Growing up in Taiwan, I’ve basically lived on boba tea! With literally “thousands” of orders under my belt, I’ve seen the rise and fall of various brands and tried tons of different places. So, I’m here to share my insider knowledge with you.
Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea, and there are SO many amazing options to choose from. In this post, we’ll dive into the most popular chains, their special drinks, and what makes each place unique. There are literally thousands to choose from, but hopefully by the end of this post, I can help you find your own favorite tea shops in Taiwan you cannot wait to try!
Drink Like a Taiwanese
If you want to experience a local Taiwanese’s food culture, you cannot miss bubble tea. You think there are way too many convenience stores in Taiwan? Well, there’s even MORE bubble tea shops than that! There are more than 16,000 bubble tea shops in Taiwan and it is STILL GROWING! 40-50 news tea shops open per month and most of them are located in large cities. Every other million subscriber Youtuber in Taiwan is opening their own tea shop! I’m not even kidding!
Bubble tea is more than just a drink in Taiwan; it’s a beloved part of the culture. It’s a social activity, a way to cool down on a hot day, the most popular dessert after dinner and a constant source of new gossip and exciting flavors. Yes, we love to gossip about bubble tea. When a Taiwanese wants to grab a drink, know that they most likely are referring to bubble tea.
What Is “Bubble Tea”?
If you think this is a dumb question, you might be wrong.
Bubble tea started as a single drink. Also known as boba tea or pearl milk tea, it is a refreshing Taiwanese drink that’s become super popular worldwide. It’s made with tea (usually black or green), milk, and chewy tapioca balls called “boba” or “pearls” that you suck up with a wide straw.
But that is not what bubble tea is just about! This term is actually now used widely to refer to other drinks as well. Fruit teas with jelly, oolong teas with ice cream, mung bean slushies can all be called “bubble tea”.
The english term is not exact, but in Taiwan, there is a term is called “手搖飲” (shǒu yáo yǐn), which literally translates to “hand-shaken drink.” This name perfectly captures how it’s traditionally made: by shaking the ingredients vigorously in a sealed cup. Today, they are made with all sorts of food material and methods, but we still categorize them as “Shou Yao Yin 手搖飲” or its equivalent english name today “bubble tea”.
It’s hard to give a hard definition, but bubble tea shops usually don’t have seats, they provide sweet drinks in a sealed cup with a straw. Some common ingredients include tea, juice, milk with various soft chewy toppings like boba, jelly and more. You will know once you visit one, or two, or ten.
It’s hard to give a hard definition, but I will try my best. Bubble tea is a unique beverage experience that combines drinks and chewy toppings in a distinctive format. Typically served from specialized shops focused on takeaway service, these drinks come in sealed cups with wide straws designed to accommodate their signature toppings. The drinks themselves can range from traditional tea bases to fruit-infused beverages and creamy milk teas, customizable with an array of toppings like chewy boba pearls, fruit jellies, and puddings.
Now that you know the term like an expert, let me introduce you to some tasty bubble tea!
Local Favorites: The Most Popular Bubble Tea
Enough mumbling about the bobiology. We will start by introducing the top chains and their signature drinks. All backed by real numbers, their bubble tea market share in Taiwan!
No.1 50 Lan (Wushiland) 50嵐
📈 Market share 24.3％
Wushiland has been THE top bubble tea for more than three decades! And for good reasons. First, their prices are super friendly, while other shops have marched into the NT$80+ territory, you can still get your favorite at Wushiland for NT$50.
But the best part is their drinks are always delicious and consistent. No matter which 50Lan you go to, you can expect the same great taste. Their classic drinks are a memory for millions of Taiwanese including me. Here are some of their most loved drinks.
Top Selling Drinks at 50Lan
- 8冰綠 (8 Ice Green Tea): Fresh kumquats and house-made plum sauce create artistic swirls in crystal-clear green tea, forming a pattern resembling the number 8. The tea is brewed at the perfect temperature to maintain its clarity, while the fruits add layers of sweet, tart, and tangy notes.
- 1號四季春珍波椰 (No. 1 Four Seasons Spring with Pearls and Coconut Jelly): Premium Four Seasons Spring tea serves as a delicate base for a trio of toppings – chewy mini pearls, classic boba, and tender coconut jelly. Each topping brings its unique texture while the tea ties everything together with its subtle floral notes.
- 紅茶拿鐵 (Black Tea Latte): Premium Ceylon black tea is blended with fresh, creamy milk to create this classic comfort drink. The tea is brewed strong to maintain its robust character when combined with silky steamed milk, creating a perfect balance of tea and dairy. Want to learn more about black tea? We have a post about Sun Moon Lake Black Tea: All You Need To Know.
