Mochinut South Coast Plaza (Costa Mesa, California, United States)

Mochinut South Coast Plaza offers delicious mochi donuts with a crispy exterior and chewy inside. A must-try for unique donut lovers!  Sweet, chewy, and oh-so-delicious! If you haven’t tried Mochinut yet, you’re missing out. These mochi donuts are the perfect blend of crispy outside and soft, chewy goodness inside. #Mochinut #MochiDonuts #SouthCoastPlaza #ChewyDelight

Sometimes, the best discoveries are the unexpected ones. After enjoying a meal at Le Shrimp Noodle Bar in South Coast Plaza, we stumbled upon Mochinut, a spot my daughter had been dying to find. Since mochi donuts aren’t available back home in New Zealand, her excitement was off the charts when she spotted it. Naturally, we had to give it a try!

For those unfamiliar, Mochinut originated in Hawaii and is a delightful fusion of two beloved treats: the American doughnut and Japanese mochi. The name says it all—Mochi + Donut = Mochinut. But it’s not just a clever play on words; the experience is something unique. Mochinut has been growing in popularity because of its distinctive shape and incredible texture. The donut is shaped into a ring of eight connected dough balls, which gives it a fun, almost beaded appearance.

But what really sets Mochinut apart is its texture. Made with rice flour, these donuts have a light, crispy exterior, but the inside is chewy—almost addictive in how the dough stretches with every bite. Unlike traditional yeast or cake donuts, mochi donuts have that signature chewy, slightly sticky mouthfeel that sets them in a league of their own.

This wasn’t our first encounter with mochi donuts. Our first taste came during a visit to Mister Donut in Akihabara, Japan, where they’re known as Pon De Ring. So, naturally, we were curious to compare the two.

We decided to go for the three-pack (US$9.00), selecting Blueberry, Passionfruit, and Strawberry flavours. As we bit into the Mochinut donuts, we instantly noticed the difference in texture compared to the Pon De Ring donuts from Japan. Mochinut’s version is much chewier, almost like 80% mochi and 20% donut, whereas the Pon De Ring donuts we tried in Japan had a more balanced 50:50 ratio of mochi to donut. The Mochinut donuts felt denser and stretchier—more like a mochi treat than a typical donut.

A bit of research later revealed why. The key difference lies in the ingredients. Mochinut is typically made with glutinous rice flour (mochiko), which gives it that dense and satisfying chewiness. On the other hand, Pon De Ring uses a combination of tapioca flour and wheat flour, resulting in a lighter, fluffier, and bouncier texture. Both are delicious in their own right, but Mochinut leans heavily into the mochi aspect, making it a totally unique dessert.

Mochinut vs. Pon De Ring

After trying both, I have to say I like them equally. Each offers its own charm—Mochinut for its dense, chewy goodness, and Pon De Ring for its light, airy bounce. Mochinut really melts in your mouth with that sticky-sweet texture, making each bite feel indulgent. You can’t go wrong with either, but if you’re after something with more of a mochi feel, Mochinut is the way to go.

The flavours we chose—Blueberry, Passionfruit, and Strawberry—were vibrant and fresh, each with a light glaze that complemented the chewy donut base perfectly. The passionfruit was probably my favourite, but honestly, all three were delicious.

Mochinut at South Coast Plaza is a must-visit if you’re in the area. Whether you’re a fan of traditional donuts or looking for something a little different, these mochi donuts offer a delightful combination of textures and flavours that are sure to impress. And for my daughter, it was a dream come true to finally try a mochi donut outside of Japan. If you’re nearby, I highly recommend stopping by for a bite—or two!

Mochinut South Coast Plaza
Address: 3333 Bristol St BL7A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, United States
Phone: +1 714 617 4761
Website: https://www.mochinut.com/