Toastn' Tea | Our Story

More Than a Restaurant. A Journey Through Asia.

After spending nearly 10 years in the corporate world, I followed my passion for travel and food. My journeys throughout Asia introduced me to unforgettable flavors, vibrant street food, and the way meals bring people together. When the pandemic paused travel, I realized I wanted to bring those experiences home. I left my corporate career and opened Toastn' Tea to share the dishes and drinks that inspired me, from comforting bowls of pho and Korean street food to handcrafted boba and Asian fusion favorites. As a proud Hmong-American, my goal is simple: create a welcoming place where great food, quality ingredients, and genuine hospitality bring people together. Thank you for supporting our dream. We can't wait to serve you! – Mai See Xiong, Founder, Toastn' Tea

A life lived in flavors

Mai See Xiong didn't open Toastn' Tea from a business plan — she opened it from a life fully lived. Deep roots in Hmong culture and years of world travel gave her a hunger to share more than food.

Refusing to pick one cuisine

"I didn't want to focus on just one cuisine — I wanted to bring the best of it all," Xiong has said. Bulgogi beef tacos, steaming pho, crispy banh mi, and brown sugar boba all belong at the same table.

The corn dog that went viral

MLive and Wood TV came knocking after Grand Rapids discovered the cheesy Korean corn dog — a pull-apart, cheese-stretching crowd-stopper that put Toastn' Tea on the regional map.

Built to make you stay

The egg chairs, the shelf of board games, the cozy corner lighting — none of that is accidental. Xiong designed the space so guests would slow down, linger, and actually talk to each other.

Every sip has a story

The "Life of the Partea" wall says it all — a place for joy, connection, and drinks worth savoring. Every boba and matcha latte carries a little piece of somewhere Xiong has been.