Table of Contents
Introduction to Lishou Coffee
Lishou Coffee is a Taiwanese bubble tea and coffee brand that has been gaining popularity across Asia in recent years. Founded in 2001, the brand has over 1,000 stores globally today spread across Taiwan, China, Singapore, Malaysia and other regions.
In this blog post, we will take a closer look at Lishou Coffee – their menu, store ambience, drink quality, prices and my personal experience at one of their branches in Manila, Philippines. By the end, you should have a good idea about whether Lishou Coffee is worth a visit for your caffeine and tea fix.
Ambiance and Store Layout
I visited the Lishou Coffee branch located near SM Megamall in Ortigas. As soon as I entered, I noticed their store has a simple yet cozy ambiance with soft lighting, wooden accents and large glass frontage enabling natural light.
Tables are arranged thoughtfully with ample legroom and many also have power sockets for charging devices. Staff were politely greeting customers with a smile. Overall, the neat layout made for a pleasant environment to unwind over a beverage.
Menu Options
Flipping through the extensive menu, I was impressed by the variety of drinks on offer beyond the usual bubble tea flavors. Some popular sections included:
- Teas: Over 30 unique tea options like Oolong, Jasmine, Fruit etc infusions.
- Coffees: Ispired specialty brews like Honey Walnut Latte, Cinnamon Roll, Ube Macchiato etc.
- Fresh Juices: Seasonal juices made from fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe or guava.
- Smoothies: Creamy combinations of yogurt, fruits and plant-based milks.
- Iced/Hot Tea Lattes: Tea beverages combined with milk and foam.
- Snacks: Pastries, sandwiches and Asian bites like dimsums.
This diverse selection caters to different moods and palates which is a big plus.
Quality and Taste
I decided to sample a Mango Green Tea drink. Upon receiving it, I noticed some unique touches like fresh mangoes neatly arranged on the sides and quality green tea leaves settled nicely at the bottom.
Taking a sip, the first things that struck me were its complex flavors – the subtle green tea balanced beautifully with sweetness from mangoes and a hint of creaminess from coconut jelly pearls. The chill level was just right too.
Overall, it was one of the best green tea drinks I’ve had – full of layers yet fresh, never overpowering. This attention to crafting balanced profiles is laudable. Other samples my friends ordered seemed equally delightful.
Prices
Given the quality and portion sizes, I felt Lishou Coffee’s pricing is very reasonable. Regular-sized Signature drinks start at PHP115 which is fair. Larger sizes are comparably priced too.
Snack options like buns and dimsums range from PHP25-65 each. Fresh juice bottles begin at PHP85 for 450ml. Selections sufficient for 2-3 persons easily stay below PHP500, making it affordable for friends and families.
Value-wise, Lishou Coffee seemed to strike a commendable balance between experience, quality and cost which is important for frequent visits. Some other chains can be significantly costlier for similar offerings.
Other Customer Reviews
Browsing online, I noticed Lishou Coffee has a solid 4.5/5 rating average across different review platforms with most commenting positively on some combination of the below aspects:
- Unique and value-packed menu keeping drinks interesting.
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Consistently great taste whether hot or cold beverages.
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Pleasant store ambiance and lighting providing a relaxing vibe.
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Helpful staff attentive to customers’ needs.
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Visually appealing presentation of drinks and foods.
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Good locations in busy commercial areas and malls.
Of course, a few flagged minor issues like occasional incorrect orders or lack of seating during peak hours as with any popular chain. But the overwhelming sentiment was of strong recommendation.
My Verdict
To conclude, for a new boba/coffee concept seeking to enter Southeast Asia, Lishou Coffee has definitely succeeded in making an impressive mark in Manila based on my experience.
They stand out through well-crafted quality beverages, attractive ambiance, skillful staff and most importantly – value that keeps customers satisfied and feeling like they got good worth. No wonder they are growing steadily.
I can happily say Lishou Coffee now ranks among my preferred relaxation spots in the metro to unwind with friends over delicious teas, coffees or juices any time. Highly recommended!
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