10 Drinks in
Taiwan & China
Here are 10 unique and popular drinks in 台湾 (Taiwan) and 中国 (China). Some of them might taste a little unusual at first, but I highly recommend you try them at least once to experience authentic local culture!
Bubble Milk Tea (zhēnzhū nǎichá)
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, pearl milk tea, or simply boba, is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that has become popular worldwide. It typically consists of a tea base, non-dairy creamer (yes, traditionally there’s no real milk in milk tea!), sugar, and chewy tapioca balls (珍珠 zhēnzhū) that sit at the bottom of the cup. Most tea shops offer customizable options for sweetness and ice levels.
F.Y.I. My summer favorite is 半糖少冰珍珠奶绿 Bàn táng shǎo bīng zhēnzhū nǎi lǜ (Half sugar, less ice pearl green milk tea), and for winter is 三分糖热珍珠乌龙奶 Sān fēn táng rè zhēnzhū wūlóng nǎi (30% sugar, hot pearl oolong milk tea).
Want to learn more about Tea? (想点茶类饮料吗？)
Dive deeper into the world of tea and learn exactly how to order your customized cup with our guide on Chinese Tea Culture!
Grass Jelly Drink (xiāncǎo chá)
This refreshing beverage is made from Chinese Mesona leaves. It has a slightly bitter, earthy taste and is often mixed with syrup or honey for added sweetness. 仙草茶 (xiāncǎo chá) is known for its cooling properties and is thought to help alleviate heat stroke and reduce inflammation during hot summer days.
Winter Melon Tea (dōngguā chá)
Winter Melon Tea (冬瓜茶 dōngguā chá) is a traditional Chinese tea made from the winter melon, a large fruit with a sweet, juicy flesh. The tea is made by boiling the winter melon with brown sugar. It has a distinctive caramel-like sweetness and is a beloved summer thirst quencher in Taiwan.
Chrysanthemum Tea (júhuā chá)
菊花茶 (júhuā chá) is a traditional herbal tea made from chrysanthemum flowers. The tea has a golden color and a fragrant aroma, with a slightly sweet and floral taste. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to cool the body and clear the liver and eyes.
Herbal Tea (qīngcǎo chá)
青草茶 (qīngcǎo chá) translates to “green grass tea.” It is made from a variety of medicinal herbs and plants. The tea has a dark color and a slightly bitter, earthy, minty taste. It is widely sold by street vendors in Taiwan as a natural remedy to clear internal “heat.”
Sour Plum Juice (suānméi tāng)
酸梅汤 (suānméi tāng) is made by soaking smoked sour plums in water with rock sugar, hawthorn, and sweet osmanthus. The resulting drink is tangy, slightly sweet, and smoky. It is incredibly refreshing and often paired with spicy hotpot to soothe the stomach.
Asparagus Juice (lúsǔn zhī)
Yes, you read that right! 芦笋汁 (lúsǔn zhī) is a uniquely Taiwanese canned beverage. The asparagus is blended and sweetened to create a mild, sweet, and slightly grassy drink. It’s often consumed for its believed health benefits of flushing out toxins.
Apple Sidra (píngguǒ xīdǎ)
Apple Sidra (苹果西打 píngguǒ xīdǎ) is a legendary Taiwanese carbonated beverage. It is a sweet, golden apple-flavored soda that is an absolute must-have at local banquets, family gatherings, and stir-fry (热炒) restaurants.
Starfruit Juice (yángtáo zhī)
杨桃汁 (yángtáo zhī) is made from pickled or fresh starfruit. It has a very distinct sweet, sour, and slightly salty flavor. It is an old-school remedy in Taiwan for soothing a sore throat or losing your voice.
Warning: Not recommended for individuals with kidney disease!
Sugarcane Juice (gānzhè zhī)
甘蔗汁 (gānzhè zhī) is freshly pressed from sugarcane stalks right in front of you at night markets. It has a naturally pure, earthy sweetness. Sometimes a squeeze of fresh lemon juice is added to create 甘蔗柠檬 (Sugarcane Lemon), which balances the sweetness perfectly.
Ordering at a Boba Shop
Boba shops move fast! Here are some essential phrases for ordering.
