Of the pancakes from abroad leading the boom, Hawaiian style spots stand out in particular. Of those locations, Cafe Kaila won the "Best Breakfast Award" in Hawaii in 2011 and 2012. It is praised as having the most delicious breakfast in Hawaii.

When a location opened near Sky Tree in Tokyo in July of 2012, it quickly became a spot people lined up for. In order to have a more spacious shop and easier access, it moved to Omotesando, a fierce battle ground for pancake restaurants, half a year later in December.

“Kaila's Original Pancakes” (with all toppings; 2,000 yen). Girls are sure to get excited by the fruits that completely engulf these pancakes.

The menu features a variety of Hawaiian breakfast items, but the most popular item is "Kaila's Original Pancakes" with all of the toppings. The chewy batter is sweet in itself, with deliciousness you're sure to get hooked on. It complements the tartness of the fruits exquisitely. At first glance, it looks like a voluminous item, but once you start eating, you'll find it rather light. The shop's Sakagami, in charge of PR, says, "The pancakes are made without oil or butter. It's not rare to find girls who eat pancakes and eggs benedict by themselves."

The shop is still busy every day after the relocation, but around 5 PM on weekdays, there are times when the lines die down. Of course, if you want to fully experience the charm of "Cafe Kaila," we recommend lining up in the morning and sharing "Kaila's Special Eggs Benedict" (limited to 60 a day!) and pancakes in a group!

In January of 2013, "Slappy Cakes Lumine Est Shinjuku Store," a unique pancake restaurant, opened in the Shinjuku Station building, and it is getting talked about. The main store is in the state of Oregon in America, and it has enjoyed a high level of fame, including being ranked as "one of the top ten restaurants in America to visit" on a famous American TV show.

What sets this restaurant apart is that there are seats where customers can grill their own pancakes on a hot plate. What's more, there are lots of batters, ingredients, syrups, and sauces to choose from, and customers are free to mix and match.

This spot is being talked about for its style, where customers choose their batter and toppings and then grill their pancakes at their tables (the image is from the American main store).

We hear that the secret to making delicious, pretty pancakes is grilling them in a small size, about 12cm in diameter. "When putting fruits, which contain lots of water, onto the batter, the pancakes cook better if you put a little batter on top and flip the pancake," says the shop's Shinji, in charge of PR. Eating a freshly baked pancake, we found they were even softer and lighter than they looked--we could eat several. The batter itself has plenty of flavor, so deliciousness spreads through your mouth with each bite.

Most of all, grilling the pancakes together is fresh and fun. If you're with friends, you can order popular items other than pancakes, so this is particular recommended to group travelers. However, the shop is currently experiencing long lines, so make sure to leave extra time. Additionally, seats without hot plates have relatively shorter wait times, and you can get pancakes grilled to perfection by the kitchen staff.

Of course the flavor is spot-on as well, with sweetness spreading through your mouth and bringing a smile to your face. The hotcakes are cooked one by one on a copper hot plate, so the outside is crispy and the inside is fluffy. The flavor is nostalgic, but has a deliciousness that can't be reproduced at home.

The homemade chiffon cakes and scones are popular, too, and the coffee and tea are made to exacting standards. The shop has an atmosphere that is both luxurious and at-home, with a reasonable price that is also charming. Why not try this relaxing downtown cafe, with its Japanese-style pancakes?