Have you ever tried a mochi donut? These delicious treats are irresistibly crispy on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside. They’re a perfect example of fusion food that really works, and the first place they were sold in Amsterdam was Nobu.
Mochi donuts, or as they’re also called, poi mochi, are said to have originated in Hawaii. There, Japanese and American fusion cuisine has a long history. Charmaine Ocasek is credited with inventing this tasty treat back in 1992, and thank goodness she did!
They’re made from rice flour and tapioca, which gives them that fantastic chewiness, but they’re deep-fried like an American donut (or like oliebollen, which is, after all, the original donut). The frying gives the outside a deliciously crispy texture.
At Nobu, you’ll find flavors like matcha, pistachio cream, and other seasonal varieties. In June, you can enjoy a mochi donut with condensed milk and coffee, a creamy raspberry version, and even a Javanese variant: dawet, a drink made from cendol, palm sugar, and coconut milk.
However,mochi donuts aren’t the only delicious treats you can sample at Nobu. Be sure to try their bao buns, which are served both fried and steamed.
These soft buns are filled with, for example, tempura shrimp, fried oyster mushrooms, and kimchi pork belly. At Nobu, you can also indulge in French toast topped with mouthwatering ingredients like strawberries and cream or beef and egg.
The drinks at Nobu are just as tempting. You can enjoy iced tea in flavors like honeydew melon and lychee—perfect for a hot day in Amsterdam. There are also milk teas, to which you can add ingredients like jelly and tapioca. Plus plenty of delicious smoothies, coffee, and lattes.
Most of the food and drinks at Nobu are available for takeout, and it’s open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Wednesday through Sunday. So you can enjoy breakfast or brunch on Keizersgracht at this beautiful, central spot in the city.
