Hanabusa Cafe

I stopped here and wanted to try the Earl Grey and slated caramel pancakes they were very good and I loved the flavor combination. I also got a milk tea and it was good but I've had some better milk teas around. But the pancakes were definitely a must get.

We came here for breakfast and overall had a really lovely experience. I ordered a caramel macchiato with oat milk (they offer non-dairy milk options, which I appreciated), and the Original Soufflé Pancakes. One important thing to note: the pancakes take about 20 minutes to prepare. However, this is clearly stated at the entrance, so it’s not a surprise. If you’re in a rush, this might not be the best spot — but if you have time, it’s absolutely worth the wait. The original set comes with three fluffy soufflé pancakes, topped with cream and served with strawberries, banana, blueberries, and a small dulce de leche sauce. The portion is generous and filling. The dulce de leche sauce is sweet but smooth and balanced. The only minor detail was that the strawberries didn’t have as much flavor as I expected — but overall, I finished everything. The coffee was also large, which I appreciated. In terms of price, the pancakes are $16 and the coffee was about $5, so it came out to around $22 per person before tax and tip. It’s slightly on the expensive side for breakfast, but I was happy to pay since it was something new and fun to try. The space looks clean overall, though it could be slightly better maintained. The floors could use a bit more attention, and there were small rust-like stains under some of the metal tables. That said, the atmosphere is calm and aesthetic. The open bar setup allows you to see the pancakes being made, which adds to the experience. The décor is nice, and the location is great. Overall, I’d rate it a 4.5 out of 5. Definitely a place I would come back to for a relaxed breakfast.

Overall, a good place to try soufflé pancakes. The taste could be improved—I’ve had better at other spots—but it’s still worth a visit if you’re curious. The service was good. Just a heads up, there is only one bathroom. We waited about 40 minutes to order and be seated.

Was in Chicago for my partners birthday week. We decided to try Japanese style pancake on our last day to wrap up our trip. We stopped in at 9:10am on Friday, and it was already starting to get packed. After we placed our order, the cashier said it will be about 20 minutes until it’s ready, as they make them fresh from scratch. They also have a sign under the register making the same statement. They have a few tables and chairs scattered around, with the bathroom key upfront. The place is small but has a lovely vibe curated for the space. The food itself was mouthwatering. The pancakes were jiggly and puffy. They serve you 3 with one order. If you are looking for a pancake spot near Millennium Park, this is the place to try!

We tried Hanabusa Café in downtown Chicago for the first time. The place has a very elegant style. The staff were helpfull and nice recommending to us which Milk Tea to choose between the different tea options. We ordered the original and got 3 pancakes with homemade whipped cream. They were super airy, jiggly, and literally melted in the mouth, exactly what we were hoping for. We also got the Hana Signature milk tea, and it had this earthy, almost mushroom‑y flavor in the background that was actually really interesting. Not something I’ve tasted before. Overall, we really enjoyed our time there. For a first soufflé pancake experience, it definitely didn’t disappoint.