In a continent full of tea drinkers, the coffee-guzzling Philippines is just starting to catch up with the rest of its Asian neighbors. But it’s catching up with a vengeance. In the past year, tea shops have sprouted up all over the metro, effectively cementing its place as the biggest food/beverage trend of 2011. Super went on a tea-drinking spree to find out which ones are the best.
Happy Lemon: Unusually delicious
Why we love it: Four words: rock salt and cheese. Who would’ve ever thought of ladling a creamy dollop of cheese on tea, and sprinkling it with salt? Luckily, it works—and we’re hooked. Since Happy Lemon first opened a few months ago, the Greenhills Promenade branch has been packed with teens and yuppies looking to get their fix in their small but cheerful store. Others also hang out to try to get a glimpse of Chris Tiu, one of the owners.
The basics: They have a solid range of milk tea (try it with sago and puff cream, or the roasted version with adzuki beans and pudding), as well as plenty of lemon and Yakult-based drinks.
The new radicals: Try the limited edition Blueberry Mousse Spin with Popping Boba (the balls feel like Fruit Gushers in your mouth), or the Italian Blood Orange Black Coffee for a refreshing take on your regular cup of Joe. And don’t forget the Rock Salt and Cheese line—our personal favorite is Cocoa.
Price range: 60 pesos for a regular-sized tea to 100 pesos for large milk teas and other specialty drinks.
Where to find it: 2/F, Promenade, Greenhills Shopping Center Ortigas Ave., Greenhills, San Juan. They’re opening in Eastwood and Rockwell soon.
Chatime: The next big thing
Why we love it: Probably the most authentic place for milk tea on our list, Chatime has already gained quite a following since it opened less than two months ago, despite being located at the out-of-the-way Pioneer Center. The Taiwan-based franchise is so popular, a second branch just opened at Landmark Makati, while a third branch in Katipunan is reportedly in the works. The original branch is also a great place to hang out with friends, with its spiffy white, purple and pink interiors. They have a great selection of milk teas, smoothies, mousses, and other fruit-based drinks.
The basics: The classic Chatime Roasted Milk Tea is a must-try for newcomers, with its smooth, intense flavor and generous serving of gooey pearls. But if you’re looking to try something new without being too experimental, be sure to try the Red Bean Milk Tea. The Grass Jelly Milk Tea is also highly recommended.
The new radicals: There’s a lot to try out, from the Ichiban Roasted Tea Mousse (best with pudding), Sweetheart Fruit Smoothie, and Brown Rice Green Milk Tea.
Price range: At 55 pesos for a full-sized smoothie to 100 pesos for the largest special milk teas, it’s cheaper than most.
Where to find it: 8006 Pioneer street corner United street, Pasig City, and Landmark Makati
Serenitea: Classic concoctions
Why we love it: Serenitea made milk tea mainstream in Manila, and we’re grateful for that. Despite the sudden mushrooming of tea shops in the city, many still visit the original for the sheer variety of milk teas—Assam, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Wintermelon, Black Dragon… the list is endless, so regular patrons can still play around with flavors to taste their subtle differences. It’s milk tea for connoisseurs. Plus, they serve food.
The basics: Start with the Assam, which is the brand’s original flavor, before moving on to the ones named after Japanese capitals. The pearls are exceptional: cooked to the right chewiness, they don’t crush or clump together easily. Aside from pearls, you can put in egg pudding, red beans, aloe vera or panna cotta.
The new radicals: Strawberry Toffee and Wintermelon milk tea, plus a lot of Yakult-based drinks.
Price range: 90 (small) to 105 (large) pesos for milk teas.
Where to find it: G&L Bldg, J. Abad Santos cor. V. Cruz, Little Baguio, San Juan; 268 Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Paranaque City; North Greenhills tennis court, San Juan; 74B N. Roxas St. Banawe, Quezon City; Eastwood Cyber and Fashion Mall, Libis, Quezon City
Moonleaf Tea Shop: In the neighborhood
Why we love it: The homey neighborhood atmosphere where everyone seems to know your name, the collage of U.P. student photos and paraphernalia plastered on the walls, and of course, the milk tea. Students linger over large glasses of tea as baristas busily mix behind the small counters; it’s a heartening example of a successful grassroots business.
