The Team Behind Hanabusa Cafe Will Soon Introduce a New Concept Called Soft Bites

According to a recent tweet from B Talent, the owners of Hanabusa Cafe will soon open a new concept called Soft Bites at 705 W Belden Avenue.

A representative of Soft Bites was not immediately available to provide commentary upon What Now Chicago’s request.

While an official opening date and what Soft Bites plans to offer have yet to be confirmed, according to Soft Bites’ Instagram photo, “souffle pancakes” could be on the menu. Hanabusa Cafe’s website is also linked in the biography section.

If you’re unfamiliar with what a souffle pancake is, a Japanese soufflé pancake is a pancake made using soufflé techniques. Egg whites are whipped up with sugar into a glossy thick meringue then mixed with a batter made with the yolks.

Hanabusa’s website states, “Hanabusa Cafe brings the first Japanese soufflé pancake shop in Toronto located in Kensington Market to Chicago. The word ‘Hanabusa’ means the floral house in Japanese and our cafe makes authentic Japanese soufflé pancake.”

For the property itself, according to Loop Net , the building was originally built in 1903 and was renovated in 2020. The gross leasable area is listed to be at approximately 14,700 square feet.

Keep up with What Now Chicago’s restaurant, retail, and real estate scoop by subscribing to our newsletter , liking us on Facebook , and following us on Twitter . Opening a restaurant? Browse our Preferred Partners .