Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sojusucks]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um6MPlzow7A&feature=player_embedded

Where are the stores that serve this drink? How much does it cost?

[crossmr]

I've had it back in Canada from a few places.
Not bad. The tapioca isn't for everyone.

I've seen it here once or twice but it was just in passing.

[madoka]

I'm actually surprised that it isn't more popular in Korea. There's hundreds of boba places in the Asian communities of California. The competition is pretty fierce so prices go down to $1 for a cup. The tapioca varies wildly though. Some places are awesome, some are as tough as chewing on a weak rubber, some are overcooked sloppy messes. I don't recall ever seeing it in Korea though.

[interestedinhanguk]

Bubble tea is awesome. Common in Asian communities in the US (Chinatowns). It comes from Taiwan and is still hugely popular there; the shops seem to be as common as convenience stores or coffeeshops here. They're usually for takeout, complete with a sealed on plastic top and pointed straw to stab through. They're addicting.

That video had a bit of misinformation.

First, the tapioca pearls are called "pearls," not "bubbles." The name "Bubble tea" comes from how the original tea was made so it was bubbly on the top. There's plenty of drinks (like in the video) that contain pearls but aren't actually bubble tea (but can be grouped together since they commonly have the pearls and are sold in the same shops). These other drinks can be things like fruit slushies.

They say it's the most popular drink in Korea. We all know that's wrong.

A few different bubble tea/pearl drinks are available at Dunkin Donuts for 3500 won.

[gypsymaria]

Ooh, Dunkin Donuts has bubble tea? FINALLY A REASON TO GO TO DD!

I love bubble tea. I used to get it all the time back home. There were a couple places in St. Paul and a shop in the Mall of America that did decent bubble tea. It's so addictive. I love tapioca pearls. If I could find the ingredients myself and make it at home, I would. Mmmm...

[interestedinhanguk]

I've only ones from DD twice. I had the sweet potato one, it would have been good, but wasn't only warm (was supposed to be hot). The regular milk tea (also hot) was decent but nothing fantastic. We'll see how it goes once summer rolls around and I'm wiling to try the iced ones (the way I like pearl drinks).

[northway]

You can get it at a lot of the places that sell fruit juice. I'm not sure how to say it in Korean though.

[DorkothyParker]

Mmm yes!

Boba milk tea is delish!
My husband finds the texture of the tapioca disagreeable, but I think it's fun. (Like pretending to eat eyeballs!) I've never had it hot, that seems strange. It is nice in iced beverages.

[interestedinhanguk]

Definetely better cold. Hot is interesting, though the tapioca starts to take on a squishy/slimy/melty texture. Not as bad as it sounds, but cold is king.

[normalperson]

Bubble tea is the heaven in heaven.
The reason its not popular in Korea is because it is "old".
I heard that there arent many around because it is out of style.
I have only found 3 stores, One in Myeongdong, one in Coex and one in Apgu.

The one in Apgujeong is called Cofioca and is located 서울특별시 강남구 신사동 659-9

The one in Myeongdong is called "Quickly", you can find the address if you search on google.

[dyc]

Bubble tea is almost an institution here in Vancouver

[lovebug]

i haven't been in ages, but there was one at coex.

there's also one on the main sinchon street. it's on the 2nd floor of a building on the left side of the street if you head towards yonsei from exit 2.

[tatertot]

DO NOT LIKE! I went with some of my friends around 1 AM after working on a really long lab in college. My stomach was upset and it created a bad association with bubble tea. Now, I can't drink it with the tapioca because it makes me feel like vomiting.

[Ice Tea]

Has anyone breathed air?

[wonduhbread]

Yeah I was kinda surprised at this question too, because I first remember encountering bubble tea in Plano, TX, circa 1999. I suppose if there's not a large Asian contingency in wherever you're from, you're less likely to have tried it.

I personally don't see what the big deal is. Chewy balls at the bottom of some tea? They didn't really strike me as even having a taste. But, everything's popular for a reason.