Green tea. Azuki. Dango. You adore them. And then, it happens to you that you are fed up with these Japanese sweets without sugar... that you only want something else, different, with some fat and sugar, the kind of thing really bad for your health but so good... the whole lot brought with a good coffee for a little sweet break in the morning or, after, as a snack around 5 p.m.
Most coffee shops are offering you their help to fulfill this little temporary crisis: Doutor, Starbucks Coffee, Caffe Veloce, or also Café de Crié, and other chains of stores which pretends to sell French pastries... but there is also Mister Donut, an American chain, which exists in many countries and notably in Japan, and which is loved by Japanese people. I am not be able to judge if these donuts are really American donuts or not: I have never tasted an authentic American donut... The only thing I know is that I appreciate this chain, even if it does not serve traditionnal Japanese food and it is not recognized by everybody.
Mister Donut is a chain of stores from the USA at the beginning, founded in 1956, nowadays very known in the USA and in many other countries, as in Japan, where it has arrived since 1983 and where it is really popular. In 2006, there were more than 1400 coffee shops of this label all around Japan... An other way to say that you should not have too much difficulties to lay your hands on one of these stores whose name is written in English « Mister Donut », most often in red on a black background.As a proof that this is not particularly distinguished food, most of these shops are located close to train stations and in areas highly frequented by young people... even if they are not their unique customers.
The first time you pass the door of one of these places, the name of this chain, Mister Donut, becomes obvious to you... Indead, you are propulsed in front of a showcase full of donuts of all shapes, all flavours and all colors. Sugar, chocolate, green tea, in the shape of a cat, with a whole or without... all the different alternatives exists and you are the one supposed to decide which one you want1. A paradise for those who like to eat sweets ^^... even though some people are quite critical against the quality of the donuts. However, it is not my point of view: I really appreciated the donuts I tasted and I can give a special mention to the grean tea flavoured and chocolate coated one, even if its green colour can be a little weird at the first sight ;)
After waiting, more or less depending on the hour you enter the shop, it is time to make your choice... An advice: use the waiting time to think of the donut you are going to take because there are a lot of them ^^ and also because all the name are written in Japanese (in Katakana, actually: with only some Japanese basics you should be able to find out what their content is). Don't panic, however, if you do not speak or understand a single word of Japanese: it is possible to show the number of the donut you are interested in and an English version of the menu can be presented to you if you also want a drink. Besides, there exists a breakfast set until 11 a.m. including a drink and a donut, and some of the shops of the chain offer lunch sets with pastas and other dishes but I have never tried... Why I would come to Mister Donut to eat something else than a donut ?
Once your command is done and your purse a little lighter of some yens (it will cost you around 110 and 150 yens for a donut and between 180 and 230 yens for a drink, while the cost of breakfast set is 322 yens for whatever drink you want and a donut under 136 yens), you can chose between taking away your command or staying in the shop. As all Japanese shops, it is quite small and organised in order to offer most places reserved to isolated consumers, as it is common to go to a coffee shop or to a restaurant alone here. The space is also sometimes parted in two parts: smoker and non-smoker. It depends on the hour, but there can be more or less people, and if many places are left, you will be allowed to stay during a long period of time... the only limit being the absence of the Wifi, at least in the places I went in until now.
Then, even if this chain is a little expensive, you should be able to enjoy a pleasant time with your friends or alone. No need to search for healthy or excellent food here: this is not what this kind of chain is expected to sell and this is not what it pretends to sell. However, if you are in a need of some sweet with actual sugar and fat, Mister Donut should be easily able to support you. Well... Almost easily, I should say instead... as it is really complicated to chose which donut is tempting you the most ^^
POULAT Marièke
*****
1) For those who are on a diet or watching, most of the donuts contain from 200 to 300 calories, according to the website of the brend (only available in Japanese however... but you only have to click on the pictures you want).
No comments:
Post a Comment