Hungry and Thirsty? 19+ Best Boba Tea Food Pairings

It's no secret that most boba tea flavors leave you feeling refreshed and satisfied. That said, there are those moments when we'd like to munch on something while sipping our beverage. If your cravings don't stop at just a boba drink, here are some delicious boba tea food pairings.

Best Milk Tea Food Pairings

Savory

1. Jasmine milk tea and grilled cheese sandwich: The creaminess of traditional milk tea is the perfect match for the ooziness and crunchiness of a grilled cheese sandwich.
2. Cheesecake milk tea and french fries: The thick texture of cheesecake milk tea and a side of salty french fries make for a great mid-afternoon snack. Top the milk tea off with cheese foam, and we won’t blame you if you dip a french fry or two in the drink. Yummy!
3. Light oolong tea and crackers: Light oolong milk tea is best served with something equally light, like crackers.
4. Matcha milk tea and avocado toast: Half the reason these two go well together is their similar color profile, while the other half is because their respective flavors balance each other out.
5. Chai milk tea and hummus wrap: If you’re feeling adventurous, pair chai milk tea with a hummus wrap for a delicious fusion of flavors.
6. Assam milk tea with bacon and eggs: Who would have thought that the classic breakfast dish could be paired perfectly with the milk tea version of a good ol’ cup of English Breakfast? The spiced milk tea provides a delightfully sweet and spicy jolt to kickstart your day.
7. Taro milk tea with nachos: Tone down the spicy flavors of nacho dip with the unparalleled creaminess of taro milk tea.

Sweet

1. Black tea with cream doughnuts or french toast: Dark oolong milk tea’s robust and nutty flavor makes it a great companion for cream-filled donuts.
2. Thai milk tea with almond cookies: Almond cookies provide a nutty, crunchy, and sweet complement to the spiced aroma of Thai milk tea.
3. Jasmine milk tea with berries: Jasmine tea also works extraordinarily well with sweet and tart flavors, like strawberries and blackberries (dried versions count, too!).
4. Chocolate milk tea with chocolate chip cookies: Chocolate lovers will rejoice over this one – smooth and creamy chocolate milk tea with a side of warm, crumbly chocolate chip cookies. Perfect for when you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Best Fruit Tea Food Pairings

Savory

1. Peach tea with steak: The light, floral touch of peach tea cuts well with the savory flavors of succulent beef.
2. Mango-popping boba tea with most types of sushi: The citrusy flavor of mango boba brings out the fresh flavor of various sushi types, making a majestic mix of sweet and umami flavors.
3. Wintermelon milk tea and popcorn chicken: Wintermelon’s lightly sweetened flavor profile pairs perfectly well with fried chicken’s salty and savory flavors. Wintermelon is also great for most fried foods – chicken poppers, nuggets, and pork cutlets, to name a few.
4. Lychee tea with Caesar salad: The slight tartness of lychee tea is an excellent pairing for vegetables and ingredients found in your typical Caesar-style salad.

Sweet

1. Strawberry tea with ice cream: Strawberry tea and ice cream go exceptionally great together. Vanilla, chocolate, and even strawberry ice cream work great. Top it off with fresh fruit for a burst of freshness.
2. Honeydew milk tea with mochi: The soft and chewy texture of mochi rounds off the milky sweetness of honeydew milk tea for an indulgent snack.
3. Durian milk tea with waffles: Creamy, milky, and earthy, durian milk tea is the perfect accompaniment to golden-brown waffles filled with sweet and savory fillings.
4. Passion fruit iced tea with almond croissants: The tart and tangy notes of passion fruit tea perfectly contrast the richness and nuttiness of almond croissants.

What Boba Tea Food Pairings Go Well With Matcha Tea?

Matcha tea drinkers love the vegetal, grassy, sweet taste that distinguishes it from other teas. As such, it requires unique pairings that will complement the tea’s flavor without overpowering it.

You won’t go wrong with incorporating food from Japanese tea ceremonies, a traditional practice that uses hot matcha tea as its centerpiece. Popular food items during this occasion include rice cakes, udon, pickled vegetables, and some seafood.

Besides that, matcha tea also goes well with citrus fruits. Pineapples, grapefruits, and oranges are great snacks for this green tea. Regarding savory food, matcha tea goes best with lightly seasoned dishes that are not heavily saucy. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon are standout options with iced matcha tea with brown sugar tapioca pearls.

Is Bubble Tea Good With Cake?

Individually, bubble tea and cake are both irresistibly delicious treats. Together, they’re an indulgence beyond compare.

I absolutely love bubble tea and cake, but that’s because I have a sweet tooth that’s not easily tamed. That said, enjoying bubble tea and cake without the sweetness overload is possible.

Balancing the bubble tea’s sweet flavor with the cake’s richness is key. If you’re making bubble tea at home, you can decrease the sugar sweeteners in the beverage to compensate. If you’re ordering from a boba shop, you can request a lower sugar level from the barista—anything less than 50% is a good estimate.

Do Most Bubble Tea Shops Sell Food?

No, since most of the customer base only goes to bubble tea shops for bubble tea, most shops only specialize in selling that drink. Tea drinks are their main attraction, and most stores offer dozens of bubble tea flavors and combinations.

However, some bubble tea shops share a space with a food vendor. I’ve seen pastry shops and ramen restaurants within the same walls as the boba shop. Other bubble tea shops offer snack items —like fries and cookies—to go along with various types of bubble tea. These shops are a minority, but they make up a fraction of the boba shops that serve this delicious beverage.