A recipe for Japanese Crepes (ジャパニーズクレープ) inspired by our time in Shibuya, Tokyo! These thin crepes are rolled up with a variety of sweet or even savory options.
We recently spent nearly two weeks in Tokyo! We had such a fantastic time seeing the city, trying a variety of restaurants, and spending time with friends.
I will be sharing our experiences in a series of blog posts. I started last week with Pork Gyoza and an overview of Yoyogi, Shimokitazawa, Meiji Jingu, and Gotokuji Temple.
Today, I am covering our time in Shibuya!
Shibuya
Shibuya (渋谷区) is a large neighborhood in Tokyo stretching from the area south of Shinjuku Station all the way to Ebisu.
The most popular areas for tourists are around Shibuya Station and Harajuku. It is completely packed with a variety of shopping, entertainment, and restaurants.
Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Just outside of Shibuya Station’s Hachiko Exit is Shibuya Scramble Crossing, one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world with up 3,000 people crossing at once during peak times.
I snuck out early on our first morning in Tokyo. Chad and the kids were still asleep, but jet-lag had me up at around 4 am.
There was such a big difference in the crossing from 6 am on a Sunday (nearly empty) to our second visit later at 7 pm on a Tuesday (crowds everywhere).
There is currently a lot of construction in the area, so I got turned around coming out of the station more than once until I figured out the general direction of everything.
Hachiko
Another famous landmark in Shibuya is the Hachiko (ハチ公) Statue next to the crossing.
This statue was built in memory of Hachiko (also known as 忠犬ハチ公, Chuken Hachiko), an Akita Inu who would wait for his owner, Professor Ueno of University of Tokyo, every day at the station.
The professor died in 1925 while at the university and Hachiko continued to wait for nine years until his own death when he was cremated and buried next to his owner.
Shibuya Nishimura Fruits Parlor
On our last evening in Tokyo, Claire and I went out just the two of us for dessert at Shibuya Nishimura Fruits Parlor (渋谷西村フルーツパーラ).
It is located next to Shibuya Scramble Crossing with a high-end seasonal fruit store (opened in 1910) on the first floor and the fruit parlor on the second.
The menu highlights gorgeous presentations of fruit in parfaits, anmitsu, crepes, pancakes, sandwiches, and drinks. Indoor seating and there may be a waitlist during busy times. They also have an English/Chinese menu available.
We ordered the Melon Cream Soda (メロンクリームソーダ), Strawberry Parfait (ストロベリーパフェ), Fruit Sandwich (フルーツサンド), and Iced Cafe au Lait (アイスカフェオレ).
From the waiting area, there is also a great view of Shibuya Scramble Crossing.
White Glass Coffee
The kids adjusted to the time change pretty much immediately, but it took me a solid three days with the afternoons being the most difficult.
On the first morning, I went out alone to White Glass Coffee since Chad and the kids were still asleep after 26 hours of travel. This beautiful shop is open daily with a variety of coffee, other drinks, pastries, and food. They have indoor and outdoor seating.
I got not only Coffee Jelly (コーヒーゼリー), but also a French Toast (フレンチトースト) Set with an Iced Latte to help with the brain fog. Both were delicious along with the beautifully styled French Toast.
Kumachan Onsen
We made reservations for くまちゃん温泉 (Kumachan Onsen) after Claire saw a few videos online and requested it.
This Sapporo-based hot pot restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner with indoor seating on the first and second floors.
They have individual hot pots in a few different flavors with enough collagen to set the broth into adorable bears. Once placed over heat, the bears melt like they are relaxing in an onsen/hot spring (until they melt completely and Claire mourns the loss of each bear).
Reservations can be made through their link on Instagram up to 30 days in advance. There is a 90 minute time limit and tables must order at least one drink/hot pot per person.
The food was delicious, but next time I would probably wait until closer to winter to enjoy four heated hot pots in a booth. It was quite warm on an already 38˚C/101˚F day. We did see some refreshing and cute bear shaped desserts such as kakigori and ice cream on the ground level.
The kids were also fairly new to working with hot pots, so it took us the entire 90 minute time limit to enjoy the meal. Make sure to pick out your sauces/condiments while waiting on the food to maximize your time!
When ordering (Japanese or English menu), you can choose your soup base then customize with meat option and choice of ramen, gyoza, or rice cakes to finish. They also come with a variety of colorful vegetables. We picked the Sake and Miso, Chicken, and Bonito Bears.
Mega Don Quijote
The Mega Don Quijote in Shibuya (MEGAドン・キホーテ 渋谷本店) is a large discount store open 24 hours.
