Wichita restaurant specializing in colorful corndogs, doughnuts, heading to the west side

Mochinut — the east-side restaurant that specializes in Korean corn dogs and colorful mochi doughnuts — is getting a west-side counterpart.

But the franchisees aren’t yet saying where or when.

Matt and Judy Nola, who last fall opened Wichita’s first Mochinut in the former Da Chicken Shak space at 343 S. Greenwich, own the territorial right to the Los Angeles-based franchise for the Wichita area. But recently, they sold the rights to the west side to new owners. Those owners are now negotiating a lease for a west-side store, Matt Nola said.

I’ve reached out to the new owners but have not yet heard back.

Mochinut focuses on Korean corn dogs, a street food trend that’s become popular across the United States. The corn dogs, which are much different and more colorful than American counterparts like the Pronto Pup, feature either hot dogs, melty mozzarella cheese or a mixture of both coated with a rice flour batter, deep fried, then rolled in things like hot Cheetos powder and cubes of potatoes then drizzled with various sauces.

Nola said that the Korean corn dogs are big sellers on the east side, but the store also is well known for its colorful mochi doughnuts, which are a popular Japanese doughnut. The shop also serves boba tea drinks and soft-serve ice cream.

Wichita also is still waiting on the arrival of Two Hands, another Korean corn dog shop that specializes in Korean corn dogs but also serves things like fries with kimchi seasonings, elote, slushes and soft serve ice cream. Franchisees for the California-based chain announced their plans to open in Wichita State’s Braeburn Square a year ago, and its finally about to happen. The franchisees, who started advertising for employees last week, say they’ll open some time in July.

Stay tuned for more information about both the west Mochinut and Two Hands.