Most of us would agree that if there’s one thing we’ve been missing as our work companion now that we’re still under quarantine, it’s milk tea. Perhaps aside from coffee, nothing can take our stress away better than a simple cup of milk tea with round, chewable tapioca pearls.
Thankfully, a few branches in Metro Manila listened to our longing by opening their stores for delivery as well as take-out. Don’t miss your boba tea anymore – here are 10 milk tea shops around the metro that have recently opened select branches so we can get our cravings satisfied while at home.
Table of Contents
Cheesecake and Pearl Milk Tea
Image credit: @ilovephotograph_y
Our favorite milk tea brand from the Vegas of China has thankfully opened its doors to us while we’re all under quarantine. Macao Imperial Tea is one of the few exemptions in the milk tea scene in the country populated by Taiwanese brands, unique for its origin and for infusing jasmine tea with milk, pearls, and swirls of cheese.
Image credit: @macaoimperialteaph
We are sure you’ve missed their classic Cheesecake and Pearl Milk Tea (P120, ~USD2.37, 16oz; P140, ~USD2.77, 23 oz), a unique combination usually only found in Macao.
Available for delivery via: Foodpanda, GrabFood, LalaFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
Purple Potato Latte
Image credit: @iloveserenitea
Credited for starting the milk tea trend in the Philippines in 2008, Serenitea wouldn’t pass up the chance of serving us our favorite pearls even during these times.
You might wanna try their newest flavors now if you’re used to their Winter Melon or Okinawa milk teas. The Purple Potato Latte (P150, ~USD2.96) is a sophisticated mix of coconut milk and purple sweet potato filled with cheese frost, topped off with butter cheese flakes.
Cookie Supreme Matcha
Image credit: @f7community
The Cookie Supreme Matcha (P175, ~USD3.46, medium; P190, ~USD3.75, large) from their Cookie Brulee series, is the dream beverage of matcha and cookie lovers. The matcha-flavored milk tea base mixed with Creme Brulee custard is finished off with cookie crumbles for an added crunch.
Available for delivery via: LalaFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
Image credit: @cutieada
When making your first order from The Alley, which hails from Taiwan, try its signature Brown Sugar Deerioca Series made with the brand’s own sugarcane syrup and tapioca bubbles.
And since they’re new to the country, you gotta try the star of the series. The Brown Sugar Deerioca Milk (P120, ~USD2.37) is a refreshing blend of milk tea flavored with classic thick brown sugar syrup and Deerioca pearls made by hand.
Image credit: @thealleyphilippinesofficial
Available for delivery via: Foodpanda, LalaFood
Branch open for delivery and take-out services: Eastwood Citywalk, Quezon City, 11AM-7PM
Dakasi Bubble Milk Tea (left), Creme Hokkaido (right)
Image credit: @dakasiph
You wouldn’t go wrong with Dakasi, a long-standing Taiwanese brand in the local scene known for their creamy take on the popular beverage. Their Creme Hokkaido (P150, ~USD2.96), for instance, is a velvety concoction of brown sugar syrup, cookie bits, cheese, and milk that melts on the palate.
But if you just need a no-frills drink, Dakasi will fulfill your cravings with their classic Dakasi Bubble Milk Tea (P110, ~USD2.17, regular; P120, ~USD2.37, large).
Available for delivery via: Foodpanda, GrabFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
Image credit: @tokyobubbletea
For a dose of Japanese, opt for Tokyo Bubble Tea, a homegrown shop known for their milk tea topped with thick Japanese cheesecake cream.
Their bestsellers from their Japanese cheesecake cream series are the Taro (P135, ~USD2.67, medium; P145,~USD2.87, large), Strawberry (P125, ~USD2.47, medium; P135, ~USD2.67, large), and Matcha (P125, ~USD2.47, medium; P135, ~USD2.67, large) drinks that are minimalist kawaii in packaging, but rich in taste.
Available for delivery via: GrabFood, LalaFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
Image credit: @tigersugarphilippines
Tiger Sugar is a young milk tea brand launched in Taiwan just in 2017, but it quickly found its devoted fans in the Philippines after reaching our shores in 2018. We won’t wonder why, because its signature brown sugar milk drink is indeed an Instagrammable sight.
Get your sugar high with their Brown Sugar Boba Milk with Cream Mousse (P120, ~USD2.37), coated in brown sugar and milky streaks resembling a tiger’s stripes – hence the name Tiger Sugar.
Available for delivery via: GrabFood, LalaFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
House Special Milk Winter Melon
Image credit: @cathleen.chew
Of course, Gong Cha, one of the PH’s long-standing milk tea brands, would find a way to us during these times. They are known for their refreshing winter melon milk tea in their House Special Milk Winter Melon (P95, ~USD1.88, medium; P105, ~USD2.08), winter melon tea topped with thick milk cream, and Winter Melon Milk (P90, ~USD1.78, medium; P105, ~USD2.08 large), a blend of milk and tea.
Image credit: @gongchaphils
Available for delivery via: Foodpanda, GrabFood, LalaFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
Panda Milk Tea
Image adapted from: @cocoteaph
If you miss your dose of Coco pearls, long no more as the milk tea shop with record-breaking queues knows its fans too well, opening select stores for delivery and take-out. Get your fix of the ultimate Coco drink in the Panda Milk Tea (P90, ~USD1.78, regular; P100, ~USD1.98, large) combining the best of both worlds in white and black pearls.
Available for delivery via: LalaFood
For a list of branches open for delivery and take-out, click here.
Yi Fang Fruit Tea (left), Winter Lemon Lemonade (center), Brown Sugar Pearl Latte (right)
Image credit: @yifangteaph
For those who prefer a lighter drink , Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea is here to serve us with our dose of fresh beverages with natural sugars. They are known for their fruit teas such as the Yi Fang Fruit Tea (P120, ~USD2.37, medium; P140, ~USD2.76, large), a jade tea infused with slices of pineapple, sweet passion fruit, apple, and orange.
Winter Melon Lemonade (P95, ~USD1.88, medium; P110, ~USD2.17,large) is also a must-try fruit tea, combining our beloved winter melon with lemon juice.
Image credit: @yifangteaph
Available for delivery via: Foodpanda, GrabFood, LalaFood
Branch open for delivery and take-out services: Yi Fang Tomas Morato, 10AM-6PM
Cha Yen
Image credit: @ianthebrave
Joining the milk tea craze in the country, ChawadiCup is a new homegrown brand inspired by the flavors found in the Land of Smiles. If you’ve always been a fan of Thai cuisine or want to try something new, order your cup of Cha Yen (P108, ~USD2.13), their rendition of Thai milk tea that is distinct for its strong brew.
Image credit: ChawadiCup
Available for delivery via: Foodpanda, GrabFood
Branch open for delivery and take-out services: ChawadiCup North Domingo QC, 10AM-6PM
Thanks to these beloved stores, we can now spoil ourselves with milk tea while in the confines of our home.
Let’s not take this privilege for granted by observing social distancing rules when we pick up our drinks via delivery or take-out. And do tip your delivery staff – they deserve it for the hard work.
Note: Menu availability depends on branch and timing; do contact each branch ahead to ask.
Also check out:
Cover image adapted from: @tigersugarphilippines, @goldieisafoodie, @cocoteaph
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