We’ve passed by Tea 18 a few times and finally had time to give it a try after dinner. It’s next to a Xin Fu Tang and Coco’s.
Sign outside.
Hours. Open every day!
Both visits we’ve dropped in on a Saturday (around 6:15pm). It wasn’t busy but there’s people coming in and out. They have the strangest swinging chairs as seats; if you’re accident prone, be careful.
The menu is split into handmade fresh boba, exclusive collection, fruit tea, foam tea, Taiwan pure, summer slush, Taiwan classic flavour, Taiwan high mountain tea and coffee.
They also have some posters up for other drinks and snacks.
They make their own flavoured pearls (a la OneZo style).
They also had some desserts on display but I’ve never seen anyone buy/try them.
Trip #1
Brown sugar bubble with matcha milk ($5.89 medium)
We added the combo ($3.50) to try a bubble waffle. Waffle was excellent; fresh, crispy and fluffy inside.
The brown sugar pearls had a good texture and were clearly freshly made. Liked their pearls significantly more than XFT.
We went with 50% sugar and 30% ice. Pearls were sweet but balanced well with the rest of the drink.
Trip #2
Handmade matcha bubble fresh milk tea ($5.79 large)
We added the combo again ($3.50). Waffle was good again.
We weren’t impressed with the matcha pearls; taste is very subtle and nowhere near as good as their brown sugar pearls. I got hints of their tea flavour but it wasn’t strong enough. Flavour was watered down.
Brown sugar bubble with matcha milk ($5.89 medium)
J ended up getting the same one we ordered first visit but added matcha and caramel pearls ($0.50 extra each).
Trip #3
Herb jelly fresh milk tea ($5.99 large)
The grass jelly was decent but tea flavour was lacking.
Taiwan no. 18 ruby black tea ($3.99 large)
This was bad. Really weak tea flavour. Essentially, the drink tasted like water with a hint of tea.
Cash or debit only. Get the bubble waffle.
Tea 18
https://www.tea18burnaby.com/
6285 Kingsway
Burnaby, BC
(604) 423-2953
