Our Japanese Pancakes Adventure

One regret that Cindy had after visiting Japan on our second trip was not trying the authentic Japanese pancake in Japan. We had both heard about it but did not think about having the breakfast treat. 

If you haven't had them before, you have to try them. The pancakes are fluffy instead of flat. And they have an airy cake-like texture. They are often referred to as 'souffle pancakes'.

In Vancouver, BC, the Fu Fu Cafe on Broadway specializes in them. I highly recommend the Matcha pancake but the Tiramisu one is scrumptious too. 

On our latest trip to Japan, we wanted to try Japanese pancakes where it all started, to compare the consistency and taste. On the first night in Yokohama, we were exploring the neighborhood and stumbled on a coffee shop that had a poster in the window. There was a stack of fluffy pancakes next to a cup of coffee. We thought since the hotel we were staying at, did not offer breakfast, we would have breakfast here and try the Japanese pancakes. Unfortunately not. When we returned the next morning, we found they had a fixed menu that did not include Japanese pancakes. Cindy asked the waitress but with her broken english, she tried to say that they do not offer this in their menu at breakfast.

One thing we found amusing was the size of the creamer. It was so cute. The coffee was good too.

Our next attempt came in Osaka. We had two days in Osaka because it was an overnight stay. On the first day, we went to the World Expo 2025 and Dontonburi. On the second day, we decided to visit Daiso and Don Quixote to pick up our Japanese goodies. From the cruise port, it was a 5 minute walk to the train station (Osakako). We would take the green train to Bentencho where we would walk 15 minutes to Don Quixote store.  

On the way to the Don Quixote store, Cindy read a street sign that mentioned Japanese pancakes so after we finished shopping, we decided to walk by to the train station that we got off and order her pancakes. The shop was small with a serving counter and a section for smoking and non-smoking customers. There wasn't a proper boundary between the two rooms so the smoke was everywhere in the shop. I remembered commenting to Cindy that I was giving up 2 years of my life eating this pancake with her. (ie. Secondhand smoke is toxic too)

After ordering the pancake, the server reached into her bar fridge like they do at Starbucks. They reheated the cake in a microwave.

I can tell you, it was not a Japanese pancake. Instead it was a sponge cake. This is a picture of Cindy having her pancake in Osaka.

It didn't live up to her expectations. 

When we arrived in Tokyo, I googled for Japanese Pancakes and found a location in Ginza. We ventured out the next day, took the train to Ginza and found the Happy Pancake location. It was not easy to find. With Google maps, we walked right past it then backtracked and followed the directions right to the door which is not clearly marked. The restaurant was upstairs but when you take the elevator up, there is a sign upstairs that tells you that you need to be in the waiting line to get in. How do you get into a waiting line? Well, you have to scan in a QR code located on a sign on the first floor and add your name to the list. Doing so, you get a number. On the screen upstairs, it displays the numbers it serves.

This is front of the restaurant on 3F. To your left is their bathroom, to the right, sliding doors lead to the restaurant.

Space is tight. I had to put my backpack underneath my chair.

You can see how the chefs work and how the fluffy pancakes were cooked. These kitchens used the best nonstick pans for pancakes. To keep up with all the orders, they use an electric griddle for Japanese pancakes. And to make them consistently, they even use a kitchen scale for fluffy baking. If it was me, I would use a Japanese pancake maker machine if one exists. 

They scoop the batter on these hot plates then they practically grill and steam them at the same time. They make the souffle pancake mix from scratch, combining the egg batter with flour and folding in the whipped egg whites. 

I had the mixed berry one.

Cindy had the mixed fruit one.

Did it live up to expectations? Yes it certainly filled us and we were happy to say that we are lucky to had tried it in Japan but we can go to Fu Fu Cafe in Vancouver for their Matcha flavored one. The mixed berry pancake was good but they didn't even have a matcha one on their menu.

If you have tried Japanese Pancakes in your town or in Japan, please leave us a comment on what you think? 

Introducing Japanese Pancakes to our Friends

After an hour wait, we finally got a table. Water is free and self-serve. I ordered the mixed berry pancakes and it was delicious.