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Japanese Pancake World

4.4 (58 reviews)
ModerateJapanese, Creperies
Closed • 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Japanese Pancake World Photos

JAPANESE PANCAKE WORLD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Casual
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - Japanese Pancake World

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Butatama-mushroom, cheese, and pork flavor
Jin N.

Who eats okonomiyaki (japanese pancake) in Amsterdam? Well, I sure did. It was a random find via yelp, and at first, I was a bit skeptical, but the great reviews brought me here. I was able to sit at the table where the main man was cooking. The place gets quite packed, but luckily, we knew exactly what we wanted to order so he let us sit down. The food took quite a bit of time to cook. I want to say at least about 30 minutes for each dish. Having had a ton of okonomiyaki and horishima yak in Japan, I was a bit surprised. At first, watching the food being made, I was extremely skeptical. I was with a fellow Japanese person, and I myself have seen this being made a thousands of times in Japan, so I was wondering how the steps didn't make sense. The key to okonomiyaki is truly in the sauces--the right type of mayo (must be kewpie japanese) and the right konomiyaki sauce (the brown sauce). I thought perhaps, since we're in Amsterdam, it may be a substitute. Boy, was I wrong. This stuff tasted LEGIT. Despite the process of it being made was a bit odd, it tasted fantastic. And, more importantly, I was impressed that the mayo tasted authentic (not sure if he actually uses the Japanese mayo since they are expensive and I imagine imports costs to Amsterdam would make it worse) and the okonimiyaki sauce was also authentic. It was no worchester sauce like he may have described to other people. I got to have a short chat, and we discovered that he went to Japan and learned from a chef who specialized in making these items from each region, including Osaka and Hiroshima. I'm seeing in someone else's review that he learned from his Japanese wife. I dunno, maybe it's both? Kudos and huge claps to this man. Do not underestimate him at all. I'm giving a solid 4 stars, as I have had better and I can't say this is the best ever I've had. And because of the food preparation process being questionable (hands touching raw pork, then touching fridge doors and other raw vegetables and cheese without washing hands in between) I'm knocking off a star, as it put me in high concern for whether this was safe practice.

Siena F.

So, we popped by mid afternoon to split a pork okonomiyaki. A couple of things: A. You're charged by the glass of water regardless of if it's still or sparking, and the still seemed like tap water since we weren't buying by the bottle. Around 1,50 per cup -- had we known the price, we probably would have just ordered beer! B. It was *close enough* to okonomiyaki that I wasn't upset, but the noodles weren't fried with any sauce-- they were plain; it was weird. C. That wasn't okonomiyaki sauce. It was more like taiyaki almost. D. For a dish that means "anything you like" it sure nickels and dimes you for each topping! Green onions and seaweed should be automatic because they are integral to the dish. E. Okonomiyaki shouldn't take a half hour to cook (the forewarned waiting time). It's supposed to be fast and easy -- the kind of thing you get for a work lunch. Two stars for food, but additional for the host being very nice. If this is your first foray into the Japanese flavor profile you'll like it, but if you're used to it you probably won't.

Butayaki Osaka style okonomiyaki - didn't stand 5 minutes with me!
Dennis M.