It has eight levels packed with food and groceries, souvenirs, cosmetics, toiletries, cleaning supplies, outdoor gear, stationery, travel items, and more.
We didn’t pick any up since we were afraid of them melting, but the store also has an entire aisle devoted to Kit Kats in a variety of flavors on 2F.
There are two entrances on opposite sides of the building.
Just inside the Shibuya Center-Gai entrance is a counter selling cheese-filled bread shaped like a ¥10 coin (cost is higher than ¥10). Purchase via the ticket machine at the line entrance. No eating inside the store.
Shibuya Parco
Shibuya Parco (渋谷PARCO-パルコ) was another favorite stop for the family. This massive shopping center has eleven levels and was recently renovated and reopened in 2019.
Cyperspace Shibuya is on 6F with the Nintendo Store, Pokemon Center, Capcom Store, and more.
We had just eaten so we didn’t stop by, but B1F is also home to Chaos Kitchen with restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Nintendo Tokyo
Shibuya Parco has Japan’s first official Nintendo Store! At the time of this post, the others are located in New York City and more recently in Osaka (2022).
The store features toys, clothing, stationery, kitchenware, snacks, and more with a heavy focus on Super Mario, Animal Crossing, Kirby, Splatoon, and Zelda. There are also a couple of games to play and switch items.
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom was released two months before our trip so they had a lot of fun merchandise specific to the game.
Pokémon Center
The Pokémon Center (ポケモンセンターシブヤ) is directly across from the Nintendo Store and also opened in 2019.
This modern store is decorated in black and white and has shelves lined with Pokémon stuffed animals, cards, stationery, home goods, food, and more.
C-Pla Shibuya
On the walk back to the train station from Shibuya Parco, we stumbled across #C-Pla Shibuya.
If there is one word in Japanese Claire will forever remember, it is Gachapon/Gashapon (ガチャポン/ガシャポン). She searched for the capsule toy machines everywhere during our trip and was so excited to see so many in this small store.
These machines are also a fun way to use up leftover change.
Harajuku
Harajuku (原宿) is the district surrounding Harajuku Station between Shibuya and Shinjuku.
It was a quick one stop on the train from our hotel at Yoyogi Station to Harajuku Station. I also took a scenic walk once through Meiji Jingu, but do not recommend this in July.
Takeshita Street
Directly outside the Takeshita Exit of Harajuku Station is Takeshita Dori!
Takeshita Street (竹下通り) is a 400 meter long pedestrian shopping street in Harajuku packed with people, shops, and street food.
We went on a Thursday afternoon around 4 pm and the crowd was much less than even earlier in the day with minimal to no lines. Sundays are the busiest.
Take care to only eat in the designated areas. There will often be small spots to the side of the shop dedicated to eating and marked with signs.
Picnic Harajuku
While researching for the trip, the girls came across Picnic Harajuku. This little shop is just inside the entrance to Takeshita Street and it is air conditioned!
They have a DIY slime station, lots of candy, keychains, and other cute items.
Sweet Box
Our first food stop was crepes from Sweet Box! There are a few crepe shops throughout Takeshita Street. Sweet Box was the first the kids came across.
They picked the Double Chocolate Banana & Cream and the Gelato with Strawberries & Cream. There is a small spot with benches to eat the crepes behind the building to the left.
Imo Pippi
My personal favorite treat was the 1mm絹糸の紫芋とアイス (1mm Silk Thread Purple Potato and Ice Cream) from 芋ぴっぴ (Imo Pippi).
This dessert is packed with a sliced baked sweet potato, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, and extremely purple potato threads.
Ano Ano Cafe
Ano Ano Cafe is a small 2D cafe with specialty drinks, cake, bread, and chocolate.
We picked up the ねこねこ食パン (Neko Neko Bread). This cute and fluffy cat bread comes in loaves or individual slices. I loved the maple flavor swirled through the bread.
Totti Candy Factory
The Harajuku Rainbow Cotton Candy (原宿レインボーわたあめ) from Totti Candy Factory was another fun treat.
This was a favorite for the girls, but the boys ended up liking it too and the four of them finished the entire massive cotton candy in less than 5 minutes.
Le Shiner
We stuck to mostly sweet treats, but picked up a couple of savory items from Le Shiner.
This shop also has rainbow-themed food and ordering is via a machine to the right of the counter. We got the Rainbow Grilled Cheese and Rainbow Korean Corn Dog (Evan ate the corn dog before I took a good photo).
Cafe Reissue
Yoshimi and I went to Cafe Reissue and I had one of the most memorable lattes ever. It was almost too gorgeous to drink!
