This is the best milk tea I’ve ever had in my life and I found it in Hong Kong. Well it is the best until I try something better. For now it’s number 1 in my list. For a long time the best hot milk tea for me was at Cafe de Coral. Now I found an even better one.
The first time I tried it was when I went to Golden Shopping Centre in Sham Shui Po for my usual gadget and computer accessories shopping spree. The small stall was just across the street. It’s a good thing they have an English menu.
Gong Cha is a chain from Taiwan with branches in Hong Kong, Singapore and China. There are several Taiwanese tea stores popping all over Hong Kong and a lot of them don’t have an English menu. 
My first order was milk green tea with bubbles or pearl jelly as they call it. I loved the strong brewed tea but not the sago. The sago was unsweetened and it just made me too full. 
Gong Cha milk green tea with pearl jelly $14
The second time I ordered the same thing without the bubbles. They only had one size of drink and that huge glass is 500ml or 17 ounces. It served as my lunch. 
Gong Cha milk green tea HK$12 of US$1.50
I was so enamored with their milk tea I looked for a branch nearer to where I lived. I found it in the newly renovated Star House which is right beside Star Ferry and Harbour City. 
Gong Cha was tucked away in a small corner on the 3rd floor. Despite their hidden location they were doing brisk business. 
Different kinds brewed tea were stored in stainless jugs. 
Why is it so good? When you order milk tea they do not shake or stir it.
There are instructions on the lid on how to enjoy the milk tea. These are my own words based on the translation that Google gave me. There was also some matcha green tea powder sprinkled on top.
1. Open the lid and drink, letting the tea pass through the foamy layer.
2. Insert the straw and enjoy the flavor of the tea.
3. Use the straw to stir and enjoy the combined flavor of the tea and milk. 
I did all three steps and this is what I discovered. The top layer that floated on the tea wasn’t just milk. It was cream! No wonder it was sooooo good. The funny thing was the cream tasted a little salty. Next I drank the tea using the straw. The tea was really strong sweetened brewed green tea and not made with artificial flavoring. When both cream and tea were mixed, the saltiness of the cream balanced the sweet strong tea perfectly creating the best milk tea ever. It was creamy yet the green tea flavor was very evident. This was better than any cold coffee concoction.
I hope someone brings this franchise over to the Philippines. It will surely knock out all the milk tea/bubble tea stores in Manila. The price was also cheaper than the ones in Manila. 500 ml for Hk$12 or only P67. With bubbles or sago it costs P78. The bubble tea I had yesterday was much smaller and cost P125 and the taste was simply inferior to this. 
Gong Cha’s menu
They had so many other kinds of tea mixtures as well as juice and tea combinations. Next time I go to Hong Kong I will try the milk Alisan tea which is a famous tea in Taiwan. 
I haven’t been to Star House in a long time and I’m glad I went because I found my favorite bargain store there. This is Japan’s Daiso store also called Saizen in Manila. 
The store was small but packed to the rafters with all sorts of good buys from houseware to personal effects and lots of things you didn’t know you needed. 
The new Star City is also now connected to Harbour City. The passage way is right beside Gong Cha on the 3rd floor. 
Gong Cha
Shop 316A,3/F,Star House, No.3 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
telephone: 3485-5543
ShopC2, 153-155 Fuk Wah Street, Sham Shui Po
For other branches in Hong Kong click here.
Gong Cha in Manila!
Shoot First Eat Later 
Hi Andrew, I am interested to franchise Gong Cha. Please send me email at : nel_ricardo@yahoo.com for details. thanks
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, i’m Windy from Indonesia. i’m very much interested in opening one here but can’t get any details. If you don’t mind, please share some useful tips to sassywindie@yahoo.com.sgLooking forward to hearing from you soon. Appreciate it.
LikeLike
You should try FrosTea Milk Tea in Xavierville-Katipunan or in E Rodriguez-St Lukes it’s so yummy! And very cheap too, a steal at 80 pesos for a giant 22oz
LikeLike
Dear Mr . Ong,Are you open for franchising? If so, kindly email me your requirements. thanksclorbes@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Hi andrew! Im paul from iloilo city.. Im interested to franchise Gong Cha., please send me the details and how much? Thank you.. paul_nsg2000@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I am Sandra of Cagayan and interested in franchising Gong Cha, please send me details and requirements to disoh3768@yahoo.com
LikeLike
HI,ANDREW, I’m very much interested to franchise GONG CHA, are you open for franchise? please send me the details and requirements at julie_chua398@yahoo.com waiting for your reply,thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Andrew. We are very fond of Gong Cha. Also we are excited to put a franchise in Bicol. Please let us konw how we could and by how much. Please email me at zaldylee@yahoo.com.ph. Thanks very much and hope to hear from you soon.
LikeLike
Hi Andrew I am interested to franchise Gongcha in the Philippines. Please send me email at : nini_224@yahoo.com for details. thanks
LikeLike
Hello Sir. Andrew, I am interested to franchise Gongcha in Philippines, if you are willing please email me at cy391033952@yahoo.com for requirements and details.Thank you and God bless.
