Besides Vietnamese coffee, bubble tea is a popular drink among Vietnamese of all ages. Originating in Taiwan, it is now available in numerous places in Ho Chi Minh City. To save you from getting lost in hundreds of choices, here are some common types of bubble tea in Ho Chi Minh City and where to find them.
Types of Bubble Tea in Ho Chi Minh City
Boba milk tea
This is the most well-known and frequently ordered type of bubble tea. Boba, or tapioca pearls, are small, chewy balls that are usually black but can also be transparent or white. With boba milk tea, customers enjoy drinking and chewing simultaneously.
Many believe that boba represents the word “bubble” in bubble tea. However, some claim that bubbles are the foam we get while making milk tea. No matter what’s true, you must try this drink once in Vietnam!
Macchiato milk tea
The name speaks for its ingredients (as is the case with other bubble teas): a cup of either tea or milk tea topped with a layer of milk foam. The taste of macchiato is key, differing from store to store: sweet, salty, or cheese-like, and its texture can be thick or light.
Brown sugar bubble milk
Obviously, there is no tea in it, but almost all tea shops have it in their menu. Brown sugar bubble milk arose as a “phenomenon” in the Vietnamese bubble tea market in early 2018. This drink has made its way to the best-seller list of some brands. Coated with brown sugar, the boba is much sweeter than usual. Combined with fresh milk (usually quite mild), after several shakes, you will get a tasty drink.
Fruit tea
As a tropical country, Vietnam is a paradise of tropical fruits that you should try. Thanks to this advantage, fruit tea is a part of bubble tea shops’ menus that cannot be left out. Its fresh taste and aroma make it a perfect choice for a hot, sunny day.
Where to find Bubble Tea in Ho Chi Minh City
In recent years, hanging out at bubble tea shops has become a norm, especially in big cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi. Below is a list of famous brands where you can look for a delicious cup of bubble tea in Ho Chi Minh City.
Phuc Long Tea & Coffee
Phuc Long is well-known for its premium tea, and the drinks here do not come with many toppings like other brands since the taste of the tea already makes it stand out. If you want to buy some Vietnamese tea as a souvenir, Phuc Long is a good local brand to buy it.
Address:
– Floor 4, Bitexco Tower, 2 Hai Trieu, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– B217, Takashimaya Department Store, 92-94 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 7 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 35,000 – 70,000
Recommended drinks:
– Peach milk tea
– Oolong milk tea
– Latte green tea
Sharetea
Designed with a modern vibe, Sharetea is where young Saigonese love to hang out. If you are not a big fan of sweets, do not forget to tell the staff to reduce the amount of sugar when you make your order. Sharetea is famous for its sweetness.
Address:
– 113 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– 33 Ton That Thiep, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Price range: VND 35,000 – 63,000
Recommended drinks:
– Mango tea
– Mango milk tea
– Herbal Jelly Fresh Milk
– Mini Boba as a topping
Toocha
After drinking milk tea became a trend, some people raised concerns about the calories consumed when enjoying a cup of bubble tea. Responding to this worry, Toocha claims that its drinks “would not make you fat.” Its stores are usually full of the aromatic scent of fresh tea, ready to be made right after your order.
Address: 53 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Price range: VND 41,000 – 72,000
Recommended drinks: Boba milk tea (with three types of boba: black, white, and pink)
Koi Thé
Being one of the first brands of bubble tea in Ho Chi Minh City, Koi Thé has the macchiato series as its most loved product. All of its stores busy and well-decorated, suitable for buying to-go. Although the price is quite higher than average, the taste is undeniably irresistible.
Address:
– 76 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– 108-110 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 10 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 70,000
Recommended drinks:
– Macchiato series with (black tea)
– Yakult series
– Hazelnut milk tea with Golden Bubble
Gong Cha
Gong Cha offers a wide range of bubble tea and occasionally introduces new drinks. It is also known for the milk foam series, just like Koi Thé, but the taste and texture are different.
Address:
– 43 Ton That Dam, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– Vincom B, 45A Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Price range: VND 33,000 – 67,000
Recommended drinks:
– Milk foam series
– Alisan tea with White Bubble
Britea
Britea locations are carefully decorated to present the British royal style to customers. It also has unique types of pearls and milk foam such as Rosie Pearls, Grated Pearls, and Durian Cheese foam.
Address: 60 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 40,000 – 59,000
Recommended drinks: Fruit tea series
Comebuy
All of the tea and milk tea at Comebuy have a fresh and healthy taste. Want to enjoy your “cheat day” but are afraid of ruining your diet? Comebuy might fulfill that bubble tea craving.
Address: 120 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10 PM
Price range: VND 33,000 – 73,000
Recommended drinks:
– Guava Yakult
– Comebuy milk tea
– Neptune milk tea
R&B tea
The iconic image of R&B is a tall, big cup of milk tea full of toppings. If you are into milk foam, besides Gongcha and Koi Thé, this is the brand you should not miss out on. It also has a special type of boba called Dragon Ball, much bigger than the normal version. Make sure to try them out.
Address:
– 86 Ngo Duc Ke, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– 104 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 36,000 – 63,000
Recommended drinks:
– Tea with cream series
– Dragon ball as a topping
Cheese Coffee
Though they do sell coffee, you’ll be surprised that there’s no cheese involved here. However, their collection of milk tea also leaves you wanting for more.
Address:
– 45 Dinh Tien Hoang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– 53G Nguyen Du, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– 15 Pasteur, Nguyen Thai Binh Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 7 AM – 10 PM
Price range: VND 50,000 – 70,000
Recommended drinks:
– Jasmine milk tea
– Avocado milk tea
The Alley
Being the first store that drew the attention to the “rising star” drink Brown Sugar Boba Milk, The Alley has attracted many people. Its drinks are pricey, but many customers still return for its unique taste.
Address:
– 114 Ho Tung Mau, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
– 68 Nguyen Hue, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hours: 9 AM – 10:30 PM
Price range: VND 41,000 – 88,000
Recommended drinks:
– Brown Sugar Deerioca series
– Aurora series
Tips to order at bubble tea shops in Ho Chi Minh City like a pro
Step 1 – Choose a drink (if you’re a first-timer, go for one of the best-sellers highlighted by a star next to their names).
Step 2 – Choose toppings: black boba, white boba, flan, macchiato, sweet tofu, jelly, etc.
Step 3 – Decide the amount of sugar and ice for your cup – 30%, 50%, 70% or default 100%. No ice would be OK.
Summary of Bubble Tea in Ho Chi Minh City
Despite not being an original Vietnamese drink, bubble tea has contributed to the diversity of Vietnamese food culture. In any moment of the day, a cup of good tea with chewy toppings would definitely make your day better. Bubble tea shops are easy to find in Ho Chi Minh City, don’t hesitate to stop by and grab your favorite drink.