Serious Eats: New York
Sugar Rush: Hot Sesame Milk Bubble Tea at Green Tea Cafe
I'm not a big fan of bubble tea—I get tired of chewing the tapioca balls after about five of them. But if I want a sweet drink that's just a little more substantial than straight liquid without being a stomach-deadening milkshake, I go for hot sesame bubble milk tea from Green Tea Cafe in Chinatown. Most of my friends like cold bubble tea, but when it's hot the tapioca balls are softer and easier to chew. The sweet, milky black tea is full of addictive nutty black sesame flavor. You can order the drink sans tapioca balls, but I like knowing that I have the option of eating them.
Green Tea Cafe
45 Mott Street, New York NY 10013 (b/n Bayard Street and Pell Street; map)
212-693-2888