At 26 years old, Leslie Ng has taken a tremendous leap in her life by stepping into entrepreneurship as the owner and shareholder of Lemonchá. After a month of refining their operations, from their menu to their staff, Lemonchá is now in business, bringing Hong Kong’s hand-smashed lemon tea craze to the Philippines, reimagining tea by blending its cultural essence with fun, modern flavors.
“We need something new in Manila where people can praise something healthier, something refreshing. And then, since we’re a drinking culture and summer all year long, we crave something refreshing,” Ng said.
Lemonchá smashes fresh ice with its lemon and limes to put in its freshly brewed tea. Everything’s fresh, even up to the sugar. The brand uses sugar cane, which is healthier than regular white sugar.
One of its popular offerings is their signature Yashi “Duck Sh*t Tea” Lemon Tea, which hails its name from “Duck Sh*t Soil” or Yellow Loam soil where the tea is planted and grown. It’s a type of Oolong tea with origins from the cold mountains of Guangdong, China. “Duck Sh*t Tea” has a refreshing and cooling effect with a distinctly earthy, floral, and fruity flavor and a honey-like aftertaste.
“We’ve been more confident now with our product also because we did a lot of pop-ups, and then a lot of people are interested in our Duck Sh*t tea. And then, what made them more intrigued was, of course, you can’t really get duck sh*t in anywhere else in Manila,” Ng said.
In Ng’s family, who originally hail from Hong Kong, communication was often unspoken, but tea became the quiet bridge that brought them together. It sparked conversations and gave their parents and grandparents a way to connect with them in their own way. Amid their busy lives, tea was their way of being present, creating moments that bonded them as a family.
“We saw how the drinking tea culture there is really, that’s what everyone is crazy about, right? Like, simply drinking it every day, bringing it to their office, and like deliveries, a lot of deliveries,” she said.
As a result of wanting to bring an authentic tea drinking experience to Filipinos, Ng ensured that Lemonchá only uses fresh ingredients and refrains from using any artificial flavorings.
Ng’s entrepreneurial journey is rooted in her culinary education. After studying pastry and culinary management in Los Angeles, she gained hands-on experience working at a popular tea boba shop. This experience ignited her passion for the beverage industry and the intricacies of its operations. She realized the potential for a new, distinct drink brand in Manila, something beyond the saturated milk tea market.
Lemonchá is not Ng’s first venture; she also owns Egg House, another expanding food concept. With Lemoncha, she aims to replicate that success. Along with her sister, Steffie Ng, who is involved in the coffee business, they are focused on expanding their current three brands, with franchising as a significant long-term goal for Lemonchá. Ng envisions potentially thousands of franchises, emphasizing that drinks are a constant craving.
While expansion presents a challenge, Ng is confident that as Lemonchá gains recognition, rapid growth will follow, especially with their plans for franchising. The business is also Halal-friendly, making it accessible to a wider market and ideal for expansion into provinces where such concepts are scarce.
Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many inquiring about franchising opportunities. Other bestsellers include the signature Yaxue Duck Sh*t, Watermelon Lychee, and Ng’s personal favorite, Pineapple Jasmine. The Lychee Jasmine Lemon Tea is also a popular choice.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Ng’s advice is clear: “You just gotta do it.” She stresses the importance of thorough research and development, identifying the right target market, and focusing on location and strong branding. Ultimately, a good product will bring customers back.
Currently, Lemonchá is running a soft bundle promotion with Egg House, offering a black tea with their fluffy pancake for a special price until the end of August. With five family members involved in the business, Lemonchá is a testament to shared vision and a commitment to bringing an authentic and refreshing tea experience to the Philippines.
Lemonchá is located at the 2nd floor, Building B, Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
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Article by: Patricia Bianca Taculao
Interview by: Jeman Villanueva
Photos by: Kister Morata