Tap sugar, ice, and topping sliders to build a custom order in Chinese characters you can hand to the cashier. No more pointing at a stranger’s cup.
Welcome to China's Boba Tea Culture!
Boba tea (奶茶) is everywhere in China. Now you can order it like a local! Follow the steps below to build your perfect drink, then use the Chinese phrase to order at any tea shop.
1 Choose Your Tea Base
Where to Buy Boba Tea in China
Popular Chains
- • Heytea (喜茶) — Premium, trendy, expensive (¥18-28)
- • Nayuki (奈雪) — High quality, popular nationwide
- • Mixue (蜜雪冰城) — Budget-friendly (¥3-8), everywhere
- • Luckin Tea (乐乐茶) — Mid-range, Instagram-worthy
- • Chagee (茶颜悦色) — Local favorite in Changsha & Wuhan
How to Order
- Find a shop (use Baidu Maps, Gaode, or Meituan)
- Point to the drink or show your phone screen
- Say "我要一杯..." (I want one cup of...)
- Payment: Alipay or WeChat Pay (no cash needed)
- Wait 5-10 minutes and enjoy!
Common Boba Tea Terms in Chinese
Milk Tea Base
奶茶
Black tea with milk
Fruit Tea Base
果茶
Fresh fruit flavored tea
Sweetness
糖度
Level of sugar
No Sugar
无糖
0% sweetness
30% Sugar
三分糖
Light sweetness (recommended)
50% Sugar
五分糖
Medium sweetness
Full Sugar
全糖
100% sweetness (very sweet!)
Hot
热
Warm drink
Cold with Ice
冰
Iced drink
Cold (No Ice)
去冰
Cold but no ice cubes
Pearls (Tapioca)
珍珠
Chewy tapioca balls
Coconut Jelly
椰果
Chewy coconut flavored jelly
Pudding
布丁
Smooth pudding topping
Aiyu Jelly
爱玉
Refreshing fig jelly
Red Bean Jelly
红豆
Sweet red bean jelly
Pro Tips for Boba Tea in China
✅ DO THIS
- • Try different shops to find your favorite
- • Ask for "三分糖" (3 sugar) if unsure
- • Bring a reusable cup for eco-conscious shops (get discount!)
- • Order during off-peak hours (avoid 12-1pm, 6-7pm)
- • Use Meituan app to pre-order and skip the line
- • Take a photo of your order for next time
DON'T DO THIS
- • Don't order "full sugar" (全糖) unless you have a sweet tooth
- • Don't expect Western-style flavors (no vanilla, cinnamon)
- • Don't be surprised by weird flavors (taro, durian, salted egg yolk)
- • Don't expect refunds for drinks you don't like
- • Don't skip the straw – it's designed for the toppings
- • Don't wait too long after ordering – drink while fresh!
The Golden Rule
Start with 30% sugar (三分糖) and 去冰 (no ice). This is the perfect balance for most foreign palates. Once you've tried a few shops and know your preference, you can adjust. Boba tea is deeply ingrained in Chinese youth culture — trying different shops and toppings is half the fun!