Jakarta Boba Addicts! This shop: you'll either love it to death or hate it with a passion…
qponx
2026-01-24
Don't be fooled by its low online rating! This article uncovers why The Palace Tea in Jakarta is a controversial hidden gem. While its delivery service is a major miss, the dine-in experience is a total hit. Discover a chic, retro pink-and-gold spot with comfy sofas and what might be the city's best boba—incredibly soft and flavorful. Learn why you should visit in person, what to order, and the secrets behind its polarizing reviews.
Girls, this is just crazy.
I was scrolling on Google Maps and came across this place, The Palace Tea at Ashta, and its rating was only 3.4, which was a total turn-off at first. But I just couldn't resist its pink and gold decor, it totally got me. I thought,"What's the worst that could happen? I'll just risk it." The result… Anjay! I almost missed out on a hidden gem!
Instantly Mantap!
The vibe was right as soon as I sat down. The whole shop has this sort of retro pink and gold aesthetic, and the sofa seats are so comfy you just sink in and never want to get up. It's perfect for an afternoon of nongkrong with your besties. [1]
Long story short: their boba is the best I've had in Jakarta, bar none! [2] It's super soft, chewy, and bouncy, and it's the kind that's full of flavor—not those hard, plastic-like lumps. Boba heads, you have to try this!
My friend's Tea Cube Milk Tea[3] was also a pleasant surprise. The tea jelly inside was so smooth, with a rich tea flavor and just the right amount of sweetness. I also tried their signature Original Fruit Tea[4], and they were super generous with the fruit—you could literally see chunks of watermelon, pineapple, and orange. It was so incredibly refreshing to drink!
I thought it was just a milk tea shop, but their snacks are surprisingly good too. That Croissan'wich[5], freshly baked, is so flaky on the outside it just falls apart. It's a perfect match with the milk tea.
OK, some real talk…
Alright, enough with the praise, let's get honest. Why is the rating so low? I specifically went through the reviews, and it turns out they've seriously pissed off the delivery drivers! [6] I heard the pickup process is extremely unfriendly; drivers have to wait for a long time, and the shop isn't willing to bring the orders to the lobby, which led to a flood of bad reviews. So, the dine-in experience and the delivery experience are two completely different things.
Also, the prices are indeed a bit steep[7], so your wallet will feel the pain a little. And while the window seats are great for photos, the direct sun at noon will literally make you melt[8]. Plus, the sofas feel a bit old; I hope the shop can clean them more often, haha.
✍️ Quick Guide | My Tips
Lastly, here are the key points for my girls who plan to check this place out:
Anyone else been here? Let's chat in the comments about your favorite drink! 👇
- Cashless only![9] Remember to bring your card or have your e-payment ready. Don't be silly and bring cash.
- Highly recommend dining in! Do NOT order delivery! Otherwise, both you and your driver will probably get tired of waiting. [10]
- If you want to take photos, grab the sofa seats, but avoid the window if you can't stand the heat. There are power outlets, so it's also great for bringing your laptop to slack off while"working" (WFC). [11]
- A must-order for boba heads! If you love boba milk tea, don't hesitate, just order anything from the boba series. Trust me! [12]
- Ignore the 3.4 Google Maps score! Bad reviews are delivery-related; dine-in is so good, you'd miss out big![1]
- Jakarta's best pearls are here! Super soft, chewy, bouncy, each bursting with flavor. Boba heads, go![2]
- Retro pink and gold aesthetic, with sink-in sofas. Perfect for nongkronging an afternoon with besties![3]
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