The basics: The Caramel Milk Tea is the bestseller, but the Hakka, Vanilla, and Wintermelon all earn raves from bloggers. The house milk tea is sweet, simple, and refreshing.
The new radicals: The small menu means everything is basic, but we’re not complaining because it’s all good.
Price range: The reasonably priced teas come in one size (large). Basic teas go for 45-55 pesos, and milk teas range from 60 to 70. Best value for money.
Where to find it: 44 Magiting St., UP Teacher’s Village East (near Ministop Maginhawa), but they are moving to a bigger location along Maginhawa St. itself soon.
Kozui Green Tea
Why we love it: They use real Matcha green tea for their concoctions. You won’t find a wide range of milk teas here, but they have a good selection of fruit-based tea drinks. You could also try their Korichios (like tea Frappuccinos, so to speak).
The basics: The Tapioca Pearl Milk Tea comes in three varieties: Matcha Green Tea, Roasted Green, and Black Ceylon.
The new radicals: The Kozui Bloom line, milk tea infused with floral flavors such as Paris Rose black tea and Tokyo Sakura green tea.
Price range: 100 pesos for tall, 115 for grande.
Where to find it: 258 B Tomas Morato Ave. Quezon City
FruiTea Mix
Why we love it: This newcomer caught our eye because of its wide selection of flavors. Like Serenitea, it’s for tea connoisseurs who can taste the difference between roasted tea leaves, Oolong, and Jasmine. Some snacks are served.
The basics: Try the Premium Milk Tea; it’s richer and bolder than the regular ones, but the Royal and Roasted Milk Teas are pretty good, too.
The new radicals: Wintermelon and honeydew-flavored milk tea, as well as fruit-based teas (hence the name) such as Passionfruit, Strawberry Black Tea, and Kiwi Green, as well as Apple Berry and Honeydew Smash Ice.
Price range: 95 pesos for a medium-sized cup, and 105 pesos for large.
Where to find it: 57 Connecticut St., Northeast Greenhills, San Juan (beside Konbini)
Bubble Tea
Why we love it: Cute and comfortable, Bubble Tea is noticeably Japanese (other brands are mostly Taiwanese or Chinese). The restaurant offers more food than tea, which makes it a great hangout with friends in case you want to linger over snacks. They also have more options for your drinks, such as Splenda, additional vanilla ice cream, and combination bubbles—small and large pearls in your drink somehow make it more interesting.
The basics: Basic royal milk tea, taro, green tea, strawberry, almond, coconut, coffee, chocolate—everything is a comforting favorite.
The new radicals: Nothing new, as all the milk tea flavors stick to the safe side. But try their milkshakes and flavored green teas.
Price range: It’s the most expensive of the lot, with prices starting at 115 pesos for a small cup, and 125 for the large.
Where to find it: Tomas Morato Ave. cor. Dr. Lazcano St., Quezon City; SM Megamall, SM North Edsa
Disclosure: First published in the Inquirer, this is the original version—someone at the desk added Tea Delite, which I had never tried. I paid for all the drinks except for the ones from Happy Lemon, which I would still pay for anytime! All photos by Ryan Fernandez.
Great review. I’m a Milk Tea convert. I don’t even drink coffee now. hehe.
Also try Pao Pao milk tea. They have one by the Rockwell cinema snack bar.
a new branch of chatime and bubble tea opened along wilson street, san juan
There’s a branch of Chatime at Robinson’s Galleria, near EDSA entrance
Guys thanks for the updates; at the time I did the article, those branches weren’t open yet
Hi Bianca,
You have got to try Bon Appetea. It’s a little tea shop inside Strata 2000 in Ortigas Center. They’re open 24 hours and they serve not just the best milk teas but also alcohol-spiked Naughteas. Try their teaquila sunrise with tequila jelly shots!
I’d love to try it, maybe when I get back to Manila
that sounds fascinating though!