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SoraNews24
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Randy's Donuts vs. Krispy Kreme — Who is Japan's king of glazed donuts?
Can the new kid's donuts topple a fan-favorite? We put both to the test in a head-to-head comparison. Just the other day, we reported that Los Angeles-founded donut chain Randy's Donuts has opened its first ever store in Japan in Daikanyama, Tokyo. We were so excited to try the new contender to Japan's donut scene, we rushed out to try a selection of what they have to offer. However, it got us thinking about the other donut chains in the country and how these donuts fare against each other. Doing what any good reporter does (that is if all good reporters use any excuse to eat more delicious food) we went to Krispy Kreme to pick up some donuts to compare to the Randy's donuts we received for a press preview. Our donut of choice for this experiment was the humble glazed donut, because if you can't do a basic donut right, then why bother with the rest of them? Plus, it's easier to get an idea of the true value of a donut when the flavors are kept simple. For example, Randy's Apple Fritter is coated in an amount of sugar that feels like it has reached dangerous (if delicious) proportions, so much so that it doesn't really lend itself to comparison with anything else. One thing we can be certain of is that Randy's has not attempted to adapt their donuts to fit in line with Japanese tastes. Let's find out how that has turned out for them in our little taste test. But first, a closer look at today's competitors. In the challenger corner, we have Randy's Glazed Raised (360 yen [US$2.50]), a traditional yeast donut, with a light, fluffy texture, coated in a sugary glaze. It is both their flagship item and their most popular. On the other side, we have the local defender of glazed donuts, Krispy Kreme's Original Glazed (216 yen for takeout). Similarly, it's a yeast donut with a glaze coating. The Original Glazed is such a well-known and established donut that many Japanese people, even fans of other donut brands, would say that when they're craving glazed donuts specifically they head to Krispy Kreme. Like the Glazed Raised, the Original Glazed is also Krispy Kreme's best-selling and signature item. To make this showdown fair, we rounded up three donut connoisseurs from our office —also known as whomever happened to be nearby and was feeling slightly peckish— and put the two donuts side-by-side. Looking at both of them together, Randy's Glazed Raised is significantly larger, makin the higher price feel like not as significant a factor as it could have been. At least for size, you get what you pay for, so at this stage they're roughly equal. What really matters, though, is the taste, and this is where the differences shone through. Despite being similar donuts on paper, the flavors were quite distinct from each other. Seiji Nakazawa: I prefer Randy's. It's bigger, so you can really taste the wheat. The dough of Krispy's donut feels like it loses out to the glaze. Not that it isn't tasty. Ikuna Kamezawa: I also like Randy's. How should I put it? It's more… bread-like, I guess you could say? I love how filling it is. But it's just a matter of taste, isn't it? P.K. Sanjun: I'm team Krispy. The dough is finer and smoother. Plus, its chewiness is something Randy's lacks. Randy's donut is good, but the lighter Krispy gets my vote. With the taste completed, the results are in: Randy's wins the challenge at 2–1, but it's just like what Ikuna was saying: deliciousness is on the tongue of the taster. Both are quite fluffy, but Krispy Kreme's is lighter, while Randy's offers more thickness and a satisfying bite. A result like this is a great sign for the newcomer to Japan, going to show that, despite not having altered their popular recipe for the Japanese palate, they more than match up to Krispy Kreme's Original Glazed in taste. Our ultimate conclusion, though, is that both signature donuts are delicious and we'd be happy to eat either one of them. While Randy's Donuts has many visually impactful donuts, don't forget about the Glazed Raised if you swing by. Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
SoraNews24
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Randy's Donuts opens first-ever branch in Japan, brings L.A.'s donuts to Tokyo【Photos】
Landmark of the sweets and movie world sets up its colossal donut sign in Shibuya Ward, and we stop by for several bites to eat. It's been a while since a high-profile American restaurant/cafe chain has made the trip across the Pacific to open its first branch in Japan, but this month marks the debut of Randy's Donuts in the country. But though there's never been a Randy's in Japan before now, quite a few Japanese people have seen the Los Angeles-founded chain's branches in movies and music videos, since their distinctive giant donut signs make them popular filming locations. So when it made the trip to Japan, Randy's didn't just bring its recipes, but its unique architectural aesthetics too, with a colossal donut that greets visitors as they approach the store's entrance in Tokyo's Daikanyama neighborhood, just one train stop away from Shibuya Station. Since its beginning in 1952, Randy's Donuts has prided itself on offering quality and variety, and