9 spots in the Klang Valley for your milk tea fix

Housed in iconic purple cups you’ve probably noticed at any visit to one of the Klang Valley’s many malls, Tealive’s milk teas are some of the area’s most popular. Brews with a bite are this chain’s speciality, filling cups of milk tea with chewy boba pearls. At its Tealive Plus outlets mushrooming around the city, you can find its signature black milk teas laced with brown sugar-sweetened pearls and an array of beverages that celebrate each tea’s unique accords. Find camellia flower tea lattes, bamboo oolong tea lattes, pearl milk tea drizzled with Bornean palm sugar, and more. 

When Koi brought itself to Malaysia, its unique take on bubble tea became the talk of the town. Queues sometimes spanned the walkways of malls or Bukit Bintang’s pavements, with this popularity remaining evident today. Koi’s milk teas are distinctly lighter than other varieties, with added toppings and sweeteners never overshadowing a brew.

Its golden bubble milk tea is a must-order but this writer’s personal favourite is its green milk tea with a scoop of golden bubbles. You’ll also be able to find coconut jelly green milk tea, matcha macchiatos, and caramel milk tea. 

Currently in its soft launch phase, Guuk Guuk has recently blossomed onto Jalan Mega Mendung in Taman United with a menu of bespoke beverages. Guuk Guuk stands as a reimagined lemonade stand, offering fizzy lemonades infused with yuzu, lemon, and lime. The spot may specialise in all things citrus, but its milk teas should not be missed.

On its menu you’ll find pearl milk tea crafted with green or oolong tea leaves, Thai milk tea topped with cheese foam, and panda milk tea that comes with both black and white pearls.

Boran, a favourite for down-to-earth Thai fare in SS14, also happens to offer some of the best Thai milk tea in the Klang Valley. Despite not being dedicated to milk tea, you’ll be able to pair any meal here with a glass of its Thai milk tea. Setting itself apart from conventional milk teas, Thai milk tea features a base of strong Assam tea that is sometimes spiced with vanilla, star anise, or cardamom. A sweetener of condensed milk is used for added richness. At Boran, you’ll be able to find its distinctly orange variety and a matcha-infused Thai milk tea alongside Thai iced coffee. 

See also: Where to eat in Subang Jaya

Subang Jaya, or SS15, specifically, is in no shortage of bubble and milk tea spots. Black Whale is one of the area’s most frequented, boasting an impressive lineup of beverages. For those who prefer sticking to the classics, opt for its royal milk tea or Okinawa brown sugar milk tea. If you’d like a brew that strays from plain black tea, try its osmanthus oolong milk tea or green milk tea. Top your drinks with golden pearls, brown sugar pearls, or even mini honey pearls. 

Liho Tea stands as one of Singapore’s most popular beverage chains. A standout proves its Da Hong Pao brown sugar peal milk tea, a more robust iteration of its classic milk tea. For lighter brews, opt for fragrant jasmine green milk tea or winter melon milk tea. You can also expect milk tea loaded with brown sugar syrup, topped with Lotus Biscoff crumbles, or brimming with grass jelly. 

If you’ve ever had simultaneous cravings for shaved ice and bubble tea or are simply a firm believer that milk teas don’t count as dessert, Ben Gong’s Tea & Dessert is the place for you. The spot is home to a range of milk teas, from osmanthus rice milk tea and jasmine green milk tea to taro rice milk tea.

You’ll be able to amplify the accords of any cup of tea with its homemade tea cubes—chewy squares of jellied black tea, a healthier alternative to traditional tapioca pearls. Its selection of kakigori is bound to impress any tea enthusiast, with almost every flavour featuring a different type of tea. Find shaved ice desserts infused with Thai milk tea, gold oolong, and matcha. 

Originating from Taiwan, Presotea brews each cup to order and places freshness at the forefront of its operation. Its milk tea collection houses an impressive variety of drinks, complete with pearl milk tea, Japanese genmaicha milk tea, peppermint milk tea, and creme brûlée-topped brews. For cups, a tad more indulgent, find its brown sugar-infused drinks or order its matcha latte with red beans and white pearls.

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