Taste of Marana: Boba Cucue Brings Authentic Taiwanese & Hong Kong Flavors to Marana

CreditBrandon Mejia

If curb appeal had an image, Boba Cucue in Marana would be its best representation. All it takes is walking by to be drawn in by the bright cotton candy colors, neon lights, and prize machines.

But the journey doesn’t stop there--its menu transports you to the other side of the world with rich, fruity, sweet, and flavorful treats that embrace its Asian roots.

Boba Cucue’s Asian-style drinks feature Taiwanese boba and Hong Kong-inspired tea in a variety of flavors. Enjoy them with your favorite Asian hot snacks, dumplings, and that fan-favorite waffle pop.

Their use of fresh ingredients, excellent customer service, charming and welcoming environment, delicious boba, and a variety of choices landed it as a Taste of Marana STANDOUT Restaurant recipient.

“Amazing atmosphere with authentic Boba! The inside is charming, cheerful and brilliantly decorated! The staff love their work and take time to connect while providing orders in a timely manner,” – Kelci Camo (Taste of Marana Submission)

Boba Cucue is the fourth recipient of the award. Owner Sharon Walker, her family and her team accepted the honor during the Town of Marana’s Concerts in the Courtyard event on February 20, 2025.

“To be given the award is such an honor, it sounds silly that I am emotional about it, but we worked really hard for this,” Owner Sharon Walker shared. “It has been such an adventure over the last year, I am so glad to be here.

How did it get to Marana, Arizona?

Boba Cucue opened its doors February 22, 2024, but owner Sharon Walker’s interest in Boba started long before.

“My daughter got me into trying Boba for the first time, and the first time I thought this is weird, but it tasted so good,” Walker said.

She and her family fell in love with it so much that it became a weekly treat for getting through the week. “That was our reward.” It was also a way to embrace her husband’s heritage, as he was born in Taiwan “It was really cool because we got to bring his culture into our life, and it is just really nice to integrate all of it,” she shared.

It was one of those moments enjoying the tasty treat that sparked a light.

CreditBrandon Mejia

“While we were sitting there, I was like -- I think this is something I wanted to do, so we started looking into it,” Walker said.

Having previously served as the director of nursing for an outpatient surgery center, this would be a new adventure. Partnering with a franchise out of Phoenix, both saw the potential for expanding into southern Arizona.

“I wanted something small I could start out with and now I can see this growing into a national chain, and I would love to be a part of it,” she said.

After just eight months, the Marana location’s success led to the opening of another Boba Cucue on the east side of Tucson. Still family- operated, Sharon’s sister runs the east side location; her son runs the one in Marana.

CreditBrandon Mejia

What is Boba Tea?

Boba tea, also known as bubble tea, is a drink made up with tea, milk, sugar and chewy tapioca pearls.

With endless options, Boba Cucue tries to produce something for everyone, whether you prefer traditional, creamy, fruity, dairy-free, or vegan.

“What I like to tell people is don’t let the word ‘tea’ confuse you, it is not just plan tea, come on in give it a try,” Walker shared. “We can find exactly what you are looking for.”

According to the owner, these are the go-to drinks any first-timer coming into the shop:

Brown Sugar Milk Tea – “Most common and popular one sold.”
Strawberry Crema X – “Strawberry blended drink, everybody loves it.”
Galaxy Rainbow – “Hands down the most beautiful drink, caffeine-free.”

But don’t let that limit you! With endless options of boba flavors and tons of tasty treats, there’s something for everyone.

While enjoying your drinks and snacks, you can check the adorable merchandise such as soft and cute plushies, pens, keychains, memorabilia, or even attempt to win merchandise at their many gaming machines.

PicturedGalaxy Rainbow at Boba Cucue

Giving Back to the Community

Sharon wanted to take Boba even further into the Marana community. She partnered with several neighboring Marana schools, providing them with waffle pop reward vouchers for students who earn them from their teachers.

Having celebrated its one-year anniversary on February 22, 2025, Sharon credits her team for Boba Cucue’s success.

“The team is amazing, we are so incredibly lucky to have people from day one, still on board,” she said.

Nominate a Future “Taste of Marana” recipient

If you love the diverse and delicious food scene scattered throughout Marana, give them the ultimate gift and nominate them for a Taste of Marana STANDOUT award.

Whether it is a local restaurant, café, coffee shop, bar, or other food-related establishment, this program shines a spotlight on the great food businesses that make Marana a better community, and more attractive to tourists.

Previous Taste of Marana STANDOUT Award recipients include; Vero Amore – Dove Mountain (2023), Nana’s Kitchen (2023), La Olla Mexican Café (2024).

This itinerary/blog post showcases local businesses in our community. We feature partners that serve food and drink, offer recreational opportunities, places to stay, and shopping. We value accuracy, fairness and balance in our advertising and marketing. We would love to showcase your business to our visitors. These advertising and marketing opportunities (social media, articles, website, and ads) are open to all businesses within Marana and the designated two-mile “Pima County Tourism Partner Zone” around the town limits that meet this criteria. If you want to be featured on our website or in social media, please contact us at MaranaInfo@Maranaaz.gov.

Brandon Mejia

Author

Brandon Mejia

Tourism & Marketing Specialist

Brandon is a product of the Marana Unified School District and proud Arizona Alumni. His multi-faceted background includes radio and television news, social media distribution, public affairs and communications. He loves spending time outdoors playing in his slow-pitch softball leagues, golfing at Quarry Pines, and being an avid cross-fitter at his local gym, CrossFit Onward.
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