Fried doughs exist in almost every culture, and they’re something we often crave on wintry or rainy days as Masala Lab author says. When I was a child, my grandma often used to make donuts but in a rectangular shape called ‘llokume’ or ‘petulla’(round shape). Perhaps it’s surprising to see donuts in a rectangular form, but they were incredibly fluffy, and we’d enjoy them with cheese, jam, honey, or whatever we had on hand.

When I think of donuts, I always picture Homer Simpson eating those cute pink ones with sprinkles. I used to crave them so much, even though I had no idea what they tasted like. Donuts are definitely a guilty pleasure, and they’re loved all over the world.

In Japan, for example, there are both local and foreign donut shops with some amazing options. Japan has had two big donut crazes in recent years. Mister Donut or Misdo as called for short, a popular local brand, started in 1969 after its founder teamed up with Mister Donut from America.

In 2006, Krispy Kreme came to Japan and was an instant hit. Around the same time, other unique donut shops like Hara Donuts from Kobe started popping up. The second wave occurred around 2015 when major convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart began selling donuts. Now, stylish donut shops are popping up in areas like Aoyama, Kichijoji, Shibuya and so on.

So today, I wanted to share a few guilty pleasures which you can try while in Tokyo. They might not be great for your gut, liver, or any organ involved in digestion when eaten in large quantities, but they’re undeniably delicious!

There's this specialty café in Tokyo called Dumbo Donuts and Coffee Azabujuban where you can get NYC-style donuts. They have locations in Azabu Juban, Jiyugaoka, and Yokohama, and they claim to offer real NY-style donuts. The donuts are bigger than what you usually find, and the whole place is done up in pink, making it super cute. I absolutely love this shop—I’ve already been there three times! My go-to is the chocolate and salt donut with sprinkles, while my husband is all about the cinnamon sugar one. And let me tell you, after enjoying those donuts, a gym session is definitely on the schedule!

I made a template using Canva to give you a feel for how the shop looks, not just the donuts.

The second donut spot I really like, and it's super elegant and modern, is hocus pocus. They offer not just fried donuts, but also baked and steamed ones. The prices are definitely on the posh side compared to other places, but the experience is worth it. Located in Nagatacho, the shop has a tropical minimal vibe that's really aesthetic. I went there once to work and really liked it. I tried their hojicha seasonal steamed donut, and it was amazing.

RACINES DONUT &ICE CREAM is another popular spot for donuts and it offers three types of dough: French cruller, old fashioned, and brioche. The old fashioned dough has rice flour for a crispy texture, while the brioche is rich, made with flour, eggs, milk, and cream. Reference: Hanako

They also focus on sustainability, using non-standard fruits from farmers for their glazes. One of their most popular flavors is the Fujikawa Lemon, made with lemons from Kagawa Prefecture. If you visit, be sure to try all three types of dough to enjoy a variety of flavors and textures.

The Little BAKERY Tokyo reopened in a new location in 2021 and has been bustling every day since. They sell donuts from their sister store, GOOD TOWN DOUGHNUTS, which have a very American style. I really like their vibe, feels like traveling into the US.

Lastly, Farm Mart & Friends is a great vegan option, offering a variety of organic, pesticide-free vegetables and fruits from their farm. I have not been there yet, but planning visiting soon. Their additive-free donuts, especially the "multigrain vegan donuts," are a hit and often sell out early every day.

References:

• Mister Donut Official Website

• Hanako Tokyo - Donut Feature

• Mister Donut Business History

• Hanako Tokyo - RACINES Donut & Ice Cream

• Farm Mart & Friends Official Website

• Toyo Keizai - Article on Donuts in Japan