Its pastel color scheme and ranges of “bubbles,” are popular amongst younger crowds for its unique aesthetic and flavor; bubble tea, otherwise known as “boba,” has found a spike in popularity. Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s, but the drink surfaced in the Western world and Western media within the past decade, leading to its expansion down to South Florida. Despite its diverse, but mainly Hispanic population, in Miami, there are a multitude of Asian-owned authentic and delicious boba places in case one is ever craving a unique sweet treat.
1. Miu’s Tea
Located in the heart of South Miami, near the University of Miami, and in Miami Beach, Miu’s Tea offers some of the most extensive and authentic selections of bubble tea Miami has to offer. With a total of 44 flavors to choose from, Miu’s sells classic flavors like milk tea with tapioca pearls, to special flavors like the add-on of ice cream into certain teas — such as their popular ice cream matcha — and even offers dairy-free options, fresh teas and tea-infused lemonades. One of Miu’s most unique selection of teas, however, is their selection of sea salt cream topped teas, which adds a salty but sweet flavor to any fresh tea. With nine to choose from, this includes basics like jasmine green tea crema, to more unique flavors like Ceylon — a type of cinnamon tea — and tieguanyin, a type of oolong tea. Miu’s Tea is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. Miu’s is also highly customizable, in that you can choose the sweetness and ice level of your tea, with an average priceof $5.75
The Panther’s personal recommendations from Miu’s include the taro milk tea, brown sugar boba, ice cream matcha, thai bubble tea with ice cream and their classic Miu’s milk tea.
2. Moge Tee
Located near the Shops at Sunset at the corner of Southwest 58 Ave, the authentic Chinese boba shop Moge Tee offers a wide selection of bubble teas, with just as many classic and unique options for whatever kind of mood one is in. Some classics and common favorites include their brown sugar bubble tea and their classic milk tea. However, Moge Tee’s assortment of fruit teas and cheese foam teas is what puts them on the map. Moge has an assortment of fruit yogurt teas — made from a vanilla yogurt base with a fruit puree of choice, and fruit pearls, fruit tea slushies, pomelo teas, normal fruit teas and cheese foam teas. One may wonder what “cheese foam” would have to add to boba, but this strange-sounding foam makes for a delicious topping to any boba drink; cheese foam is made from a heavy whipping cream made from cream cheese, and with a little sugar, adds some extra sweetness and texture. Like Miu’s, Moge includes the option of add-ons, such as tapioca pearls and other toppings. Moge is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Moge’s prices range from about six to nine dollars.
The Panther’s recommendations from Moge include the brown sugar bubble tea, the strawberry yogurt fruit tea, the cheese foam uji matcha and the creme brulee uji matcha.
3. Teajito
Located in The Crossings shopping village, Teajito is a must-see spot for Miami boba connoisseurs. Like Miu’s and Moge, Teajito offers classic but delicious options like milk tea boba, but is known for its fruit smoothie boba drinks. Some options include the Guanabana lychee, taro slush and honeydew slush, among many more. These can come with either popping boba or tapioca pearls, depending on the customer’s preference. Teajito has an assortment of yogurt fruit teas, like strawberry melon yogurt and peach yogurt, and also gives customers the option of choosing their sweetness levels. Additionally, Teajito has the option of adding sea salt cream, chia seeds, aloe vera, crystal or honey boba to their drinks. Prices at Teajito range from four to six dollars.
The Panther’s recommendations include the taro slush, the passion mango smoothie and the honeydew slush.
4. YiFang Taiwan Fruit Tea
Located in the food court of Dadeland Mall, YiFang is a small yet delicious joint. With a wide selection of teas, YiFang offers authentic teas imported from Taiwan, ensuring customers high-quality tea. As per their name, YiFang is known for its fruit tea selections, including their most popular drink, the YiFang fruit tea. There are also options like aiyu lemon green tea, the black tea latte and classic brown sugar boba. Prices at YiFang range from six to nine dollars
The Panther’s recommendations include the lychee boba tea, which has real lychee fruit pieces, the brown sugar boba and the Yi Fang tea.
5. Devil Fruit Tea Studio
Located in the Westchester shopping center, Devil Fruit Tea offers a unique experience for boba tea lovers, as well as those who are fans of the anime show, “One Piece.” Themed around all things One Piece, from its interior to its menus, Devil Fruit Tea offers an assortment of lemon teas, fruit teas, frozen boba smoothies and “dirty milk swirl” drinks, which include teas like taro and matcha mixed in brown sugar. Unique to Devil Fruit, they also have corn dogs and takoyaki if one is looking for a quick and flavorful bite. Devil Fruit is open from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. every day; prices for boba range from about $6.50 to $7.75.
The Panther’s recommendations include the Thai milk tea, the Saboba island and the Gomu-Gomu no-mi — a reference to the famous “devil fruit” in One Piece.
