MELBOURNE | Kumo Desserts is a new dessert spot specialising in Japanese soufflé pancakes. I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne to take some photos, and find out more.
Brothers and owners Jason and Jin Tan started Kumo, which means ‘cloud’ in Japanese, in 2019, at Melbourne and Sydney’s Night Noodle Markets. The followed with pop-ups in Brisbane in Perth, before opening a bricks and mortar store in Perth, and now Melbourne.
The concept is simple – soufflé pancakes in assorted flavours, along with Asian-inspired house sodas and lattes. The recipe was developed by Jason, after travelling through China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan, and learning the secrets behind the soufflé pancakes he tried there.
Each pancake is made-to-order using custom-made pancake grills, and high quality locally sourced (where possible) ingredients. Unlike most recipes, Kumo’s pancakes contain 20 percent Pepe Saya cultured butter. This gives them added richness and density (hence why they’re served folded).
There’s a variety of flavours to choose from, like Biscofee, featuring Lotus Biscoff coffee, and mascarpone; Boba Brûlée Bomb, with caramelised custard and boba; and Puffy Pandan – a pandan infused souffle pancake served with coconut sugar syrup and caramelised coconut. Keep an eye out for limited flavours, like the upcoming durian pancake.
Drinks include things like hojicha tea with cream foam; a lychee, watermelon, mint and lemonade mocktail; and , yuzu lemonade, and purple yam/ube latte. They’re very well balanced and not overly sweet.
Kumo Desserts
198 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Mon – Thu: 3:00pm to 9:30pm
Fri: 3:00pm to 10:30pm
Sat: 11:00am to 10:30pm
Sun: 11:00am to 9:30pm