Donut Culture
"LA's donut culture is driven by Cambodian-American families who own 90% of independent donut shops—a unique immigrant success story. These pink-box donut shops are everywhere, open early (5am) or 24/7, cheap ($1-2 per donut), and unpretentious. Classic varieties include old-fashioned buttermilk, apple fritters, and glazed twists. The shops are community hubs, often the only thing open in neighborhoods at 6am."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Casual, nostalgic
Duration
Quick bite
Best For
Breakfast
The Backstory
Cambodian refugees arrived in the 1970s-80s fleeing the Khmer Rouge. Ted Ngoy, the 'Donut King,' sponsored hundreds of refugees and trained them in donut-making. By the 1990s, Cambodian families dominated LA's independent donut market. The pink box became iconic through Cambodian shops using the cheapest supplier. It's now LA's signature packaging.
Local Secret
"The pink box is iconic—if you're bringing donuts to someone's house, get the pink box. Old-fashioned buttermilk and apple fritters are the classics. Many shops are 24/7, making them perfect for late-night munchies. Support independent shops over chains—they're family-run and make everything fresh daily."