I get the hype now. We slipped into A Happy Pancake (幸せのパンケーキ) in Ginza for a late lunch and floated out on a cloud of eggs, butter, and pure joy. The pancakes are soufflé-style - tall, wobbly, and so light you wonder if you actually ate them or just dreamed it. They’re cooked to order (you can watch the griddle show through the kitchen window) and yes, that means a wait when it’s busy, but it’s the kind of wait that pays off.
What makes them different (and why they take time)
This chain is serious about ingredients and technique: batter whipped from farm-fresh eggs, no baking powder, and that signature whipped butter blended with New Zealand manuka honey + fermented Hokkaidō butter. The cakes are steam-baked low and slow, a process that takes 20+ minutes per order, so on peak days your table may wait closer to 40 minutes after ordering. Worth it.
What we ordered (names + prices so you can point at the menu)
- Banana Whipped Pancake with Chocolate Sauce
バナナホイップパンケーキ チョコソース添え — ¥1,420（税抜 ¥1,291）
The bitter chocolate keeps it from being too sweet; the bananas + manuka-honey butter combo is a whole mood. - Salmon & Avocado Cheese Mousse Pancake
サーモンとアボカドのチーズムースパンケーキ — ¥1,680（税抜 ¥1,528）
Their savory line uses whole-wheat pancakes - fluffy but sturdier - with a salty-creamy topping that totally works at lunch. Note: savory “meal pancakes” are served until 14:30 daily. - Hot Chocolate Pancake with Homemade Granola
ホットチョコレートパンケーキ 自家製グラノーラがけ — ¥1,380（税抜 ¥1,255）
Warm chocolate, crackly house granola, cloud-soft cakes, textural happy dance.
Sweet stacks typically arrive with that manuka-honey whipped butter - don’t skip it. It’s their calling card.
Reservations, waitlist & timing (Ginza specifics)
Ginza is popular. Some branches (including Ginza) allow online reservations up to two weeks ahead via the official site; otherwise you’ll join a same-day QR waitlist at the entrance. Expect 60–140 minutes at peak; we’ve seen travelers scan the code, go shop, and get pinged when it’s their turn.
Pro tip: If you want the salmon & avocado or any meal pancake, arrive before 14:30 (that’s the cut-off for savory). For a shorter line, aim right at opening or mid-afternoon on weekdays.
Where it is & when it’s open
A Happy Pancake Ginza
Address: 7F-B, New Ginza Bldg. No.10, 5-8-5 Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tokyo 104-0061
Access: Ginza Station (Ginza/Hibiya/Marunouchi) Exit A5, the shop is right by the exit.
Hours: Mon–Fri 10:30–19:30 (L.O. 18:45); Sat/Sun/holidays 10:00–20:30 (L.O. 19:40)
Seats: 32, completely non-smoking.
Phone: 03-6255-1111 (note: no phone reservations).
How to order like a local (and pass the time)
- Decide sweet vs savory first. If you want savory, order before 14:30. Otherwise, go wild on sweets, banana-chocolate, hot chocolate + granola, fruit, tiramisu, seasonal specials.
- Watch the kitchen. Many locations have a viewing window; be polite if you’re filming and keep it quick.
- Drinks: Add the drink set for a small upcharge (coffee/tea/juices). Handy while you wait.
- Takeout exists. Ginza offers to-go pancakes if you’d rather picnic. (They’re best fresh, but nice as a treat.)
Why Ginza is a good pick
Beyond the cakes, you’re in the heart of Ginza, so if you do hit a wait, it’s the easiest place to kill time: browse Mitsukoshi, pop into GINZA SIX, or walk over to Tokyo Station/Marunouchi later for the night lights. Everything about this stop feels like a treat day.
At-a-glance (TL;DR)
- Made to order (20+ mins), no baking powder; manuka-honey whipped butter.
- Our picks: Banana-Chocolate; Salmon & Avocado Cheese Mousse (savory until 14:30); Hot Chocolate + Homemade Granola.
- Plan for a line (use the QR waitlist or book online up to 2 weeks ahead).
- Ginza Station Exit A5 → right there.
