Mochi donuts are the latest confectionary craze that are tantalizing taste buds across the country. They are visually beautifully, texturally satisfying, and the flavor possibilities are endless.
I’ve been obsessed with mochi donuts since I first laid lips on one in November 2021, so I decided to embark on a mission to find the best mochi donut in NYC.
But before we dive into the ranking, let’s address some basics: what in the heck in a mochi donut and who invented it?!
What are mochi donuts anyways?!
There are two types of mochi donuts. The first is made from glutinous rice flour– these tend to be denser and chewier. The second is made with tapioca starch—these tend to be bouncy, light, and fluffy. Both are popularly made in a “Pon de Ring” style, which features 8 little balls linked up in a circle.
I much prefer the chewier mochi donuts made with glutinous rice flour, which is reflected in the ranking.
How did this creation even come to be?
The pieces of the mochi donut puzzle come from Hawaii, Japan, and Brazil.
Hawaii, 1992: Charmaine Ocasek started frying little balls of a poi (mashed taro) and mochi mash and selling them out of her parent’s garage. They were chewy, almost pudding-like, and became a total hit
Japan, 2003: Mister Donut launched their “pon de ring” donut, which was inspired by….
Brazil’s classic bread, pao de queijio: A chewy cheese bread made from tapioca starch.
Hawaii, 2016: The brains behind the Hawaiian bakery, Liliha Bakery, took a trip to Japan, and loved the pon de ring style donut. They recreated it with the poi mochi, and voila! The birth of the mochi donut as we know it today!
After trying every mochi donut place in Manhattan (as of June 8th, 2022), here is my ranking of mochi donuts in New York City.
6. OH Mochi
OH Mochi is located in the basement of Nordstrom on 57th. Convenient if you’re shopping, a bit out of the way if you’re not. I got the lemon strawberry, and while I enjoyed the bright citrus flavor, the texture was quite odd. It was ultra moist and almost spongey rather than chewy. Texturally, it reminded me of a dense rum soaked cake. Certainly not the best mochi donut in NYC.
5. Mochinut
Mochinut is a California based chain that is rapidly expanding across the US. While there is a growing quantity of stores, the quality of the product is lacking. My ube donut was far to bready with hardly any chew and hardly any ube flavor. It tasted like it was frozen, and when you head to the website and click on “Nutrition facts”, it says Made in Taiwan.
4. The Dough Club
The Dough Club specializes In colorful, cute mochi donuts as well as mochi pancakes and waffles. While these doughnuts look tasty, they fall short. The first time I swung by, my cookie monster mochi donut was far too donut-y than mochi-y, and the texture was slightly dry. 7 months later I thought I’d give The Dough Club another chance, but my sakura cheesecake donut was equally disappointing.
3. Bear Donut
Bear Donut is the new kid on the block in the heart of K-Town. They bake their donuts fresh twice a day, and the proof is in the texture. These circles of deliciousness are perfectly chewy with a delightful texture that leans more towards mochi than bread. However, Bear Donut ranks third on this best mochi donut of NYC list because the flavor is lacking. I tried the lavender and grapefruit poppyseed, but neither tasted like their respective flavor. Rather, sweet dominated the palate,
Nevertheless, they are well worth a try.
2. Mochi Mochi Donut
Mochi Mochi Donut has 5 locales around the city, and they’ve got their recipe down pat. The stores are cute, fun, and #insagrammable, and the mochi donuts are chewy, bouncy, and delicious. My ube mochi donut had a subtle ube flavor that wasn’t too sweet, and I’d recommend it to any mochi donut lover.
1. Alimama Tea
Alimama Tea is a small shop in the heart of Chinatown serving up all types of teas, cream puffs, and mochi donuts. One mochi donut will set you back $4.50, but whoa baby are they good—perfectly chewy and soft without being too bready with the perfect tickle of sweetness. I tried the cereal donut which was coated with a milk glaze and toasted corn flakes. The crunch added some va-va-voom and the fond flavor of childhood nostalgia is hard to beat. Thus, Alimama Tea deserves the best mochi donut in NYC award.
There you have it! My ranking of the best mochi donuts in NYC!
Go forth, be frugal, and enjoy some mochi donuts!
1 thought on “A Delicious Quest to Find the Best Mochi Donut in NYC”
so thats what that kind of doughnut is called! 🙂