Doughnut shops: A sweet American Dream
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Roughly 80% of doughnut shops in southern California are owned by Cambodian refugee families, who came to this country seeking shelter from genocide. Correspondent Elaine Quijano explores these immigrants' stories of resilience, reinvention and success, wrapped in a distinctive pink doughnut box.
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Beautiful story. Thank you to all the Cambodian refugees who make our mornings alot sweeter!
Your words are pure GOLD!
USA has always fought corruption in several areas at the same time while rescuing people from slavery and oppression as well.
We've always created a variety of honest paying jobs so future generations can get out of sin. 😇🇺🇲
@@freshstart4423 Sinners repent!
This is such an incredible story from when first heard of it years ago
Thank you, Cambodians, because I really really love donuts.
Classic California doughnut shops are the best. Every kid knows what a pink box has in it.
Living in California for most of my life, when my kids saw that "Pink Box" they knew I had brought home the dognuts.😊🥰
Not the dognuts!
dog...nuts??
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I love the Cambodian Donut shops! They are mostly owned by Cambodians or Cambodian Chinese Refugees immigrating from Cambodia. They are so friendly and welcoming so it makes morning breakfast on the go so delightful. Their donuts are yummy! 😋
Wow, how interesting. We have a lovely couple in town that own our bakery…they are Cambodian. The sweetest hard working people, and the best doughnuts and sandwiches. They also offer Cambodian noodle soup that is very popular.
I do not why, but when I lived in California, Long Beach specifically these doughnuts are the BEST DOUGHNUTS EVER
Truth! Good up in Redondo Beach as well.
I love these stories. CBS Sunday Morning is a national treasure.
These are the best doughnuts and the best doughnut shops.
There's nothing like a good donut to start your day. Where I live there are 3 donut shops, I go to everyone. I support everyone of these shops. The owners we are great. They always remember me.
Thank you for sharing this story of Southeast Asian excellence.
Sunny's Donuts. Star Donuts. Icons here in my city.😋🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩
San Diego?
Christy's, though many are gone
Thank you 🙏🏼 Never knew there was such a deep history behind donuts and the pink box.
Donuts and the pink box. Um.
as tim mcgraw sings i like it i love it i got to get more of it. it have to check if the town can recycle the box
when i finish with it. if you like donuts history the history channel has a series of food that made america great. it is worth watching.
@@mrwaterschoot5617 thank you for the recommendation 🥰
it depends on what makes you happy. there is a lot about donuts that i might know but i am not at an expert because there is so much information out there you could fill a library of Congress in washington DC (district of columbia and not a statehood yet? ) but there are secrets out there. question for the day. what is the key ingredient in krispy creme donuts. the polish packie/ pouchie. (heads up bad spelling and i know it) and some unfortunately other donut shop. the key to the taste is potato flour or that is the rumor. and krispy kreme plain glazed donuts taste best when the hot light is on. but other times are still good. later
Love this story!! And LOVE donuts!!
GOD bless them all
My parents owned a shop for over 30 years & retired several years ago. So incredibly proud of their generation for bouncing back from tragedy & creating a memorable, stable childhood for me to succeed.
I love this story. I think of the polarization of immigrants in America today. My parents were immigrants and had very little guidance in how things worked in America. They made bad decisions and some good ones. This teaches us that if anyone is given opportunities, they have a can contribute to society, taxes and to our culture.
Your parents most likely weren’t illegal. The polarization comes from people coming here illegally because it isn’t fair to others that have done it the right way. Immigrants are a great thing. However, individuals need to come here the honest way.
It used to be that way. But it’s not anymore. The country is being destroyed from within by people who insist that it is evil bigoted racist misogynistic etc. despite the fact that tens of millions of people risk everything they have to get here in order to build a life for themselves and their families. Yet these people from the Washington Post New York Times MSNBC CNN don’t care that they’re destroying the very thing people are trying to reach. All they care about is maintaining power and dividing us. And anyone with an ounce of objectivity and willingness to think critically who doesn’t see that and become infuriated at these treasonous individuals and outlets is part of the problem. If they don’t maintain the laws for safety and order that people are coming here for, then there’s no point for them even getting here.
@@wu7690 You are right that immigrants need to come here the legal way. But what if the problem has partly to do with the system being dysfunctional? We know that instead of real change to fix the system, politics on both sides has made it close to impossible.
@@GKP999 100 percent agree.
Quite a statement using those pink donut boxes to tell part of the story through art. Very VERY effective.
This should be shown to groups of people to strive and work hard instead of playing victim all their life.
Good thought... but it is hard to change a culture. The children (now adults) grew up working in donut shops and watching their parents work 7 days a week without any days off. It's ingrained in their minds that making money is not easy, and they MUST work hard to succeed in life. Simply showing a video to some youngsters won't have much impact. Many young people these days think it's below them to work in fast foods, let alone sell donuts in a strip mall. They want easy money and instant gratification. What they don't realize is that these immigrants after working 30 years are able to afford a home, send their children to universities, and retire in their later years.