- 冰淇淋紅茶 (Ice Cream Black Tea): Smooth vanilla ice cream slowly melts into aromatic black tea, creating ever-changing layers of flavor. As the ice cream melts, it creates beautiful swirls while gradually transforming the tea into a creamy, indulgent treat.
- 烏龍拿鐵 (Oolong Latte): Partially oxidized oolong tea lends its subtle floral notes to creamy steamed milk, creating a sophisticated latte. The tea’s natural sweetness complements the milk’s richness, while optional toppings add customizable texture.
- 燕麥阿華田 (Oatmeal Ovaltine Latte): Warming Ovaltine meets creamy oatmeal in this comforting beverage inspired by southern Taiwanese traditions. The oatmeal adds a hearty texture and subtle nutty flavor to the classic chocolate-malt taste of Ovaltine.
- 混珠奶綠 (Mixed Pearl Milk Green Tea): Jasmine green tea and fresh milk create a light, refreshing base for a playful mix of mini and large pearls. Each sip offers a different combination of textures as the two pearl sizes dance together in the creamy tea.
- 波霸奶茶 (Boba Milk Tea): Fresh-cooked boba pearls with perfectly chewy “Q” texture swim in a rich blend of premium black tea and creamy milk. The pearls are soaked in brown sugar syrup to ensure each one carries its own hint of caramel sweetness. This is my personal favorite. I go to a store in Beitou super often. there are also tons of tasty food in Beitou.
- 多多綠 (多多 Green Tea): Crisp green tea meets the sweet-tangy flavor of Yakult, creating a unique probiotic refreshment. The combination balances the tea’s subtle grassiness with the cultured dairy drink’s signature tang.
- 旺來青 (Pineapple Green Tea): Sweet, juicy pineapple juice adds tropical flair to delicate green tea, creating a bright and invigorating combination. The tea’s subtle vegetal notes complement the fruit’s natural sweetness while maintaining its refreshing character.
No.2 Ching Shin Fu Chuan 清心福全
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 15.02%
Just like 50Lan, Ching Shin Fu Chuan is a super popular bubble tea shop that many people have loved for decades. It’s known for its wide variety of drinks and its affordable prices. Whether you like your tea sweet or less sweet, with lots of toppings or just a simple classic, Ching Shin Fu Chuan has something for everyone.
Top selling drinks at Ching Shin Fu Chuan
- 蜜桃凍紅茶 (Honey Peach Iced Tea): Premium black tea serves as a robust base for sweet, juicy peach chunks and tender aloe vera jelly. The peaches are carefully selected for ripeness, while the aloe adds a unique texture. A touch of honey enhances the natural sweetness and ties all flavors together.
- 隱藏版珍珠蜂蜜鮮奶普洱 (Hidden Menu Item- Pearl Pu-erh Honey Milk Tea): A sophisticated blend starting with aged Pu-erh tea that provides deep, earthy notes. Fresh milk and longan honey create a creamy sweetness, while house-made pearls add a satisfying chew. Each shop’s unique twist makes this secret menu item especially intriguing.
- 優多綠茶 (Yakult Green Tea): Delicate green tea mingles with the sweet-tart flavor of Yakult probiotic drink, creating a uniquely refreshing combination. The tea’s subtle grassiness perfectly balances the cultured dairy drink’s characteristic tang and creamy texture.
- 冬瓜檸檬 (Winter Melon Lemon): House-made winter melon syrup provides a subtle sweetness that complements fresh lemon juice’s bright acidity. The winter melon’s gentle flavor creates a sophisticated backdrop for the zesty citrus notes.
- 珍珠絲滑奶茶 (Pearl Hong Kong Style Milk Tea): A rich and creamy drink that starts with a strong base of Ceylon black tea and evaporated milk, which gives it that signature silky smooth texture and rich milky taste that Hong Kong milk tea is famous for.
- 烏龍綠茶 (Oolong Green Tea): Two premium teas combine to create a complex yet refreshing beverage. The oolong provides subtle toasted notes while the green tea adds brightness, resulting in a sophisticated and well-balanced drink.
- 鮮奶茶 (Fresh Milk Tea): Strong black tea is brewed to perfect strength, then combined with fresh, creamy milk. The tea is carefully selected to maintain its robust flavor even when mixed with milk, creating a rich and satisfying drink.
- 蜂蜜烏龍 (Honey Oolong Tea): Premium oolong tea’s natural floral notes are enhanced by pure honey, creating elegant layers of sweetness. The tea is brewed at precise temperatures to bring out its subtle complexity while the honey adds depth.
