Mochinut (LA); located in the heart of Koreatown at 3064 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005 — Mochinut (LA); located in the heart of Koreatown at 3064 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Mochi donuts are ubiquitous with many a social media feed at the moment; however, they should be treated more respectfully than just a fleeting trend.

For those of you who aren’t familiar, mochi donuts are a hybrid of traditional American donuts and Japanese mochi; using gluttonous rice flour (or, Sweet Rice Flour) rather than the proverbial all purpose or bread flours. It's because of this difference in flour that, once fried, gives mochi donuts a characteristic chew.

Now let’s get to the review.

Situated in the heart of Koreatown is Mochinut (LA); a boutique counter-serve franchise with several locations throughout California — including spots in Texas and New Jersey, with more openings underway. The store’s tagline promising to be ‘More Than Just A Donut’; a vow it intends to honor.

Offering a bantam selection of flavors which vary every few days (Churro remaining a constant if you check out this locations IG page); on our visit, the choices were Yuzu, Pistachio, Original, Coffee and Churro. We ordered a half dozen of each; doubling-up our six-in-one with another pistachio.

SIX IN ONE… — With a varying selection of flavors every few days, this Baker’s six included (from left to right): Yuzu, Coffee, Pistachio, Original and Churro.

Also on tap: Chungchun Rice Dogs … these ain’t your carny dogs from the fair. A hot dog, or sausage, is rolled in a sticky rice flour batter and cladded in panko (other coatings include crispy bits of potato and ramen). Fried fresh per order, we went with the Mozzarella Cheese Hotdog, which was half hot dog and half mozzarella cheese. I mean, at the end of the day, what’s better than a battered-dipped hot dog on a stick than a battered-dipped hot dog with mozzarella cheese on a stick?

We took our victuals to the car where we could shame eat in peace; behind a sun shade that left no peering eyes to find us and air conditioning because we’re in a small car in late August eating donuts and rice dogs with more fervent energy than a toddler on a sugar rush. Hot Chip and Com Truise supplied the soundtrack.

‘It’s worth noting, the ability to eat just one Mochinut is futile. I could’ve easily devoured all six; I didn’t, however, even despite the stealth settings requisite for binging. Besides, there was a rice dog to be had.’

TASTE BUDS YES

The texture of a mochi donut can easily be likened to Pennsylvania Dutch Funnel Cake, or even the Polish Tree Cake, Šakotis; giving a spongy, chewy mouth-feel with every bite. Hands down fave was Pistachio, although I wasn’t mad at the other flavors either (Yuzu was next best). It’s worth noting, the ability to eat just one Mochinut is futile. I could’ve easily devoured all six; I didn’t, however, even despite the stealth settings requisite for binging. Besides, there was a rice dog to be had.

MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION

You can’t go to Mochinut just for donuts; you need a rice dog. As a matter of fact, it’s imperative. Crispy, crunchy – mozzarella oozing out for a cheese pull all too ready for its close-up – satisfying every craving imaginable and some you may had never even known you had. Popularized as Korean street food, the rice dog is commonly finished with a dusting of granulated sugar. Although optional, we went for it, and I highly recommend you do the same.

‘A cheese pull all too ready for its close-up’ … however, I wasn’t. LOL!!

VERDICT: FEAST (Duh!!) – Some (belated) exposition: Mochinut came at the suggestion of my dear friend, Jamie (she forming the ‘we’ and ‘our’ here), so this was a first time experience for us both – but certainly won’t be my last. You see, because, this Mochinut location is all but a stone’s throw away from me, which may prove to be deliciously dangerous. I’ll keep you posted.

ADDRESS: 3064 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

HOURS: 11:30 AM – 8 PM (Mon – Sat) / 12 PM – 6 PM (Sun)

SERVICES: In-Store Pick-up and Delivery Only

COVID 19 HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES: Follows mandated CA State guidelines for social distancing. Mask required. Staff wears masks and gloves. Social distancing enforced. Hand sanitizer provided.

PRICE: $