Reviews of Third Culture Bakery (Bakery)

Amy Mar

Tiny spot with a decent line, but the mochi treats are worth it! Got a selection of donuts and a limited ed. mochi waffle that was to die for! Street parking is plentiful since in an industrial part of town.

Scott Judkins

Best of Berkeley! A top of every foodies wet dream. I appreciate the flavors that have been adopted through the owners travels all over the world.

Gillian Kim

Interesting texture. Mix of the chewiness of mochi but with a little bit of donut. Delicious.

Chelsea Holladay

I have always loved their mochi muffin and could only find it at speciality coffee & matcha shops. I grew up eating mochi all the time so this is a real pleasure. Now that I’ve been to their bakery, my mochi addiction can be fulfilled. They have really interesting flavors. I tried the Vietnamese coffee donut. Didn’t taste too much like coffee, but still loved it. I’m excited to try more. I also got the iced sparkling passion fruit matcha tea (bomb & refreshing)!

Melissa Stanley

Industrial bakery spot. Open, cemented seatings outside to be enjoyed with freshly baked donuts, custard cakes and refreshing match tea latte with honey for the win! I adore the ube custard cake inside and it has a nice top crisp flavor! Matcha latte with honey complimented the cake entirely. They ran out of churro cake and donut flavor, which I was looking forward on trying. Thai tea and sesame are other flavors that are unique. Mochi passion fruit mango was a sweet win. Cheers.

Rodi Torres-Gavosto

There needs to be one of these in every major city. Every baked good they produce is phenomenal.

Maryclare McCauley

Super duper delicious mochi muffins!!!!!!

David Ho

Mochi Donuts are the best!

Ivy Salim

Really good textures and flavors for donuts, the muffins were tad too moist.

Shaylene Tarvyd Mac Donald

Amazing matcha tea lattes! They have traditional and roasted matcha options.

Shelby De Mello

Love visiting on Fridays to try all of the new mochi donut varieties! The Lychee Cold Brew is fantastic.

Maria Smith

They serve donuts, custard muffins, and waffles- all are delicious. We ordered almost every flavor of muffins: churro (my fav), ube, matcha, Thai tea, etc. They are not too sweet, just right. They only had 2 donut flavors available at the time we arrived- raspberry and chocolate. Their waffles are crazy- beautiful and yummy! We ate the one with blueberries and bananas. Bananas was my favorite. The handmade drinks were not good-looking tasted like sand paper and grass, but maybe they were suppose to taste like that. Way too healthy for us. We're coming back for the pastries.

Julie Morgan

Excellent! For Mochi lovers, it's time to celebrate, and for newbies to Mochi, what are you waiting for?!

Brad Johnson

The matcha custard pastries are to odie for!

Ken Curry

Succulent Waffel is amazing

Christine Doan

Enjoyed the original mochi muffin. Love the simple yet unique taste & the texture. The mochi donuts are good too, but more on the sweeter side. They also have a drink menu. I tried their Matcha Latte with soy milk. It was refreshing with pure matcha taste, lightly sweetened. Will be back soon to try their custard muffins.

Lisa Fujihara

Cute little place!

AL Olsson

The people were nice and the donuts were good

Curt Hampton

So these Mochi Donuts and Mochi Muffins....some of the best and most creative pastry I’ve ever had. Seems like such a simple pastry yet it’s so unique, comforting, satisfying, and just good. I so appreciate tasting these. I’m visiting from Dallas and totally taking two dozen muffins home with me to share.

Flynn May

I love the brulee waffle and I didn't think I could love anything more than their Matcha muffin.

Itamar Rogel

Delicious! Don’t miss the waffle.

Toots78

I had the pistachio muffin and the honey saffron donut. Both were good and I knew to expect the chewier texture, it’s just not for me ... went around the corner and got a chocolate pistachio croissant from Noisette and felt better about that.

Matt Lingerfelt

The mochi donuts are so good. A well balanced taste and consistency. Not overly sweet, but just right! Will definitely be back to try all the flavors! Also try the sparklers (drinks), they are bright and refreshing!

Jeffrey He

Large selection of mochi donuts. Was quite yummy. Small space. Outside seating on benches only.

