Takeout Picks: Black Scoop

Black Scoop is one of my go-to milk tea shops since 2018. With its delectable fruit teas and addictive milk teas, it's hard not to grab a few drinks whenever I pass by a branch. I know that they have savory meals too, but I only got to try some of its dishes during the community quarantine. And since I now know that they have good chicken poppers, I decided to grab some again after my OB appointment. 

Hello, Black Scoop.

For a milk tea shop, Black Scoop offers a good range of dishes to complement its sweet drinks. Its menu includes rice meals, sandwiches, pasta, and snacks. 

Truedan: A Fresher Way to Enjoy your Milk Tea

With the average consumption to be 4-5 cups of milk tea per month, it's not surprising for new foreign and local brands to open left and right. And my weak will to go milk tea-free this 2020 was obliterated when I spotted Truedan.

Hello, Truedan. 

Truedan is no newbie in the milk tea business. With a decade of expertise, it has been popular in Taiwan for its use of fresh ingredients. It was even awarded 2-star Anti Additive by the Anti Additive Association.

When in Bacolod: Got Tea? Crafted Milk Tea

I thought that spending time in Bacolod would help me escape my Manila routine. I guess I could avoid traffic, polluted air and the hustle and bustle but not milk tea. And Soxially's post about Got Tea? Crafted Milk Tea's Oreo Crème Brûlée got me yearning for boba. 

Hello, Got Tea? Crafted Milk Tea.

Got Tea? Crafted Milk Tea is one of the newest addition to the foodie haven Bacolod. 

Good Good: A Healthier Way to Enjoy Your Drinks

It's a new year and a new decade but the milk tea craze is here to stay. And with several brands opening here and there, there's no way for us to escape its sweet charm! But this 2020, I plan to stick to a healthier lifestyle and diet and it was timely that I discovered Good Good. 

Hello, Good Good!

This Taiwanese brand is no stranger to milk tea fanatics as it has been around for over 6 months now. With branches in Scout Tobias, Corinthian Executive Regency Shaw, Caltex Pioneer-Shaw and Sta. Maria Bulacan, many have already tried its adorable and colorful drinks. And this brand is celebrating the year with a bang as it opens its 5th branch along the foodie haven Banawe. 

Serenitea Jumbo Cup is back this December 17 to 19!

This is not a drill! Serenitea's Jumbo Cup is back this December! 

Hello, Serenitea!

Our favorite Serenitea Jumbo Cup is back this December 17 to 19! 

Home of Quirky Flavors: Black Scoop

Black Scoop is known as the home for quirky and one of a kind milk tea and ice cream flavors. Starting off with the well-loved Yakult, this milk tea shop became extra experimental when it launched Pei Pa Koa flavored tea! Though I may not be as adventurous as those who would like to have Chinese herbal cough syrup in their drinks, I discovered new favorites. 

Hello, Black Scoop.

Black Scoop started out as a humble milk tea shop along the foodie Maginhawa and grew into several branches in just months! With stores in big malls such as SM North Edsa and Eastwood and prime spots like Tomas Morato, it wasn't surprising that this relatively new player quickly took a big chunk of the boba market. 

Love at First Sight: Serenitea x Sesame Street

“Early bird gets the worm. But cookie taste better than worm. So me sleep in," says Cookie Monster. And I think I actually embraced that idea when I feasted on nothing but cookies for weeks. As a fan of this crazy-eyed blue cutiepie, I was so happy when Sesame Street collaborated with one of my favorites--Serenitea.

Hello, Serenitea x Sesame Street!

Serenitea has always been my number one milk tea. And just when I thought I don't have enough room to like this any more, it came up with a collaboration that made me love it even more. 

First Sip: One Zo

Milk tea is everywhere and it is so close to turning me into the same shape as tapioca! But it's just too hard to resist especially when new brands keep opening here and there. And just a few weeks back, a boba shop also from Taiwan opened in Promenade Greenhills. But unlike all the other milk tea joints, this one makes its pearls from scratch and cook fresh batches every day. And did I mention that it comes in different flavors?

Hello, One Zo. 

Named after the Mandarin translation for playing with balls of dough, One Zo is known for its freshly made flavored pearls. 

First Bite: Mihimihi

I hardly go out these days as I find Manila's traffic unbearable. But when I do, I see to it that I get to visit at least one new restaurant. And I was so thrilled when I accidentally discovered Mihimihi on my way home.

Hello, Mihimihi.

Mihimihi is a popular bakeshop from Guangzhou, China known for its eclair-shaped French puff pastries that come in different flavors and fillings. I've seen its shop a few times but our jam-packed Canton Fair schedule doesn't really allow me to explore the city that much. Luckily, these raved about baked goodies found its way to Manila. It opened its first store in SM Fairview last March and its second one opened in SM Megamall just a few weekends ago.

Late Bites: Coffee Project

There are times when I get bitten by the lazy bug and couldn't drag myself to cook something to eat. Thankfully, there are a bunch of places to grab food within my area. And last weekend, I visited our neighborhood's Coffee Project. 

Hello, Coffee Project.

Coffee Project has been a popular Instagram spot since it opened a few years back. I was actually lured to visit its first store in Quezon City because of its picturesque interiors. However, its food and drinks did not exactly match its wonderful look. 

Taiwan in Manila: Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea

I am a big fan of milk tea. I always lose the ability to say no whenever someone asks me if I'd like to go for a milk tea run. But lately, due to slower metabolism and fats crawling and hibernating in places such as hips, belly and other parts you wish would never turn lumpy, I try to avoid sinkers and go for healthier alternatives such as fruit teas. And thank goodness for Yi Fang!

Hello, Yi Fang.

Yi Fang is the newest addition to the ever growing brands of milk tea in Manila. But one thing that sets Yi Fang different from other players is its use of real fruits! 

Puppy Love: Barkin' Blends

I love animals. Wait, let me make that more specific. I love furry and cuddly animals. I get so giddy whenever I see a puppy, kitten or just about anything that I could pat and hug. So when my colleague M mentioned that a puppy café called Barkin' Blends will be opening soon, I JUST HAVE TO VISIT IT ASAP.

My sister and I were super excited to visit the puppy cafe. Unfortunately, she was too busy with school work that she had meetings even on Sundays. (Eww.) And since my EQ drops to negative when I really want something, I went without her. (Sorry.)

Hello, Barkin’ Blends!

V was already there when I arrived and we hurriedly paid the entrance fee of PHP180 inclusive of one drink so that we could play with the puppies.

 

There were a lot of people so we were not able to have quality time with the puppies that much.