Japanese souffle pancake cafe Gram opens in Chatswood, Sydney

First came ricotta hotcakes, then it was street food-style crepes, now super jiggly souffle pancakes are the latest trend to hit our cafes, and one of the biggest names behind the Instagram-famous sweet has finally landed in Sydney. Founded in Osaka in 2014, Gram Cafe & Pancakes opened its first Australian store at Chatswood Interchange last week, adding to the Japanese chain's 60 stores across Asia and North America.

The main star of the menu is the premium souffle pancakes: three tiers of pillow-like puffs served with fresh whipped cream, butter and maple syrup. The secret to the pancakes' ultra-light, fluffy structure is all in the technique: the mostly egg-white batter (hence souffle) is whipped to peak volume, then steamed in rounds under metal domes.

The method takes a special kind of precision, so much so that Gram's executive chef from Japan was flown to Sydney to teach the local kitchen team the specific cooking technique.

Also on the menu are regular-sized stacks, with creamy tiramisu or matcha flavours, savoury versions topped with smoked salmon or bacon, plus thick-cut brioche French toast.

Though originally a limited number of the premium pancakes were to be cooked per day, the overwhelming popularity of the launch weekend pushed management to offer the cult-classic dish throughout the day, a statement on their Facebook page said.

But don't let the queues put you off, takeaway versions – pre-made souffle pancakes stuffed with whipped cream – will also be available to eat on the go.

Gram Cafe & Pancakes is open from 11am–10pm Monday to Sunday at shop 67, podium level, Chatswood Interchange, 436 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood.