Gram Cafe & Pancakes (Gram) made its debut in December 2014 in Osaka, Japan. In less than five years, Gram has expanded to Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, and the U.S. Established on Apr. 8, 2023, Gram opened in Monterey Park, offering LA residents a taste of Japanese dishes and its specialty: the soufflé pancake.
Japanese soufflé pancakes have recently gained popularity for their uniquely fluffy and soft texture. Their aesthetic appearance in trendy cafes has turned them into a must-try dessert.
Despite being named Japanese soufflé pancakes, they had their roots in Hawaii when Jan and Jerry Fukunaga opened Eggs N’ Things in 1974. Soufflé pancakes did not become popular until Eggs N’ Things expanded to Tokyo in 2010, where soufflé pancakes became a huge success according to F&B Report.They became trendy all over Asia, then came back to the U.S. as one of the most popular sweets.
Gram offers a wide selection of soufflé pancakes. This includes the Matcha Crème Brûlée soufflé pancake, two-stacks of soufflé pancakes topped with custard matcha cream with caramelized sugar, and the seasonal Mango Pomelo soufflé pancake, two-stacks of soufflé pancakes topped with a mango coconut anglaise with fresh mango, pomelo, sago, and a scoop of mango ice cream. Each time I visit Gram, I’m never disappointed with the quality of their soufflé pancake–it’s velvety and just melts in your mouth.
Krisilyn Chow said, “I usually order the Strawberry soufflé pancake at Gram. I think Gram’s pancakes are very fluffy and light, which is unique from regular pancakes.”
Aside from their signature soufflé pancake, they serve a variety of french toast dishes such as the Matcha Crème Brûlée French Toast with matcha ice cream and the Mixed Berries French Toast with vanilla ice cream. If sweets aren’t your cup of tea, there’s also a savory option: the Savory French Toast composed of prosciutto, pesto, and havarti cheese. I had the pleasure of indulging in both the sweet and savory french toast. I had the Matcha Crème Brûlée French Toast, and not only was it plated beautifully, but it was delicious. The custard matcha cream was creamy and decadent. The Savory French Toast was a more comforting meal that satisfied my savory cravings.
If you’re looking for a hearty meal, Gram also offers a diverse range of Japanese dishes. They serve Tonkatsu Curry, which is fried pork cutlet topped with curry and a Japanese salad. The fried pork cutlet was crispy yet tender, and the curry was tangy and aromatic. The Unagi Don is a dish composed of eel, avocado, white rice, seaweed, and ikura (salmon roe). The eel was delightfully soft and tangy. The ikura brought a contrast in texture, which complemented the dish by creating a more dynamic taste profile.
Nathan Tan said, “When going to Gram, I especially like to order the Seafood Curry. The curry has a very creamy texture and rich savory taste.”
There’s also a variety of Japanese appetizers, including Takoyaki, which are Japanese octopus balls coated with Takoyaki sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes. The savory yet subtly sweet Takoyaki balls were the perfect bite-size appetizers. They had a crispy exterior and soft interior composed of chewy octopus pieces.
In addition to Gram’s selection of dishes, they have refreshing and aesthetic beverages to complement your meal. Their drinks include the Strawberry Matcha Dalgona and the Latte. The matcha dalgona was thick and creamy, and the strawberry added a pop of color and fruity taste. The Latte was aesthetically pleasing and silky smooth.
Gram’s atmosphere also creates a memorable and seamless experience. When you walk in, you are greeted with いらっしゃいませ (irasshaimase), which is ‘Welcome’ in Japanese. The servers immediately sit you down and are friendly and inviting. The soft music playing in the background gives a relaxing and casual atmosphere. When you leave, you are courteously thanked with a bow and 有り難う御座います(arigataugozaimasu), which is ‘thank you so much’ in Japanese.
Chow said, “Gram has a very comforting environment and good lighting.”
Overall, Gram Cafe & Pancakes is the perfect place to take your friends and family for an easy and delectable brunch.
