California Donuts
Donut shop · Koreatown ·
Fresh donuts, sweet & savory croissants, milkshakes & coffee
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Fresh donuts, sweet & savory croissants, milkshakes & coffee
"A decades-old Koreatown standby, this classic Cambodian-owned family doughnut shop—canonically known for its doughnut boxes—is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, slinging freshly fried puffy rounds topped with icing, sprinkles, and more; at 4 a.m., when the sugar cravings hit and even the late-night spots have dimmed their lights, the backlit pastry case beckons. Since 1982, it has served the city of Los Angeles with quality products and outstanding customer service 24 hours a day. The pleasantly greasy breakfast sandwich layers partially melted cheese with an omelet on a chewy croissant, but it’s only available until noon. A classic glazed, with a sheen of icing atop raised dough, is sweet without being too saccharine and a crowd-pleaser when you’re grabbing a dozen for a group, while the plain buttermilk is dense and tangy—tear off a hunk and dunk it into hot coffee. You’re looking for the shop on Third Street in Koreatown (there are a few with the California Donuts moniker), and keep an eye on its Instagram for limited-edition collaborations that sometimes bring free doughnuts. Best for picking up an office dozen that satisfies both classic glazed fans and those yearning for a panda-shaped doughnut pocked with Oreos, or for late-night sweet cravings after a night out in Koreatown." - Rebecca Roland
"LA's donut game is on point, so it's no surprise that Koreatown is home to one of the best; this little walk-up counter is a mid-century throwback that will have you feeling like a kid with an array of donuts as diverse as the K-town inhabitants who consume them. Once you get a look at their cereal-encrusted doughnuts — Froot Loops, Lucky Charms — and candy-topped ones including Snickers, Reese's Cups and M&M's, it's hard to go for a cronut (but they have that too if it's your thang). There are so many classics to choose from, and at 95 cents each, there's no need to hold back. Ideal if you need to spell something in letter-shaped donuts (they also do that) or give yourself adult-onset diabetes." - The HR Dept
"There are a few reasons why California Donuts is a fixture in Koreatown. The obvious one is that this Cambodian American-owned shop is open 24 hours, which means anyone itching for a boston cream at 4am will likely end up here. But the main reason we keep coming back (at any hour of the day) is the sheer range of options, from fluffy lemonberry crumble to old fashioneds with matcha glaze to panda donuts that are almost too cute to eat. Parking is a nightmare with its tiny lot and limited street options, but we’ll gladly endure on a late-night donut mission." - brant cox, sylvio martins, cathy park
"LA has over 1,500 independent donut shops, and a good majority of them are owned by Cambodian Americans. (That’s a story in itself.) But if we had to pick just one, it's always going to be California Donuts. The 24-hour strip mall spot serves an incredible range of options, like fluffy lemonberry crumble, old fashioneds with sweet matcha glaze, and a donut decorated like a panda that’s arguably too adorable to ingest. Parking is a nightmare, but where else are you going to find a donut this good at 7pm on a Thursday night?" - carlo mantuano, team infatuation
"An always-open doughnut shop favored for grabbing a half dozen of whatever catches the eye; the reviewer prefers dense—but still fluffy—old-fashioned doughnuts alongside buttermilk, glazed, matcha, and blueberry. The doughnut itself is "never too sweet," allowing the glaze to be the primary sugary component. The rings come out very fresh and can still be nibbled a day or two later, and if you're after a doughnut breakfast sandwich, be sure to arrive before noon." - Eater Staff