On the morning of 19 April 2020, the hearts of die-hard McDonald’s fans were broken when the fast-food released a statement on the suspension of all their restaurant operations until 4 May 2020. Three days later, on 21 April 2020, bubble tea addicts were left in devastation after PM Lee’s address to the nation. In his announcement, as part of tightening measures to control community spread of COVID-19, more workplaces will be closed—that includes bubble tea shops that are now deemed as non-essential businesses.
If you are now at a loss, thinking of ways to satisfy your bubble tea cravings until 4 May 2020, we are here for you. Since the restriction applies mainly to standalone bubble tea outlets like Gongcha and KOI, we have come up with 10 alternatives where you can still get your bubble tea fixes during this extended ‘Circuit Breaker’!
1. Tuk Tuk Cha
Pair your Thai food orders from Tuk Tuk Cha with an assortment of their unique Thai-inspired signature beverages like Thai Milk Tea (S$3.50), Thai Green Milk Tea (S$3.50) and Thai Milk Coffee (S$3.50). If you are looking for something refreshing to beat the heat, their Butterfly Pea (S$3.50) and Soda Mix (S$3.50) are your best choices as they are available in a wide variety of flavours for you to choose from.
Enjoy your drink as it is, or jazz it up with the addition of Black Pearls (+S$0.50), Mango Pearls (+S$0.50) and even a Single Scoop Ice Cream (+S$1.50) for a customised beverage of your liking!
Expected Damage: S$3.50 – S$3.90 per pax
Tuk Tuk Cha: Available for delivery on GrabFood, FoodPanda and Deliveroo | Please refer to list of locations and operating hours here | Website | Facebook | Instagram
2. Zoey’s Diner
Staying around the area of Sengkang or Punggol? My fellow North-easterners, if you are craving bubble tea, Zoey’s Diner has got us covered!
Get to enjoy an extensive selection of beverages such as their boba favourites like Classic Afternoon Milk Tea (S$4.40) and Black Sugar Caramel Milk Tea (S$4.10) or the floral likes from their rose series such as the Floral Honey Rose Tea (S$3.10) and Winnie’s Lychee Rose Nectar (S$5.20). These beverages make the ideal companion to the eatery’s bite-sized bao-burgers, which is perfect for any time of the day.
Expected Damage: S$2.50 – S$5 per pax
Zoey’s Diner: Available for delivery on GrabFood, FoodPanda and Deliveroo | 1 Sengkang Square, Compass One, #01-01, Singapore 545078 | Operating Hours: 11am – 9.30pm (Daily) | Facebook | Instagram
3. SOD Cafe
Singapore’s first-ever cafe which started off from a bubble tea kiosk, we can definitely rely on SOD cafe to serve us cups of bubble teas comparable to the likes of LiHo and KOI.
Apart from their Signature Milk Tea (S$3), SOD Cafe also serves other classic flavours like Taro Milk Tea (S$3.50) and Brown Sugar Mike Tea (S$3.50). Adventurous bubble tea lovers will enjoy the eatery’s exclusive Tan Milk Tea (S$3.50) which is an ice-cold blend of activated charcoal with oolong milk tea. With its exceptionally beautiful black to light brown gradient colour, this beverage is also one for the ‘gram (if it manages to last through delivery without getting vigorously shaken).
Expected Damage: S$3 – S$3.50 per pax
SOD Cafe: Available for delivery here | 51 Hougang Avenue 9, Ci Yuan Community Centre, #01-03, Singapore 538776 | Operating Hours: 11am – 8.30pm (Daily) | Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Broti SG
If you are familiar with pasar malams and food bazaars, you would have definitely heard of Broti SG. For the uninitiated, Broti SG serves up freshly brewed ice teas and sodas that have the ability to attract unmistakeable snaking queues during bazaars and food events.
This ‘Circuit Breaker’ even without such events, fans of Broti will still be able to savour their classic Thai Milk Tea (S$6), Green Milk Tea (S$6) and Earl Grey Milk Tea (S$6) as they are offering island-wide free delivery with the minimum of three cups (1 Litre per cup) purchased. Even without the addition of boba, Broti’s milk teas will leave you smiling and satisfied!
Expected Damage: S$6 per pax
Broti: Available for delivery here | Delivery will only be available from 4pm to 7pm (Daily) | Facebook
5. Bubble Tea Bread & Cakes
While most bakeries tend to only sell bread and cakes in their shop, Bubble Tea Bread & Cake ensures that you don’t go thirsty but also adding bubble teas to their menu.
At Bubble Tea Bread & Cake, don’t expect fancy concoctions as you will be served cheap and affordable classic Milk Tea with Pearls (S$1.90) the old school way—without the option for sugar level. Despite that, their Milk Tea retains a nice, mild sweetness and a good balance between the milk and tea. Certainly a fuss-free option if you happen to pass by the shop or while you are also picking up some bread for the family!
