Fugu Diaries

When Japanese think of buying doughnuts, they usually think of the Mister Donut chain — one of those American imports that have largely disappeared back at home, but sort of thrive elsewhere. But the best American doughnut to be had in Tokyo could be at one of the six Doughnut Plant stores around the city. The original store is on the Lower East side of Manhattan.

The story goes as follows: The founder’s grandfather learned to bake while in the Army first in Kansas, then in France. He comes back to the U.S. to open bakeries, inventing recipes along the way. Fast forward a couple decades, his grandson (the founder Mark Israel) finds a box of his stuff, which included his doughnut recipe. Mark sets up a bakery out of his apartment, the doughnuts sell out and pretty soon he’s got a thriving business.

At any rate, the doughnuts are yummy. It would be hard to find doughnuts this good even in the U.S. First, the doughnuts are big. Second, they’ve got texture and they’re chewy (think Krispy Kreme). Third, they come in unique flavors. The standards are vanilla, Valhrona chocolate and cinnamon (as in bun). The vanilla is made with real vanilla bean and is a must-have for honey glazed doughnut fans. I had the cinnamon roll once the day after I bought it, and it was a little hard. Patrick likes the chocolate.

In addition, the Doughnut Plant has monthly specials. This month, for example, the additional choices include hazlenut, blueberry, lemon basil, summer strawberry, grapefruit and pistachio. Sometimes, they have flavors that are uniquely Japanese. We’ve seen cappuccino and banana flavors as well in the past. The doughnuts are pricey at 280 yen a piece, but one is probably enough for breakfast or a snack. We’ve been to their locations in Otemachi and in Shirogane. Both had nice sit-down cafes. I’ve heard there used to be long lines and doughnuts would sell out, but I don’t think that’s the case anymore. There are four other locations, and Dean and Deluca sells them too.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the Doughnut Plant uses King Arthur flour to make their doughnuts (bags of the stuff are stacked up throughout the store). We swear by King Arthur flour in the US. It’s probably part of the reason for the doughnut’s toothsome qualities.

I leave you with the Doughnut Plant chant, which is emblazened on the staff t-shirts. These are words to live by, cherish them:

never say no!
always say yes!
best! best! best!
doughnut plant!

Doughnut Plant
Shiroganedai 5-18-7 (Other locations)
03-5447-1095

Open 9:00 - 20:00

— Yukari