Bubble tea may have been around in Singapore for a long time, but it was in 2018 that it truly saw a resurgence in popularity. Fast forward to 2019, and bubble tea trend is still growing at an alarmingly fast pace in Singapore. Singaporeans are already spoilt for choice; apart from classic chains such as Gongcha and Koi, new bubble tea chains appear to pop up every other week. I mean, no one is complaining because “Boba is Life”, so let’s take a look at our top pick on bubble tea in Singapore!
1. Milksha
Rated No. 1 by Taiwan university students, Milksha (also known as “Milkshop” in Taiwan) is finally making its way to this island! Milksha teased details of their Singapore launch on their official Facebook page, so it’s safe to say we’re super spoilt because they’re opening not one but two outlets here by the end of June. Don’t come expecting only brown sugar milk tea because you’re going to want to try something else too, we promise. The brand will be launching four series in Singapore: Fresh Milk Series, Fresh Milk Tea Latte Series, Premium Tea Series and Special Concoctions. Their signature drinks include Azuki Matcha Milk, Fresh Taro Milk, Valrhona 100% Cocoa Milk and Earl Grey Latte with Honey Pearl. The brand is known to use all-natural ingredients, and their pearls are honey pearls freshly cooked and frozen in Taiwan, before being air-flown to Singapore. We can’t wait!
Address:
Suntec City: 3 Temasek Boulevard #02-375/376 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Funan: 107 North Bridge Road #02-K07 Funan, Singapore 179105
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
2. Xing Fu Tang
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for! We heard all about the craze from our neighbour Malaysia, and now Xing Fu Tang is set to open its first flagship store in Century Square by the end of June. Get yourselves ready because you’re going to want to queue for this one! Xing Fu Tang is best known for its unique ‘stir fried’ boba pearls. The pearls are literally stir fried with brown sugar in a wok—right in front of you—before going into your milk tea. Their “must-get” signature drink is said to be their Brown Sugar Boba Milk. If you can’t wait for Xing Fu Tang’s official opening, you can find their pop-up store in the basement of Takashimaya, available now until 16th June! Now, don’t say we didn’t jio you!
Address: Century Square #01-22, 2 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529509
3. CHICHA San Chen
One of Taiwan’s most popular bubble tea outlets, CHICHA San Chen was first established over 20 years ago in Taichung city, and the brand now has 200 stores across Taiwan and China, and Singapore has the honour of being CHICHA San Chen’s first overseas flagship store come May. They are all about educating the public in the art of tea, and customers can watch as the process as they brew each order using an “espresso-machine” like brewer. One of their signature drinks, Dong Ding Oolong Fresh Milk Tea, was awarded the Highest International Authority iTQi certificate (equivalent to 3 Michelin stars) in 2017. Other unconventional flavours you can find include High Mountain Pouchong Tea with lemon juice. Did we mention they also have a tea appreciation counter for patrons to sample tea? Yes, that’s how you know they’re serious!
Address: 313 Orchard Rd, 313@somerset #03-41 Singapore 238895
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
4. HeyTea
HeyTea, one of China’s most famed tea brands, opened its first international store in Singapore last year. Located in the basement of ION Orchard, HeyTea claims to have invented the original “cheese tea” that is now popular everywhere. “Cheese tea” might sound strange, but rest assured, this weird combination of cheese and tea actually goes together pretty well! And hey, you’re guaranteed to get a cheese mustache per order! A part of HeyTea’s popularity is because they use quality tea leaves harvested from different tea-producing regions, and also ingredients such as fresh fruits and natural rock sugar. They offer a huge range of drinks catered to different palates, some of which are: King Fone Cheezo Tea, Ever Spring Cheezo Tea, and Grapefruit Boom Tea. They have also launched a brand new flavour: Ovaltine. Their Ovaltine Bobo Shake and Ovaltine Crispy Cone ice cream will go on sale from 10th June onwards. Still craving for something more unique? Head down to their second outlet in Clarke Quay where they serve alcohol-infused bubble tea.
Address: 2 Orchard Turn, #B4-29 ION Orchard, Singapore 238801
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm
5. The Alley
One of the places that started the queue culture around Asia, The Alley is a popular bubble tea brand from Taiwan. The brand has finally opened its first outlet at Jewel Changi (open 24 hours) and its second at Orchard Cineleisure. The outlet at Orchard Cineleisure is called The Alley Luxe, the first-ever premium concept lifestyle cafe that features artisanal baked goods and beverages. Known for its aesthetic and cute packaging—which is a little rounded on the bottom—it’s just the perfect drink for a good Instagram post! They are also famed for making their own sugar cane syrup and homemade tapioca balls, which are incorporated into one of their best-selling drinks, the Brown Sugar Milk Deerioca!
Address:
The Alley: 78 Airport Boulevard Jewel Changi Airport #B2-273 Singapore 819666
Opening Hours: 24 hours
The Alley Luxe: Orchard Cineleisure Level 2 Singapore 239695
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm
6. Tiger Sugar
Tiger Sugar is another Taiwanese brand that needs little to no introduction. Although it has been around for only several months since opening in November, Tiger Sugar has quickly become a bubble tea not to miss! Their never-ending, snaking queues don’t seem to stop bubble tea lovers from getting their signature bestseller, the Brown Sugar Boba Milk Cream Mousse (that’s a mouthful, we know). Also informally known as the “tiger-striped” milk tea, the drink is a fresh blend of Meiji milk drizzled with brown sugar on the side (forming the “tiger stripes”), and mini chewy boba pearls topped with thick creamy mousse.
Address:
Orchard Paragon: Paragon Shopping Centre #B1-39/40, 290 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238859
Capitol Singapore: Capitol Singapore #B2-32, 13 Stamford Road, Singapore 178905
Chinatown Point: 133 New Bridge Road #B1-42 Singapore 059413
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
7. Nayuki
Nayuki is another store that sells the “Cheese Tea” concept, and it has over 180 outlets across 22 cities in China. Nayuki opened its first international outlet in Vivocity Singapore at the end of last year. Famed for their artisanal cheese fruit teas and pastries, this pastel colored tea & bakery cafe is indeed one you need to add to your list. Nayuki’s signature drink is the Supreme Cheese Strawberry Tea, which is blended with strawberries and Japanese tippy tea. It’s best paired with Strawberry Blush Mystique bread. It’s so popular that Nayuki has a strawberry field in China to ensure its strawberry supply is available all year round. Those who are not into cheese teas can opt for their refreshing Supreme Mixed Fruit Tea instead!
Address: Vivocity, #01-207 1 Harbourfront Walk, Singapore 098585
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm
8. KOI Thé
KOI was an unforgettable part of the original bubble tea fad in Singapore, and has been around for 13 years, with almost 50 outlets islandwide now. Despite the many new bubble tea outlets mushrooming all over the island, KOI continues to put up a good fight, we think they still serve one of the best pearl milk teas here. Perhaps it’s their Signature Golden Pearls that people can’t get enough of. They have done a fantastic job perfecting their drinks menu, including crowd favourites such as their Golden Bubble Milk Tea, Matcha Macchiato and Matcha Latte. KOI is that place you always end up going back to, just to get a taste of the classic bubble milk tea.
Address: Check out various locations on their website!
