Hern TanThe bubble tea craze is in full swing, and everyone seems to be adding bubble tea pearls to just about everything these days! From egg tarts to hotpots, here are some of the most unorthodox combinations we’ve come across in our search for the weirdest boba treat out there.
1. Boba Waffles
Image credit: StayReal Cafe
Back again to the birthplace of bubble tea, StayReal Cafe in Taipei has come up with a new way to enjoy your ice cream: Brown Sugar Bubble Tea Waffles (from NTD$220)! Infused with the unmistakable aroma of your favourite brown sugar milk tea, these waffles are then topped with a scoop of delightfully creamy vanilla, whipped cream, and finally the ubiquitous gooey black tapioca pearls. And the inventiveness of the Taiwanese doesn’t even stop here…
Where to get: StayReal Cafe by Gabee, No. 21, Lane 177, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan. Open from 11.00am to 9.00pm (Mon – Sun)
2. Boba Croissants
Image credit: BrotherBird
BrotherBird, a bakery located down by Lavender Street, has been churning out these unique, flakey pastries stuffed with a boba custard filling. With variations like the Taro Boba Milk Tea Croissant and the Brown Sugar Boba Milk Croissant (all S$5.00), chew on the bubble tea pearls, which are proudly made in-house, along with a mouthful of the buttery bounciness that comes from the mochi dough used to make the croissants. Don’t head down just yet though. These addictive snacks are only available on the weekends, and they only make a limited number, so the early bird really does get the worm here!
Where to get: Brotherbird Softserve Co., 32A Bali Lane, Singapore. Open from 12.00pm to 10.00pm (Wed – Mon), and 6.00am to 10.00pm (Tue).
3. Oolong Souffle Pancakes
Image credit: fluffstack
If you haven’t managed to sate your appetite for pancakes with a touch of boba with our last recommendation, look no further. Fluff Stack has what we think are a strong contender for the best boba pancakes out there with their Oolong Souffle Pancakes (S$8.80). While they do offer other flavours like mango and passionfruit and strawberry coulis, their bubble tea inspired dessert really stood out for us with its use of gula melaka boba pearls. The pearls almost seem to melt away in the mouth, remaining consistently chewy right down to the core, and the oolong creme anglaise just serves to heighten the experience with a distinct, strong tea flavor that lingers in the back of the tongue.
Where to get: Fluff Stack, Suntec City Mall #B1-K4. Opens from 11.00am to 10.00pm (Weekdays), and 10.00am to 10.00pm (Weekends)
4. Boba Pizza
Image credit: Dominos Taiwan
Now, this one is definitely not for the faint of heart. Piling starch on top of starch, the mad geniuses in Dominos Taiwan have come up with a very untraditional pizza. A normal cheese pizza with a smattering of brown sugar and boba pearls on the top, the pizza is described to be very ‘Q’, although some have remarked that they are left chewing on the pearls long after the pizza is gone. And you thought pineapple on pizza was bad enough?
Where to get: The Brown Sugar Boba Pizza (NT$199) is available from Dominos Taiwan as a takeaway.
5. Bubble Tea Toast
Image credit: Eighteen Chefs
Chewy pearls paired with a crisp, crumbly toast. Sounds like a substitute for jam gone wrong, eh? No, it’s Eighteen Chefs’ foray into the bubble tea…err…bubble. The students’ favourite restaurant offers two flavours of toast, Original Boba Toast (S$8.80) and Milo Boba Toast (S$9.80). So, how does it fare? I tried the plain boba option, and I was pleasantly surprised by the gelatinous texture of the warm pearls, giving a bit of oomph to the otherwise dry and crunchy toast. I might just consider this for my next breakfast routine.
Where to get: Available at all Eighteen Chef outlets islandwide.
6. Boba Souffle Pancakes & Brown Sugar Boba Soft Serve
Image credit: Gong Cha Singapore
These two offerings by Gong Cha are exclusive to their Causeway Point outlet, so it’ll be more for those who are willing to travel far and wide for some boba desserts. The Boba Souffle Pancakes (S$5.80) come with a generous side of cream and pearls. You can choose from two flavours of cream to top your jiggly stack. Finish off the guilty indulgence with a cup of Brown Sugar Boba Soft Serve (S$3.80) to beat the tropical heat!
