There’s nothing better than a perfectly fried doughnut, covered in your choice of glaze and sprinkled with the perfect topping. It’s a decadent snack that is reminiscent of childhood memories and a perfect treat for any day of the week.
But if you’re in the mood for something a little different, then look no further than a mochi donut. A mochi donut is a fusion pastry that crosses traditional American-style donuts with Japanese mochi. It’s a sweet and chewy confection that is incredibly satisfying thanks to its hybrid batter.
Mochi is a dessert made of pounded glutinous rice that has been eaten in Japan for more than 1,000 years. But it was only in the 1990s that someone in Hawaii paired it with traditional American donuts to create a unique fusion dessert. Now, the mochi donut is a beloved treat across America.
The batter for a mochi donut is typically made from sweet rice flour (also called glutinous rice flour), which is naturally gluten-free and has a very similar texture to wheat flour. The batter is mixed with egg, milk and flavorings to create a light and airy treat that has just a hint of chew in the center. Unlike regular doughnuts, which require rounds of proofing and a lot of babysitting, the batter for a mochi donut requires no yeast and can be fried up almost immediately.
Once mochi donuts became a popular treat in Hawaii, they started spreading across the country as bakeries got creative with their flavors and colors. They also added some Asian elements like ube, matcha and kinako to their offerings.
But while many donut lovers swooned over these unique treats, the rest of the country was slow to get on board with them. That all changed in 2019 when a mochi donut craze exploded nationwide, largely thanks to the social media popularity of these doughy delights.
The trend has continued to grow, and now there are more options than ever for donut fans to get their hands on these sweet treats. Across New Jersey, you can find them at Goldmiss in Edison and Mochi Ring in Union and Edison as well as the newest location of a chain called Mochimoly in Westfield. Beary Boba Mochi Donuts is where you can try authentic mochi donuts.
While a few things separate a mochi donut from a regular doughnut, the most obvious difference is its shape. Instead of a traditional round shape, a mochi donut is usually shaped into a small circle or a bubble-like ring. You can often find a variety of fillings inside these doughnuts, which range from classics like chocolate to more adventurous options such as churro.
You can find these delicious donuts at:
Beary Boba
105 Badger Park Dr Ste 11, St Johns, FL 32259
904-460-2548