Retreat Sweets: No Dunkin’ Your Mochi Donuts Here

You can’t get more American than Dunkin’ donuts and coffee.

But the New England-based chain vacated their Post Road East store across from the Shell station last year.

Retreat Sweets has now moved in.

And you can’t get more Asian than their Japanese mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs, and tea drinks.

Sampling of Retreat Sweets’ mochi donuts. This box contains crème brûlée, brown sugar, ube (purple yam), icing, churro, and cookies and cream.

Wesley Zhang’s new business is a labor of love. Growing up in Trumbull, the 28-year-old 1st-generation Chinese-American loved Asian street food.

But he had to go to New York or Boston to get it.

He tried the corporate world, after graduating from the University of Connecticut. During COVID, when his family needed help running their renovation business, he lent a hand.

But he always wanted to be his own boss. Mochi donuts — fluffier and chewier than their American counterparts, made without yeast in small balls that easily pull apart — seemed a natural.

Three years ago, he started looking for a place near Yale University. When that did not work out, he tried Fairfield’s Brick Walk (near Mecha Noodle Bar).

But there was no space. Driving west, he and saw a “For Lease” sign on the Dunkin’ not far from the Southport line.

It’s taken a year to get ready. The interior has been completely redone, and modern codes met.

Last Thursday, Retreat Sweets opened its doors. A soft opening continues through Friday, with the grand opening next week.

Yesterday, at Retreat Sweets.

Zhang is hands-on. Like the “time to make the donuts” guy in Dunkin’s still-memorable commercials, he’s in the back.

But unlike that chain’s processed preparation, he’s actually baking.

Batches are small. Zhang uses purées — no extracts.

He’s there 12 hours a day. And not complaining.

“My parents worked day and night,” he notes. “They taught me to work hard.”

Retreat Sweets’ will have a dozen flavors of mochi donuts each day, drawn from a rotating list.

Right now there are 3 types of Korean corn dogs (which actually have no corn flour): hot dog and bread crumb, cheese and bread crumb, and a combination.

Mochi donuts, Korean corn dogs, and some other Asian street food and drink items that Zhang will add to the menu have been popular for a while on the West Coast. Slowly, they’ve made their way east.

But, Zhang believes, Retreat Sweets is the first shop of its kind in Fairfield County.

Wesley Zhang, with freshly baked donuts. (Photos/Dan Woog)

Customers are pleased. Zhang wants feedback — including suggestions. One idea: no-caffeine fruit drinks for kids.

Meanwhile, he’s preparing for next week’s grand opening. There will be a different promotion every day. On Monday, the first 100 customers who buy a dozen mochis get a limited edition hat.

Also in the works: a collaboration with his next door neighbor, Layla’s Falafel.

That should be a great Asian/Middle Eastern venture.

In the mini-mall once home to the donuts and coffee that America runs on.

(Click here for Retreat Sweets’ website. Online ordering will be available after the grand opening. The Instagram is @RetreatSweets. Search the iPhone or Android app store for the “Retreat Sweets” app.) 

(“06880” covers the Westport business scene — and everything else in town. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)