Beloved donut chain I’m Donut ? currently has five locations in Tokyo, but this fall they’ll be opening their first US location, and lucky for us New Yorkers it’s in NYC!
And no, the “?” in the name is not an error, rather it’s a playful question to our perception of what a donut can be and symbolizes the donuts’ intriguing and unexpected nature.
The donut shop first opened in 2022, and offers mouthwatering fresh donuts all known for their chewy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The donuts are the work of renowned Japanese chef Ryouta Hirako who, known as an innovator in pastry, promises to redefine the donut experience for locals and visitors alike.
Their secret to achieving that soft, fluffy texture: pumpkin is infused in the dough. And that makes for, according to Metropolis Japan, “arguably the best donut in Tokyo.”
So you can understand our excitement that they’re en route to NYC!
Chef Ryouta stated:
New York is a city where people from all over the world come together. It is also a gourmet city with a discerning palate. I thought the best way to get people from all over the world to taste my donuts would be to open a store here.
The donuts come in a wide selection of flavors–over 80 at some locations–with everything from red bean and pistachio dried pineapple and red kiwi.
They even have some unconventional, out-of-the-box flavors, including anchovy, prosciutto, and chopped olives–don’t knock it til you try it, right?
They haven’t yet announced their New York menu though.
I’m Donut ? is set to open this November at 154 W. 45th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. And yes, we have a feeling they’ll be worth making the dreaded trek to Times Square.
And a word of warning: their Tokyo locations attract quite the line, so you’ll probably want to get there early!
You can see more of I’m Donut ?’s flavors on their Instagram.