Festival Favourite Mochi Doughnuts and Nostalgic Gelato Land at Shmochi Dessert Bar in St Peters

Shmochi only opened last month, but you’ve probably already tried its signature dish. The technically ambitious chewy mochi doughnuts are a mainstay on the festival food truck scene. It’s amassed a loyal following after stints at Adelaide Fringe, the Lucky Dumpling Market and, more recently, the Tasting Australia Town Square.

Husband-and-wife team Quang and Thy Nguyen, and business partner Lisa Chao, opened a permanent home for their doughnuts and soft serve in St Peters. The Nguyens are behind cafes Devour and Third Time Lucky , and Vietnamese eateries Noi and Ong. Together with Chao, they also own dessert bar Shibui.

Shmochi was born out of necessity when the team realised they needed to simplify the intricately plated desserts of Shibui into something more pop-up-friendly. Enter Shmochi, the team’s own creation, loosely inspired by Japanese pon de ring doughnuts. The bouncy doughnut rings and accompanying gelato quickly earnt cult status for its joyful, nostalgic concept.

The new venue spotlights the chewy, golden mochi doughnuts, gelato and soft serve. The doughnuts are naturally gluten-free thanks to their rice flour base, and pair perfectly with delicately balanced gelato flavours like ube cookies and cream (with house-baked mix-ins) and sticky date pudding.

The rotating menu launched with 10 gelato flavours, including Shibui’s fan-favourite lychee Eton mess. There’s also the durian birthday cake-inspired gelato, which is already attracting a cult following among ’90s and ’00s kids of Southeast Asian background. “We’re always referencing the joy of discovery and flavours from our Vietnamese heritage and melding that with growing up [as] third culture kids in Australia,” Thy tells Broadsheet.

The fit-out – designed by Thy – is an extension of the brand’s playful, expressive spirit; the rich red walls and ceiling are softened by fluted pink panelling and purple accents.

The queues have followed Shmochi to their permanent location, proving the love for these treats runs deeper than the initial sugar rush.

Shmochi
199 Payneham Road, St Peters
No phone

Hours
Daily midday–10pm

@shmochi_byshibui