Shaka Shaka Tea Express (bubble tea shops in Taipei)

My partner and I stopped by Shaka Shaka Tea Express and ordered a medium lychee drink and an XL watermelon. The service started off great. The drinks came out very quickly and the cashier was really nice. Unfortunately, the lychee drink itself was disappointing. The flavor tasted off, almost like soap or freezer burn. It technically tasted like lychee, but something about it was strange and definitely not like the fresh lychee I regularly buy from the farmers market. I looked into it and it says lychee tastes soapy when it starts the fermentation process and it goes bad. When my partner went up to mention the issue, the staff’s response was surprising and unprofessional. Instead of trying to help, they yelled back that “that’s what lychee tastes like.” That really put a damper on the experience. My partner ended up paying for another drink just so I’d have something else, which shouldn’t have been necessary. Overall, the quick service and friendly cashier were the only positives. The drink quality and the way the situation was handled left a bad taste, literally and figuratively, especially right after our date. I wouldn’t return based on this experience. I used to come here a lot with my friends in high school and been coming for years since but this is sad and disappointing.

Tried Shaka Shaka Tea for the first time today and got the Lychee Smoothie. It was so yummy and refreshing! They use fresh lychee flown in from the Big Island, and you can really taste the difference. Love how they use fresh ingredients. Plus, boba is free!! Definitely coming back to try more drinks 🌺🧋 …

Speedy service, nice atmosphere, meh smoothie. Can't beat the price, it's the same in Chinatown at about $7 for a small drink. I asked for no sugar, but the cashier said it'll be very bland. 🤷 Wished there was more variety like Thai milk tea. I had high hopes but don't think I'll be coming back. For the money I'd rather take the trip to Coffee Talk on Waialae for a coconut cream coffee.