If you’re looking to expand your bubble tea horizons, Kung Fu Tea is the place for you. This New York-based chain boasts over 350 locations nationwide, and recently opened its first location in Arlington.
Located on the second floor of Chinatown Square, this new location is more of a pop culture-chic enclave than the typical Chinese eatery. Its vibrant colors, board games and pulsing Top 40 songs all come together to make it feel less like a junior high dance and more of a Tokyo-style cafe.
The KFT menu is full of choices, ranging from classic and milk tea to punches, slushies and even espresso. There are also a variety of add-ins to customize your drink. Choose from bubbles, boba, herbal jelly, red beans, nata beans or milk caps to add an extra layer of fun to your drink.
While you can still get traditional flavors, including lemon, black tea, green tea and taro, the company’s selection of add-ins is also quite impressive. You can try a mango or grape bubble, coffee boba or even lychee crystal bubbles.
But perhaps the most unique of all, is the way they’ve incorporated the spirit of the original Taiwanese boba shops into their menu. This is where the real value lies.
In a market flooded with endless options, KFT is a welcome exception. They’ve focused on emulating the flavors and forms of Taiwanese boba tea, while also adding more social media-friendly foodie trends to their lineup.
There’s a lot of variety in the drinks available at KFT, which is why it can be overwhelming for people unfamiliar with boba tea. The drinks are separated into classic, milk tea, punch, milk cap and yogurt drinks, and customers can choose to adjust the sugar and ice levels or add toppings such as bubbles or red bean.
The addition of these additional flavors is a great addition to the menu, and it also helps KFT stand out from other bubble tea spots in the area. Some of these flavors, such as lychee, are new to the boba market, while others are a staple in Asia.
While this plethora of drinks may sound like a lot, they’re all made with the same basic ingredients: milk, tea and chewy tapioca pearls. The boba adds a touch of sweetness that pairs well with the fruit or milk, while the tea base keeps the beverage fresh and refreshing.
If you’re not sure what to order, they offer a guide to help you decide what will taste best for you. It includes suggestions for the types of milk you should choose, as well as other things to keep in mind when choosing your drink.
For example, it’s a good idea to start with something milder or sweeter than the taro tea or green tea, so you don’t overpower the drink. You can also opt for an oolong tea to balance out the sweetness, or try a mango bubble tea to cut down on the sugar.