- 梅子綠茶 (Plum Green Tea): Sweet-sour plums are paired with crisp green tea, creating a perfect balance of flavors. The plums are marinated in-house to develop their complex sweet-tart profile while complementing the tea’s clean taste.
- 甘蔗菁茶 (Sugar Cane Green Tea): Fresh-pressed sugar cane juice adds natural sweetness to delicate green tea. The sugar cane’s subtle complexity enhances the tea’s light character, creating a refreshing drink that’s naturally sweet without being overwhelming.
No.3 Macu Tea 麻古茶坊
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 10.59％
If you love fruity and refreshing drinks, then you’re in for a treat! Macu Tea House started in Kaohsiung in 2008 and quickly became famous for its unique fruit tea drinks. Macu Tea House is famous for their instagram-worthy fruit teas, seasonal specials and popular cheese tea series.
Top Selling Drink at Macu Tea
- 楊枝甘露 2.0 (Mango Pomelo with Tea Jelly): Sweet, ripe mango ice creates a luxurious base for juicy pomelo segments and tender coconut jelly. The coconut milk adds rich creaminess, while green tea jelly provides a refreshing contrast. Each ingredient is carefully balanced to create this modern take on a Hong Kong classic.
- 芝芝葡萄果粒 (Cheese Grape with Pearls): Crushed sweet grapes are layered with whole grape pieces and springy green tea jelly, then topped with a cloud of rich cheese foam. The cheese foam adds a subtle saltiness that enhances the grapes’ natural sweetness, creating an intriguing sweet-savory balance.
- 葡萄果粒波波 (Grape Pearls): Fresh grape juice and chunks of sweet grapes combine with specially made grape-flavored boba. Each pearl is infused with real grape essence, creating a burst of fruit flavor that complements the fresh grapes and juice perfectly.
- 高山金萱 (High Mountain Jin Xuan): Premium Jin Xuan oolong tea leaves from Taiwan’s high mountain regions, like Alishan, are precisely brewed to release their signature milk-like sweetness. The careful processing preserves the tea’s delicate floral aroma and creamy texture.
- 芝芝金萱雙Q (Cheese Jin Xuan with Boba and Coconut Jelly): Floral Jin Xuan tea provides an elegant base for chewy boba and tender coconut jelly. A crown of velvety cheese foam adds richness, while the dual Q textures create an exciting drinking experience.
- 柳橙果粒茶 (Orange Fruit Tea): Fresh orange segments and sweet orange juice are combined with crisp green tea. The tea’s subtle grassiness complements the bright citrus notes, while real fruit pieces provide bursts of natural sweetness.
- 百香雙Q果 (Passion Fruit Double Q): Tropical passion fruit and fresh orange juice create a vibrant base for springy boba and smooth coconut jelly. The green tea adds depth while maintaining the drink’s refreshing character.
- 翡翠柳橙 (Emerald Orange): Premium green tea meets fresh orange juice in this simple yet refined combination. The tea is brewed to maintain its emerald color and delicate flavor, while the orange adds bright citrus notes.
- 波霸紅茶拿鐵 (Boba Milk Tea): Strong black tea and fresh milk create a creamy foundation for perfectly chewy boba pearls. Each pearl is cooked to precise “Q” texture and soaked in brown sugar syrup for added sweetness.
- 蜜桃奶茶 (Peach Milk Tea): Sweet peach essence infuses rich milk tea with fruity brightness. The black tea base is brewed strong enough to stand up to both the milk and peach flavors, creating a harmonious blend of fruit and cream.
Taiwan is truly a foodie’s paradise, come learn more about the top beef noodle soup, braised pork rice and sushi?
No.4 Kebuke Tea Co. 可不可熟成紅茶
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 9.04％
Kebuke is this really cool tea shop that makes you feel like you’re stepping back in time! With its vintage-style decor, Kebuke Tea Co. has been brewing up delicious drinks since 2008. They’re famous for their pure teas like the Aged Black Tea, Spring Bud Cold Brew, and Blush Black Tea. These drinks are so good that people come from all over just to try them!
Top Selling Drinks at Kebuke Tea Co
- 熟成紅茶 (Aged Black Tea): Premium black tea leaves are carefully aged to develop complex fruity and malty notes. The aging process creates deeper flavors while maintaining the tea’s smooth character, resulting in a rich cup with natural sweetness and subtle honey undertones.
