Nostalgic Hotcake

It’s right in front of Akihabara, the mecca of technology. It might seem like an unlikely location for hotcakes, but this is the place to go for the good old hotcake from your childhood. Marufuku Coffee is a long established café that opened in 1934. Many customers come out of their way to Akihabara, just for their hotcake.

Recently, pancakes have become very popular in Japan. Many pancake cafés have opened in Tokyo in the last few years. The fancy pancakes with whipped cream and lots of toppings are nice, but sometimes I just want the old fashioned simple kind that I grew up on.

Marufuku is on the 4th floor of Yodobashi Akiba (electronic store), at a little corner.

I like the cozy atmosphere of the café.

As the staff guided me into the café, I look around the room and notice the mature clientele. Everybody seems to be enjoying the peaceful teatime.

Oh? The paper towel even has the café logo. Adorable.

I ordered a glass of milk and of course, hotcake.

I even get a free scoop of ice cream as their special offer! Lucky me!

Drinking the milk, I wait patiently for my hotcake to arrive.

They make the hotcake on their special copper plate, and it takes about ten minutes till it’s ready.

You might want to note that “pancake” and “hotcake” are two different things in Japan. Pancakes are made with unsweetened batter and are topped with ice cream, whipped cream or fruits. Hotcakes on the other hand, are thick and fluffy, and are usually served just with some butter or syrup, because the batter itself is already sweet.

I’m sitting there, reminiscing how I used to always have milk with my hotcake as a child…

Aaand here it is!

This is what I’m talking about! I can never quite get it to turn out fluffy like this when I make it at home.

The ice cream looks yummy too.

Now, together with some butter and maple syrup…

Yes. So good, so nostalgic. I can barely contain my happiness!!
This is the ultimate old-fashioned hotcake, rare to find these days.

The syrup soaks in and makes it nice and sweet. It takes me back to my childhood.

I’m in love with this hotcake.

Now, together with some ice cream…

This, I didn’t get to do as a kid. It suddenly feels luxurious.

The melting ice cream looks and tastes amazing!!!

I finished the hotcake and milk entirely.

Honestly, if I didn’t know about this place, Akihabara would’ve been my last guess for a nostalgic hotcake café.

I really recommend you stop by this heartwarming little spot!

writer：Tanna♡