Hanabusa Cafe

"Illness causes many people to revert to a needy, infantile state. When that happens, the best thing to do is to eat nursery food, like pancakes. But the Japanese souffle pancakes at Hanabusa are lighter and fluffier than American diner pancakes, which makes them more soothing, and they’re served covered in chilled whipped cream and custard." - Naomi Waxman, Ashok Selvam, Eater Staff

"One important question to ask before choosing an item from a breakfast menu is, “Do I want to spend $15 on something I could just as easily make at home?” Japanese souffle pancakes fall into the definitely-order-this-at-a-restaurant category because making them at home requires special equipment (pastry rings) and ingredients one might not ordinarily have on hand (cake flour, half a dozen eggs). At Hanabusa, a Toronto import in the Loop, every souffle pancake is made to order, and since souffle pancakes are what Hanabusa does best, on a busy day, one should be prepared to wait a while. But they’re worth the wait. The Earl Gray and sea salt caramel combo is a lovely combination of sweet and salty, with a slight touch of bitterness from the tea. The pancakes are warm and fluffy, and the custard is just slightly heavier, smooth and cool. The whole plate feels extremely luxurious. If you ate them in bed, you would feel like the world’s most well-cared-for invalid. But eating them out at a cafe isn’t so bad, either." - aimee.levitt

"Originally from Toronto, Hanabusa specializes in tall, fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes, served with sauces that incorporate Asian flavors such as matcha and taro. But there are also Nutella, mocha, custard, and plain old seasonal fruit." - aimee.levitt, Eater Staff

"The tall and fluffy Japanese souffle pancakes at Toronto import Hanabusa Cafe, just a block off the Mag Mile, are a reminder that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should not be neglected. Choose from an array of toppings, including custard, matcha, and fresh fruit. There’s also an extensive tea menu, yogurt drinks, and savory offerings for those who can’t stand sweets first thing in the morning." - Ashok Selvam, Naomi Waxman, aimee.levitt

"Hanabusa Cafe, a Toronto restaurant offering fluffy, jiggly Japanese souffle pancakes, has licensed its first U.S. franchise and is slated to debut in the the Loop. Ken Au, a managing partner at local mini-chain Poke Poke, plans to open the cafe in late August or early September at 29 E. Madison Street. Souffle pancakes “taste like your traditional pancake, but have a soft, fudgey-cake feel to them,” said Au, who first tried the wobbly treats with friends in Toronto last year. Chicago’s Hanabusa (“floral house” in Japanese, according to the website) will offer the same food menu as the original location, including the matcha pancake (Kyoto matcha sauce, sweet azuki bean, strawberry, blueberry, whipping cream) and the earl grey and caramel pancake (earl grey and caramel sauce, strawberry, blueberry, whipping cream). Hanabusa Cafe will also offer espresso drinks (Au hasn’t yet settled on a purveyor), including cappuccinos and flat whites, as well as hot matcha and matcha lattes. The U.S. shop will feature bubble tea, which Au said is a relative rarity in the area. Milk tea and fruit flavors like apple and watermelon will be available. The 1,200-square-foot space will strongly resemble the Toronto cafe, Au said, but he plans to update its monochromatic scheme with fresh color to create contrast. Customers will order at a counter and staff will deliver their pancakes to the table. The space is approximately 70 percent complete and contains bar stools that line the window as well as benches and tables, seating 25-30 people. Au said he also plans to add a special area for taking pictures, an especially popular pastime at Asian cafes." - Naomi Waxman