- 烏米紅茶 (Rice Tea): A sophisticated blend combining robust black tea with rice-scented oolong creates an intriguing fusion of flavors. The roasted rice adds warm, nutty notes that complement the tea’s natural maltiness, while the oolong provides subtle floral undertones.
- 春芽冷露 (Spring Bud Cold Brew): Tender spring tea buds are cold-brewed with winter melon essence to create a crisp, refreshing beverage. The slow brewing process preserves the tea’s delicate sweetness while adding subtle melon notes.
- 柚果紅茶 (Grapefruit Tea): Juicy grapefruit segments and mixed berries infuse floral black tea with bright citrus notes. The fruit’s natural tartness is balanced by the tea’s smooth character, creating a refreshing and complex flavor profile.
- 胭脂紅茶 (Blush Red Tea): Delicate black tea is enhanced with subtle notes of peach, rose, and jasmine to create an elegant, layered flavor profile. Each sip reveals different floral notes while maintaining the tea’s refined character.
- 胭脂多多 (Blush Yakult): The floral notes of blush red tea combine with the sweet-tart flavor of Yakult, creating a unique probiotic refreshment. The tea’s subtle complexity complements the cultured dairy drink’s signature tanginess.
- 橘果熟成 (Citrus Aged Tea): Aged black tea provides a sophisticated base for fresh citrus fruits. The tea’s developed character adds depth to the bright citrus notes, while maintaining a perfect balance between sweet and tangy flavors.
- 白玉歐蕾 (Pearl Oolong Latte): Smooth oolong tea meets fresh cream and chewy tapioca pearls in this satisfying beverage. The pearls are cooked to perfect “Q” texture while the tea’s natural sweetness complements the rich dairy notes.
- 金蜜歐蕾 (Honey Oolong Latte): Premium oolong tea is combined with fresh milk and pure honey to create a luxurious latte. The honey enhances the tea’s natural floral notes while adding subtle sweetness to the creamy base.
- 雲蓋胭脂 (Cloud Cover Blush): Fragrant blush red tea is topped with a delicate layer of house-made organic rose sauce. The floral notes of both elements create a harmonious blend while maintaining distinct layers of flavor.
No.5 Milksha/Milkshop 迷客夏
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 7.79%
Milksha, recently renamed from Milkshop, is famous for its fresh milk tea. They use pure water and the finest tea leaves to make their drinks taste amazing. Their milk-based drinks are a must-try! You’ll love their green store design and their catchy slogan, “We raise cows for you,” which highlights their use of natural ingredients.
Top Selling Drinks at Milksha
- 珍珠紅茶拿鐵 (Pearl Black Tea Latte): Premium Assam black tea creates a robust base for fresh, creamy milk and perfectly chewy tapioca pearls. The tea is brewed strong to maintain its character, while the pearls are cooked fresh throughout the day and soaked in brown sugar syrup for extra sweetness.
- 焙香決明大麥 (Roasted Barley Tea): Carefully roasted barley grains create a deep amber brew with toasted notes and subtle caramel undertones. The long roasting process develops complex flavors while maintaining a clean, refreshing finish that’s naturally caffeine-free.
- 娜杯紅茶拿鐵 (Na Bei Black Tea Latte): Special Na Bei black tea, known for its smooth character and subtle fruit notes, is combined with silky steamed milk. The tea’s natural sweetness complements the creamy milk perfectly, creating a refined latte experience.
- 手感芋圓芋泥鮮奶 (Handmade Taro Ball Taro Milk): Real taro root is carefully prepared into both smooth paste and chewy balls, then combined with fresh milk. Each taro ball is handcrafted to achieve the perfect texture, while the taro paste adds rich, natural sweetness.
- 青檸香茶 (Lime Green Tea): Fresh lime juice brightens delicate green tea, creating a perfectly balanced refreshment. The tea is shaken to create a light froth, releasing the aromatic oils from both the tea and lime for maximum flavor.
- KUMO 琥珀烏龍 (KUMO Amber Oolong): Premium amber oolong tea provides a honey-colored base for a signature cloud-like cream topping. The partially oxidized tea offers natural sweetness that complements the rich, creamy foam.
- 手炒黑糖鮮奶 (Hand-cooked Brown Sugar Milk): Raw brown sugar is carefully caramelized by hand until it develops deep toffee notes, then combined with fresh milk. The slow cooking process creates complex caramel flavors that perfectly complement the milk’s richness.
- 雙Q琥珀烏龍拿鐵 (Double Q Amber Oolong Latte): Smooth amber oolong tea and fresh milk create a sophisticated base for two types of chewy toppings – classic boba and tapioca pearls. Each topping adds its own unique texture to this satisfying drink.
