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In the latest Japan Super Budget Dining edition, nine reporters from SoraNews24 explore how to maximize a 1,000-yen budget at Mister Donut. With creative picks ranging from classic donuts to savory bites, they showcase the chain’s versatile offerings beyond just sweets.
Nine SoraNews24 Reporters Explore How to Maximize a 1,000-Yen Budget at Mister Donut
In Japan Super Budget Dining’s latest edition, the SoraNews24 team sets out to show just how far 1,000 yen (approximately USD 6.70) can go at one of Japan’s most beloved donut chains: Mister Donut. With a panel of nine reporters ready to explore the menu, each came up with their own “best value” picks, proving that Mister Donut offers much more than just donuts.
Takashi Harada’s Optimal Solution Set (970 yen)
Takashi went classic with six Old-Fashioned donuts, reasoning that a universally loved choice like the Old-Fashioned ensures everyone can find something to enjoy. His logic: the Old-Fashioned’s simplicity makes it a crowd-pleaser, perfect for sharing with friends.
Takamichi Furusawa’s Pon de Ring Trio (896 yen)
Takamichi chose a Halloween-themed selection of Pon de Ring donuts, including a Witch edition with festive sprinkles, a unique Black Thunder chocolate collaboration, and an iced coffee to complete his set. The Pon de Ring’s chewy, bite-sized structure makes it an all-time favorite, especially when paired with coffee.
Mr. Sato’s Savory Drink Set (961 yen)
Skipping sweets, Mr. Sato opted for savory satisfaction with a Cheese Dog, blend coffee (with unlimited refills for dine-in), and a barbecue Frankfurt pie at a discount. His choice highlights one of Mister Donut’s hidden gems: its surprisingly robust savory offerings.
Masanuki Sunakoma’s Balanced Set (919 yen)
Masanuki’s picks included the Shrimp Gratin Pie, Honey Old-Fashioned, and Kori Coffee, which uses frozen coffee cubes for a richer flavor. He considers this combination a balanced meal, with sweet and savory flavors offset by the iced coffee’s smooth richness.
Yuichiro Wasai’s Sharing Set (980 yen)
Yuichiro leaned into variety, choosing donuts like Honey Old-Fashioned, Golden Chocolate, and Angel Cream, plus an 8-piece Donut Pop to appeal to different preferences. For Yuichiro, Mister Donut’s range of flavors and textures makes it ideal for sharing with friends.
Go Hatori’s Chocolate Dream (992 yen)
Go’s set focused on chocolate with two Chocolate Donuts, a Chocolate Old-Fashioned and Angel Cream, plus a Honey Churro. To Go, a chocolate donut is the pinnacle of donut enjoyment, so his selection was centered on satisfying his chocolate cravings.
Mariko Hanabatake’s Taiwan-Inspired Set (979 yen)
Mariko’s selections celebrated Taiwanese flavors, featuring a Taiwan Fruit Tea packed with berries and gelatin, a Taiwan Hujiao Bing-style pie, and a Hokuto (brown sugar) Pon de Ring. She appreciates the tea’s richness and complexity, making it a standout choice in her set.
P.K. Sanjun’s Savory-Sweet Zakumochi Set (905 yen)
P.K. chose the Zakumochi Dog, a crispy-on-the-outside, chewy-on-the-inside sandwich, blend coffee, and two donuts, including the seasonal Satsumaimo Kobashi Brulee. The Zakumochi Dog and sweet potato Brulee donut offer a mix of savory and seasonal sweet flavors.
Ahiruneko’s Gift-Ready Set (992 yen)
Ahiruneko crafted a set suitable for gifting, with a variety that includes the Pon de Ring, Old-Fashioned, Angel French, and Honey Churro. His idea was to create a box with broad appeal, ideal for bringing to a friend’s home as a thoughtful gesture.
With everyone’s sets tailored to different tastes, the team enjoyed a satisfying dive into Mister Donut’s extensive menu, each achieving a unique blend of flavors within the 1,000 yen limit. Once the food comas wear off, they’ll return with more insights in the next Japan Super Budget Dining installment.
