Black Label Donuts (popup, follow online)

136-17 39th Ave, Flushing

Recent Reviews

Anna H.

Happy 4 years anniversary to me! I remembered like it was yesterday hanging out with a fellow foodie at one of my favorite spots, Presso Coffee (RIP) where I met Richard Eng for the very first time. Richard is the creator and innovator behind Black Label Donuts. He has been perfecting his magnificent donuts with different flavor profiles throughout these years! Four years ago today was when I tried the Plum Sake Custard...*mama like* the donut was so yummy! I do love eating custard and jelly filling donuts. Whenever Black Label Donuts have pop-up events, I would promote and show my support like attending one of my favorite Bands or Asian Rappers' concerts. Believe me when I tell you that I have eaten many of his delicious donuts such as Lemon Cream Mastiha, Spiced Sugar Plum, Strawberry Rose Petal, Kumquat Glazed, Strawberry Lychee Rose Jelly, Rosemary Lemon Olive Oil Curd, Spiced Cannoli, Banana Bread, and etc. Let me share with you guys, my history with Black Label Donuts! Presso Coffee (RIP) - (RIP) - Bazaar NYC - Flea & Food - Cha - Ices & Ice Cream - Village BID - Food Hall at Queens Crossing - highly recommended Black Label Donuts so give Richard's donuts a try because you are definitely missing out if you haven't pop your Black Label Donuts' cherry yet =)

Jeannie Woo

Black Label on Instagram, free delivery with minimum order!! So glad he's back. Missing the donut fix but on a high with these Matcha Candied Almonds. The pantry items are full of variety and fresh seasonal fruit. Desserts rock, must try the Basque Burnt Cheesecake.

Jenny W.

These donuts are worth the hype. Would I wait again for 1 hr outside in the cold rain? No, definitely not. But I'm not unhappy that I did. What makes them so special? For one, they're super fluffy and light and not dense / overpoweringly sweet the way normal donuts are (thanks to the 24 cold fermented brioche dough). Who knew that donuts could be like that?! This is the donut for people who didn't think they liked donuts. Second, they have unique, often Asian inspired, flavors like matcha and orange miso and chai ginger. The donuts are unfortunately quite expensive ($4-$6, cash or venmo only), so couldn't afford to try them all. Of the ones i did get, my favorites were the orange miso pecan sticky bun (not filled, which is perfect because you can fully appreciate the fluffiness of the donut against the light citrus-y sweetness) and the matcha creme brulee (delicious matcha filling paired with caramelized crust). Also tried the rosemary lemon olive oil curd (overwhelming lemon curd flavor - I don't like lemon curd, so wasn't really a fan), satay honey peanut (unusual, but didn't really like the pairing of the more savory satay flavor with donut), chai ginger choc mousse (too ginger-y and didn't love the pairing of the more dense chocolate mousse with the sharp ginger flavor).

Michael B.

Outstanding and unadulterated! The perfect donut experience! Unparalleled and unique, just the right amount of decadence, and with the right respect for tradition while adding a new twist for a divine marriage of old and new... Don't order just one, and definitely try what you think you may not fit your wheelhouse..my word, will you be amazed! Cannot wait for the next time you come to visit Astoria!!!

Alex K.

Delicious donuts, love the flavors, I just wish there was a limit to buy for each customer. Super long lines but at the end it was worth the wait. The hot chocolate it was not for me since I h e a delicate stomach.

Rich W.

Full disclosure: I'm a big donut fan so if you put any donut in front of me I'll eat them and since this is a donut review I will be biased! Black Label donuts are hand-made and for the elite-snob-donut lovers. Period. All the ones I have tried are delicious and carefully, lovingly created by Richard. Don't miss the change to experience one of his delicious creations before he becomes famous and you can't touch him! Make sure you follow the web page for Black Label to find his next pop-up.

Tsvika K.

When ever the master is back from his surgery. Everyone needs to follow up when is the next pop up. GREAT dough texture , GREAT innovative flavors . Worth the wait/line - Cash only .

Caroline N.

