Chiayi’s recently super popular “soufflé pancakes” — waited three hours just to eat them!

Text and photos byGui Xiaosun

This was probably the longest we’ve waited for food in recent times, and probably the longest we’ll ever wait in our lives just for a meal, haha!! We waited nearly three whole hours just to try these super hyped and super popular “BanBan Pancakes” in Chiayi!! We originally thought there wouldn’t be so many people coming for desserts as early as ten in the morning?! We seriously underestimated it @@

As a result, arriving less than half an hour before the 10 AM opening, those extra ten or twenty minutes of delay threw us into a long waiting period. We didn’t make it into the first round, but when we got into the second, the staff said it would be about an hour’s wait, so we obediently waited on the spot... But in the end, we ended up waiting over two hours. As the shadows moved from under the eaves to the blazing midday sun, as sweat drenched us over and over again, the longer we waited, the less we wanted to give up~ XD Finally, when it was our turn to be seated, since the pancakes are made to order, we had to wait another 40 minutes!! (At this point, you might be tempted to walk out XDXD) But the moment that delicious soufflé pancake touched your tongue, it was truly — thank you BanBan!! Amazing BanBan!! This is the best pancake we’ve had in Taiwan!! It was all worth it!! ^______^ /

Last time I asked on my social media page if anyone had recommendations for Chiayi, this “BanBan Pancakes” went from being on my “reference list” to my “must-try list”!! Haha, I guess I often get influenced by your suggestions too!! Guess birds of a feather really do flock together~ (said myself XDXD)

This “BanBan Pancakes” place really only sells pancakes, and they’re the very special soufflé kind, which has been getting popular in many places lately!! We love soufflés, and the best one we’ve ever had was made by family. Ever since then, everything else has felt a bit lacking~ I never expected to find a similar kind of joy here in Chiayi, a flavor that’s unforgettable after just one bite!! We’d definitely come back if we have the chance, preferably on a weekday XD

And now I’m sharing my firsthand experience for visiting on a holiday (a little lesson in queueing) here with everyone~ ^___________^ / Quick, look here!!! If you can’t make it by 10 AM, then aim to arrive by 11 AM (personally, I think if you show up after 12 PM on a holiday to put your name down, you might not get seated until 5 PM XD)

Once you arrive, fill out the waiting list (at the semi-open kitchen counter near the entrance), and then you can go for a stroll!! On holidays, you should generally plan to come back in about two hours~ If you’re worried about wandering off somewhere else, just call “BanBan Pancakes” to check in!! If you miss your number and come back, they’ll still call you back after three more people, so your spot won’t be canceled!! And the latest they take customers is actually 5 PM!! So manage your time well, maybe go grab a drink at Yuxiangwu or have some “Handmade Pizza”! At least you won’t end up spending all your time here like we did XD

Finally getting into the “BanBan Pancakes” shop, the feeling of relief is probably beyond words~~ XDXD After standing outside, moving from shaded spots to direct sunlight, and finally hiding in the corridor of the semi-open kitchen waiting, it wasn’t until we sat down that we got air conditioning!! That moment was super exciting!! The seating inside isn’t super plentiful, and there are only about four or five staff members, making around six pancakes at a time~~ Plus, soufflé pancakes taste best when made fresh to order!! With such low table turnover, anyone who wants to eat here really needs to have a bit of patience, and not make things hard for the hardworking staff!! XD

Those two or three hours of waiting actually gave us time to really appreciate this little alleyway in Chiayi... Stepping into the shop, a whole wall of old glass windows fills the space with sunlight, and sitting by the window feels especially Japanese. Whether you’re alone or with someone, these spots always have a special charm for us... :)

When brunch turned into more of an afternoon tea vibe, we had already decided to order one savory and one sweet to share~~~ #Savory Freedom Lunch Soufflé 200 TWD (plus sunny-side egg 20 TWD + German sausage 20 TWD) and the most Instagrammed item, #Mixed Fresh Fruit Soufflé Pancake 260 TWD , plus one cold drink each, #Earl Grey Tea 120 TWD #Kiwi Juice 130 TWD

One cold drink each — the kiwi juice had the perfect balance of sweet and sour!! You could taste the fresh kiwi bits, and you could tell it was freshly blended — such good flavor!! The lightly sweetened Earl Grey tea was fragrant and lovely, and these two drinks marked the beginning of our first encounter with “BanBan Pancakes” :)

#Savory Freedom Lunch Soufflé 200 TWD (plus sunny-side egg 20 TWD + German sausage 20 TWD)

We really didn’t expect the portion sizes at “BanBan Pancakes” to be so generous from the IG photos!! Just the pancakes themselves are about the size of a girl’s fist each XD So when the whole plate arrived, it instantly felt like such great value for money!! With the fresh lettuce, a sunny-side egg, and German sausage, this brunch was totally acceptable!!

Let’s talk about the sides first~~~ The freshly pan-fried sunny-side egg and German sausage are add-ons!! The freshly cooked flavors are amazing, and the runny yolk oozes out with every bite. The German sausage is perfectly grilled!! The snap of the casing and the juicy, firm texture make it super tasty!! The salad is fresh and crisp, paired with a special dressing that’s super appetizing!! And then comes the star of “BanBan Pancakes”: the soufflé pancakes!! Hahaha!! ^______________^ / The soft texture as you cut into it is completely different from the pancakes we grew up eating!! The outer layer seems designed to cradle the super soft interior!! It’s softer than a sponge cake, and the tenderness is just like a soufflé!! If you’ve had soufflés and love them, you’ll definitely love this one too XD

In front of an old house with old windows, surrounded by greenery... You, or the both of us, come to BanBan and taste a flavor that’s more than just half — it’s your half, plus my half, the perfect flavor.

#Mixed Fresh Fruit Soufflé Pancake 260 TWD

The most popular choice on IG for “BanBan Pancakes” is this one #Mixed Fresh Fruit Soufflé Pancake, featuring three big layers of soufflé pancakes stacked high, unlike the breakfast presentation, layered upwards with what looks like a dusting of snow on top, making it especially cute~~ The fruit accompaniments are beautifully arranged!! Passion fruit, grapes, oranges, kiwi, bananas, blueberries, and then topped with two scoops of ice cream as the finishing touch. These little details are actually the most beautiful parts!! Called mere sides, but you can’t help but be drawn to them, and you’ll want to take a big bite of the pancake!! XD

Soft, fluffy, and delicate — I admitted from the first bite that these three hours were absolutely worth it!! When you put this soufflé pancake in your mouth, the way it softly melts with just a gentle bite, you’d almost think there’s water inside?! How can it be this soft and tender?! A savory dish and a sweet dish — the perfect pairing!! We enjoyed both lunch and afternoon tea at the same time~~ ^___________^ /

Slowly traveling, only recording the little details of Chiayi after returning from Taipei... This kind of overlap is actually quite fun, and as I write, it feels like I just ate these flavors yesterday. As I write, I can’t help but get lost in the beauty of it all!! I think this is why we love to travel — using those everyday unreachable moments of beauty... to build our memories. Do you feel the same way?!! :)

Banban Pancakes

Address: No. 290, Changrong Street, Guohua Li, West District, Chiayi City
Phone: 05 222 2982
Business hours: 10:00–18:00, closed on Wednesdays
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[Enjoy life, never boring. — Gui Xiaosun]、FB