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Okinamiyaki would be an awesome name, but a) it's generic already; and b) non-Japanese Americans will have a really hard time remembering it.
I actually do like "Monk's Pan." But maybe you need to consider who the name is going to resonate with--are you hoping to attract Japanese visitors and Japanese-Americans? They'll get it. If you're going for a Western-heritage audience, they might be intrigued by the name (I would be!) but maybe just confused.
On the third hand, I wonder if the people who'd be turned off by such a name are not really your market anyway. A person who says "Monk's Pan? What kind of junk is that?" might not be someone in a hurry to try new things.
Let me try to suggest:
1. Mama's Cakes
2. Mama Mia Pancakes
3. Moncakes
4. Mooncakes
This are the one i got on my mind.
Monks Pan is good combination of words, but why Pan if Cakes is better.
I understand why you'd like to use Monk's Pan and it's great. However, I do have to agree that not many people are familiar with this. It is hard to catch people's attention and make them try something new. With that said, I would go for something that people can relate to or understand without having to explain what it is.
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Kate
My suggestion would be to go with a more descriptive name, so that when people here the name they know immediately what you are offering.
I know this is going to sound bland to you, but why not:
"Mia's Japanese Pancakes"
All the best,
Jeff
I think the advice that has already been given about having a descriptive name is generally on point but I think you have to consider the future direction of your business.
Here in Canada, we have a national chain called Canadian Tire. They sell everything from tires to camping equipment to kitchenware. The started out as a tire store but they expanded their offering over time. For years, they ran ads with the tag line “Canadian Tire, more than just tires” to try to get around the issue they had with their name. Obviously they were successful in doing so but they could have avoided the issue with a more generic name.
My point is that your name has to fit with the long term strategy you have for your business. If you want to expand into other food items, you might want to use a name that makes obvious food is being sold but not refer to a specific menu item.
I think your instinct about not using your name is a good one. It will probably make the business easier to sell should you ever decide to do so.
Or. You might just use the actual japanese word.
Okonomi Cakes. A more generalized name meaning, roughly I think, "what you want" cakes.
Using this name would also give you a natural marketing thread you could weave by offering walk-up customers a mini-lesson on the whole okonomi or japanese pancake idea with a short looping video and/or using poster boards.
Try to keep it simple though or the details of it all might have the affect of bogging you down and slowing up your opening! Just grow with it.
By the way, I will have to try these. They sure look good!
Its a nice option but it looks like a buddist name...You can try for better options..
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