by Tracy Lawrence

The Scene

The fragrance of rising bread and delicate pastries does not emanate from Hygge Bakery as it does from other establishments of this sort. Hygge (that’s hoo-geh) has no need to resort to such aromatic pretexts.

The clean, modern lines and high ceiling inside Hygge may assimilate it inconspicuously with the sleek residential towers in South Park. But the juxtaposition between the contemporary angles of the building and the sensuous curves of the pastries in the display case lends the space visual pizzazz.

The Savored

While Hygge looks like textbook modern Scandinavian interior design, its pastries are all decidedly traditional Danish. Owner Rasmus Lee, a Denmark native, would not have it any other way. Noticing the void in Danish bakeries in ethnic food-inundated Los Angeles and craving a taste of home, he took matters into his own hands and opened Hygge, with assistance from Henrik, Hygge’s baker and fellow Denmark native with a longer experience in Danish bakeries than I have been alive. From Henrik’s talented hands come a variety of authentic breads, pastries, and cakes gorgeous enough to make anyone’s mouth (well, mine at the very least…) water.

The kamme ($2.25) pastry, which resembles its namesake in Danish—“comb”—captured my heart on my initial visit. Almonds sprinkled across its surface lent the kamme a more substantial texture that played a satisfying counterpoint to the airy flakiness of the pastry. Continuing the theme of lightness, the pastry does not overwhelm with its sweetness.

If a richer texture and flavor are both desired, then the spandauer ($2.25) will not disappoint. Though closely related in form to the Danishes that Costco sells, it clearly plays in a different league. The golden-brown flakes and the smooth richness (but still light by American standards) of the vanilla-custard filling refresh the palate, rather than bombard it with an overly sweet, gooey mess from a commercial kitchen. Have I mentioned that Hygge does the lightness thing very well?

The kringle ($2.25/slice), the Danes’ sweet take on the pretzel, does a 180 with that motif though. Entirely indigenous to Denmark in this form, the kringle features a more subdued and substantial dough absent of aforementioned pastries’ signature flakiness. I don’t remember exactly what the filling consisted of, but notes of cinnamon come to mind.

The Drive

1106 S. Hope St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015

via hyggebakery.com

Head north (towards Downtown) on Fig. Take a right onto Pico and left onto Hope. There will be street parking along Hope and the vicinity. For those who cannot find any street parking (or drivers who are parallel parking-challenged), a garage sits directly across the street from Hygge.

To not deal with parking at all, catch the F Dash ($0.25) along USC’s perimeter on Fig and the 81 ($1.25) on Fig at Expo, Jefferson, Chano’s, and Adams and get off at 12th. Walk 2 blocks away from L.A. Live on 12th and take a left onto Hope, walking towards Downtown. Hygge will be on your right before 11th. Return on the F Dash or the 81 at Fig and 12th. The trip will take around 15-20 minutes each way. For more specific times, check out www.metro.net.

The Deal

Hygge Bakery already makes it affordable for Danish pastries to be a daily indulgence. Look for the pastry of the day for $1-2 and the “any pastry and brewed coffee” pairing for around $3. There’s even more for USC students! Just flash them a USC ID and they will happily apply a 10% discount.
Why Dash Over?: Let’s face it, you’re probably not going to Denmark anytime soon and you only have so much time left at USC. Better start eating those pastries now if you want to get to them all!