Sequel Tea is brewing up teas and a taste of home

Kaylie Wang is an English sophomore and Mustang News opinion columnist. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Mustang Media Group.

I looked forward to one thing every Monday and Wednesday of my freshman year: banana hojicha cream top with brown sugar boba from Sequel Tea’s pop-up on Mott Lawn. 

This was a drastic shift for me. Even though I grew up surrounded by boba tea shops in Southern California, I never cared for bubble teas before college, much less matcha or hojicha. But once I got to Cal Poly, it wasn’t long before I developed a love for these drinks. These drinks weren’t just fun little sweet treats to help me through a long day of classes — they were reminders of home. 

It’s ironic that my love for boba tea blossomed during my first year at a predominantly white institution, now historically white institution, and predominantly white town. But, that’s also the point. I relied on Sequel Tea for authentic Asian flavors that Campus Dining heavily lacks.  

In June, I was ecstatic about the new permanent storefront of Sequel Tea opening on campus. This is an exciting and important step towards diversifying Cal Poly’s on-campus food options to better reflect student demographics, especially with the growing Asian American student population. 

Students will now be able to enjoy Sequel Tea more frequently, compared to their previous pop-ups that only came to campus twice a week and often conflicted with class schedules. This addition also solidifies a permanent home for Sequel Tea at Cal Poly.  

When I came to Cal Poly, I missed authentic Asian food more than I expected. The Asian-inspired food served at Panda Express and Vista Grande hardly live up to the food I’m used to in Orange County. Back home, a quick 15-minute drive would bring me to hotpot at Boiling Point, malatang at Zhangliang, dimsum at China Garden or Taiwanese beef noodle soup at A&J. 

Sequel Tea filled me with the nostalgic and comforting flavors I grew up with: mango, lychee, black sesame and brown sugar. I love how Sequel’s founder Justin Chan draws recipe inspiration from his own Chinese and Taiwanese heritage, making these flavors authentic. 

Sequel Tea offers comfort and cultural connection

I am excited for Sequel Tea to continue providing comfort for other students missing home, just as it has for me. The move from an area with a large Asian population to a community that doesn’t reflect the diversity I grew up with has not been easy.

“When attending a school that lacks diversity, it’s that much more important for Campus Dining to be culturally diverse.” 

Kaylie Wang, Opinion Columnist

Among all public universities in California, Cal Poly’s student population is the least racially diverse, according to CSU and UC systems’ enrollment data. However, Cal Poly’s diversity is increasing. The 2022 incoming class was the most diverse in Cal Poly’s history. Campus increased from 2,565 Asian American students in 2016 to 3,151 Asian American students in 2023, according to institutional data. Sequel Tea’s move was announced amid the presence of the university’s growing Asian American population. 

Whenever I pick up my drink from Sequel, there is a line on Mott Lawn, convincing me that many other students share these same sentiments. Their popularity is proof that students appreciate diversifying Campus Dining options.

Expanding on-campus dining options is a positive step towards making our campus more welcoming for students of color. I am confident that this move will inspire other businesses to collaborate with Campus Dining to provide authentic food from different cultures. 

On a more lighthearted note, I also hope that Sequel Tea’s permanent location will inspire more students to try bubble teas for the first time. I tried matcha and hojicha for the first time in college and have been obsessed ever since. 

If you’re hesitant about trying any of Sequel Tea’s drinks, remember that the point of college is to expand your worldview and give you the opportunity to learn about other cultures. I find that the most enjoyable way to explore a culture is through trying their cuisine. 

Next time you need your daily caffeine fix, skip your typical Monster Energy and try a drink from Sequel Tea. Bubble tea is also easier on your heart, according to Harvard researchers. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. 

For more stories from the September print edition check out the featured print section on our website or the full issue.