Sure ramen, sushi and tempura are great in Japan and are
must haves when you visit. But you know what else the Land of The Rising Sun
does well? Super fluffy pancakes!! Yes, they have taken this classic Western
breakfast staple to the next level. It also became a team Ramen Raff obsession.
The
pancake boom apparently started around when Australia’s Bill’s and
Hawaiian/U.S. restaurants like Eggs ‘n Things made a mark in Japan. Then
there’s the soufflé pancakes by Hoshino Coffee too. Following the success of
those joints, numerous pancake shops opened around the Harajuku area. Then a
new breed of soufflé pancakes popped up, which were mostly made popular by Gram
Cafe. All the shops had their different recipes and spins to it. But essentially,
the base is this airy meringue-like batter that’s cooked in flat grills.
Here’s
a round up of the best fluffy soufflé pancakes that we have tried and the shops
we have visted:
Gram
Possibly
the most famous and longest of lines out of all the pancake cafe chains. The
concept is that there are only 3 slots available for pancake sessions everyday
at every shop: 11:00am, 3pm and 6pm. Line up an hour before each session for a
ticket (you are only allowed 1 ticket max per person) come back on the allocated
time and voila, pancakes are served around 10-15mins later.
 |
| Premium pancakes |
Their
premium pancakes (¥950 for 3 pieces) is probably the closest to a soufflé-like
consistency with a texture between a soufflé and super soft marshmallow. It’s
like eating clouds if you could do so haha! The flavour is somewhat reminiscent
of marshmallow too and soft sweet meringue. Topped with butter and drizzled
with maple syrup. Super wobbly and super soft.
Tip:
If you happen to be in Kyoto, there’s a branch near Nishiki Market that has no
line at all!! Go get it!
1-9-30 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo
Opening
hours:
11am-9pm daily
and
601
Nishiuoyacho | 2F Mizuno Bldg., Kyoto 604-8142, Kyoto
Opening
hours:
11am
to 9pm daily
Elk Café
Most
Elk cafes are located in the Kansai areas like Osaka and Kyoto. Most of their
shops have a chill and homey feel. Their soufflé pancakes are probably more in
the cakey side but still quite soft and tasty.
 |
| Whipping cream and honey pancake |
 |
| Maple and whipping cream raisin nut butter pancakes |
We
tried two flavours: The whipping cream & honey (¥900 for 3 pieces) and the
Maple & Whipping cream raisin nut butter pancakes (¥1000 for 3 pieces). The
first one was more conservative and emphasises more on the pancake. We preferred
the latter in terms of the combo of sweetness from the maple and raisin and
also the buttery flavours from the nuts.
Shinsaibashi
M Mansion 1F, 1-10-28, Nishishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Opening
hours:10am to 11pm
Click
the link below for other locations:
Shiawase no Pancake (A Happy Pancake)
 |
| Happy Raff |
This
joint originated in Omotesando Aoyama, Tokyo and the same branch gets easily
packed from lunchtime onwards. Just the sound of the shop name alone puts a
smile on your face. The shop space has a dainty vibe. The system here is that
you write down your name and the number of people in your group on a sheet
provided at the entrance. Then they either let you wait or tell you when to
roughly come back.
 |
| The Happy Pancake |
 |
| Pancake with rich cheese mousse and berry sauce |
 |
| Pancake with milk tea sauce, granola and whipped cream |
We
tried three flavours: 1) The Happy Pancake which was topped with whipped
Hokkaido butter with a side of New Zealand manuka honey (¥1,100). 2) Pancake
with milk tea sauce, granola and whipped cream (¥1,350). 3) Pancake with rich
cheese mousse and berry sauce (¥1,280). They were all delicious but my
favourite was pancake with royal milktea sauce, granola and whipped cream. The
milktea sauce was almost like light butterscotch with tea notes and went well
with the buttery nutty notes of the granola.
Tip:
Go to the Dogenzaka branch in Shibuya to avoid crowds.
3/F 1-18-8 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Opening
hours:
10.30am
to 8.30pm
Click
the link below for other locations like Osaka and Kyoto:
Micasadeco & Café
Last
but not least is Micasadeco, which were hands down our ABSOLUTE favourite out
of all of the pancake places. It also has the best coffee out of all of them. I
first spotted this place through Erina aka @Eliseaki ‘s instagram post. The
place itself was quite homey and very chill. There are 2 branches: one in Osaka
and one around Harajuku/Shibuya on Cat Street.
 |
| Ricotta cheese pancakes |
Their
ricotta cheese pancakes (¥1,000) is the best pancakes I’ve had in my life to
date. Not only was it fluffy, velvety and cloud-like in texture but it also had
the sweet creamy taste of ricotta cheese. Simply topped with butter and light
icing sugar with a side of maple syrup just highlights how amazing this pancake
is. This is a MUST try!
Tip: If you are in Osaka, go visit them! The crowd at
their Osaka branch is less hectic.
Minatomachi
82 building 1F, 1-2-8, Saiwaicho, Naniwa-ku Osaka-shi, Osaka
Opening
hours:
9:00am
to 5pm (Mon to Fri)
9:00am
to 6pm (Sat & Sun)
and
2F, 6-16-5 Jingumae,
Shibuya-ku
Tokyo
Opening
hours:
11am-7pm
daily
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