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I’m interested with gong cha, and plan it to open in Indonesia, could you please send me information regarding gong cha franchise to my email at windy.tanio@gmail.comThank You
LikeLike
Hi Andrew! Im very much interested in franchising Gong Cha, please let me know how much and other detials. Kindly email me at labruel_422@yahoo.com Looking forward to your reply. Best Regards!
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I am interested to franchise Gong Cha and i would like to bring it to vietnam market. Please send me email at : phanhuytdh3@yahoo.com. thanks
LikeLike
Dear: Andrew,Hi Andrew, I am Mia. I live in HongKong and I really love Gong Cha. I’m very interested to open Gong Cha in Indonesia. Would you please kindly send me some details about the franchise. Contact me at liau_meiya@yahoo.com Thank u so much and looking forward to hear from you soon.Best Regards,Mia Pratiwi
LikeLike
Mr. Ong,kindly send me the details on how i can franchise gong cha. thank you very much. raymondmontesines@yahoo .com
LikeLike
Wish you were here, we can get lost in the forest together and eat bamboo rice in Flight that flight is Cheap Flights to Lagos.
LikeLike
Wish you were here, we can get lost in the forest together and eat bamboo rice.Cheap Flights to Dar Es Salaam
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I am Diana and I would love to find out more about the franchise programme. Appreciate if you could email me at diana.dawidsongmail .com with all the relevant details.
LikeLike
Hello! Is Gong Cha open for franchise in Singapore is still on? Can you pls send me details and the estimated startup cost. My email is 354@hotmail.sg Thanks!
LikeLike
For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.
LikeLike
hi Andrew. I am interested in franchising Gong Cha at Baguio City. Please email me at: dsdelrosario13@gmail.com …i hope to hear from you soon. Godspeed
LikeLike
Agree!!!The agency considers either of these Australia Student Visa applications on their particular specific capabilities.
LikeLike
Hi Andrew,I left a private message at your Fanpage just recently. As I described myself, Im an addict and thus a passionate fan of Gong Cha Milk teas. Have been spreading word around about this great tea. Hope you can email me for Franchise requirements (area, staff, equipment, who to contact and computations) at ria.silverio@gmail.com.Your immediate feedback will be greatly appreciated.Thanks!!
LikeLike
Hi Andrew! I’m interested to franchise Gong Cha. Can you please email me the requirements? 🙂 Thank you. email: aileen_aala@yahoo.com I’m looking forward for a positive response. 🙂 God Bless!
LikeLike
hello there sir andrew! I am interested to franchise a Gong Cha near espana,manila… kindly send me the requirements and the package at my email: emparagasjr@gmail.com thanks!
LikeLike
Hi Mr. Andrew,I am interested to open gongcha in Jakarta, Indonesia. pls send me details and the franchise costs for this venture? My email is cathalia_pans@yahoo.comLooking forward to your reply.
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I’m Analie O. Sarte. We’re interested in putting up gong cha but not in Manila but in nearby provinces. Please email me at aosarte@yahoo.com details and cost as well. Thank you.
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, i’m Dolly. Regarding the Gongcha franchise i am interested to open in Sumatra Indonesia. Would you please send me the details at dollytanadi@gmail.com .Thank you very much for yours atention, I am looking forward for your reply.
LikeLike
Hi,.andrew.i’m Juiner frm indonesia.i’m very interested in franchising gong cha i wanna open in jakarta.would u pls send the details at jner_jy@yahoo.co.idThank you so much
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, am interested of putting Gong Cha, could you send me the deatils and requirements? ron_espi@yahoo.com Thanks Ron
LikeLike
Dear Andrew, Could I ask you the way we will make franchise of Gong Cha in Thailand,please?We are really interested to have this at here.Your advice can be provided to E_nuanlit@yahoo.comRegards,Eak
LikeLike
Dear Andrew,I am interested to open franchise Gong Cha in Thailand. Please advice us the opportunity, details, and Requirement? I already found out the good location for a franchise.Please give us your response at E_nuanlit@yahoo.comRegards,Eak
LikeLike
hello andrew, im interested in opening a branch in cebu and cagayan de oro.. may i know the details and to whom should i contact regarding this. please send an email to ruchay_infarct88@yahoo.com
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I am also interested in opening up a franchise of Gong Cha in nearby provinces. Can you let me know if it is already open for franchise and what are the requirements? please email me at christine.onzo@gmail.com. Thanks, hope to hear from you soon
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, I’m very much interested in opening up a franchise of Gong Cha. May I know the requirements and its cost. Please email me at vincem.generika@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.
LikeLike
hi Andrew, I’m interested in opening a franchise in Surabaya, Indonesia. Could you please send me details on the procedure and requirements? You can contact me at tiffany13595@gmail.com (: Thanks in advance!
LikeLike
Hi mr.Andrew im from Semarang, Indonesia. I’m interested to open Gong Cha in my town. Can you send me the details on the procedure and requirements? Please contact me at moon_lake16@yahoo.com thanks alot 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Andrew, i’m Larissa from indonesia.. do you know contact person Gong Cha indonesia? I’m very interested to open at my city, surabaya.. I know that Gong Cha has opened in jakarta. Thank you for your attention. Please email me larissa.gunawan@gmail.com
LikeLike