By now you have probably heard of the famous handmade 15-layer Mille Crêpe Cakes from L’otus Cake Boutique in Richmond.
This creation has over a dozen light, fluffy, moist crêpes with pastry cream in between – a Parisian treat most Vancouverites would happily jump on the Canada Line just to taste (and most already have!).
These babies are in popular demand – if you want to purchase a whole cake, you need to call one to two working days ahead of time, and to ensure you get your hands on a slice you need to reserve a day in advance.
So what makes these cakes so fabulous?
Well, 15 layers may sound like a hefty helping, but the texture of the crêpe cakes is reminiscent of a mousse, making it ultra light and beautifully creamy. While this dessert has previously been a popular pick in Toronto and New York, Vancouver is just getting a taste of it thanks to L’otus.
L’otus is always cooking up new flavours of the cakes, but staples include favourites like Matcha, Strawberry, Earl Grey (Blue Early Grey), and Crème Brûlée made with Madagascar vanilla bean. The cafe also makes more flavours like Hojicha (Japanese green tea) and Mango.
These photogenic desserts take L’otus owner and chef, Stacy Liang, anywhere from five to six hours to prepare, and she is only able to whip up a certain number per day, making this a very high-demand specialty.
Tucked into a mini mall in Richmond, this cafe opened in early 2017 and it’s a haven for dessert lovers: an open-concept, airy space with a handful of tables and wall terrariums serve as the backdrop to the main bakery counter, which holds the delicate creations from this traditional yet modern bakery.
With a selection of original and traditional baked goods, L’otus offers treats like Mousse Cakes, Cream Cakes, Strawberry Shortcakes, Mont Blancs, Swiss Rolls, Lotus Cakes, and even Artisan Croissants, along with carefully-brewed beverages like tea, coffee, and the oh-so-Instagrammable Matcha Latte served in handmade cups.
Once you spend some time in this space, you start to understand why foodies and Instagrammers alike have been flocking to L’otus since its opening.
The desserts here are one-of-a-kind and made with love, and the hype surrounding the all-mighty Mille Crêpe Cakes is definitely well deserved.
L’otus Cake Boutique is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to 6 pm.
L’otus Cake Boutique
Address: #103 – 8580 Cambie Road, Richmond
Instagram: @lotuscakeboutique