Japanese Pancake World? You might be asking yourself, "wtf is that??" "Did someone flatten an anime convention and fry it on a grill?" "Is this like all Pokemon squeezed into a ball and then stomped on?" Well folks, let me clear the confusion... it's difficult to describe a Japanese pancake, otherwise known as Okonomiyaki, but I will tell you they are daaaaaa-yaaaaaamn good!! Since this place ONLY serves Okonomiyaki, allow me to explain... "O-konomi" translates to something like "the way you like it" or "to your own taste" "Yaki" means pan-grilled So put those together and you get whatever your little heart desires cooked on a big pan!! And what better way to mold a bunch of wonderful crap together than in the form of a huge fatty boom boom pancake! Of course there are some kinky ass peeps out there so when I say "O-konomi" don't expect sweaty used jock straps or babies in your pancakes, mmmmkrrrr! Instead, you can expect lekker dings like crispy slabs of bacon (bacon belongs in everything), beef, veggies, seafood, etc. Unlike the local sister to Okonomiyaki, the Panenkoeken, you won't find any sweets other than the black sesame icecream or Choya plum wine. At the end of end of the night and three Okonomiyakis later, the new chef (who will become the permanent one) came over to offer us some free sake. If you ever learn anything from my reviews, it's to NEVER refuse free booze - GOT IT!? I noticed he was Japanese so we switch over to samurai language and the dude turned out to be super cool!! He goes by Kita-san and let me tell you, the dude has a passion for cooking and makes a damn good okonomiyaki. He believes that specializing in something allows you to make the best of its kind and he ain't kidding - that's fo' sho!!!!! Nihongo ga dekiru kata - Chef ga nihonjin na no de, nihongo demo zenzen daijoubu desu!! Butayaki ga osusume na no de, zehi tameshitemite kudasai!!! So going here for the first time to pop your okonomi-cherry??? I recommend getting the butayaki... either Osaka style or Hiroshima style. It's very common over in Japan and it is suuuuuper yummy here!! Oh and don't forget to check out their website since their menu is seasonal! Aaaand last but not least, don't forget to lube up your okonomiyaki by applying ample amounts of the brown okonomiyaki sauce on it! ITADAKIMASU!!!! (eet smakelijk)

Mary T.

Wow, I am impressed! I did not expect to find authentic okonomiyaki in Amsterdam! We discovered this place based on my friend's recommendation. Oh boy, it was such a hike to get here. We got lost and when we finally walked into the restaurant, we were turned down the first time because they were all booked for the night. We had to make a reservation and come back the next day! After all of the obstacles, I would say it was worth the trouble. Their menu is pretty simplistic, they serve japanese pancakes - surprise! right? They serve two different styles of onkonomiyaki-- osaka and hiroshima. The difference between the two is the former is made with potatoes and the latter is made with japanese ramen noodle and eggs. I got the hiroshima style onokonomiyaki because I love eggs and I have had the osaka style before in LA so I wanted to try something different. I recommend their classic pork osaka or hiroshima style, depending on your preference. Although it takes a while for the food to be served, it is worth every minute. The moment you get your dish, you will be in awed. I was so excited to take the first bite. They give you the plum sauce and Japanese mayo so you can dress as much of it as you want on your pancake. When I finally took that first bite... wow, I was speechless. All of my friends were pretty quiet during the meal because we were busy eating away-- yest, it is that good! My favorite part of the meal was watching the chefs cook. You have the opportunity to sit by the kitchen to watch the chefs cook in front of you. You can tell they put a lot of time and effort into creating the perfect pancake! If you want to try something different when you are in Amsterdam, I highly recommend trying this place.

Ana C.

Like the land they bike on, Dutch pancakes are very flat. Japanese pancakes on the other hand are like mountains, delicious layers stacked on top of each other. Of note, these are savory pancakes so don't come here expecting dessert. I have been here multiple times but please check their website before you go to make sure they are open. The owners spend a great amount of time travelling so it isn't always open. What is interesting though is that the chef/owner is German! He learned how to make okonomiyaki from his Japanese wife and went to Japan to hone his craft. Food: 5/5 They serve 2 styles of okonomiyaki, osaka (the most popular pancake with mountain potato purée from osaka) and hiroshima - (multi-layerd pancake from hiroshima with japanese noodle and egg). My favorite is the osaka-style, butatama style (with pork strips, cheese and mushrooms) and super power (with rice cake, corn, cheese and jumbo shrimps). Now... I must admit that I've never eaten an okonomiyaki that I didn't like and I didn't have the chance to try the real deal when I was in Osaka so I don't have anything to judge on, but this is really really tasty and so filling! You'll leave with your bellies full and a smile on your face. Service: 3/5 I wonder if it is because this place is closed so often but it seems like their staff is constantly changing, and don't really know what they are doing. Don't worry, your food and drinks will come but you may have to wave really hard to get their attention after ordering. Atmosphere: 5/5 Eating is all about engaging all your senses, so grab a seat by the bar and watch your food being cooked in front of you! Plus the technique involved in how the pancake is put together is an art form. Also, do not come here starving. Cooking takes about 15-20 minutes so you will need to wait before you can sink your teeth into that mountain of tastiness. Value: 5/5 The okonomiyaki ranges from €10-20, and the portions are huge. It is deceptively filing because the chef is constantly packing the layers together so you don't notice it. However, usually half way into the pancake my belly starts telling me I'm full but my brain can't possibly comprehend how I could not finish such amazing food!

