Bubble tea shops staying open during CNY to help you survive the festive season
As we all know, one of Singapore’s national pastimes is to queue for bubble tea. Nothing gets people as excited as a good ol’ cup of boba-filled goodness — it’s almost an addiction.
The Covid-19 circuit breaker showed us how bubble tea withdrawal is real, and left people antsy and pining for their tea fixes.
Alas, with Chinese New Year (CNY) around the corner, many boba fanatics will no doubt be worrying about getting their mandatory bubble tea fixes when many shops are shuttered for the festivities.
If you’re one of them, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered with a list of bubble tea shops where you can spend your hongbao money during CNY.
1. LiHo
With a whopping 94 outlets across the island, Singapore’s largest bubble tea brand needs no introduction, especially with an array of popular classics such as the brown sugar lover, earl grey milk tea, and even a new coconut shake.
A sizeable share of LiHo stores will stay open throughout CNY to ensure that Singapore’s bubble tea addiction is well fed. Operating hours will revert to normal on Jan 24, except at 10 outlets.
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Outlets |
All outlets open till 5pm, except:
Asia Square Tower, Bugis Downtown Line, Bugis Street, Bukit Merah Central, Changi City Point, Cineleisure, East Village, Far East Plaza, HarbourFront Centre, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, One Raffles Place, Resort World Sentosa, and Tanjong Pagar Centre. These stores will be closed. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
All outlets (12pm to 10pm) except:
These 30 outlets will remain closed: 18 Tai Seng, Ang Mo Kio Hub L2, Aperia, ARC, Asia Square Tower, Bugis Downtown Line, Boon Lay Shopping Centre, Bugis Street, Bukit Merah Central, Changi City Point, Cineleisure, East Village, Far East Plaza, Funan, HarbourFront Centre, Heartland Mall, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, myVillage, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, One Raffles Place, Orchard Gateway, Parkway Centre, Queensway Shopping Centre, Raffles City Shopping Centre, Square 2, Tanjong Pagar Centre, Changi Airport Terminal 3, Changi Airport Terminal 4, and Zhong Shan Mall. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
All outlets (12pm to 10pm) except:
These 21 outlets will remain closed: 18 Tai Seng, Aperia, ARC, Asia Square Tower, Bugis Downtown Line, Bugis Street, Bukit Merah Central, Changi City Point, Cineleisure, East Village, Far East Plaza, HarbourFront Centre, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, One Raffles Place, Queensway Shopping Centre, Square 2, Tanjong Pagar Centre, Changi Airport Terminal 3, and Changi Airport Terminal 4. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual, except for these outlets: Asia Square Tower, Bugis Downtown Line, Bugis Street, Bukit Merah Central, Cineleisure, East Village, Far East Plaza, Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore, and One Raffles Place. These stores will be closed. |
2. Koi
In case you start getting withdrawal symptoms for the iconic brand’s popular items such as yakult green tea or ovaltine macchiato, you can get your Koi bubble tea fix all throughout CNY at selected outlets.
Operating hours will revert to normal on Jan 24.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
All outlets (10am to 5pm) * Except Takashimaya (10am to 5.30pm) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
41 outlets open on CNY Days 1 and 2 (12pm to 9pm) * Except Takashimaya that opens only on Day 2 Full list here. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual. |
3. Gong Cha
Gong Cha is a household name. Being one of the OGs that brought artisanal bubble tea into the Singapore mainstream, its earl grey milk tea, milk foam and taro drink are some of the most popular choices among boba aficionados.
After the first two days of CNY, it will be business as usual at most of its outlets — so look out for Gong Cha if you’re in need of some bubble tea on your well-deserved day off on Tuesday (Jan 24)!
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
All outlets open till 5pm, except: Telok Ayer, One Raffles Place, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Changi General Hospital, UTown, National University of Singapore Science Canteen Frontier, and Singapore Management University Cafe. These stores will be closed. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
11 outlets will be open (12pm to 9pm): 313@Somerset, Pasir Ris MRT station, Tampines MRT station, Northpoint City, Lot One Mall, SingPost Centre, Compass One, Nex, Woodlands MRT station, Westgate, and Toa Payoh |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
Eight outlets will be open (12pm to 9pm): Clementi, 313@Somerset, Great World, Pasir Ris MRT station, Tampines MRT station, Causeway Point, Westgate, and Toa Payoh Six stores will revert to regular hours: Northpoint City, Lot One Mall, SingPost Centre, Compass One, Nex, and Woodlands MRT station |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual, except for these outlets: Telok Ayer, One Raffles Place, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Changi General Hospital, UTown, National University of Singapore Science Canteen Frontier, and Singapore Management University Cafe. These stores will be closed. |
4. Chicha San Chen
Chicha San Chen is known for its drinks handcrafted by Taiwanese tea masters with more than 20 years of experience, bringing out the best flavours and aromas of its carefully sourced teas.
