Okaeri Japanese Cafe

The photo says half of it. Tasty, filling yet overrated. It’s shareable with friends.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 5

Ordered on doordash and waited an hour just to have them cancel. It's really disrespectful and unprofessional to make people wait before you tell them you can't be bothered fulfilling their orders.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

I went to Tokyo a year ago. This place scratched the onigiri itch I’ve had since coming back. Excellent service and quick.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Onigiri

Thoroughly enjoyed their pancake. I will say they could benefit from a larger dining area.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

The soufflé pancakes here were delicious!! I got the strawberry and matcha pancakes, and they were both soo delicious. I also got the peach crepe cake, while although was still good, paled in comparison to the pancakes. There isn't much seating area, but the store is well decorated, and they even sell various Japanese memorabelia, which I thought was a nice touch. The employees were incredibly kind!

The wait on the pancakes was long, but they do have a disclaimer when you order, and they were totally worth the wait. The only other thing was that everything on the menu was quite pricey, so if I were to come back it would probably be only for the pancakes or the entrees.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 5

I have been spoiled in Hawaii with the souffle pancakes there, but I am grateful that there is a place in this area. So maybe you shouldn't totally go off my opinion on the pancakes here if you have never had one. I have to say it wasn't that bad here, the taste is just too eggy for me. I will be back to try other things there or maybe go to their other location in MD and give it a try there. Yes, I am a souffle pancake snob! LOL. The only issues I have are, this place is very small inside and not too many tables to enjoy your food and not sure how well they travel, especially if you live far like me (30 mins away) and they did not open when posted. I would have eaten lunch here but we were waiting at least 15 mins after it was supposed to be open and there was someone waiting outside at the door so we went to the Thai restaurant in the Plaza to eat lunch then had the Ube Souffle Pancakes for dessert there.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 3

The first time I came here was 1.5 years ago and I was BLOWN AWAYYYYY, and this time I was still blown away by the pancakes, but the other things I got could use some work. Starting with the pancakes: Thank yall so much for adding my favorite flavor, Ube. It was to die for. The white cream on top I don’t know what it’s made of, maybe cream cheese, but it pairs perfectly with the Ube. The matcha pancakes were better the first time I got them 1.5 years ago. Back then it was cream on top, now it’s mochi on top. Still bomb though. For the beef curry onigiri, the flavor is amazinggg but this time there wasn’t as much filling as last time. It was more rice. The matcha yuzu lemonade was mid to be honest, and also it was hard to mix. So you just have concentrated flavor on the bottom and bland matcha water on top. But when you finally mix it fully it’s better, but for. $7????? Nah. Also, the pancakes took a HOT minute to finally come out, but they were busy to be fair. Overall I do recommend, ESPECIALLY the pancakes.

Recommended dishes: Ube Sufflé Pancake, Beef Curry

Small portions for the price, but service is always nice. It’s a small and cramped space, seeing as how they are constantly busy with patrons, they should invest in a bigger space. Dining here has always been an uncomfortable experience

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 5

Cute place. Picked up couple of their fruit sandwiches only to find out it is just filled with cream. The 1/2 strawberry sandwich sells for $6 and had only 3 strawberries halves! WTH!?! The fruit is just for decoration it seems. Not sure I'd come back again.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 4

The place is a bit small and have little decoration but its really cute and cozy. The staff were really nice and friendly despite the amount of people there. I got the strawberry sandwich, strawberry pancake and the match dorayaki. The pancake was nice a fluffy. The presentation was really pretty, perfect for taking photos. The pancake itself was not too sweet and soft. I really like the jam and whip creme on top. I wish they had given more of the topping since the pancake was a bit bland. Overall, this place is really good and a fun snack spot.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Pancake, Sandwich, Sandwiches, Strawberry Sandwich, Strawberry

Super cute cafe, limited menu items. Come here for the soufflé pancakes. (Eggplant curry isn’t bad either)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Eggplant Curry

I visited Okaeri when they first opened, and went again recently. My initial issue with Okaeri was the pancakes seemed on the smaller side for the price. Upon my recent visit, it seems they have gotten just a tad bit bigger. The pancakes are very light, so if you’re looking to get full perhaps order some of their onigiri’s first. The pancakes do have a bit of an egg like flavor, but not the worst I’ve had for soufflé pancakes. I ordered their spam musubi, and that’s definitely one of the highlights on their menu. It was warm (perhaps because they had just opened) and fresh, and pretty delicious. Their melon soda is also nice and refreshing (though I wish it came with the cherry on top like advertised). Overall, I feel the items are pretty decent, though I do wish they expanded the menu with some of the options being offered at their new Rockville location. We want the parfaits, and pudding here in Centreville too!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Spam Egg Musubi, Spam Musubi

This place tends to be super busy so I’ve never ordered their specialty, the soufflé pancakes because that take 20+ to get after ordering. Their onigiri are pretty solid and the matcha I had today was pretty good! Overall a solid place just wish it was easier to get the pancakes.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

The pancake is very jiggly and delicious!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I got one of their onigiris(tuna mayo) and it was 80% rice and 20% super dry tuna mayo. Honestly ones I get from asian grocery stores is better. Service/atmosphere was great though.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 5