Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes
Hoshino Coffee Shop's Matcha Pancakes

Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes

Calling all matcha lovers! Have you heard about the matcha green tea pancakes that are sold at Hoshino Coffee Shop during the summer?

Every year they make minor changes, and this year (2017) they have introduced "Uji Kintoki Soufflé Pancakes" using Uji matcha from the long-established tea shop "Uetsujien" in Uji, Kyoto.

Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes
Uji kintoki soufflé pancakes

The moist, chewy pancake batter is a perfect match for the bittersweet taste of Uji matcha, and it's insanely delicious! If you haven't tried it yet, you should definitely visit the store!

Souffle pancakes filled with matcha green tea

Uji matcha green tea is mixed into the batter and baked into fluffy soufflé pancakes, which are topped with matcha ice cream, whipped topping, adzuki beans, and shiratama (white rice balls). They are topped with matcha ice cream, whipped topping, adzuki beans, and shiratama (white rice balls).

Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes
Japanese toppings such as shiratama and adzuki beans

The 3- to 4-centimeter-thick batter is soft, fluffy, and moist and smooth on the tongue. When you dip it in the melted ice cream, the texture is even more melt-in-your-mouth moist!

Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes
The moist dough is moist and chewy!

If you like matcha, get the "double"!

The whip is mild, but not sweet, and does not overpower the matcha flavor. The only element of sweetness in the whipped cream is the azuki bean paste, which gives it a refreshing aftertaste. The matcha batter, matcha ice cream, matcha powder, and "matcha-full" one plate will satisfy your matcha craving with a taste that is both bitter and deeply delicious.

Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes
Put a sweet red bean paste on top.

Maple syrup is served separately, so if you pour it on after eating about half of the plate, you can enjoy the savory sweetness without getting bored until the end.

Hoshino Coffee Shop "Uji Kintoki Souffle Pancakes
The flavors change and you never get bored until the end!

You can choose from single (1 piece) or double (2 pieces) dough. Prices are 880 yen and 1,080 yen, respectively (tax included). If you want to enjoy the matcha to your heart's content, the single dough may not be enough for you, so please go for the double dough! It is not too strong, so even I was able to finish it in one bite.

It may depend on how crowded the restaurant is, but it takes about 20 minutes at the earliest for the pancakes to be ready. Make sure to order well in advance!