Bubble Tea Quest Stops at Sammi’s

Isn’t it always the case that you want what you can’t have? I haven’t gone to our company Christmas party for the last 4 years, but now that we’re not having one, I totally want to go. Similarly, I go to Dragon Ball Tea House somewhat regularly, but now that it’s closed for a MONTH, I want to go for bubble tea every day. Or maybe it’s just that the need is compounding.

So I’ll review my favorite bubble tea place later. Luckily there is still some bubble tea around to satisfy my craving,  Sammi’s Bubble Tea in Tinseltown Mall manages to fill the void admirably.

Bubble tea is an interesting thing to explain to anyone who hasn’t tried it. A milky/juicy drink with tapioca balls/jelly or slush that comes in flavours from wheat to watermelon and that you have to drink with giant straws? Yeah, that’s weird. It is also delicious and the first summer I ever had one I tried to make my way through a huge menu of strange brews. I never made it to the end, but the fierce affection hasn’t abated either.

I’m generally not a fan of the really sweet ones, so Tofu pudding with pearls (always with pearls for me, even though I often come close to choking on them) is a favorite, as well as lychee, but I’ve had the papaya as well. The powder-based ones tend to be much sweeter than real fruit, so go with those if you prefer a less sweet drink. Most are only $3.75 which is quite reasonable for the size you get. It easily lasts me all the way back to Yaletown, even with my addiction.

The shop is in a food court and it feels like a food court. Actually, it feels like the kids’ ball room in a food court, with all the bright colours and cartoony lettering, but there’s nothing to do about it other than get your bubble tea and go.

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Sammi’s Bubble Tea
88 West Pender, Vancouver (in Tinseltown mall)

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Dragon Ball Bubble Tea House – will be open in December
1007 W King Edward, Vancouver