- 柳丁綠茶 (Orange Green Tea): Bright orange juice adds natural sweetness to crisp green tea, creating a refreshing combination. The tea’s subtle grassiness perfectly complements the citrus notes, while maintaining its light and clean character.
- 香柚綠茶 (Grapefruit Green Tea): Fresh grapefruit juice brings tart brightness to delicate green tea, creating a sophisticated and refreshing blend. The citrus notes enhance the tea’s natural character while adding a pleasant complexity to each sip.
No. 6 CoCo Tea 都可
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 5.69％
CoCo is a popular bubble tea shop known for its affordable prices and sweet delicious drinks. They are one of the most successful chains internationally. With thousands of stores all over asian, North America, and more.
Top Selling Drinks at CoCo Tea
- 百香雙響炮 (Passion Fruit Double Bang): CoCo’s most popular drink! This refreshing beverage features a tangy passion fruit base with chewy tapioca pearls and coconut jelly. The combination of sweet, sour, and chewy textures makes it a fan favorite.
- 珍珠奶茶 (Pearl Milk Tea): A Taiwanese icon! This classic beverage combines chewy tapioca pearls with aromatic milk tea for a truly satisfying experience.
- 奶茶三兄弟 (Three Brothers Milk Tea): This chewy and satisfying drink is a crowd-pleaser. It features a rich and creamy milk tea base with three classic toppings: pudding, grass jelly, and tapioca pearls.
- 四季珍椰青 (Four Seasons Coconut Green Tea): Indulge in the perfect combination of textures with this drink. It features a fragrant Four Seasons Spring tea base, chewy tapioca pearls, and coconut jelly for a satisfying and refreshing experience.
- 葡萄柚果粒茶 (Grapefruit Green Tea): Packed with juicy grapefruit chunks, this refreshing beverage is a perfect pick-me-up. The sweet and tart grapefruit perfectly complements the smooth green tea base.
- 檸檬奇遇桔 (Lemon, Kumquat, and Chia Adventure): Lemon lovers, rejoice! This drink is a delightful blend of sweet and sour flavors. It features lemons, kumquats, chia seeds, and a touch of umeboshi plum for a unique and refreshing taste. The chia seeds add a satisfying texture and nutritional benefits.
- 綠茶養樂多 (Green Tea Yakult): A favorite among Yakult fans! This drink features a generous amount of Yakult mixed with green tea for a tangy and refreshing taste. It’s a great choice for those who love a slightly sour and sweet beverage.
- 百香綠茶 (Passion Fruit Green Tea): A timeless classic! This simple yet refreshing drink blends the tartness of passion fruit with the aromatic notes of jasmine green tea. It’s a versatile option that pairs well with both savory and sweet foods.
- QQ奶茶 (QQ Milk Tea): Satisfy your chewy cravings with this QQ Milk Tea. Featuring homemade tapioca balls and sweet potato balls made from high-quality ingredients, this drink offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors. Perfect for cold or warm weather.
- 莓果派對 (Berry Party): A seasonal treat for strawberry lovers! This drink combines a refreshing green tea base with a sweet and tangy homemade berry sauce and fresh lemon slices. The burst of fruit and citrus makes it a perfect refresher.
No. 7 Tea & Magic Hand 茶的魔手
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 4.05％
Tea & Magic Hand is a very popular bubble tea shop, especially in southern Taiwan like Tainan and Kaohsiung. It’s so popular, people call it the “bubble tea king of the south”!
Top Selling Drinks at Tea & Magic Hand
- 黑糖竹薑 (Black Sugar Ginger): This winter warmer combines handmade black sugar syrup with fresh ginger root for the perfect balance of sweet and heat. The ginger is slow-cooked to extract maximum flavor, while the black sugar adds rich caramel notes.
- 伯爵鮮奶茶 (Earl Grey Milk Tea): A classic combination of premium Earl Grey tea with rich fresh milk, creating a sophisticated flavor profile. The bergamot oil adds a subtle floral fragrance that elevates this drink beyond a simple milk tea.
- 黑糖珍珠歐蕾 (Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea): Fresh tapioca pearls swim in creamy milk tea sweetened with house-made black sugar syrup. The pearls are cooked fresh daily and soaked in warm brown sugar syrup for that perfect caramel sweetness.
- 巧克力生乳拿鐵 (Chocolate Milk Latte): Premium cocoa meets velvety steamed fresh milk in this decadent drink. The milk is steamed to create a silky microfoam that adds a luxurious mouthfeel to every sip.
