The spark that started the pancake boom that still has people lining up
Kuroneko has loved visiting cafes since his student days, and pancakes are his favorite food. Here, we introduce the cafe that sparked the pancake boom and still has long lines, which Kuroneko loves to frequent.
When I started visiting cafes, the pancake boom hadn't arrived yet, but pancake specialty shops had already started popping up here and there. I think these shops were the base for the spread of the pancake boom.
First up is Coffee Tengoku, which opened on Roku-ku Street in Asakusa in 2005. Its pancakes are carefully baked on copper plates, and it quickly became so popular that queues formed.
The following year, in 2006, Pancake Mama Cafe VoiVoi opened in Sangenjaya. This unprecedented style of a stylish cafe specializing in pancakes was featured in many cafe books at the time, and people began to come from far and wide to eat pancakes.
Finally, Eggs 'n Things, which was founded in Hawaii in 1974, and bills, which was founded in Sydney, Australia in 1993, arrived in Japan. The pancake boom began around the time that Eggs 'n Things Harajuku opened in 2010 and bills Omotesando opened in 2012, and Harajuku and Omotesando were even called pancake meccas.
Many new pancake shops were opening around that time, but two of them, Chaka in Kitasenju, which opened in 2010, and Rainbow Pancakes in Harajuku, which opened in 2011, became extremely popular by creating pancake batter that had never been seen before.
Coffee Heaven
The shop is located on Roku-ku Street in Asakusa. The owner, Ueno Rumi, loves rakugo and other stylish comedy, and thought it would be funny to have a conversation like "I'll be waiting for you in heaven first" when meeting someone at the shop. The hotcakes are carefully baked on copper plates and are branded with the word "heaven."
Address: 1-41-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku | map
Pancake Mama Cafe VoiVoi
This pancake specialty shop is located a two-minute walk from Sangenjaya Station. Many fans return for the gentle flavor of their buttermilk pancakes, made with an original blend of wheat flour, rice flour, and other ingredients, and domestic buttermilk. In addition to the simple plain pancakes, their seasonal specials are also popular.
Address: 1-35-15 Sangenjaya, Setagaya-ku | Map
Eggs 'n Things Harajuku store
This is the first overseas location of this popular Hawaiian restaurant. The pancakes are topped with the familiar whipped cream. When you see the generous amount of whipped cream, you might worry about whether you can finish it all, but the light, not-too-sweet whipped cream melts in your mouth and is delicious enough to eat in no time.
Address: 4-30-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku | map
bills Omotesando
This Sydney-based all-day dining restaurant is popular for serving what is often called "the best breakfast in the world." Pancakes made with fresh ricotta cheese and meringue are topped with homemade honeycomb butter, and when enjoyed with maple syrup, the balance of sweet and salty is a blissful delight.
Address: 7F Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, 4-30-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku | map
Tea scent
This pancake specialty shop is located in a residential area of Kitasenju. It is so popular that seats fill up as soon as online reservations open. After repeated improvements, the pancakes are made with plenty of meringue, resulting in a unique fluffy and fizzy texture that melts in your mouth. The monthly limited menu is always a delightful dish, featuring seasonal fruits as the main ingredient.
Address: 31-7 Senju Kotobukicho, Adachi-ku | map
Rainbow Pancakes
Located in the Ura-Harajuku area, this pancake specialty shop is inspired by the Hawaiian rainbow. Owner Iwaki Dai started the shop with the desire to serve pancakes that would make everyone happy and enjoyable. When it first opened, its thick, fluffy pancakes were revolutionary. One bite and you'll be smiling with how delicious they are.
Address: 4-28-4 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku | Map