Note: 1) Still cash only 2) Line starts at the second door of Bareburger on 31st Ave. 3) Came to Astoria location 2x. Both times Richard arrived at least an hour later (~12 PM) so you can time your arrival "at your own risk" though be aware the line length fluctuate so it's either you wait on line or you come later and may/may not get the donut flavors you want. 4) Check Instagram to determine if donuts are available that Sunday or not. BLD is now in Astoria so much more convenient for me which is great because it's closer and is bad because it's closer. Congratulationsto Richard on winning the 2019 Best Sweet World's Fare Award! The first time at this location (6/2), I arrived around 11 AM with my friends. We were about the 13th customer on line though waited about an hour before we saw Richard pulled up in the van with 2 donut carts. The second time (6/16) I came around 12PM. I was about the 30th customer and waited 20 minutes before the van arrived with 1 donut cart. Uh oh...this isn't good. Turns out the 2nd donut cart was at a commissionary. Flavors that I brought those days: Filled - - Matcha Creme Brulee - still the reigning champion. Richard makes 3x as many of this flavor donut compared to the special flavors. - Rosemary Lemon Olive Oil Curd - it's well balanced and not tart. Fell in love with this flavor. - (Lavender) Blueberry Jam - first time was without the lavender; second time had lavender. Loved the fresh blueberry fruit jam in the donut. - Azuki Ichigo - this doesn't have an overwhelming red bean in the donut and it's pretty good. Glazed - - Satay Honey Peanut - this donut is 2x the size of a regular donut. Love the topping though for me it's still too much bread. One note, have an idea of what you are ordering and be considerate of your fellow customers. The second time there was only 1 cart of donuts and the 2nd cart of donuts was 15 minutes away at a commissionary. I was willing to wait for my missing donuts, since it was my favorite flavors and didn't think it would take too long though I understand the waiting line had to be taken care of. You can skip this part if you know your flavor order: There was one customer who caused a traffic jam not once but twice. First time when the lemon and blueberry donuts were sold out and Richard needed to get the second cart from the commissary. The customer took 5 minutes to inquire about the donut availability while on the cell phone with the orderer. He walked away without ordering. Came back an hour later just when Richard was about to go get the second donut carts and inquirying about how long it will take to get the missing donuts (the information hasn't changed if you don't see the donuts in the cart!) and surprised he didn't have a box with his name queued since he didn't asked for it earlier and left. All this took more than 5 minutes, how do I know? I was waiting for the donuts already the first time and my fellow donuts waiters were the same people watching all this unfold before our eyes. They were grumbling about how inconsiderate this customer was. I walked up to Richard and the customer to inquire if it's possible to get the donuts first and continue the negotiation later. There are quite a few customers waiting instead of only you on Father's Day. The guy insist on having his donut box queued, guess he didn't want to stand on line if he doesn't return in time. I understand that you want your donuts so do we. On a positive note, with all the waiting, I meet a new foodie friend. Please have some consideration for your fellow customers by knowing what you want.

Michael K.

Oh so good! Went in with the intention to buy 3, ended up leaving with 8. 100% recommend the matcha as well as the raspberry flavors. Flavors will change from time to time. I check their Instagram page 1-2 nights before so I know what to expect. Worth every penny. Gotta have them fresh. Usually a long wait but it was extremely quiet on Mother's Day weekend.

Art H.

Donuts are unique and worth the wait, but not something I would do regularly. We got one of each and our group was split as to which was the best one (honey crisp apple chai for me). Also they opened way later than advertised, so be patient.

HSIU-TING LIN

Awesome dounts

Jackie C.

Absolutely amazing!!!!! The founder of these donuts is brilliant these donuts are just what New York needed. Something with flavor, on the healthy side, not too sugary, and big enough for your money's worth. I got my boyfriend the matcha creme crublee and he loveddddd it!!! My mom got the olive oil one and love it as well. The owner said he plans on opening up his shop inside bareburger and i really hope he does. I also hope he starts carrying vegan ones and gluten free ones (no contamination for those with allergies). Astoria needed a donut shop and I think this is the man for our neighborhood!!

Henry M.

When he says it's a pop-up, he's not kidding. It's literally the owner in a corner of the Queens Crossing food hall with a bakery shelf on wheels full of doughnuts. I came in the early afternoon and the choices were limited. I went with the Five Spice Spiced Cannoli, since the only other option was the Rocher. It's a beautiful doughnut to look at. It's a bit pricey at $5, since that's actually more than what the fancy places in Manhattan charge for a doughnut. But I find all those fancy places in Manhattan too sweet, so I was happy to pay the $5 for a Black Label doughnut. The texture of the doughnut itself was satisfying. It was soft and had a nice chew to it. The doughnut and the filling were not at all too sweet, which is what I expect from Asian desserts. The filling had a pleasant complex flavor to it with a hint of five spice, but the texture was a bit strange. Instead of being smooth, rich, and creamy, the texture of the cream was a bit gritty. There were some pistachios on the outside, so many the cream had pistachios blended into it which would account for the texture, but it was a bit offputting. I guess I'll have to try this place again and to show up earlier so I can try some of the more interesting flavors. The one I really wanted was the rosemary lemon olive oil curd one.