- 阿華田 (Ovaltine): This nostalgic favorite combines cocoa and malt for a comforting classic drink. The unique Ovaltine formula is prepared with hot milk for a rich and creamy texture that’s perfect for cold days.
- 超級青茶 (Super Green Tea): Made with premium Taiwanese tea leaves harvested at their peak and brewed with precision. The result is a clean, crisp flavor with just a hint of natural sweetness.
- 波霸奶茶 (Boba Milk Tea): Fresh boba pearls with the perfect “Q” texture complement a smooth and creamy milk tea blend. The tea is brewed strong to maintain its full-bodied flavor even when iced.
- 青梅青茶 (Plum Green Tea): Fresh green plums and premium green tea create a balanced sweet-tart profile. The plums are carefully selected for ripeness and macerated to release their natural flavors.
- 藍莓凍奶 (Blueberry Milk): House-made blueberry jelly with real fruit pieces blended into fresh, creamy milk. Each sip offers a perfect balance of sweet berries and smooth dairy.
- 山楂烏龍 (Hawthorn Oolong): Premium oolong tea meets sweet-tart hawthorn for a unique and refreshing combination. The partially oxidized tea’s natural fruity notes complement the bright hawthorn perfectly.
No. 8 Unocha 烏弄
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 3.07％
Unocha, a popular tea shop from Kaohsiung, focuses on using high-quality, natural tea leaves. They minimize added sugars and prioritize the pure taste of the tea. Many of their unique toppings, like almond jelly and osmanthus jelly, add a refreshing touch. Unocha has carved a niche for itself in the Taiwanese beverage market with its commitment to using high-quality, natural tea leaves.
Top Selling Drinks at Unocha
- 旺來紅玉 (Pineapple Red Jade): Sweet golden pineapple chunks mingle with premium red jade tea, creating a perfect balance of tropical fruit and floral notes. The tea is carefully brewed to maintain its distinctive honey-like sweetness, while fresh pineapple adds a bright, refreshing tang to every sip.
- 可可脆片朵朵 (Cocoa Crisp Delight): A decadent creation featuring layers of rich chocolate goodness – velvety cocoa cheese foam crowns a smooth chocolate blend, while chocolate crisps add delightful texture. Each element is carefully crafted to create the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream drink.
- 蜜桑椹鮮奶 (Sweet Mulberry Milk): Fresh mulberries are gently crushed to release their unique sweet-tart flavor, then blended with creamy fresh milk. The deep purple berries create beautiful swirls throughout the drink, while providing a perfectly balanced fruity sweetness.
- 杏仁凍冬片仔 (Almond Jelly Winter Fragrant): Delicate winter-harvested tea meets silky house-made almond jelly in this refined beverage. The light, floral notes of the tea complement the subtle nuttiness of the jelly, creating a sophisticated harmony of flavors.
- 桂花凍胭脂紅玉 (Osmanthus Jelly Red Jade): Premium red jade tea is enhanced with delicate osmanthus jelly, creating an elegant flavor profile. The tea’s natural honey notes pair beautifully with the sweet floral fragrance of osmanthus, while the jelly adds a pleasing texture.
- 二七仔烏龍 (Erqi Oolong): A traditional favorite featuring carefully selected oolong tea leaves that are partially oxidized to bring out their natural complexity. The result is a smooth, aromatic brew with subtle floral notes and a gentle sweetness that lingers.
- 民間鄉冬片仔+桂花凍 (Minjianxiang Winter Fragrant + Osmanthus Jelly): Winter-harvested tea leaves provide a clean, crisp base for fragrant osmanthus jelly. The late-season tea has a naturally sweet character that pairs perfectly with the delicate floral notes of the jelly.
- 粉珍桂紅茶拿鐵 (Pearl, Osmanthus, and Black Tea Latte): A luxurious combination of strong black tea and creamy milk, elevated with chewy pearls and aromatic osmanthus jelly. Each sip offers a delightful mix of textures and a perfect balance of tea and floral notes.
- 旺萊桂花凍 (Pineapple Osmanthus Jelly): Juicy pineapple pieces and delicate osmanthus jelly create a tropical-floral fusion that’s both refreshing and elegant. The sweet pineapple provides a bright contrast to the subtle floral notes of the osmanthus jelly.
- 十八胭脂紅玉 (Shiba Yinzhi Red Jade): A premium red jade tea known for its rich, full-bodied character and natural sweetness. The carefully controlled brewing process brings out the tea’s distinctive honey-like notes and subtle floral undertones.
