I love when a restaurant’s atmosphere matches the food, and CA Japanese Pancakes nails it. The cafe is bright, colorful and as sweet as the fluffy stacks of pancakes they serve, with its pink decor setting the perfect mood for a delicious brunch.
Although the shop has been open for a few years, its souffle pancakes have only recently taken the Internet by storm. They offer a wide variety of flavors, from classic maple syrup to Nutella and Biscoff.
I decided to try their best seller, Red Berries & Cream. It is topped with homemade strawberry cream, fresh raspberries and homemade double cream. The pancakes were incredibly soft and melted in the mouth with a delicate taste of whipped egg whites that goes perfectly with any topping.
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The fresh raspberries were key to balancing the sweetness of the cream, but what really stood out was the double cream, which tasted like a flawless meringue with the most amazing texture. Each pile was beautifully adorned with edible flowers, perfectly matching the cafe’s vibrant decor.
My personal favorite pile was the Miso Caramel and Banana; I could eat spoonfuls of the rich caramel sauce, but I didn’t need to because the pancakes were covered in it, with extra on the side. The bananas and honey roasted peanuts added just the right amount of freshness to balance out the sweetness.
Surprisingly, these indulgent pancakes are gluten and dairy free, but the toppings are what make them really filling, so make sure you come hungry! Due to the light taste of the pancakes, they need a lot of toppings.
For something more savory, they offer unique options such as the Soufflé Royale, topped with smoked salmon, avocado and a poached egg. While tasty, this dish needed more sauce to complement the pancakes, so I’d recommend going for the sweet offerings.
Pancake prices range from £10.50 to £15 which I think offers great value for the portion sizes. They also have a variety of other brunch dishes with similar prices.
Although the pancakes were amazing, I fell in love with another item on the menu – the Ube Balabac. This hell purple drink made with Philippine purple yams, ice cream and rossi syrup is absolutely unforgettable.
At £6.50 the Ube drink is a bit of a splurge, but worth trying at least once. They also offer other unique drinks, such as a spicy chai, tiramisu latte and a ruby rose latte, made with beetroot.
If you’re looking for a unique brunch experience, CA Japanese Pancakes is the place to go. Whether it’s the fluffy pancakes or their creative drinks, it’s worth every penny.
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