Flip, flip hooray – it’s pancake day

Pancake day, also known as Shrove Tuesday, is a popular holiday that symbolises the lead up to Easter with a last day of indulgence before Lent. Whether you’re preparing for 40 days of fasting or just love flawless pancakes, here are some different stacks to try in Hong Kong.

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Elephant Grounds

This Hong Kong founded speciality coffee shop is a well-recognised chain for great coffee, pastries and brunch dishes. Depending on the location, its menu has a few pancake dishes to choose from. The OG buttermilk pancakes are topped with a homemade caramel butter, aunt Jemima maple syrup and whipped cream. Add some fruit with the blueberry stack that comes with fresh blueberries and jam.

Elephant Grounds, multiple locations across Hong Kong

A Happy Pancake

The iconic fluffy pancakes are the signature at A Happy Pancake. It only ever makes its pancakes to order and the process takes up to 20 minutes. Whilst it seems like a long wait, you know you’ll be getting the highest quality dish possible. Fresh eggs, fermented butter and New Zealand Manuka honey are used to make the airy consistency with no baking powder. Choose to top your the fluffy cakes with either berry sauce, hot chocolate and homemade granola or espresso and mascarpone cheese mousse in the tiramisu style dish.

A Happy Pancake, multiple locations across Hong Kong

The Flying Pan

For the pancake cravings that hit at any hour of the day, head to The Flying Pan which is open 24/7. It also offers wheat-free oatcakes for those with dietary requirements. Choose between one or three pieces and the wide range of additional toppings to suit your craving. It offers syrups, peanut butter, fruit purees, various meats and even ice cream. Its range of super hot pancakes include an oreo cookie, blueberry and bacon with chopped pecan stack.

The Flying Pan, 1/F, 37-39 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, 2528 9997

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Pan de Pain

Pan de Pain is a dessert restaurant originating from Okinawa that brings the famous Japanese soufflé pancakes to Hong Kong. Its signature dish is the strawberry pancake with fresh strawberries, cream and strawberry ice cream. Other flavours include a caramel apple, berry cheesecake and Uji Matcha soufflé. The dessert restaurant also offers savoury dishes for those who prefer them with an all-day breakfast and a smoked salmon and avocado pancake.

Pan de Pain, Shop B111B, Basement 1, K11, 18 Hanoi Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2576 1968

No Milkshake No Life

This comfort food inspired eatery is known for its crazy grilled cheese sandwiches and milkshakes but don’t overlook its hotcakes. Serving up traditional American style buttermilk pancakes, these thick, fluffy cakes are as indulgent as you can get. The classic comes topped with a candy honeycomb, homemade syrup and whipped cream. Bacon and caramelised banana is the perfect sweet and savoury pairing that is adorned with popcorn on a mountain of whipped cream.

No Milkshake No Life, 31-37 Hill Road, Sai Wan, 6471 3339

14 South Lane  

This healthy eating inspired restaurant uses seasonal ingredients, no additives and only refined ingredients. Created through the founders’ travels around the world, this 80 percent vegetarian restaurant brings creativity and flavour to its wide range of nourishing dishes. It’s Instagram famous pancakes are a healthy take on the classic brunch dish. The use of quinoa means the pancakes have a heartier texture and will leave you feeling full for longer. Butternut pumpkin, chocolate and coconut are also included within the dish.

14 South Lane, 14 South Lane, Shek Tong Tsui, 5744 8390

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Cafe Zense

Try a Dutch pancake this pancake day at Cafe Zense. Different from regular thick and fluffy hotcakes, Dutch pancakes are cooked in a large skillet to make a single puffed base. The method of cooking creates a caramelised outside and fluffy inside, similar to a Yorkshire pudding. Cafe Zense topps the Dutch pancake with caramelised banana, chocolate syrup and ice cream.

Cafe Zense, 4/F, Yeung Lu Chi Commercial Building, 460-462 Jaffe Road, Causeway Bay, 2892 2249

Crêpe Delicious

If thick pancakes aren’t your thing, head to Crêpe Delicious that specialises in not only sweet but also savoury French crêpes. Classic sweet options include cookies and cream, s’mores and a tuttie-fruittie with banana, strawberries and Nutella. Others include a caramel apple filling, New York cheesecake and dulce de leche with banana crêpe. Some savoury dishes include the falafel, ham and cheese or the popeye with spinach and vegetables. The cafe also offers a kids menu that has a grilled cheese and pizza style crêpe.

Crêpe Delicious, Shop 345, 3/F, MOKO, 193 Prince Edward Road West, Kowloon