Gavino's Japanese Donuts: Pon de Rings and Pon de Balls

After enjoying the savory and spicy Korean cuisine at Yoogane in Il Terrazzo, we can't help but notice a fairly new stall of sweet treats just beside the restaurant. It was the first time I've seen Gavino's Japanese Donuts, but I've already had a ton of them as of late.
Gavino's Japanese Donuts and More at Il Terrazzo

Apparently, Gavino's Japanese Donuts started out in Mercato Central over a year ago. This donut brand is the brainchild of husband-and-wife tandem Andrew and Michelle Que who can't get enough of the Japanese pon de ring donuts. If this is the first time you've heard about pon de ring, they're made of super soft and chewy balls interconnected to form a ring. Gavino's Japanese Donuts has a flagship store in Greenhills Town Center along Granada Street, Quezon City where you can sit down and enjoy their offerings with a cup of their specialty beverage. But since I haven't been there yet, let me share my experience with these Japanese donuts from their stall at Il Terrazzo in Tomas Morato.

Gavino's Assorted Donuts

These are the donuts from my first box of Gavino's which had an assortment of their offerings. Aside from pon de rings, this Japanese donut brand also carries pon de balls which are as soft and as chewy as their ring counterparts. What makes these smaller balls of goodness special though is not just the fact that they don't form a ring, but rather, they have a creamy filling inside which is a sure hit with cream-filled donut lovers.

Gavino's Donuts Menu Gavino's Japanese Donuts at Il Terrazzo
Menu photo sourced from Sundays Avenue

As of the moment, I've already enjoyed a box of Gavino's assorted Japanese donuts, 2 boxes of pon de rings and a box of their pon de balls. It may seem like too much as I discovered Gavino's Japanese Donuts just earlier this month. However, with addicting donuts and very affordable pricing, who wouldn't be tempted to take home a box or two?

Gavino's Donuts Pon de Ring and Pon de Ball

This is my first box of Gavino's Japanese Donuts which had not just me, but even my mom and my little sister hooked. I brought this home from Il Terrazzo, and in just under 10 minutes, this box was wiped out! While my sister munched on the Chocolate Krunch, Choco Almond, Choco Ball and Hazelnut Ball, my mom was busy gorging the rest of the pon de balls one after the other. I reserved the Green Tea Glazed for my dad, and I was glad he loved it. And since there was only a piece of the Glazed donut left, I saved it for myself. Even if I only got to try the most basic variant from Gavino's, I already got addicted! The donut was super soft, airy and chewy at the same time. It's also not too sweet so you can definitely eat more than a piece of this treat in one sitting.

Gavino's Donuts Glazed, Chocolate Glazed, Chocolate Krunch

For our second box of Gavino's Japanese Donuts, you can already guess which ones were mine and which were my little sister's. Like our first experience with the pon de rings, every bite off these treats were magical. They were as soft as fluffy clouds, and we truly enjoyed every piece of the ring. From the box, it's suggested that the donuts be heated in the microwave for about 8 seconds. But if you eat them an hour or even two after they were bought, I think you can still enjoy them in their super soft state like ours.

Gavino's Donuts Choco Almond, Tripe chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Nutty Chocolate

This third box is actually more of my little sister's. Among me, my mom and her, it's my little sister who raves and craves so much for Gavino's Japanese Donuts. I thought it was impossible for someone (light eater) like her to long for donuts. But lo and behold, I always get the "Tara, bili tayo ng Gavino's" line from her. Every day, and at random hours. She loves every chocolate-infused flavor that Gavino's offers. And if there's a Gavino's fans competition, I think my little sis can easily top the list, if not, even win.

Gavino's Donuts Pon de Ball

Now, this box is for my mom. While she appreciates the pon de rings, her heart and palate belongs to the pon de balls which oozes with creamy filling. Among these ball of treats, I've only tried the Red Velvet and the Bavarian. And while both of them are super soft, my pick would be the latter as it stayed true to its flavor. I can't deny that the Red Velvet looks more appetizing, however, I think it still needs more cream cheese.

THE VERDICT

It's very apparent that our family loves Gavino's Japanese Donuts. If you ask us to compare this brand with others, then I'd have to give the award to Gavino's. These Japanese treats aren't as sweet as Krispy Kreme. There's also no need to line up for over an hour like at J. Co Donuts. And while Gavino's can still work on developing more flavors to give customers more variety, their great quality, super soft texture and very affordable pricing have won us over, hands down.

