Bubble tea (or milk tea, boba, depending on where you live) is synonymous with Taiwan.
Opinion is definitely divided on which chain in Taiwan serves the best bubble tea. However, there is one that has proudly claimed to be the founder of bubble tea: Chun Shui Tang.
What to order at Chun Shui Tang
This teahouse chain’s original store is in Taichung. With that in mind, that was where we headed to try what was proudly labelled the first bubble tea.
It’s easy to spot from far, thanks to the blue tiled roof and iconic bubble tea model outside.
This teahouse actually also serves traditional Taiwanese dishes and snacks. However, many patrons (like us) come here really just for the bubble tea.
Their bubble tea was said to be first created in 1987, where they paired rich and flavourful milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls.
According to the brand, the founder realised that hot tea doesn’t sell well in the hot summer months. He tried making cold tea drinks using a cocktail shaker, which was well-received. He later got inspired to make bubble tea as we know it today when he poured tapioca into a tea drink on a whim.
It sounds convincing enough, but what really impressed us was none other than the milk tea itself.
In most other stores, especially the takeaway ones, you’ll never see the milk tea frothing like that. The thick layer of froth and bubbles is likely due to the fact that they use the cocktail shaker to shake up the milk tea!
I was also impressed by how large the cup was. They were also very generous with the tapioca pearls served. I dare say this is a whole dessert course by itself!
Taste-wise, it actually tastes pretty similar to their takeaway brand TP Tea. There is a hint of cane sugar sweetness, which is supposedly the brand’s unique selling point.
The richness of the milk tea, however, is what truly won us over. The thick, frothy milk was not too sweet, but flavourful enough to keep you addicted. Then you get to the chewy tapioca pearls, and you feel that this dessert is complete.
Is Chun Shui Tang worth visiting?
For bubble tea lovers, there’s no escaping this historical landmark. This was the very first bubble tea we had in Taiwan, and we intentionally made it so.
My travel partners were a little ambivalent about whether you can call it the best bubble tea in Taiwan. However, we did agree that it was very delicious and well worth the trip.
You can also consider ordering their other mains and desserts. I still feel that the bubble tea is the real highlight and requires a fair bit of stomach space though.
The fun photo prop of the giant bubble tea outside Chun Shui Tang did help as well!
Otherwise, if you’re not in Taichung or have no time to make a trip here, you can consider buying their milk tea at TP Tea outlets islandwide as well.
DIRECTIONS
Address: No. 17, Lane 155, Gongyi Road, West District, Taichung City
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