Kofukudo's Tapioca Milk Tea
Xing Fu Tang's tapioca milk tea is a popular drink offered by Xing Fu Tang, a shop located in Ximending, Taipei, Taiwan. Founded in 2018, Xing Fu Tang is known for its unique method that combines handmade brown sugar tapioca with rich milk. The Ximending shop, in particular, is widely loved by both tourists and local residents, making it one of Taiwan's representative tapioca milk tea brands. Featuring the aromatic flavor of brown sugar and the distinctive texture of tapioca, it enjoys high popularity both domestically and internationally as a symbol of Taiwan’s beverage culture.
- Taste Rating
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- Price
- 120 New Taiwan Dollar
- Meal Date
- 1/2/2025
- Food Travel Log
- When you come to Taipei, Taiwan, make sure to visit Xing Fu Tang! Even after the boom has passed, it's a beloved spot that's continued to win hearts through its quality. This bubble milk tea is a standout with its piping hot tapioca at the bottom, creamy milk, and the punchy sweetness of caramelized brown sugar. However, is it just me, or has the sweetness been toned down compared to two years ago? Well, I guess when there's no competition, you tend to relax a bit. I'm on my fourth cup of the day, so I'm pretty relaxed myself!
AI Gourmet Analysis
Overview of Xing Fu Tang’s Tapioca Milk Tea
Xing Fu Tang is a renowned tapioca milk tea chain based in Taipei, Taiwan, with its Ximending location being especially popular among both tourists and locals. Tapioca milk tea, originating in Taiwan, has sparked a global trend, and within this boom, Xing Fu Tang stands out for its unique preparation method and quality, particularly highlighting its use of caramelized brown sugar.
Features and Preparation
Xing Fu Tang’s signature tapioca milk tea uses chewy tapioca pearls (black pearls/boba) handmade daily in-store. A notable feature is the aroma of caramelized brown sugar that coats the tapioca, giving it a unique flavor. For each order, the tapioca is mixed with hot brown sugar syrup, ensuring the freshness of the ingredients.
Special attention is also given to the milk, with rich local milk or sometimes an original creamy blend being used. There are also various options, such as the milk tea version or pure brown sugar tapioca milk, but all variants focus on balancing brown sugar with milk.
Global Expansion and Impact on Taiwanese Beverage Culture
Tapioca milk tea began spreading in Taiwan in the 1990s and, over the ensuing decades, established a massive market worldwide, including Asia, North America, and Europe. Xing Fu Tang has actively expanded internationally, setting up branches in countries such as Japan, Korea, and those across Southeast Asia. The brand “Xing Fu Tang” has become a leading name among bubble tea brands.
Drinks from Xing Fu Tang are regarded as symbols of Taiwan’s street food culture, with the Ximending store standing out as a tourist attraction. With the rise of social media, the photogenic appearance of the “brown sugar tapioca” and videos of the handmade process have drawn significant attention, making scenes of long lines of tourists a local specialty.
Ingredients and Consideration for Health
| Main Ingredients | Features & Role |
|---|---|
| Brown Sugar | Natural, rich sweetness and deep color. Roasting emphasizes a fragrant aroma. |
| Tapioca (Cassava Starch) | Chewy texture. A traditional Taiwanese dessert ingredient. |
| Milk | Rich, creamy flavor. Tea is added for the milk tea version. |
| Black Tea (for Milk Tea Version) | Aromatic tea leaves grown in Taiwan are used. |
With growing health consciousness in recent years, customizable sweetness and low-sugar options are now available. Particularly in Taiwan, the ability for customers to precisely specify sugar and ice levels is considered important.
Position and Popularity of Xing Fu Tang in Ximending
The Ximending area is where Taipei’s youth culture meets tradition, and Xing Fu Tang enjoys an excellent reputation among both locals and tourists. Xing Fu Tang Ximending is recognized by locals as a “staple” and a “trusted flavor,” achieving high marks for overall quality, the preservation of tradition, and a drive for innovation within the tapioca milk tea industry.
This store, while symbolizing Taiwanese culinary culture, continues to introduce Taiwan’s proud traditional dessert drinks to visitors from all over the world.