Bubble Tea in Staten Island?
The underdog borough of all NYC boroughs is facing backlash for its absence in the bubble tea scene.
Despite being the third-largest in land with 59 square miles out of all five boroughs, Staten Island is often overlooked and underrated. With the Asian population rising from a mere 7.5% according to the 2010 consensus, the Asian community is looking for some cultural aspects to make them feel more at home—similar to the feeling that Chinatown in Manhattan gives.
Of course one of these major cultural aspects is the tradition of food. And with food comes drinks, and one of the most popular drinks would definitely have to be bubble tea. Littered in the streets of Chinatown in Manhattan, these deliciously sugary drinks have walked into our lives and are here to stay. So now with the increasing Asian population in Staten Island, the community is wondering if the bubble tea culture will move along with it. It took a while, but yes! Bubble tea has expanded into Staten Island!
Though there is still definitely a long way to go, there has been some improvement since the consensus in 2010. Not only are there shops dedicated to solely bubble tea, like Vivi’s Bubble Tea (which is the most popular chain currently in Staten Island), many bakeries and Asian restaurants in the area are also expanding their menus to include bubble teas.
Similarly, there are some dessert shops integrating bubble teas into their menus, and they seem to do really well out here in Staten Island, where foods like these are pretty much considered rare. Check out some of my favorite shops in Staten Island that are mostly dedicated to bubble tea below.
Source: Vivi Bubble Tea
337 New Dorp Ln, Staten Island, NY 10306
532b Forest Ave, Staten Island, NY 10310
This classic bubble tea chain has locations all over New York City, with majority of it focused in Chinatown, Manhattan, and Brooklyn, which is why it was even more exciting that the chain emerged in Staten Island! Not only do they serve bubble tea, they also have yummy snacks, like Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken, or Japanese Takoyaki. The locations are both pretty central in Staten Island, and has been highly reviewed by fellow Staten Island-ers. Certified good bubble tea!
314 New Dorp Ln, Staten Island, NY 10306
Another contender if you’re in the New Dorp Lane area, this shop is mainly a dessert shop, selling delicious ice cream flavors along with cupcakes and cookies. But their bubble tea menu is extremely extensive, having unique flavors like Honeydew Milk Tea and Rose Milk Tea—great for first-timers!
1936B Forest Avenue (behind Cricket Wireless), Staten Island, NY 10302
If you find yourself in the Forest Avenue area, this one’s great because although the menu is not as extensive as Something Sweet, it has poke bowls, which are practically salad and veggie bowls with protein that are typically found in sushi restaurants, like tuna and salmon.
2236 Forest Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10303
Forest Avenue really is a hotspot for all things bubble tea… Also hailing from Forest Avenue, Yummy Machi is a Japanese restaurant that serves bubble tea on the side. The food proportions are great and the bubble tea is just icing on the cake!
Seems like the main takeaway is: when in doubt, visit Forest Avenue and see what you’re feeling that day. But to all the bubble tea fanatics reading, what chain do you want to see emerge in Staten Island?
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