From Taiwanese bubble tea to Japanese matcha to bold Vietnamese coffee, discover five popular Asian drinks, their origins, flavors, and signature ingredients. Find out what makes each one special and which one you should try first.
5 Asian drinks you can make at home
From Taiwanese bubble tea to Japanese matcha to strong Vietnamese coffee, discover their origins, flavors, and ingredients that give them their signature character.
Drinks from different Asian countries vary greatly. Some are based on tea and milk, others on intense coffee, fine tea powder, or the contrast of creamy foam and ice.
In this review, we'll introduce you to five popular drinks without condensing the recipes into a few sentences. For each, you'll find a link to a separate recipe; we'll be preparing more as we go.
Which drink will you try first?
Five distinct flavors, textures and traditions from Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Korea and Vietnam.
Bubble tea – tea with tapioca pearls
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, originated in Taiwan and has gradually spread around the world. It is usually made with black or green tea, which can be combined with milk, fruit flavors, syrup, and various types of toppings.
The most famous addition is tapioca pearls. They have a springy, distinctly chewy consistency and create a contrast to the liquid drink. Therefore, bubble tea is not only about taste, but also about texture. The sweetness, type of tea, amount of ice and toppings can be customized.
Matcha – finely ground Japanese tea
Matcha is a powdered green tea closely associated with Japanese tea culture. It is made from specially grown and processed tea leaves that are ground into a very fine powder. Unlike regular brewed tea, the powder remains part of the drink.
Good quality matcha has a bright green color, a mild bitterness, herbal notes and a characteristic umami taste. It can be served traditionally with water or in a modern form as a hot or iced matcha latte. It contains caffeine; the amount depends mainly on the dose used.
Thai iced tea – cha yen
Thai iced tea, known as cha yen, is a distinctive sweet drink served over ice. It typically combines strong black tea, sugar, and a dairy ingredient, such as sweetened condensed or unsweetened condensed milk. Vegetarian versions may also use coconut milk or coconut milk.
The typical orange color is often created by a ready-made Thai tea blend. The spices vary by manufacturer and recipe, so star anise or cinnamon are not a necessary part of every version. The result is a sweet, creamy and aromatic drink with a strong tea base.
Dalgona coffee – whipped coffee with milk
Dalgona coffee became a global social media sensation in 2020. Its name is associated with the South Korean confection dalgona, which the whipped coffee layer resembles in color and caramel appearance. However, it is not the old traditional Korean coffee drink.
The characteristic foam is created by combining instant coffee, sugar and water. It is served over milk, hot or cold. Before drinking, the layers are usually stirred to combine the strong coffee foam with the smoother milk base.
Vietnamese iced coffee - cà phê sữa đá
Cà phê sữa đá is a Vietnamese iced coffee with sweetened condensed milk. It is traditionally prepared using a metal drip filter called a phin, through which the coffee slowly drips directly into the cup. It often uses a strong, darker roast coffee with a high proportion of Robusta.
Strong coffee is combined with sweetened condensed milk and ice. The result is intense, sweet and creamy, yet still retains a distinct coffee character. The caffeine content can vary significantly depending on the coffee used, the amount and the preparation method.
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