Hanamaru Cafe

Jeffery Barros 2 weeks ago

A great Japanese cafe! Definitely check this place out. I ordered the green tea milk tea, a custard taiyaki, a savory taiyaki with pepperoni & mozzarella, and the Nikujaga (meat & potatoes). The custard taiyaki was splendid and perfect, just what I wanted! The custard balancing perfectly with the taiyaki dough. However, I felt the pepperoni mozzarella taiyaki could've done with more filling, or maybe like a marinara sauce, the pizza flavor was a bit lost in the taiyaki dough. The Nikujaga was great, very 懐かし, (nostalgic). Hit the spot! Definitely check this place out!

The Mrs 2 months ago

Great place for Taiyaki with sweet or savory filling, also the soft serve is great! We ordered the vanilla swirled with Ube upside down with rainbow sprinkles and mochi. We also ordered the savory Taiyaki with pepperoni and cheese and added the marinara dipping sauce on the side. The custard filled Taiyaki was a bit eggy tasting but the condensed milk Taiyaki was creamy and sweet, they also added the condensed sauce on top which made for a really rich treat! Unfortunately, the last time I went it was extremely hot inside and the soft serve was melting, hopefully they will fix that because most people go to get a cold soft serve on a hot day! We also ordered the vanilla soft serve upside down with oreos.

Crystal Stanley 2 months ago

So grateful for gluten free options! I enjoyed an upside down ice cream cone and a blueberry taiyaki. Service was great. The gluten free cones are made fresh so there was a wait, which I totally don't mind, just giving anyone reading this the heads up to not be in a rush. I enjoyed journaling while there, it was not a noisy environment. I'm autistic and struggle to find places where my senses are not overwhelmed, and I was fine here without headphones even with other guests coming and going - with the exception of the woman's bathroom, the plumbing was making a high pitched noise every couple minutes. I doubt anyone else noticed it. I will definitely be back, this was the perfect spot to quench my soft serve cravings 😋

Heather M (GingerNinja) 3 months ago

If you're looking for a hidden gem where the focus is on incredible flavor and genuine hospitality, Hanamaru Cafe is it. The cafe is sparsely decorated and minimally furnished, making it clear from the moment you walk in they pour all of their energy directly into the kitchen. ​The staff is incredibly hospitable, welcoming every guest with genuine warmth that makes the simple space feel instantly inviting. That same care translates directly to the plate, with fresh ingredients shining through in every bite. ​I tried the bulgogi, and it was phenomenal. The dish features thinly sliced, tender beef that had been perfectly marinated in a savory-sweet soy blend, seared beautifully with crisp onions and sesame seeds. It was incredibly flavorful without being overly heavy — pure, comfort food! ​To drink, both the iced coffee and iced latte were wonderfully refreshing. I’m usually a strict cold brew drinker, so stepping outside my comfort zone is rare, but I was incredibly pleased by the juicy, citrus notes in their ice coffee. I was genuinely surprised to find out they use Community Coffee brand's medium roast to achieve that bright, clean flavor profile. ​Hanamaru Cafe proves you don’t n

Evers 3 months ago

Taiyaki delicious—an absolute must. Cozy, small cafe / seating area. Huge and wide menu despite it being a hidden gem of Live Oak. I personally recommend the condensed milk and a mozzarella taiyaki! They are the perfect snack, the bread isn’t too sweet but isn’t bland either. Great job!