It’s not every day that two computer science graduates from UNC walk away from successful corporate careers to open up a novelty dessert shop, but that is exactly what cousins Peter Zheng and Jacky Zhao did when they opened Mochinut this past spring.
“I worked at my corporate job for a year. During that time, entrepreneurship was always at the back of my mind,” said Zheng. “Becoming an entrepreneur was a goal of mine because I wanted to build something that resonated with me and consisted of my vision. My partner is Jacky, and he was also a computer science graduate from UNC. At the time, he was a software engineer, but he was also open to the idea of starting Mochinut.”
Zheng and Zhao’s taste for something new has definitely hit the mark. During their grand opening in March, they were completely sold out by 5 p.m., as people couldn’t seem to get enough of this unique twist on traditional donuts. We recently spoke with Zheng to learn more about their unique and flavorful offerings.
What is a mochi donut, and what makes them so unique?
A mochi donut is a combination of Japanese mochi and an American donut. They have a chewier texture compared to a normal donut. The unique eight-balled shape makes it easier to pull apart and share with friends. As for the flavoring, it’s limited only by your creativity. The mochi donut can be dipped in icing, chocolates, sugars, or custards, and designed with different toppings.
Mochinut offers dine-in or takeout.
When did Mochinut Cary first open, and what was the inspiration behind its opening?
Down in Atlanta, I got my first taste of mochi donuts and Korean corn dogs. The concept was unique, so I knew Cary would be the perfect spot to introduce it. We officially opened on March 18.
Why do you think mochi donuts have gotten so popular?
Mochi donuts have gained popularity the past couple of years due to its trendiness on social media. The designs on the donuts are often vibrant and very photogenic. Mochi donuts tend to not be as sweet as normal donuts, which also contributes to its popularity.
Describe your other menu offerings and what makes them special!
Other products offered at Mochinut are Korean corn dogs and bubble tea. Our corn dogs have a wide variety of toppings such as potato, ramen, cereal, and Hot Cheetos. Our drink menu currently includes 12 bubble teas, but we will expand the menu to fruit teas and layered drinks soon! Mochinut is the perfect spot to grab a quick snack or indulge in a guilty pleasure after a long week.
Grab and go! Vicky Tang boxes mochi donuts for hungry customers.
What is the most popular mochinut flavor? What is your personal favorite?
Based on the past month we’ve been open, the most popular flavor is surprisingly churro. My personal favorite is the strawberry shortcake.
Describe your experience as a business owner!
Being a business owner has been a very rewarding journey. As an avid learner, the amount of insight that I gained in the different fields is priceless. From construction to marketing to accounting, I am privileged to have learned so much along the way. Now that we are open, I love seeing the enjoyment people get when trying our products. This motivates our team to brainstorm new designs and unique flavors for the community to try.
The hardest part of being a business owner is juggling multiple things at once. Whether it is inventory, management, or other issues, we strive to be on top of everything. Many mistakes have been made, but our team has constantly worked to improve the business in any way that we can.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I want to thank the Mochinut team members. Every single member is incredible, and they have constantly made Mochinut better!
@mochinut_cary
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