STAMFORD — May was a busy month for Sabrina Yang, a rising junior at the University of Connecticut.
The 19-year-old not only took — and passed — her finals but also officially opened the doors of her first business: Shiro Dessert, which offers desserts and beverages rooted in East Asian culture on Bedford Street.
Yang, a lover of fine dining who is studying business management, said the menu features Korean sponge cakes, a matcha-flavored mille crepe cake and Hong Kong bubble waffle. She said she cannot bake on site, so the cakes are delivered to the store instead.
Growing up in Fairfield County, Yang said frozen treats like ice cream seemed to dominate the dessert scene.
This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate
1of17
Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management, just opened Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks.
Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management, just opened Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less3of174of17
Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, opend last week by Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, opend last week by Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less6of177of17
Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, opend last week by Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Sabrina Yang takes an order from customer Liam Wilcox at Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, was opend last week by Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less9of1710of17
Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, opend last week by Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Sabrina Yang prepares batter for waffles at Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, was opend last week by Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less12of1713of17
Sabrina Yang makes bubble waffles as employee Monty Barnes looks on at Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, was opend last week by Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
A signature fruit tea on display at Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, opend last week by Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
Christian Abraham / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less15of1716of17
Hong Kong Bubble Waffle with ice cream on display at Shiro Desserts and Drinks on Bedford Street in Stamford, Conn., on Tuesday May 24, 2022. Shiro, which offers Asian-inspired desserts and tea drinks, opend last week by Sabrina Yang, a student at UConn Stamford majoring in business management.
“I just wanted to bring more dessert to Stamford,” Yang said.
She was also interested in making drinks. At Shiro, she said customers will find beverages “very similar (to) what you’d find at a regular bubble tea store.”
There are fruit and milk teas as well as lattes, sparkling ades and yakult drinks. Patrons can pick sugar and ice levels for their drink of choice.
Yang said she came up with the initial idea for Shiro about a year and a half ago.
“It did take us a long time to open. There were definitely so many hurdles that we had to overcome,” Yang said. “This is also my first time ever starting a business, so I definitely made plenty of mistakes.
“Thankfully, we’re here now,” she added.
She said she couldn’t have done it without help from her parents, who have “been in the restaurant industry for their whole lives.”
Her family is originally from Fujian, a Chinese province near Taiwan and Hong Kong. The foods from those areas have heavily influenced her recipes, she said.
Yang said she is still adding to Shiro’s menu. Vietnamese coffee is a new item, and Yang said she hopes to offer more gluten-free and vegan options next.
A white dog character from an anime series provided the inspiration for the eatery’s name, Yang said.
Mayor Caroline Simmons is expected to visit the store Thursday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a release from the Stamford Downtown Special Services District. The event coincides with Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Previously, Schakolad Chocolate Factory and then Pilar Artisanal Chocolate Espresso and Juice Bar occupied the space at 172 Bedford St.
This is a family favorite recipe for homemade zucchini bread. One slice and you’ll taste why! It’s made with brown sugar, pure vanilla extract, cozy cinnamon spice, and summer’s favorite vegetable. See my recipe note for turning this batter into zucchini muffins. Comes from An Award-Winning Zucchini Bread Recipe This […]
