What happens when you combine a souffle with a pancake? A souffle pancake of course! This jiggly dessert has been making waves around the world recently, all thanks to social media.
Here are 5 things to know about this trendy, Insta-worthy Japanese souffle pancake:
1.Nobody really knows who started the Japanese souffle pancake… we only know it is from Japan.
While many have speculated on the origins of this dessert, no one precisely knows who invented the recipe.
Rumour has it that it was inspired by the Japanese cartoon, Crayon Shin-chan. The character was a slightly plump, small child shaped just like a Japanese souffle pancake. Another rumour was that the Japanese souffle pancake had its beginnings in Hawaii, US.
One thing for sure was that it made its first appearances in Japan some time in 2013. Since then, you can find it in all over the world including here in Kuching.
2.There are different toppings to choose from.
What makes it trendy on Instagram (more than 73,600 photos on Instagram and counting)?
The toppings make the pancakes photogenic on social media. From ice-creams to maple syrup, there are so many fancy toppings to choose.
Even chewy boba pearls have been selected as toppings for this pancake.
When you choose a topping, imagine what would be nice with this fluffy, soft yet thick dessert. If you choose cheesy toppings such as creme brulee or tiramisu, it might be too heavy for some people.
As for drinks to go with the dessert, opt for something slightly bitter like any types of black teas.
3.It is one of the food trends to look out for in 2020.
Yelp, a business directory service and crowd-sourced review forum, came up with its list of 2020 food trends to watch, and the Japanese souffle pancake made it to the list.
They came up with the list by analysing the foods Yelp users mentioning on the platform.
According to Yelp, the reviews on this Japanese culinary trend increased by 156.2 per cent in the last year.
4.You can try to make it at home.
If you are passionate about baking and pastries, you can try to make a Japanese souffle pancake at home. But brace yourself for failures. These fluffy stacks require skill and patience.
Firstly, the eggs in the recipe have to be separated. The egg whites and sugar are beaten into a meringue texture while the yolks are mixed with flour and milk.
You also need to chill the whites before whipping them in to keep the batter firm.
Additionally, the whipping time needs to be taken into account. You cannot even let it sit for 30 seconds or else it will be ruined.
Another thing for sure is that the temperature has to be precise. If it is overcooked by even a few seconds, it will deflate. If it is under cooked, it turns battery and wet.
5.Order it only when you have patience to wait.
Knowing how long it takes to make one, take note when you decide to order this dessert. It can take at least 15 minutes for you to wait till your Japanese souffle pancakes come.
Since it looks good on your Instagram feed, do not forget to take a photo before you dig in, or do a Boomerang or slow-mo effect focusing on the pancakes’ jiggles.