Awesome story, reminds me of the Donut shops I have experienced throughout my life (childhood etc), also super interesting to learn that 80% of donut shops in the USA are Cambodian owned.
80% of Californian doughnut shops are owned by Cambodians. In other states they have Dunking Doughnuts or Krispy Kreme. CA has small business doughnut shops and the rest of America relies heavily on big corps.
@@RichardRjmccoy We have Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts in LA.
AL’s Donut in Antioch Ca is one of the best Donuts in the East Bay! They are very hard working people and very driven! They thrived for success and live American dream! Dream do come true!
As a donut fanatic I love them immensely. But this beautiful story sets forth a different way I’ll look at a donut next time!
I learned something new , thank you for telling this story
The Embodiment of the American dream. Thank you to these Khmer-Americans for adding to our lives and our country.
Sweetest people ever!
Great story of perseverance to make a way for a better life ... 👏🏿 Welcome 🙏🏽
This video is definetly tempting. 🍩
Donut tempt me with these delicious treats! 🤣
It is absolutely the BEST of programming on any channel other than PBS!!!
Brit born and raised in territory I came to the states for university and I've lived here half my life... these are the stories that warm my heart.
I am proud of my British roots, they made me the adult that I am... but university years and now living in the states I love the diversity. The US is not the only place.. if you look around travel and commerce has integrated different cultures over thousands of years but the US was that last bastion of promise.
Beautiful segment!
too bad that diversity is NOT a strength in America.
Thank you for the amazing donuts!
This industry was actually started by "The Donut King" who was in a documentary on Hulu. He brought so many Cambodians over and sponsored them. The only problem was, he became a gambling addict, and lost everything. But many of the families he got started were just hard working families who made their own shops flourish.
Look forward to watching the documentary. It seems Ted Ngoy regained his wealth, he's worth $20 Million (as of 2020).
Yep
The story of the beginning of the Donut Culture is truly American.
Indeed!!! AMERICA, built by DREAMERS!
The art on the pink donut box is amazing
Gotta say, as a child of an immigrant, this story really would have been more appropriate if there was even one statement of gratitude for the country that took them in and adopted them.
Thanks for showing us that dream still works!
Amazing, lovely story!
Wow this warmed my heart. Such a touching story - and the beautiful art done on the pink boxes was a stroke of creative genious.
I am glad you are all here and doing well!
This is a WOW story from my home area where I grew up. I had no idea...
Fascinating, thank you so much for this wonderful reporting
Great story.
Oh yes, Doughnuts and the shops are precious.
Wow, I never knew this. What a wonderful story
Bob's donuts on Polk Street is awesome
I drove past Bob's Donuts this past Thursday night and there was a long line out the door. Surprising.
Watching this makes me want to get and eat a bunch of doughnuts right now.
My favorite donut shop has their own ice cream. Just imagine Donuts in an ice cream sundae with topping. Yum
If you want to see the full story, please go watch right now the movie “The Donut King”
I was just commenting on that. The Donut King had a great heart and sponsored so many families. It's such a shame he became a gambling addict and lost everything.
I'll check it out, thanks!
Oh wow! Oh have very fond memories of going to winchell’s donut as a kid. This nice lady always gave us a free donut hole as part of our order. I just thought that was the best thing ever. So grateful. I always thought she was Chinese, but this makes me think she probably was Cambodian. Thanks for the clarification.
She is so sweet,I love when she said Hi come on in 👋💞🥰
Awesome story. My papaw came to America as a kid with a relative. The relative brought him to him parents and siblings. My husband's grandmother came with 4 her of kids to America. She was a war bride. Her 1st husband died in the war. May Grandpa Hawkins rip.
Explains why my donut shop taste so good. Runs by Cambodians.
I really need to go to all these donut shops! I live in LA.
I been going to these shops my entire life. Saw the change in the 80's. The one I frequent now, I have for about 12 years. Operated by hard working siblings that run 3 stores.....
I LOVE DOUGHNUTS
I live for doughnuts...kudos to VOODOO donuts!
I used to get spring rolls and donuts at a shop in Westminster in OC, the best experience and service every time!
Same group in metro dc area
I hope you guys could come to visit Cambodia
We have two donut shops here in small-town Indiana. Not run by Cambodians, tho. The older of the two stores my mom worked in over 40 years ago. She was required to wear a white uniform. Hers was always a dress. She would bring cream horns home for us. Thanks, Mom!
Doughnuts brought to any CA home can only be in pink box because they are truly the best. If it’s not a pink box... don’t bother. 🥰🥰🥰
Ain’t no donut like a California donut ❤️
I moved from Vacaville CA to Destin Florida.
There are no good donuts around the entire surrounding area.
Very sad.
I might have to go explore in Pensacola.
