The Taiwan-born bubble tea chain KOI Thé. Its signature is a milk tea with the house-made brown-sugar tapioca "Golden Bubble" sunk into it. With a reputation for quality and consistent flavor as an orthodox of Taiwanese-style tapioca drinks, it's gaining support in Vietnam too, centered on young people.
| Genre | Tea |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 (Taiwan) |
| Origin | Taiwan |
| Coverage area | Ho Chi Minh City・Hanoi |
| Number of locations | 30 locations |
| Signature menu | Milk tea with brown-sugar Golden Bubble is the signature menu item |
| Official site | https://www.koithe.com/ |
What is KOI Thé | A Taiwan-born bubble tea orthodox
The founding story
KOI Thé is a bubble tea chain founded in Taiwan in 2006 by Khloé Ma. The brand name "KOI" derives from the founder's childhood nickname, and "Thé" means "tea" in French. Its parent is the long-established Taiwanese tea chain "50 Lan," founded in 1994, and it was KOI that Khloé Ma, who led its regional franchise, launched with overseas expansion in mind.
In 2006, the same year it was founded, it entered Singapore, growing with overseas as its main battleground. It now runs over 600 locations, centered on directly operated ones, across 16 countries and regions worldwide, becoming a leading Taiwanese bubble tea. It entered Vietnam in 2014, with locations centered on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
The positioning of "orthodox Taiwanese flavor"
Vietnam's bubble tea market is crowded with rivals like Gong Cha, but KOI differentiates itself by putting forward a "more orthodox Taiwanese flavor." A feature is the customizability of finely adjusting the amount of tapioca and ice and the sweetness, so you can finish a cup to your own taste.
The shops have a compact makeup centered on standing and takeout. The style of receiving your order right away and enjoying it quickly between city strolling and shopping suits it. There's a reassurance of being able to enjoy that flavor you had on a Taiwan trip, unchanged, in Vietnam too.
KOI Thé's signature menu and flavors
The signature is a milk tea using the house-made brown-sugar tapioca "Golden Bubble." Since you can adjust sweetness, ice, and toppings, if it's your first time, try the standard.
Golden Bubble Milk Tea
KOI's namesake is a cup with the house-made brown-sugar tapioca "Golden Bubble" sunk into a milk tea based on Assam black tea. The tapioca is smaller than usual, and its chewy texture and brown-sugar flavor layer over the black tea's aroma. The texture of the tapioca, made in-shop every day, is the core of KOI's character.
Macchiato series
A macchiato with smooth milk foam on top of black or green tea. "Macchiato" here means not coffee but "milk foam," and by not adding tapioca, you enjoy the two-layer flavor of tea and foam. The unique way of serving — cutting a slit along the line on the lid to drink — is also a talking point.
Other popular drinks
| Drink | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Golden Bubble Milk Tea | The signature cup with house-made brown-sugar tapioca sunk in. The chewy texture is the appeal |
| Macchiato series | A two-layer style with milk foam on top of tea. Enjoyed without tapioca |
| Fruit tea line | Refreshing variations using fruit like strawberry |
Cups that win over reviewers
We have rounded up the well-reviewed items that come up again and again in travel and food-site reviews (focusing on dishes praised across multiple reviews).
| Menu | Why reviewers rate it |
|---|---|
| Golden Bubble Milk Tea | The signature drink combining an Assam black tea base with small, chewy golden tapioca, supported in reviews for the tapioca's consistently good texture |
| Macchiato line (cheese cream / Macchiato) | The type topped with cream sweeter than salty, with voices favoring the mouthfeel of the cream layered on top |
KOI Thé's locations and recommended way to drop in
Scale and coverage area
In Vietnam it has locations centered on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, opening in areas where young people gather such as District 1, the Thao Dien area, and Pasteur Street. As part of a chain with over 600 locations across 16 countries and regions worldwide, it offers consistent-quality Taiwanese-style tapioca drinks in Vietnam too.
