Instagram reels of the fluffiest, most tantalizing soufflé pancakes always find a way to sneak into your For You Page, making you wish you could have a bite. But good news—that’s a sign to click away from the “Gram” and instead run towards the (somewhat pricey) newest Japanese cafe in Irvine: Gram Cafe & Pancakes.
Following its soft launch in Culver Plaza on Dec. 30 and grand opening on Jan. 25, the cafe has been drawing eyes with its signature jiggly, fluffy stacks of pancakes, which are complemented by the aesthetically pleasing pastel interior. With marble tables surrounded by walls painted pastel pink, cyan and yellow, the design creates a welcoming environment.
Seated after a 10- to 15-minute wait, we ordered two of their soufflé pancakes: Strawberry Mascarpone (the strawberry mascarpone whipped cream on top reflecting the pastel theme with its soft pink) and Creme Brûlée (which held true to its name by being a delectable dessert). Besides their pancakes, the menu also includes savory food options, such as takoyaki and wagyu curry, as well as a wide variety of French toast.
All pancake orders have the same base: a stack of two flavored with various toppings. The Strawberry Mascarpone soufflé pancake had a delightfully fruity taste, with fresh, sweet strawberries cushioned by smooth, lightly whipped cream mixed with mascarpone.
The vanilla custard lying atop the Creme Brûlée soufflé pancake had a sweet, slightly eggy taste. We appreciated having jam served on the side, since its tangy punch cut through the richness of the custard. The crisp layer of torched sugar added an enjoyable contrast to the pancake’s fluffy texture.
Our only concern was that the pancakes were on the pricier side—$15 each. Still, the quality of the pancakes ultimately justified the cost.
Their Honeycomb Latte was not too sweet, with the slight bitterness of the coffee balancing the generous topping of crunchy honeycomb toffee. But at a price of $7.50, we felt that it was a solid drink, but not a standout like the pancakes.
So for anyone looking to make their soufflé pancake dreams come true, we highly recommend heading over to Gram Cafe & Pancakes.
You can find more information about these delicious pancakes by visiting their website, gramcafeusa.com, or their physical location at 15333 Culver Dr.