Free rice crackers with drinks !
Sophie W.

Oh me oh my what a gem in the heart of Amsterdam! The waiter was very accommodating to our needs and the food was delicious. Never had traditional Japanese pancake but I am very glad I've tried it here. If it's good in Amsterdam I can't wait to try it back in Hong Kong/Japan. I asked for a mushroom and corn Hiroshima style (just because I love noodles) - they gave us both bottles of the mayo and takoyaki sauce so we had plenty to go round. Was particularly good for my mum who didn't like mayo. Overall the service was great and the food was delicious! They even gave us cute rice crackers to nibble on. The reason why I am not giving it a full 5 stars is the price can add up - an additional item on your pancake would cost you another 2.50 euros so it tends to add up in the end for three people it was 80 euros! That's for three pancakes three drinks and a appetiser. Besides that it would of been nice to have been able to sit by the grill as we called to reserve a table in advance. Besides this I would come back but next time maybe share a pancake and a appetiser between two people

Osaka style okonomiyaki with pork, mushrooms and cheese
Emily B.

We'd never tried Japanese pancakes/okonomiyaki before but were intrigued by the great reviews so headed along here. The waiter was very patient and helpful, and we willingly took his recommendations for the best pancakes for people who haven't eaten them before. I had the Bututama which was pork strips, cheese and mushroom, and my partner had the Shogayaki which was beef, spinach and onion. These were both Osaka style. They're not super cheap; at first I thought they were to share as the most expensive ones run to around 22 euros. Probably as a light meal with some appetisers you could share one but we managed one each with no appetisers. As I said, I had no idea what to expect so I really don't know if this was authentic or a good example of okonomiyaki - although I heard the waiter telling another customer that the recipe was passed down from the Japanese grandmother of the original owner, which definitely makes for a nice story! I do know that it was really delicious. The pork in mine was crispy and salty which worked well with the cheese. It's quite fun to eat as you get a little trowel type thing to cut it up with, and are given oyster sauce and mayo to add to your preference. After we had finished the chef came out to ask us about our first experience of eating okonomiyaki which was really lovely. Overall I really enjoyed it here. Great for something a bit different if you've never tried this type of food before, and while not mega cheap, it won't break the bank for a nice meal.

Butatama (recommended)
Nicole W.

Our friends that moved to amsterdam brought us here. IT's kind of a you need to be in the know kind of place (in fact i fear reviewing it, so i get stuck without a table when others figure out how great it is...) The fella/cook that runs it is married to a japanese woman who taught him how to make these pancakes, he is a german man who commutes from germany every couple of weeks to cook these wonders for a couple weeks. You have to watch the website to determine when he'll be in Amsterdam. There are a number of interesting and varied toppings/layers/flavors! It's huge and filling and yummy Watching the whole process is a treat - so sit by the grill if you can It is amazing to see all the little containers, pieces that go into this layered thang! Chat him up, see what he has to say, buy him a glass of plum wine! Definitely something i have never eaten before and very different from the "normal" amsterdam pancake!

