A Traveler’s Handbook to Bubble Tea in China

Trying bubble tea in China gives you a taste of one of the country’s most exciting trends. Young people across China flock to over 400,000 shops, making bubble tea a daily habit.

In 2023, almost two-thirds of Chinese people enjoyed bubble tea at least three times a month, showing how this drink connects friends and shapes youth culture.
A market worth over $10 billion and brands like Heytea opening stores in dozens of cities prove that bubble tea is more than just a drink in China.

Key Takeaways

• Bubble tea is a popular daily drink in China, especially among young people, with over 500,000 shops nationwide.
• Major chains like Mixue and Hey Tea offer affordable and trendy drinks, while local shops provide unique flavors and toppings.
• You can customize your bubble tea by choosing tea type, sweetness, ice level, milk, and toppings to create your perfect drink.
• Learning simple Mandarin phrases helps you order confidently and enjoy the authentic bubble tea experience.
• Look for busy, well-branded shops near schools or shopping areas to find fresh, high-quality bubble tea and avoid copycats.

Bubble Tea in China

Culture and Popularity

You see bubble tea everywhere in China. This drink has become a symbol of youth culture. Young people love to meet at bubble tea shops after school or work. The market has grown very fast in recent years. You can find more than 500,000 bubble tea outlets across the country. The industry now has at least six billionaires. The market value reached USD 2.7 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow even more.

You notice brands like Mixue Group leading the market with thousands of stores. Bubble tea has become a daily treat for many people in China.

Social Experience

Bubble tea is more than just a drink. It shapes how young people in China connect and share experiences. Most bubble tea fans are between 18 and 34 years old. You often see students and young workers gathering at bubble tea shops near universities and city centers. These shops create a fun and trendy place to meet friends.

• HeyTea started in Shenzhen and now has 4,000 stores worldwide.
• The drinks look beautiful, so many people post photos on social media.
• Brands work with luxury companies and popular shows to stay trendy.
• Loyalty programs and special deals attract students and young adults.

Many shops use digital ordering and apps to make your visit easy and personal. You can choose healthy options like zero-sugar teas or drinks with added collagen. Bubble tea in China mixes fun, wellness, and social life, making it a big part of modern youth culture.

Bubble Tea Shops

Major Chains

When you travel in China, you see many famous bubble tea chains. Some of the top names include Mixue, Hey Tea, Yi Dian Dian, The Alley, and Coco. Each chain has its own style and menu. Mixue stands out as the largest chain by store count, even bigger than Starbucks or McDonald’s in China. You find Mixue shops almost everywhere, especially near schools and busy streets. The drinks are affordable, with many options under $2. Hey Tea is known for its cheese tea and modern shop designs. The Alley offers creative flavors and beautiful packaging. Coco and Yi Dian Dian focus on classic milk teas and fruit teas. These chains make it easy for you to try bubble tea in many cities.

Local Favorites

Besides the big chains, you discover many local bubble tea shops in China. These shops often have unique recipes and special toppings. Some local shops use fresh fruit or homemade syrups. You might find a shop that serves only one or two signature drinks. Local shops often use viral marketing, like catchy songs or TikTok videos, to attract young customers. Many students and workers choose these shops for quick, tasty drinks at low prices. You can enjoy a wide range of flavors and styles by exploring both chain and local shops.

Spotting Authentic Shops

You want to find real, high-quality bubble tea shops during your trip. Look for busy shops with long lines, especially near colleges or shopping areas. Authentic shops often display their menu clearly and use fresh ingredients. Many chains have official logos and clean, modern designs. Be careful of copycat shops that use similar names or logos. Prices in China can be very low, but quality shops focus on taste and freshness. If you see lots of young people taking photos or using mobile apps to order, you have likely found a popular spot.

How to Order Bubble Tea

Step-by-Step Guide

Ordering bubble tea in China feels exciting and easy once you know the process. Shops often use digital screens or paper menus. You can follow these steps to get your perfect drink:

Choose Your Drink
Start by picking a tea base. Most menus offer green tea, black tea, jasmine tea, or oolong tea. You can also find fruit teas and specialty drinks.

Select Your Size
Most shops offer small, medium, or large cups. Some chains use unique cup shapes or branded designs.

Pick Your Sweetness Level
You can control how sweet your drink tastes. Common choices include 100% (full sugar), 70%, 50%, 30%, or 0% (no sugar). Many people now choose less sugar for a healthier option.

Decide on Ice Level
You can ask for regular ice, less ice, or no ice. Some shops offer warm or hot versions, especially in winter.

Add Toppings
Toppings make bubble tea fun. Popular choices include tapioca pearls, popping boba, coconut jelly, lychee jelly, and aloe chunks. Some shops offer cheese foam or pudding.

Choose Your Milk Type
Many shops let you pick between regular milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Dairy-free options are popular with health-conscious customers.

Place Your Order and Pay
You can order at the counter or use a self-service screen. Most shops accept cash, WeChat Pay, or Alipay.

Tip: Customizing your drink makes the experience special. Shops in China encourage you to try new combinations.

Useful Mandarin Phrases

Knowing a few Mandarin phrases helps you order with confidence. Here are some helpful expressions:

Practice these phrases before you visit a shop. Staff often appreciate your effort to speak Mandarin.

Menu Navigation

Menus in Chinese bubble tea shops look colorful and full of choices. You see drinks grouped into categories like “Classics,” “Fruit Teas,” and “Specialty Drinks.” This layout helps you find your favorite quickly. Many shops update their menus often to include trendy or limited-time drinks.

