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Here’s 10 Best (And Muslim-Friendly!) Bubble Tea Spots In Taiwan You Have To Try

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Nasreen Nasir •  Dec 28, 2018

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss out on when in Taiwan is the bubble tea. Indeed, the reputation of this remarkable drink has been built up for decades and the trend has already evolved to many other destinations. But enjoying it in its home country makes the entire experience a little special.

Credit: Giphy

Even so, choosing the right bubble tea store can be a tad bit challenging for Muslim travellers as some drinks may have alcohol. Lucky for you, we’ve got you covered with a list of Muslim-friendly bubble tea you can try when you’re there!

Disclaimer: Do note that we’ve personally checked with the stores below to check on the ingredients and we can confirm that all drinks from the list do not contain alcohol. In terms of the pearls, all of them are made with tapioca starch therefore they’re free from animal products. We also want to highlight that none of these stores are halal-certified so we recommend our readers to drink at their own discretion.

1. 清心福全 (Ching Shin Fu Chuan Tea Station)

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Established in 1987, Ching Shin Fu Chuan is one of the oldest chain stores in Taiwan. Today, it has more than 900 branches in Taiwan, including Taipei. According to a few tea experts, this 4-decade old tea shop makes their tea using premium quality tea leaves and fresh ingredients. If you don’t know which one to get, there’s nothing wrong with just the classic old Milk Tea with pearls. It has the right amount of sweetness and pearls with the perfect consistency.

Location: Available in many locations.

Opening Hours: Vary according to different locations.

2. 50嵐 (50 Lan)

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Anyone who’s familiar with KOI will also love 50 Lan as it’s the same brand! This popular milk tea chain is so popular that you can find it almost everywhere in Taiwan. Sometimes, you’ll even bump into two outlets on the same street! Mostly known for their take on unique concoctions, boba lovers will definitely love the various offerings at 50 Lan, like the Oatmeal Milk Tea (breakfast, anyone?) and the Green Tea Latte with jellies. But if you do prefer the traditional flavours, we recommend the Milk Tea and Oolong Milk Tea - both refreshing and fun to drink! ? In terms of price, the drinks are quite reasonably priced from NT$30 so if you’re bringing extra cash, wouldn’t hurt to spend it on some bobas ?

#HHWT Tip: 50 Lan is available in most regions in Taiwan, so if you’re not heading to Taipei, you can always check the locations here.

Address: No. 48-4, Xining South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Contact Number: +886 2 2311 5937

Opening Hours: Daily, 10AM to 10PM

3. 珍煮丹 (Jen Ju Dan)

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Jen Ju Dan is definitely one for the more adventurous milk tea fanatics. If you’ve never thought of dunking your Oreo into your bubble tea, today is the day to start. To any Oreo lover, this may seem like an odd combination but this happens to be a common favourite amongst Jen Ju Dan customers. Oreo is a universal favourite, so what better way to enjoy that with another local favourite - milk tea? With that, you can expect a new beverage that’s sure to elevate your boba experience. Imagine biting crushed up Oreos AND the chewy pearls at the same time - you’ve got to try it! Jen Ju Dan doesn’t just offer milk tea, their next big thing is the Oolong Latte with pudding and Honey Lemon Chrysanthemum with pearls!

Address: No. 11, Section 1, Kaifeng St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00am - 10:00pm.

Phone Number: +886 2 2331 2323

4. 李圓圓 (Li Yuan Yuan)

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While you’re waiting for the beautiful sunset in Tamsui, you can find one of the best milk tea shops in the middle of Gongming Street! What sets this bubble tea shop apart from any other is the quality of its homemade peals. The staff boils the pearls inside a brown sugar mixture, giving it a sweet taste and a soft texture. You can tell how serious they are with their pearls as they prepare the pearls in batches every two hours to make sure that the customers will only get the freshest pearls! So if you love your pearls to be more tender and sweet, this is definitely a top choice! Opt for the best-selling Brown Sugar Bubble with Fresh Milk, you’ll find yourself wanting more.

Address: 251, Taiwan, Gongming Street, 16號, Tamsui, Hszinpej

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 12:00pm - 7:30pm. Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am - 8:00pm.

Phone Number: +886 2 2623 8123

5. 小珠珠 (Xiao Zhu Zhu)

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Do you consider yourself a pearl connoisseur? Then 小珠珠 (Xiao Zhu Zhu) is the place to be. Here, you’ll find different type of pearls to choose from like brown sugar, matcha, red tea, cocoa and purple sweet potato. Now we don’t know about you, but matcha pearls sound yummy and that’s what people are crazy for. Plus, you can even mix the pearls together in your drink and you’ll only need to pay an additional of NTD15. In terms of drinks, 小珠珠 (Xiao Zhu Zhu) is mostly famous for their fruit teas as they’re healthier than the traditional milk tea. Fans of smoothies will be pleased to know that they have fruit smoothies here too, ranging from Mango Tango to Mixed Berries. Those who are looking to try a fruit tea with some pearls, you know where to go.

