A Guide To Japanese Crepes

The Japanese crepe is one of the best street food options out there. Whether you’re more a savoury person or a sweet person, the Japanese crepe has you covered for whatever you’re in the mood for.

The crepe first made its appearance in Tokyo’s Harajuku-Shibuya in the ’70s. Though we are not sure how or why it arrived there, it was welcomed with open arms and soon became a delicious trend.

What is a Japanese Crepe?

Much like a French crepe, the Japanese crepe is made with a wheat flour batter which is spread paper thin onto a hot pan and then flipped over to be lightly cooked on both sides. After making the pancake, it is time for it to be customised with fillings.

Japanese Crepe Fillings

Japan knows how to get sweet naturally, with their crepes typically containing less sugar than western versions allowing the natural sweetness to come from the fillings. Here are some of the popular choices;

This isn’t your standard cream and custard, but nama kurimu, which is a light, subtlety sweet cream that Japan loves to use in their desserts. Nama kurimu makes the perfect nest for fresh fruit.

Fruit

A convenient way to get your 5-a-day, there are a lot of choices to go into your snack crepe. Bananas and strawberries are the most common, but kiwis, peaches, grapes and mangos are all on offer.

Ice Cream

Ice cream is a solid dessert choice across the world and filling a crepe with it is an idea we can all get on board with. Flavours such as vanilla, strawberry, chocolate and matcha green tea are the popular choices to fill up your crepe with for a tasty fruit blanket.

Cake Toppings

Sometimes fruit and ice cream just aren’t naughty enough, and it’s time to bring out the sweeter crepe toppings. That right, toppings. The toppings that are used for Japanese crepes aren’t what would be widely considered as toppings, but they are a sound creation none the less. Popular toppings include bite-sized slices of brownie, chocolate cake, cheesecake or mochi rice balls — a desert on top of a desert.

Nuts

For a healthier option, nuts are available for a crunchy topping. Almonds are available all year round but come autumn, seasonal varieties become available.

Sauces

Last but not least, there are plenty of sauces such as chocolate, caramel or kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) to take your pick from, to finish off your perfect crepe.

Savoury

Savoury crepes, also referred to as “snack” crepes in Japanese are created in the same way the dessert crepes are. They are designed to ‘tide you over’ until your next meal.

Much like the sweet composition, the savoury choice is devised of a base of spinach and cream cheese, and the filling is usually protein based such as ham, tuna or chicken. But, in true Japanese crepe style, it doesn’t end there.

Toppings can now be added such as hard-boiled eggs, potato salad or shredded cheese and of course, let’s not forget the sauces.

Japanese curry sauce, teriyaki sauce, or Japanese mayonnaise are the most common to have in your crepes, though there are more available such as salsa and pizza sauce. Fun!

If the Japanese streets are a little too far away from you, don’t worry! Check out our Japanese supermarket online to find everything you need, to make your very own Japanese crepes!