TAKAGI COFFEE WEST THIRD

Japan’s Best Soufflé Pancake Specialist Takagi Coffee Just Opened in LA | Eater LA

"Opened as the first U.S. outpost of a Japan-based cafe in Beverly Grove, this shop centers its menu around fluffy soufflé pancakes, which gain their texture from whipped egg whites folded into the batter. The classic pancake is served as a stacked pair or a set of four, with a scoop of cold butter that pools into the plush top and dollops of ridged whipped cream arranged around the edge; gentle pressure from a fork can cut through the pancake without deflating the pile. There's sweetness without treading into sugary territory, allowing for a swipe of whipped cream or a drizzle of maple syrup. A set combination adds toppings like a strawberry and mixed sweet berries rendition that has whipped cream sandwiched between each layer, or a banana pancake drizzled with chocolate. Additional add-ons include a scoop of ice cream, extra butter, whipped cream, and adzuki beans. The soufflé pancakes are only available to eat on-site to preserve their light-as-air texture. Though known for pancakes, the cafe also serves savory Japanese dishes such as katsu with rice and miso soup, omurice, and chicken nanban; its wafu pasta offerings include a vegetable spaghetti with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, shiso leaves and arugula; a Neapolitan with onions, bell peppers and sausage in tomato sauce; and carbonara with eggs, cheese and bacon. The shop places equal attention on coffee, sourcing specialty beans from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ethiopia and Kenya for pour-overs (with beans from Japan to be featured soon); Okinawa-sourced tea is served hot or iced, and white lattes use the house signature bean blend. It is located at 8048 W. 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048 and is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday." - Rebecca Roland