Urinsha's Glossy Pancakes

I woke up late, got ready in about 10 minutes, and headed to Cafe Urinsha so I could get in right after it opened.

My goal, of course, was the pancakes. When you think of Urinsha in Kyoto, you think of pancakes. Pancakes, pancakes, pancakes. From the moment I woke up, my head was full of pancakes. Besides pancakes, Urinsha has pudding, jelly cakes, and lots and lots and lots of delicious baked goods. But I can never resist the pull of the pancakes. I have only ever ordered pancakes and coffee at Urinsha.

When I arrived at the shop, about half the seats were still empty, and I felt relieved that I could get in. I haven't often seen a line at Urinsha, but it's common to see a few people waiting in front of the shop, and it's often full. It's also quite common to see a handwritten sign saying "Pancakes Sold Out." That's why the best time to aim for is right after opening.

I was guided to a shared seat at a large table in the back, sat down, and looked over the menu just in case. I had already decided on the pancakes, though. When asked, "May I take your order?", I hesitated for a moment before ordering the double pancakes and a hot coffee.

You can choose between honey or raspberry jam to go with your pancakes. I am definitely on team raspberry jam! Just imagining spreading that sweet and tart, vibrant reddish-purple jam over the pancakes makes me impatient.

While waiting, I looked out at the garden from the large window in the back. It's a small garden, but it opens up to the sky, giving it a sense of spaciousness. I also like the atmosphere when it's drizzling rain. There is a painting of pancakes displayed inside the shop, and I stared at it while waiting for the real thing. I could hear clattering sounds and a whirring noise from the kitchen, and I wondered if they were mixing the pancake batter or if it was for a different menu item.

After a while, the pancakes were brought out. The plate was set on the table with a pleasant, crisp sound. A sweet, nostalgic scent. It was the same scent as the pancakes my mother used to bake for me when I was a child.

I am smitten by the sight of the round, glossy, perfectly golden-brown pancakes with a square of butter perched on top. It looks like something out of a picture book. I think the phrase "picture-perfect pancakes" refers to these pancakes at Urinsha. Sitting on a simple white plate, they almost seem to glow.

When I lifted the top pancake, there was butter in between as well. As I spread the butter over the whole thing, the surface, which had been glossy, began to sizzle.

I cut through both pancakes at once with a knife, starting from the center and moving toward the edge. I cut a bite-sized piece and put it in my mouth as is. It was still warm, and my mouth was filled with a gentle sweetness. The fluffy pancakes made my heart melt.

I scooped up some raspberry jam with a small spoon and added it. The raspberry jam is smooth and has a low viscosity. It's filled with bits of fruit and crunchy seeds. I believe this jam is another one of Urinsha's wonders. Of all the jams in the world, this raspberry jam from Urinsha is my favorite.

When I ate it, the tartness of the raspberry hit first, and the berry flavor spread. Then, it was gradually swallowed up by the gentle sweetness of the pancake. This gradation of flavor is truly delightful. Every time I chewed, the raspberry seeds would pop.

Ah, it was delicious again today! I finished both pancakes, and my stomach was full. I always struggle with whether to get a single or a double, but since I was hungry, I ended up ordering the double. Being full and sipping coffee while zoning out is pure happiness.