Small Mercies

Auckland’s Small Mercies is a whole lot more than just a donut shop— it’s a warm and inviting space, alive with the aromas of specialty coffee and Korean-inspired sweet treats. Donuts are definitely a mainstay, and the tagline ‘donuts with a twist’ encapsulates the goal of offering customers something fun, different and delicious.

For owner operators Eunsun Jung and Mikey Rush, Small Mercies is a labour of love. Inspired by their fond memories of mornings in Korea, starting with local coffee and indulging in freshly made delights like Kkwabaegi and Yakgwa biscuits, they sought to recreate those special flavours and share them with the Auckland community. 

The creative process often starts with reminiscing about certain Korean foods, followed by an experimentation phase using a range of traditional and innovative flavour combinations. As a result, each and every bite is infused with passion, authenticity and fun. Despite the self-proclaimed ‘selfish’ motivations, Eunsun and Mikey’s joy of sharing their delicious creations with others and seeing the smiles it brings has been immensely rewarding.

The vision for Small Mercies was clear from the start: a welcoming space where customers could enjoy friendly service, unique flavours, and a touch of nostalgia. It may be small, but it’s hard to miss: fronted by a sunny yellow entrance adorned with vibrant decals. This colourful aesthetic carries through to the interior, a playful theme throughout. 

As for the name, inspiration was drawn from a moment of gratitude expressed during a particularly challenging time. Thank god for small mercies.