Rating the best bubble tea places in Seattle

Written on May 4th, 2021 by Jonathan Tsang

This is a short article talking about every boba place I tried. (technically most of the time I don’t even get tapioca in my milk tea…but we’ll use that as the name) I think my poke post turned out pretty good, so I decided to do one for bbt.

Bubble tea places

Boba places I tried:

What I look for in bubble tea

Judging based on:

  • Taste (should taste like tea)
  • Price
  • Location

Restaurants

Boba Up

Yelp, Menu

My order: Thai iced tea base and coffee jelly for $4.35.

This place is located in the university district and is a “self-serve” boba shop. The concept is interesting, you pay for a cup and fill it with whatever tea and toppings you want. It definitely is a social experience and gives a lot of custom options for bbt.

I think the bubble tea was just ok. I went pre-pandemic and I don’t know how they do this sort of bbt buffet style serving now.

2/5

Oasis

Yelp, Menu

My order: Hong kong milk tea? (I can’t remember what I had) regular size for $4.25.

Oasis has a couple locations around WA. Honestly I got this pre-pandemic and I don’t remember much other than it was kind of bad.

1/5

20oz Tea

Yelp, Menu

My order: Ube milk tea with less sugar for $5.50.

I loved the ube milk tea from this place. The only issue is that the location is a bit inconvenient since it is just south of the university district in Eastlake.

This place is trendy and a little more expensive. (I have not tried their $8.75 banh mis, and I’m not sure if banh mis should ever cost that much)

4/5

Timeless Tea

Yelp, Menu

My order: Pudding milk tea for $4.25.

(The tiny logo is best I could find for Timeless Tea) This might be one of my favourites on this list. It’s a sleeper pick because it seems like an unassuming boba place but it actually tasted pretty good and it was fairly cheap. It is located in the university district (like many of the ones on this list) It is a short walk from the UDub campus.

It was $4.25 for a large size, which is on the cheaper end of places on the list. The only gripe is that is can be pretty busy and sometimes it takes ~10 mins for a boba order.

They also have snow ice, and “Milk Tea Hot Pot”, and chocolate bull dog mousse (which look interesting) but I haven’t tried them.

4.5/5

Sharetea

Yelp, Menu

My order: Thai milk tea with pearls. 30% sugar, no ice.

Why am I even reviewing this lol. It’s a chain and not specific to Seattle.

Chain/5

Coco

Yelp, Menu

My order: Medium pearl milk tea, 0% sugar, no ice.

Why am I even reviewing this lol. It’s a chain and not specific to Seattle.

Chain/5

Kung Fu Tea

Yelp, Menu

My order: Matcha milk, 50% sugar

Why am I even reviewing this lol. It’s a chain and not specific to Seattle.

Chain/5

Meetea Cafe

Yelp, Menu

My order: Large boba milk tea with 30% sugar and no ice for $4.50.

This place has a location in Cap Hill and Redmond. I went to the Redmond one and it was just okay. The choice to use lactose free milk in all of the drinks is an interesting one. I am not sure if other places do this too but just don’t announce it. (I doubt that though since I think lactose milk is more expensive on average)

2/5

Oh Bear and Cafe Teahouse

Yelp, Menu

My order: Milk tea for $4.25.

I saw on Yelp they had good reviews but when I went and tried it I was disappointed. It was just per normal. I really wanted to try their taiyaki, but at $6 for one, that is (incredibly) out of my price range.

2/5

Yifang Taiwan Fruit Tea

Yelp, Menu

My order: Large pudding milk tea 0% sugar, no ice for $5.25.

This place is a bit expensive. I don’t think it is justified. Why am I even reviewing this lol. It’s a chain and not specific to Seattle.

Chain/5

Lollicup Fresh

Yelp, Menu

My order: Roasted brown sugar milk tea with boba for $5.75.

This place is pretty good and but it does cost a little more. It’s located right beside Kirkland transit center and it’s pretty convenient to get to if you are in Kirkland. It’s a nice local business and I like going to it.

4/5

Happy Lemon

Yelp, Menu

My order: Mango Matcha, 100% sugar (got 100% sugar by accident)

Why am I even reviewing this lol. It’s a chain and not specific to Seattle.

Chain/5

Tea Addicts

Yelp, Menu

My order: Black sugar milk tea no ice, 25% sugar for $5.

This place had a “good” for health inspection (Not excellent) which kind of scared me, but I did want to try this place. Nothing really stood out to me about the tea. It is also on the more expensive end of teas on this list.

2/5

Drip Tea

Yelp, Menu

My order: Ice cream in a bear cone.

This place is not only a bubble tea place but a (hypebeast) “concept store” selling clothing alongside bubble tea. It has drinks at a minimum of $5 up to $6 for designer drinks. I went pre-pandemic and I actually had their ice cream in bear cone.

NOT BBT/5

Don’t yell at me

Yelp, No online menu

My order: Traditional milk tea 0% sugar, 0% ice.

The award for the weirdest name for a bubble tea place is this place. “Don’t yell at me” has other locations in Asia and I believe this is one of the first locations in North America. It can be grouped with “Drip Tea” as being a concept store selling clothes too. (I think?)

Solid tea and only slightly more expensive.

4/5

Braganza Tea

Yelp, No online menu

My order: Honey matcha milk tea for $4.50

I got this in the Braganza at Tukwilka mall. I didn’t think it was that special.

1.5/5

Conclusion

My favourite teas were from these places.

Best from expensive choices:

  • Lollicup Fresh
  • 20oz tea
  • Don’t yell at me

Best at price point:

  • Timeless Tea