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Best Bubble Tea in Seattle Southside

The rumors are true: the best bubble tea near Seattle is, in fact, in Seattle Southside.

With dozens of boba shops within a few miles of each other, some would say we're the Bubble Tea Capital of the Northwest. We even have a Bubble Tea Trail you can follow to win boba-themed prizes.

Given that Seattle Southside is a hub of international cuisine, it's no surprise that a drink that originated in Taiwan would flourish. Below are some of our favorite bubble tea shops and the must-try drinks on their menus. Happy sipping!

ご近所カフェ
ティーカップ
Natalie's Sugar Cane & Dessert
Tea Time
Coco Bubble Tea
Braganza
モキヌート
Bubble Tea FAQ

Best for Bubble Tea with a Filipino Twist

ご近所カフェ

Neighborhood Cafe, which is located in Tukwila and has an outpost in SEA airport, offers bubble tea with flavors you won't find at your typical boba shop, like flan, banana, and pandan—a tropical plant that gives dishes and drinks a slightly floral, vanilla-like flavor, and is often used in Southeast Asian cuisine. In both its drink and food menu, the cafe leans into its Filipino roots to riff off of traditional dishes, while also offering an eclectic mix of flavors from various Asian cuisines.

Featured drinks: For something creamy and unique, get the Biko Pandan, a blend of black tea and creamy coconut milk that's sweetened with handcrafted brown sugar, made even more savory with a dash of black sesame, and topped with pandan cream. Or, try the Leche Flan Milk Tea, made with Assam (black) tea and sweetened condensed milk - a staple in Filipino desserts.

While you're there: Fill up on a hearty brunch with some homecooked Filipino classics like longanisa (sausage) with ube biscuits and gravy.

Pictured: The Leche Flan Milk Tea and Biko Pandan Milk Tea at Neighborhood Cafe in Tukwila, Washington.

Best for a Day by the Seaside

TEACUP

Teacup, located in charming downtown Des Moines, Washington, is a great place to grab a bubble tea and a Bahn Mi (Vietnamese sandwich) on your way to nearby Des Moines Beach Park. Sip your drink while strolling along Puget Sound or onto the long pier that extends into the water.

Besides the location, there's a lot that makes this cozy, locally owned shop special, not the least of which is that it features organic teas sweetened with cane sugar. The warm, friendly owners and high-quality ingredients make it a favorite of locals like Karine Roettgers, Explore Seattle Southside's Partnerships Manager, who regularly takes her daughter. They love that you can mix and match flavors and choose from toppings such as tapioca pearls and lychee "popping pearls" (small balls that burst with lychee-flavored juice when you bite them).

Featured drinks: The classic Teacup Milk Tea, made with pearls, crystal boba, and egg pudding, is a cut above your average milk tea. If you want something beautiful for the 'gram, try the tricolored Ichiban (Strawberry Matcha Latte) made with organic, hand-whisked matcha and housemade fresh strawberry purée.

Best For a Day of Culinary Exploration

NATALIE'S SUGAR CANE & DESSSERT

Natalie's Sugar Cane & Dessert, located inside the highly popular Lam's Seafood Asian Market, is loved for its fresh ingredients. As the name suggests, the shop uses imported sugar cane that is pressed and juiced in-house. Many of the toppings are also made in the kitchen, including tapioca balls and grass jelly (semi-sweet, chewy, black jelly with a mildly herbal, bitter taste). You can choose from two dozen creative toppings, from crystal boba (a special kind of white tapioca pearls), to house-made jellies in flavors like pandan, lychee, and dragon fruit, to creams flavored with durian, taro, or matcha.

"The freshness of Natalie's is where it’s at," says Sean Puno, Explore Seattle Southside's Creative Services Manager, who ranks the shop among the best in the region.

Featured drinks: The Brown Sugar Milk Tea is one of the most popular menu items. Fans also rave about the light, creamy Taro Milk Tea, which is refreshing and not too sweet.

While you're there: Check out the other food stands at Lam's Eatery and stock up on specialty and imported Asian grocery items.

Pictured: The friendly staff at Natalie's Sugar Cane & Dessert is just one reason locals love it.

Best For a Quick, Cozy Date

Tea Time

You can't help but smile when you walk into Tea Time & Coffee in Tukwila, a bright, cheerful cafe where smiling boba plushies and eclectic art line the walls, and a neon sign creates a fun backdrop for selfies. This family-owned spot has a wide selection of green, black, and fruit teas.

Featured drinks: Customers love the Pick Me Up, made with black boba and smooth, creamy egg pudding, as well as the Ube Milk Tea made with black boba and ube puff cream. For a real indulgent treat, try the Oreo Boba Milk Tea, which is filled with Oreo chunks and topped with savory cheese foam.

While you're there: Pick up some tasty snacks like rice paper and meat jerky. Then explore all there is to do nearby, from bowling to thrifting to shopping and plenty more.