Taste - 4.5/5
Service - 4/5
Price - 4/5
Overall Value - 4/5


Gavino's Japanese Donuts & More, IL Terrazzo Mall
G/F IL Terrazzo, 305 Tomas Morato Ave. cor. Sct. Madriñan St.,
South Triangle, Quezon City,
Metro Manila Philippines
(02) 477-9275
Facebook Page

Other Branches:
Unit 5 Greenhills Town Center, 2 Granada St., Quezon City
808 Banawe Ave., N.S Amoranto - Laloma, Quezon City

46 comments:

  1. Flower donuts! Now that's a plus! hehehehe They all look luscious! I wanna bite into the creamy donuts. I can almost taste it! hehehe No wonder your mom and sis both enjoyed the donuts from Gavinos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup! :D And you should definitely try Gavino's too.. ;)

      Delete
  2. Mister Donut Japan has this kind of donut as well. Looking forward to taste the green tea glazed and choco glazed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you'll like Gavino's as much as I did :) Let me know if you find them better than Mister Donut Japan's on not ;)

      Delete
  3. sumi!!! these are my fav donuts!! :) i dnt really like donuts but gavino's an exception.. :) sarap!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! I didn't know Gavino's donuts are your faves :D I try not to eat a lot of donuts normally, pero with Gavino's, I can't help but munch one after another XD

      Delete
  4. Oh my god! This is heaven! The donuts are too cute! Hope they'll have a branch in south! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. very cute donuts!i hope they'd have more branches..=)

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wanna try this but too far from my place :(

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sumi Go - I will definitely try Gavino's Japanese Donuts. Thanks for blogging about this.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Interesting. Probably my first time to see a Japanese donut. This is a must try pastry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My first time too. Will definitely try these when I'm around Greenhills.

      Delete
  9. I always see that store whenever I go out for lunch but have yet to try it, after seeing your pics and reading your description maybe I'll finally give it a shot.

    ReplyDelete
  10. cute donuts!! their price is not bad.. and they look so yummy too! :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Doughnuts are my sweet escape! Will definitely try this one.❤
    xx Rizza Joanna Salas ( rizzasalas.tumblr.com )

    ReplyDelete
  12. Those donuts look delicious! But I'll pass for now.. let me get on with my diet :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Another shape of donuts this is great. Doughnuts were a great favorite of my kids.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Mmmmmmm... looks so scrumptious! Wanna try (goodluck diet!) Wish they have a branch nearby.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Doughnut chain now are becoming more and more innovative and creative to attract customers ... have i mentioned I have worked making doughnuts before... these are really close to my heart.. and my gut of course...

    ReplyDelete
  16. I always see this store at Greenhills but I always hesitate if I should try their donuts, uhmm now I think I'll go ahead and buy some. :>

    ReplyDelete
  17. hehe kakaibang donuts.. thanks for the post :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. yum yum ang sarap naman
    can i have 1? hehe

    ReplyDelete
  19. The pictures show yumminess all over! I wanna try!

    ReplyDelete
  20. wow! the pon de balls sure do look and sound yummy!!! too bad I'm far from il terrazzo.. :(

    ReplyDelete
  21. Choco almonds, nyum! I really wish I'm near Tomoas Morato area.. :(

    ReplyDelete
  22. I just wish there's a branch near ortigas. The donuts are yummy, gastronomic!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh my G!! i saw this Gavino's Japanese Donut just now so i can feel hungry... :q so yummy talaga... ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I was at Il terazzo yesterday, and i actually didnt see this shop. too bad. Their donuts are to die for, i thought they were mochi balls at firs because they are famous in japan too. Hope to taste one when i drop by again :D

    ReplyDelete
  25. My baby will definitely love this!! Masarap ng tingnan, tiyak yum yum yum din!

    ReplyDelete
  26. This made me sing Pon de Replay!

    ReplyDelete
  27. i'd love to taste cookies & cream and choco almond! looks very yUmmy! ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  28. This is the first time I heard about this brand. It looks yummy and I like that it's affordable.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Looks yummy. Would like to try the Pons de balls as I like donuts with fillings.

    ReplyDelete
  30. hmmm, they look good! The pon de ring donuts are so cute, I'm going to try them out..

    ReplyDelete
  31. I always walk by Gavino's. I've been missing all the yumminess! Will definitely try it this time.

    ReplyDelete
  32. i love donuts! i want to eat some :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nice work with good ideas and concepts, lots of great information which we all need, helpful iformation. I would like to thank you for the efforts you shown remarkble writing skill in this article.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Well done Sumi! Your review makes me really wanna try this at Robinson's Place Manila or Megamall! I was impressed that you really love it more than Krispy Kreme! I think I have found a Donut store that would satisfy my sweet tooth! Thanks for this Sumi! I really appreciated! :)

    ReplyDelete
  35. my kids love donuts and they gonna love to eat this,cute and looks yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Looks like glazed and choco-glazed are going to be my favorites here. These are just the way I wanted my donuts. Simple and tasty :)

    ReplyDelete
  37. too over pricey for a donut but my kids love it!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Would love to try this. I'm a big donut lover. This is similar with Mr. Donuts pon de rings!

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love Gavino's doughnuts because they're chewy and not too sweet!

    ReplyDelete

Powered by Blogger.