If you think you already know what a doughnut is supposed to taste like, Ring Donuts in Canoga Park might change your mind.
Located in the San Fernando Valley, Ring Donuts specializes in Japanese-style baked tofu doughnuts that are soft, chewy, and very different from the traditional fried doughnuts most of us grew up eating. With rotating flavors, house-made recipes, and a story that goes back more than a decade, Ring Donuts has become a unique local stop for anyone looking to try something different.
A Doughnut Shop With a Unique Approach
One of the first things that makes Ring Donuts stand out is how the doughnuts are made.
Unlike traditional doughnuts, Ring Donuts’ doughnuts are baked rather than fried, and tofu is part of the base. Rice flour is also used, which the shop says makes the doughnuts naturally gluten-free.
The result is a texture that’s difficult to compare to a typical doughnut. During our visit, we found them soft, moist, and pleasantly chewy, with a lighter feel than many traditional doughnuts.
And while there’s one basic doughnut style, the variety comes from the flavors. Ring Donuts has developed more than 60 flavors over time, giving customers plenty of reasons to come back and try something new.
From Daily Coffee Stop to New Owner
The story behind Ring Donuts is just as interesting as the doughnuts.
The original owners founded the business about 13 years ago and operated it themselves for roughly a decade. Juliet, who now runs the business with her fiancé Bobby, first discovered Ring Donuts after moving into the neighborhood in 2020.
It quickly became her regular coffee stop, eventually leading to a friendship with the original owners.
When they decided they were ready to retire and move back to Japan, Juliet and Bobby didn’t want to see the shop disappear or change into something completely different.
So Juliet made a major decision. She left her corporate job and took over the business with the goal of continuing what the original owners had created.
It’s a great example of how a local business can become part of someone’s everyday life and eventually become something they’re willing to build their future around.
The Coffee Is Part of the Experience
Ring Donuts keeps its coffee menu relatively simple, focusing on quality and consistency rather than having an overwhelming number of choices.
One standout is the signature sea salt cream iced coffee, which Juliet described as the shop’s number-one-selling drink and her personal go-to.
It’s made with espresso, water, sugar, cream, and salt, creating a sweet and salty combination that pairs naturally with the doughnuts.
The Doughnuts Take Serious Preparation
There is much more work behind these doughnuts than you might expect.
The original recipe reportedly went through more than 500 iterations before the owners arrived at the version they wanted. The shop also uses specialized doughnut-making machines that were originally manufactured by a waffle iron company.
Instead of using a conventional oven, these machines help create the distinctive soft, spongy, chewy texture that makes the doughnuts different.
Ring Donuts can bake hundreds of doughnuts in a day, with the shop typically producing thousands throughout a week depending on demand. They also supply their doughnuts to other cafés and restaurants.
Flavors Worth Trying
During the Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley visit, several flavors stood out.
Chocolate Chip
The chocolate chip doughnut was served warm, with a soft and moist texture and plenty of flavor. Rather than the heavier, cakey texture you might expect from a traditional doughnut, this one had a lighter, chewy quality.
Rum Raisin
The rum raisin doughnut has one of the most unusual stories on the menu. According to Juliet, the preparation process takes three years.
The rum and raisins are put together and allowed to develop over time, meaning a batch prepared during the visit wouldn’t be ready until 2029.
The finished doughnut has sweetness from the raisins along with a subtle rum flavor that doesn’t overpower the doughnut.
Ube
For ube fans, this is one to look for.
The ube doughnut is one of Ring Donuts’ popular flavors, combining the shop’s signature soft texture with a recognizable ube flavor. It’s flavorful without being overwhelming.
And with the shop’s rotating selection, there are always more flavors to discover.
A Canoga Park Stop Worth Adding to Your Food List
Ring Donuts isn’t trying to be another traditional doughnut shop. Its Japanese-inspired baked tofu doughnuts, creative flavors, specialty coffee, and history make it something different within the San Fernando Valley food scene.
What makes the story especially interesting is that the current owners didn’t simply start the business from scratch. They first became customers, fell in love with what the original owners had created, and eventually stepped in to keep that small business going.
If you’re exploring local food in Canoga Park or looking for something beyond the usual doughnut shop, Ring Donuts is a fun one to add to your San Fernando Valley food list.
Watch the Ring Donuts Episode
Want to see how these unique doughnuts are made, hear the story directly from Juliet, and watch us taste some of Ring Donuts’ most interesting flavors?
Watch the Eat Live Love San Fernando Valley episode below and get a behind-the-scenes look at Ring Donuts in Canoga Park.
After watching, stop by Ring Donuts and try one of their Japanese-style baked tofu doughnuts for yourself. And if you find a favorite flavor, let us know!