Photo courtesy of Jakkepoes ()
What’s not to love about a pancake house that flips your pancakes to order and is located by a quiet beach. So next time you’re out on a weekend drive, steer your way toward Jakkepoes in Yomitan.
Since opening in 2008, Jakkepoes has been a favorite of the military community.
“Our pancakes are classic American-style, which is not too sweet and fluffy like what has been popular in Japan lately.” said Jakkepoes owner Aki Fujimoto, who named the place after a cat from her favorite Dutch movie.
Among a long list of pancakes, the blue berry, strawberry, chocolate, and chili beans and banana are favorites. Fujimoto said no matter what type of pancake you order, the Meat Lover Set (980 yen or about $8.50) is a popular order. The set includes three pancakes, sausage, bacon, spam and egg.
And for families, there is a kids’ menu that offers up three different pancakes, including the popular M&M pancake (500 yen), according to Fujimoto.
But if you don’t find what you want on the menu, Fujimoto said her friendly English-speaking staff will take requests from customers. So, you can create your own special pancake.
The interior the restaurant, which is a renovated U.S. military house, is a simple, yet cozy and seats about 25. Clean white walls, dark brown wooden floor and simple wooden tables make you feel comfortable. And when you step out of the restaurant, you can hear the welcoming waves of the empty beach that is a mere minute away.
Many visitors hit the beach before or after downing some delicious pancakes.
The directions to the place are a little complicated (see the box). But once you find this place, you will see why so many Americans keep coming back. Fujimoto said about 50 percent of her customers are American from U.S. military bases.
“I am very glad to hear from our old American customers who have moved back to U.S. and post on our Facebook page that they miss our pancakes.” said Fujimoto.“It’s so nice to keep in touch with them.”
Directions: Going south, turn left off Route 58 to Route 6 toward Zanpa Cape. Go past Torii Station, which will be on your left. Turn left at the Sobe bus stop, and drive toward the sea. Turn right at the corner of the Thomas Mansion Yomitan, a white five story building on the left. Turn left at the corner of Matsurika. Drive toward the sea until you see the brown “Jakkepoes” sign. Address: No.44, 436 Toya, Yomitanson, Okinawa Tel: 098-894-4185 Open: Mon, Thu, Fri. / 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sat. and Sun. / 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Closed: Tue. and Wed. *Closed on Mon. for the time being. Website Facebook
