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Welcome to the Pearl Tea Review for Oahu. The following is a review of the Pearl Tea places I have personally been to on the island of Oahu. They are arranged by geographical area and are rated from one (junk) to five (excellent) pearls. Note: If you don't understand what pearl tea is, it is basically a Taiwanese drink made from Black Asian tea, cream and sugar (either condensed milk, or honey, or molasses) that is served cold with "Pearls", which are black balls of tapiocca. The tapioca balls ("boba") sink to the bottom, creating a layered look. You then drink the balls and the tea through a (very) large straw. It is also known as Boba Tea or Tea w/ Milk. Pearl Tea is gaining in popularity, especially in Los Angeles and New York City, and has come to Hawaii. Address: Inside Ranch 99 in Mapunapuna, Honolulu, HI Phone: 808-834-8888 Rating: 4.5 pearls Review: The honor of best Pearl Tea on Oahu goes to Bee's Desert House. Hidden in the food court of the Ranch 99 Supermarket in Mapunapuna, Bee's is tops in quality, consistency, and price. Pearl Tea's are just $2.25 and consistently good, with the pearls nice and soft. The line gets long around lunch time but it is definitely worth the wait. Address: Ala Moana Center, Center Stage, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: Rating: 4.0 pearls Review: The name is an accurate description of this snack shop just diamond head (that's east) of the center stage area, ground floor of Ala Moana Shopping Center. Along with shave ice, ice cream and other desserts, the have one of the largest selections of Pearl Tea in Hawaii. The flavor is excellent, if somewhat on the sweet side. Strangely, the Honey Dew flavor, made with real Honey Dew Melon, doesn't taste as good as the fake powder most other places use. Still, one of the best Pearl Tea places in Hawaii. Address: Downtown, Honolulu, HI 96814 Phone: Rating: 4.0 pearls Review: This small snack shop is located in Pioneer Plaza, near the intersection of Bethel and King St. They have a variety of teas and coffees, but it is the Pearl Tea that is the true attraction here. Available in a variety of flavors, they prepared each one in a martini shaker, for that truly handmade touch. A little less sweet than most, but definitely rich and creamy. Address: Fort Street Mall, Downtown, Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: Rating: 3.0 pearls Review: Located on Fort Street Mall, this tiny shop specializes in blended Pearl Teas. Although the flavor is OK, and the balls are good, it isn't quite up to the standards set by some other places. Prices average about $3.00, including tax, which is about average. Address: Cunha's Alley Foodcourt, Suite 150, 900 Fort Street Mall, Downtown, Honolulu, HI 96813 Phone: 808-525-7845 Rating: 2.5 pearls Review: This is the first Hawaii location of a Taiwanese chain of Pearl Tea stores. Interestingly, all of their Pearl Teas have tea and milk in them, including the fruit flavor ones! That means that a Honey Dew Pearl Tea is actually creamy and somewhat brown-green, rather than the traditional light green. While this is interesting at first, the taste (or lack thereof) becomes tiring. A unique, but not necessarily better, variation on the traditional pearl tea. Address: Inside Pearlridge Shopping Center, Phase I Phone: Rating: 2.0 pearls Review: Located downstairs by Long's in the Pearlridge Shopping Center, this small one-person shop tries hard, but comes up a little short. The balls are way too soft (like they were over-cooked), and the flavor marginal. Portions are small, but the cheaper prices somewhat compensates for that. Any additional places that I should know about and review? Please let me know by e-mailing me the name and address so I can check it out. Thanks. All material © Copyright 2005 by Dakine.net |