A quick guide to the quirky, TikTok and Insta famous drink from Taiwan that’s taking the region by storm.
What Is It?
Boba, Bubble Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, Tapioca Tea – whatever name you’ve heard it called, in it’s most basic form, the drink consists of black tea, milk, ice and chewy tapioca pearls all shaken together and served with the famously oversized straw.
What Does It Taste Like?
Sweet, refreshing and delicious with little popping balls that add a totally unique texture. Bubble Tea comes in many different flavours so you can pick and choose which you prefer.
How Do I Order?
• Choose your base (either milk or fruit)
• Pick your topping (usually popping bubbles or jelly chunks)
• Make it yours (adjust the sweetness & amount of ice/serve it hot or cold)
Where Can I Get It?
Below are a list of places we’ve visited to get our boba fix;
Bubble Cha, Newcastle
Address: 52 Stowell Street, NE1 4XQ
Opening Times: Daily from 11am until 8:30pm
Prices: from £3.20
Menu Highlight: Passion Fruit Tea
Our Thoughts: Located right in the heart of Newcastle’s China Town, Bubba Cha is our favourite place to grab a bubble tea – lovely staff, huge menu choice and excellent drinks
Website: http://www.bubble-cha.com
Bubble Ci-Tea, Gateshead
Address: Lower Red Mall, Metro Centre
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am – 7pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm
Prices: from £3.35
Menu Highlight: White Peach Fruit Tea
Our Thoughts: Disappointingly, every time we’ve visited, they haven’t had any boba
Website: https://bubblecitea.com/
Lucky Cat Boba, Sunderland
Address: Unit 1, Park Lane, SR1 3NX
Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 6pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm
Prices: from £3.50
Menu Highlight: Watermelon Fruit Tea
Our Thoughts: Lucky Cat Boba is Sunderlands only Bubble Tea shop, with canny staff and speedy service
Website: http://luckycatboba.com
Manhua Cha, Newcastle
Address: Unit 15, STACK
Opening Times: TBC
Prices: from £3.75
Menu Highlight: Their Daily Specials
Our Thoughts: As well as selling Boba, Manhua Cha have a great selection in their Sweet Shop section. They also offer Bubble Tea kits so you can make their drinks at home
Website: https://www.manhuacha.com/
Sing Tea Bubble Tea, Middlesbrough
Address:
Opening Times:
Prices:
Menu Highlight:
Our Thoughts:
Website:
Tealive, Newcastle
Address: 7 Nelson Street, NE1 5AN
Opening Times: Daily from 12 noon until 7pm
Prices: from £4
Menu Highlight: Mango Iced Tea
Our Thoughts: Lush little place but we have found service to be on the slow side so lots of queuing and waiting
Website: https://instagram.com/tealive.newcastle
Utepia Milk Tea, Durham
Address:
Opening Times:
Prices:
Menu Highlight:
Our Thoughts:
Website: https://utepia-tea.business.site/
Yi Fang, Newcastle
Address: 10A Northumberland Road, NE1 8JF
Opening Times: Daily from 12 noon until 8pm
Prices: from £4.15
Menu Highlight: Passion Fruit Green Tea
Our Thoughts:
Website: https://www.yifangtea.co.uk
Are you a bubble tea fan? Where’s your go-to place to visit to get those little popping balls? Let me know in the comments
North East Eats and Kids 