that philosophy continues at its first-ever Tokyo branch, which bakes over 40 different kinds of donuts daily inside the store. Stepping inside as part of a press tour prior to the shop's grand opening on May 15, our eyes glazed over at the cases filled with glazed treats. While you can order your donuts to go, the Tokyo Randy's also has a pretty spacious eat-in area, with both indoor and outdoor seating. And since our Japanese-language reporter P.K. Sanjun was planning on sampling several donuts on this day, he decided to grab a seat for his extended snacking session. The menu is a mix of classic Randy's recipes from the U.S.A. plus a few Japan-exclusive creations, with prices ranging from 360 to 550 yen (US$2.50 to US$3.80). P.K. got started with a Strawberry Chocolate Texas Glazed (550 yen), which is only available at Randy's Japan. Randy's 'Texas' terminology refers to its extra-large donuts, and to give you a clearer picture of just how massive it is, here's the Strawberry Chocolate Texas Glazed next to a standard-sized donut. P.K. was both shocked and thrilled. Though born and raised in Japan, he's traveled enough internationally to have developed a somewhat internationalized palate/stomach size, and this sort of bold decadence was just what he wanted to eat, as was the similarly massive Apple Fritter (550 yen)… …and even the Bacon Maple Long John (550 yen)! Yes, that is a maple donut covered in bacon bits, and P.K. found in to be exquisite, with a deliciously intense sweetness paired with enticing salty notes. As a matter of fact, he joyfully describes all of the donuts he tried as 'relentlessly sweet.' That's not to say that they're low-class desserts, though. P.K. came away very impressed with the quality of Randy's Donut's donuts, particularly with how invitingly fluffy they are inside. P.K. is especially happy that Randy's has preserved the traditional American aspects of its donuts and isn't trying to water down its recipe in order to align with milder-tasting Japanese confectionary norms. The flavors are, without question, intense, even when compared to Japanese donut chains like Mister Donut, but that also helps Randy's stand out from the rest of the donut pack in Japan, and if you're looking for bolder flavors, they've got you covered. ▼ Speaking of coverage, the Tokyo branch also has a merch corner complete with a gacha capsule toy vending machine. Unfortunately, while P.K.'s love of sweets may be boundless, there are constrains to his stomach capacity, and so he didn't have room to try the Japan-exclusive L.A. Blue Custard Cream donuts, whose looks are obviously inspired by the logo of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Thankfully, since this is a permanent location and not a limited-time pop-up store, P.K. will be able to pick some up on his next trip. Randy's Donuts says it hopes to open 50 branches in Japan within the next three years, but for now Tokyo's Daikanyama is the only one, so keep an eye out for P.K. standing in line if and when you make your visit. Location information Randy's Donuts (Shibuya Daikanyama branch) / ランディーズドーナツ（渋谷代官山店） Address: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Daikanyama Log Road Daikanyama building L2 住所 東京都渋谷区代官山町13-1 Log Road Daikanyama L2棟 Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Website Photos ©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
NBC News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Over 100 undocumented immigrants detained at 'underground nightclub' in Colorado, DEA says
An estimated 114 undocumented immigrants were detained at an "underground nightclub" in Colorado following a U.S. Drug Enforcement raid, officials said. Denver DEA Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Pullen said more than 100 people were detained after a monthslong investigation involving the Colorado Springs club led to the Saturday night raid that ran into the early morning hours Sunday. Some of the patrons were arrested based on active state warrants, he said at a news conference. United States Attorney General Pam Bondi put the number of people arrested based on warrants at two. Also inside the club, Pullen said, were guns, drugs and more than a dozen active-duty service members posing as patrons or working as armed security. "As you may suspect, when the cops showed up at the door, most of the drugs hit the floor and we did find cocaine," he said. "We haven't had time to test everything, but there were dozens of small packages." U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division personnel were present at the raid and were helping investigate, Pullen said. The division and U.S. Army Public Affairs at nearby Fort Carson did not immediately respond to requests for comment Sunday night. The DEA posted video of the moments before the raid on social media. It shows law enforcement officers in tactical gear surrounding the location and audio of warnings in English and Spanish to those inside to exit peacefully. Pullen alleged the club in what appears to be a strip mall was a location for drug deals and sex workers. Events there were under surveillance by law enforcement for months, he said. "What was happening inside was significant drug trafficking, prostitution, crimes of violence," Pullen said. "We seized a number of guns in there." He indicated