Tapioca Express

I met up with a friend at this place to catch up. I got an Italian soda and it was okay. I already had milk tea earlier in the day. It seems like it could be a great hangout spot if it wasn’t so crowded. I was still able to have a conversation so it wasn’t bad. Maybe there is just a lack of bubble tea/​dessert places in the area that can’t accommodate the large Asian population. I’d come back here to give it another shot and try a dessert.

We were up here for a New Years holiday party, and not familiar with the area. And given the timing not a lot of options. We order 2 milk teas with boba and rainbow jelly, wives really liked them. Although they did state the boba was a bit tough, which I agree with. I ordered a strawberry/​banana smoothie and it was good, but the boba was tough and bland. Boba if done right is gummy in texture and sweet. But I wouldn’t say that this is the best I’ve ever had.

Honestly not a very good place to get boba. There are many other places to boba that I would much rather go to. For me it’s even worth it to drive all the way down to UW to go to Sharetea because that’s how much better I think Sharetea is in comparison to Tapioca Express.
The only thing that is really good here is the popcorn chicken. That is something that I do really enjoy and highly recommend people try.

It’s a hit and miss at this place. Today unfortunately was a miss! The staff were very rude, and uncaring. My bubble tea «snow bubble» straight up taste like ice. I ordered the popcorn chicken and could tell it was old. First, the wait time was really quick. Second, it was soggy and just old… That’s why it’s at a there star rating because it’s pretty average.

Price is okay, but tea is not so good… got the logan tea, taste like sugar water, much disappointment.

I no longer want to go here.
One time I called to order for 3 people. My friends and I arrived to pick it up 15 minutes later and they lied about never getting a phone order.
Also another time, I ordered fish cakes that literally took 20 minutes to get. I’m not exaggerating about how long I waited. It wasn’t busy that day too. I’ve ordered fish cakes on a busy day and got it less than that time.
Terrible service.

The family really loves this place — the bubble tea can be a bit sweet for me. We haven’t had a chance to try the food yet but will be looking into it soon.

One of my go-​to places for bubble tea. Service is pretty good. The only problem is that the customers tend to be really loud. They have a really good selection of drinks though!

Up north, there’s really only two places that sells just bubble tea; pochi’s and tapioca express. I actually really like both. Tapioca express can get crowded super fast and is it fairly small. But there only been like one or two incident’s where I couldn’t find a seat with my friends. Space wise, I would rather go to the tapioca express in Bellevue which is probably 3 or even 4 times bigger.
The drinks has always been average for me. Their smoothie drinks or snow bubble has always been inconsistent especially avocado. One time, it’ll be perfect, another time, it’ll just be all ice. So i prefer to go with their milk teas my favorite being earl gray or their caramel milk tea. They do use syrup and sometimes, it wasn’t shaken all the way so you can still see all the syrup on the bottom… yeah, that doesn’t look so appealing… I do like how they have a small and regular size. Most places just have one size and sometimes you just can’t finish the bigger size. They seem to be on top of their tapioca making more than the Bellevue location. At Bellevue, seems like 1 out of 3 times, they run out of boba where as I’ve never ran into that probable at this location.
The food here is good but sometimes you have to wait a super unreasonable time. I ordered fries the other day and it literally took 20 minutes to come out. It wasn’t that busy at the time either… But the fries are actually pretty good. My favorite is the popcorn chicken! Their popcorn chicken is delicious. Their spice level doesn’t seem consistent either though… I usually get 3 stars but sometimes, i feel like it’s only 1 star. But still, it’s good and still worth getting it.
Their customer service is severely lacking. They all look miserable and one chick always seems to be in a bad mood. I know working is not fun but at least but a smile on your face. I’ve never had a problem with it being too loud but the biggest problem here is their parking. I guess nothing can really be done but parking here is a pain… Usually have to park farther just to find a spot available.
Overall, not bad but not my favorite. Worth coming up here if you’re find a place to go and it’s late.

Bubbles teas are not the best compared to BC. However, it’s good after having the Mango Jade Green Tealush, and Green tea milk tea w/​small bobas.
Me and my cousin walked out with our drinks happy as usual.
Thereafter, we walked into my Acura and proceeded to exit the parking lot while we turned up our itunes.
The cashier walked out into the freezing cold weather, and stopped us with a question, «Didn’t you order the popcorn chicken?»
Uh oh, I forgot to pick up my last order, because we were busy drinking our new boba drinks for Heaven’s sake! Give me a break here ya.
I told her to let me park and go get it.
Then she said she’ll just bring it out to me.
After parking again, she walked up with the hot paper bag (fresh popcorn chicken) along with a few kebab sticks.
I said, «Thank you, I was actually testing to see if you remembered…»
Haha…I couldn’t look like I forget things easily
«I’ll write a good review for ya» were my last words.
She smiled and said «Thank you»
I left enjoying the chicken while sipping on my boba drink, drove off into the night playing electro music, all pumped and ready to go into my training again… it’s chest day tomorrow at the gym.
So here I am to keep my word.
If the cashier at Tapioca Express remembers and is reading this, God bless…
I hope more people can take notice for people who give good service.
Although food or drinks are not 5-​star here, their customer service is a 5-​star based on this experience.
I’d been to 5-​star beach resorts, amongst the best in the world, and these employees are close to them in service.
People like her can learn something here, because it’s people like that who’ll be very successful someday.
I’m constantly around successful entrepreneurs and investors, and I can spot a person with potential.
You’ll never know who you’ll run into next…
Keep it up ya, all of you at Tapioca Express, keep it up…

I’m giving TapEx a low rating because every damn time I’ve gone into order a large drink I end up walking out the door with a regular size. Don’t get me wrong I love the drinks that they make but there service is terrible. My receipts even say I order a large but they refuse to remake my drink unless I pay an extra 75 cents! Like hello I already paid for the large size you better be giving me two larges if I’m going to give you more money.

