Doughnut creativity popping up in NYC.
Our experience
As we lurch into a third year of the pandemic, one of the silver linings of these anxious times has to be the emergence, and proliferation, of dessert small businesses. Whether by way of individuals making personal deliveries or the catch-me-if-you-can pop-ups, there are an increasing number of dessert purveyors across NYC that bring sweetness to our lives. One of the most sought after Covid-era dessert pop-up are doughnuts from Kora.
You may recall our round-up of the best doughnuts in NYC (see here). Well, add Kora’s doughnuts to that list. Whereas pre-Covid saw only the likes of Winson offering Asian-esque doughnuts, Kora has stepped in to fill a culinary hole. Each Kora doughnut is a love letter to the founders’ Filipino heritage. At 3pm every Monday, log onto Kora’s website (link below), and order a “Sari-Sari” box of five doughnuts for USD $32.50 (just under $40 by the time you add in tax). They are then available for pick-up on Thursday or Friday of that same week.
Our favourite doughnut has to be the signature “Leche Flan Ni Lola,” a brioche doughnut with a mini-flan at its heart. That flan could certainly be a wonderful dinner party dessert on its own. Our box also included: a less sweet but very deliciously creamy “Keso” brioche doughnut injected with queso de bola cream and glazed with condensed milk; an almost French-esque “Castana” ring doughnut evoking chestnut and chocolate; a deep purple “Ube” doughnut possessing somewhat subtle ube tones, and a tubular “Churron” infused with banana, jackfruit, and dulce de leche, and which was a little hard to chew.
Our verdict
A few months ago, we noted (here, here and here) the emergence of what seems to be a new dessert trend in NYC — specifically, that of the growing prominence of South-East Asian desserts. From Lady Wong‘s kuih cakes, to small sweet snacks from Kabisera, a dessert treasure trove from Boiisco, Whisk, Purple Dough, Eunecakes and FliRo, Sundae Service’s ice cream, and now Kora’s doughnuts, the trend continues to go from strength to strength! Kora’s doughnut selection changes frequently, so be sure to snag yourself a box of all the flavours 😛
Dessert adventure checklist
- ☑ Dessert destination: Kora Doughnuts, 43-46th 10th Street, Queens, New York.
- ☑ Budget: $$-$$$ ($40 approx for a box).
- ☑ Sweet irresistibles: South East Asian desserts.
- ☑ Must-eat: Leche Flan Doughnut.
- ☑ The short and sweet story: Doughnuts creativity popping up.
Dessert Correspondents 