阿里妈妈

Yuzu cream puff was such a tasty treat! The tart citrus cream filling inside was a great contrast with the sweet and crisp outside crust. Service was quick and friendly. Shop is tiny, maybe 5 or so seats lined up against the wall.

Hokkaido milk cream puff for only $1, and black sesame mochi donut that tastes like 芝麻糊 (black sesame paste)… this tiny store in Chinatown has totally won me over. I’ve tasted a lot of cream puffs around NYC, but Alimama Tea wins for their perfect choux and flavor lineup. Their cream puffs were huge irl, and the custard-to-choux pastry ratio was done right. ＊Cream Puff $4.50 - 5.50 I couldn’t stop munching on the yuzu one, so tart and refreshing with a yuzu curd filling. The boba flavor was not too sweet and packed with mini boba. Matcha was the winner (as always). ＊Mochi Donut $4.50 - 5.50 The roasted black sesame glaze was rich, nutty, and pleasantly grainy. It reminded me of chinese black sesame paste dessert which I loved. What surprised me most was the strawberry flavor. It didn’t taste artificial at all, unlike the ones I’ve had at other donut spots. The brulee donut was coated in a caramelized sugar glaze that left a gold shimmer on my lips. Their mochi donuts had a dense yet chewy texture. ＊Hokkaido Custard Mini Cream Puff $1 each (min. 6 pcs) Despite their small size, they didn’t skimp on the filling! Each one was packed with luscious, creamy custard made from Hokkaido milk, all wrapped in a crispy shell. ＊Lychee Rose $7 While I had higher expectations for their sweets, this lychee rose drink actually blew me away! I didn’t even ask for less sugar, but the sweetness level was just right. It was made with lychee purée, coconut water, rose, and topped with real lychee. The boba scene is competitive in Chinatown, but I’d come back just for this drink.

I was floored and amazed at the flavor, freshness and quality of the mochi donut; this was absolutely delicious. Alimama is a MUST try. We did the six pack of mochi donuts and the brown sugar boba cream puff all of it a 10/10!!!

I’ve been wanting to come here for some time. Everything was delicious. I got the Vietnamese cold brew, the Hokkaido brûlée mini cream puffs, and taro munchkins. This place is must visit. I’ll come back. I want to try some other things.

I waited to try a mochi donut until I could get one from Alimama Tea because I heard they were really good. They’re also naturally gluten-free because mochi is derived from rice flour. If you’re used to a more conventional NY donut, this will take you by surprise in the best way: it’s chewy, not too sweet, and pairs well with the very aesthetic teas. I had the brûlée donut, which was delish but very gently flavored, and I think my NY instincts still wanted something a little sweeter—but that’s on me because I actually wanted the frosted strawberry mochi donut or the crumbly topped cereal donut, but I was trying to be sophisticated when I know I am not. Next time I’ll get a donut with a little something extra on the top and I think that will hit the perfect balance of sweetness for me!