The store opened about ten minutes late. We waited. Went in to order Thai tea with boba but the boba was not ready and we needed to wait ten minutes. We waited more than ten minutes went back in to order and they said, «you wanted mini boba, right?» No we wanted regular boba, «oh…well that will be another 20 minutes». ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!
When you open at 11 you should be ready to serve customers!
We will NEVER BE BACK!

If Oasis is my main bae, I’d consider Tap Express my side chick. But like a really loyal and satisfying side chick. When I can’t get my hands on Oasis, Tap is always there to fulfill my boba and popcorn chicken needs.
I think I’ve tried every type of drink (milk, flavored tea, snow, yogurt, etc) here and everything I’ve gotten has been perfectly pleasing and hits the spot every time. My favorites are the hong kong milk tea, earl gray milk tea, wait jk basically all the milk teas! I recently tried the mango yogurt with boba and it truly rocked my world. Anything you get here is going to be amazing so don’t be afraid to try new things! I’ve also noticed they have a pretty extensive menu of Taiwanese food but the only food I ever get here is the popcorn chicken because it’s fire and always pairs well with bubble tea ^_^The employees are always sweet and patient and make the drinks consistently and perfectly sweetened. This is the only chain location I’ve been to but I’m definitely a fan of this one!

This place is infested with teeny boopers who are extremely loud and have no sense of an inside voice. Unlike Pochi, TapEx’s music is pretty quiet (I think they play music at least??) but really, there is no reason for anyone but the employees to yell. The bubble tea itself is decent, I only really come here because my friends prefer it over Pochi. I just really love the fact that they have baby boba and their popcorn chicken is delicious. Parking is a pain in the butt since the spaces are kinda compact. I mean, I guess TapEx is aight.
Also, I feel like they need to put a «NO SMOKING» sign like, right by their door! I hate trying to pass through a group of people just nonchalantly smoking in front of the entrance. It’s just rude and smelly!

While shopping up north near Alderwood, my boyfriend and I were craving some bubble tea. We’ve had good experiences with Tapioca Express in Renton, so we decided to go here.
This location is much bigger and has more food options. We ordered the avocado and almond snow bubbles with mini boba. We also got an order of popcorn chicken with 3 stars — this is the first bubble tea place that I’ve tried gives you an option to customize spiciness levels.
Popcorn chicken: ⁴⁄₅ stars. The batter was very crispy and light. It could have used a little more salt as the spiciness was more peppery than actually spicy.
Avocado snow bubble: ³⁄₅ stars. Not too thick like most other avocado smoothies. However, I don’t think there was much avocado — the color of the drink was more yellow than green.
Almond snow bubble: ²⁄₅ stars. This might have been due to the employee, but it was very watery. Because of that, the almond flavor wasn’t very strong and it just tasted like milk.

Wouldnt recommend any ice blended drink here, too icy and you’d barely taste the flavor. I’d stick with my safe regular milk tea with pearl drink.
My friend said the avocado was pretty good. Not sure if they’re using real fruit or powder, but still did it job and got the avocado taste in it.

It’s okay. It’s convenient that it is open late. Service is meh. What irked me the most was when I asked the cashier if they used real honey for their drinks (I know some places use artificial honey syrup) he just had no idea… If you’re making drinks, you should know what you are putting into what you make or at least have some knowledge about it when customers ask you a question. They seem to like to go on their phones a lot right in front of the customer.
Other than that, I suggest the popcorn chicken! Whenever I’m with someone, they usually gets kiwi snow bubble, which is a must try! My sister has been getting it for at least three years now whenever she comes by ever since I introduced her to it.

This place has great food!
But it stops there!
what’s up with the customer service of some places these days, it’s like nobody cares! I came in today for a simple order and it literally took 25 minutes to receive my food when it NEVER took that long every other time I’ve been here. I asked for my money back since everyone in the back was standing around goofing off and being chatty Cathys. Upon my request, the cashier (with a nasty attitude) says she won’t give me my money back because my food was done yet I had NO food in my presence.
Do better!

This Bubble tea location is a great place to stop by for a bubble tea/​snack/​lunch food. I like their bubble tea so much! And my favorite snack to get here is pop corn chicken. So flavorful!!! They have a great selection of food menu. And different types of drinks like tea, milk tea, snow-​bubble, etc.

This is a little hole in the wall place near my boyfriend’s sister house and I love stopping by here. It is by no means gourmet food. It’s cheap and yummy eats + yummy drinks. I love their matcha snow milk, spicy popcorn chicken, and their chicken katsu plate. Don’t go here expecting fine dining. It’s just yummy cheap fast food. I love going here and filling my belly here hehehe. I’ll be a loyal fan.