Jim Campbell

Third Culture makes me so happy every time I go... which is more often than I will admit! The mochi muffin is rightly famous but I love everything here. If you like matcha, the iced ceremonial matcha with sparkling water is quite different but it has totally grown on me.

alan 777

I get the concept but way too sweet for my taste.

Rashida T.

If you love Mochi, this is the bake shop for you. They have some of the yummiest mochi donuts and muffins, like Uber, Thai tea, mochi, churro, matcha, and many more.

James Kirby

Third Culture Bakery is the new name for Sam’s Patisserie. It's located inside Catahoula on Fourth Street in Berkeley. So, if you stop by Catahoula you’ll probably find a selection of items available from Sam’s. This week, there were a good number of Hawaiian mochi muffins (which I’ve had before – they are excellent) and scones. I tried a scone ($3.50) – I think it was made with corn, basil, and manchego cheese – and it was so good that I bought and consumed a second one straight after I finished the first! You may also find Sam's baked goods at various places around the bay such as the 1951 Coffee Shop. He describes his baking style as classical French with a tropical Indonesian influence. I’m also giving Third Culture Bakery 5/5 “green stars” for social and environmental responsibility. Sam bakes with organic (and pasture-raised) dairy, eggs, flour, and fruits whenever possible. He tends to use good local seasonal ingredients from sustainably-minded suppliers, e.g. fruit from Frog Hollow farm combined with flour from Central Milling. His host, Catahoula, is also worth supporting if you want a good coffee drink made with organic milk to go with your pastry. Catahoula purchases renewable energy from Deep Green, who generate solar and wind energy to local businesses (and plan to build the Bay Area’s largest publicly-owned solar project in Richmond next year).

Hector Mujica

Mochi buns and matcha. What could be better?

Tim Chen

The donuts and muffins are different than your normal donut or muffin. These mochi donuts and muffins are more dense and chewy. Expect to pay about $5 for the muffin and just over $3 for each donut. They were okay in my opinion. I think I was expecting the same consistency as the mochi donut you'd get from mister donut in Japan.

Alexander Chuong

Home of the famous original Mochi Muffins! I love this place. The owners are super friendly and also the nicest people! Everything is yummy, but my favorite is always going to be the original mochi muffin. It's so amazing!!

Chi K. Le

Best pastries! Try them!:)

Matt Dancer

Amazing bakery! Everything is so unique and delicious.

J Foster

Everyone loved the donuts.

Chris Tokarski

The best bakery. Their mochi muffins and donuts are unforgettable.

Jazz Baruela

After seeing Third Culture pop up on my social feed for a week I asked myself what this hype was all about. Then my friend wanted to try this place and this was my sign to give Third Culture a shot. Third Culture is located in West Berkeley in the middle of businesses where there's places to eat sprinkled in between. You really cannot miss it due to its bright pink curtains and of course signage that splays its name. For this moment and time driving up I decided I was going to go big because I rarely was in West Berkeley anyways. I ordered an ube muffin, Thai tea muffin, and a matcha latte. . . Yes I did not order any donuts!! Yes I did regret it! The muffins weren't as wonderful as I was hoping they would be, dense and the flavors stood out. As for the texture, it didn't sit well with me, at least for the outside. The matcha latte itself was more milk with a splash of matcha and I actually was forgotten. The person ended up putting my cup on top of a machine and the person who was making the lattes didn't see it and left. When someone else ordered a drink and they were served that's when I had to point out my order. The barista apologized, made it quickly and gave it to me. It wasn't that great to see them not actually eyeing it to make sure it's being made properly. . . unless that was making it properly. Fortunately despite the disappointment with the muffins and latte I had a chance to take a bite of my friend's mochi donuts. OMG!! Everything changed after that. It was worth it!!! I went back in and ordered more donuts, ube and passion fruit. The texture was dense and it was the perfect amount of chew. Pandan (green with coconut flakes) - The sweetest of them all, great but too sweet Black Sesame - My favorite of all of them, light in black sesame flavor but it balanced well with the mocha Matcha - A little bit sweeter than the Black Sesame and I was over matcha by then. Matcha is matcha. Ube - Pretty sweet but not as sweet as Pandan. It felt as though I was eating a Filipino dessert. I say this is something you defniitely need to try once Passion Fruit - This took me by surprise. I had a feeling I wasn't going to like it because it was going to be tart, which it was, but this was such a great balance with the light sweetness of the mochi. Since then I have went there one more time and tried Blueberry Lemon - Like the passion fruit and oh so delicious Chocolate - Ahhhhh no, weird combo of chocolate and mochi Third Culture Bakery, despite having to try everything the mochi donuts are the real winners. Leave the drinks and the muffins behind, take the donuts. TLDR; THE MOCHI DONUTS ARE WORTH THE HYPE!!!

