Tired of the same old culture? The HiLite invites you to embark on a multicultural exploration – without ever traveling beyond 86th Street

By Meher Ahmad
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Searching for the perfect after-school snack is like searching for the holy grail. It has to be sweet, fruity, filling and somewhat nutritious. Most of all, it has to be inexpensive.

Taiwan Tea House, at 86th Street and Dean Road, fulfills all these requirements, and best of all, at a price that students can afford.

The restaurant’s primary attraction is its bubble tea, which, according to bubble tea connoisseurs, is the best in town. Bubble tea, which sounds more disgusting than delicious, is actually one of the tastiest undiscovered drinks of our time. It is essentially any tea or drink with boba beads, which are large tapioca pearls. They look a bit frightening if one does not know what they are, since they are black in color. Chewy in consistency, they provide a fun twist to any drink. The flavors Taiwan Tea House offers range from regular green tea to passion fruit tea. Patrons can also add boba to milkshakes and smoothies.

For the ultimate boba tea experience, though, red milk boba is the only choice. A flavor unknown to the western palate, red milk tea is a mix between English breakfast tea and Indian chai. It is served cold or hot, but is best cold with none other than boba.

But no serving of Bubble tea is complete without a plate of dumplings. The pork and chicken dumplings at Taiwan Tea House,  as well as the pot stickers, are the perfect mixture of American and authentic Chinese spices. For those more experienced in Chinese cuisine, or those who are more adventurous, sesame rice balls are the perfect choice. They have a crunchy fried outside with red bean paste inside. Red bean paste, a staple of southern Chinese food, has the consistency of a smooth puree and has a sweet taste.

For those more familiar with the cuisine at #1 China Buffet, the lo mien at Taiwan Tea House is a much tastier and healthier option. The crab rangoon is average, perfect for patrons who prefer less exciting tastes, but it shies in comparison to the wonton soup.

All of these options are made in the perfect proportions and offered at affordable prices. Each of the appetizers costs on average around $4, and the boba tea starts at $2. The boba tea can be taken to go in a handy boba-to-go cup for those who do not have enough time to sit and enjoy the quaint atmosphere of the restaurant. The servers, who do not speak the best English, still manage to serve to their best ability. They are always friendly and add to the authentic feel of the restaurant. Chinese families often come to eat there as well, giving it the credibility of authenticity.

Regardless of who eats there, Taiwan Tea House offers the best Asian snack food in town. Paired with a red milk boba tea, your snack food experience cannot get any better.

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TAIWAN TEAHOUSE

• Atmosphere: A
• Price: A+
• Quality: B+
• Service: B
• Overall: A-