The Best Japanese Fluffy Pancakes in Salt Lake City: Inside Doki Doki's Seven-Year Journey from Dark Tattoo Studio to Utah's Most Beloved Dessert Café

Walk down 400 South in downtown Salt Lake City on a Saturday afternoon, and you might see something unexpected: a line stretching down the block, people clutching their phones, waiting for a taste of something that doesn't quite exist anywhere else in Utah. They're not waiting for barbecue or ramen or the latest viral burger. They're waiting for pancakes. But not just any pancakes—Japanese fluffy pancakes so impossibly light and jiggly that one regular customer described them as "like eating a cloud."

Welcome to Doki Doki, where Irie Cao has spent seven years quietly revolutionizing Utah's dessert scene, one soufflé technique at a time.

From Vietnam to Los Angeles to a Salt Lake City Dream

Irie Cao was born and raised in Vietnam, moving to San Gabriel, California, when she turned 15 in 2006. In Southern California's sprawling Asian American communities, she found something that would change the trajectory of her life: Japanese bakeries. On her way to school was a Japanese bakery, and she said she would stop there to get a treat to enjoy on her journey.

Those morning stops became an obsession. Already in love with baking, she said, she became "obsessed" with the Japanese pastries, and how light and airy they were. The way they felt almost weightless on your tongue. The delicate balance of sweetness that never overwhelmed. The precision required to create something so seemingly simple.

When Cao moved to Utah years later, she immediately noticed what was missing. Her passion for baking only got stronger once she moved to Utah. She wasn't as satisfied with the options that Salt Lake City had to offer regarding Japanese desserts. So she did what any self-taught baker with a dream would do—she started making them herself at home.

After little convincing, Cao made her dreams become a reality by opening her very own bakery, Doki Doki. The name, meaning "to feel your heartbeat" in Japanese, felt right. She chose this name because she feels this type of connection to her work.

In 2018, Cao opened Doki Doki in what used to be a dark tattoo studio. They revamped the location to be light-filled and airy, with a low seating platform near the front windows, and greenery and anime art placed throughout. The transformation wasn't just physical—it was philosophical. Where darkness once lived, Cao created a space that felt like stepping into a Tokyo café, right here on 400 South.

The Fluffy Pancake Phenomenon: Utah's Only Source for Cloud-Like Soufflé Pancakes

Let's talk about those Japanese fluffy pancakes in Salt Lake City. Because if you've seen them on Instagram—and trust me, you have—you know they're different. Impossibly tall. Unnaturally jiggly. Almost cartoonish in their perfection.

Later in 2018, she began offering the cloud-like fluffy pancakes, when they were just starting to become popular on social media in Japan. The timing was everything. During the pandemic, fluffy pancakes "really exploded" in America, especially in Los Angeles and New York City, Cao said.

But here's what makes Doki Doki's version special: Fluffy pancakes get their special texture by using a soufflé technique. The egg whites are whipped up with a sugary gloss, then they are mixed with the batter that is made with the yolks. It leaves the pancakes light, jiggly, soft and so delicious.

And there's something else—something Cao doesn't advertise but anyone who bakes at high altitude knows intimately. She specifically adapted her recipes for Utah's elevation. That's not a small thing. At 4,200 feet, ingredients behave differently. Eggs whip differently. Batters rise differently. The fact that these pancakes work at all is a minor miracle of kitchen chemistry.

One customer who finally tried them after years of anticipation summed it up perfectly: "I had been waiting years for this moment -- this moment being finally having jiggly pancakes -- and Doki Doki did not disappoint!"

Another reviewer noted, "The pancakes were soft, airy, and had a distinct eggy flavor, which is quite different from American-style pancakes but still really delicious. They're made fresh to order, so it does take about 20-25 minutes, but the wait is part of the charm."

That wait? It's non-negotiable. Pre-preparation of the pancakes is impossible, and each subsequent batch of pancakes after the first one takes an average of 13 minutes to cook. When your Instagram is blowing up and 120 orders come in back-to-back on a Saturday morning—which actually happened at Cao's now-closed Kumo Cafe location—that wait can stretch to hours. Now, Doki Doki has learned. The expectations are set. The magic takes time.

This breakfast-for-dessert quite literally melts in your mouth. Almost too cute to eat, but after one bite, there's no stopping.

