KOI Thé Harajuku Takeshita Street Review | Golden Bubble Milk Tea in Tokyo

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KOI Thé

KOI Thé (KOI Tea) is

Quick summary 👇
A tapioca specialty shop where you can enjoy authentic Taiwanese tea, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Takeshita Street.
The tapioca pearls are on the smaller side, making it easy to drink, and you can adjust the sweetness, so it was just the right cup for adults too.

KOI Thé is a Taiwanese tea brand.

It was born as the overseas expansion brand of Taiwan's popular tea brand "50 Lan (Wuxi Lan)", a specialty tea shop. As an international brand, it began in Singapore in 2007 and now operates in over 12 countries worldwide with more than 600 stores.

Its signature drinks feature Taiwanese tea leaves, offering a diverse menu including the classic tapioca milk tea (bubble tea).

Its defining features are:

• Milk tea that highlights the aroma of Taiwanese tea
• Tea itself takes center stage, not just the tapioca
• Customizable sweetness and ice levels

Unlike "full-sweet tapioca drinks" aimed at young people,
its well-balanced flavor appeals to adults as well.

Location of Harajuku Takeshita Street Store

The location is quite deep into Takeshita Street, almost at the very end.
It feels close to Harajuku Station, but you actually have to navigate through the crowds to reach it.

The storefront landmark is the "bear character."

One of the most striking features of this shop is the large bear character standing at the entrance.
Its pose holding a tapioca drink is iconic and makes for great photos.

If you're wondering, "Is this the right place?",
just look for this bear —it's the right spot.

What's popular? | The classic is Golden Tapioca Milk Tea

The most popular item at KOI Thé is
Golden Tapioca Milk Tea.

True to its name,

• golden-hued small tapioca pearls
• Refreshing milk tea

This combination features
The tapioca pearls are small and have a light texture.

After actually trying it this time,

• it doesn't clog the straw easily
• and allows for smooth sipping right to the last drop
• and doesn't interfere with the milk tea flavor.

I felt it was "just the right level of perfection for eating on the go."

Other menu items include:

• Milk Tea Varieties
• fruit tea
• Latte-based drinks

Ordering Method｜Customize sweetness, ice level, and toppings in detail

KOI Thé's high customizability is another key point.

Options available when ordering

• Sweetness (adjustable from none to extra sweet)
• Ice Level (None / Less / Regular)
• Add toppings (e.g., tapioca pearls)

As you can see from the menu,
it's written in Japanese too, so even first-timers won't get lost.

This time I tried the "Golden Tapioca Milk Tea."

and the most popular
Golden Tapioca Milk Tea.

My thoughts after drinking it

• The tapioca pearls are on the smaller side and have a light texture.
• Chewy but not overpowering
• The milk tea itself isn't overly sweet, leaving a refreshing aftertaste

Honestly,
I'd recommend this even to people who aren't fans of the "bubble tea that fills you up" type.

This kind of atmosphere｜It's Harajuku, but it's a bit calmer.

It's located along Takeshita Street in Harajuku,
but since the shop is tucked away deep inside the street,
so it doesn't have the same chaotic vibe as the entrance area.

Inside the store,

• features a simple, white-based interior
• with a striking neon logo
• A clean, counter-centered space

Seating consists solely of a bench for about four people near the entrance,
primarily designed for takeout or eating on the go.

That said,
the bear character standing at the counter and
and the logo-printed cups are photogenic,
creating an atmosphere that perfectly blends "Harajuku vibes" with the "calmness of Taiwanese tea."

Eat-in? | Primarily designed for eating on the go

Seating consists only of a simple bench outside the store that seats about 4 people.

• Sit down for a proper meal → ❌
• Drink while walking down Takeshita Street → ⭕️

That seems like the better approach to take.

Recommended for people like this

• Those who prefer less sweet tapioca
• Want to avoid the crowds in Harajuku
• Looking for a drink to enjoy while walking around
• Those who enjoy Taiwanese-style teas

Looking for a drink to enjoy while walking around

Store Information

• Storefront: Look for the bear character
• Interior: Bright and clean with white and neon accents
• Menu: Easy to understand with photos
• Cups: Logo-printed for stylish takeout

Business Hours: Varies by day (Check local displays or official sources)
Seating: Only a few benches at the storefront
Usage Style: Takeout / Suitable for eating on the go