The best doughnut in Japan?
Choosing the “best” of anything is rarely straightforward, and when it comes to doughnuts in Japan, the answer is as deliciously complicated as you’d expect. This blog is a dive into my personal doughnut journey and, admittedly, my still-growing experience with Japan’s tempting array of fried treats.
Japan’s doughnut scene is dominated by big names, with Mister Doughnut reigning supreme as the country’s most iconic chain. Their legendary mochi doughnuts are so popular that they’re released in limited batches, available for just one hour on select days. The result? Jaw-dropping lines that snake around the block even in sleepy rural Saga! It took a trip all the way to Miyazaki before I finally got my hands on one.
Convenience stores have also jumped into the doughnut game, and I’m currently obsessed with 7-Eleven’s take on the mochi doughnut. While the texture is delightfully similar to Mister Doughnut’s, the flavours are a little different think sugar-coated, chocolate with cookie, and matcha. The best part? No need to queue for hours; these are easy to find and absolutely worth a try.
Today’s blog features a doughnut chain not even from Japan. Randy’s doughnuts originated in LA and are famous for their iconic giant doughnut, which sits atop its Inglewood store near LAX. When I visited LA, I remember seeing the famous giant doughnut but was never able to try any of the products on sale. Little did I know this would eventually be corrected, just in a different country.
Back in 1940, a doughnut machine salesman named Russell Wendell set out to make his mark with a small chain of drive-in doughnut shops. The first stores went by the name Big Doughnut, but it was his second venture, Randy's, that truly took off, eventually giving rise to the beloved chain we know today. After a stint in the business, Russell shifted gears to try his luck in the world of tacos, selling his doughnut empire to Robert Eskow. Eskow, inspired by his son, rebranded the entire chain as Randy's.
Ownership would change hands once more, landing with Ron and Larry Weintraub, who wisely kept the Randy's name and leaned into its quirky charm. The giant doughnut perched atop the original Inglewood store became an instant local landmark, soon copied by all the new branches. At one point, some questioned whether that enormous rooftop doughnut was false advertising; it looked nothing like the treats inside! But the giant doughnut was already a cultural icon, and city officials let it slide. From then on, Randy's proudly displayed oversized doughnuts on its rooftops and signs, cementing its place in doughnut history.
Randy’s soared in popularity, with new stores popping up everywhere and eventually crossing oceans to land in the vibrant heart of Tokyo. Their doughnuts became legendary for their enormous size, drawing crowds eager to taste every imaginative flavour. The brand’s fame reached new heights when it appeared in Iron Man 2, where Tony Stark, clad in his iconic armour, enjoys a box of Randys doughnuts. The giant doughnut perched atop the Inglewood store became a pop culture landmark, making cameos in countless music videos and films. Always innovating, Randys even dabbled in creating cronuts, merging the buttery layers of a croissant with the playful toppings and generous size of their classic doughnuts.
During my time in Tokyo, I wandered into one of the branches and realised it had been ages since I’d tasted a Western-style doughnut. Tempted by nostalgia, I picked up a box of six, making sure to include a jam doughnut, the treat I’d missed most since moving to Japan. I couldn’t resist adding a cronut and a few other intriguing flavours to my haul. The Tokyo station shop may not have a giant doughnut perched on its roof, but its entrance is cleverly framed by an oversized doughnut sculpture. Each doughnut burst with flavour, though I’d suggest enjoying them fresh, as they tend to dry out over time. The jam doughnut, in particular, was pillowy soft, with jam that tasted just right. It satisfied a craving I’d carried with me ever since arriving in Japan, where jam-filled doughnuts are nowhere to be found.
If you are ever in Tokyo and haven’t had the chance to try Randys, or you are missing Western doughnuts, I highly recommend trying Randys. I was very impressed and enjoyed talking to the guys running the stall, as they were from the States. There were so many flavour choices that I want to try more next time I visit. But these were certainly some of the best doughnuts I have had since arriving in Japan, aside from the mochi doughnuts, which I am currently hooked on.
