Mister Donut Glazed Donut: Mister Donut is a popular chain of donut shops in Japan, though it actually originates from the US. In 1990, after an acquisition in the state, most of the existing Mister Donuts in America turned into Dunkin Donuts, but the shops in Japan retain the original name in. The offerings and vibe of the stores are very similar to the to-go, casual feel of Dunkin Donuts, with lots of colorful flavored glazes. I decided to try to their regular glaze donut which comes in a unique floral shape rese... (read more) 3.5/5.0
Donuts japanese misterdonut glazed donut 3.5
Mister Donut Sakura Mochi Donut: Cherry blossom season is about to start, and seasonal sakura-themed snacks are already being featured in snack aisles and specialty shops alike. Mister Donut, a popular donut chain in Japan (though originally from the US), has several special donuts for this occassion, each packaged in its own takeaway box with "misdo" branding. Every donut has a slightly different emphasis on either sakura, matcha, or white chocolate flavors. The sakura mochi donut I purchased builds on their classic ring ... (read more) 3.0/5.0
mochidonut misterdonut sakura mochi donut 3.0 japanese
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Apple and marscarpone cruffin: In LA on Larchmont, Mr. Holmes Bakehouse looks like just a regular pastry shop: no lines, a modest storefront, and a few nicely presented seasonal options. Both cruffin flavors (maple and beer and apple and marscarpone) were available, with seemingly no particular demand. We tried the apple and marscarpone muffin and donut hybrid, which stood tall and was dusted in sugar. The flavor of the apple filling was nicely spiced and textured like applesauce, and the exterior pastry struck me as more... (read more) 3.0/5.0
pastry donut muffin la mrholmesbakehouse apple marscarpone cruffin 3.0
Nico Sweet potato donut: There's a pocket-sized store close to the train station that sells freshly made donuts about the size of a Montreal bagel. They're a bit pricy relatively, compared to how inexpensive most things are in Japan, but a purple Japanese sweet potato donut caught my eye, and I purchased one at about $2.50. The texture of the donut was very unique, not crumbly like cake donuts, but also not oily at all like heavily fried donuts. Almost like a very light pound cake, but barely sweetened. In fact, th... (read more) 4.0/5.0
recommended tokyo japanese dessert nico sweet potato donut 4.0
Nico Black Sesame Donut: This was a donut I purchased about two months ago in the Azabu-Juban neighborhood of Tokyo. The small stand, selling donuts to go, has a menu of small soybean-flour-based donuts dusted in flavored sugar. The soybean flour gives it a uniquely texture more similar steamed bread than American fried donuts. Flavored sugar is also not overly sweet but also easily identifiable as black sesame. A little bit pricy for the size, at least by Japanese standards (a little over $3 for the donut), but... (read more) 3.5/5.0
recommended azabu azabujuban japanese nico black sesame donut 3.5
Peter Pan Bakery Blueberry glazed donut: One of my co-workers graciously brought a selection of donuts from Peter Pan in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, a local favorite I've always wanted to try. This glazed blueberry cake donut was as good as any cake donut I've had, which is to say ok but not really a style I'd choose on my own. It has a crumbly, slightly dry texture; the sugar glaze was extremely sweet; the blueberries, though, felt generous and were slightly tart. 3.0/5.0
dessert brooklyn peterpanbakery blueberry glazed donut 3.0