As Japan remains in the grip of summer, food makers are already turning their attention to autumn. This seasonal shift includes the eagerly awaited release of Mister Donut‘s new autumn-themed donuts.
This year marks a significant change for Mister Donut, as the popular chain has revamped its autumn donut lineup completely. The company’s sweet potato-flavored donuts, which have been a staple for six years, are notably different this year. For the first time, classic favorites like the Daigaku-imo and Sweet Potato donuts, introduced in 2019, are absent from the menu. This change has left fans wondering whether the new offerings can live up to the beloved classics.
To explore these new flavors, we visited a local Mister Donut store following the release of this year’s autumn selections on August 28.
Our tasting began with the Fragrant Brulée (Kobashi Buryure) donut. This brulée-style donut, first introduced in 2022, has been adjusted for this year. The new version features a blend of Beni Haruka and Anno-imo sweet potatoes, with a slightly thicker dough. The donut’s exterior is caramelized and dusted with sugar. Although the sugar coating was partially lost after a rainstorm, the donut’s crispiness paired well with its moist, sweet potato filling, offering a satisfying brulée experience.
Next, we tried the Sticky Sweet Potato Honey (Torori Mitsu-imo Mitsu) donut. Unlike its predecessors, this donut is coated with a thick, sticky mitsu-imo glaze. The contrast between the old syrup-infused versions and this new glaze is notable, offering a different but enjoyable experience.
The third sweet potato-themed donut, the Salty Butter Cream (Shio Bataa Kuriimu), closely resembles past Sweet Potato donuts but features a rich layer of salted butter cream on top, adorned with sweet potato strips. This donut may be seen as a spiritual successor to the Imo-kenpi donut from 2020.
This year’s lineup also introduces two new chestnut-flavored donuts, each with a distinct appearance and flavor. Shaped like chestnuts with a waffle-like pattern, these donuts are decorated with chocolate and chestnut flakes.
The Angel & Japanese Chestnut Paste (Angel & Waguri An) donut offers a concentrated chestnut flavor center surrounded by whipped cream, delivering a robust taste. In contrast, the Japanese Chestnut Whipped Cream (Waguri Whip) donut features whipped cream infused with chestnut flavor, providing a consistently chestnut-like taste.
Choosing a favorite among these new offerings is challenging, as each donut has its unique qualities. Overall, the new lineup is a welcome change, with the chestnut flavors adding an exciting twist.
For those craving more seasonal treats, Mister Donut’s latest creations are just one of many autumnal delights, including new beverages from Starbucks.