Teamoji, a vibrant bubble tea shop on State Street, is serving up more than just milk tea – it’s offering a taste of home to the international student community and boba lovers alike. Located in a historic bank building once home to Sookie’s Veggie Burgers, Teamoji opened its doors on June 14, 2024, becoming the fourth location of the Teamoji franchise.
Founded by Dominic Su and Dylan Chen, both Chinese immigrants and first-time business owners, Teamoji offers an exciting menu of colorful drinks, from purple taro milk tea and matcha lattes to indulgent Oreo milkshakes, each topped with chewy boba, pudding, or lychee jelly. The shop also features savory bites like Korean corn dogs and sweet mochi doughnuts.
The bubble tea craze, which originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, has become a phenomenon in the U.S. In a city like Madison, where there were only a few boba options until recently, Teamoji stands out with its playful, Instagram-worthy drinks and authentic Asian-inspired atmosphere. The shop’s attention to detail, including cute boba mascots and K-pop music, has made it a favorite spot for many, especially for international students seeking a familiar taste of home.
Teamoji’s success is built on its dedication to quality and customer feedback. Both Su and Chen have looked to their roots for inspiration, even incorporating suggestions from friends in China to perfect their drinks. Customers order through kiosks inside the store or conveniently via delivery apps, making it easy for boba fans to enjoy the shop’s offerings from the comfort of their homes.
Among the standout items on the menu are the matcha latte, with its rich flavor from imported Japanese matcha, and the taro milk tea, a nutty, vanilla-infused treat. The shop’s Oreo Creme Brulee slushie, a twist on the traditional Oreo milkshake, features a delicious pudding layer that elevates the experience.
For Teamoji’s founders, the journey to opening the Madison location was driven by their desire for independence and passion for boba. Su, a longtime boba enthusiast, had dreamed of running his own business, and after a casual conversation at a birthday party with Jerry Huang, founder of the Teamoji franchise, the idea took off. The result is a bubble tea shop that not only offers a refreshing drink but also fosters a sense of community and nostalgia for its customers.
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