Mochinut, the Japanese chain restaurant specializing in mochi and other Asian drinks and treats, is looking to open in Wheeling, located at 322 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The village board recently handed out a $45,606 municipal grant for renovations over the vacant building last occupied by a home contracting business called Siding-1 Roofing-1 Exteriors. Entrepreneur Grace Ryu plans to convert the building into a restaurant by adding a kitchen, new interior walls, new floors, lighting work, and exterior landscaping improvements. If everything goes well for Ryu, who owns Utmost Real Estate Group, the new Mochinut will open in Spring 2023.
Mochinut currently has an Illinois location in Chicago and Saint Charles, with new sites coming to Chicago’s Fullerton Avenue, Arlington Heights, and Bloomingdale. When these locations open, customers can expect a popular brand of Mochi donuts that originated from Hawaii and is a combination of American doughnuts and Japanese mochi. Other popular dishes include Korean rice flour hotdogs and bubble tea drinks.
The grant will come from Wheeling’s Retail and Restaurant Build-Out Assistance Program, which will reimburse Ryu for up to half a project’s cost. As a result, Ryu will be able to produce and sell these mochinut donuts, known for their crisp exterior and cherry interior. The donuts are then coated and glazed with various flavors such as chocolate, vanilla, matcha, earl grey, etc., and topped with delectable toppings like cookies, fruits, flakes, nuts, etc.
