Los Angeles is certainly not lacking in sexy coffee shops. Still, we’re excited about the latest entry to the field, Modu Cafe. The brainchild of Jiyoon Jang, one of the city’s most beloved pastry chefs, this chic shop in Highland Park has been getting rave reviews since it soft-launched on October 9.
It’s the first brick-and-mortar location for Jang, who first started baking as a hobby during the pandemic. Within a year she’d gained a devoted following on Instagram, where she posted pictures of her photogenic and increasingly inventive baked goods. Early favorites included a black sesame milk bread, and chocolate mochi brownies with brown butter.
In 2021 Jang quit her day job, landing her first baking job at Clark Street Bakery, and later serving as the executive pastry chef at MIL Bakery in Westlake. Since MIL closed, Jang’s pastries have become elusive, available only through limited preorder drops on her site.
Located on a quiet stretch of York Boulevard, Modu Cafe makes for a beautiful new showcase for Jang’s confections. Airy and bright, the minimalist space has high ceilings and custom teak woodwork from local firm Redraw Inc.
But the main draw is the pastries. Featuring some of Jang’s fan favorites, including delicate yuja madeleines and persimmon cakes in rice syrup, lines at Modu Cafe are already so long that locals are complaining about the extra traffic.
If you’re up for braving the frenzy, it’s best to get to Modu Cafe early. Pastries have routinely been selling out within a few hours. If you get there too late, console yourself with their very good Modu Latte, made with Korean black sugar.
