December 6, 2018

Half & Half Good Old Time – Milk Tea

The boba or bubble tea craze of the 2000’s came and went… so what’s the big deal?

I admit I was never a big fan of bubble tea. Whenever I got it, it was nothing but overly sweet and overly processed smoothies made from a myriad of colorful powders and loaded with tasteless, chewy tapioca balls inside. It wasn’t until I landed in Hong Kong that I developed an appreciation for traditional milk tea. Even though bubble tea has its origins in Taiwan, milk tea itself has its humble origins in Hong Kong where it is typically made with a strong Ceylon tea and evaporated milk. This combination gives the milk tea a nice astringent and milky flavor. The Taiwanese variation is considerably lighter and is traditionally made milky with, believe it or not, non-dairy creamer. While that may sound weird, it gives the overall beverage a distinctively malty taste that can’t be imitated.

Minced Pork on rice from Half & Half Good Old TIme — Some typical teahouse fare: minced pork with rice and braised tofu

Half & Half Good Old Time is a spin-off of its parent, Half & Half Tea Express. Good Old Time presents itself as a more traditional Taiwanese teahouse and offers a wide variety of teas and classic dishes that evokes feelings of a not so distant past. No single item on the entire menu costs more than 6 bucks, and for $10, you can treat yourself to a light meal or afternoon tea alongside some savory, yummy snacks. From shaved ice to minced pork over rice and popcorn chicken, there is something on the menu for everyone, and since everything is served in smaller portions, it is also perfect for sharing. Aside from the food, the star of the show and my absolute favorite item here is the milk tea. The tea itself is well brewed, balanced, and not overly sweet. Priced at $1.88 USD (+60 cents for boba), it is not only the cheapest but also the best milk tea you could find in the States! I almost always order two every time I’m here: one for immediate consumption and one for the road.