Among Singapore’s crowded bubble tea scene, homegrown brand Woobbee has carved a unique niche with its signature pei pa koa milk tea—a creative twist that blends traditional herbal cough syrup with classic bubble tea. Since its founding in 2010, Woobbee has grown steadily, now operating five outlets across Singapore.
Woobbee’s name comes from the Chinese phrase ‘wu bi,’ meaning ‘unbeatable.’ Founder Irene Low and her business partner Benjamin Lim started the brand after months of experimenting with recipes, focusing on local tastes that were underrepresented in the market at the time.
Their standout creation, the Herbalmint drink, combines pei pa koa—a well-known natural remedy for coughs and sore throats—with milk tea, creating a surprisingly delicious flavor that has become Woobbee’s best-seller. The drink gained international attention when a US company featured it as a Christmas special, sparking social media buzz.
Beyond Herbalmint, Woobbee offers a variety of flavors like Pink Guava with Plums and Grape Yakult, catering to Singaporean palates while emphasizing quality by brewing fresh tea daily and using raw sugar. These values have helped the brand serve millions of cups and build partnerships with corporate clients and event organizers.
Facing fierce competition from global and local bubble tea giants, Woobbee stays competitive through continuous innovation. The brand is developing bottled versions of its drinks and exploring vending machines to make its offerings more accessible. Expansion plans include opening more stores in heartland areas and taking Woobbee’s uniquely Singaporean bubble tea to international markets.
As Irene Low puts it, “Innovation is non-negotiable.” Woobbee’s journey shows how a clever blend of tradition and creativity can brew success in a saturated market.
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