@@Dangic23 : Or order them from California and have them shipped -- order a couple of dozen and freeze them! Sometimes it is the water. I am a native New Yorker and there are no bagels that taste anything like NYC bagels....anywhere. It is the water!
@@annsmith7207
Agee.
I’m from Lower East Side Manhattan.
Grew up eating Katz’s and bagels from the nearby Jewish community.
Never had anything close in the 7 States I have lived in after moving out of NYC.
@@annsmith7207 I laughed when I saw this. We've been saying it's the water for so long that I really do believe it! I've lived on three continents but in comparing East Coast bagels and West Coast... there's something definitely off.
I still break down and order a shipment every now and then. 24-hour old FedEx Zabars are still better than west coast bagels... How is that!?!
I worked in a donut shop while in college. Haven’t eaten a donut since and never will again.
BTW...someone should put a dispensary next door to a doughnut shop...you’ll be a millionaire in no time!!!!🤣
when i saw the title i knew this was gonna be about california
Too nice...
There's a killer donut shop in Oklahoma City that I've been to when visiting family. It's owned by, what I thought were Vietnamese, but sounds like they are probably Cambodian. Best donuts ever!!
I like this story because it shows another aspect of the diverse AAPI community. It shows that despite war and genocide, these families were able to thrive in the US.
There's another youtube video about why donut boxes are pink (Great big story). I thought it was because of Red being a lucky color. And Ted Ngoy is a Cambodian helping the Pol Pot massacre refugees, he deserved more mention.
My favorite ::: Glaze... U can keep the fancy ones. 🍩
Damn this makes me miss home
I love donuts
Shout out to “Kindles donuts” off Normandie ave and Century blvd in South LA!
Wish these shops appeared on East coast like Philly and Delaware.
Im from Dallas and down here all the donut shops are Korean owned and operated
what immigrant kids learn from their parents is to work hard and also be responsible one thing some natives are lacking nowadays
Cambodian dream 🍩
Art I understand.
such a beautiful piece! Finally my question was answered of why it seems that alot of donut shop are owned/ran by Asians.
I thoroughly enjoywd the art and think the lady artist is a genius!
thank you for all you do! and to those who came before you too.
Born and raised ON
Livermore (JACKS) Donut Wheel LIVERMORE CA, STARTED BY MY GRANDPARENTS JACK AND JEAN WEIL😙🍩🍩🍩
I love coughing donuts especially windchills and Dunkin’ Donuts
I have lived in 8 different States , and every time I moved, I would immediately look for locations of “Korean” donut shops.
My entire life I thought these shops were Korean.
Until the movie “The Donut King” came out, and I was properly educated.
There are many Korean owned donut shops especially in Texas.
@@yellowRose806
Yes.
But the specific donuts that I like, are the Cambodian ones.
I just unknowingly called them Korean my whole life.
@@Dangic23 the Cambodian store donuts do look more delicious.
Lol, I worked in a Duncan Doughnuts in the 1980's and they were owned by a Cambodian couple.
Dunkin
@@lorettanericcio-bohlman567 Lol, but of course. Damn phone.😁
In Hawai'i, the pink boxes meant manapua, pork hash and pepeiao. If you know what pepeiao is, then you are an old timer 🤙🏾
4:56 When Sunday Morning returns the 100th birthday of the Lincoln Memorial
Mmmmmm Donuts 😋
This documentary is on Hulu called Donut King Ted
But do they make nutty doughnuts? I know someone who visited California and they could not find one nutty doughnut! Lol! Same thing happened to me in Florida.
I never met a free donut that I didn't like...
I saw that same commercial in the 70’s. White class.
Wow, didn’t know Cambodians had it locked down in Cali. that’s pretty cool.
I like to eat donuts. but I need to eat them in moderation because of my health.
So that's why theres alot donut shop around here in California
It is not good to have too much honey, yet sweeter also than Honey, than a Honey comb. KJV 1611.
great story, role model for al immigrants. Immigrnts of Islamic faith should take a lesson from this and try to be like them and adopt peaceful methods to live in America and elsewhere.
Let it be known that the US supported Pol Pot, and supported the Khmer Rouge.
True for awhile when Vietnam had occupied Cambodia after it’s invasion. But not at the beginning. The US supported Lon Nol after they lost confidence in King Sihanouk
Quincy mass dunkin donuts
This report completely ignores the man who started it all, Ted Ngoy, the original Donut King
I won't debate the health benefits of donuts (there aren't many - and they are one of my guilty pleasures). Not mentioned in this story is that many of the US-born children of these refugees will likely go into more lucrative and/or diverse careers, as is the great thing about this country, and some of these shops will fold over the coming years. Do Ukranians know how to make donuts?
Were they subsidized by the American government to get that start or did they have a patron that was already well established?
Were banks handing out loans to start these shops?
I’ve always been curious because I see some immigrants do well and others struggle.
What drives the disparity where some take root and become wealthy while others exist in perpetual poverty?
Work ethic
Drive, ambition and accountability.
Immigrant success is an educational lab not studied.