Kung Fu Tea

Aside from Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks, the variety of tea/​coffee options on this little section of 1^st avenue are pretty dismal. A lot of the stores on this block between 65^th and 66^th are unoccupied or old and dingy, so I was surprised to see a new place come in, and even more surprised to see a bubble tea place. Sure Cha Time is on Lexington, but I live right above this spot and it serves a good purpose of proximity.
Having frequented Kung Fu Tea’s in Chinatown and Queens and even that tiny store by NYU, I have my usual. Hot or cold milk tea with bubbles/​boba or pudding or an iced Peach Oolong. I always like that you can really customize your drink, no ice, half sugar, whatever you want. As far as taste goes, this place is usually pretty good and consistent. The employees are friendly. Thankfully got a stamp card (but it only works at this location)! Personally, my favorite bubble tea spot is Gong Cha in Koreatown, but when I’m home, I always get my bubble tea fix here.
My only gripe is that it closes early. I never really get the urge for boba until after dinnertime. I have to rush home in order to get there on time, while most bubble tea spots are open way into the night.

Get ready for some mouth watering, rich and bold flavor that will really give your taste bud a kick. Not only do they have variety of tea selection, they also serve coffee.
I had the milk tea with bubbles and had medium sugar and it was very different and unique from all the milk tea’s I’ve tried. It was very flavorful and the bubbles were super fresh. Unlike other tea houses, Kung Fu tea allows you to control the sweetness level. (*****)
The Service was amazing. I was greeted with a big smile and they made me feel really welcomed. They were also very detailed with the drinks and will give recommendations. I can tell they know their tea. (****)

Yes! This great bubble tea chain now has a home in the UES. The only bubble places in the city that I like are Ten Ren and Kung Fu. Everywhere else, the tea is too sweet, the bubbles are over/​undercooked or the tea to milk ratio is off. The bubble tea at this location is just as good and consistent as the Flushing location.
Pros:
You can control the sweetness
They use Lactaid, but it doesn’t affect the taste of the final tea
Great service. The staff is super friendly, knowledgable and efficient
Cons:
I wish they offered a smaller hot tea size.

I have an office on the UES; depending on the needs of my department, I either work in Washington Heights or the UES. Lately, most of my days have been spent in WaHi, with me visiting my UES office two or three times a month. (It used to be the opposite!) So I’ve been getting excited to come back and eat lunch out on those days. On a lunch time stroll, I noticed Kung Fu Tea! I love a good bubble tea! I was excited to think that it just opened, but, scrolling back through reviews, it looks like it opened back in October.
Well, it’s new to me!
In short, service was quick, friendly, and efficient. The selection of teas and slushes is extensive enough. Add-​ins, such as boba, can be added for around 50 cents to a dollar more. I’ve been enjoying their oolong milk tea with boba. It’s fantastic!
I know I’ll be here even more once the weather warms up. Nothing like a cold bubble tea on a warm day!
It’s nice to see a place like this open in this area of the UES, hell, in any part of the UES! Because I can only get tea from Starbucks so many times… haha…

Small but cozy. They have 3 stool seats by the window. We ordered our bubble tea, and were able to sit down to chat for a while.
The service was great, the associates are super friendly!

Great location! What beats some hot tea on a cold day? Healthy and the additional bubbles make it fun.
Of course they have the choice of coffee too but isn’t coffee a little overrated? It’s not as healthy either. However, their coffee is stronger than Dunkin’ donuts. I’d much rather get it here.
I’d recommend the chai milk, green milk tea, and oolong milk tea.

I love that Kung Fu opened so close to where I live. So good for my taste buds but so bad for my wallet + diet. You can definitely taste the tea in each of their drinks. I usually get the drinks with less ice and 30% less sugar. Boba is sweet and just the right of chewiness. I fantasize about drinking this stuff all the time!

The tea is great, but service need proof, wait long time and ask them where is my drink and they couldn’t find my receipt, at the end I have to show them my receipt, staff need more training

Loving the Coffee Milk Tea (iced)! Am not really a fan of bubbles tho… they’re weird to me. lol. I just omit them ;-). The peach oolong tea is another favorite of mine (iced). The staff is so friendly and helpful. A great addition to the neighborhood!

