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Bubble tea, a tea-based drink with different toppings such as chewy tapioca balls and fruit jellies, is an Asian invention taking the world by storm. Refreshing, comforting, full of fun and flavour – it is a treat in a cup, perfect for when you want both a drink and a dessert. Bubble tea shops are popping up everywhere in London, but not many make the cut, so here are five of London’s finest to try.

Biju Bubble Tea

Biju Bubble Tea

Bubble Tea Shop, Tea

Brew Box Bubble Tea
© Jessie Lim
Naturally flavoured with fruit nectar, made with British organic milk and brewed with fresh loose-leaf teas, Biju Bubble Tea prides itself on containing no preservatives and artificial ingredients in their teas and toppings. They have an extensive selection of teas and flavour combinations, such as the Matcha Mousse Tea, the Pistachio Milk Tea and the Chai Milk Tea. They even have Coconut Water Bubble Teas in lychee and pineapple flavours, which is a first in London. Best of all, they are all delicious. They are also vegan friendly, offering organic soya milk and organic almond milk. With cute seating, music and great customer service, Biju Bubble Tea is certainly a hot favourite.

Brew Box Bubble Tea

Cafe, Bubble Tea Shop, Tea

Happy Lemon Bubble Tea
© Happy Lemon Bubble Tea
Tucked away in a cosy cafe near the Camden Passage, Brew Box Bubble Tea offers a warm atmosphere to spend the afternoon in. They have milk teas, fruity teas, and even different types of flowering teas like the whimsically named Lily Fairy or the Oriental Beauty. Toppings for the bubble teas include coconut jellies and strawberry boba, and they have some snacks on offer as well for when you want some food with your drink.

Happy Lemon Bubble Tea

Bubble Tea Shop, Tea

Milk Tea and Pearl
© Milk Tea and Pearl
Happy Lemon Bubble Tea is a bubble tea chain in Asia selling authentic Taiwanese bubble milk teas, using interesting flavours for toppings, such as rock salted cheese mousse and Oreos. They also do tea smoothies, a creamy treat. Offering customisable sugar and ice amounts as well as the option to have the drinks hot or cold, Happy Lemon is a no-frills bubble tea shop.

Milk Tea and Pearl

Bubble Tea Shop, Asian

Chatime Bubble Tea
© Kae Yen Wong/Flickr
Milk Tea and Pearl is definitely a strong contender for one of the better bubble tea establishments in London. Though hidden away in a small shop along Little Portland Street, they offer very interesting traditional teas such as the Alishan High Moutain Oolong Tea, Assam Black Milk Tea and even those less well known, such as the Bai Mudan (White Peony) White Tea. All drinks are £3.50 including one topping, and it is an additional £0.50 for extra toppings that range from lychee jellies to mango and strawberry bubbles. Sugar levels are customisable too, so you can adjust the sweetness of your drink to suit your tastes.

Chatime

Bubble Tea Shop, Tea

Chatime is a fail-safe option for those looking for an introduction to the world of bubble teas. They offer standard milk teas with tapioca pearls, as well as more unique drinks such as brown rice green tea with pearls and the Tieguanyin latte. Their sugar and ice levels are customisable, and toppings include coconut jellies, coffee jellies and even aloe vera bubbles.

About the author

Jessie travels as often as she bakes, and she writes all about her escapades at Cake By The Sie. All done in between good ol’ fashioned editing, marketing and business work – she probably beats Hermione at the time-turning game. Ask her out for coffee @lqhjessie, and she might tell you where her favourite lemon polenta cake comes from.

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