Korean pop stars, fashion, makeup, and now food—Korea’s cultural wave has truly taken the world by storm. This global K-wave has swept into India as well, inspiring homegrown brands to infuse Korean flair into their offerings.
Enter Boba Bhai—a trailblazer in bringing bubble tea to the Indian mainstream. Boba Bhai not only serves signature bubble teas but also offers Korean-inspired dishes like burgers and fries, making it a go-to destination for desi K-culture lovers.
Riding the Wave of Bubble Tea Popularity
Bubble tea, a Taiwanese-origin beverage featuring tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls, has seen explosive growth in India over the past few years. Boba Bhai entered this competitive market with a clear strategy: combine authentic bubble tea offerings with a vibrant, youth-centric brand identity inspired by K-pop culture and Indian street food flavors.
The company’s menu is a carefully curated mix of classic and innovative bubble tea flavors, alongside Korean-inspired snacks such as burgers and fries, catering to the evolving tastes of India’s millennials and Gen Z consumers. This fusion approach has helped Boba Bhai carve out a unique niche, differentiating it from other bubble tea chains and quick-service restaurants.
Rapid Expansion and Funding Milestones
Since its inception, Boba Bhai has expanded aggressively, boasting over 42 outlets across seven major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. This rapid footprint growth is backed by a recent Series A funding round led by 8i Ventures where Boba Bhai raises Rs 30 crore owards opening 100 stores by the end of 2025.
The infusion of capital also supports product innovation and distribution expansion. Notably, Boba Bhai has launched ready-to-drink canned bubble teas on quick commerce platforms like Blinkit, tapping into the growing demand for convenient, on-the-go beverages.
Boba Bhai on Shark Tank India
When Dhruv Kohli stepped into Shark Tank India, he had a bold ask, ₹50 lakh for 0.3% equity, valuing the company at ₹166 crore.
The sharks had mixed reactions. While they saw potential in the bubble tea concept, some had reservations about the food offerings and pricing strategy.
- Shark Anupam Mittal struggled with the spiciness of the burgers, unable to take a full bite.
- Shark Aman Gupta pointed out that Korean cuisine is known for spice, but found nothing extraordinary about the flavors.
- Shark Viraj Bahl, an investor in the food space, backed the trend, saying, “Korean food with high spice is becoming mainstream. It’s a Gen Z favourite.”
However, the valuation left sharks stunned. Shark Namita Thapar didn’t hold back, saying, “Main shock ho gayi aapka valuation dekh ke.”
Despite the doubts, sharks saw the potential in the brand’s appeal, community-driven approach, and growing revenues.
After grilling Kohli on his numbers and product lineup, two sharks decided to make a joint offer:
- Sharks Namita Thapar and Viraj Bahl offered ₹90 lakh for 1% equity
- They included a 0.5% royalty until ₹45 lakh was recouped
Kohli wasn’t willing to settle yet. He countered with ₹1.2 crore for 1% equity, but the sharks held firm on their original offer.
Realizing that securing two experienced investors in the food and retail industry could accelerate his business, Dhruv accepted the deal at ₹90 lakh for 1% equity.
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