There’s Mochi Malassadas in Waikīkī

Dukes Lane Market & Eatery sells sweetly chewy ube, mango and original mochi malassadas.

August 4, 2020

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta,

Word got out at a recent media event at Basalt Waikīkī that Dukes Lane Market & Eatery was going to start selling mochi malassadas. We even got to taste some. Fresh, delightfully chewy and coated with sugar, that mochi malassada has been on my mind ever since.

Dukes Lane mochi malassada — Mochi malassadas are new at Dukes Lane Market & Eatery. Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

The mochi malassadas are so new that they’re not even on the digital menu yet. When you walk into Dukes Lane Market, you’ll see them on your left at Spitfire Rotisserie & Flatbread next to the bakery. They’re in the display case next to the regular malassadas but you order the mochi malassadas at Spitfire.

Ube malassadas — Mochi malassadas come in original, ube and mango. Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Freshly made mochi malassadas come in original (plain), ube and mango flavors and cost $1.49 each. The flavors are in the dough; these have no fillings. In pre-packaged bags you’ll find Oreo and Matcha mochi malassadas at three for $4.50.

Dukes Lane malassadas — Original, ube and mango mochi malassadas. Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Dukes Lane mochi malassadas are smaller than regular malassadas, which is dangerous because you tend to eat more. They’re also chewier, spongier and doughier on the inside, thanks to the mochi rice flour.

If you’re a malassada purist, get the original. This one is just straight-up coated in plain sugar, so the chewy interior really shines. The ube malassada is distinctively purple from the ube extract in the dough, though the ube flavor is subtle. This mochi malassada’s exterior is also sprinkled with ube powder.

Ube malassada interior — Ube mochi malassada. Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Mango malassada interior — Inside the mango mochi malassada. Photo: Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Mango ends up being my favorite. Made with mango puree, it’s slightly sweeter than the others. If you look closely, you’ll notice a yellow-orange tint.

The bakery opens at 6:30 a.m. and regular and mochi malassadas usually sell out by 3 p.m. so go early. All three mochi malassada flavors are available daily. For mochi donuts and special regular malassada flavors, check out the bakery’s pastry schedule.

I think I just found my go-to dessert for my next socially distanced potluck with less than 10 people.

2255 Kuhio Ave., (808) 923-5692, dukeslanehawaii.com, @dukeslanehi