Your guide to mochi donuts in central Ohio
Love it or not, Columbus is currently in the midst of a mochi revolution. Multiple mochi-dedicated chains have landed here in central Ohio in the last few years, with more on the way.
But seriously, how could you not love it? With a crispy exterior and a pleasantly soft, springy interior from the mochi itself (which is made from sweet, glutinous rice flour), the donuts are uniquely delicious, and a fun, eye-catching reprieve for the donut fan looking to mix things up.
Speaking of aesthetics, part of what sets mochi donuts apart are their appearance, as most have a generally true donut shape, but are typically composed of a ring made from smaller mini/-spheres. Think of a donut made of donut holes, and you’ve got it.
In terms of flavor, mochi donuts can run the gamut, but there are also a handful of regular flavors you can expect from most shops (with an Asian twist). Matcha is a staple in most mochi donut shops across Columbus, as is taro or ube, and a sweet take on sesame is also common, as is strawberry, melon and other fruit-based options.
Before we get you too excited, however, it is worth noting mochi donuts are typically more expensive than the donuts we typically have here in Ohio, but it’s also well worth it for the occasional treat.
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The Mochi Shop
737 Parkwood Ave. (pickup only)
While the Columbus mochi takeover began in 2023 when multiple mochi concepts announced their intentions to open on the city’s northwest side, Mochi was still available here beforehand.
The Mochi Shop, which has operated as a home bakery since 2020, is billed as “Columbus’ original mochi donut.” One of the only locally owned, non-chain mochi options, the concept was created by San Francisco transplants Kaori Becker and Junna Kanazawa. According to Becker, Mochi has been established in the Bay Area for years, and the duo is passionate about bringing the best it has to offer to central Ohio.
While they started out of their own homes, today, the Mochi Shop is run from the ECDI Food Fort, a collection of commercial kitchens used by food trucks and online concepts. You can order online for pickup at the-mochi-shop.square.site, or find them at the Worthington Farmers Market.
Mochi Ring
1144 Kenny Center
Passionfruit, Peanut Butter, Brown Sugar Milk Tea and even Cheddar Cheese, Mochi Ring is not wanting for bold flavors. It’s not just the wild ones you can find here, though, as the mochi spot also offers plenty of tamer–and still delicious–options as well, including Strawberry, Coffee, Cinnamon and more. The shop regularly offers seven or eight options on a given day, taken from a rotating menu of nearly two dozen.
Mochi Ring, which also offers bubble tea, Korean corn dogs and more, first opened in Kenny Center (which boasts an entire strip of Asian grocery stores and restaurants) earlier this year. The chain also operates storefronts in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Mochi Nut
994 W. 5th Ave.
The largest mochi-dedicated chain on our list, Mochi Nut operates storefronts in more than 30 states, and will open its first in Columbus soon. Its Columbus shop will be located at 994 W. 5th Ave., and the chain boasts one more Ohio store in Cleveland.
Similar to Mochi Ring, Mochi Nut brings a huge variety of fun, flashy flavors, including Yogurt, Black Sugar, Banana MIlk, Cheesecake and more, all while keeping plenty of tried and true options in stock as well.
While drinks and Korean corn dogs are also available at Mochi Nut, two other sweet treats set this concept apart from other chains. The first: their Cream Donut. If you can imagine a mix between a cream puff and a traditional donut, you’re on the right track. Patrons can grab Cream Donuts in flavors like Cookies ‘N Cream, Coffee, Strawberry and more.
Mochi Nut also offers soft serve, which means all we can think of is combining that with a mochi donut.
TeaMoji
5225 Godown Rd.
Another national chain, TeaMoji appears to operate as a tea spot first, and a mochi donut shop second, but anywhere we can grab mochi is something good in our book.
TeaMoji offers a variety of flavors–such as Black Sesame, Orea and Coconut– not as many options as mochi-first shops like Mochi Nut and Mochi Ring. If you’re looking for a store to pair a mochi donut alongside a fruity tea punch or creme brulee slushie, this is the place for you.
Paris Baguette
3969 Merchants Row
8835 Lyra Dr. (opening soon)
South Korea’s largest bakery chain–which operates locations around not only the country, but also the world–isn’t focused on mochi donuts, but it occasionally offers them, amongst a slew of other unique options.
The bakery, which draws from both Korean and French influence, offers a massive menu of pastries, ranging from croissants and savory croquettes to Red Bean Bread, and amongst all of this indulgent goodness, you can find a mochi donut or three. Actually, it’s exactly three, as Paris Baguette offers mochi donuts in Cookies & Cream, Strawberry and Sugar varieties.
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