Address: 9-10 Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taipei, Taiwan

Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday and Sunday, 11:00am - 9:00pm. Friday & Saturday, 11:00am - 10:00pm.

Phone Number: +886 4 2451 3330

6. 黑老大-黑糖波霸鮮奶 (Hei Lao Da - Hei Tang Bo Ba Xian Nai)

Credit: 黑老大-黑糖波霸鮮乳 on Facebook

Milk tea in a takeout packaging, anyone? Yes, that’s what you can get at Hei Lao Da and you can find the store in Kaohsiung! Significantly known for its Black Sugar with Fresh Milk Tea, you know you’re in for a treat. As with most bubble tea shops, customers will find the making of pearls rather intriguing. At Hei Lao Da, pearls are freshly made everyday - the staff will heat up the brown sugar until it caramelises before pouring in the pearls and boiling them inside. Such process gives the pearls a chewy texture which the locals love! So the next time you’re in Kaohsiung, be sure to give this bubble tea store a try.

Address: No. 17 Wenheng 1st Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Opening Hours: Daily, 12:00pm - 9.30pm.

Phone Number: +886 908 165 382

7. Wish 鮮果茶玩家 (Mr. Wish Xian Guo Cha Wan Jia)

Credit: @mr.wish_tw on Instagram

Looking for a healthier alternative? You can definitely count on Mr Wish. Their ingredients are all plant-based and they only use natural cane sugar, fresh fruits and fresh milk! And because they don’t add colouring and other additives, the drinks are best consumed within 2 hours to avoid the pulp’s acidity from affecting the taste. They have a lot of branches in Taiwan, primarily in Taipei so whether you like your bubble tea milky or fruity without any added sugar – Mr Wish is the one for you!

Address: No. 14號, Lane 130, Section 3, Minsheng East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Opening Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 9:00pm. Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am - 7:00pm.

Phone Number: +886 2 2716 1218

8. Hu Juice Bar

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For something a little bit on the artisanal side, Hu Juice Bar might be the one you’re looking for. Although it’s more famous for its fruit tea, visitors can also have a go at the popular Charcoal Milk Tea with pearls. This quaint Tainan store whips up its milk tea with a dash of bamboo charcoal powder, black tea leaves, fresh milk and of course - pearls! Affordably priced at NTD 50, this interesting drink will surely quench your thirst. Now that charcoal drinks are in, it’s definitely the best time to try this interesting concoction.

Address: No. 2, Lane 451, Park Road, North District, Tainan City, Taiwan

Opening Hours: Monday - Tuesday, Friday - Sunday, 2:00pm - 10:00pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

9. 茶義復興法式奶茶-建工店 (Cha Yi Fu Xing Fa Shi Nai Cha - Jian Gong Dian)

Credit: 茶義復興法式奶茶-建工店 on Facebook

It looks like there’s another bubble tea store that visitors should check out when in Kaohsiung - Cha Yi Fu Xing Fa Shi Nai Cha (茶義復興法式奶茶). A rather long name for a brand but wait until you see what’s in store! It’s not just the tea beverages that keep customers coming: the interior of the cafe will blow you away too. The facade of the cafe looks like it’s straight out of Montmarte - exuding extravagance and sophistication. Makes you feel like you’re in Paris! While you’re there, have a sip of the Special Milk Tea, one of the top recommendations from the cafe itself. You can choose between adding pearls, herbal jellies, Jaro balls or red beans.

Address: 452 Jianong Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00am - 10:00pm.

Phone Number: +886 7 381 7888

10. 黃巾珍珠奶茶 (Huang Jin Zhen Zhu Nai Cha)

Credit: @chowsmall.food on Instagram

And last but not least, Huang Jin Zhen Zhu Nai Cha is worthy of mention too. This bubble tea store is quite literally one of a kind as it has no other outlets. Considered one of the cheapest out there (price starts from NT$25) than any other bubble tea store in Taipei, it’s the pearls that keep the queues long every day! You won’t believe if we tell you that they have a slight honey taste rather than the usual brown sugar! Pair them with the signature Milk Tea and you’ll get the extraordinary taste that stands out from the rest of the milk teas you’ve tried before.

Are you craving for a bubble milk tea? We know we are. So the next time you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, be sure to check out these places and enjoy a good cup of boba ?