Mister Donut’s twist on agedashi tofu turns mochi donuts into a tasty side dish [Recipe]

In 2003, Mister Donut in Japan created the ポン・デ・リング Pon de Ring. A chewy donut made with tapioca flour and formed from eight balls, they were a huge success. Eventually, they made their way to Hawaii, picking up the name "mochi donut" along the way, and then on to the continental United States and other countries, where they're currently trending.

Pon de Ring donuts, which continue to be best-sellers at Mister Donut, are certainly fun to eat. Whether you prefer just biting into them as they are or separating the balls and popping each one into your mouth, they're a delicious treat.

But have you ever thought of eating one as a side dish in a Japanese meal?

Mister Donut's official YouTube channel posted a surprising recipe based on their Pon de Ring donuts, inspired by a side dish called agedashi tofu. Known in Japanese as 揚げ出し豆腐 agedashi dōfu, it's made with deep-fried tofu which is then soaked in a hot broth and served with grated daikon radish and other toppings.

Instead of cubes of tofu, however, this recipe uses the balls of a Pon de Ring donut!

Mister Donut's "Pon de Agedashi"

Ingredients

  • 1 Pon de Ring donut (or similarly-shaped mochi donut)
  • Daikon radish, grated, 4 tbsp
  • Vegetable oil (for deep-frying)
  • Mitsuba (Japanese parsley), 2 stalks, chopped into 1-inch segments [can be replaced with arugula or watercress]
  • Potato starch, 1 tbsp [can be replaced with corn starch]
  • Mentsuyu (tsuyu sauce for noodles), 4 tsp [can be replaced with a blend of 3 tbsp water, 2 tsp soy sauce, 1/4 tsp sugar, and a dash of dashi granules]
  • Shichimi spice mix, as desired [can be replaced with chili powder]

How to make

  • 1. Detach the balls of one Pon de Ring donut and coat them well with the potato starch.
  • 2. Deep-fry them in vegetable oil at 360 F until golden and crispy, drain the oil, and mound them in a serving dish.
  • 3. Blend grated daikon radish and mitsuba and top over the fried Pon de Ring balls.
  • 4. Pour mentsuyu sauce over the grated radish.
  • 5. Garnish with shichimi spice, and serve.

They almost look like takoyaki balls!

The video elicited many comments such as, "This is so innovative," and "Is this really an official recipe? Wow!"

The next time you come across some Pon de Ring donuts (or similarly shaped mochi donuts), why not get an extra one for this recipe and give it a try?

By - grape Japan editorial staff.

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