Hottokeki (Japanese Hot Cakes) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between pancakes and hotcakes? ›

What is a Hotcake? It's a pancake. Our crew Googled it and the definition of a hotcake is in fact “a pancake.” There is, however, a subtle difference on how you prepare a hotcake versus a pancake. Generally, pancakes are wide and have a fluffy texture, whereas the hotcakes tend to be thicker and denser.

Heat a frying pan over a medium heat, place on top of a damp cloth to cool a little, then add 1/3 of the pancake mix. Heat on a low flame for about 3 mins till bubbles form on the top. Flip the pancake and cook for a further 3 minutes until brown on both sides and slide onto a plate.

Japanese pancakes (aka “Japanese souffle pancakes”) contain many of the same ingredients as traditional pancakes, but they're distinguished by their height and custard-like flavor. There's one important step which requires a bit of patience: whipping the egg whites.

The phrase "sell like hot cakes" is a simile for how quick something is selling. That said, the meaning of "hot cake" is apparently a synonym of pancakes, or before pancakes, corn griddle cake and other varieties. Dictionary.com lists the date of origin dating back to 1839, where it first appeared.

Traditional pancakes, like the ones you order at your favorite diner, consist of mostly empty calories without many nutrients. Pancakes, one of the most popular breakfast foods, are made from these main ingredients: eggs, butter, milk, and flour.

While they may taste warm and fluffy right out of the drive thru, they are definitely not made fresh each day. In fact, the hotcakes that McDonald's serves for breakfast arrive at locations frozen, and are reheated by employees when customers order them.

Pancake lovers' biggest complaint when adding water instead of milk is that the flavor seems to change. Pancakes aren't as richly flavored with water. There are a few ways to improve your batter when you've used water, including: Add extra butter.

Unlike traditional pancakes, Japanese versions often incorporate soufflé-like qualities, creating a unique sensory experience. The key lies in using egg whites, whipped to stiff peaks, and abundant eggs in the batter. This meticulous approach results in a texture that is light, airy, and almost ethereal.

Japanese pancakes FAQ

There are two culprits for flat pancakes: your meringue wasn't strong enough or you over mixed the meringue and egg yolk batter.

Because of the incorporated air, you cannot store the batter in the fridge. The cooked pancakes will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat the Japanese Souffle Pancakes, place them on a baking sheet and heat them at 200°F.

What are the fluffy pancakes in Japan called? ›

These have developed over the years into a fluffy Japanese-style of pancake commonly known as “hottokeki” (hotcakes). Japanese hotcakes are distinguished by their souffle-like texture which creates a thick yet light and fluffy pancake that may be up to several inches high.

The main ingredient in these delicious pancakes is all-purpose flour. The recipe also calls for baking powder—a leavener that makes pancakes extra fluffy— salt, and sugar. There are a few wet ingredients in the recipe as well: milk, butter, and an egg to add a bit more moisture and bind the batter together.

In both the US and UK, the term hotcakes is used as a synonym of pancakes.

In the U.S., pancakes and flapjacks are considered the same thing. Across the pond, though, the flapjack is typically baked on a tray. “A flapjack is much like a Rice Krispie Treat in the fact that it is a bar,” said Kim Mitchell, local chef.

Idioms. sell / go like hot cakes, to be disposed of very quickly and effortlessly, especially in quantity: His record sold like hot cakes on the first day after its release.

In both the US and UK, the term hotcakes is used as a synonym of pancakes. The word hotcakes is often used for marketing or branding reasons (it just sounds delicious, right?), such as by the fast food chain McDonald's, which uses the name hotcakes for their pancakes.

Pancakes are sometimes called hoecakes in the South. Most Southerners are familiar with lacy cornbread, aka hot water cornbread. A hoecake is a rustic fried version of a pancake made with ground cornmeal.

Each restaurant chooses what is defined as a short stack or a regular stack. And sometimes they don't actually use these names at all. That being said, a short stack is often 2–3 pancakes, whereas a regular stack is 3 or more.