Beyond the Pancakes: Utah's #1 Crepe Cake Destination

While the fluffy pancakes grab headlines and Instagram real estate, Doki Doki's mille crepe cakes are what earned them their original reputation. They are ranked #1 Crepe Cake of Utah and were rated #2 best dessert of Utah in 2021.

Each of their crepe cakes is made with over 20 golden brown soft thin crepes, layered with homemade cream using fresh fruits and premium ingredients. Light and just-sweet-enough, it's like eating a cloud. One Salt Lake Magazine reviewer confessed, My slice of crème brûlée cake didn't last for more than 3 minutes.

The passion fruit crepe cake has its own cult following. Multiple customers cited it as their must-order item. The ube coconut cream version? One customer brought her daughter and friends for a birthday celebration, saying "We ate the fluffy pancakes and a slice of the Ube Coconut Cream Crepe cake, it was all amazing especially the crepe cake!"

Then there's the taiyaki—those fish-shaped waffles filled with custard and topped with ice cream. Taiyaki is a traditional dessert that is sold at Doki Doki. It is a wafer-like batter that is shaped into a fish shape or a cone, accompanied with ice cream that comes in many flavors and fresh layered toppings. The strawberry version, loaded with Oreos, raspberry rosé sauce, fresh strawberries, and wafer sticks, is pure Instagram bait—in the best possible way.

Japanese treats are well known for their decadent and distinct tastes. The Japanese culture prides itself on using no refined sugars or artificial flavors. Japanese desserts do contain less sugar than most American desserts. However, they are still perfectly sweet. That philosophy runs through everything at Doki Doki. These aren't American-style sugar bombs. They're desserts that respect the ingredients, that let fruit taste like fruit and cream taste like cream.

The Heart Behind the Business: Community, Resilience, and Authenticity

Here's where Irie Cao's story gets real. In early 2025, after seven years of pouring her heart into Doki Doki, she faced a crisis. Last summer, Doki Doki made about 40% less than what it typically makes during the season. This winter has been slow compared to past winters, too.

"I just get a lot of pressure on me as a business owner to just keep the door open, keep the light on," Cao said. She has poured all of her savings into the business and taken out several loans to help support Doki Doki, but she worries it's not enough.

The rising cost of eggs alone nearly broke her. The cafe goes through eggs constantly, she said, adding that she used to be able to buy 15 dozen eggs from a food supplier for $45. Last summer, that same number of eggs cost about $70. Now, the price is more than $100.

But something beautiful happened. When she shared her struggle with the community through a Salt Lake Tribune article, Salt Lake City showed up. Just before noon Saturday, a "nonstop" line of customers stretched blocks down 400 South in Salt Lake City. By 3 p.m. Saturday, Doki Doki had sold out of its delicate crepe cake, creamy panna cotta and flaky pastries.

"When you have a product that you don't sell, you second-guess yourself," said Cao, who toyed with the idea of shutting Doki Doki down in early February. "But when it's sold out like that, it's almost like a compliment. It's reassuring. Like, 'Hey, you're doing the right thing.'"

And Cao didn't keep that support to herself. She immediately used her platform to highlight other struggling local restaurants—places like Oh Mai Vietnamese Kitchen, Ding Tea, Keyaki Sushi, and Picnic. Because that's who she is. Her Vietnamese heritage and connection to Utah make her want to bring unity through her business. "I want my business to be an example of connection between two countries that we can all love each other and support each other," Cao said.

She's proven that commitment before. When Typhoon Yagi devastated villages in Vietnam in 2024, Cao organized a fundraiser through Doki Doki, selling special sweet treat boxes with adorable kitty-cat pudding desserts, with proceeds donated to help the victims.

The Downtown Salt Lake City Dessert Scene's Beating Heart

Doki Doki sits in the Stoneground Building, perfectly positioned across from Library Square and Washington Square. During the Utah Pride Festival and Utah Arts Festival—typically Cao's busiest season—the location becomes a natural gathering spot for festival-goers looking for a sweet escape.

Cao says that her team, all of whom are members of the LGBTQ community, help come up with menu items. Doki is a safe space for any and all to just relax, talk and enjoy some incredible desserts. The café's atmosphere reflects this openness: anime art on the walls, corgi decorations (naturally), Japanese-style floor seating by the windows, and a general vibe that says "you're welcome here, exactly as you are."

It's not just a dessert shop. It's a community hub for Utah's Asian American community, for dessert lovers, for anyone who appreciates the craft of making something beautiful and delicious. Cao said she is forever grateful for the many influencers and foodies in Salt Lake City who blogged, posted and continued to share her work. They helped and continue to help spread her passions of baking and all of the hard work that goes into it, all across every social media platform.

