Boba Wars: Seattle’s Chinatown
Many refer to a wide swath of area, formerly reserved for all non-white immigrants, as Seattle’s International District or simply “the ID.” However, there are truly three distinct districts that make up this territory, all with their own distinct communities. This article will explore boba shops within the Chinatown section of the district. Originally dominated by Cantonese benevolent associations, the area has enjoyed a steady mix of immigrants from Japan and the Philippines. And while there are a variety of businesses and ethnicities who enjoy this neighborhood, the neighborhood is called Chinatown. And the owners and workers among these business are anything but international. They are our neighbors. Bounded strictly by Jackson to the North, 5th Avenue to the West, Dearborn to the South and the 5 freeway to the East. The best place to start exploring is at a neighborhood boba shop, then head to Hing Hay Park. Enjoy Chinatown.
Passionfruit Tea on a cold day.
TP Tea
TP Tea opened in late Summer 2020 with a Strawberry Milk and Tie Guan Yin Latte that instantly became Chinatown beverage darlings. It’s hard to stroll down Weller or Maynard without seeing someone gripping a cup emblazoned with the TP Tea script. Not to mention the line on weekends. Oof. The shop carries a royal lineage, as a casual offshoot of one of the first boba tea parlors in Taiwan in the 80s. I find their fruit teas particularly refreshing. Although the toppings are what I assume regulars make a return for. Their grass jelly holds its own as some of the best in Chinatown. Watch out Young Tea.
679 S King St
Ambrosia
When I moved back to Seattle in May 2020 one of my first ventures was to Ambrosia. The micro-shop has been a Chinatown mainstay since the first boba wave hit the Puget Sound from Taiwan and I heard rumor it may have even been the first in Seattle. Either way, Ambrosia has been my favorite spot to grab milk teas & taro snows since middle school. The front is currently shuttered but the lack of a “for lease” sign gives Ambrosia regulars hope. Their Rainier location is still open but the charm is not the same (and it’s not in Chinatown!). Which is why I go. Charm & nostalgia (and a close location in Chinatown). Save Ambrosia!
619 S King St
Seattle Best Tea
I posted an imposing shot of our beloved Smith Tower on Instagram last week to which my friend replied “my dad used to buy fresh tea leaves at this shop nestled somewhere below.” The shop, of course, is Seattle Best Tea. A Pacific Northwest staple known for premium tea leaves for home consumption. However, their selection of ready-made milk teas for boba has kept this shop extremely relevant ever since the modern boba wave hit Seattle in the 90s. Not to mention, Seattle Best Tea offers unlimited free topping with any beverage. My favorite is their heavy Oolong but any of their milk teas come out rich and creamy.
506 S King St
The Houjicha Latte has a deep, roasted flavor.
Young Tea
Young Tea is a relative newcomer to the Chinatown boba playing field yet owner Caroline Lee has hit the right chord with a combination of high-end ingredients and refined lounge seating that makes it feel like a neighborhood mainstay. Their takeout operation during covid-19 is downright streamlined with 1 or 2 guests popping in the door every minute to grab pre-ordered drinks. Lee has managed to keep the shop ultra relevant with new drinks like a Houjicha Latte and new toppings like lychee jelly. I personally love their grass jelly and pudding toppings. And although I am typically a creature of habit, I am addicted to trying new items on their menu.
609 S Weller St
Blackball
Blackball opened among a wave of ribbon cuttings from major Taiwanese chains including Din Tai Fung, meet Fresh & Yifang. However, instead of a focus on teas, the shop is more desert oriented with grass and ai-yu jelly bases. Toppings range from matcha pudding, sweet potato balls and black sesame mochi. Dessert-style boba drinks shine here. So grab something with cheese foam or a matcha jelly fresh milk and brace for sweetness. This is a franchise from Taiwan, so expect curt service and an almost loveless atmosphere that I have actually grown to love.
651 S King St
Grass Jelly dessert. My favorite topping was the sesame balls.
Oasis
Oasis has been a solid option for a plethora of blended and milk-infused boba drinks for as long as I can remember. In middle school, Oasis was the spot you went with your parents after shopping at Uwajimaya. Their options are fairly pedestrian with specialties leaning into fruity milk teas and blended drinks. I think they offer food and during non-Covid times their lounge is popular with students studying and playing games (jenga, anyone?). I would always get honeydew or lychee snow growing up. This popular local chain also has outposts in Capitol Hill & The Ave and offers later hours than many other shops.
519 6th Ave S
Bambu
First and foremost, Bambu is not a bubble tea spot. The storefront serves Vietnamese Che desserts which are typically made up of different shaved ice flavors, toppings and fruit. Get your mind around Filipino Halo Halo, the British Trifle, or a Japanese parfait and you will understand the wide range of flavors and textures known to Vietnamese palettes. The coffee series is particularly refreshing as are the fruity options containing pandan jelly & chia seeds. Bambu is also one of the only places to find Sugarcane juice in the city. Although the shop offers a plethora of Vietnamese specialities, tapioca lovers are welcome and can add boba to most desserts.
516 7th Ave S