Ocean Malasada

As soon as we walked into the Ferry Building, you have to go in with the expectations that you're going to buy something to eat and/or drink. Of course, Ocean Malasada was the first thing we saw. Clean counter, clear menu, friendly staff. Ended up getting the kids a Nutella filled and a Haupia (sweet coconut) filled malasadas, and of course, had a take a bite and try them out. Walked around the Ferry Building checking while snacking on these was perfect. Of course the sugary dusting on the outside ends up all over your face, but thats a good problem. The malasadas were semi warm, fluffy and just dense enough where it felt like you were eating something with some substance. Not quite what you would find in Hawaii, but pretty close.

My wife and I took a ferry from Larkspur for a Budget Yachting day. "Take a ferry cheap $$ for a bay cruise, instead of spending $$$$$$$, for a bay sail boat ride.We powered by Tiburon, Angle Island, Alcatraz, and finally stoped at the SF Ferry Building to disembark.Before our trip, I looked up the Ferry Building to see what was offered. A Farmer Market, Retail, and Food. I saw on my Ocean Malasada. I told me wife, we need to stop there. Both my parents were born in Hawaii. I was raised on Malasadas. Finally a place, here in SF, will rival Leanords in HI.So, after disembarking, I searched out Oceans. Just to find, it's not a bakery, it's a kiosk, and a small one at that. Stuck in the corner of the Ferry Building. The employer was very nice. "Sorry we don't have Mango today". So we picked Haupia, Hawaiian Coconut Pudding.For starters, the Malasada was not fresh, if I'm wrong and they cook them every morning before opening shop. Forgive me. All I know is that they were chewy, greasy, and totally over sugared, and it had a dabble of Haupia custard in the middle. As for other shops, if you order a Custard donut. YOU get custard.Will I return, NO, I've had better Malasada's at BBQ Hawaiian joins who doesn't specialize in the culinary craft that runs circle around Ocean.This is just ones man opinion.

OCEAN MALASADA (OM) located at the Ferry Building Plaza Marketplace. MALASADAS are a Hawaiian staple of Portuguese origins, essentially a fried rounds of pastry dough, dusted with sugar & cinnamon. Modern day malasadas are filled with delicious custard or a variety of fruit jellies. When you can't go to Hawaii to pick malasadas up, try Ocean Malasada. Ocean Malasada's are a bit smaller than what you'd find in Hawaii but maybe that's a positive point. You can find OM stationed inside the Ferry Building Marketplace, snug in a corner by one of the entrances, near Humphrey Slocombe ice cream. Counterperson was very nice and helpful with questions. I'll start by saying It's very difficult to buy ONE malasada. Don't try this. You're there, buy 'em up! You won't regret it. Maybe just don't get on a scale right away after enjoying them. Lol. Being good, and with every bit of restraint I could muster, I got the 3-combo box! One LIKIKOI (Passionfruit). One GUAVA. And one HAUPIA (Coconut). It's all good. Like asking which child is your favorite - cannot be done! They also have NUTELLA. Enjoy your favorite flavor or try one you've never had before.

Came a little after the lunch rush on a Saturday & they were already out of almost everything except their original & guava. I was really looking forward to their ube & lilikoi. The malasadas were...decent. Wish they were a little more moist? Otherwise not bad & their filling is yummy. I know they're a little shop just inside the Ferry Building, but I hoping in the future they have a bigger stock of everything so they don't run out mid-day, especially on weekends!

Used Ocean Malasada on EZCater for our office and it was a huge hit. Ordered about 72 in total with a variety of flavors, including Nutella, Hopia, Guava, Traditional and Mango. The office did quite enjoy the variety of options and the donuts were light and fluffy. Overall a solid choice for dessert for a big group of people. Delivery arrived a little late, but wasn't too bad as they were coming from Downton SF to SSF, so we let the time slide. Will probably order again for the office at some point, but I would love to stop by the Ferry Building and check them out.

Nice and dense and my guava filled donut was not too sweet... but there's something in the fough and the bite that is lacking.Still glad that they're here!!

Replacing the vegan doughnut stand, they're serving up malasadas with vibrant island flavors. I'm a fan of filled doughnuts, so that's already win in my book. Plus they're not vegan, which makes them taste a little richer and lighter.Lilikoi: Brilliant contrast with tangy fruit cream against the rich and sugary doughnut. Love the fluffy texture and firm chew.Guava: A little more subtle than the lilikoi flavor, but still nice and tropical. Similarly creamy and fruity flavors.Ube: Love the bright colors and creamy filling. Closer to an indulgent custard, so different from the fruitier options. I'm such a fan of ube everything nowadays.Haupia: Filling felt skimpy on this one. Was creamy though, coconut creamy. Probably the most subtle of the flavors tried.

Next to one of the entrances of the Ferry Building, this small stand brings some nice Hawaiian feels with their malasadas! It's a fairly minimal stand, it appears the malasadas are prepared somewhere else...but they tasted very fresh on a nice Saturday morning!I got the plain and lilikoi ones, both are good but I really liked the lilikoi. A nice tart flavor added to the sweet pastry. The guy working the counter was helpful answering my Q's, friendly service. Great find in the ferry building, esp on a farmers market day!

I still love Donut Farm, even if it's faded in the wind as a temporary pop-up kiosk. This year, I got to see Ocean Malasada, famous for its Hawaiian donuts and ones with cream filling. Four flavors in one box worth $18: traditional, passion fruit, coconut, and guava. The other ones in each pouch have Nutella. Other than the outer sugary glaze, the guava I try is good as tart and sweet. Glad I made it to Ocean Malasada earlier at noon before they're gone like before. Props to a Hawaiian fella! Hope his business doesn't go away quickly before I might have another.

Leonard's?Pipeline?Not quite but pretty darn good.After reading somewhere in the past week or so, I knew a visit here was inevitable. The following Saturday, I remembered to come here after finishing my shopping and met Parker. He enthusiastically greeted me and said the only flavor he had left was ube, not particularly my fave. The following Tuesday, I met Kelly who told me all flavors were available. Besides buying a few to try at home , I bought a few for friends who worked the market. Knowing that they wouldn't be the same the next day, I cut the three that I bought in half and had a dessert tasting menu. I started with the original malasada (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=wOk-NfRQOJxqp6thQpCaFA), a basic one topped with sugar crystals. The flavors were on point, just as the texture and chew. Unlike other ones on the mainland, I didn't find these dry. Next was the lilikoi malasada (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=HegmBpIJHKgCYFQMqX7DpQ); the filling was on the thick side and custard like. It was okay and the passion fruit flavor was subtle. I finished with the guava malasada (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=PL2BfilOZJKICSvqCW9JPA); the filling oozed from it after cutting and the guava flavor was more prominent but still on the light side. I actually enjoyed the original one the best. The hours are very customer friendly, daily from 8 am to 3 pm. I will likely try the haupia next time. Both times that I came, there was no line. Look for this stand just inside of the entrance near Gott's.