No.9 A Nice Holiday Tea 一沐日
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 2.42％
A Nice Holiday Tea, a popular Taiwanese beverage chain, has taken the nation by storm with its unique and refreshing drinks. The chain is known for its innovative topping 粉粿 Fengui, a chewy Taiwanese rice cake.
Top Selling Drinks at A Nice Holiday Tea
- 油切蕎麥茶＋粉粿 (Oil-Cut Buckwheat Tea with Fengui): Roasted buckwheat tea offers a rich, nutty flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying. The addition of chewy fengui adds a delightful texture contrast, while the tea is known for its digestive properties, making it a perfect after-meal drink.
- 黃金蕎麥拿鐵 (Golden Buckwheat Latte): Fresh milk is steamed to silky perfection and combined with roasted buckwheat tea, creating a creamy, nutty beverage. The natural sweetness of the milk enhances the toasted notes of the buckwheat, while maintaining a light and refreshing character.
- 荔枝烏龍 (Lychee Oolong Tea): Premium oolong tea is infused with the sweet, floral essence of fresh lychee fruit. The natural honey notes of the oolong perfectly complement the delicate lychee fragrance, creating a sophisticated and refreshing combination.
- 逮丸奶茶 (Taiwanese Style Milk Tea): Traditional Taiwanese wormwood adds a unique herbal depth to classic milk tea. This distinctive combination creates a complex flavor profile that balances the creamy sweetness of milk tea with subtle earthy notes.
- 粉粿桂花檸檬 (Fengui Osmanthus Lemon): Chewy fengui pearls swim in a refreshing blend of fragrant osmanthus and zesty lemon. The floral sweetness of osmanthus perfectly balances the bright citrus notes, while the fengui adds a satisfying bounce to each sip.
- 粉粿黑糖檸檬 (Fengui Brown Sugar Lemon): House-made brown sugar syrup adds rich caramel notes to fresh lemon juice, creating a perfect sweet-tart balance. The chewy fengui pearls soak up the flavors while adding a satisfying texture to this refreshing drink.
- 奶蓋招牌紅茶 (Milk Foam Signature Black Tea): A thick layer of creamy milk foam crowns our signature black tea, creating a luxurious drinking experience. The foam is whipped to silky perfection and seasoned with a hint of salt to enhance the tea’s natural sweetness.
- 招牌紅拿鐵＋粉粿 (Signature Red Latte with Fengui): Premium red tea is combined with steamed fresh milk to create a smooth, creamy latte. The addition of bouncy fengui pearls transforms this classic drink into a textural adventure.
- 雙粉奶茶 (Double Powder Milk Tea): This texture lover’s dream features both chewy boba pearls and bouncy fengui in creamy milk tea. Each pearl type brings its own unique “Q” texture, creating an exciting drinking experience with every sip.
- 極黑芝麻奶茶 (Extreme Black Sesame Milk Tea): Fresh-ground black sesame creates an intensely rich and nutty profile that’s perfectly balanced with creamy milk tea. The result is a comforting beverage that showcases the deep, roasted flavor of premium sesame.
No.10 Guiji 龜記
🌐 Website
📈 Market share 2.34％
Gui Ji has gained a loyal following for its refreshing fruit teas and carefully selected tea blends. With a focus on using high-quality ingredients and traditional brewing techniques, Gui Ji has become a go-to destination for tea lovers.
Top Selling Drinks at Gui Ji
- 紅柚翡翠 (Red Grapefruit Green Tea): Juicy red grapefruit segments are paired with premium jasmine green tea, creating a perfect balance of citrus and floral notes. The tea is brewed at precise temperatures to maintain its delicate flavor, while fresh grapefruit adds a bright, natural sweetness and subtle tartness.
- 蘋果紅萱 (Apple Red Sun Tea): Crisp apple pieces are infused with aromatic red sun tea, creating a naturally sweet and complex flavor profile. The tea’s gentle warmth brings out the apple’s natural sweetness, while maintaining its refreshing character and adding subtle floral undertones.
- 蜜桃烏龍 (Peach Oolong Tea): Sweet, ripe peaches complement the natural floral notes of premium oolong tea, creating a delicate pink-hued beverage. The partially oxidized oolong provides a smooth base that enhances the peach’s natural sweetness without overwhelming it.
- 碎銀普洱奶茶 (Shredded Silver Pu-erh Milk Tea): Aged silver needle pu-erh tea meets creamy fresh milk in this sophisticated blend. The tea’s deep, earthy notes create a complex foundation, while the milk adds a silky smoothness that balances the robust tea flavors.
