MoMo & Coco

Melbourne’s Best Japanese Souffle Pancakes

Introduction

We don’t think that it is too controversial to opine that no one does pancakes like the Americans. Over the years that we were in NYC, we hunted down NYC’s best pancakes and the best of the best are compiled across seven volumes of pancake diaries on this dessert blog (see here). But, what about pancakes in Melbourne – can they beat NYC’s pancakes? Not really… but for those moments when you have a pancake craving, here’s a guide to the best Japanese souffle pancakes in Melbourne. Now that’s one area that Melbourne arguably does better than NYC. 😀

Kumo Souffle Pancakes

  • ☑ Dessert destination: Kumo, 198 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne CBD. 
  • ☑ Must eat flavour: Boba brulee bomb.
  • ☑ Budget: AUD$ 19.
  • ☑ Short and sweet story:  Melbourne’s best souffle pancake, and best for group dessert outings. Short story, Kumo is our favourite Japanese souffle pancake spot in Melbourne. The souffle pancakes at Kumo are airier and fluffier than your typical American stack of glutton, and they taste neither overly egg yolk-y, nor are they a blob of meringue. Instead, Kumo’s pancakes are properly sweet, but without being too sweet. However, by comparison to other souffle pancakes that we have had in NYC, and also other Melbourne versions on this list, they are not particularly bouncy or jiggly in appearance. Of all the souffle pancake places on this list, expect to line up for the pancakes at Kumo; they are very popular any day and time of the week. Dessert tip: bring a group of friends, and you can sample the full menu featuring many different pancake flavours. 😀

Keki Souffle Pancakes

  • ☑ Dessert destination: Keki, 350 La Trobe Street, Melbourne CBD.
  • ☑ Must eat flavour: Salted caramel.
  • ☑ Budget: AUD$ 16.
  • ☑ Short and sweet story: Best for ultra sweet jiggly pancakes in a cozy spot. Keki’s pancakes stand out for having the puffiest appearance. Taste wise, the pancakes err towards more meringue, whereas we prefer a heftier texture. For some therefore, it may seem “undercooked.” Of all the souffle pancakes stores on this list though, Keki possesses a calm ambience, making it a particularly ideal spot for a quiet catch up with friends or for a date night.

Fresh Air Souffle Pancakes

  • ☑ Dessert destination: Fresh Air, 1/233 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne CBD.
  • ☑ Must eat flavour: Matcha Red Bean.
  • ☑ Budget: AUD$ 19.
  • ☑ Short and sweet story:  Best for most generous toppings in a takeaway spot. If you need a quick pick-me-up dessert, rather than a sit down-and-chat dessert, visit FreshAir. The seating area at FreshAir is the most minimal of all the places on this list. With respect to the souffle pancakes, they are our second favourite in terms of texture. However, FreshAir hides the pancakes’ flavour by blanketing them with thick lashings of toppings. Depending on what topping you choose, this can mean that the pancakes can be rather sweet, or the amount of topping can somewhat overwhelm the pancakes themselves.

Adozen Adozen Souffle Pancakes

  • ☑ Dessert destination: Adozen Adozen, 188 Queensberry St, Carlton. 
  • ☑ Must eat flavour: Hojicha. 
  • ☑ Budget: AUD$ 19.
  • ☑ Short and sweet story: Best for least sweet souffle pancakes. Located a little north of the CBD, Adozen makes for a pleasant introduction to the souffle pancake scene. It sits somewhere in the middle of the bouncy/taste/texture spectrum. Adozen’s souffle pancakes are not as bouncy as Keki’s, not as extravagantly layered with toppings as FreshAir’s, and not quite on par texture as Kumo’s.  They are available in predominantly traditional Japanese flavours, and are only just slightly sweet. 

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