Doris C.

I loveeee Black Label Donuts! It's soo difficult to find good donut places in Queens so I was really happy when I discovered this pop up inside Nippon Cha last year. I used to satisfy my donut cravings by going to Dough or Doughnut Plant in Manhattan, but after trying Black Label Donuts, there's no turning back LOL. The ones from the bigger chains are definitely oilier and not as fluffy. Black Label Donuts have the perfect cream to fluffy dough ratio that I can't really describe in words. At Nippon Cha, the owner of Black Label Donuts is usually located in the right corner near the windows. I go around 10:30/11:00 AM and there's never a line (this was before they were featured on TV so not sure how crazy the lines are now). The donuts are displayed on a rack and you choose which flavors you want. Remember to bring cash because it's cash only!! Make sure to check their instagram for updates and the flavors of the week. I've never gone to the Queens Crossing popup so I'm not sure how the lines and logistics work over there.

Lillian L.

I've tried many places for donuts and was never blown away... that is until I tried Black Label donuts. They are now at their new pop-up location at Queens Crossing Food Hall. Inside the food hall, they are located across from Ok Lah. I love Black Label Donuts. They are the best donuts in NYC. Unfortunately I'm not sure how many stars to give it. For the donuts itself, I'd definitely give them 5 stars, or even more. But the problem is the long wait for purchasing anything. At their new location, I've already gone twice. The first time I waited over 2 hours. Since this was a new location, they got a late start and weren't ready to open at 10am, as stated. Even when they finally opened, the line moved at a snail pace. It was close to 2 hours and 15 minutes until I finally was able to make my purchase. But in all fairness, it was their first day here, though. In spite of the long wait, there was over 30 people waiting on line with me, plus more showing up. The line, stretched around the corner. These donuts have a huge following. Yes, they are that good! And yes, those 30+ people and more showing up, waited for 2 hours, with me. A week later, I came by for a second time to purchase their fabulous donuts. This time I waited 1 1/2 hours, until I could make my full purchase. Because some donut flavors weren't ready yet. So I had to wait about 15 minutes more (after my purchase) for them to make the missing flavors. I couldn't leave without getting my favorite Matcha Creme Brulee donut. I have dreams about its rich delicate goodness. Such a perfect combination of flavor and texture! It's a must have! I love Black Label Donuts. And Richard has such passion for his creations, that it's intoxicating. But unfortunately I can't keep coming back here to wait 1-2 hours to buy donuts, no matter how wonderful. Makes me sad. Matcha Creme Brulee, I'm going to miss you. Hopefully soon, they can work out the kinks at this new location and be able to sell donuts at a quicker pace. I saw some people leave the line because they no longer wanted to wait. Matcha Creme Brulee. My absolute favorite donut. Ever! If you like matcha like I do, it's a must try! A light dusting of matcha powder covering a delicate crispy carmelized sugar donut top. It's filled with a generous amount of delicately sweet matcha creme. The crispy coating and matcha creme filling make an awesome combination that is addicting! Must get! Must get! I see all these happy faces finally carrying away those distinct looking black Black Label Donut boxes. Many burdened down with several of them. Others happily stuffing their face with a donut in one hand while carrying out their precious treasured black box of goodness, in the other. Black Label Donuts was recently featured on the Today show. Check it out: Black Label Donuts will be on TV again. CBS NEWS is coming by on March 3, for a CBS Snapshot. The donut flavors may change every week. On a recent visit, these were the available flavors. (filled) MATCHA CREME BRULEE ROCHER (dark choc glaze, puffed rice, toasted hazelnuts, gianduja mousse) SPICED CANNOLI (whipped ricotta, lemon zest, mixed peppercorns, 60% Pacari cacao) ROSEMARY LEMON OLIVE OIL CURD (glazed) PISTACHIO ROSE (rose petals, rose water glaze) KUMQUAT KALAMANSI BUTTERMILK LIME *SATAY HONEY PEANUT ORANGE MISO PECAN STICKY BUN They also have a variety of artisan hot chocolate beverages. I haven't tried, but they look wonderful topped with real fresh ingredients. So picture worthy. So come check them out. The donuts are fabulous! If you haven't tried them before, its a must try. This is a new location so I'm sure they are working on how to make the donuts faster so the wait is shorter. Final note: They are only o

Load More

Black Label Donuts (popup, follow online)

136-17 39th Ave, Flushing, NY 11354