• 94% of people aged 20-29 bought bubble tea in the last three months. Shops focus on this group by offering many customization options.
• You can pick your tea base, fruit flavor, sweetness, milk type, and toppings. This high level of personalization keeps customers happy and coming back.
• Menus often show clear pictures and descriptions. Some shops use digital screens that let you tap your choices.
• Health-conscious options, such as sugar-free sweeteners and dairy-free milks, appear on many menus.
• Shops group drinks into easy-to-read sections. This design helps you order faster and with more confidence.

Note: If you feel unsure, point to a picture or ask staff for recommendations. Many shops have English menus or use numbers for each drink.

Learning how to order bubble tea in China gives you a fun way to explore local flavors and trends. You can enjoy the process and try something new every time.

Toppings and Flavors

Popular Toppings

When you order bubble tea in China, you get to choose from a wide range of toppings. The most famous topping is tapioca pearls. These chewy pearls give your drink a fun texture and a sweet taste. Many people also enjoy popping boba pearls, which burst with juice when you bite them. Fruit jellies, coconut jelly, and agar pearls add different flavors and colors to your cup. Some shops offer unique bubble tea toppings like aloe chunks or pudding for a smooth and creamy taste. You can mix and match toppings to create your own special drink. The variety of pearls and jellies makes every sip exciting.

Flavor Choices

Bubble tea shops in China offer many flavor choices. You can pick classic milk tea, fruity teas, or even trendy flavors like brown sugar or taro. Some shops use matcha, coffee, or fresh fruit purees to create new tastes. Seasonal flavors, such as mango in summer or chestnut in winter, keep menus fresh and interesting. Many young people love to try new flavors and share their colorful drinks on social media. Shops often introduce limited-time flavors to match holidays or local festivals. This focus on novelty and variety attracts both locals and travelers.

• Customization of flavors, toppings, and sweetness levels makes each drink unique.
• Health-conscious options like low-sugar or plant-based ingredients appeal to many customers.
• Innovative flavors such as brown sugar milk tea and taro keep bubble tea popular with Gen Z and Millennials.

Customization Options

You can personalize your bubble tea in many ways. Most shops let you choose the type of tea, milk, toppings, sweetness, and ice level. This high degree of customization helps you find the perfect taste. If you have dietary needs, you can ask for plant-based milk or low-sugar options. In some regions, you find halal-certified toppings or local specialties like rosewater or saffron pearls. The table below shows how customization trends differ by region:

You can always ask staff for recommendations or try something new. The freedom to choose your own pearls, flavor, and toppings makes bubble tea a fun and personal experience.

Traveler Tips

Avoiding Pitfalls

You want to enjoy the best bubble tea experience in China. Look for shops with clear branding and busy crowds. Many authentic stores display their menu with bright photos and clean designs. If you see a shop with a name or logo that looks almost like a famous brand, stay cautious. Copycat shops sometimes use lower-quality ingredients. You can check reviews on apps like Dianping or ask locals for their favorite spots. Try to visit shops near schools or shopping centers, where young people gather. These places often serve fresh drinks and chewy pearls.

Tip: If you see staff making pearls in small batches, you likely found a quality shop.

Must-Try Drinks

China offers many unique bubble tea flavors. You should try classic milk tea with pearls for a true local taste. Brown sugar milk tea has a rich, caramel flavor and soft pearls. Cheese tea, which has a creamy cheese foam on top, is very popular. Fruit teas with fresh fruit and popping pearls give you a refreshing option. Some shops offer seasonal drinks, like mango or taro, that you cannot find elsewhere. Ask staff for their best-sellers or look for drinks with lots of photos on the menu.

Etiquette

When you order bubble tea in China, you show respect by waiting your turn and speaking politely. Many shops use digital screens, so you can order quietly. If you want to take photos, do not block the counter or other customers. Always say “thank you” (xièxiè) to the staff. You can enjoy your drink inside the shop or take it to go. Remember to throw away your cup and straw in the right bin. Sharing your drink with friends is common, especially if you order different flavors and swap sips.

You can discover something new every time you try bubble tea in China. Shops use both tradition and innovation to create drinks that reflect local and global trends. Bubble tea started as a symbol of Taiwanese identity, but now you see it everywhere, shaped by expert techniques and fresh ideas. Exploring different shops lets you taste this mix of culture and creativity. Use the tips in this guide to order with confidence and enjoy each visit.

Start your bubble tea adventure today and connect with the vibrant world of Chinese youth culture!

FAQ

What is the most popular bubble tea flavor in China?

Classic milk tea with tapioca pearls is the most popular. Many people also love brown sugar milk tea and fruit teas. You can find these flavors in almost every shop. Try them first to experience the local favorites.

Can you find vegan or dairy-free bubble tea options?

Yes, you can find vegan and dairy-free options in many shops. Look for oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk on the menu. Ask staff for plant-based choices. Many toppings, like fruit jellies and pearls, are also vegan-friendly.

How do you pay for bubble tea in China?

Most shops accept mobile payments like WeChat Pay and Alipay. Some also take cash or credit cards. You can use a payment app on your phone for quick service. Ask staff if you need help with payment.

Is it safe to drink bubble tea from street vendors?

Tip: Choose busy vendors with clean equipment and fresh ingredients.
You should avoid shops that look dirty or have few customers. Popular chains and busy local shops usually offer safe, high-quality drinks.

Can you bring bubble tea on public transport in China?

You can bring bubble tea on most buses and subways. Some cities may have rules about open drinks. Always keep your cup sealed and avoid spills. Check local signs or ask staff if you are unsure.