From starting as a Japanese bread and cake delivery business to evolving into a beloved bakery, attracting thousands of people eager to taste their handmade, additive-free Japanese bread, Happy Sky Bakery has become a must-visit bakery in West London for locals and visitors alike.
We had the pleasure of speaking with founder, Motoko McNulty, who is celebrating a remarkable 10 years of business, to discuss her incredible journey.
Background in the food industry
Motoko’s baking story began in kindergarten when her parents insisted on making everything they ate from scratch. Despite the absence of fancy home bread machines, Motoko and her family never once bought bread from a store because of its additives. Instead, they would knead and bake the bread from flour at home.
She explained that in the warmer weather, the dough was fermented on the spring balcony, and in the colder months, it nestled in their kotatsu (a heavenly heated table with a blanket and warm lamp inside, used in Japan during winter).
Later, despite pursuing a different career to baking, she explained how the birth of her child in London reignited her desire to feed her children homemade delights, leading her to revisit baking, something she hadn’t done in 17 years.
Inspiration for opening Happy Sky Bakery in Askew Village
When discussing what inspired Motoko to build Happy Sky Bakery in Askew Village she said,
“I’m drawn to independent shops that reflect the owner’s personality and passion, not chains. Askew Road, brims with unique stores and cafes that excite me. Now in its tenth year, Happy Sky cherishes the local community’s support, making breaks enjoyable with visits to nearby cafes and shops.”
The story behind the name Happy Sky Bakery?
Happy Sky Bakery was named after Motoko’s childhood memories in Japan, where she said “the simple joy of eating bread under a blue sky at the park was unmatched.”
Happy Sky Bakery menu
With a menu boasting over 50 different types of Japanese bread and pastries, including their award-winning Tokyo Milk Loaf, the selection at Happy Sky Bakery is sure to satisfy any craving.
When discussing how Motoko creates Happy Sky Bakery’s delicious and unique offerings, she said “bread is like a white canvas to me; it pairs well with anything, much like pasta does with various sauces. Hence, my eagerness to experiment with all sorts of toppings and fillings, making our menu diverse and convenient.”
Must try items on the menu
We asked Motoko what her top three choices would be on the Happy Sky Bakery menu. While it was a difficult one to decide she answered “our menu features delights like Tokyo honey toast, Chicken Katsu Sando, and Mochi matcha custard cream, each a testament to the fusion of flavours we love to share.”
Sneak peek into a new recipe
With Motoko constantly experimenting with new ideas and recipes, she gave us a glimpse into a new item that will soon be added to the menu.
When describing the new recipe she said “our bestseller, the Tokyo Milk Loaf, epitomizes the fluffy Japanese bread. Developed with a French-trained chef, it incorporates levain and undergoes a 72-hour low-temperature fermentation, enhancing its fluffiness. I’m excited for everyone to try it.”
What sets Happy Sky Bakery apart?
In a city teeming with bakeries, Motoko explains how Happy Sky Bakery stands out from the rest. She explains that Happy Sky Bakery’s “unique point lies in its dedication to additive-free, child-safe, handmade Japanese bread”.
No unnecessary preservatives
When you examine the packaging of bread, you may come across unfamiliar ingredients such as antioxidants, pH control chemicals, preservatives, and food emulsifiers. These ingredients are all added to enhance the efficiency and shelf life of the product.
With a focus on creating high-quality Japanese bread and pastries without adding these unnecessary preservatives, Motoko’s team of highly skilled bakers handcraft each product daily in-store using flour, eggs, milk, butter, and yeast. Other materials, such as red bean paste or custard cream, are also homemade using carefully picked ingredients.
To ensure their products are high quality, depending on the weather and temperature, the team often have to adjust their production process where necessary to ensure their products are high quality.
Benefits of living in Shepherd’s Bush
Motoko moved from Tokyo to London, and since moving has called West London, specifically Ealing, home ever since.
Having set up Happy Sky Bakery in beloved Askew Village we were intrigued to know what she thinks the benefits of living in Shepherd’s Bush are. She expressed that Shepherd’s Bush “is a melting pot of cultures, home to people from all corners of the world. This blend of diverse food cultures, languages, and traditions makes it a captivating spot for visitors. It’s the mutual respect and enjoyment of each other’s cultures among the wonderful people here that has allowed our Japanese bakery, Happy Sky, to carve out its own space. We’re always grateful for everyone’s support.”
Expanding Happy Sky Bakery
With Happy Sky Bakery having become a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike, we wanted to know if she had any further plans for the business.
Motoko said “Absolutely! I’ve just had a meeting with our interior designer. Eating, to me, is not just about nourishing your body; it’s entertainment, a joy that I hope everyone feels when they step into our bakery. Stay tuned for our new shop – it’s all about bringing you joy and health in every bite.”
