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Originally published by Ching Yuen. Last updated by Celia Lee.
How do you make pancakes smile? Butter them up! International Pancake Day is once again gracing our calendars with its presence, and to honour this undeniable breakfast delight, here are our top picks of the best pancakes in Hong Kong. With fruits and cream in abundance, these stacks are flipping delicious!
Founded by Japanese fashion label Journal Standard (hence the initials), J.S. Foodies specialises in West Coast-style pancakes using flour and eggs imported from Japan. Its signature crème brûlée pancakes ($139) come in a stack of three, with a burnt sugar coating on every pancake and sides of fresh strawberries, bananas, and blueberries.
Other popular options include black tiramisu pancakes ($139) and lemon ricotta pancakes ($119) with homemade dried lemon crumbs. Don’t have much of a sweet tooth? J.S. Foodies also offers a menu of savouries, where you’ll encounter creations like tandoori chicken with pancakes ($139), and avocado and salmon pancakes ($139).
One of the best-known cafés around town, Elephant Grounds has definitely made a name for itself with its top-tier coffee and desserts. Everyone and their mother knows about the shop’s famous ice cream sandwiches, but the OG buttermilk pancakes ($105) are also a must-try when you’re hankering for a stack—if not for the fluffiness of the pancakes, then definitely for the crown of whipped cream that is almost as tall as the layers of pancakes!
You can’t go wrong with a restaurant called Brunch Club, so rest assured that all of your brunch favourites are present and accounted for. Opt for the melted Belgian chocolate and banana pancakes ($86) or caramelised banana and crushed walnut pancakes ($86) for your meal and chill out for the rest of the afternoon with your food baby.
Brunch Club, G/F, 70 Peel Street, Central | (+852) 2526 8861
You can never go wrong with the classics, and Oolaa proves that right with its three-tiered pancake stack ($165). Its truly magnificent buttermilk pancakes are topped with fresh strawberries, strawberry compote, and vanilla ice cream. Keep ‘em coming!
Who knew a milkshake and grilled cheese sandwich spot could whip up a decent stack? At No Milkshake No Life (NMNL), pancakes are made New York-style, with classic buttermilk pancakes ($68) leading the charge. Our favourite, however, has got to be the bacon buttermilk pancakes ($80), topped with caramelised banana strips, homemade syrup, and caramel popcorn. You might have to jostle for a table amongst the charming bric-a-brac and limited seats, but it’ll all be worth it when you’re wolfing down your breakfast.
No Milkshake No Life, Shop A, G/F, 31–37 Hill Road, Shek Tong Tsui | (+852) 6471 3339
You read that right—Hong Kong’s favourite American restaurant does pancakes! With the new weekend alfresco brunch, diners can gorge themselves on an indulgent selection of sweet and savoury items. A traditional American brunch is not complete without pancakes, and Dan Ryan’s buttermilk pancakes ($128) are the definition of simple but effective. Coming in a stack of three, these pancakes are thick, fluffy, and topped with maple syrup.
Dan Ryan’s Chicago Grill, G40 & G41, Lee Tung Avenue, 200 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Serving the fluffiest stacks, A Happy Pancake takes Japanese pancakes to another level. All of its pancakes are wholewheat and made with premium New Zealand manuka honey and Hokkaido whipped butter. We recommend the milk tea pancake with homemade granola ($142) for a rich start to your morning. A Happy Pancake also has a selection of savoury pancakes paired with salmon and avocado ($112), mushroom and cheese omelette ($102), or bacon and eggs ($102) to satisfy your pancake needs beyond breakfast.
Pan de Pain’s premium pancakes are made only with flour and 3.6 milk sourced from Japan. From the wide selection of classic, soufflé, and savoury pancakes, we recommend the Bolognese cheese pancake ($98), where the classic Italian sauce meets a fluffy carb base topped with cheddar cheese. Other favourites include the Uji matcha soufflé pancake ($108), which has a mellow bitterness to accommodate the lightness of the stack.
Serving up quality dishes, Brick Lane’s extensive menu includes traditional fry-ups, eggs Benedict, pub classics, and, of course, pancakes. But its pancakes are unlike any you’ve ever tasted. Served in a skillet, these creations are fluffy, light, and Instagram-worthy!
Whatever you’re craving, Brick Lane’s got you covered. From a hearty chicken skillet pancake ($108) with mushrooms and black truffle cream to vegetarian options like the Impossible Meat skillet pancake ($108) with mushrooms, Parmesan, and herbs, to a twist on the classic apple and caramel combo like the rum apple skillet pancake ($98), there’s bound to be something that can answer the grumbling call of your stomach.
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