Cafe Reissue (リシュー) is a small coffee shop about 210 meters north of Takeshita Dori. During peak times, there may be a wait list. We wrote our names down and had a return time of about 45 minutes later on a Thursday afternoon.
Once seated, you can pick between an iced or hot drink and 2D (hot only) or 3D latte art. We went with only drinks, but they have food too.
They took a picture of my requested photo (our dog Olivia) and used the image to create the incredible latte art.
Menchirashi
One evening, I had a fantastic dinner alone at Menchirashi (麺散).
This restaurant features an incredible variety of hot or chilled freshly made udon, tempura, drinks, and cocktails. There are a few indoor counter seats and table. They also have an English menu available.
During peak hours, there may be a line outside. I got lucky with my timing, but there was a queue of around 15 as I was leaving.
I ordered the Carbonara Udon (カルボナーラうどん- so so good!) and a Sudachi Sour (すだちサワー).
Japanese Crepes
To pair with this post, the kids requested the Japanese Crepes (ジャパニーズクレープ) they enjoyed in Harajuku at home!
For the crepe base, I went with my basic crepe recipe and added an extra egg to make them sturdy enough to hold the filling without tearing or falling completely over. I also added a splash of vanilla extract.
I made the crepes a few different times over the last couple of weeks and went with an assortment of fillings.
Japanese Crepes Filling Options
The possibilities for filling these Japanese Crepes are endless. In Takeshita Street, they ranged from simply whipped cream, sauce, and/or sprinkles to a variety of fresh fruit, scoops of ice cream, and even slices of cheese cake or brownies.
I especially love adding matcha ice cream to mine with whipped cream, fresh strawberry slices, and shiratama dango.
The kids went with whipped cream, strawberries, vanilla ice cream, and chocolate sauce.
Another favorite was adding a chilled custard to the top and torching with a layer of sugar to make a Creme Brûlée Crepe!
For more savory options, I added lettuce, ham, and cheese with a drizzle of mayo or lettuce, pepperoni, cheese, and pizza sauce.
A Few Tips
I usually just whisk the ingredients for the crepes together in a large bowl until smooth with no lumps. If you can’t get it smooth enough or are looking for a quicker way, simply toss everything in the blender and process until smooth.
Allow the mixture to rest for about 30 minutes covered before cooking.
If the batter is too thin, add a little more flour until it is thick enough to coat the bottom of the pan in a thin layer. If it is too thick, add a splash or two of milk.
I use a crepe pan to make the crepes, but a well seasoned large skillet would also work well. The trick to thin crepes is a thoroughly heated pan and pouring in the batter (about 1/3 cup, 80 milliliters) quickly.
As soon as the batter touches the pan, swirl it around in a circle to coat the bottom. Watch the temperature and adjust the heat between medium and low as needed.
Do not overfill the crepes or they will become difficult to roll. My crepe pan is smaller than the large ones in Harajuku, so I arranged them with around half the amount of filling.
Serve the crepes immediately after assembling. For more strength, wrap the Japanese Crepe in paper to form a cone.
Japanese Crepes Recipe
Adapted from Cooking with Dog
Japanese Crepes
Ingredients
Crepes:
- 1 cup (125 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon (12 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups (296 milliliters) milk
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled, plus more for greasing the pan
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling:
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) powdered sugar
- Fresh fruit
- Ice cream
- Chocolate, fruit, or caramel sauce
Instructions
To make the crepes:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract.
- Slowly whisk into the flour mixture until smooth and no lumps remain.
- Cover the bowl and set aside for 30 minutes.
- Place a crepe pan or large skillet over medium-low heat. Once heated, lightly grease with butter.
- Add about 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) of the batter, enough to coat the bottom of the pan by quickly tilting the pan to make a thin layer. Cook until the top is nearly set, about 1 minute.
- Carefully flip to cook the other side for another 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining batter, lightly greasing the pan with butter. Adjust the heat between medium and low as needed.
- Allow the crepes to cool to room temperature.
To Fill:
- In a large bowl, beat together the cream and 2 tablespoons (15 grams) powdered sugar just until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer the whipped cream to a large piping bag with a star tip.
- Pipe the whipped cream over a 'V' shaped 1/8 to 1/4 section of the cooled crepe.
- Top as desired with fresh fruit slices, a small scoop of ice cream, and/or chocolate/fruit/caramel sauce.
- Roll up and serve immediately, repeating with remaining crepes.
Suja md
Truly amazing in taste and flavors!
Helen
I loved reading about your trip – so fun!
Thanks for this great recipe 🙂
Tavo
Like taking a delightful stroll through the vibrant streets of Shibuya itself. So vivid and inviting, made me feel like I was right there, savoring each bite. Keep up the fantastic work!