Blake Balmer

What an amazing place. Every flavor of mochi muffin and donut are incredible! Sam and Wenter are both wonderful people with a great mission. Come get a Golden Yogi drink, a mix of matcha and turmeric, so delicious!

Peishih Liang

Very special place. The muffins and donuts are just delicious, my husband loves the matcha drinks too. Always a good variety of flavors, guava, pistachio saffron, passion fruit, black sesame, etc. The desserts stay fresh for a while too if they are not eaten right away. Really enjoy coming here for a quick stop.

D I

I would give 6 stars out of 5 for the pastries! They have super cool flavors, and the texture is absolutely incredible. They also make drinks with ceremonial matcha. Everything is very aesthetic. Unfortunately, this is just a pick up place, not a café where you can sit. And the location is far from everything. Also, I’m not a big fan of their matcha-sparkling water drink combination.

Chloe Stapleton-Gray

My favorite bakery! The matcha custard cake and vietnamese coffee donut are my favorite things to get there, as well as any matcha drink. My family and I have been going since before it was even Third Culture Bakery, it was Sam's Patisserie, and we love supporting this business!

Seth Currie-Rose

Worth it!!!

Jason Lau

The famous mochi donut and muffin! Compared to other mochi baked goods I’ve had, these are a bit denser, stickier, and flavorful. I love the muffin, and the donuts are good but can be a little too sweet depending on the flavor.

Kathrina Verzosa

Third Culture has creative muffins and donuts with unexpected flavors like Vietnamese Coffee, Yuzu Lemon, Black Sesame, Matcha, Ube Coconut and Jasmine Milk Tea. They just celebrated their 2nd anniversary and it was festive. About 150 waiting patiently in line while enjoying samples of muffins and donuts. Nice owners, too.

Dave Rawks

Super tasty treats. Don't miss the passion fruit donut with cacao nibs or the iced matcha lattes.

Devesh Radhakrishnan

If you're ever in the mood for creative and unique desserts, check out Berkeley's Third Culture Bakery. So many amazing flavors to try from! They're also home to the original mochi muffin. Their seasonal specialities make you want to visit again and again. Great donuts, great waffles, and now they've added some drinks to their menu too.

Yvette Ngo Vo

Good but just way too sweet. They need to tone it down on the sugar. I ate half a donut and my stomach was hurting after!

Debra Montgomery

Buy twice as much as you need... They are so good they won't all make it home. Great idea beautifully executed.

MC Herrera

O M G!! These custard pastries are the bomb!! Glad we are able to get some from Academic Coffee here is San Jose. I would probably go to Berkeley to pick some up if they didn't have it here. My favorite is the Churro!!

Yi Ren

The mango and passion fruit donuts are so good!

Nancy Willis

I love Sammi's mochi muffins (they are gluten free if you care) and I especially like the savory scones, too. I've turned a few friends on to Sammi's baked goods and they've all liked his products. Go. Try something! Yum.

Jessica Chambers

Delicious Mochi yums! Line can be overwhelming and wait time is generally long, but it's worth it!

Anand Sagar

Short wait times and unique food that's really good

A. F.M.

Creative way to make donuts with Mochi! So yummy!

Tu Lam

Small donut show that specializes in mochi donuts. The donut and cakes have a slightly chewier and dense texture. It's much sweeter glaze compared to a regular donut. They had a mochi waffle on display as well but it's something you'll want to eat right away with the fresh fruit and whipped cream. The matcha latte is actually hand crafted with someone hand mixing the matcha before pouring it over ice and soy milk.