With a shop makeup centered on standing and takeout, its strength is being easy to work into your shopping and city-strolling route.
Main cities where you can enjoy this store:Ho Chi Minh City・Hanoi. You can check each city's tourist information from its city page.
The atmosphere inside KOI Thé and how to spend time there
Features of the interior and design
Inside is a Taiwanese-style modern interior based on the brand colors red and black. With a compact makeup premised on standing and takeout, you can use it with a fast-food feel.
Rather than lingering, it's a short-stay type where you order, receive your drink, and head to your next destination. It turns over at a good tempo even when busy.
Wi-Fi, power outlets, and how easy it is to linger
Wi-Fi is limited and it doesn't suit long work sessions. The way to use it is to quickly enjoy a cup and move on. We recommend dropping by to refuel your city-strolling energy while enjoying tapioca and sweetness customization.
KOI Thé's price guide and payment
| Menu | Price guide |
|---|---|
| Golden Bubble Milk Tea | 55,000〜75,000ドン（約330〜460円） |
| Macchiato series | 55,000〜75,000ドン（約330〜460円） |
| Fruit tea line | 45,000〜65,000ドン（約270〜400円） |
A few hundred yen per cup, an accessible price range even among Taiwanese bubble teas. Since takeout is the norm, having small bills or QR payment ready makes checkout smooth.
Prices can change by store and season. Check the latest at the counter or on the official menu.
KOI Thé's map, access, and ordering tips
There are several shops in central Ho Chi Minh City, such as on Ton That Thiep Street and Pasteur Street in District 1, easy to drop by.
Vietnamese phrases for ordering
Here are the basic phrases that come in handy locally. Pointing works, but adding a word makes ordering smoother.
| Vietnamese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cho tôi một … | One [drink], please |
| nóng / đá | Hot / iced |
| ít đường | Less sweet |
| không đường | No sugar |
| ít đá | Less ice |
| mang đi | Takeout |
| ở đây | For here |
| tính tiền | The check, please |
| trân châu | Add tapioca |
You can check the latest menu, prices, hours, and store listOfficial sitehere.
Things to know before visiting KOI Thé
How to enjoy it smartly
For the signature Golden Bubble Milk Tea, we recommend first trying the standard sweetness and ice, then adjusting to your taste next time. You can change the amount of tapioca too.
It's also fun to compare with other Taiwanese chains like Gong Cha to find your own favorite flavor. The macchiato suits those who dislike tapioca too.
Points to note
Since it centers on sweet, cold drinks, it's good to adjust the sweetness and amount of ice when ordering. The macchiato is a distinctive style you drink by cutting a slit, so following the guidance when served makes it easier to drink.
Retail of original goods differs by shop. Since the merchandise is fullest in Taiwan itself, if you're after goods, buying on a Taiwan trip is surest.
🗺️ If you also want to compare it with other cafés,Vietnam's 30 Popular Cafés: A Thorough Comparison Guidelets you browse from a single list.
Frequently asked questions
- What country's brand is KOI Thé?
-
A Taiwan-born bubble tea chain, founded in 2006. With the long-established tea chain "50 Lan" as its parent, it runs over 600 locations across 16 countries and regions worldwide.
- What is the signature menu item?
-
A cup with the house-made brown-sugar tapioca "Golden Bubble" sunk into a milk tea based on Assam black tea. The chewy, smaller tapioca is a feature.
- When did it enter Vietnam?
-
It entered in 2014 and has locations centered on Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
- What is a macchiato?
-
A two-layer drink with smooth milk foam on top of tea. "Macchiato" here refers not to coffee but to "milk foam," and it's enjoyed without adding tapioca.
- Can you adjust the sweetness and toppings?
-
You can finely adjust the amount of tapioca, the amount of ice, and the sweetness. If it's your first time, we recommend trying the standard and changing it to your taste.
