While many businesses in Singapore marked April Fool’s Day with playful pranks on April, 2024, Gong Cha Korea took a different approach by unveiling a novel beverage that merges the beloved Korean dish, Tteokbokki, or stir-fried rice cake, with pearl milk tea.
Dubbed “Pearlbokki milk tea,” this innovative concoction features tapioca pearls boiled in Tteobokki sauce, as revealed in a promotional video shared by the brand on its Instagram page.
In a separate Instagram post, Gong Cha Korea disclosed that the pearls for this unique beverage would be served in a separate container atop the milk tea, presumably to preserve the distinct flavors of each component.
Reported by Korean media outlet Hankyung, the Pearlbokki milk tea is slated for a limited-time release.
Distinguished by larger-than-average pearls, the drink is available in two flavors: original, boasting a sweet and spicy taste, and mala spicy.
Customers intrigued by this fusion can opt to add Pearlbokki as a topping to their orders, with prices set at 2,300 won (S$2.30) for the original flavor and 2,500 won (S$2.50) for the mala spicy variant.
Mixed Reception
Initial reactions to the unconventional beverage have been varied.
A user on Xiaohongshu, identified, expressed pleasant surprise at the delightful taste of the Pearlbokki, praising its harmony with the milk tea and indicating an intention to repurchase.
Conversely, another Xiaohongshu user, @Ayuan_uu, offered a starkly different assessment, labeling the drink as “horrifying” and recounting an unpleasant experience that followed, cautioning others against trying it.
Continued Innovation from Gong Cha
The introduction of Pearlbokki milk tea exemplifies Gong Cha’s ongoing commitment to innovation and creativity.
In September 2022, Gong Cha Singapore captivated taste buds with tomato-flavored bubble teas, Pomato Bomb and Berry Mary, developed in collaboration with Heinz. Pomato Bomb featured a blend of tomato, pear, and pomegranate, while Berry Mary combined tomato with raspberry for a unique flavor experience.
