As summer approaches, if you're searching for a light and refreshing option, look no further than Bambu, a café chain serving a variety of beverages such as Asian-inspired bubble teas, smoothies, and Vietnamese dessert drinks. Bambu specializes in Chè, traditional homemade beverages made with fresh, healthy, and delicious ingredients. To celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we took a closer look at their Hilldale location with one of the partners, Arom Wichitchu.
Originally from Thailand, Arom is one of three partners who founded Bambu. In 2019, they opened their Hilldale location, bringing something familiar to the area. Arom had enjoyed everything on the menu as a child, giving him confidence in recommending drinks to customers. One popular item, the Bambu Favorite, consists of red tapioca, grass jelly, pandan jelly, and coconut milk, a treat Arom remembers his mother making when he was younger. While Bambu’s drinks are often described as Vietnamese dessert drinks, Arom believes they connect with a broader Southeast Asian culinary tradition.
As a partner, Arom handles various duties, including inventory and preparing fresh ingredients. He arrives early to cut coconut and make the pandan jelly, red tapioca, and coconut milk, all prepared fresh on-site. Arom is extremely proud of the homemade quality of their offerings.
Bambu stands out for its extensive selection of Asian dessert drinks, featuring Southeast Asian fruits like jackfruit, lychee, and longan. Arom is inspired by the uniqueness of their café and the joy customers experience when trying these drinks for the first time. One of his goals is to introduce these dessert drinks to more people in the community. He recommends the passionfruit tea with mango or strawberry boba, describing the fresh passionfruit shipped from Southeast Asia as very sour and delicious.
Bambu engages with the local community by employing numerous high school and college students and contributing gift cards to school fundraisers. Arom takes pride in their loyal customers, who continue to support them during challenging times like the pandemic, by placing orders from outside the store. He enjoys interacting with customers, answering their questions, and recommending new drinks to ease them into trying something different. The community's support has been vital, and Arom looks forward to expanding their dessert drink menu.
With a commitment to quality and community, Bambu continues to bring unique flavors and smiles to their customers. Stop by their Hilldale or recently-opened Sun Prairie location to experience a refreshing taste of Southeast Asia.