From Refugee to Donut Empire: The Inspiring Story of Ted Ngoy

How a refugee built a donut empire in America?
Co-Presented by Center For Asian American Media (CAAM). An immigrant story with a (glazed) twist, The Donut King follows the journey of Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy, who arrived in California in the 1970s and, through a mixture of diligence and luck, built a multi-million dollar donut empire up and down the West Coast.
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The path Ted Ngoy took to become the “Donut King” of America is quite inspirational. Ngoy fled Cambodia and came to America as a refugee in the 1970s with little more than the clothing on his back and the will to provide a better life for himself and his family. He had no idea that his passion for doughnuts would inspire him to build a California-wide donut empire.

But what are Cambodian Donuts exactly? These unusual delicacies resemble classic donuts manufactured in the United States, except they are prepared with rice flour rather than wheat flour. They get a chewier texture and a slightly distinct flavor as a result. This recipe was something Ngoy took from Cambodia and utilized to make his own doughnuts that would later become popular in California.

California Donuts was one of Ngoy’s most well-known donut restaurants. Such inventive and distinctive tastes like Fruity Pebbles and Panda Donuts made this store well-known. California Donuts immediately gained a following among both locals and visitors, with lines frequently going around the block.

Ngoy’s success, however, was not exclusive to California. In fact, Texas has a large number of donut shops, with many of them located on the same street in some communities. The reason for this is that donuts are a common breakfast item in Texas, where many Texans eat them with their daily coffee.

There are a lot of doughnut businesses in Los Angeles, some of which are open around-the-clock. This dates back to the 1970s and 1980s, when Ngoy and other Cambodian exiles first moved to the city and started their own donut shops. Due to their low beginning costs and ability to be operated by family members, these shops soon gained popularity among refugees.

The success of Ted Ngoy is proof of the value of perseverance, hard effort, and the American Dream. He was able to establish a donut empire from his meager beginnings as an immigrant that is still in operation today. Along with his mouthwatering donuts, he left behind an inspirational legacy of tenacity and achievement.

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