Filipino-inspired doughnut pop-up is opening a bakery in NY
Photos from fromkora/Instagram
From making Filipino-inspired doughnuts in an apartment to opening a brick-and-mortar bakery in the heart of New York – Kora has made a sweet leap to the next level of success.
With a rapidly growing fanbase, the beloved doughnut pop-up will soon offer more Filipino-inspired treats at a storefront in Sunnyside, Queens.
Kora’s humble beginnings
It all started in owner Kimberly Camara’s apartment. Since its launch in 2020, Kora – co-founded by Camara and Kevin Borja – has captured the palates of doughnut lovers with their unique creations.
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The new 2,100-square-foot space will not only provide ample space for dine-ins but will also offer walk-in patrons the full experience.
“We felt like these last few years, we weren’t able to give the full experience to our customers and allow the accessibility that we had always hoped for,” Camara told Eater. “We always dreamed of having people just being able to come in without having to preorder and just be able to purchase whatever they want.”
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Doughnuts with Filipino flair
The new bakery will continue to offer its iconic doughnuts, including fan favorites ube cream-stuffed doughnut and halo-halo doughnut dipped in ube glaze.
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“Our ube cream is cooked down with pounds of grated ube until it’s thick, starchy & dense to emulate the textures of the beloved yam,” they said in an Instagram post. A fan commented, “this is the best one.”
But there’s more — their menu is expanding to feature laminated pastries that blend Kora’s signature Filipino flair with flavors showcasing the diverse community of Queens.
Among the must-try doughnuts is the Leche Flan ni Lola, an heirloom recipe from Camara’s late grandmother, boasting a fluffy fried brioche filled with creamy flan.
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Camara and Borja envision this new bakery as more than just a Filipino doughnut shop In New York. They see it as a community hub that caters to the needs of the locals.
While there were some hiccups along the way, Kora’s owners also took their time choosing the right location and ultimately picked Queens, where they already have a loyal following.
What’s next for Kora
The owners plan to make the new bakery at 45-12 Greenpoint Avenue in Queens the flagship hub for production, with high hopes for future expansion.
“We’re in it for the longevity of the brand, as opposed to a quick strike of virality,” Borja stated.
You can help turn this sweet dream into reality by supporting their kickstarter.
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