Why Seattle’s COMEBUYTEA is Changing How America Drinks Boba
Seattle’s Capitol Hill is now home to a bubble tea experience unlike any other, thanks to COMEBUYTEA’s commitment to quality, tradition, and innovation.
Before they ever opened shop in Seattle, Seung Lee and Brandon Ting were just two longtime friends who always talked about doing something together. That “something” turned out to be bringing one of Taiwan’s most respected bubble tea brands—COMEBUYTEA—to the U.S.
Brandon, who was born in Taiwan and moved to the States as an international student, noticed something missing from the bubble tea scene here. “We saw how boba was blowing up in the U.S., but we knew we could offer something different—something better,” he said. “We wanted to bring the best bubble tea from Taiwan to Seattle.”
COMEBUYTEA has been around since 2002, and in a tea-obsessed place like Taiwan, that kind of staying power is no small feat. “Only a few brands last more than three years there,” Brandon added. “That’s how we knew this was the real deal.”
The Secret’s in the Brew
If you’ve ever walked into COMEBUYTEA’s Capitol Hill shop and seen steam rising from behind the counter, that’s not a gimmick. It’s part of the magic.
What sets this place apart is a one-of-a-kind tea espresso machine and a patented five-step “kung fu” brewing method. “We grind the tea leaves fresh, brew each cup to order, and control everything—pressure, temperature, timing—to the second,” Brandon explained. “No big batches sitting around all day. It’s always fresh.”
That’s not just a flex—it’s a full-on shift in how people think about bubble tea. “In Taiwan, we don’t even call it bubble tea anymore,” Brandon said. “We call it handshake tea. It’s about craft. It’s about drinking tea every day, like you would with coffee.”
Not Your Typical Boba Spot
COMEBUYTEA Seattle feels more like a specialty coffee shop than a traditional bubble tea store. That’s on purpose.
“Our setup kind of mirrors Starbucks Reserve,” Seung said. “We spent a lot on design, on equipment, even on how we display our tea cans. It’s an elevated experience.”
But for Seung, the investment goes beyond aesthetics. He’s in the shop, hands-on with the team, making sure every customer gets the full experience. “We don’t pre-make anything. Everything’s made to order. It’s more work, but it’s worth it.”
Real Advice for Aspiring Owners
For anyone dreaming of opening a boba shop, Seung and Brandon have one key piece of advice: treat it like a real business, not a side hustle.
“People think it’s an easy, high-margin business,” Seung said. “But without passion and hard work, it won’t last.” Brandon echoed that: “You can’t walk in with an investor mindset and expect success. You have to be in it every day, training your team, building something with heart.”
What’s Next for COMEBUYTEA?
Seattle was just the beginning. After a strong first year, the team is already laying the groundwork for what’s next.
“We’re working on opening more stores and registering our franchise documents,” Brandon said. “The dream is to grow across the country with people who share our vision—bringing high-quality, handcrafted tea to more communities.”