The bubble tea trend in Singapore is not showing signs of stopping, yet.
If you are a bubble tea fan who have been to Taiwan, the brand “Milkshop” 迷客夏 shouldn’t be unfamiliar.
It has over 230 outlets in Taiwan (20 in China and 3 in Hong Kong), voted the No.1 brand by Taiwanese university students. So “Milkshop” is finally opening up in Singapore, at Suntec City Mall and Funan.
Marketed as “Milksha” in international markets, its first flagship outlet at Suntec City Mall will be officially launched 22 June (Sat, location above Uniqlo), followed by the second outlet at Funan on 28 June (Fri).
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I tried the Milksha in both Taiwan and Hong Kong, and loved it for the natural tasting and smooth milk.
You may be feeling sort of a bubble tea fatigue now, and wondering what’s the difference between Milksha and all other brands.
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There is some intention to move away from the mainstream brown sugar milk trend, and instead they would like to emphasize on the freshness and pureness of their signature drinks.
Good to know that there are no preservatives, chemical ingredients or artificial colourings used in the beverages.
100% natural fresh milk, no creamer, using sugar from sugar cane.
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With no addition of colourings, you may find that the pearls or bubbles are therefore clearer in colour instead of the usual brownish-black. This is also because the pearls are sweetened with honey.
Milksha will first launch four series in Singapore: Fresh Milk Series, Fresh Milk Tea Latte Series, Premium Tea Series and Special Concoctions; and you can include toppings such as honey pearls, grass jelly and pudding.
If you are unsure what to order, here are the signature Milksha drinks:
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Azuki Matcha Milk ($5.60)
The Azuki Matcha Milk features matcha specially imported from Izumo Tousuien (桃翠園) which is a century-old matcha specialty brand from Japan.
The matcha is first chilled, then directly air-flown to Singapore, assure that you get your ‘legit’ tasting matcha latte.
If you like your distinct matcha flavour, you would get it in this delish drink. Also quite pleasantly light, with nice balance of the slight bitter matcha and moderate sweetness coming from the red beans.
(Just a note: If you want to drink this, look out for “Izaumo Matcha Milk” or “Azuki Matcha Milk” which comes with red beans on the menu. There is also “Green Tea Latte” which is a different thing all together.)
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Fresh Taro Milk ($5.60)
Real taro is used here – impressive. The taro are chopped, steamed, then mashed by hands with a metal masher. After which, the taro mash is scooped up into circular shapes, then blended with milk upon order.
This differs from some stalls which use taro flavours or just powder.
The taro is also specially imported from Dajia (大甲) in Taichung, Taiwan. The district is specially known for its high-quality taro, taro cakes and “purple jade” desserts and the likes.
The blended Fresh Taro Milk was expectedly rich and creamy, just mildly sweet, and may make you feel like you have having an orh nee drink – except that it is relatively smooth and not that thick.
If you love munching some of those taro bits after sipping, you are in luck as they can be found providing that extra textural sensation. Yammy.
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Valrhona 100% Cocoa Milk ($4.80)
Expect a pure and intense cocoa taste, as the drink uses premium Valrhona cocoa from France. (Valrhona is known for producing the world’s finest chocolate in the small village of Tain L’Hermitage, with complex, balanced and consistent flavours.)
I would recommend either a 0% sugar (if you want that rich-bitter chocolate flavour) or 30% for that slight sweetness.
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Earl Grey Latte ($3.80, additional $1.00 for honey pearls)
The Sri Lankan earl grey leaves used are actually freshly brewed in-house, which gives that tea fragrance with bright, clean and invigorating taste.
After mixing with the milk, this drink is part creamy and part comforting.
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Refreshing Orange Green Tea ($4.20, $5.00)
You can already imagine that orange should provide that vibrant taste which transforms green tea to a more ‘lively’ and revitalising drink – great for the hot Singapore weather.
What’s noteworthy is that whole oranges which are imported from Taiwan are juiced. That includes the orange zest which provides an aromatic punch to the drink. (I think this reads better in Chinese… 橙皮的香氣完全釋放，喝起來帶有橙香氣卻不酸又順口)
Taiwanese oranges are used here because they are sweeter, juicier, with distinct sharp flavour.
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Roasted Wheat Tea ($2.60, $3.40)
This is a roasted wheat and cassia seed tea, somewhat like coffee in terms of the aroma and bitter-sweet taste, yet without the caffeine.
For those who enjoys the toasty and earthy flavour, with slight bitter undertones.
You can drink it kosong (sans sugar), or added with milk and grass jelly.
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Brown Sugar Milk ($4.60, additional $1.00 for honey pearls)
This currently trending drink has a different take here.
Firstly, the brown sugar is prepared from scratch, ie the brown suagr imported from Taiwan is mixed, heated and stirred thoroughly till it becomes the molten liquid form. No pre-mixes or syrups are used.
The boba or bubbles are the bottom are honey pearls. They are freshly cooked, then frozen before being air-flown directly to Singapore. Instead of using dried pearls, Milksha invests in quick freeze technology to maintain the texture and taste consistency of each pearl.
Thus, you would find that the pearls have this honeyed-sweetness and are more chewy than usual. Also the brown sugar taste doesn’t overwhelm the whole cup.
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Black Sesame Milk ($4.80)
Even though this is not one of appointed signature drinks and is ‘hidden’ near the bottom of the menu, I would think this Black Sesame Milk has got what it takes to be popular among Singaporeans.
If you love your Goma drinks or zhi ma hu aka grounded black sesame seeds dessert, you should give the Black Sesame Milk a go for the delicious nutty and mellow taste.
Tip: Add some red bean for the ultimate sweet-earthy pleasure.
So this is my personal recommendation: Azuki Matcha Milk, Black Sesame Milk, and Fresh Taro Milk. Hmm… happens to be all the milk drinks. I guess they are called Milksha for a reason.
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Milksha Opening Promotion
Milksha will be opening its first flagship outlet at Suntec City Mall on 22 June 2019 (Sat), followed by its second outlet at Funan on 28 June 1019 (Fri).
Get your hands on Milksha’s uniquely designed cup sleeves with every purchase of drinks. Suntec City outlet will offer two, while Funan outlet will offer one of their own store-exclusive cup sleeves designs.
In celebration of Milksha’s Funan outlet opening, purchase any 4 drinks and get a Milksha tumbler for free. Promotion is valid from 28th June 2019 onwards. While stocks last for both exclusive items.
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Milksha – Suntec City Mall
3 Temasek Boulevard #02-375/376 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983 (Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre side, above Uniqlo)
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
https://www.facebook.com/milkshasingapore
Milksha – Funan
107 North Bridge Road #02-K07 Funan, Singapore 179105
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Sun)
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* This entry is brought to you in partnership with Milksha.