Bubble tea is a sweet drink that originated in Taiwan in the 1980s. It spread to the US in the 1990s through immigration, and since then, mainstream cafes and chains adopted it, leading to the widespread bubble tea culture seen across the country. Today, people of all ages enjoy traveling to cute cafes to purchase a decadent cup of bubble tea. One popular destination is Xing Fu Tang, a renowned Taiwanese bubble tea brand famous for its signature Brown Sugar Boba Milk. The nearest location is on Main Street, accessible to Townsend Harris students via the Q44+, Q20A, or Q20B buses. The design of the building features a glass window where passersby can view staff hand-make their fresh boba drinks. The store itself is relatively small, with no seating options available. Depending on the time and day of the week, the length of the line truly varies. Service is quick, and the shop has a cozy ambiance, perfect for when you want to grab a delicacy with your friends after a long day.
Ube Boba Milk
Rating: 7.5/10
The Ube Boba Milk consists of brown sugar sago combined with taro boba, organic milk, and a layer of ube mix. The drink has a very aesthetically pleasing appearance, as the layers are initially separated but eventually fuse together. Despite the fusion of colors, the drink still remains a unique appealing purple hue, making it undeniably eye-catching.
The drink has the rich, creamy flavor of ube, offering a subtle hint of sweetness, though it was not as sweet as I hoped. The taro boba pearls were the stars of the show—soft, yet chewy—with just the right amount of sweetness to complement the ube.
Personally, I was hoping to satisfy my sweet tooth with this drink, but unfortunately, it was too bitter for my taste. I believe that the ube was the main cause of this, as the boba and sago were sweet by themselves. Overall, the drink had an impeccable texture that was smooth and silky, paired with the pleasant accents of the sago and boba pearls.
However, I would not order this drink again, as it wasn’t a life-changing experience. It offered a unique taste, but it is not something that I would rush to try again, especially since Xing Fu Tang is a self-indulgence. It is nice to have every once in a while, but not too often, since it can be quite pricey at ~$7 for a regular size.
Brown Sugar Boba Milk
Rating: 6.7/10
Xing Fu Tang’s Brown Sugar Boba Milk is often hailed as one of the best in the bubble tea industry—but does it live up to the hype? Visually striking with its signature hand-stirred brown sugar streaks cascading down fresh milk, this drink is undeniably Instagram-worthy.
Brown sugar milk teas have a reputation for being overwhelmingly sweet, and this drink was no exception. My first sip confirmed these stereotypes: it was indulgent and sugary but lacked the nuanced tea base that gives traditional bubble tea its signature flavor. While this drink’s richness may appeal to dessert lovers, those who prefer a more restrained sweetness might find it cloying. In contrast, the Ube Boba Milk offers a more balanced taste, with its natural earthiness complimenting the milk without overwhelming sweetness.
However, the warm, chewy pearls redeemed this experience. Made in-house and caramelized to perfection, the boba offers rich, smoky sweetness that complements the creamy, full-bodied milk. That said, the rapid dissolution of the brown sugar syrup can make the drink lose its depth if not consumed quickly enough.
In terms of cost, this drink was pricey-coming in at a whopping $9 for a size large. Regardless of how good this bubble tea may be, I don’t completely agree with the cost. The portion itself was quite small as well; it was difficult for me to enjoy the drink with my wallet crying in the background.
Ultimately, while Xing Fu Tang’s Brown Sugar Boba Milk is an undeniable treat for those with a sweet tooth, purists seeking a more balanced, tea-forward beverage may find it more of a dessert than a classic bubble tea experience. While it delivers on visual appeal and indulgence, it feels more like a milkshake than a classic bubble tea. If you crave bold tea flavors, you may want to look elsewhere-perhaps try the Ube Boba Milk that delivers a more muted taste. But if you’re in the mood for something rich, creamy, and unapologetically sweet, this might just be your cup.
After this boba battle, there is no clear winner. The Ube Boba Milk and Brown Sugar Boba Milk are two unique drinks, each catered to individual tastes. The Brown Sugar Boba Milk is a classic, satisfying those who enjoy sweet drinks, while the Ube Boba Milk is an experience, pleasing to those who enjoy more bitter drinks. Nevertheless, Xing Fu Tang is a beautiful and tasty experience that you should definitely try.
