Tomo Takahashi is not done.
The founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based Jinya Holdings is known mostly for the casual-dining Jinya Ramen concept, which has grown to roughly 80 units across the country with the help of franchising. His group, however, also includes Robata Jinya, Saijo, and a recently opened upscale concept simply called Jinya.
This week, however, Takahashi went in a completely new direction.
In the LA neighborhood of Encino, the group launched Mikan Bakery & More, a fast-casual Japanese-style bakery and beverage concept named for a type of mandarin orange. That’s a nod to Takahashi’s hometown of Ehime in Japan, which is known as the country’s “Citrus Kingdom.”
With a bakery production facility on site, Mikan offers a tight menu of sweet and savory pastries, egg salad sandwiches (tamago sandos) on fluffy milk bread; shio pan (salt bread) with various fillings; cube-shaped cream-filled pastries; and cream sandwiches with fruit.
A chicken sando at Mikan Bakery. | Photo courtesy of Mikan Bakery.
But a big part of the menu are the beverages, which include hot and cold ceremonial matchas; a roasted green tea-based drink called hojicha in various flavors; fresh-pressed mikan juice and more.
Bakery-café chains with Asian influence are growing rapidly across the U.S., not the least of which is Korea-born Paris Baguette, which grew sales more than 40% last year to $651 million. Paris Baguette ended 2025 with 269 units, a more than 36% increase over the prior year.
There’s also the rapidly growing Tous Les Jours (also Korea-based), and 85 Degrees C Bakery Café out of Taiwan.
Those chains, however, tend to lean more into an Americanized format. Mikan — which has opened directly across the street from a Paris Baguette — has a more authentic vibe. Nothing is frozen and pastries and breads are baked in house daily.
@lacoffeelist Mikan Bakery in Encino🍊 new Japanese bakery cafe —mandarin orange themed— is celebrating its Grand Opening on (Fri) 7/3 ! 📍 Location: 17237 Ventura Blvd Ste c, Encino, CA 91316 Featured items (*=recommend) -orange cube* -mikan sandwich* -double chocolate cube -matcha cube -corn cream shio pan* Recommendation Level: 4.4/5 Pastry: 4.5/5 Drink: 4.2/5 Convenience: 4/5 *parking lot Customer Service: 5/5 ©️ This content is copyrighted to @lacoffeelist. 🚨 DO NOT repost without permission. #mikanbakery#japanese#bakery♬ original sound - LA Coffee List
“There are still very few places in the U.S. where guests can experience authentic Japanese bakery bread,” said Takahashi, in a statement. “Mikan Bakery & More allows me to share the experience of visiting neighborhood bakeries during my childhood, places people visit regularly, where the bread is fresh, comforting and rooted in simple traditions.”
Leading the on-site baking facility is Aya Asaumi, recruited from Japan. Joining her for the opening is Nobu Hoyo, chef and owner of Maison Nobu in Tokyo, who is hosting a three-day popup July 3-5 at Mikan. Nobu is also helping to train staff as the bakery ramps up its menu.
It remains to be seen whether there will be more Mikan locations, but Jinya Holdings is developing the brand to be multiplied.
Mikan has indoor and outdoor seating. | Photo by Lisa Jennings
How it will be multiplied remains a question. Between the bakery and the whisking of each cup of ceremonial-grade matcha, it could be too complex an operation for the typical franchisee — especially if the promise is never-frozen pastries.
Takahashi, who founded the group in 2010, has grown Jinya incredibly quickly across the U.S. and now Canada. His other brands have not been multiplied as quickly (there are two Robata Jinya locations, but otherwise they are one-offs).
Still, company officials say they are already looking for a second location for Mikan. Could this be the group’s next brand to break out?