This place has been on my radar for quite some time since it has been going viral on Instagram (#Hypebeast). Also being a regular shopper at the Richmond Public Market and being a bubble waffle enthusiast, I got curious. Their cute little shop is located on the first floor in the Public Richmond Market. You can't miss it as it stands out amongst the other stores with the clean and modern reno. In fact, I think it looks too modern to make me feel they could make a good ol' traditional bubble waffle, and I was so wrong about that!
When I got there, the first thing that grabbed my attention was the giant poster advertising the combo deal. $6.99 that includes a classic old fashion bubble waffle and their signature Hong Kong milk tea. These days, a boba drink can easily cost you $7 to $8, so this is a great deal. Now, I've never been a fan of sugar drinks of bubble tea but as a Hong Konger, I felt compelled to try their milk tea since they were boasting about its authenticity and silky smooth texture. I also read a review some where that their ice cubes are also made out of milk tea, so it doesn't dilute your drink.
As for their cubes, I read some mixed reviews. Instgrammers say it's good, Xiao Hung Shu say they are mediocre. Curious Joyee got the combo deal with the waffle and the milk tea, and two cubes. I mean since I'm already here, I might as well...
Bubble Waffle: So let's start with the bubble waffle! I was really impressed with their waffle! It's crispy on the exterior and soft and fluffy in the interior. It stayed crispy for a while so you can take your time eating your waffle. The waffle isn't too sweet either so all you Asians with a mild sweet tooth will appreciate this. Their waffles are similar to the bubble waffles from Parker Place, but it's an improved version. The custard taste is stronger and it's also crispier. Their waffles are also tastier than Cafe Eggtastic from Burnaby! It doesn't get soft quickly so you don't have to race eating it like I had to with Cafe Eggtastic's.
I still think that the Bubble waffles from the Bubble Waffle cafe has it best. They have this satisfying goo texture inside each bubble, and it's crunchier with a stronger note of butter flavor. Yum! However, for those who like a cleaner taste, you may like the Eggette House more. It's less greasy. I would say Eggette House made it to my top two choices for bubble waffles in Vancouver now!
Milk Tea: I'M IMPRESSED! Their milk tea is silky and smooth, with the perfect tea and milk ratio. I hate it when some places add too much milk and it dilutes the tea flavor, or if they cheap out on the milk making it slightly bitter. But they nailed it! Their milk tea had the right amount of sweetness to it. You don't have to request for less ice or no ice, since their ice cubes are made of milk tea as well, it wouldn't water down your drink :)
Cubes: What I've learned is that I should always trust the reviews from Xiao Hung Shu over Instagram. Those cubes were bland, dry and expensive. A+ for creativity but they really need to add more sugar or salt to these cubes... The outer layer reminds me of a shortbread cookie, but nothing stood out - neither was it flaky or buttery or anything. The sticky rice with shredded pork floss and salted egg yolk was tasteless and needed some serious seasoning. I couldn't even tell if there was any salted egg yolk. The black bean paste with mochi could be improved by adding more sugar to bring out the sesame flavour, and the mochi could be firmer and chewier.
Bottom line - grab their combo and avoid their cubes...
💵 Price:
$6.50 for the set including milk tea and waffle
$2.75 - $3.50 per cube
🤤Taste:
Bubble waffle: 4.7 / 5
Milk Tea: 4.6 / 5
Cube: 2 / 5
🕯Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🪑Seating: NA
📈 Price Performance ratio: 4.8 / 5
Rentention Rate:100%
Summary:
ℙ𝕣𝕠𝕤:
good value
strong custard flavor
has a crispy exterior and soft interior
fluffy inside
not greasy
stayed crispy for a long time - didn't have to race eating it
authentic HK style milk tea !
not too sweet
loved that they use milk tea to make the ice cubes so it doesn't dilute your drink
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕤:
prefers a bit more goo inside but still great!!
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
dig it but i still prefer the bubble waffle cafe. they have the goo inside and tastes more buttery. But eggette house provides better value~~
Beats cafe eggtastic (雷亭）from Burnaby!!
Tastes similar to the bubble waffles from parker place but better - has more substance.
I'm not a fan of milk tea or any sugar drinks, but being as a Honger, i felt compelled to try it when it was advertising its authenticity. And i approve of it!!!
