Mochi donuts are a cross between traditional American doughnuts and Japanese mochi, a chewy dessert made of pounded glutinous rice. The first iteration of the fusion pastry can be traced to Hawaii in the early 1990s, where a woman named Charmaine Ocasek created “poi mochi,” but it wasn’t until 2003 that Mister Donut introduced its version, a ring of eight small dough balls connected into a circle called pon de ring, that the modern mochi donut became well known.

Today, the treats can be found at restaurants and food trucks across the country, including New Jersey. The state may be late to the game, but it’s already seeing plenty of new takes on this wildly popular dessert.

The most popular type of mochi donut is probably the simple, glazed variety that’s often served with a scoop of ice cream on top. While the ice cream adds some extra sweetness, it also helps balance out the texture of the doughnut so that it isn’t too rich or overwhelming.

Another variation on the basic mochi donut is one covered in black sesame seeds, which add a nutty, earthy crunch that pairs well with the sweetness of the doughnut batter. While the aesthetically pleasing appearance of this variety is sure to impress, it’s the subtle flavor that makes this doughnut a true winner.

For something a bit more exotic, look for a yuzu-flavored mochi donut. This brightly colored citrus fruit, wrinkly like a lemon and around the size of a tangerine, is native to Japan and Korea, and it adds a bright and refreshing zesty flavor to this doughnut. Pair it with a creamy yuzu cream filling and you’ve got yourself a dessert that’s both visually stunning and incredibly tasty.

Those looking for a more traditional cake-style doughnut should opt for the coconut cream-filled version. This flavor is a crowd pleaser, especially during the summer when fresh, tropical coconuts are in season. The tangy, creamy coconut cream inside the donut batter is a great complement to the delicate and sweet exterior of the doughnut, and it all gets topped off with a light dusting of toasted slivered coconut for a sweet treat that’s as refreshing as it is satisfying. Beary Boba Mochi Donuts offers a variety of tasty mochi donuts that you can try.

A more savory take on the simple donut can be found at Japanese eatery Pando of Canada, where they serve up a mochido filled with taro cream. This unique filling is a combination of two traditional Polynesian foods, poi (pounded taro root) and mm (a savory sauce made by cooking taro roots in a stock and then sprinkling the mixture with sea salt). The result is a donut that’s just as delicious as it is different, with the smoky, rich flavors of the taro-mm cream pairing perfectly with the soft and chewy mochi doughnut batter.

Get yours at:

Beary Boba
105 Badger Park Dr Ste 11, St Johns, FL 32259
904-460-2548