Creamy, fragrant, and with Q-textured pearls—5 must-try "bubble teas" across Taiwan

Travel Center / General Report

When it comes to Taiwan’s most internationally renowned beverage, bubble tea is definitely at the top of the list. The chewy and bouncy tapioca pearls paired with creamy milk tea are delightful whether served hot or cold, instantly making you forget about the calories while filling you with happiness. According toOpenRicereports, we’ve gathered five iconic bubble tea shops from across northern, central, and southern Taiwan. Come take this pilgrimage with us and taste the most representative “bubble tea” in Taiwan.

▲ Mama Liao’s Bubble Tea. (Photo / Screenshot fromMama Liao’s Bubble Tea Exclusive ShopFacebook page)

KeelungMama Liao’s Bubble Tea Exclusive Shop
Located on the second floor near Keelung Railway Station, the small shop is often packed to the brim, making it a shared youthful memory for many Keelung students. Climbing up the steep stairs, you’ll find articles about Mama Liao, and the walls inside the shop are covered with thank-you notes from students. Even during the plasticizer scare a while back, Mama Liao remained on the safe list, which made students love her even more.

▲ Chen Sanding. (Photo / Reporter Li Wei)

TaipeiChen Sanding Black Sugar Tapioca Fresh Milk Specialty Shop
In Taipei’s Gongguan area, when it comes to drinks, Chen Sanding’s Frog Milk Tea is definitely not to be missed. Despite the long queues, everyone is here for this one drink. Well-known food shows and popular blogs have all featured Chen Sanding, making it a quite famous old shop in the Taipei area. The pearls, boiled in black sugar, have the perfect chewiness with a hint of sweetness, balanced nicely by the fresh milk.

▲ Sister Guo’s Tea House. (Photo / Green Factory)

TaichungSister Guo’s Tea House
Sister Guo’s Tea House, which operated in Tainan for over 20 years before relocating to Taichung, caused quite a stir upon opening in May—so much so that some waited up to five hours just to buy a drink. The shop’s signature sugar-free fresh milk bubble tea features tapioca pearls boiled in black sugar, then mixed with rich American fresh milk, without adding a single drop of water. You can taste the charred aroma of black sugar, the chewy texture of the pearls, and the creamy milk flavor—it’s absolutely divine.

▲ Queenny Kuimi. (Photo / Screenshot fromQueenny Kuimi. Bubble Tea Specialty ShopFacebook page)

TainanQueenny Kuimi Handmade Bubble Tea Specialty Shop
Specializing in pearl drinks made without artificial coloring, their white jade pearls are boiled in toffee, while their caramel pearls are made from Taiwanese black sugar and brown sugar, simmered for hours each day. These pearls are softer and only slightly chewy, unlike the typical firm kind. Both types of pearls have their fans, and when paired with black tea, oolong tea, or fresh milk, they offer a light, not overly sweet flavor.

▲ Huada Milk Tea. (Photo / Screenshot fromFar Eastern Department Store official website)

KaohsiungHuada Milk Tea
Established in 1982, the popular old-school drink shop Hua Da Milk Tea is a nostalgic part of Kaohsiung residents' upbringing. With multiple branches across Kaohsiung, its main store is located in Yancheng District and is a must-visit beverage spot for tourists. As a long-standing establishment, Hua Da insists on not using plastic film seals or adding ice cubes. Since each tea flavor comes with a fixed level of sweetness, customers cannot adjust the sweetness — choosing the tea means choosing the sweetness level. The signature Hua Da Milk Tea is on the sweeter side, with a rich tea aroma perfectly balanced by creamy milk flavor, resulting in a smooth and delightful taste. If you have the chance to visit Kaohsiung, be sure to try a cup and experience the classic taste of this beloved old shop!

Read more~ Highly recommended by netizens: 6 bubble teas in Taiwan that are guaranteed to be delicious

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