Former TV producer and advertising agency executive Khris took her sourdough doughnut-making hobby to a new level during COVID and ended up starting a business.
Halo Doughnut was born from her friends and family falling in love with the flavours she created at home, so she stepped it up and moved to a cloud kitchen, Cookhouse, in May 2020. Her doughnuts proved to be a hit with the online community and led to the opening of her first brick-and-mortar shop in her home area of PJ.
Visitors are greeted by an inviting and cosy atmosphere, with the decor a perfect blend of modern and rustic elements, creating a welcoming space for patrons with a couple of tables outside.
With over 80 flavours in its repertoire, Halo switches up the menu every month and combines savoury and sweet flavours in a truly innovative way. The skilled bakers transform the humble doughnut into a canvas of flavours and textures.
Among the standout offerings at Halo are its signature creations. The "Halo Heaven" features a fluffy doughnut adorned with a rich chocolate glaze and a sprinkle of edible gold dust. For those seeking a fruity delight, the "Berry Bliss" showcases a perfect harmony of fresh berries atop a light and fluffy doughnut, creating a burst of flavours in every mouthful.
The salted butter-glazed doughnut, burnt & salty, is the most popular item on her menu. Still, with a wide variety of bespoke flavours available, there is something for everyone's taste buds. Despite being a dessert food, the balance between savoury and sweet is a fine line for Khris, and she prefers to have a slightly salty flavour rather than overly sugary.
The toasted cheese doughnut when available is served with tomato soup, invoking childhood memories of after-school snacks, but is not the only nod to everyday foods as they have also produced a Roti Canai version.
The menu features 12 different doughnuts, 4 permanent flavours, 4 rotating staples and 4 special flavours of the month. The permanent staples are Baby Cinnamon Affairs, Burnt & Salty, Lemon Pop and Pilloughs with a changing jam-filling rotation. The rotating flavours include Boston Creme, Miso Caramel and Sugar Baby.
This month, they introduced mandarin orange marmalade-filled Prosperity pillows to celebrate Chinese New Year and offer a mixed box called the Box of Abundance for those wanting to indulge in more than one flavour over the holiday season.
At Halo, the light, fluffy texture of the sourdough doughnuts combine amazingly with the flavours, and they are perfectly fried and non-greasy. We tasted the Lemon Pop (see our video review above) and lives up to its name as the flavour pops out. We loved the light and airy Burnt & Salty and this month's highlight, the Prosperity Pilloughs.
Halo is more than just a place to satisfy your sweet cravings; it's an experience that tantalises the senses and celebrates the art of passionate doughnut making. With its inviting ambience and innovative flavours, the cafe has successfully carved a niche in the hearts of locals and visitors alike.
Open from 10.30 am until 6.30 pm daily, Halo, situated at Lot 15 -3B, The Gasket Alley, in Petaling Jaya, promises a journey into the divine world of doughnut indulgence.
