Tong Sui Desserts & Drinks (Palo Alto) — Restaurant in Palo Alto

Drinks are $1 more than I expect - ~$8 rather than the $6-7 at most bubble tea shops. I actually came for the pudding, but after seeing that one pot would cost $10 (and seeing the size of the pot) I couldn't justify it.

The drinks weren't tea-based. The rose glow was just rose flavored cream on top of coconut water. It came unmixed and I was completely underwhelmed until I realized I had to mix it. After 10 minutes of furious mixing, it was OK, though I was still left with a thick layer of unmixed cream at the end. What a waste of money. And I compounded my error by paying extra for osmanthus jelly (since this drink didn't come with bubbles). I couldn't taste any osmanthus and the jelly didn't add much to the drink at all. My mistake for adding a topping without having been to the shop before. I just usually love osmanthus and imagined it would be like an osmanthus version of the jasmine jelly at whale tea.

I also got the taro drink, which was pretty good. The taro paste was relatively light in texture, but still rich in creaminess. It was delicious, though I found I had to once again furiously mix for 10 minutes before the paste was properly incorporated into the drink.

So after proper mixing, both drinks were fine, but I really wish they'd do the mixing for me. Or make it easier to do (a lidded cup is not something I feel comfortable trying to shake). But I really just wish it came in the consumable form. After all, I'm buying a drink, not a picture pretty DIY kit. If I wanted to mix my own drink, I can throw some whipping cream on top of coconut juice at home.

There is great seating inside, though I wish they'd converted some of that seating into a bathroom (why would a drink shop not...

if you enjoy coconut-based desserts then tong sui would be the perfect spot for you as that's their specialty. as it was my first time stopping by mixed along with my super indecisiveness - i wasn't too sure what to order but the staff there were so patient and nice in assisting me and shared what they personally recommend and some of the popular/favorites of other customers. i ended up ordering the following for myself and my parents:

Double Layer Coconut Pudding 雙層椰子凍 Heart crafted with fresh coconut water, coconut milk from Thailand, and organic lactose-free milk. No added sugar. Topped with coconut water jelly. ($9.50)

Black Sesame Coconut Pudding Dairy. Coconut pudding topped with black sesame puree and walnut. ($9.95)

Lemon Da Hong Pao 手搗檸檬大紅袍 Heartcrafted with premiun Da Hong Pao tea, lemon & lime slices. ($5.95) especially perfect after a big hearty meal

to which we all really enjoyed too as it was refreshing and not too sweet!

the storefront itself was a bit tiny but id say they used up their space really well and still had a lot of room for in-store dining. the vibes and ambiance of the store are casual and make the perfect spot for dessert after grabbing food nearby.

id definitely would love to stop by and try some of their other items on the menu like the Coconut Durian Sago 椰汁榴槤西米露 (Vegan) and some other drinks on their menu!!

tips: lots of street parking available easy to find easy to dine in or take out lots of food options nearby super yummy and refreshing all...

This is a cute dessert & Drink Spot in heart of Downtown Palo Alto! This location is a little more delightful as their other branches like in Milpitas! We had the black sesame pudding and the taro ube sago here, and both were absolutely delicious. I’ve had the taro bobo milk in another location and it was great too, with customizable sugar options!

Steet parking is ample and easy to find. The café itself is spacious, with plenty of seating, and the interior is beautifully designed—a lovely spot to relax and enjoy a treat.

What truly stands out here is their exceptional customer service. On one visit, a customer mentioned that one of their items wasn’t quite right. The staff went above and beyond by proactively reaching out to us to check if we noticed the same issue, offering a full refund if so. This kind of care and attention to detail is rare and much appreciated!

The staff here, as always, are warm, smiling, and attentive. They also offer great low-sugar and low-calorie options for drinks, puddings, and desserts. A fantastic place to visit for a refreshing drink or a delicious dessert—it’s a real gem in the heart...