A Bite of Filipino Tradition in NYC

Everyone who’s just now finding out about Kora, consider yourself lucky that they finally have a permanent location. Kora Donuts, now located in the vibrant neighborhood of Sunnyside, Queens, originally started as a pop-up in Long Island City. Back then, you had to reserve a box of their specialty donuts 1–2 weeks in advance and pick it up on a designated day. Sounds simple? These donuts were nearly impossible to get. Because of their overwhelming popularity, Kora would sell out quickly, making the ordering process incredibly competitive. But when I finally got my first order three years ago, it was so worth it.

Kora is a love letter to Filipino heritage, blending the deep traditions of Filipino cuisine with the creativity of modern patisserie. Founded in 2020, Kora quickly went viral for their handcrafted brioche donuts filled with Filipino-inspired flavors like ube halaya, leche flan, and mango calamansi. As mentioned earlier, they began as a home-based business during the pandemic, but the skyrocketing demand led to long waitlists and, eventually, the opening of a beautiful storefront in Sunnyside. What sets Kora apart isn’t just the quality of the ingredients or the stunning presentation (though they excel in both), it’s the heartfelt storytelling behind every flavor. Camara, the owner, named the shop after her late grandmother, Cora, who taught her how to bake and instilled in her a deep respect for Filipino food traditions.

After tasting Kora’s donuts, I knew they were destined for success. Kora has since caught the attention of major media outlets like The New York Times, Eater, and Bon Appétit, and food lovers from all over the country travel just to experience their rich and thoughtful creations. Their signature ube donut (one of my absolute favorites) is filled with creamy ube halaya (purple yam jam), rolled in sugar, and topped with a delicate ube glaze; it’s the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Another personal favorite: their fruit-forward crullers—so incredibly fresh and vibrant. None of their donuts shy away from flavor and you always get exactly what you came for. Even with the permanent shop, demand is still sky-high. I often walk in to find nearly empty shelves (not me crying right now).

But beyond the hype, Kora is helping expand the visibility of Filipino cuisine in New York City in a deeply personal and accessible way. Each donut is an invitation to explore Filipino history, flavors, and family traditions. Many of the flavors I’ve tried at Kora are ones I’ve never had anywhere else in NYC (or even in my life). The small, dedicated, and incredibly kind staff treat every donut, and Kora’s story, with so much care and pride. Despite all the attention and praise, Kora maintains a sense of intimacy and authenticity, staying rooted in community. Whether you’re Filipino or simply a lover of beautiful, high-quality pastries, a visit to Kora isn’t just about satisfying your sweet tooth. Its about experiencing a story, a heritage, and a flavor journey like no other. Trust me—you should run, not walk.