Try explosive Polish donuts splashed with vodka at Bangkok’s first ‘paczkarnia’

Ewa Wojcik, at left, and Claire Hamhunsa, at right.
Ewa Wojcik, at left, and Claire Hamhunsa, at right.

Outing itself as Bangkok’s first-and-only Polish bakery, Holy Donut Paczkarnia is supplied to traditional Polish donuts called paczki (say “punch key” and be close enough) that are sweeter, richer and fluffier than those you’re familiar with.

And, perhaps most importantly, their mix of sweet yeast dough, eggs, milk and butter is fortified with a traditional splash of Polish vodka. While we couldn’t meet up with them in person because, well you know, bakery founders Claire Hamhunsa and Ewa Wojcik gave us the lowdown.

Ewa Wojcik, co-owner of Holy Donut Paczkarnia.
Ewa Wojcik, co-owner of Holy Donut Paczkarnia.

“We call this type of bakery a paczkarnia!” the Holy Donut founders said in a message. “In each paczki you will find passion, tradition and care for the highest quality ingredients as you enjoy the unique taste of Poland hidden inside this rich, delicious treasure.”

Claire and her boyfriend, John, were working at home during the lockdown last year when they decided to try and bake some Polish treats – something John’s mother Ewa Wojcik, originally from Warsaw, kept in a family recipe. 

After their samples got positive feedback from colleagues and friends, Claire and Ewa decided to go into business.

“We thought it was worth trying to take things to the next level,” the pair told Coconuts Bangkok, signaling they were clued into the current donut renaissance. “After all, many people in Thailand love donuts and other baked goods!”

The donuts are baked fresh every morning starting at 5am, according to Claire and Ewa. The name paczki suggests “bursting,” and indeed these donuts are all about their fillings.

Claire Hamhunsa, co-owner of Holy Donut Paczkarnia
Claire Hamhunsa, co-owner of Holy Donut Paczkarnia

Once they are fried, the paczki are packed with homemade fruit jams, thick vanilla milk cream or a chocolate-hazelnut filling before being coated with a thin layer of fine Belgian chocolate, sugar glaze or a dust of powdered sugar.

Options range from the popular strawberry glazed (THB45), nutella (THB75), and Bostonski (filled with hand-turned cream and dipped in European chocolate; THB65) to the classic Polish krem mleczny (Polish-style vanilla milk cream, dusted with sugar; THB55).

Be warned: Only 150 donuts are made per day. According to Claire and Ewa, online preorders have been selling out days in advance. 

Holy Donut Paczkarnia plans to officially open June 1 inside 515 Victory mall a stone’s throw from BTS Victory Monument. Until then, the bakery is taking orders for same- or next-day delivery across Bangkok as well as pickup from the shop.

Photo: Holy Donut Paczkarnia
Photo: Holy Donut Paczkarnia
Photo: Holy Donut Paczkarnia
Photo: Holy Donut Paczkarnia

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