Something different is coming to Fresno: Mochinut.

The business specializes in a treat that’s a combination donut and mochi, the Japanese dessert.

There will also be Korean hot dogs, gelato and boba tea on the menu.

The franchised shop is planning to open in the former Tofa’s Mediterranean Grill restaurant near Maya Cinemas at Campus Pointe, the shopping center next to Fresno State. If all goes as planned, it will open in early November.

What is mochi?

If mochi is new to you, let’s go over the basics.

It’s like a bun made from glutinous rice flour in different colors and flavors.

It’s been around for hundreds of years. In fact, no conversation about mochi is complete without mentioning you can get it at Kogetsu-Do in Fresno’s Chinatown. (The 106-year-old Japanese bakery won the Fresno Bee’s Peoples Choice award for best hidden gem.)

Mochi has been gaining in popularity in recent years, especially as restaurants carry mochi ice cream.

What is Mochinut?

The Fresno Mochinut is a franchise owned by local nurse practitioner David Palecek. More than 20 locations are open with another 90 in the works.

The mochi donut, which has also ties to Hawaii, is made from wheat flour and glutinous rice flour. The mochinuts are essentially eight balls of flavored dough connected together and dipped in a colorful glazes.

“It has a very different texture,” he said. “The mochi creates a basically a crispy light outer coating and on the inside it’s very airy, light.”

There are at least 55 flavors on the menu, he said.

“There’s a lot of more traditional Asian influence – ube, sweet taro, matcha,” he said, along with flavors like chocolate, peanut butter and coffee.

Korean hot dogs and more

The menu will also include other treats, such as Korean hot dogs, another trendy treat that’s gaining traction in the United States recently.

Made from corn dogs or with cheese in the middle, Korean hot dogs usually have creative toppings on the breaded outside. The menu has hot dogs with coated in chunks of potatoes, crispy ramen, even Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

House-made gelato with toppings and fresh-squeezed orange juice will also be available.

Bethany Clough

The Fresno Bee

(559) 441-6431

Bethany Clough covers restaurants and retail for The Fresno Bee. A reporter for more than 20 years, she now works to answer readers’ questions about business openings, closings and other business news. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and her last name is pronounced Cluff.