Food Porn: Bubble Tea

I wrote earlier that my latest adventure at Bubble Tea involved an avalanche of food. I wasn't kidding. After listing down my favorite items served that night, I was still left with 16 different dishes. It'd be a shame to let all that go to waste, so I decided to post pics and a quick review of each item. Read on to see what I thought of the rest of the feast.

WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES AHEAD. IF YOU ARE USING A HORRIBLE INTERNET CONNECTION, YOU MAY WANT TO GO HELP SOMEONE CHANGE A FLAT TIRE FIRST.

The Stars


Throughout the earlier part of the night, Reagan and Aileen let us try the many different flavors of their signature bubble drinks. Even with servers zooming in and out of the kitchen, not all varieties made their way onto our taste buds. Here's what I thought of those that did make it:

Strawberry Milkshake: Like any good strawberry milkshake, but chewy.

Almond Milk Tea: Do you like almond jelly? Because this tastes exactly like it.

Azuki Red Bean: Okay, I'm getting more of that. It's exactly like red beans.

The Opening Salvo


The Tofu Steak had this amazing sauce that was sweetened by carrots, onions and mushrooms. The tofu itself was delightfully mushy, and a thin bread covering kept it together in between my chopsticks. A winner.


I didn't find the Spicy Tuna spicy enough. I suppose it's good for more casual diners who like their spice to add a tiny bite, rather than flaming-hot fury. The tuna itself had nice texture, like a very smooth tartare dish.


The Bubble Salad Sushi was clean-tasting, with a very slight crunch. I think it's better without soy sauce.

Main Events


At first, I found the pesto in the Tori Pesto Spaghetti a little too mild. I like my pesto sauces with oomph. When I took it together with the teriyaki chicken, however, I totally got it - the two blend very well. Bonus points for the crisp skin on the chicken.


Reagan was very proud of the Tonkatsu Omurice's omelette, saying it was perfectly cooked. I didn't get what he meant until I tried it. The egg was cooked on the outside, but wonderfully gooey inside. It looks like he knows how to time his omelettes. The tonkatsu was pretty good too; the pork was thick enough to enjoy, and the sauce was potent. The tomato-y rice didn't win me over immediately, but I grew to enjoy it.


Again, the Spicy Seafood Mix and Tomato Spaghetti wasn't quite hot enough for me. I did like that they were generous with the seafood, though.


The Chicken Teriyaki Doria is one of Bubble Tea's bestsellers, and it's easy to see why: teriyaki sauce and cheese make for an excellent pairing. I order this from time to time, but I always get the same impression that I'd prefer the dish served on mashed potatoes rather than rice.


I love curry, but I didn't really get enough sauce on the bit of Beef Stew Curry that I tried. Jury's out on this one for now.

Sweet Endings


Every time I think about this dessert, I'm reminded of this commercial. An Oreo Cheesecake is one of the brightest ideas ever conceived around Oreos, and Aileen's version is really generous with the cookies and cream. Order this if you love the cookie.


See that little bit of mango tucked inside the cheese filling? That's what I love about Bubble Tea's Mango Cheesecake - it's generous with the fruit. The cheesecake itself is very smooth and creamy, but not cloyingly so. I do wish it were a bit denser, though.

Lauren's Picks


The Matcha Green Tea and Cappuccino Cake is one of the reasons Lauren and I keep coming back to Bubble Tea. It's got this mocha-like richness to it, but it doesn't really overwhelm you. I could eat this all day and not get sick of its creamy goodness.


I've only really had Takoyaki at stalls, so I don't know what "legit" takoyaki is supposed to be like. I'd wager it's a lot like this, however, with its strong seafood flavor, savory sauce, and gooey texture.


People say Okonomiyaki is the Japanese version of a pizza, but the batter reminds me more of pancakes. In any case, this is a very meaty-tasting pancake, making it perfect for manly men, mustachioed biker gangs, and anybody who enjoys umami food.


Lauren insists that we get the Yakisoba on our next visit. These noodles have just the right amount of savoriness that they wake your taste buds up, but don't have you reaching for the water. The breaded prawns were a much-appreciated touch.

That about wraps it up! Head on over to Bubble Tea at SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, or Tomas Morato. Pretty soon, you'll be able to visit their upcoming branch at Wilson Street, Greenhills. Check out their Facebook page and feel free to join their Pichur Pichur contest, too - you may just be the lucky winner of a brand-new Nikon S230 camera.


Photos by Lauren.