Expected Damage: S$1.40 – S$1.90 per pax
Bubble Tea Bread & Cakes: Woodlands Drive 44, #01-26, Blk 548, Singapore 730548 | Opening Hours: 6.30am – 10pm (Daily)
6. I Love Taimei 我愛台妹
Not only is I Love Taimei 我愛台妹 known for their Taiwanese street snacks, their bubble tea selection has also gained the likes of many Singaporeans. Apart from conventional milk tea flavours, regulars to the eatery will recommend their signature milk teas like Sunny Island (S$4.90), 1988 Milk Tea (S$4.90) and Lychee La Creme (S$3.90).
Although I Love Taimei 我愛台妹 is still in business during this period, do note that they are not selling any walk-in bubble tea only orders. All beverage orders are to be purchased with food and diners are limited to two combos or two food items plus two drinks. So do take note of their changes before you head down to their nearest outlet for takeaway or click on the app for delivery!
Expected Damage: S$3.00 – S$4.90 per pax
I Love Taimei 我愛台妹: Available for delivery on GrabFood and FoodPanda | Please refer to list of locations and operating hours here | Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. 8 Degrees
Those of you staying along Serangoon would have heard of 8 Degrees, a bistro selling classic Taiwanese favourites situated alongside the row of food establishments at Teck Chye Terrace.
Together with your order of their famous Oyster Mee Sua (S$5.80) or 8 Degrees Pork Belly Rice (S$5.80), why not top it up with a cup of 8 Degrees Bubble Milk Tea (S$4.80) or Honey Bubble Milk Tea (S$5.80)? For those of you who like boba not only in your drinks but also your desserts, 8 Degree also offers Milktea with Yamball (S$7.80) and Yamball Grassjelly with Snowice (S$8.80) to keep you cool in Singapore’s scorching hot weather!
Expected Damage: S$4.00 – S$8.80 per pax
8 Degrees: Call +65 6284 8226 or WhatsApp +65 8620 1347/ +65 8180 8066 for delivery | 37 Teck Chye Terrace, Singapore 545734 | Opening Hours: 12pm – 3pm and 5pm – 9.30pm (Mon to Fri), 12pm – 10.30pm (Sat), 12pm – 9.30pm (Sun) | Facebook
8. 7Tea Cafe
Probably the place selling the cheapest bubble teas on this list, 7Tea Cafe is located at Jurong Market and Food Centre.
The beverage list here is extensive with not only teas but also coffees to choose from. If you are spoilt for choice, take a pick from their top 10 menu which includes bestsellers like Bubble Milk Tea (S$1.80), Hazelnut Milk Tea (S$1.70) and Oolong Milk Tea (S$1). With the price of a cup of beverage going as low as S$1, what else can we ask for?
Expected Damage: S$1 – S$3.50
7Tea Cafe: 3 Yung Sheng Road, Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre, #03-142, Singapore 618499 | Opening Hours: 11.30am – 3pm (Mon to Thurs), 11.30am – 9pm (Fri & Sat), 11.30am – 3pm (Sun)
9. Sofnade
Not the first name that you’ll think of when craving a cooling cup of bubble tea, but Sofnade is more than just a bubble tea cure. It’s a halal-certified catering company that offers Nasi Ambeng sets (starting from S$12.90 for one pax), Meatballs Platter (starting from S$20), Tingkat meals, and yes, thirst-quenching Bubble Tea (S$2.50 – S$3.50 per cup).
For our Muslim friends who will start fasting later this week, this is your best excuse to order families meals for breaking fast, all while scratching that itch for a bubble tea fix! Be sure to order in advance though, as they do, at times, close their online orders early when there are too many hungry customers to serve.
Expected Damage: S$2.50 – S$3.50 per pax
Sofnade: Tel: +65 8930 9756 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Monga Fried Chicken Singapore 艋舺ㄟ雞排
What does fried chicken have in common with bubble tea? For one, it is certainly comfort food that we are all in need of right now! But here at Monga Fried Chicken Singapore, you can have both, and be blissfully satiated.
Their Taiwanese Brown Sugar Bubble Milk Teas in Original & Matcha flavours are still available throughout the extension of the ‘Circuit Breaker’, so there’s no need to panic. Grab either their Black Dragon and Green Dragon (S$4.20 each) creation simply by calling/texting +65 8896 5136 one day in advance (to secure your slots) or take-away from Monga SingPost Centre.
They also offer free islandwide delivery with a minimum purchase order of S$30. No excuses now!
Expected Damage: S$4.20 – S$5 per pax
Monga Fried Chicken Singapore 艋舺ㄟ雞排: Tel: +65 8896 5136 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Now, who says that there are no bubble tea alternatives out there? If these bubble teas are not able to satisfy you, why not try making them for yourselves? After all the experimentation at home, you might be able to make better tasting bubble teas in the comforts of your own homes!
