Boba Republic, bringing the bubbling atmosphere in town |20 July 2023

Mr Pillay and his team

Based on the success of the country’s first dedicated bubble tea store, the Boba Republic situated in the Food Court of the Bois De Rose Shopping Complex, owner Yuva Pillay has decided to bring the bubbling atmosphere to Victoria, with the opening of second branch on Quincy Street.

Offering freshly-prepared boba, or bubble tea, a tea-based drink with either tapioca pearls or popping boba made from juice, along with a variety of other beverages, including alcohol, the new feature was officially opened on Tuesday by Mr Pillay and his mother Sumathy Murthy, in the presence of his father, the well-loved Dr Murthy Pillay, family members and friends.

Based on good response, huge demands, and significant growth in sale at Bois de Rose, Mr Pillay said they are expecting, firstly, a huge crowd of teenagers, while the outlet also provides professionals with a walking-distance opportunity to enjoy their favourite product, without having to drive all the way to the Bois De Rose Shopping Complex.

He added that customers working in town can pop in and grab their tea, and go back to work, all in a short time, instead of waiting for break, or lunch to do so.

Mr Pillay further noted that they are equally targeting tourists since they tend to concentrate in town area, and not at Bois De Rose.

He said the new branch also provides more options with new products, including Chinese and Indian cuisine, along with a wider alcohol option.

For now, the Boba Republic is open from 10am to 7pm weekdays, and 10am to 8pm on Saturdays.

Mr Pillay said, based on demands, the option for providing services on Sundays is open.

Bubble tea, also known as pearl milk tea, bubble milk tea, tapioca milk tea, or boba tea or boba, is a tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan in the early 1980s.

It most commonly consists of tea accompanied by chewy tapioca balls (‘boba’ or ‘pearls’), but it can be made with other toppings as well.

Bubble tea has many varieties and flavours, but the two most popular varieties are black pearl milk tea and green pearl milk tea (‘pearl’ signifies the tapioca balls at the bottom).

Roland Duval