HWA DA Milk Tea (Headquarters)

Review

HWA DA Milk Tea's headquarters stands at No. 101 Xinle Street in Yancheng. Founded in 1982, it has been pouring for more than 40 years. This stretch of Xinle Street is lined with milk tea shops and is nicknamed 'milk tea street', and HWA DA is its best-known veteran; the brand has since opened many branches, including one inside Zuoying MRT station, but this Yancheng shop is where it all began.

The signature HWA DA milk tea blends black tea, pu'er and milk, so you taste a gentle pu'er aroma, a balanced amount of fresh milk and sweetness that is not overpowering. Adding chewy tapioca pearls is many regulars' standard order. Cups are generous, and diners say a single serving feels substantial, making it ideal for sipping on a walk to Pier-2 or along the Love River.

Praise focuses on the fragrant, mellow tea with a distinct pu'er note, the moderate sweetness, and quick, English-speaking staff who are friendly to visitors. Critics say the plain version without toppings feels one-dimensional, and some have had cups where the tea tasted thin, the milk was lacking or there were too few pearls, saying it was not worth a 15-minute queue; consistency seems to vary.

Online listings show hours of about 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with no regular closing day. Supertaste lists HWA DA milk tea at NT$60, with pearls for NT$5 more. It is mainly a takeaway counter, and orders come out fast. Xinle Street's lanes are narrow and parking is hard, so walk over while exploring Yancheng.

Good for anyone who wants a classic Kaohsiung milk tea, or a drink to carry after a Yancheng snack crawl. First-timers should order HWA DA milk tea with pearls to taste how pu'er pairs with milk; if you prefer less sugar, try the standard sweetness first and adjust next time. Branches taste much the same, but for the original experience, come to this Yancheng shop.