How cultural exchanges start in a bubble tea shop - a Hongkonger couple’s story

Joyce Chiang, Communications Manager of Welcoming Committee for Hong Kongers

Relocating to another country is a big decision: it’s not only about the differences in language and culture, but the need to start again building connections, support networks and career options. While some may try to find a job that reflects the expertise they gained back in Hong Kong, some may opt to start running their own business.

Rachel and Chung are one of those who chose to take the plunge and start their own small enterprise. The couple worked in the non-profit sector before they came to the UK, but they developed an interest in beverages while on a two-year working holiday in the UK back in 2016. When they were considering relocating to the UK in 2021, a mutual friend who had just secured the franchise rights of a Taiwanese bubble tea brand invited them to open the first branch of the shop in London. A new career path beckoned...

Rachel and Chung working at their shop

Starting a business is never easy, and it is even more difficult to do so in a totally new place and new environment. ‘We were unfamiliar with the regulations and licence requirements here at the beginning, and it took us a lot of time to figure them out; it also took us quite some time to identify a shop space that is suitable to be turned into a bubble tea shop – we didn’t know how to deal with the agents from the beginning, we could just learn it bit by bit and do a lot of study’ said Rachel.

Fortunately, there are quite a number of welcoming organisations that are providing support to Hong Kongers who wish to run their own business. The couple joined a mentorship programme on entrepreneurship run by the Hong Kong Business Hub, where they received advice from their mentor and a number of coaches who have expertise in different fields. They also got to know other Hong Kongers who are running a business in the UK. ‘That helped us a lot when our shop first operated – for example how to do accounting, marketing, pricing, etc. Such advice has been very helpful to us as new business owners, and is especially important as we are unfamiliar with business operations and related regulations here.’

The bubble tea shop was officially opened in February this year. With the hard work of Rachel and Chung, the shop is now not just a place serving drinks to visitors of the tourist sites nearby, but also a resting place for the local neighbourhood. ‘An Indian lady who works nearby buys drinks from us often. She told us that our shop is her second home, for her to take a break from work,’ said Chung. ‘Sometimes she brings over some Indian snacks for us to try as well.’ Their bubble tea shop had become a spot for cultural exchange!

In Hong Kong we have a term called ‘surrounding the stove’ (圍爐, Wai Lo), that expresses the idea that people with similar mindsets and cultural background can gather together and feel replenished. Chung recognised the importance of Wai Lo, while he also encouraged Hong Kongers to connect with others in the community. ‘You can never really be a part of the community if you only stay within your circle - and many people in the UK are interested to learn more about Hong Kong culture’. In the future, Rachel and Chung hope to do more to help to let more locals understand Hong Kong culture. ‘We hope we can get a space that can let people gather, perhaps we can have some film screenings, let people share their ideas and their culture - it’s not just for Hong Kongers, but also anyone interested in different cultures.’

More about Chun Fun How London: https://www.instagram.com/chunfunhowlondon.victoria/

Bubble tea has become more and more popular in the UK, amongst people of different ethnicities.