Image credit: Gong Cha Singapore
Where to get: Gong Cha, Causeway Point 1, #02-K10. Pancakes are only available from 12.00pm to 9.00pm.
7. Alcoholic Bubble Tea
Image credit: HEYTEA
Now, most people reading this probably love their bubble tea. They also probably love their glass of booze. But how about both at once? HEYTEA is the purveyor of a whopping six flavours of the spruced up boba down at their Clarke Quay outlet, with two of the drinks – The Royal’s Romance (S$22.00) and the Scarlet Heart (S$16.00) – being exclusive to Singapore! Well, while not strictly being a boba dessert if you are more of a fan of the pearls than the bubble tea itself, it’s worth a shot (pun intended) if you’re in the area anyways!
Where to get: HEYTEA Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Road, #01-06. Open from 12.00pm to 1.00am (Mon – Sun).
8. Boba Thai Milk Tea Cake
Image credit: The Bakery Chef
If you are tired of all the black-tea-based bubble tea desserts, you could give the Boba Thai Milk Tea Cake (S$9.80) at The Bakery Chef a go. A variation of their renowned lava cakes, the Thai milk tea flavoured lava cream just oozes out when you sink your fork into the cake. And to top it off, the soft pearls go perfectly with the fluffy, almost cotton candy-esque texture of the cake.
Where to get: The Bakery Chef, Block 161 Bukit Merah Central, #01-3711. Open from 11.00am to 7.00pm (Weekdays), and 10.00am to 7.00pm (Weekends).
9. DIY Earl Grey Boba Sponge Cake
Image credit: FamilyMart Malaysia
Starting off this list is FamilyMart Malaysia with their DIY Bubble Earl Grey Sponge Cake (RM5.90). All you have to do is pick an earl-grey-flavored cake off the shelves, bring it to the cashier, and purchase the add on brown sugar bubble toppings (RM2.00). You can then pour the succulent pearls onto the cake yourself, and dig into the sweet treat. The warm bobas will turn the top layer into a delightful melted mix of brown sugar and cream, adding a pleasant texture to the cake.
Where to get: You can find them at any FamilyMart in Malaysia.
10. Boba Shaved Ice
Image credit: Ice Monster
Fluffy, almost snow-like shavings of actual frozen milk tea. A side of house-made soft tofu and a lavish helping of black-sugar-syrup coated warm boba pearls. Sounds like a fantasy? Ice Monster has brought that dream to life for you right in their store a short walk away from the Dongmen Station in Taipei! Their Bubble Milk Tea Sensation is a creamy, cold treat for the weary boba lover.
Where to get: Ice Monster, No. 2014, Section 2, Xinyi road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan. Take the train to Dongmen Station and exit via Exit 5. Open from 10.30am to 10.00pm (Mon – Sun)
11. Boba Egg Tarts
Image credit: Liang Liang Hao
Yes, this one might not seem that unfamiliar to you, given KFC’s recent limited edition brown sugar boba egg tarts, but now that those are off the menu, how would you satisfy your craving for the unusual goodie? Fly to Taiwan, of course! Liang Liang Hao has you covered with their boba-topped Portugese Egg Tarts (NTD$35). Enjoy the soft, custardy egg filling along with the oh-so-rubbery boba pearls, the sweetness of the two mixing to give you a buttery mouthful of goodness.
Where to try it: Liang Liang Hao, 1F, No. 12, Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei 110, Taiwan.
12. Bubble Tea Hotpot
Image credit: Spice World Hotpot
We saved the best (and the weirdest) for last with this entry! Spice World Hotpot is behind this far-out dish, giving your good old amalgamation of meat and veggies a very sweet twist. Replacing the boiling broth with matcha milk tea and a thick layer of frothy milk foam as the base, chocolate powder, mango flavoured pearls and even Oreo cookies are thrown into the mix! And you’re even given toppings ranging from the fitting, such as taro and nata de coco, to the questionable, with beef slices and mala bakkwa? Again, the Bubble Tea Hotpot (starting at S$32.90) is one for the adventurous soul, and it certainly makes for a unique experience… but don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Where to get: Spice World Hotpot, 3B River Valley Road, #01-06/07. Open from 10.30am to 4.00pm (Mon – Sun).
