Top photo credit: @portland_mike
We’ve teamed up with some bubble tea experts – who treat themselves to a bubble tea almost every day – to come up with our list of top bubble tea spots. For the purposes of comparison, we’ve gone with our perennial fave flavour: milk tea with oh-so-chewy tapioca pearls.
HEYTEA
Photo Credit: @hkfoodlover
HEYTEA came from humble beginnings in Guangzhou and now boasts stores all over China – and three in Hong Kong! HEYTEA is known for something very special – its signature cheese tea. In recent years the admittedly strange-sounding cheese tea has grown in popularity and we can see why. HEYTEA’s cheese topping is made with cream cheese and condensed milk, which adds an extra layer of indulgence in the form of this sweet and tangy foam. If you’re sceptical, you can still have cheese-less tea at HEYTEA but we recommend giving it a go. After all, we bet the first cheesecake got some strange looks too.
Various locations around Hong Kong
Gong Cha
Photo credit: @cravepin
For many people, Gong Cha is where they tried their first-ever bubble tea, which is the case for someone like my sister, who says, “It’s one of my faves because it’s the OG.” Gong Cha is probably the most widely accessible bubble tea shop in Hong Kong, located conveniently across all districts (and even around the world). Personally, I think that Gong Cha has lost its touch and can be a bit watery. But, hey, Gong Cha is also likely the cheapest bubble tea shop in the 852, priced from $18, so I’m happy.
Various locations around Hong Kong
CoCo
Photo credit: @cravepin
CoCo has only six locations dotted around Hong Kong, so you must seek it out. Once you do, however, you have to try their milk tea. Known for its fresh taste and creamy texture, it’s perfect for quenching your thirst on a hot day. Fruity flavours are also available, as well as smoothies. Priced from $18–22.
Various locations around Hong Kong
TenRen’s Tea
Photo credit: @h.anhhdaoo
TenRen’s is the boujiest bubble tea shop in Hong Kong, with outlets across the city, but the quality and taste of the tea speak for themselves. They offer both hot and cold drinks made with green, black and oolong teas. There’s even ice cream! With queues out the door at peak hours, you may be waiting in line for awhile, but I promise it will be worth it. The extra $2 in price compared to the other spots is not an issue if you love the taste of top-notch tea and sweet tapioca pearls.
Various locations around Hong Kong
Sharetea
Photo credit: @sengichi
Sharetea became one of my favourites when I was first introduced to its red bean milk tea, but that’s a story for another day. Some of our bubble tea connoisseurs describe Sharetea as too herbal tasting for them, but that’s another reason why I fell in love with it. The bubbles are as you would expect, jelly-like and with the right bite. Sharetea’s bubble milk tea is priced at $18, similar to its competitors.
Various locations around Hong Kong
KOI Thé
Photo credit: @koithethailand
Home of the golden bubbles! Some say it’s like any other bubble tea but with strangely coloured bubbles, however, our experts speak highly of KOI Thé. This bubble tea can be incredibly sweet, so you may want to ask for half sugar. Located in the hustle and bustle of Mongkok, KOI Thé has always got lines out the door as it’s known for its quality, taste and variety. They also give you the option of getting a small or large size, perfect if you’re craving some boba but can’t finish a ginormous cup by yourself.
Hung Tat Building, 55 Dundas Street, Mongkok, 2385 8518
Chatime
Photo credit: _hauoli34
Known mostly for its locations across Australia and southern Asia, Chatime has shops in Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong Airport and Hung Hom. They offer tons and tons of flavours including winter melon, brown rice milk tea and hazelnut milk tea – plenty to experiment with! This is definitely the place to go if you’re getting bored of traditional bubble tea, but their bubble milk tea is pretty average, so we wouldn’t recommend going here for it. Be sure to check out their location at Hong Kong Airport for your last bubble tea fix before you fly out!
Various locations around Hong Kong
TP Tea
Photo credit: @agneswym
TP’s got an unfortunate name, but that doesn’t put us off the BT! With eight shops in HK and a new store opening up on Queen’s Road Central, TP TEA has become a bubble tea hotspot. The bubble milk tea here has a very strong tea flavour, with the shop priding itself on the quality of its tea leaves. Although prices are a bit more expensive compared to other takeaway bubble tea joints, priced from $24, TP offers all sorts of teas and flavours, including Yakult green tea, all worth the extra couple of dollars.
Various locations around Hong Kong
Yuan Is Here
Photo credit: @supertastermel
Yuan is here and is dancing on our taste buds! This restaurant is perfect for anyone who loves everything Taiwanese. Their bubble tea is probably the most authentic in Hong Kong. It can be a bit sweet, but that’s how the Taiwanese like it! The menu also offers all kinds of yummy snacks and bigger plates. The bubbles in Yuan’s milk tea have the perfect al dente bite and the tea itself is super creamy. Definitely stop by for our favourite combo: braised pork rice and bubble milk tea.
73 Third Street, Sai Ying Pun
Dakasi
Photo credit: @nattayapon_np
Did someone say Oreo chocolate milk tea?! Their traditional bubble milk tea is similar to most, albeit being a bit more creamy, so we would rate it averagely. However, Dakasi is your best bet if you’re looking for crazy and bold flavours as it features Oreo, coconut and even kumquat on the menu. Located in Mong Kok and Yuen Long, Dakasi is known amongst locals for offering truly authentic Taiwanese teas, and we agree! Its delicious, funky flavours will keep you on your toes.
Mongkok: 55 Dundas Street
Yuen Long: 7A Kik Yeung Road
Flamingo Bloom
Photo credit: @travlim
Wait… Flamingo Bloom does bubble tea? With punny slogans like ”shake your boo-tea”, blow-up flamingo drink holders and beautifully painted walls, grabbing a bubble tea from Flamingo Bloom is perfect if you’re in the midst of an Instagram dry spell. Sometimes criticised for having quite average tea, the tea salon actually takes its brewing very seriously. Their teas are all-natural, have no preservatives and are brewed every four hours. Mmm… fresh! Prices range from about $19 all the way up to $36. We have a love-hate relationship with Flamingo Bloom‘s bevvies.
Central: 50 Stanley Street
TST: 18 Cameron Road
Which bubble tea spot is your fave? Let us know!
Related:Fancy an egg waffle with your bubble tea?
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