the investigation that led to the raid was ongoing, saying that authorities "actually have a few other operations pending" across the city. President Donald Trump posted video of part of the raid to his Truth Social account and alleged some of those rounded up are murderers and other violent criminals. The DEA has not identified anyone accused of murder among those detained. Trump characterized it as "a big raid last night on some of the worst people illegally in our country." Bondi said on X that members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang, as well as of the Los Angeles-founded MS-13 gang, were detained in the raid. Both gangs have been repeatedly named as violent threats to the U.S. as the Trump administration forges ahead with its crackdown on illegal immigration. Pullen said agents surveilling the venue spotted who they believe to be Tren de Agua and MS-13 members, as well as members of the motorcycle gang Hells Angeles there. Bondi praised Trump for "achieving results" under his mission to "make America safe again." Large-scale roundups of those suspected of being in the country illegally have long been concerning to advocates for immigrants, as well as for civil liberties lawyers. The Colorado Rapid Response Network, which provides information on raids to immigrant communities, urged family members of those detained to remind them they may remain silent, do not have to sign any documents, and can request legal representation. "We don't know all the facts," the group said on Facebook. Partygoer Jose Dominguez said in an interview, part of which aired on NBC affiliate KUSA of Denver, that law enforcement put him and others in handcuffs until their presence in the United States could be determined as legal or not. "Then they let me go," he said, "as if nothing happened."
Reuters
09-04-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Bondi ally leads defense of Trump orders against law firms
April 9 (Reuters) - The job of defending President Donald Trump's executive orders targeting law firms has fallen on a longtime ally of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi who joined the Justice Department earlier this year. It's been a difficult early assignment so far for Richard Lawson, who faced back-to-back grillings late last month from two federal judges in Washington overseeing lawsuits that Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr and Jenner & Block filed to contest the orders. Judges in both cases swiftly blocked key provisions in the orders, and echoed the concerns of a third judge who halted parts of the order issued against law firm Perkins Coie. Lawson in a pair of filings on Tuesday asked the judges to dismiss the Jenner and WilmerHale cases. He said the cases were based on "conjecture and speculation" and that they intruded on the power of the presidency. Jenner & Block and WilmerHale the same day asked U.S. judges to permanently bar the executive orders issued against them. A similar request from Perkins Coie is pending. Trump's orders against all three firms suspended security clearances for their lawyers and restricted their access to government buildings, officials and federal contracting work. The orders targeted the firms over hiring practices that Trump claimed were discriminatory against white people, and over his perceived grievance that attorneys linked to the firms have personally done him wrong. FLORIDA TIES As a lawyer in private practice, Lawson was on a team representing Trump in lawsuits against major technology platforms, two of which settled this year for millions of dollars. He led a consumer protection team under Bondi's leadership of the Florida attorney general's office. More recently, they worked together at the conservative nonprofit America First Policy Institute's litigation center, which has said it is focused on "the radical Left and its weaponization of government through the courts." Lawson in 2016 was hired at law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips as a partner, and worked there for at least a few years. Los Angeles-founded Manatt was one of 504 law firms that signed a court brief last week denouncing Trump's attacks on law firms as an effort 'to cow every other firm, large and small, into submission.' Democratic state attorneys general, dozens of former general counsels at large companies and others have denounced Trump's attacks on law firms, calling them retaliatory efforts to frighten firms from taking clients the president disfavors. Judges so far have also expressed alarm at Trump's orders, as well as frustration at the Justice Department's arguments defending them. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in the lawsuit that WilmerHale brought against Trump told Lawson to use his 'common sense,' after he said he could not assess whether a prospective law firm client might be concerned that its lawyers could be unable to access a federal courthouse. U.S. District Judge John Bates at a hearing on the same day asked if lawyers from Jenner could be denied access to federal courthouses. Lawson said he did not know the 'formal structure' of the order and urged the judge to delay any ruling. 'Well, that's a problem. It would be nice if the executive order, and you speaking for it, knew what it applied to,' Bates said. Bondi in a memo, opens new tab to federal agencies that was disclosed on Tuesday blasted the temporary restraining order Jenner won in the case, which she said came from an "unelected district judge." Still, she said in her memo she was complying with an order from Bates to tell agencies about his ruling. Law professors, legal groups back Perkins Coie in lawsuit over Trump order
