Kung Fu Tea: What to Order and Where to Find It in South Carolina

Kung Fu Tea is a bubble tea chain with locations across South Carolina that specializes in milk teas, fruit teas, and customizable drinks

Kung Fu Tea operates as a casual counter-service shop where you order at the register, customize your drink with toppings and sugar levels, and pick it up within a few minutes. The chain focuses on traditional Taiwanese-style bubble tea—milk-based drinks with tapioca pearls, fruit teas with popping boba, and seasonal specials. Most South Carolina locations are in shopping centers in Columbia, Charleston, and the Upstate, making them accessible stops while running errands or between other activities.

The menu is built around choices you make: you pick a base drink, decide whether to add toppings like tapioca pearls or jelly, choose your sweetness level, and select your ice amount. Prices typically range from $5 to $7 per drink, depending on size and toppings. Unlike sit-down tea houses, Kung Fu Tea is designed for takeout, though most locations have a few seats near the counter.

Key Takeaways

• Kung Fu Tea serves bubble tea in a quick counter-service format, with most drinks ready in under five minutes.
• You can customize sweetness, ice level, and toppings on nearly every drink, so you control how sweet or strong your tea tastes.
• Tapioca pearls (the chewy balls at the bottom) come standard on milk teas unless you request otherwise or choose a different topping.
• South Carolina locations are found in shopping centers in Columbia, Charleston, and Greenville, not in standalone storefronts.

Popular Drinks and How to Order Them

The Classic Milk Tea is the foundation drink—black or oolong tea mixed with condensed milk and topped with tapioca pearls. It tastes creamy and slightly sweet by default, but you can ask for less sugar or no sugar at all. Many first-time visitors start here because it represents what bubble tea is at its core.

The Taro Milk Tea swaps the tea base for taro root, a purple tuber with a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. It's creamier than regular milk tea and appeals to people who want something less tea-forward. Taro is a signature flavor at Kung Fu Tea and appears in several drinks on the menu.

Fruit teas like mango, strawberry, and lychee come without milk and are topped with popping boba—small spheres that burst with juice when you bite them. These drinks are lighter and more refreshing than milk teas, and they work well if you want something fruity without the creaminess. You can also add milk to any fruit tea if you prefer a creamier version.

When ordering, tell the staff your sweetness preference (usually 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%), your ice preference (no ice, light ice, regular, or extra ice), and which topping you want. If you're unsure, the staff can recommend combinations based on what you like.

Toppings and Customization Options

Tapioca pearls are the most common topping—chewy, slightly sweet balls that sit at the bottom of the cup. They require a wide straw to drink through, and the straw is included. If you don't like the texture or want something different, you can request no pearls or swap them for another topping.

Popping boba are small spheres filled with fruit juice that burst in your mouth. They're lighter than tapioca and work especially well in fruit teas. Jelly (usually coconut or grass jelly) is a firmer, less chewy option. Pudding is creamy and rich, pairing well with milk teas. Most locations also offer red bean as a topping, which has an earthy, slightly sweet taste.

You can request no toppings at all if you prefer just the tea, or you can add multiple toppings to one drink. The cost of toppings is usually included in the base price, though some premium toppings like pudding may add 50 cents to $1.

Where to Find Kung Fu Tea in South Carolina

Kung Fu Tea has multiple locations across South Carolina, with the highest concentration in the Midlands and Lowcountry. In Columbia, locations are typically found in shopping centers near major intersections and retail areas. Charleston has several locations in shopping plazas throughout the city and surrounding areas. Greenville and the Upstate also have Kung Fu Tea shops, usually in strip malls near grocery stores or other retail anchors.

The easiest way to find the nearest location is to search "Kung Fu Tea near me" on Google Maps or visit the chain's website for a current location list. Hours vary by location but typically run from late morning through evening, seven days a week. Some locations close earlier on Sundays or may have reduced hours on certain days, so checking ahead is worth doing if you're making a special trip.

What to Expect on Your First Visit

When you walk in, you'll see a menu board with drink categories and a line to order at the counter. The staff will ask what you want, then ask about customizations—sweetness, ice, and toppings. Have your answer ready, or ask for a recommendation if you're unsure. Payment is at the counter, usually cash or card, and you'll receive a cup with your name or number written on it.

Your drink is made fresh to order, which takes a few minutes. You'll hear your name or number called when it's ready. The drink will be hot or cold depending on what you ordered, and it comes with a wide straw designed to fit the toppings. If you ordered tapioca pearls, they'll be at the bottom of the cup, so shake or stir before drinking to mix them throughout.

Most Kung Fu Tea locations are small, with limited seating, so many customers take their drinks to go. If you do stay, find a spot near the counter or window. The atmosphere is casual and fast-paced, designed for quick transactions rather than lingering.

Seasonal and Limited-Time Drinks

Kung Fu Tea rotates seasonal flavors throughout the year, especially around summer and fall. These might include drinks like brown sugar milk tea, matcha-based drinks, or limited-edition fruit combinations. Seasonal drinks are usually advertised on the menu board or on the chain's social media pages.

Because these drinks are temporary, availability varies by location and can run out if they're popular. If you see something on the menu that interests you, order it sooner rather than later—limited-time items don't stay around long. Staff can tell you whether a drink is seasonal or permanent when you ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between tapioca pearls and popping boba?

Tapioca pearls are chewy and neutral-tasting, made from cassava starch. Popping boba are smaller, filled with juice, and burst in your mouth. Tapioca works well in milk teas; popping boba shine in fruit teas. Both require a wide straw to drink through.

Can I get a drink with no sugar?

Yes. Most Kung Fu Tea locations offer 0% sugar as an option. The tea flavor will be more pronounced and less sweet, though some drinks like taro milk tea still taste naturally sweet even at 0% added sugar.

Are there any hot drink options?

Yes, most drinks can be ordered hot or cold. Hot bubble tea is less common than cold, but it's available. Ask for your drink hot when you order, and the staff will prepare it that way. Hot drinks take slightly longer because the tea needs to steep and cool enough to add toppings safely.

Do I need to drink bubble tea with a special straw?

Yes, if you order toppings like tapioca pearls or boba. The straw is wider than a regular straw to let the toppings through. Kung Fu Tea includes the straw with your drink. If you order no toppings, a regular straw works fine.

What if I don't like my drink?

Most Kung Fu Tea locations will remake a drink if you're not satisfied, especially if something was made incorrectly. Speak to staff right away while you're still at the counter. Policies vary by location, so ask what they can do to help.