First opened in Cerritos, California, Mochinut produced interest in areas on the East Coast, including the Sunshine State. Mochinut offers a variety of food from doughnuts to Korean-style corndogs. The establishment is prominently known for its exceptional interpretation of a mochi donut. Mochinut’s Instagram post stated that an Apopka location would open at the end of 2023. After a few delays, the restaurant made its official APK debut on Saturday, January 6th, 2024.
The Food
It’s not a Mochinut article if we don’t start with their most popular food item, the mochi donut. Mochinut employees Jaelynn Rodriguez (junior) and Naiomi Vince (sophomore) shared with The Blue and White that the “caramel churro donut” is a must-buy. Caramel churro is a mochi donut doused in cinnamon sugar with a caramel drizzle. However, it’s advised, along with any other mochi donut, to arrive as early as possible for your sweet treat. Colin Poon, a senior at APK, tried the regular churro and chocolate churro donut. He shared that his donuts “lacked the soft and bouncy texture.” He then explained that this was due to the donuts “sitting in the open air.” If you want the most out of your buck, arrive early for a fresh donut with its flavor intact.
Next up is Mochinut boba. From customers and employees alike, the most recommended item was the Brown Sugar Boba. Brown Sugar Boba is a classic and served at almost every boba tea location. Customer Allison Greene (junior) discussed her appreciation for their boba quality. Of all the items she purchased at mochinut (3 donuts, a Korean-style corndog, and boba), she would “definitely recommend the boba drink.” Another worthy flavor is the Strawberry Milk Boba. If you’re looking for a sickeningly sweet flavor, this one is for you.
Finally, we have the Korean-style corndogs. For those unfamiliar with the food, a Korean-style corndog is a deep-fried hotdog, mozzarella, rice cake, or fish cake finished with a sugar coating and a condiment. At Mochinut, the Hot Cheeto Mozzarella corndog is said to be a must-purchase item. Allison Greene shared that the corn dogs were “messy but delicious.” On the contrary, online reviews show the corndogs were not as advertised and poorly made. This left many customers disappointed with the product, as the price ($8.50) did not live up to the quality of the food. Nonetheless, I received input on which corn dogs were worth trying. The most popular recommendations were (as mentioned before), the Hot Cheeto mozzarella and the Potato mozzarella.
Pricing
Mochi Donuts
Single Donut: $4.50
3-piece donuts: $12.50
6-piece donuts: $22.50
12-piece donuts: $42.50
Korean-Style Corn dogs
Price Range: $5.25-$8.50 (depending on flavor)
Bubble Tea
Price Range: $6.00-$7.95 (depending on flavor)
Mochinut Atmosphere
Despite being a busy store, Mochinut came across as a “clean and well-designed environment”, said Colin Poon. Mochinut maintains a well-kept area to eat and enjoy Mochinut to its full extent. Known for its aesthetically pleasing atmosphere, the store is perfect for an Instagram story/post. The most notable interior feature is the rose wall and LED mochi donut. Frequently, customers take the chance to post with their donuts and boba for a cute photo.
Wait Time
The grand opening kept customers waiting 3+ hours to get their hands on a donut. But on a regular day, you can expect a 15-20 min waiting period before your order is ready. The root of this problem is that Mochinut lacks a well-organized system of getting food items to customers promptly. This location is fairly new, so it’s only a matter of time before they develop an efficient distribution process. But until then, expect to stand for quite some time before receiving your food.
Worker Experience
Since many students our age are looking for work, I got input from students at APK who work at Mochinut. The most common response was to avoid applying as the training was poor and it’s a very unorganized environment. A primary complaint was that Mochinut overworked their employees by assigning 8-hour shifts after a long day at school. Despite the negative reviews, worker Jaelynn Rodriguez shares that mochinut is a “professional and light-hearted environment.”
Final Thoughts
Mochinut is worth trying out for a unique dessert experience and store atmosphere. Be ready to bring your appetite and your wallet!
Instagram: mochinut.apopka
Mochinut In APK Address: 2250 E Semoran Blvd, Apopka, FL 32703