Pretty consistent, expensive habit. I do like this place, the cashier’s are attentive and get to know you quickly. As a regular, this is a nice treat… Especially when they know your drink and how to make it. I’m a fan and I wish them the best of luck!

Great service… Prices are fair for a UES place. Friendly Staff take care of you. Very nice find. Loved the labels on the drinks. Wish they had more pictures on the decoration, help costumers when deciding. Will be visiting next time I’m around the neighborhood.

Kung Fu Tea is probably my most favorite bubble tea chain ever. The flavor of their milk tea is unique and not something that can be duplicated elsewhere. I wish I know the secret so I can have this at home all the time! My favorite is the hot Kung Fu milk tea with bubbles during the cold season. The bubbles here have great tea flavor, slightly sweet, and are not overly chewy. If you are not a bubbles person, I highly recommend the herbal jelly as an alternative topping. Each topping does cost an extra $ 0.50. What I really love about Kung Fu Tea is that you can customize the amount of sugar and ice in your drink — not something I see other bubble tea places offer, plus at no additional cost.
Most Kung Fu Tea locations I’ve been to through the New York City area are small, but this one is particularly small. It is definitely an order and go kind of place with only three stools in the window area to sit. Employees here are friendly.
It’s dangerous that Kung Fu Tea opened a few blocks from where I work. But nonetheless I am thankful I have the option and can have it whenever I want now easily.

Finally we got kungfu tea close enough. Same quality with the one in Chinatown! Thrill to got a cup anytime I want.

Loving this bubble tea place. Been to here a couple times already and I just can’t have enough. The peach oolong is delicious, love mine with nata jelly. Classic milk tea with bubbles are a must try. Now that it’s getting cold out, heading for warm, hot drinks instead of my usual coffee stop.
More choices, more cravings.
Not to mention, the service is great! The staff can always recommend something good when I can’t decide.

Kung Fu Tea in the UES… Finally a Bubble Tea Shop near Hunter and all the hospitals. The service and drinks are Great. Definitely coming back.

Yay! A bubble tea place opens near where a lot of people work. Afternoon tea can be a dangerous habit. This place just had a soft opening, and when I was here, they already had a lot of people here. They have various drinks, mostly tea based, but a bunch of others too.
I got the milk tea with pudding, but forgot to request the boba, so ended up not really having boba tea. This place allows you to customize your tea, meaning you can choose the level of ice added and also the amount of sugar. They also have pre-​combined options for those that are not as picky and just want something easy. Prices are standard. Not really any seating. It’s a to-​go place!

Fantastic bubble Tea shop in UES. My wife is very happy this place popped up and will definitely be back. The basic milk tea is on point. I had a coffee milk tea, which is a must try. Coffee, milk, tea and bubbles is just awesome.
Service is great and the ladies behind the register are extremely friendly and a pleasure to talk to.

YAY! A bubble tea shop in the area! My prayers have been answered!
I prefer KFT over Chatime ANYDAY. Not only is the tea quality better, but it is also spacious. :) And it looks a hell of a lot cleaner in comparison. I’m not sure about you, but cleanliness matters. :D
The staff here is very helpful and always smiling. They don’t rush you if you don’t know what you want. I’ll definitely be coming here more often.
Welcome to the neighborhood, KFT!

Very conveniently located in the area. Sure, it’s a walk away from Hunter but it’s closer than Chinatown and the quality is definitely better than ChaTime. It’s also a little bit pricier than the others but it’s worth it, I assure you. The customer service here is also great.
Of all the Kung-​fu tea locations that I’ve tried, this would be one of the top on the list. I’d say Chinatown would be the mighty king and this would be the queen. The Brooklyn locations feel more watered down.

Finally don’t have to trek down to Chinatown or Flushing to get some bubble tea!
Kung Fu tea is known for its bold flavors and this one serves hot drinks if the cold doesn’t float your boat. You can control the sugar and ice levels and choose which toppings you want; taro bubbles, jelly, pudding or sweet beans. If milk gives you the runs. they have lactose free milk for your stomachs liking.
Ordered pinapple tea and a hot taro milk tea. The pinapple tea tasted refreshing, and the taro milk tea has the best bubbles consistency I’ve had in a long time.
Service was quick and attentive. Prices are pretty affordable, a few cents more than other locations. but at least I don’t have to trek far for my tea cravings.