Top 13 Bubble Tea Shops in Seoul You Don’t Want To Miss!

Bubble tea has swept the world by surprise as its popularity grows bigger by the day and even in the heart of South Korea, bubble tea has found its way into the mouths, the tongues, and the hearts of South Koreans and tourists alike. How can it not? The cold milky texture of a sweetened soothing tea blend is something that will make you go “Mmmm… Ahhh… This tastes really good!”

What is the Bubble Tea Craze About?

A well-known name to the younger generation, Bubble Tea (which can sometimes be called pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, or even boba) is a drink that originates in Tainan and Taichung in Taiwan during the 1980s. With the experiment of tapioca balls and the mix and match of different teas and ingredients like sugar, honey, milk, and etc. to create the perfect milk tea was what the Hainan Tea Room of Tainan claimed in about 1986.

But before that Chun Shui Tang’s Liu Han-Chieh also claimed to have established this drink during 1983. This dispute even brought more attention to this magical drink. Since then, bubble tea culture has slowly taken off.

Let’s face it, the younger generation have a harder time appreciating the classical sophisticated taste of tea and incorporating it into their lifestyle was something deemed a bit difficult to do. That is of course, until milk tea came along.

With different recipes popping up here and there with their own unique mixtures which include adding milk, sugar, pearls, tapioca balls, popping boba, fruit jelly, grass jelly, sago, and many others in the mix, it’s hard to tell that this drink was invented about three decades ago.

Now how did it get popular all of a sudden? Through social media! How can it not? This aesthetically pleasing contrast of the black pearls and the silky tea mixed with milk is definitely eye-catching and leaves a salivating impression on those who see this drink. It’s contagious! And now, almost everyone in Seoul who is on social media wants more to do with the bubble tea craze.

Below are some of the homes of the best bubble tea you can find in Seoul.

NO.1 Cofioca

This K-pop crazed café is a home for the young and the bubbly as this café may seem cluttered with paper all around but if you take a closer look, you’ll find that these are autographs of famous Idols collectively gathered to even inspire aspiring Idols as this place is rumored as a shrine of good luck.

NO.2 Heuk Hwa Dang

This premium tea house is loved by many not just because of how much attention they pay to detail when it comes to crafting the perfect bubble tea but also because of their innovative mindset. Introducing black sugar to tea gives their drinks an aesthetic effect and also layers in depth when it comes to flavor profile.

This café is more than just another café. In fact, it has won the 2019 Korean Brilliant People & Brand Award. Although relatively new in the milk tea world, this bubble tea company is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

NO.3 The Alley

Another Taiwanese franchise making the headlines is the modern twist that The Alley has to offer. With its aesthetically pleasing interior, splendid service, and most of all, delicious bubble tea, The Alley is definitely an experience you have to grab the moment you reach Seoul. Bringing a melancholic touch to milk tea, The Alley treats this drink like an expensive glass of cocktail making sure each and every cup of milk tea is blended into perfection.

NO.4 OSULLOC

Looking at the classy side of milk tea and bubble tea, one can’t possibly overlook Osulloc. Although a franchise, this tea house brings a personal touch to every single serving elevating bubble tea to the next level. This might be the perfect experience for you if you want to try more than milk tea but also tea flavored desserts and other products.

NO.5 Tiger Sugar Korea

The name itself gives off a strong, tough, and aggressive drink but there is much more to that. Learn to associate the tiger with amazing flavor when you here “Tiger Sugar Korea” because not every day you’d get a chance to taste what locals would say “the hottest dessert drink of the year”. First opened in 2017, Tiger Sugar Korea now has eight branches internationally in countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, and of course Korea

NO.6 Chloris Tea and Coffee

Chloris Tea and Coffee is a perfect beverage hub for both tea and coffee as they are equally served with grace. Their milk tea is a definite drink you have to try. With its grand design and accommodating staff, you’ll most likely want to come back even without the intention of taking pictures and just enjoy the place as it is. From design to drinks, this place is definitely an experience you’d want.

NO.7 19 Tea

This trendy pop themed tea shop is oozing with a bubbly personality and reminds you how fun of a drink bubble tea can be! 19 tea is popular for teens but can also be enjoyed by people of all ages who are still young at heart. A cute small place with a loud bang! Their milk teas are a blast to the past and sweet in a way that makes you fall in love. Fluffy and Friendly. Just the way you like it.

NO.8 Amasvin

Although they may not sound like a milk tea place, do not let the name fool you. Amasvin has been offering one of the best milk teas in the business from wild flavors to sweet blends, there’s definitely a specific drink you’ll fall in love with. Not to mention the ambiance is beautiful. The art and of using the cheerful but relaxing color of blue to lighten up your drink even more is something you can definitely expect from Amasvin.

NO.9 티번 TBUN

A new and fun bubble tea franchise is seeping into the hearts of the locals as TBUN gives a very direct, simple, but delicious serving of your favorite milk tea flavor. If you don’t have one yet, don’t be afraid to try out their interesting flavors and who knows, you might find the perfect one for you. Do not let the simplicity fool you, TBUN serves good quality Milk Tea and doesn’t compromise on its standard and mission of giving good milk tea at a reasonable price.

NO.10 Mauritius Brown

One word to describe Mauritius Brown would be GROOVY. Not only does this place have an interesting concept and packaging, their bubble tea is also amazingly groovy with just the right amount of sugar that makes you want to do a little dance. Of all the ways to market their product, Mauritius Brown has a very interesting brand and they definitely live up to the expectations of their customers. Try them out and see what all the fuzz is about.

NO.11 Gong Cha

A Taiwanese franchise founded in 2006 that has made its way into the heart of Korea and has gathered a wide fan base. Some people prefer franchises and others do not but Gong Cha delivers extremely high quality delicious bubble tea and there is no way someone who enjoys milk tea can say no to a delicious Gong Cha milk tea.

Gong Cha has been quite busy opening stores here and there around the world and you might even be surprised that Seoul wouldn’t be the only place you can find this store.

NO.12 Cha Time

With the least needed introduction, Cha Time is one of the most popular milk tea franchises around the world and it is definitely popular for a reason. Not only is Cha Time efficient, Cha Time is able to set their standard so high above but also never fails to deliver.

NO.13 Happy Lemon

With a wide range of selections and an on-the-go system, Happy Lemon is there to fix your boba tea cravings as quickly as possible without compromising the quality of your beverage. This simple system serves good milk tea at a good price if you’re a bit low on the budget but also can’t compromise on the quality of your favorite milk tea mix.

Which Home Do You Belong To?

Picking the perfect bubble tea place is a hard choice to make. Try these spots out and find where you are most at home. Milk tea on a warm day can change your whole mood and maybe just finding a place to hang out or give yourself a little treat after a long day of work, milk tea can definitely bring a smile to those stressed faces.

Bubble tea is more than just a fun, new, hip way to enjoy tea as it is, tea is actually delicious in itself and is not just a fad but can rather be expected as a drink we’ll definitely enjoy for a long time to come. If you haven’t tried milk tea yet, be prepared for the sweet, light, and playful flavor packed into a cup of delicious goodness.

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