (Tteok-Cake): Yewon specializes in beautiful rice cake "cakes," which serve as a gluten-free and traditional alternative to conventional birthday cakes. Examples include the Pumpkin Rice Cake and multi-tiered rice cakes for major ceremonies.
• Caring Ownership: Customers often praise the caring couple who run the shop, noting that their personal attention and pride in their work contribute to the high quality and authentic experience.

To place an order, inquire about custom rice cakes, or check on current availability for your next event in Santa Clara, CA, you can use the following information:

• Address: 1591 Pomeroy Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
• Phone: (408) 248-1505 (or +1 408-248-1505 for mobile use)

Given the specialty nature of the bakery and the possibility that direct in-store sales may be limited, it is highly recommended that customers use the provided phone number to confirm their order, check on current stock, or discuss custom requirements before traveling to the address.

For California residents, particularly those in the Santa Clara and wider Bay Area, choosing Yewon Rice Bakery is a choice for unparalleled authenticity and quality in a specialized category.

This bakery is uniquely positioned as the premier source for authentic Korean rice cakes in the area. If you are hosting a traditional Korean event, a birthday, a baby's first birthday, or any celebration where a cultural touch is desired, Yewon is an indispensable resource. Their specialization ensures that the quality and adherence to traditional recipes are exceptional. The high praise for their mugwort injeolmi and the beautiful presentation of their celebration cakes are reasons enough to choose them over a general bakery. The products are also naturally gluten-free due to the use of rice flour, which is a desirable feature for many contemporary diets in California.

The dedication of the ownership to their craft and the community contributes to an overall positive experience that you won't find at large, commercial operations. While some customers note that their products might not be the lowest priced, the value is in the premium ingredients, the careful, traditional preparation, and the overall superior quality, making their rice cakes perfect for when you need a gift or a centerpiece dessert that is both beautiful and delicious. By choosing Yewon Rice Bakery, you are supporting a dedicated local business that brings a genuine, traditional taste of Korea to the Santa Clara Koreatown community.

Yewon Rice Bakery

1591 Pomeroy Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA