In 2015 Hiro Saito opened Kirari West Bake Shop. Word spread about his delicious gluten-free creations, and Kirari West quickly vaulted to one of the top gluten-free bakeries in LA. They featured muffins, scones, bread, breakfast sandwiches, french toast, sandwiches, and salads. He recently opened Confections by Kirari West, a sweets shop featuring fresh-baked artisan cookies, gourmet ice cream, and beverages.
Saito hails from Japan. His father and brother developed the idea of preparing pastries with locally grown quality rice flour instead of using flour derived from wheat. In 2011, the family opened its first bakery in the city of Fukushima. In 2015, Saito joined the family business and named his bakery Kirari West.
When the words “gluten-free” enters the conversation, I usually ask whether they know about Kirari West, and I’ve been surprised that the answer has always been yes. I’ve received feedback that the baked goods are delicious, and Hiro Saito is quite friendly.
Inside, Confections by Kirari West looks like an ice cream shop with white marble counters with the back wall lined with light-colored tile. Unlike their flagship shop, the side wall has a beautiful mural of seagulls flying against the clouds.
I was surprised at the appearance of their cookies. Despite their size, they are not dense and not filling. The cookies are crisp and moist inside. They have unique flavor combinations such as cranberry orange and cardamom, butterscotch and white miso, matcha, and white chocolate.
To achieve gluten-free cookies, Saito uses non-GMO rice flour. He uses other quality ingredients such as free-range eggs, certified gluten-free rolled oats, and organic cane sugar.
Saito obtains his ice cream from Fosselman’s Ice Cream, a landmark shop in Alhambra. Fosselman’s is a third-generation family-owned ice cream company. I initially became familiar with Fosselman’s through their mobile food truck.
Confections by Kirari West resides in the same plaza as Kirari West and is directly behind Carl’s Jr. They soft opened last Wednesday. Saito plans to have a grand opening soon. I think they are ready from the look of things on their opening day. The staff is trained, customer service is helpful and friendly, and my sundae was beautiful and delicious.
Confections by Kirari West, 625 N Pacific Coast Highway Unit B, Redondo Beach kirariwest.com
Very interesting Bryan, I know when I hear something is Gluten-free I automatically turn up my nose and assume it tastes awful without even tasting it. Could you tell the difference? I like oatmeal cookies and the rum
raisin sounds like something I would try. Is the ice cream gluten free as well? Thanks for sharing this with us, Keep up the great work.