8 Days - December 07, 2017

98

8 DAYS

eat

After a brief hiatus, the much-missed bubble tea brand reopened

on Dec 1 at SingPost Centre. We tasted some of its classic faves —

plus new drinks — and tell you what’s good and what’s not.

Taiwanese bubble tea chain Gong Cha broke

Singaporeans’ hearts in May this year when it

abruptly exited the local market due to franchising

rights woes. The Singaporean company who had been

running the Gong Cha franchise here had unexpectedly

announced that they were giving up its franchise

rights and converting all its 80 Gong Cha outlets to

a new brand it created, called LiHo, which introduced

newfangled flavours like Cheese Teas.

But, plot twist! Gong Cha later announced that it

was making a return, this time under a new master

franchisee headed by a CEO who had co-founded the

soya bean-centric Mr Bean dessert chain.

The first comeback Gong Cha outlet opened on

Dec 1 at the SingPost Centre in Paya Lebar. Another

two outlets, one “in the Orchard area”, will be opening

soon. The company also plans to introduce cafes with

dine-in seats.

Welcome back,

GONG CHA