Princess

Excellent service! Very sweet ladies that work there. This bakery has amazing gluten-free options, as well as traditional treats. I've gone twice and plan on going again! :)

M S

Best iced matcha drink I've ever had. It wasn't fishy at all. Perhaps it's because we got it made with soy milk instead of regular milk? It was creamy, subtle, refreshing, smoothe, hint of grass, nutty & lovely. Not overly sweet or savory. Very well balanced. I'd go here for just that when I want to treat myself & am in the area. I enjoyed the coconut ube (subtle in sweetness), blueberry lemon (tart & sweet) and thai tea custard tart (savory thai tea). Consistency is thick & chewy but it was balanced enough in that everything wasn't powerfully, achingly sweet to off set texture of looking really rich. It was fascinating to watch the drink be made.

Traci Jewett

Mochi Donuts!! Thank GOD I don't live in the East Bay!! OUTSTANDING!!

Karl D. Fahey

The waffle with espresso cream and banana was really good. But the doughnuts are amazing I could eat daily.

Albert L.

I happen to be nearby for breakfast stop in to satisfy my sweet craving since I'll be going back home to vegas. TCB is a unique place located on a quiet street in a warehouse environment with fully functional bakery kitchen layout. Not much seating just couple of bar stools by wheelchair ramp. One counter operation does everything from display to payment. Staff are always busy sometimes the line is OTD, but it goes by quickly. TCB isn't cashless, they take exact payment if (paying in cash) otherwise you need to use plastic exception. I got original mochi muffin kept it for next day to eat before my flight since they're closed Sunday. The trick is to preheat toaster oven to 400° place inside for about eight minutes it comes out perfectly with crusty crown and toasty warm sesame smell. Believe me it work did it many times. Passion fruit mango mochi donut didn't make it home I inhale that before taking off. Wasn't overly sweet passion fruit puree have subtle taste barely invisible to detect which is good. I wish to ship a dozen out of state so my neighbors came get a taste of what bay area mochi donut is like as vegas doesn't have many choices when it comes to these asian-inspired delectable treats except for Paina Cafe. #southwestberkeley #immigrantowned #locallysourcedandimportedingredients #limiteseating #cashlessexactchangewithcash #rotatingseasonalflavor #originalmochimuffin #overtwelveflavormochidonutdisplay #premiumhandwiskmatchabeverage

Alexander B.

Hip location with tasty donuts and macha creations. Try the Lychee macha! Yummy!

Khiem Nguyen

Its good but nothing special

Pamela Fierro

Mochi muffins!

AW

My favorite is the mango passion fruit. Addicted!

Adam Bradley

First time visiting. So tasty! The person who served me was pleasant and knowledgeable, and the food and drink was amazing! The pour over coffee was slightly sweet with a very flavor, and the churro muffin was crispy, cinnamon-y, and chewy in the middle. Can't wait to try something else next time!

Nicole Hadassah

SAM AND WENTER ARE THE BEST. I've been eating their mochi muffins since Asha started carrying them a few years back and now, I am enjoying their store-front and brunch series'. Get ready to cry because feels get real with each bite. The drinks are good but of them all, the Lychee spritzer takes the cake.

Angelie Khu

Just love their stuff here! I always end up getting so much because everything is just so good. Great customer service too. There's always a long queue outside so be prepared to wait.

M VAssis

I love their sweets, they are crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside, without been too sweet. Their matcha latte is also really good, they suggest with rice milk.

Arlene Acuna

Great mochi muffins and mochi donuts!!

JINYING LU

Very like it

Ellen Colwell

Mochi Waffles!!! The best!!

Tomas Moreno

Spectacular. The mochi muffins are amazing, but don't sleep on the mochi donuts either. Just, don't tell everyone about it. The line is long enough as is.

Katina Huston

The shop was closed during posted open hours. When I knocked the workers just shake their heads and walk past. Too bad. I like their product but their retail skills bite.

Jill R

Love what Wenter & Sam do!!!

Grace Song

Yuzu lemon donut + mocha muffin and lychee fizz drink

Deborah Dodge

Mochilicious! Exotic flavors and colors and mochi chewiness. Sorry, ate 'em before I could photograph 'em.

Lida Abbate

Wonderful, unique, and tasty donuts and muffins. Friendly and sweet staff. Their story was in the San Francisco Chronicle and it was so relatable. Love this place.