Hawaiian-style donuts and Korean corn dogs: New cafe brings new tastes to Jacksonville

A Los Angeles-based restaurant chain known for its unique Hawaiian-style doughnuts and Korean hot dogs has opened its first Northeast Florida location in Jacksonville.

Mochinut debuted at 11757 Beach Blvd. Unit 9 in Beachwood Plaza in the city's Intracoastal West area with a grand opening celebration that included a traditional Chinese Lion Dance intended to bring good fortune.

The cafe renovated the storefront formerly used by Aroma Corner Boba & Tea at the retail center across from Florida State College at Jacksonville South Campus that also includes Sabor Mix Peruvian restaurant as well as SaySoSweets Filipino and Hawaiian Cafe and Bakery.

Mochinut was founded in 2020 in Cerritos, Calif. The Jacksonville restaurant is among at least 172 Mochinut locations either open or coming soon nationwide as well as in South Korea and Thailand. In Florida, it's one of 17, according to the company's website and social media posts.

Franchise owner Loc Le told the Times-Union that Jacksonville, like him, was hungry for what Mochinut has to offer. He and his family had discovered Mochinut during a visit to the Orlando area.

"I'm a food guy. I love eating food … and we came across this company and tried it out. My kids love it. And I just thought I'd bring something new to the city," said Le, who's also a real estate agent.

"I've lived here 36 years and I like to have options for us in the city. And so that is what really got us to wanting to put something new in the city," he said.

Le said Jacksonville should have the same, if not more options than other cities. He hopes in the future they can bring other franchises here.

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Donuts with a difference

Crispy on the outside but light, airy and a little chewy on the inside, Mochi doughnuts are different from their cake and yeast cousins.

Tracing its roots back to Hawaii, Mochi donuts are a combination of typical American doughnuts and Japanese mochi, according to the Mochinut website.

Made with sweet rice flour, Mochi doughnuts typically are fashioned from a connected circle comprised of eight small balls of dough. The doughnuts are fried, glazed or frosted and then garnished with a variety of toppings such as cookies, sweet breakfast cereal, nuts or fruit.

Depending on the location, Mochinut has up to 25 flavors, which rotate on any given day, according to the company's website.

"Right now, every week we have six flavors," said Le, noting they're still in the soft opening stage.

The half-dozen flavors that were available during the Jacksonville grand opening were Strawberry Pocky, Ube, Caramel Churro, Cookie & Cream, Matcha Almond and Raspberry Funnel Cake.

"Then of course, in the future, we can add more flavors as we like," Le said.

Future flavors potentially could include Black Sesame, Banana Milk, Red Velvet, Milk Pebble, Chocolate, Blueberry and Mango — which are among customer favorites at other locations, the Mochinut website showed.

Le said individually, the doughnuts cost $3.75 each. But they are three for $10, six for $18 and a dozen for $34.

Le said they will be adding Mochi balls in the future.

Korean corn dogs

On the savory side of the Mochinut menu are Korean hot dogs, which are coated in rice flour which makes them crispy. They're commonly called Korean corn dogs.

Popular flavors range from the Original ($5.25) to the Crispy Ramen Original ($6), Hot Cheetos Original ($6), Hot Elote Corn Original ($7) and Hot Elote Corn Mozzarella ($8), according to the menu.

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Le conceded the Korean corn dogs have quickly become a personal favorite although he'd never had one until the day before the grand opening. Now, he's a fan of the savory fare.

"I usually buy them for my kids but had never eaten one myself before. Now I know why they like it so much. They taste really good," he said.

To wash it down, Boba teas are featured such as Purple Sweet Potato Latte ($6.60), Matcha Brown Sugar ($6.75) and Oreo Black Milk Tea ($7). Almond milk and oak milk options are available, he said.

Mochinut is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to its Instagram page.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Mochinut opens first restaurant in Jacksonville