Whether you’re Team Pearl Milk Tea or Team Cheese Tea, these are our absolute favourite bubble tea places in Hong Kong for a little refreshment.
Besides street food, bubble tea has become another quick grab-and-go staple in Hong Kong. Different from the traditional teas served in tea houses and herbal tea shops, boba is a sweet and modern spin-off. The addictively chewy elixir is born in Taiwanese night markets and is known for its overflow of customised toppings. With eclectic options everywhere, it’s time to experience Hong Kong’s bubble tea obsession. Bottoms up – let’s get your bubble on!
Where to get the best bubble tea in Hong Kong
1. Ten Ren’s Tea
With the aim to promote the art of Chinese tea, Ten Ren’s Tea offers a great variety of tea drinks. From regular hot and iced tea to its signature bubble milk tea, fruit tea, and teazers, the drinks come in plenty of flavours such as taro, sweet potato, green tea, and more. With reasonable pricing, consistent quality, and shops all across the city, we think Ten Ren’s Tea is one of the best bubble tea shops in Hong Kong.
Ten Ren’s Tea has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
2. Tiger Sugar
When it comes to the brown sugar boba game, Tiger Sugar is the name on everyone’s lips. This Taiwan-born brand, renowned for the iconic “tiger stripes” of caramel streaking down the cup, has made quite a roar in Hong Kong. Its standout is the brown sugar boba milk with cream mousse, loved for its toffee-like sweetness and chewy consistency of the pearls. But don’t stop at just that! Tiger Sugar lets you jazz up your drink with a range of add-ons like pudding, red beans, taro, and more. For those with dietary restrictions, there’s an option to swap fresh milk with Vitasoy. So, snap a pic for the ‘gram, give your Tiger Sugar drink a good shake, and savour that perfect blend of sweetness, creaminess, and chewiness.
Tiger Sugar has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
3. Silk
Silk, a relative newcomer to the Hong Kong bubble tea scene, has swiftly made its mark with a unique approach to brewing tea – hand-shaken, not stirred. Drawing inspiration from Hong Kong’s silk stocking milk tea tradition and Taiwanese hand-shaken beverages, Silk fuses global flavours like Sri Lankan black tea and Hong Kong evaporated milk to create a bubble tea that’s truly as smooth as silk. Keep an eye out for its popular “Smooth as Silk” series, featuring fan favourites like the Smooth King, a delightful blend of milk tea, brown sugar tapioca pearls, and rich cheese foam; and the Smooth Black, a texturally intriguing mix of boba pearls, black sugar agar crystals, and silky grass jelly. Bonus point: Silk even offers free “Puppiocas” for your furry friends!
Silk has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
4. The Alley
If you have a soft spot for all things sweet, The Alley is your haven. This Insta-famous bubble tea shop in Hong Kong has garnered a massive following with its unique fusion of cute and delicious. Its signature offering is the brown sugar Deerioca milk tea, topped with a generous dollop of jiggly pudding and chewy pearls. Yes, it’s a caloric delight, but who’s counting when it tastes so good? The secret to The Alley’s success lies in its house-made sugar cane syrup, adding a gentle sweetness that keeps fans coming back for more.
The Alley, Shop F, G/F, Alpha House, 27-33 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2157 9267
5. Heytea
HeyTea, the trailblazer of the cheese tea trend, is a must-try for any adventurous tea lover. Originating from Guangdong, China, this popular chain has taken the bubble tea to a whole new level by introducing a creamy and slightly salty cheese cap on top of their tea. Don’t worry if you’re a bit skeptical about mixing cheese with tea – HeyTea’s blend is surprisingly light and refreshing. And if you’re not quite ready to dive into cheese tea, they also offer classic bubble tea options and bubble tea ice cream.
Heytea has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
6. Gong Cha
If you’re a bubble tea aficionado, you’re likely no stranger to Gong Cha. Arguably one of the most popular spots for bubble tea not just in Hong Kong, but even outside of Asia, Gong Cha is a Taiwanese mega-chain that’s taken the globe by storm. Craving that salty-sweet contrast? Try the signature milk foam series. If traditional is more your style, you can’t go wrong with the Earl Grey Milk Tea. Health-conscious folks will appreciate options like the brown sugar ginger tea, while adventurous sippers might opt for creative blends like strawberry black tea. Don’t forget to customise your drink with a mix of fun toppings – tapioca pearls, aloe jellies, red beans, or even cornflakes!
Gong Cha has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
7. Coco
With a menu as diverse as your cravings, Coco is your go-to spot for everything from tea to coffee to juice. At the heart of Coco’s success is its commitment to freshness and creativity. Its drinks menu, featuring a wide range of options including fresh tea, milk tea, fruit tea, yoghurt drinks, coffee, slushies, and smoothies, are all crafted from seasonally harvested ingredients from around the world.
Coco has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
8. Sharetea
Sharetea is the place to go if you’re after a fresh and herbal-tasting bubble tea experience. This franchise has won hearts worldwide with its high-quality tea leaves and ingredients, all imported directly from Taiwan to ensure a consistent taste across its 450 stores in 18 countries. Sharetea’s boba has that ideal, bouncy texture that bubble tea lovers crave. While its classic pearl black milk tea is a firm favourite, don’t skip on the QQ Happy Family Milk Tea, loaded with extra pearls and pudding. If you’re in the mood for something light and refreshing, the fruit teas are a great choice. And for the cream lovers, the Creama Tea, topped with fresh cream, is a must-try. With bubble tea this good, you might find it hard to share your Sharetea!
Sharetea has multiple locations across Hong Kong.