Pink Slip Gourmet: Japanese Pancake World

There are few words that can accurately describe the experience one has at Japanese Pancake World restaurant in Amsterdam so that someone who has not been there can fully understand this absolutely unique and delicious experience. Good thing I had a camera! :) I will mostly let the video and pictures show you everything you need to know about this place, which happens to be one of the coolest places I have ever been. However, there are a few things you should know about Japanese Pancake World first, especially if you find yourself in Amsterdam and want to go there:

1. The restaurant is closed often. The owner opens it whenever he wants to and thus it has an erratic schedule. Check the website before going.
2. It takes a while to create the pancake, so be prepared to wait 30 minutes for your meal. It's worth every second.
3. The experience is not complete if you don't sit at the grill where the owner makes these amazing creations. There are only 5 seats at the grill, so get there early or don't get there at all. In my opnion, you cannot enjoy or appreciate what is brought to the table if you haven't seen it be made. Plus, you can chat with Jack the owner while he is making his masterpiece right in front of you. He's very friendly and speaks many languages. Maybe he'll tell you what he does the 20 days out of the month he closes the restaurant. I have a guess that he lives in Amsterdam for a reason and enjoys it to the fullest :)
4. The type of cooking he does is called Okonomiyaki which means as you like so feel free to request any kind of topping on your pancake. He is there to please and the laid back, unpretentious atmosphere that he creates is ever so welcoming that you think to yourself as you watch him craft your lunch that you want to come back for dinner. That is, until you eat the entire, scrumptious pancake and realize that you may not even need dinner since it was so filling and satisfying.

P.S. I ordered the okonomiyaki with pork strips, B ordered the okonomiyaki with marinated beef, spinach and onion and Lili ordered the Osaka deluxe okonomiyaki with jumbo shrimps, scallop, pork strips, salami, cheese, shiitake mushrooms and squid. Each one was mouth-watering good in its own distinct way. So, take as many people as can fit at the bar and all get something different to discover the many flavors the chef has to offer on such a unique canvas - a Japanese pancake. Who knew?

Ok, so that's admittedly more than just a few words, but I want you to know the basics before diving into the awesomeness below. Have fun viewing the culinary genius that blew me away. I have never experienced anything like it before. What a taste revelation! If you are in Amsterdam and the Japanese Pancake World happens to be open, DO NOT MISS IT! Obviously, I can't hide my love affair with it. But, I'll stop rambling and let the photos/video do their job.