What to Order at Doki Doki

If you're planning your first visit to this Japanese dessert café in downtown Salt Lake City, here's your insider guide based on what actual customers can't stop talking about:

The Must-Tries:

• Japanese Fluffy Pancakes – Available in flavors like Nutella Oreo, crème brûlée, pistachio cream, and matcha. Expect a 20-25 minute wait. Worth every second.
• Passion Fruit Crepe Cake – The tangy-sweet balance here is perfection. Multiple reviewers called this their favorite.
• Ube Coconut Cream Crepe Cake – That gorgeous purple color isn't just for Instagram. The flavor is subtle, earthy, and addictive.
• Taiyaki Sundae – Get the strawberry version with vanilla ice cream, custard filling, Biscoff cookies, and fresh fruit.
• Japanese Cream Bunny Panna Cotta – This adorable milk-based panna cotta comes with your choice of ube, matcha, dark chocolate, or passion fruit sauce.

The Drinks:

• Peach Ombre Drink – Customers rave about this Instagram-worthy beverage
• Melona Drink – Unexpectedly carbonated, refreshingly sweet
• Vietnamese Coffee – A nod to Cao's heritage

Pro Tips:

• The fluffy pancakes sell out fast on weekends. Consider calling ahead or visiting during weekday afternoons.
• Don't skip the passion fruit sauce—it appears on multiple items and customers universally love it.
• Whole crepe cakes can be ordered for special occasions (weddings, birthdays, holidays) but need to be ordered at least a day in advance. Each one takes 2-3 hours to prepare.
• One reviewer noted you can "customize your ice cream at Doki Doki by adding different toppings and flavors."

Planning Your Visit to Doki Doki

Location: 249 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (inside the Stoneground Building on the ground floor)

Hours: Monday-Saturday, 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM (Closed Sundays)

Parking: There's free parking behind the Stoneground Building. Take the driveway just past the building as you're heading west. Don't park in the small lot—keep going to the back lot shared with Stoneground and Caffe D'Bolla.

Ordering: You'll order at electronic kiosks when you arrive. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful if you need recommendations.

Wait Times: Fluffy pancakes take 20-25 minutes to prepare fresh. Most other items come out within 8-10 minutes. During busy periods (Saturday afternoons, festival weekends), expect longer waits. The atmosphere is cozy enough that you won't mind.

Budget: Expect to spend $5-15 per person for dessert. Crepe cake slices run around $6-7. Fluffy pancakes are typically $10-15 depending on toppings. Taiyaki sundaes are $8-12.

Follow Them: @dokidessert on Instagram for menu updates, new flavor announcements, and those irresistible food photos.

Why Doki Doki Matters to Utah's Food Scene

In a state where chain restaurants dominate and authentic ethnic cuisine can be hard to find, Doki Doki represents something vital: genuine, uncompromising craft. Irie Cao didn't move to Utah and water down her vision to fit what she thought Utahns wanted. She made exactly what she loved—light, delicate, precisely crafted Japanese desserts—and trusted that people would get it.

And they did. Seven years later, despite financial struggles and the constant pressure of running a small business, Doki Doki remains the only place in Utah where you can get authentic Japanese fluffy pancakes. Not a fusion version. Not an approximation. The real thing, adapted for altitude but faithful to the soufflé technique that makes them impossibly fluffy.

Cao's story is one of passion, challenges, and successes that are both personal and communal. Her bakery reflects not just her heritage, but also a commitment to quality, authenticity, and the cherished flavors that remind her of home.

When you walk into Doki Doki and watch Cao or her team carefully fold egg whites into batter, when you wait patiently for your pancakes to achieve the perfect jiggle, when you taste a slice of crepe cake that took hours to layer—you're not just eating dessert. You're participating in an act of cultural preservation. You're supporting a woman who risked everything to bring a piece of her dream to downtown Salt Lake City.

And yeah, the pancakes really do taste like clouds.

Ready to experience Utah's most beloved Japanese dessert café? Doki Doki is waiting at 249 E 400 South in downtown Salt Lake City, Monday through Saturday from noon to 9:30 PM. Give yourself time. Bring your appetite. And prepare for something you won't find anywhere else in the state—authentic Japanese fluffy pancakes that'll make you understand why people line up down the block.