5 restaurants serving Bubble Tea
Colstrip, MT
“Mabuhay Philippines Cuisine serves Colstrip, Montana (population 2,096), bringing Filipino food to one of America's most unexpected locations. In a town where Pacific Islanders number in the single digits, this restaurant owned by someone from Cebu represents the remarkable reach of Filipino cuisine throughout America. The clean, sunny establishment serves Filipino classics alongside bubble tea and sushi, creating a small Asian dining oasis in rural coal country. Colstrip's isolation makes this restaurant all the more important for any Filipino families in the area, while also introducing Montanans to authentic Filipino flavors. The owner's willingness to open a Filipino restaurant in such a remote location demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural pride that drives Filipino Americans to share their cuisine regardless of market size.”
Berrien Springs, MI
“Mabuhay Ethnic Foods serves Berrien Springs, Michigan with Filipino cuisine and Asian grocery products, operating since 2002 under the ownership of Ramon and Mary Ann Cuarto. Located near Andrews University, this combination restaurant and grocery store started cooking authentic Filipino food for the community in 2015 when they expanded beyond retail. The daily-changing menu features Filipino classics and Asian specialties, with strong emphasis on gluten-free, MSG-free, vegetarian and vegan options that appeal to the health-conscious Seventh-day Adventist community. Chef Ramon Cuarto brings influences from Filipino, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian and African cuisines to create a diverse menu that reflects the international community in Berrien Springs. The restaurant is famous for its bubble tea, earning reviews claiming it's the best east of Chicago. The Cuartos' warm hospitality and commitment to community have made Mabuhay a beloved local institution.”
Owensville, MO
“Mabuhay Asian Cafe brings Filipino and Asian fusion cuisine to Owensville, Missouri, a small town where this type of restaurant represents significant cultural diversity. The mabuhay greeting ("welcome" or "long life" in Tagalog) signals Filipino ownership while the cafe format suggests casual dining with broader Asian menu options. This establishment serves what may be a very small Filipino population while introducing rural Missouri residents to Asian flavors. The cafe atmosphere creates an approachable setting for customers unfamiliar with Filipino food to try something new. Despite its remote location, Mabuhay Asian Cafe maintains authentic flavors while adapting to local tastes and expectations.”
Miami, FL
“Lan Pan-Asian Cafe has served Miami's diverse community since 2000 as a family-owned restaurant specializing in East and Southeast Asian cuisine from Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. With impressive 4.5 ratings from over 1,060 reviews, the restaurant offers creative Pan-Asian dishes unlike anything South Floridians have tasted before, including their popular Filipino Rice Bowl featuring garlic fried rice topped with braised pork, fried sunny-side-up egg, and pickled onions. Located in Dadeland Station, Lan Pan-Asian serves an eclectic collection of small starter plates perfect for sharing, extensive noodle and rice dishes, diverse entres, vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus sushi and sashimi selections. The restaurant pioneered Miami's bubble tea scene with the city's first and most complete bubble tea bar, offering house-made drinks, boutique cold sakes, and a fun wine list. With over 20 years of consistent quality, warm and friendly service, and reasonable prices, Lan Pan-Asian has become a beloved destination for families seeking diverse Asian flavors.”
Los Angeles, CA
“Bagnet Tea House brings together two distinct concepts - the beloved Ilocano crispy pork belly dish bagnet and the Asian tea house tradition - creating a unique dining experience in Los Angeles's Koreatown. The restaurant name signals its specialty: bagnet, the iconic twice-cooked pork belly from the Ilocos region that achieves impossibly crispy skin while maintaining tender, juicy meat inside. By combining this signature Filipino dish with a tea house concept, the establishment offers both Filipino food and Asian beverages in a contemporary setting. Located on Vermont Avenue in Koreatown, Bagnet Tea House serves the area's diverse Asian community, including Filipino residents and workers. The menu likely centers on bagnet preparations alongside other Ilocano and Filipino specialties, while the tea house component provides bubble tea, milk tea, and other Asian beverages that appeal to younger customers. This fusion concept reflects the evolution of Filipino restaurants catering to contemporary tastes while maintaining cultural authenticity. For Filipino-Americans, particularly those from Ilocos, Bagnet Tea House offers regional specialties in a trendy tea house format that attracts both Filipino customers seeking authentic flavors and non-Filipino diners curious about Filipino cuisine. The Koreatown location positions it well to introduce Filipino food to the neighborhood's diverse population while serving as a destination for Filipinos citywide seeking quality bagnet.”
