Da Hong Pao Fresh Milk Tea iTea Admiralty Place Review
After trying the Da Hong Pao Milk Tea from LiHO, I was quite curious to see how the one from iTea at Admiralty Place would compare. Da Hong Pao seems to be popping up on more bubble tea menus lately, so I guess it is slowly becoming one of those common tea options, especially for people who want something a bit different from the usual milk tea. I ordered the Da Hong Pao Fresh Milk Tea here just to see if I would like it better, but honestly, it tasted pretty similar to the one I had before. There is still that slightly floral taste in the drink, which I have not fully gotten used to yet. Not bad lah, just not something I would immediately crave every time.
Reviewed by Abu Layl
I visited iTea at Admiralty Place on 10 June 2026, during one of those moments where I just felt like getting a nice drink. Just wanted something cold and satisfying to sip on. The outlet was moderately busy when I was there, but the wait was still very short. I got my drink in about 1 to 5 minutes, which is always a plus, especially when you are not in the mood to stand around for too long. Service was straightforward and efficient, exactly what you would expect from a neighbourhood bubble tea shop.
For my drink, I went with the medium-sized Da Hong Pao Fresh Milk Tea at 25% sugar, with no topping. The price was $3.90, which I think is quite reasonable for a brewed tea or coffee type of drink. These days, bubble tea prices can really creep up once you start adding toppings, changing milk options, or upsizing, so keeping it simple felt like a good choice. I did not add pearls, jelly, or anything else because I wanted to taste the drink on its own. Also, sometimes no topping is just better when you are not that hungry and only want something to drink.
Taste-wise, the sugar level was spot on for me. The 25% sweetness gave the drink a good balance without making it feel too heavy or jelak. I would say the balance was pretty much perfect for what I asked for. The staff also got my order exactly right, which I appreciate. No surprise toppings, no wrong sugar level, no confusion. Just a clean and simple drink made according to request.
The Da Hong Pao itself has a distinct taste. It is not like your usual black milk tea or roasted oolong milk tea. There is a gentle floral note that comes through, and while it is not overpowering, it is definitely noticeable. Personally, I am still quite neutral about it. I can see why some people might enjoy it, especially if they like more fragrant tea flavours, but for me, it is not something I am fully converted to yet. It is drinkable, smooth enough, and not too sweet, but the floral profile needs some getting used to.
Since I usually drink bubble tea about once a week, I do have a few favourite brands that I rotate between. I would say I have around two to three brands that I tend to go back to, depending on location, mood, and what I feel like drinking. iTea is one of those convenient options that works well when you want something quick, affordable, and fuss-free. The Admiralty Place outlet fits that role nicely, especially if you are nearby and just need a drink without making a big trip elsewhere.
One thing I really hope they can improve on is the payment options. Please add PayWave if possible. I am sure many people prefer using cashless card payment nowadays, myself included. It is just more convenient, especially when you are already used to tapping your card or phone for everything. Having more cashless options would make the ordering experience even smoother.
Overall, I would give the Da Hong Pao Fresh Milk Tea from iTea Admiralty Place a 4 out of 5. It was quick, reasonably priced, made exactly as ordered, and had a nicely balanced sweetness level. The only thing is that the floral Da Hong Pao flavour is still not fully my thing yet. If you are curious about this tea option and want to try it without spending too much, this is a decent place to start. Just go with a lower sugar level if you want the flavour to come through properly.
Photos from the visit
These are the photos submitted with the review: the cup, the shop and the receipt.