Butatama okonomiyaki
Michael W.

I was surprised and quite pleased to find a place like this in Amsterdam! I knew Amsterdam was very international, but still was in general suspicious of all the Japanese joints. Then I looked up reviews for this place, and decided I definitely had to go. They pretty much only serve okonomiyaki, with some appetizers as well. I wanted karaage, but their deep fryer wasn't in commission at the moment. Sad. I got the butatama okonomiyaki, Osaka style. Wow, it was amazingly good. As good as any I've had in Japan. Although actually, I think I like Hiroshima style okonomiyaki better! The chef is very friendly, and I chatted with him about Japan and okonomiyaki. I got bored while waiting for the okonomiyaki and started reading the Japanese menu. Yeah, it does take a while. They say about 30 minutes, but that's probably during peak times. It was more like 20 for me, since the place was pretty empty at 2pm. The lady before me tried to pay with card but their machine wasn't working. She tried 8 times before giving up, and the chef gave her complimentary plum wine as consolation. Credit card worked for me though, so no plum wine came my way.

Roman S.

you come to Amsterdam for the japanese food... errr well, good food is good regardless of where it is. these are good "pancakes" and about 15 euro for one that can feed 1 hungry and 2 not so hungry people. they have 3 varieties and different ingredients, just pick what sounds good to you, wait 20 minutes, and enjoy

the chef at work
Maki P.

Okonomiyaki in Amsterdam! Who would've thought?? I was a bit hesitant to eat here during my recent stay, only because it felt silly to seek out Japanese pancakes when the Dutch pancakes are themselves so incredibly delicious (especially with bacon, don't even get me started)-- but after a few days of luxuriating in all things pork, stroopwafels and lots and lots of beer, a healthy Japanese lunch sounded like just the thing. And it really was. I had a delightful chat with the Japanese chef, a friendly and charming fellow who recently made Amsterdam his home, who is creating okonomiyaki of all kinds behind the little bar at Japanese Pancake World, traditional and otherwise. We sat at the bar as one would in Tokyo and enjoyed watching him create our excellent lunch. All the traditional fixings, authentically made, and with a little extra oomph from the creative flavors that are thrown together to make the chef's signature dishes. Excellent and friendly service as well! I would gladly give five stars if not for what felt like high prices for what I would consider very casual fare... all in all, a great experience and a surprisingly wonderful taste of home away from home.

In the making of these babies!

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

I recently spent a week in Amsterdam and the Okonomiyaki (Butatama Osaka) was one of my favorite bites from the whole trip. Try it!

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Phenomenal food and service. It is a little shop with a single person working. However, the service is fast and the food is delicious.

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Japanese Pancake World Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - Japanese Pancake World

“He goes by Kita-san and let me tell you, the dude has a passion for cooking and makes a damn good okonomiyaki.”

Mentioned in 17 reviews

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Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs - Bananas, cream, rum...perfect!

Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs

4.6(224 reviews)
1.1 km•De Wallen, Centrum
•€€

What a fun little Amsterdam find! First things first: reservations are HIGHLY recommended. Seating…read moreis only on the hour, starting at noon, and this place is tiny. We're talking just four tables, with only two that can seat a party of four. They'll consider walk-ins at opening if there's room, but I wouldn't chance it. Then there's the setting. Funky, quirky, cozy, and packed with wonderfully random decorations. Like teapots and cups on the ceiling. And yes, you really do go upstairs...very steep stairs! Definitely something to know if mobility is an issue. But let's talk PANCAKES! We ordered four for our table of four--two savory and two sweet--which was WAY too much food, but OMG, they were incredible. Huge, thin, flavorful, and absolutely delicious. The tiny kitchen can only cook two pancakes at a time, which somehow just adds to the charm. Prices were surprisingly reasonable, too. Just don't dally--you have your table for an hour, and then it's time for the next lucky group to climb those stairs. Would I go back? HECK YA! We barely scratched the surface of the menu, and there are plenty more pancakes calling my name. Friendly staf