They’ll be available on CNY Eve and at certain stores on Days 1 and 2. All outlets will revert to normal operating hours on Jan 24.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
All outlets (11am to 5pm) * Except:
Chinatown Point, Change Alley Mall, Eastpoint Mall, Nanyang Technological University, and National University of Singapore Full list here. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual. |
5. R&B Tea
At one point, R&B Tea was among the most sought-after bubble tea brands in Singapore, winning over hordes of boba lovers with its signature brown sugar boba milk with cheese brulee’s tantalisingly caramelised foam layer and “tiger stripes”.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
All outlets (11am to 3pm) * Except:
Full list here. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
Hours back to usual. * Except:
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual. * Except:
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6. HeyTea
With its claim to fame as the originator of cheezo tea, HeyTea is an artisanal tea brand that constantly innovates with its beverage options. Its stores at Ion Orchard and Marina Bay Sands will operate on CNY Days 1 and 2 for those who find themselves in town.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
All outlets open till 5pm * Opening hours depend on outlet |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
All outlets (11am to 9pm) |
7. Playmade
Amassing a legion of fans smitten with its whimsical flavoured boba, Playmade is a brand from Tainan that specialises in one-of-a-kind toppings such as black sesame and grape boba.
With the GrabKitchen at Hillview open till 10pm on CNY Eve, it’s the perfect sweet treat for quality post-reunion-dinner moments with your extended family.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
* Opening hours depend on outlet
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
11 outlets will be open (11am to 9pm):
Ang Mo Kio Hub, Jurong Point, Nex, Northpoint City, Seletar Mall, Suntec City, Tampines 1, Tiong Bahru Plaza, VivoCity, Waterway Point, and Westgate *Only large cups are available for purchase on Day 1. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
11 outlets will be open (11am to 9pm):
Ang Mo Kio Hub, Jurong Point, Nex, Northpoint City, Seletar Mall, Suntec City, Tampines 1, Tiong Bahru Plaza, VivoCity, Waterway Point, and Westgate *Only large cups are available for purchase on Day 2. |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual. |
8. Dont Yell At Me
This quirkily named bubble tea brand is a fairly new entrant that has just one store at Orchard Central thus far. But Dont Yell At Me will be open for business throughout the CNY period to satiate your boba cravings.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
Orchard Central (11am to 5pm) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
Orchard Central (1pm to 8pm) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
Orchard Central (1pm to 8pm) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual |
9. Milksha
In case you’ve never heard of Milksha, the “No 1 Bubble Tea Brand” voted by Taiwan’s university students has persisted with its mission of making fresh drinks — even flying in its pearls daily from Taiwan.
The staff are given a well-deserved rest on the first day of CNY, but all outlets will be ready to provide you with your bubble tea fix on the other two days.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
All outlets open (11am to 3pm) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
All outlets closed |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
All outlets open (11am to 10pm) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
All outlets open (11am to 10pm) |
10. Bober Tea
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Bober Tea is a homegrown artisanal tea brand that focuses on fusing the unique flavours of Taiwan, China and Japan into its beverages — sometimes with a local twist.
Most of its Esso petrol station outlets will be open during CNY, so you can grab a cup en route to your many destinations.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
Bukit Panjang Plaza, IMM, Clementi, Boon Keng, Somerset, Century Square, Esso MacPherson, Esso Yishun, Esso Bukit Batok, Esso Bukit Merah, Esso Woodlands, Esso Sengkang, Esso Lorong Chuan |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
Six Esso outlets open (12pm to 8pm):
Yishun, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Woodlands, Sengkang, Lorong Chuan |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
Yishun, Bukit Batok, Bukit Merah, Woodlands, Sengkang, Lorong Chuan |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual. |
11. iTea
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Established in 2011, iTea is one of the more established brands known for its affordability. The chain has more than 40 outlets found all throughout the heartlands.
That makes it convenient for CNY visiting, with a handful of its stores available to fix up some bubble tea, in case you need a break in between the nagging from your nosy relatives.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
Hours back to usual. |
12. The Alley
View this post on Instagram
The Alley burst onto the Singapore scene as a brown sugar fresh milk specialist that has since expanded to 12 outlets islandwide.
Several geographically distributed branches will stay open during CNY for the convenience of bubble tea fans.
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Outlets open on CNY Eve (Jan 21) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 1 (Jan 22) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 2 (Jan 23) |
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Outlets open on CNY Day 3 (Jan 24) |
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All bubble tea brands mentioned here are on the GrabFood delivery service. You can also book a ride to their stores.
Since you’ve read to the end, you must be a bubble tea fan. Check out how Playmade’s pearls are made and read about your favourite OG bubble tea brands.
Evan Mua
Author
Evan started off writing about food on Instagram, before joining outlets such as Buro and Confirm Good to pursue his passion. His best work usually comes after his first whisky shot in the morning.
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