Tong Sui Desserts & Drinks (Redwood City)

🚩 Deceptive Reviews and Rigid Policies Before visiting this location, I highly recommend being weary of the influx of positive feedback you see online. It appears they frequently promote freebies or rewards for 5-star reviews, which creates a very skewed and dishonest representation of the actual customer experience. In reality, the operation is plagued by rigid policies and a lack of basic customer service. One of the most frustrating aspects of this spot is that, as usual, there is no customization of the drinks allowed. In a market where almost every other drink shop allows you to adjust ice or sweetness, their refusal to cater to guest preferences feels outdated and lazy. 📉 Declining Service and Difficulty with Exchanges I have visited this chain before, but the Redwood City branch seems to be struggling with basic hospitality. Unhelpful Staff: On previous occasions at other locations, I’ve been able to exchange a drink if it was made poorly or tasted off. However, this time the process was much more difficult to get done. Lack of Accountability: The staff was dismissive when I brought up the issues with the order, making me feel like a burden for simply wanting a drink that was drinkable. Consistency Issues: For a place that prides itself on "handcrafted" items, the lack of flexibility and the downward trend in service quality are major red flags. ⚠️ Serious Health Concerns and Quality Control The biggest issue with this visit was the physical reaction to the product. Terrible Quality: One of the drinks we ordered was absolutely terrible. It didn't just taste bad; it was clearly prepared incorrectly or with ingredients that had turned. Physical Illness: Shortly after trying the drink, it caused abdominal pain that lasted for quite a while. When a dessert shop’s products lead to physical discomfort, there is a fundamental failure in their kitchen’s health and safety standards. Safety First: I cannot in good conscience recommend a place where the quality control is so low that the food becomes a health hazard. 🚫 Final Thoughts and Recap To recap, this was a completely failed experience. Between the artificial 5-star reviews, the total lack of drink customization, and the difficult service when trying to rectify a mistake, there is very little reason to visit. The fact that a drink caused abdominal pain is the final straw for me. I’ve given this place enough chances, but I won't be going back to this one. There are far better, safer, and more accommodating dessert spots in Redwood City that don't rely on "rewards" to maintain their reputation.

Came here to get to signature pudding and ended up getting the seasonal coco corn drink that Gilberto recommended. It's yummy! In addition, this place's ambiance is mellow with great customer service. Friendly staff and one of the nicest tong sui I've been to. Would definitely come back.

Tropical Mango Matcha – Tong Sui 🥭💚 I ordered the Tropical Mango Matcha with crystal boba, less sweet, less ice, vegan matcha, and house coconut milk — and it was absolutely delicious! The layered colors are beautiful — the deep green matcha, creamy white coconut milk, and bright yellow mango — and the texture is smooth and refreshing with a touch of real mango. The flavor is perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and the matcha aroma stands out without being bitter. The clear crystal boba gives it a light, fun twist compared to regular tapioca. The shop itself is super cute — clean, nicely decorated, and calm, perfect for sitting down and enjoying your drink.

Tong sui is pure comfort in a bowl. Each spoonful feels both nostalgic and exciting, balancing delicate sweetness with deep, layered flavors that never feel heavy or cloying. Whether it’s a silky sesame soup, a fragrant red bean, or a perfectly textured mango pomelo sago, every dish tastes thoughtfully made and beautifully balanced. The warmth, aroma, and care that go into tong sui make it more than dessert. It’s an experience that soothes the soul and leaves you craving just one more bite. Simple, timeless, and incredibly satisfying.

Coco mango with crystal boba or Coco papaya with crystal boba (with coconut milk). Go with either of these 2 and you wont regret it! They also serve coconut pudding dessert here which is good, but I find that it pales in comparison to Melo Melo. If you prefer a less creamy/ sweet version, then Tong Sui’s coconut pudding dessert is probably the one for you. Otherwise, stick to the drinks!