Text and photos by ANDY ROBINSON and MELODY XU
TONG SUI NEW DESSERT STORE SELLS COCONUT PUDDINGS
C
PUDDING PERFECTIONIST — General Manager Kevin Ng poses for a portrait in the new downtown Palo Alto location of coconut pudding store Tong Sui. “A lot of first timers that came and tried us and then return all the time,” Ng said. “I think eventually, they [customers] are more into the fitness and into the healthy lifestyle.”
38 NOVEMBER 2022
HEERFUL MINT GREEN and white, the accent of light wood and upbeat music make up the atmosphere of downtown dessert shop Tong Sui. The store, which opened in October on Bryant Street, isn’t “just another boba shop” downtown, General Manager Kevin Ng said. Rather, the establishment defies expectations by specializing in coconut pudding of nearly 30 different varieties. “When we first started out, it [our specialty] was not boba,” Ng said. “It [boba] was here to attract more customers.” According to Ng, the owner of Tong Sui, founder Debby Wang, was inspired by dessert-making traditions in Hong Kong and her background working in a Michelin Star kitchen. Looking for a healthier dessert brand, she founded Tong Sui in the Bay Area with a focus on healthy ingredients. Tong Sui does not use artificial syrups or preservatives, instead using organic and fresh produce, Ng said. Its signature coconut mix is made using fresh coconut water and organic milk, and gelatin-free recipes. Beyond its newest location in Palo Alto, Tong Sui is a chain with existing shops in Redwood City, Sunnyvale and San Mateo. Popular items at the shop include the Mango Mochi Coconut and Earl Gray puddings along with seasonal items for Halloween and other occasions that have become popular. Verde reviewed four of Tong Sui’s signatures and top sellers, including two coconut puddings and two drinks. v