IMPORTANT: CASH ONLY or debit. I was so excited to try this…read moreplace and we made our way there winding through the streets of Amsterdam. When we arrived and hiked upstairs, yes it's a hike straight up steep stairs, only to see the sign "fully booked" womp womp. HOWEVER, we asked if there was a waiting list because we didn't realize reservations are basically necessary. WE GOT LUCKY as a table was available because someone didn't show for their reservations!! We ordered the special of the day, blueberry & cream, and a bacon, cheese and apple pancake. Quickly cooked up and served and boy were they both delicious! I also didn't know it was a cash only establishment or debit card. Whom I presume was the owner was so sweet and again luckily our US credit card could be processed as debit. Saved me from having to do dish duty! Definitely a must do in Amsterdam but make a reservation and carry cash! Also to note, they only have 4 tables and if you're more than 5 minutes late for your reservation they may have given away your table!

Photos
Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs - Interior of restaurant

Interior of restaurant

Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs - Mini banana and chocolate pancakes at Dutch Pancake Masters in Amsterdam

Mini banana and chocolate pancakes at Dutch Pancake Masters in Amsterdam

Pannenkoekenhuis Upstairs

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De Carrousel Pannenkoeken

De Carrousel Pannenkoeken

3.9(99 reviews)
2.0 km•Centrum
•€

In search of a proper Dutch breakfast, we set our sights on some pannenkoeken (pancakes) and…read morediscovered far more than we had hoped for or expected. You see we had the good fortune of befriending Senna who volunteered to serve (in his words) as our "tour guide & waiter." When Senna asked if Dana preferred sweet or savory, she replied (in brilliant fashion), "How about both?" This prompted his face to light up as he told us he had the perfect recommendations. Following his lead we ordered the "Bacon, Apple, and Butter" Pannenkoeken and the "Mixed Fruit and Whipped Cream" Poffertjes. What's amazing to me is that about half way through our meal I noticed that the bottle of syrup on the table hadn't been touched (or even considered). I mean, how could syrup possibly enhance such a wonderful compliment of flavors? No, its inclusion simply wouldn't be tolerated! If you want to blaze your own trail at "De Carrousel" they offer more than 50 options to choose from and I'd recommend sharing a combination of pannenkoeken and poffertjes amongst your party. Be sure to make time to wander around the restaurant a bit. Not only are the center carrousel horses a unique touch, but the kitchen's close proximity to the dining area can make you feel as if you have a role in the preparation of the pannenkoeken and poffertjes! True to his word, Senna provided us with a handwritten, two-sided, list of recommendations that he divided into the categories of "Culture", "Restaurants", and "Date Night." And that's...Henry's Take. #pannenkoeken #poffertjes #dutchhospitality

I came here and it sort of reminds me of a tourist trap but my friend wanted to go here for…read morebreakfast. They offer savory and sweet pancakes but in general it's sort of like ok. I tried some ham and cheese baguette and I think there's cheese was much thicker than the ham but I would definitely like more ham. In general this place has the carousel as the main attraction - it sort of reminds me of a cheaper version of Disney. Looks kind of touristy and old school. There's lots of seating and I think the host wasn't really there to seat us but there was a wait to be seated sign. We took a booth by the window. The service was extremely slow and the workers are definitely understaffed here and I don't understand why because there's outside and inside seating and there were only two workers for over 30/40 tables. The Dutch pancakes were the best thing on the menu but I think they just taste like hot cakes with sugar on top- so I didn't find anything super special to ever come back here again.

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De Carrousel Pannenkoeken
De Carrousel Pannenkoeken - Poffertjes - sugar and butter

Poffertjes - sugar and butter

De Carrousel Pannenkoeken

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Japanese Pancake World - japanese - Updated October 2026

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