Kung Fu Tea, the newest addition to Davis Square’s restaurant scene, had its grand opening this weekend. A tiny, hole-in-the wall location at 237 Elm Street, Kung Fu Tea doesn’t draw much attention to itself -- in fact, it would be possible to walk right past without noticing it. That is, when there isn't a swarm of curious customers crowding to get inside and take a long sip of bubble tea.
The joint itself is small; its most prominent features are a few tables and chairs, a crowded counter, a pair of decorative lamps and two large screens mounted at the front of the restaurant. While one screen displays the menu, the other plays an informative video about the making of bubble tea. The set-up is simple, almost bare, but on Sunday afternoon Kung Fu Tea was anything but empty -- a seemingly endless line snaked its way through the cramped interior, stretching from counter to door.
Kung Fu Tea serves a variety of cold and hot beverages as well as a few snack food items, but the chain is best known for its bubble tea menu. Thirsty visitors may choose from simple options like black tea with tapioca bubbles to something fancier like longan red date tea -- a nutty, earthy flavored drink that’s particularly sweet and potent when ordered warm.
The Kung Fu Slush is perfect for patrons with even more of a sweet tooth. A cross between a smoothie, a milkshake and, if you ask for tapioca, a bubble tea, this drink is cold and thick and syrupy -- the chewy pearls at the bottom actually cut the sweetness. Practically dessert with a straw, the strawberry milk flavor is surprisingly satisfying. For those who grew up loving strawberry milk and shakes, the drink has a nostalgic appeal, updated with a compelling new twist.
Tellingly, Kung Fu’s menu includes four options for customizing a drink’s “sugar level” -- presumably to grant consumers greater control over their nutritional intake. The levels are less sugar (purportedly 70% of the normal amount), half sugar (50%), little sugar (30%) and no sugar. How many grams are in a large slush? Ask if you dare.
The extensive list of beverages served -- which, caffeine junkies take note, includes iced coffee, lattes and cappuccinos -- overshadows the food options at Kung Fu Tea. Despite the small selection however, these snacks will likely pair well with just about any drink on the menu. For instance, the French-style macaroons sold in packs behind the front counter go nicely with the warm tea choices; their sugary sides crumble at the slightest provocation into melt-in-your mouth creaminess. While these packaged macaroons are a little denser than might be expected, thankfully they retain the cookie’s traditional fresh flavor and crispness.Kung Fu’s Davis Square location is also set to offer yogurts, though unfortunately these were not available for ordering over the weekend.
While it is unlikely that anyone will rack up a large bill here, it’s worth noting that a few of these beverages are on the expensive side. A medium slush with bubbles, for instance, costs $4.25: nothing eyebrow-raising, but not cheap either.
While perhaps it is sad to see another chain -- Kung Fu Tea has stores from Brooklyn, NY to Houston, TX -- make its home in Davis Square, the company is likely to find a healthy market of tea lovers among Tufts students and local residents. With bubble tea bars popping up in places like Harvard and Porter Square, perhaps it was only a matter of time until Davis Square acquired one of its own.
