THE LOOP — Super fluffy specialty pancakes are coming to Chicago.
Hanabusa, Japanese for the floral house, will open a 1,200-square-foot restaurant in early September at 29 E. Madison St. The restaurant will be the second location for Hanabusa, which also has a cafe in Toronto and is known for selling its specialty pancakes all day.
The restaurant specializes in souffle pancakes, which originated in Japan. The pancakes are much taller than American pancakes and, when cut into, have a custard-y center. Hanabusa offers matcha, chocolate and jasmine tea pancakes, among other flavors, and they can be topped with fruit, sauces or other treats.
The pancakes are brand new to Chicago but are wildly popular in Asia, said co-owner Kai Poon.
“They can be eaten at any time,” Poon said. “We don’t have any in Chicago and [the owners] were pretty amazed … .”
The restaurant will also serve savory sandwiches, coffee, tea and other drinks. It’ll have seating for up to 25.
Hanabusa is expected to be open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. weekends at 29 E. Madison St.
Poon said there’s not an exact opening date set yet, but he hopes to open in early September.