- 花沫烏龍 (Flower Mist Oolong): Carefully selected oolong tea leaves are enhanced with a delicate floral essence, creating an ethereal drinking experience. The tea’s natural honey notes intertwine with subtle flower aromatics, producing a sophisticated and balanced brew.
- 蜂蜜四季春 (Honey Four Seasons Spring): Premium Four Seasons Spring tea is paired with pure honey, enhancing its natural sweetness and floral character. The honey adds depth without overwhelming the tea’s delicate profile, creating a perfectly balanced beverage.
- 旺梨四季春 (Pineapple Four Seasons Spring): Fresh pineapple juice brings tropical brightness to the floral notes of Four Seasons Spring tea. The tea’s subtle sweetness complements the fruit’s natural tang, while maintaining its refreshing character.
- 三韻奶茶 (Three Rhymes Milk Tea): A harmonious blend of three distinct tea varieties creates a complex base for this creamy milk tea. Each tea contributes its unique character – floral, fruity, and woody notes – resulting in a sophisticated flavor profile.
- 紅烏鮮乳茶＋珍珠 (Red Ruby Milk Tea with Pearls): Premium red ruby tea is combined with fresh milk and chewy tapioca pearls for a multifaceted drinking experience. The tea’s robust flavor stands up beautifully to the creamy milk, while the pearls add a satisfying bounce.
- 香柚雷夢綠 (Yuzu Lemon Green Tea): Fragrant yuzu and bright lemon create a citrus duo that perfectly complements the clean taste of green tea. Fresh aloe vera adds a subtle sweetness and interesting texture, while the citrus notes create a refreshing finish.
Author’s Special Recommendations
Best Brown Sugar Boba: Truedan 珍煮丹
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This incredible bubble tea brand that started from a humble night market stall in Taipei’s Shilin district back in 2010! What makes this relatively new chain special is their absolute dedication to perfecting their brown sugar pearls – we’re talking about precisely 0.85cm chewy boba pearls that are infused with house-made brown sugar syrup. Their signature Brown Sugar Pearl Fresh Milk took Taiwan by storm, and for good reason!
Instead of using artificial flavors or colors like many others, they stick to the real deal – hand-stir-frying their brown sugar and carefully cooking each batch of pearls to achieve that perfect texture. And don’t even get me started on their Brown Sugar Pearl Thick Fresh Milk – it’s their classic drink topped with a dreamy layer of French-style cream that takes the whole experience to another level. If you’re trying it for the first time, definitely go for at least 30% sweetness to get the full brown sugar aroma. Trust me, one sip and you’ll understand why people all over Taiwan can’t get enough of it!
Best Tea: Ten Ren Tea 天仁茗茶
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If you’re really into authentic Chinese tea and not just sweet tea, you’ve got to check out Ten Ren Tea (天仁茗茶). Rather than a bubble tea shop, they started as a tea merchandise. These folks have been masters of their craft since 1953, and they’re especially famous for their incredible oolong teas. What makes them special is their obsession with quality – they’re super particular about selecting the perfect tea leaves from pristine mountain regions and processing them just right to bring out those complex flavors. Their King’s Tea series is basically the Rolls-Royce of teas – it’s what real tea should taste like.
They have a store at 101, check out our post to learn about where to find tasty food in Taipei 101.
Origin of Boba: Chun Shui Tang
Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) has been claiming to be the legendary birthplace of bubble tea! Back in 1987, founder Liu Han-Chieh had this brilliant idea at their Taichung teahouse to serve traditional Chinese tea cold, inspired by Japanese iced coffee. But the real magic happened when his product development manager, Lin Hsiu Hui, playfully dumped her tapioca pudding into her iced tea during a staff meeting – and just like that, bubble tea was born!
If you want to visit Chun Shui Tang, they have a store near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
They perfected their recipe using premium tea leaves, carefully crafted tapioca pearls (which they insist on serving within three hours for the perfect chewiness), and just the right touch of golden cane sugar to enhance the tea’s natural flavors. What’s really cool is how they stick to their guns about quality – no artificial flavors or preservatives, just pure, natural ingredients. Today, Chun Shui Tang isn’t just a teahouse or restaurant, it’s a piece of bubble tea history where you can taste the original recipe that sparked a global phenomenon.
That is a lot of information, but I hope you are excited to try one of these recommendations. Bubble tea is probably one of the most iconic culture of Taiwan and we would like to share this with everyone. No matter what preference you have, you can definitely find one bubble tea shop (out of the 16,000) in Taiwan you love.
If you love our food posts, check out our local’s guide to What to Eat in different areas of Taiwan! See you in other posts!
