John Chhan doesn't want your money. Well, he does, but only for the donuts. He certainly didn't want the $40,000 a bunch of strangers tried to hand him a few years back.
If you've ever driven down Pacific Coast Highway through Seal Beach, you've seen the yellow sign. Donut City. It’s a humble spot in a strip mall, sandwiched between a pizza place and a hair salon. It looks like every other Cambodian-owned donut shop in Southern California. But this place is different because of a love story that went viral before "going viral" was even a goal for most businesses.
Honestly, the donuts are great—fluffy, not too greasy, and the glaze has that perfect crackle—but people don't line up at 5:00 AM just for the sugar. They show up because of Stella.
The Morning the Regulars Noticed Something Was Wrong
For decades, John and Stella Chhan were a unit. You didn't see one without the other. They fled Cambodia in 1979, escaping the Khmer Rouge, and built a life in Seal Beach by 1990. It was the classic American dream, fueled by flour and early mornings.
Then, in 2018, Stella disappeared from the counter.
Regulars noticed immediately. You can't just remove half of a shop's soul and expect people not to ask questions. John was there alone, looking tired, moving a little slower. When customers finally asked where Stella was, the news wasn't good. She had suffered a brain aneurysm. She was alive, but the recovery was going to be long, grueling, and required John’s presence at home.
But John couldn't just close. He had a lease. He had bills. He had a community that expected a pink box of glazed twists every Saturday morning. So he worked. He’d open the shop at the crack of dawn, sell out as fast as he could, and then rush home to be with his wife.
Why Donut City Seal Beach Became a National Sensation
What happened next is the kind of thing that makes you actually like humanity again. A regular customer named Dawn Caviola had an idea. She didn't start a GoFundMe—at least, not at first. She just told people to buy donuts.
The logic was simple: if everyone bought a dozen instead of one, John would sell out by 8:00 AM or 9:00 AM. He could get home to Stella faster.
It worked better than anyone expected.
Word spread through Seal Beach like a brushfire. People weren't just buying a couple of donuts; they were buying five dozen and taking them to work, to church, or just handing them out on the street. Lines started forming at 4:30 AM. By the time the sun was fully up, the shelves were empty. John was often able to lock the doors and head to the rehabilitation center before most of the town had even finished their first cup of coffee.
The Refusal of the $40,000
This is the part where the story gets really interesting. When the media caught wind of what was happening—CBS, NBC, everyone descended on this tiny shop—people across the country wanted to donate. They wanted to give John money so he could just stay home.
John said no.
He flat-out refused the donations. He told reporters that he and Stella had enough. They had their savings, they had their health insurance, and they had their shop. He didn't want a handout; he just wanted to work.
That nuance is what separates Donut City from a lot of other "feel-good" stories. It wasn't about charity in the traditional sense. It was about a community honoring a man's dignity and his work ethic. John wanted to earn his living, and the people of Seal Beach made sure he could do that while still being the husband Stella needed.
What It’s Like Visiting Donut City Today
If you go there now, the hype has died down a bit, which is probably how John likes it. But the quality hasn't dipped.
The shop is "old school." Don't come here looking for hibiscus-infused vegan brioche rings or donuts topped with breakfast cereal and gold leaf. That’s for the spots in Costa Mesa or LA. At Donut City, you get the classics.
- The Glazed Donut: It’s the benchmark. If a shop can’t do a plain glazed, they shouldn't be in business. John’s are airy. They have that slight yeastiness that reminds you it's fresh bread, not just a sugar puck.
- Apple Fritters: These are legendary. They are crunchy on the edges, soft in the middle, and actually have chunks of apple. Most places just use apple-flavored slime. Not here.
- The Ham and Cheese Croissants: Sorta the unsung hero of the Cambodian donut shop world. They are buttery, savory, and usually sell out right after the donuts.
The prices are still incredibly reasonable. In an era where a "gourmet" donut can cost you $6.00, John is still keeping things accessible. It feels like a time capsule. The floor is linoleum. The coffee is served in foam cups. It’s perfect.
The Cultural Impact of the Cambodian Donut Shop
You can't really talk about Donut City without acknowledging the broader history. Most donut shops in California are owned by Cambodian-American families. This traces back to Ted Ngoy, the "Donut King," who helped thousands of refugees start these businesses in the 80s and 90s.
John and Stella are part of that lineage. They represent a specific type of immigrant resilience. When you buy a donut here, you’re supporting a family that survived one of the worst genocides in history and built something beautiful from nothing.
The shop isn't just a business; it’s a monument to survival.
Dealing with the Modern Seal Beach Crowd
Seal Beach is a weird, wonderful mix. You’ve got the old-timers who have lived there since the 70s, the surfers who hit the pier every morning, and the tourists who wandered off the 405.
Donut City caters to all of them.
Sometimes people show up expecting a museum or a shrine because of the news stories. They're often surprised to find just a regular guy in an apron who wants to know if you want a chocolate long john or a sprinkle. John isn't a celebrity in his own mind. He’s a baker.
There's a lesson there about "maintaining the brand." John didn't expand. He didn't open "Donut City 2" in Huntington Beach. He didn't start selling t-shirts (though people asked). He stayed small. He stayed local. He stayed John.
How to Support Local Gems Without Being "That" Tourist
If you're planning a trip to Donut City Seal Beach, there are a few things you should know so you don't stick out like a sore thumb.
First, bring cash. While they might take cards now, small shops like this always prefer cash because merchant fees eat into their tiny margins. Second, go early. If you show up at 11:00 AM on a Sunday, don't be surprised if the shelves are bare. That’s the goal! Every empty tray is a win for John.
Third, don't bring up the "viral story" unless John brings it up first. He's been asked about it a million times. Let him just be your donut guy. Sometimes the best way to show appreciation is to just be a good, quiet customer.
Practical Tips for Your Visit:
- Parking: The lot is small. It’s shared with a few other businesses. Be patient or park on the street and walk a block.
- The "Stella" Update: Stella did return to the shop eventually, though she takes it easier these days. Seeing them together again is the real "happy ending" that the news cameras missed.
- Order a Dozen: Seriously. Even if you only need two. Take the rest to your local fire station or just give them to a neighbor. It keeps the tradition of the "sell-out" alive.
Why This Matters in 2026
We live in a world of algorithmic food. We find places because of TikTok trends and Instagrammable walls. Donut City is the antidote to that. It’s a place where the "content" is just human kindness and really good dough.
It reminds us that a business can be a pillar of a community without having a massive marketing budget. It’s about showing up. John showed up for Stella, and Seal Beach showed up for John.
If you find yourself in Orange County, skip the fancy hotel breakfast. Drive down to Seal Beach. Look for the yellow sign. Buy a dozen. It’ll be the best $15.00 you spend all week.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the hours: They generally open around 4:30 AM or 5:00 AM.
- Map it: 1210 Pacific Coast Hwy, Seal Beach, CA 90740.
- Plan a Pier Walk: Grab your donuts and walk two blocks down to the Seal Beach Pier. It's the best way to eat a fritter.
- Follow the "Sell-Out" Rule: If you see the "Closed" sign early, don't be annoyed. Be happy John is home with his family.