Bubbleology: Bubble Tea Arrives in London’s West End

On a pedestrian street just north of Leicester Square in London’s Soho area, behind an unassuming facade is a cafe with a unique offering. Well, unique for London that is.

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On a pedestrian street just north of Leicester Square in London’s Soho area, behind an unassuming facade is a cafe with a unique offering. Well, unique for London that is. Though bubble tea is massively popular across Asia, particularly Taiwan where it was conceived, ask most Britons what a tapioca pearl is and you’ll be met with a frown.

They, of course, don’t know what they’re missing. And if you’ve never had bubble tea, neither do you.

Served either hot of cold, Bubble Tea consists of either a green or black tea base with shots of additional flavours. The list of flavours are endless and can be mixed together according to personal preference.

Lying at the bottom of a cup of Bubble Tea are the things to which it owes its name; the bubbles. While even these come in a variety of forms, you're most likely to find small black, chewy balls of tapioca that you suck up the fatter-than-normal straw along with your tea.

One of the Bubbleology scientists
One of the Bubbleology scientists
Choice of toppings
Choice of toppings
Bubbleology, London
Bubbleology, London

The decor inside of Bubbleology is made out to look like a laboratory, while the staff all wear long white coats. The focus here is on experimenting by mixing the flavours together. On my most recent visit, I mixed vanilla with almond and added some lychee flavoured popping boba. Delicious! On previous visits, I’ve enjoyed mixing a variety of exotic fruit flavours together whilst adding pieces of fruit jelly. Fun and tasty!

Slurptastic Bubble Tea
Slurptastic Bubble Tea

Not everyone quite gets the concept. While I was chewing away on a mouthful of pearls last Sunday, a man walked in and asked for a latte. He was politely told they didn’t do coffee, though they did do a coffee flavoured bubble tea. He shrugged and gave it a go.

Next time you’re in London’s West End, do as he did and try something new!

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