Milk tea has been a common staple in many countries, and if you ask for ‘tea’ pretty much anywhere in Asia and many other countries it’ll come served with milk. Milk tea is simply what it sounds like- tea with milk added. This combination creates a smoothness and slight sweetness to normal bitter teas such as black tea. Milk tea can be made into anything, such as bubble tea or masala chai tea.
The reasons why Milk Tea became so popular because of the uniwue taste, variety, and aesthetic.
5. Chatime
If you’re looking for a milk-tea place you can hang around in for a while, Chatime’s cozy couches and capsule-like seats could be just what you need for an extra comfy stay. They also have a pretty extensive drinks selection, from milk teas and fruit teas to smoothies, tea-based lattes, chocolate drinks, and even coffee. Their best-selling Pearl Milk Tea (P95/regular, P105/large), while perhaps not as memorable as what you could have at other chains, will satisfy any milk-tea hankerings you might have, with chewy pearls and a drink that leans more towards the sweet side. Plus, with their multiple branches around the Metro and a delivery option, you can have your fix any time you want.
4. Serenitea
Though Serenitea has lots of different branches all over the Metro, their Ayala Malls The 30th branch is a nice option if you prefer a quieter space—the patterned tiles and tea-related quotes on the wall make it picture-perfect, too. Serenitea’s milk-tea options can be a bit confusing for newcomers, with names that barely reveal what kind of blend you’re getting. If you like the toasted-sugar taste of caramel, have the Hokkaido (P100/medium, P110/large), which is Assam tea blended with butter toffee. Surprisingly, while the toffee flavor is prominent, it doesn’t overshadow the bold, slightly malty flavor of Assam, resulting in a well-balanced drink with just the right level of sweetness (you can adjust the sweetness level, too, if you prefer your drink less sugary). Aside from tea, Serenitea also carries a menu of Taiwanese snacks: The Pepper Tofu (P75) and Chicken Chops (P85) are winners. Plus, Serenitea also offers a P1 rebate when you bring a metal straw.
3. Dakasi
While they may not be as prominent now as the bigger milk-tea chains in the Metro, Dakasi still more than satisfies, especially if you like your milk tea on the creamier side. The winning element of their Okinawa Milk Tea (P90/medium, P100/large) is its thick and creamy froth. And unlike your average cream-topped milk tea, this appears both on top and as a thick layer at the bottom of your drink, so you get a rich, milky flavor through every sip. While you can’t adjust the sweetness of your drink, their blend has just the right amount so you still get that distinctive earthy tea flavor. Their black pearls, too, are a standout, with just the right chewiness and a subtle sweetness. Aside from the classics, Dakasi also offers out-of-the-box flavors like a Halo Halo Milk Tea, and snacks, too, like nachos and quesadillas.
2. Macao Imperial Tea
Macao Imperial Tea’s spacious place along Banawe Street has couches and free, reliable WiFi, making it the perfect hangout whether you’re catching up on work or just want to chill with friends—plus, they’re open until 12 a.m. Their Cream Cheese Milk Tea (P120) is easily one of the most decadent milk teas you’ll try. At Macao Imperial Tea, they use jasmine tea unless stated otherwise, which gives their drinks a light, floral note, and generous swirls of cream cheese add a rich, salty depth without masking the flavor.
1. Gong Cha
When it comes to winter melon milk tea, Gong Cha reigns supreme. They have two equally delicious iterations: The Milk Winter Melon (P90/medium, P105/large), topped with thick cream, and Winter Melon Milk (P85/medium, P100/large) which has milk blended into the drink to make it incredibly creamy. While both put the spotlight on the tea, the winter melon taste is just as prominent—a fruity yet also toasted-sugar-like flavor that makes these drinks unique. If winter melon isn’t your thing, Gong Cha also has other options on their extensive menu that include coffee and ice-cream drinks. Their selection of add-ons is wider than average, too: You can get coconut jelly (or nata de coco), aloe, Oreo crumbs, or replace your sugar with Splenda.
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