Woodside Family Launches Kung Fu Tea Franchise in Redwood City

A new Kung Fu Tea franchise is set to open in Redwood City, thanks to a local family’s quest for quality boba. Drew Shih, a Woodside resident and father of four daughters, has taken on the challenge of bringing authentic Taiwanese bubble tea closer to home. Frustrated by the lengthy trips to various tea shops across Redwood City and San Mateo, Shih decided to seek a solution that would satisfy his family’s diverse tastes.

Shih’s daughters, aged between 11 and 19, each have their own preferred boba orders. This often meant driving around to multiple locations to accommodate everyone’s preferences. Determined to address this issue, the Shih family began researching different boba franchises. Their goal was to offer authentic Taiwanese products while appealing to a broader Western audience. “It became sort of an obsession,” Shih remarked about their journey to find the right fit.

After extensive research, the family chose Kung Fu Tea, a popular national chain with nearly 400 locations across the United States. The franchise offers a diverse menu with approximately 70 drink options, including slushies, boba drinks, espresso beverages, and fruity teas. Shih’s daughters played a critical role in taste-testing and selecting menu items, ensuring that the offerings would resonate with local customers. The family is excited that the older siblings will also be part of the team, contributing to the shop’s unique community feel.

Among the standout items on the menu are milk teas with distinctive flavors like honey oolong and winter melon, as well as refreshing fruit drinks such as rose hip lemonade and lychee punch. The slushies, featuring creative flavors like taro and apple pie, are expected to be crowd-pleasers.

The Kung Fu Tea location on Woodside Road will hold its soft opening on October 27, followed by a grand opening celebration on November 15. This new establishment marks a significant addition to the Redwood City area, as it will be the only Kung Fu Tea location nearby, with the closest alternative situated in San Jose.

As the Shih family prepares for the opening, they are eager to share their passion for boba with the community. The shop aims to become a local favorite, where families can gather and enjoy a variety of delicious drinks without the need to travel far. For updates and more information, the community can follow Kung Fu Tea Woodside Road on Instagram at @kft_woodsideroad.