Gong Cha @ SS15, Subang

The craze for bubble tea continues, with the presence of another big name - Gong Cha, which has been much anticipated by the bubble tea lovers.

I was happy that I had the chance to swing by SS15 to take-away Gong Cha's drink. This was around the same time that my nieces were falling asleep in the car, while on our way home. Boy, was I not surprised to find that their eyes were wide open when I got back to the car with my drinks... They smell something fishy when the car was stopped. Hehe...

When I stepped in their SS15 outlet (this being their 1st branch, and to-date, they have their 2nd outlet opened at The Gardens), I noticed that all designs are kept the basic. Well, I thought to myself, I can bear with the appearance which may not be as fancy as their closest competitor, as long as I get to taste a yummylicious cup of bubble tea.

Gong Cha kept to its simplicity

Their list of drinks were listed on this 2 TV screens, and on printed leaflet which customers can refer to. They have a total of 28 drinks, which works out to about only 10%+ of its competitors, but I liked the fact that I will be able to try 'em all, sooner, and I thought 'perhaps, they only choose the top of their most favorite to sell in the market'..

As for their price point, they only have 1 size, with lowest price being RM3.90, up till RM6.50 for its tea range of drinks, whilst its coffee price range is between RM6.90 and RM7.50.

It offers extra add-ons at RM1 for the general add-ons which include Pearl, whilst RM1.50 for White Pearl, and RM2 for Special Form.. The last 2 got me pretty curious.

List of drinks listed on the TV screen

Staff at work, to prepare my drink

Oh, 1 thing I like about Gong Cha, for each order, the staff will double check with me on the range of ice and sugar level that I prefer.

I ordered the Gong Cha Signature Milk Winter Melon Tea for myself. I used the straw to take a sip of the milk froth... Sooo extremely smooth, and a strong aromatic taste that lingers... I then continue to sip the tea and milk on the other layers....Oh My! Tasted so good... I love the mild winter melon taste... After that, I sipped back again the milk froth, so that I can taste it for another time, before I mixed the drink together..

Gong Cha Signature Milk Winter Melon Tea. Price-RM5.90 (+RM1 for Pearl)

Here's the actual procedure of drinking the tea..

3-steps to drinking Gong Cha's signature milk tea

I ordered the Plum Green Tea for sis. Love the piquant taste that came from the plum.. Nice!.. The mild green tea taste doesn't overkill as well..

Plum Green Tea. Price-RM4.90 (+RM1 for Pearl)

After the first taste of Gong Cha, I can't keep my mind of it... and the following week, as I was driving pass through Subang, I just kept justifying to myself, that the few turnings getting to Gong Cha wasn't too much a trouble.. And so I was there on the hot burning afternoon... This was the day I saw the Gong Cha signage being put up.. :)

This time, I decided to also go for their House Special, and this time their Signature Milk Green Tea. I like the very mild green tea taste, and at the same time, the same enjoyment I had, in being satisfied over the creamy smoothness of the milk froth on the top. As I was so curious about how their White Pearl taste, I opted for this

A 'savior' on an extremely hot hot afternoon

While driving, I slowly sipped my drink, and slowly chewed the white pearls. I was informed that this was done using seaweed extract (if I am not mistaken), and this transparent like pearl has their texture that feels like thick jelly, yet, has the chewy feeling. Its not overall smooth, and I was extremely curious of this, that I decided to take some out, to check it out, when I arrived at my destination.

Look at how cute these White Pearls are...

Yes, Gong Cha will definitely occupy a special place in my heart. ^<>^

GONG CHA

Gong Cha
SS15 and The Gardens Mall
Tel : 03-5638 3328

Website : www.gong-cha.com.my

Chatime @ The Gardens

The craze over Taiwan bubble tea has been apparent in the recent months, with the arrival of 'Chatime'. Well, there are other player in the market prior to Chatime, however, Chatime has been successful in branding and ensuring they are located at prominent and visible locations.

I simply love their logo, purple font in 'modern' typeface, 'accompanied' by the tea leaves

For a bubble tea product which started from 2003 in Taiwan, and has since spread its wings to 12 countries, including Malaysia. It boasts an impressive 450 stores worldwide. WOW!!!

Chatime entered Malaysia, with Pavillion, being its first flagship outlet, and just few months after (w/c 25 Apr '11) , into its 6th and 7th outlet at The Gardens and SS15 respectively. Chatime took the opportunity to officially launch its 6th outlet at The Gardens by holding an official media launch in The Gardens itself, on 28 April 2011

Here's some of its popular drinks :

From L to R : Red Bean Milk Tea, Pearl Milk Tea, Passion Fruit QQ, Grass Jelly Fresh Milk, Matcha Latte

I was treated to the Grass Jelly Fresh Milk. I just love this milky, healthy drink, filled with lots of incredibly soft grass jelly, which it was easier to finish up once I finished the drink.

My Grass Jelly Fresh Milk

I can't take my eyes away from the Pearl Milk Tea (as shown in the middle)

Absolute cute sticker to promote its range of 'Mousse' Tea

Jeff & Mei Yan started the media launch by creating 'little' conversations with the media and guests

The CEO of Chatime Malaysia shared on their business plans, and looks like they are looking to grow this world renowned bubble tea franchise rapidly, with plans of opening another 25 more flagship stores in the next 2 years. Oh, what a wonderful piece of news for bubble tea drink lovers.

Sharing of expansion plans by CEO of Chatime Malaysia, Mr Bryan Loo (needless to mention, the CEO has to be 1 of the youngest CEO in Malaysia, and he was repeatedly complimented by Jeff on how good looking he is, and how celebrity looking he is..... and yes, this I ought to agree)

After the official ribbon cutting, some Malaysian personalities were invited to demonstrate their latest beverage series - the Mousse Bubble Tea. 3 steps to drinking the mousse bubble tea.
1) Enjoy the rich flavor of mousse by sipping the top layer
2) Slowly insert the straw to enjoy freshness of tea at the bottom layer
3) Stir both layers till even and indulge in a perfect union..

Here are the drinks from the Mousse Bubble Tea range :

From L to R (Top): Black Tea Mousse, Chocolate Mousse, Jasmine GreenTea Mousse, Matcha Mousse
From L to R (Bottom) : Ichiban Roasted Tea Mousse, Tie Guanyin Tea Mousse

They all loved their Chatime drinks

Beautifully decorated cake by Delectable - totally stunning...

Guests were then invited to Chatime's outlet in front of CIMB, where Mr Bryan explained to the media on process of making the tea. Brewed tea and cooked bubble jellies will be discarded after 4 hours if not used.. (but they usually finish them up in an hour or so)..

Explanation in progress

Explanation on the steps of making the renowned bubble tea

A staff from Taiwan showed the actual making of a bubble tea - scoop 2 scoops of bubble jelly, pump in the syrup, then the milk/tea, shake for 20 times, and then pour them out (she certainly poured out the drink in the most stylish manner)... The process was then tried out by a local artiste.

The local artist took a shot on making the bubble tea

Thumbs up from another local artist, and Mr Bryan Loo

Busy busy outlet

I suppose consumers like the fact that they can choose the level of sugar and ice placed into their drinks. Price of drinks are either RM4.90 or RM5.90 for Regular size, and additional RM1 for Large.

Having a list of more than 120 beverage products comprising of tea, coffee and fruit pumps. When will I finish trying them? hehe..

Chatime available at :
Times Square, SS2Mall, Sunway Pyramid, First Avenue, The Gardens, SS15 and Pavilion
All outlets operate from 10am-10pm, with the exception of Pavilion (10am-11pm)