For students and locals alike seeking a boba fix in Oxford, Ohio, the options are plentiful. From dedicated boba shops to restaurants offering a limited selection, the array of choices can be overwhelming. To navigate this vibrant boba landscape, we embarked on a one-night tasting adventure to rank six different establishments.
Teaming up with Mollie Duffy, a senior majoring in public administration and organizational leadership who curates the Instagram account @thebobaconcierge, we set out to sample a regular-sized milk tea from each location simultaneously for a controlled comparison.
Our journey began at Yum Cha, nestled in a plaza across from Kroger on Locust Street. For $4.95, we savored a 16-ounce regular-sized milk tea in the charming and pristine ambiance of the shop, although it was noticeably empty.
Moving Uptown, where the bulk of Oxford’s boba scene resides, our next stop was Ramen Hachi, featuring Tsaocha tea. Amidst the lively ambiance of patrons enjoying ramen, we opted for their ruby black tea, priced at $5.95 for a generous 20 ounces.
Just a stone’s throw away, Brick House Cafe awaited, offering a unique atmosphere reminiscent of an Instagram photoshoot locale. Despite the absence of tea on their menu, we indulged in their caramel boba for $5, served in a 20-ounce portion.
Phan Shin, while more of a restaurant than a dedicated boba shop, beckoned across the street, where we sampled a 16-ounce original milk tea for $4.25.
Aqua Tea, with its clinical ambiance reminiscent of a doctor’s waiting room, presented our next tasting opportunity. Despite the lack of seating, we procured a 16-ounce original milk tea for $5.50.
Our final destination, Drop In Tea, exuded a bustling atmosphere, offering a 16-ounce original milk tea for $6. Notably, Drop In Tea featured the softest boba pearls among our sampled establishments.
Upon comparing our drinks, we observed varying textures of tapioca pearls, with most venues featuring firmer pearls, except for Drop In Tea. Notably, Brick House Cafe’s concoction leaned more towards caramel-flavored milk, and Aqua Tea’s boba hinted at jasmine tea notes. Yum Cha and Drop In Tea emerged as the top contenders, followed closely by the dedicated boba shops, with Tsaocha securing second place and Aqua Tea claiming third. While Phan Shin’s offering didn’t disappoint, it fell slightly short in comparison to the specialized boba establishments.
