Meet Arisa Meneses | Founder & Baker of Saboriendo Bakery

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arisa Meneses and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arisa, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I originally started baking bread just for myself, but over time, it became something I wanted to share with others.

I was born and raised in Nagoya, Japan, where I spent a lot of time baking with my mother. About two years ago, I moved to the United States after marrying my husband. After the move, I deeply missed those moments we shared in the kitchen, so I began baking again as a way to reconnect with that feeling. Whenever I felt homesick, baking bread brought me a sense of calm and comfort.

At first, communicating with my husband’s family was challenging because I didn’t speak much Spanish and wasn’t sure how to express myself. However, when I shared Japanese-style bread with them, it naturally became a way to connect. Seeing people enjoy something so personal to me made me incredibly happy.

When my husband’s family encouraged me by saying, “You should sell this,” that moment became the beginning of Saboriendo Bakery.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Saboriendo Bakery is rooted in the idea of finding joy in slowing down. The name “Saboriendo” comes from a combination of sabor and riendo which can be interpreted as “enjoying with a smile”- reflecting my husband’s Mexican-American background, as well as the Japanese word sabori, which means allowing yourself to take a pause.

What sets Saboriendo Bakery apart is our focus on Japanese-style bread, made using a slow and careful fermentation process that creates soft, fluffy, and comforting bread. In addition to the bread itself, I’ve created four original melon bread characters for the bakery. I hope that when people see them, one might remind them of themselves and bring a small smile to their face.

Running a small bakery has been a journey filled with many firsts. In the beginning, I didn’t even know how to set up a tent at a farmers market. I had to learn everything from managing orders and calculating ingredient costs to thinking about my own hourly wage. While there were challenges, it never truly felt hard because of how much I love baking (except for the nights I baked all night for an early morning market, those were tough, haha). Along the way, I discovered how powerful food can be in creating connections with people.

Through my bread, I hope to offer people a moment to slow down, take a deep breath, and enjoy something comforting. This philosophy isn’t just for my customers, it’s also a reminder to myself to pause and find balance in our busy everyday lives.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d want to show them a mix of classic LA spots and places I personally love.

We’d start with a walk along Santa Monica Beach, grabbing pizza while watching the sunset, and then checking out El Gato Night Market. Another day, I’d take them to LACMA to enjoy live jazz, followed by a Mexican dinner at Los Anaya.

We’d definitely visit Griffith Observatory for the views, and on another day hike the Hollywood Sign trail, ending the day with Korean BBQ. For something more relaxed, I’d show them around Venice and Abbott Kinney stopping for coffee, shopping, and people-watching.

I’d also take them to Downtown LA to explore spots like Grand Central Market for coffee and churros, and visit The Broad. To slow things down, a day trip to Malibu would be perfect, spending time by the ocean and enjoying good food at an easy pace.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
It’s hard to pick just one person, because so many people have supported me along the way.

First and foremost, my husband, who has always believed in me and supported my business behind the scenes. My in-laws, who gave me honest feedback and helped me get started here. My mother, who taught me the joy of baking, and my father and brother, who always enjoyed eating my bread.

I’m also deeply grateful to a friend who kindly built my website from scratch, carefully listening to my ideas and requests throughout the process. My best friend in Japan continues to cheer me on from afar. And of course, I am thankful for all the customers who enjoy my bread and make it a joy for me to keep baking.

Website: https://saboriendo.web.app/

Instagram: saboriendo_bakery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565342977418&mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Other: Google map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p3gcfZk7rTC585h96?g_st=ipc