Tea Time & Coffee in Tukwila, Washington

Best for a Shopping Break

Get your boba fix on your next shopping trip at Westfield Southcenter Mall, the largest shopping center in Washington state. Explore more than 140 stores, a movie theater, and plenty of fun activities for kids, then refuel at one of the below bubble tea spots. Each has something unique to offer, but they all have our seal of approval.

CoCo Bubble Tea

Coco Bubble Tea, located inside Westfield Southcenter Mall, is one of the largest boba chains in the world. Founded in Taiwan in 1997, the brand has been a major force in popularizing bubble tea around the globe, with more than 5,000 locations. And it's a hit for a reason: consistent quality and a wide selection of milk tea, fruit tea, and seasonal specials.

Featured drinks: The signature "3 Guys Milk Tea" is a favorite, combining a range of tastes and textures with chewy tapioca pearls, smooth pudding, and refreshing grass jelly. The lavender taro tea is a nice option when you want something caffeine-free. Or you can venture off the beaten boba path with a milk tea topped with "QQ," colorful purple and yellow balls made from taro root and sweet potato.

BRAGANZA

Braganza Tea, which is based in Vancouver, Washington, and has a location in Westfield Southcenter Mall, stands out for its affordability and fresh ingredients. Fans love that the stores offer free add-ons, so you can combine jellies, boba, and pudding to customize your drink to your preferences. Started as a stand at a Portland Farmer’s market in 2003, the brand is committed to fresh ingredients. Loose-leaf tea is brewed every four hours, and syrups are crafted using organic sugar.

Featured Drinks: The Jasmine Milk Tea is simple and refreshing, making it a favorite of our Director of Business Development, Noelle Cueto. In addition to classic milk and fruit teas, Braganza has some unique offerings like "smooth teas" (blended ice drinks) and "mousse tea" (sweetened ice tea topped with a rich, salted cream).

MOCHINUT

Mochinut in Westfield Southcenter Mall is famous for its chewy, perfectly sweet mochi donuts, but it also sells delicious boba in a variety of flavors. The combination donut-and-boba shop shines in its mastery of aesthetics and creative spins on classic drinks.

Featured Drinks: The Passion Mango Lemonade is like happiness in a cup, with layers of bright yellow and vivid purple. Finish it off with a topping like lychee jelly or tapioca balls for the perfect combination of textures. The Tiger Sugar Boba is also a crowd-pleaser, named for the brown stripes that run down the inside of the cup. Mochinut also has a special crème brûlée topping to make your drink extra decadent.

Win Prizes for Trying New Boba Places

While this list includes some of the greatest hits, it's just a sample of the many amazing boba places around Seattle Southside. Sign up for the Bubble Tea Trail below to find more than 20 spots around the area and win prizes for checking into locations. (Click the "Sign Up Now" button below, fill out your info, and wait for a text that will direct you to download the app to your phone). Once you've earned a prize, we'll mail it directly to your house. Along the way, you'll learn about all the sweetest boba spots in the region, from hot spots to hidden gems. It's a win-win!

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Bubble Tea FAQ

Q: What is bubble tea made out of?

A: Boba, or tapioca pearls, are made from tapioca starch, which comes from the cassava root, mixed with water and sugar. Black boba gets its color from brown sugar or caramel, while some varieties include additional flavorings. When cooked, they become soft and chewy, making them a popular addition to bubble tea.

Q: What is grass jelly?

A: Grass jelly is a topping offered at some boba shops. It is made from the leaves and stems of the Mesona chinensis plant, which are boiled with water and then cooled to form a jelly-like texture. It is typically mixed with starch (such as cornstarch or tapioca starch) and sugar to enhance its consistency and flavor. Known for its slightly bitter, herbal taste, grass jelly is often served in drinks or desserts for a refreshing, cooling effect.

Q: What is crystal boba?

A: Crystal boba is a chewy, translucent type of boba made from konjac, a plant-based jelly-like substance. Unlike traditional tapioca pearls, it has a softer, more gelatinous texture and is often flavored with syrups or fruit juices. Its mild sweetness and lighter consistency make it a popular topping for bubble tea and fruit-based drinks.

Q: What is popping boba?

A: Popping boba are juice-filled spheres with a thin, gel-like outer shell that bursts when bitten. They come in various fruit flavors like lychee, mango, and strawberry. Unlike traditional tapioca boba, they have a juicy, refreshing texture and are commonly used in bubble tea, frozen yogurt, and desserts.

Q: Where was Coco Bubble Tea founded?

Coco Bubble Tea was founded in 1997 in Taipei.

Q: What does taro taste like?

A: Taro has a mildly sweet, nutty, and creamy flavor with subtle hints of vanilla and coconut. When cooked, its texture becomes starchy and smooth, similar to a potato or sweet potato. In bubble tea and desserts, it’s often enhanced with milk and sugar, giving it a rich, slightly earthy taste.