O'Donuts to open in Haymarket following Chatswood success
The team behind O’Donuts are bringing their Japanese-inspired nama donuts to Haymarket, following a successful debut in Chatswood earlier this year.
“When I started The Alley, I saw how a familiar product could be reimagined through quality, craftsmanship, and the overall experience. I saw the same potential in Nama donuts,”
The second venue is located on Harbour Street, directly opposite Paddy’s Markets, and will offer a dine-in and takeaway menu with sweet and savoury creations alongside coffee, matcha lattes, and fruit sodas.
Nama, meaning fresh in Japanese, describes a distinctive style of donut that is known for being soft and airy. At O’Donuts, pumpkin is blended into the dough before it undergoes more than 15 hours of low-temperature fermentation, which is eight times longer than a typical two-hour dough. This helps it to retain moisture and develop softness.
“Through O’Donuts, I wanted to introduce more Australians to Nama donuts, a softer, airier style of donut known for its light texture,” says O’Donuts CEO and Founder MaoTing Chiu. “I saw an opportunity to move beyond the traditional idea of donuts as dessert and create something that fits naturally into everyday life.”
Chiu is also the founder of The Alley, which grew from Taiwan into a global bubble tea brand. The opportunity to introduce Nama donuts to Australia echoes what he saw during the early rise of bubble tea.
“When I started The Alley, I saw how a familiar product could be reimagined through quality, craftsmanship, and the overall experience. I saw the same potential in Nama donuts,” says Chiu.
“Australians already love donuts, but this softer, lighter, and less sweet style is still new to many people.”
More than 12 flavours will be available across the sweet and savoury menu, with the team frying each of the day’s batches fresh on the day. Signature flavours include matcha, dark chocolate, and pistachio. There’s also a brûlée custard which is filled with fresh cream and caramel pudding custard, and finished with a caramelised crust.
The Haymarket menu will also feature new ube and banana hazelnut flavours, and guests can also pick from a savoury range which includes truffle cheese cream, smoked ham, and smoked salmon.
While Haymarket marks the next stage of O’Donuts’ growth, further permanent stores and pop-up locations are planned across Australia, alongside preparations for the brand’s first international location in the United States.
“I’m excited to introduce our take on Nama donuts to a new audience while making sure we keep the same care and quality as we grow,” says Chiu.
