Aki Bakery: their sesame seed king cake delights the taste buds of Japanese flavor enthusiasts

While some use January as a fresh start to shed the extra pounds gained over the holiday season, others keep the momentum going with the ever-popular season of King Cakes! For four weeks, enthusiasts of this January specialty traverse bakeries and renowned bakeries across the capital in search of THAT perfect King Cake that will stand out. In this delicious quest, certain cakes tend to win over more fans than others, such as the classic almond-filled King Cakes. But others are also making waves with flavors like pistachio, chocolate, or chestnut cream.

Some pastry shops go even further by showcasing more inventive flavors, especially highlighting Japanese tastes. A perfect example is Aki Boulangerie, a renowned Franco-Japanese bakery tucked away in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Famous for its melon-shaped breads, Aki Boulangerie consistently offers a special edition of King’s Cakes every January, featuring matcha, black sesame, and yuzu flavors. The year 2026 continues this delicious tradition, and loyal customers of this iconic spot on Rue Sainte-Anne can enjoy these three unique, mouthwatering galettes from January 3rd to January 31st, 2026.

Tea lovers will go for the Matcha Azuki galette, made with flaky pastry, green tea almond cream, and a homemade sweet red bean paste. For those craving a tangy twist, the yuzu-inspired frangipane galette is the way to go. As for us, we decided to sample and indulge in the Goma galette, featuring an incredibly flaky pastry, a rich frangipane, and black sesame seeds. This fusion of French and Japanese flavors takes you on a delicious journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.

• To be read
• The King's Cakes of Paris and Île-de-France 2026: The Tried-and-True Creations That Made the Cut
• The 2026 kings’ king cakes by Parisian pastry chefs: our selection of exquisite creations
• King Cake Frangipane & Almond 2026 in Paris: Our selection of traditional creations

Please note that these king cakes are priced at €28 for four people or €42 for six, making them more expensive than traditional frangipane galettes. However, their unique flavors make them well worth the splurge!

Once again this year, Aki Boulangerie teams up with ceramic artist Audrey Giacomini for its fèves. If luck is on your side, you might discover a Melon Pan fève, an Onigiri fève, an Ichigo Daifuku fève, a Sakura Mochi fève, a Dorayaki fève, or even an Ichigo Sando fève.

Note that these three kings’ cakes can be ordered via click & collect, ready for pickup at Aki Boulangerie located at 16 Sainte-Anne Street. Be sure to place your order at least 48 hours in advance.