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
El Salvador takes in hundreds of Venezuelan gang members from US, even as judge moves to block deportations
The president of El Salvador announced his country has accepted hundreds of Venezuelan gang members who were illegally living in the United States, as a U.S. judge moved to block deportations of illegal immigrants under a wartime law invoked by President Donald Trump. "Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable)," El Salvador President Nayib Bukele posted to X on Sunday morning, accompanied by video footage of planes on a tarmac. "On this occasion, the U.S. has also sent us 23 MS-13 members wanted by Salvadoran justice, including two ringleaders. One of them is a member of the criminal organization's highest structure," he added. Tren de Aragua is a Venezuelan-connected gang that has infiltrated communities in states such as Colorado and Texas, while MS-13 is a Los Angeles-founded gang with ties to El Salvador that has deep roots in California and other states such as Maryland. The State Department designated both gangs as foreign terrorist organizations last month. El Salvador Agrees To Accept Us Deportees Of Any Nationality Following Meeting With Rubio Secretary of State Marco Rubio celebrated the Salvadoran president as "the strongest security leader in our region" and "a great friend of the U.S." for accepting the criminal illegal aliens. Read On The Fox News App "We have sent 2 dangerous top MS-13 leaders plus 21 of its most wanted back to face justice in El Salvador. Also, as promised by @Potus, we sent over 250 alien enemy members of Tren de Aragua which El Salvador has agreed to hold in their very good jails at a fair price that will also save our taxpayer dollars. President @nayibbukele is not only the strongest security leader in our region, he's also a great friend of the U.S. Thank you!" Rubio posted to X. Rubio Heads To Panama, Latin America To Pursue Trump's 'Golden Age' Agenda The deportations of the gang members come as U.S. District Judge James Boasberg ordered the Trump administration to halt its deportations of illegal immigrants under a wartime powers act that President Donald Trump invoked on Friday to target Tren de Aragua members in the U.S. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798 allows deportation of natives and citizens of an enemy nation without a hearing, and has been invoked three times before, including, during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II. Boasberg ordered on Saturday that the Trump administration is barred from using the wartime powers act to deport the illegal aliens. He added that he heard "flights are actively departing" and ordered them to return. The planes of the violent gang members, however, arrived in El Salvador this weekend, with Bukele responding to news of Boasberg's order, "Oopsie… too late," accompanied by a laughing emoji. Bukele offered to take illegal immigrants of any nationality facing deportation in the U.S. back in February, offering to book the illegal aliens in his country's notorious prison system. "We can send them, and he will put them in his jails," Rubio told reporters back in February of Bukele's offer "And, he's also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentences in the United States, even though they're U.S. citizens or legal residents." Trump Congratulates Bitcoiners — El Salvador's Nayib Bukele Takes Victory Lap With Bitcoin Over 100K El Salavador's CECOT prison is known as the nation's most notorious prison. The prison, which can hold 40,000 inmates, was built to house gang members in a country that held one of the highest murder rates in the world before the violence dropped in recent history. Prisoners at CECOT are blocked from receiving visitors, can only attend hearings virtually, while the prison itself blocks any cell signal to ensure gang members cannot contact criminals still on the street, various media reports have detailed. El Salvador President Rips Fbi Trump Raid, Questions What Us Gov't Would Say If His Police Targeted Candidates "The United States will pay a very low fee for them, but a high one for us. Over time, these actions, combined with the production already being generated by more than 40,000 inmates engaged in various workshops and labor under the Zero Idleness program, will help make our prison system self-sustainable. As of today, it costs $200 million per year," Bukele added on X on Sunday. "As always, we continue advancing in the fight against organized crime. But this time, we are also helping our allies, making our prison system self-sustainable, and obtaining vital intelligence to make our country an even safer place. All in a single action. May God bless El Salvador, and may God bless the United States." Fox News Digital's Alexandra Koch contributed to this report. Original article source: El Salvador takes in hundreds of Venezuelan gang members from US, even as judge moves to block deportations
