If there’s one food trend that has never faded in Singapore, it’s bubble tea. I remember the craze kicking off when I was in primary school, when chains like Each-a-Cup and Sweet Talk started popping up everywhere. Then, each concoction was shaken with sugary syrups and factory-made pearls, and a cup would only set you back about $1.50. The bubble tea game has since improved tremendously, with more and more smaller-scaled BBT shops stepping up their game to compete with the bigger names. From specially sourced tea leaves to handshaken blends ensuring quality control, here are eight underrated bubble tea brands that promise to impress.
Image credit: @melleich
It’s no surprise why Tea Royal is famous among office ladies – they have osmanthus collagen jelly as one of their toppings! Plus, they only use ingredients like natural honey and steer clear from artificial syrups, which is great if you don’t like your drinks cloying. Beat the midday slump and order their addictive Brown Sugar Milk Tea ($3.20). Alternatively, if you’re a fan of cheese-topped teas, you will love their Imperial Pu Er Tea with Cheese Macchiato ($4.20), which uses 100% cheese and no salt.
Address: 1 Gopeng Street, #01-01, Carlton City Hotel, Singapore 078862
Opening hours: Daily 12am to 8pm
Tel: 9386 2975
Website
Image credit: @yuanchasingapore
Over at Yuan Cha, you can expect both quality and quantity. Serving over 40 different drinks on their menu, everything here is shaken by hand and made with tea blends specially sourced from Taiwan. Boost your metabolism with their series of unique fruit vinegar infusions such as Lime Vinegar Black ($4/$5), which delivers a sharp, acidic punch – an ideal palate cleanser after a greasy meal. For the less adventurous, stay safe and order the Grapefruit Alisan Tea ($3.60/$4.90), where the fruity nuances blend perfectly with the delicate tea.
Address: 14 Scotts Road, #01-39, Far East Plaza, Singapore 228213
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 9:30pm
Tel: 6769 1153
Website | Full list of outlets
Unlike most bubble tea stores, this Taiwanese outpost doesn’t see pearls as a mere afterthought. Instead, each of Playmade’s uniquely flavoured pearls are created to complement and elevate the flavour of the tea. Must-tries include their Orange Pulp Green Tea ($4.60/$6.20) with Pink Cactus Pearls ($0.80/$1.20). The latter is made from actual Taiwanese pink cactus which adds a delicate floral taste to the bittersweet beverage.
Check out our full review of Playmade!
Address: 10 Tampines Central 1, #01-59, Tampines 1, Singapore 529536
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: 9767 6099
Website
Image credit: U-Cha’s Facebook Page
Previously Hokkaido gelato shop Milkssimo, the creamier has since rebranded into bubble tea store, U-Cha. Unlike their counterparts, they have a rather limited menu, choosing to focus on simple creations that will allow the character of the tea to shine through. To make up for this is their selection of uncommon tea such as lychee black tea and sakura tea. Quantum energy water is also used to brew the tea instead of good ol’ boiled water to further bring out the teas’ unique taste. A must-try is the Hsinchu Peach Fresh Milk Tea which boasts delicate floral notes.
Address: 23 Serangoon Central, #02-13A, NEX, Singapore 556083
Opening hours: Daily 10:30am to 10:30pm
Website
Image credit: @sodcafesg
Have your tea fix without getting a caffeine buzz at this hidden gem. Free from caffeine as well as preservatives, the bubble tea at SOD Cafe is made with rooibos tea leaves sourced from South Africa and is high in antioxidants. Gather your friends and share a jug of SOD Milk Tea ($4.50). As shown in the photo above, the pearls and sugar syrup are served on the side, allowing you to tweak the sweetness to your liking.
Address: 51 Hougang Avenue 9, #01-03, Ci Yuan Community Centre, Singapore 538776
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6385 4026
Website
Full list of outlets
You will easily recognise this Taiwanese brand by their adorable leaf mascot. Brewed using tea leaves picked from the high mountains of Alishan, the teas at A-Gan Tea are highly aromatic and deliver a robust flavour. While their menu could be more extensive, the choices available are interesting and promise to cool you down in Singapore’s sweltering heat. My go-to options are their Winter Melon Lemon Tea ($3.20/$4.60) with Herbal Jelly ($0.70) and Roselle Honey Tea with aiyu-jelly ($3.20/$4.60) topped with basil seeds ($0.60) for added texture.
Address: 11 Orchard Road, #B2-06, Dhoby Ghaut MRT Station, Singapore 238826
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6835 9891
Website
Image credit: I Love Taimei’s Facebook Page
Best known for their delicious fried chicken and other Taiwanese street delights, I Love Taimei also doles out delicious bubble teas, including their Insta-worthy Aurora series. Inspired by the popular Dream Colour drinks sold in Xi Men Ding, the range adds butterfly pea flower tea into their drinks. Base on the complementing ingredient’s acidity, the tea changes colour, causing a beautiful gradient effect. For a fizzy pick-me-up, get Northern Light ($4.90), which comprises mango-flavoured Sprite, butterfly pea flower tea and mango pearls. But if you rather have something more tangy, Starry Night ($4.90) featuring lemon Yakult will be right up your alley.
Address: 52 Queen Street, #ABFL-21, Bugis Street, Singapore 188539
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Tel: 6338 7076
Website | Menu | Full list of outlets
Image credit: Teafolia’s Facebook Page
Better known for their all-natural signature fruit teas, Teafolia also dishes out a range of bubble tea using premium tea leaves. Crowd-favourites include their Berry Konjaco Stirring Milk ($4.50) with chewy konjac jelly and strawberry sauce. Fans of yam will enjoy the Taro Therapy Stirring Milk ($5.50) comprising chunky taro cubes and house-made caramel sauce.
Address: 311 New Upper Changi Road, #01-K1, Bedok Mall, Singapore 467360
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 10pm
Tel: 6786 6355
Website | Full list of outlets
The next time you’re craving for some bubble tea, be sure to support these smaller chains instead. Do share in the comments section below if you know of any quality, underrated bubble tea shop that’s not on our list!
Featured image is adapted from I Love Taimei’s Facebook photo.
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