Bubble House has been one of my favorite University City spots for years. On the adorable 3400 block of Sansom Street, next to New Deck and White Dog, Bubble House is perfectly located and cozy as can be. It’s great to pop in for a fancy cup of tea on a cool fall day or a bubble-filled iced tea if the weather’s warmer. It’s also a great spot for a relaxing drink later in the evening, as their full bar serves up regular drinks as well as sakes, liqueurs, and a wide range of uniquely delicious spiked bubble teas. And, of course, it’s a restaurant! The kitchen cooks up pan-Asian fare for lunch and dinner, and always has a nice mix of students, professors, and locals filling up its tables.

I stopped by for dinner recently, intent on sampling the best of their menu. I started off with a Bubble Tea cocktail to sip while deciding on the food. The special cocktails are a reasonable $8 and come hot or cold. I couldn’t resist a hot Spiked Chai Bubble Tea, which was made with Captain Morgan’s spiced rum and Bailey’s, and was thick, creamy, and delicious. I’ll be getting this indulgent drink again on my next visit! By the way, if you’re unfamiliar with “bubbles,” they’re not bubbles at all. Rather, they’re chewy marble-sized tapioca balls that you suck up along with your drink through an oversized straw. They’re not everyone’s cup of tea (ha!), but they’re definitely worth a try – and all drinks are also available bubble-less.

Moving onto the appetizers, there are three that you MUST try. The sweet potato fries are served with a perfectly-matched orange/ginger dipping sauce, and people come in just to satisfy their cravings for the shoestring delights. If you’re there when the soup of the day is the Carrot Ginger Bisque, don’t waste any time deciding to order it. It’s thick and creamy with crunchy bits and a hefty kick of spice. Robust yet silky smooth, a big bowl could be a meal in itself. The Thai Red Curry Mussels are another app to die for. I’m something of a mussels connoisseur, and the sauce on these might be my favorite yet. A wonderful sweetness mixes with the spice of the curry and is so good that the sauce could be served alone as a soup. The portion is also hefty and perfect for sharing.

All the main courses are tempting, too, ranging from an Almond Crusted Tuna Salad to Pan-Seared Duck Breast. My favorite was the Thai Red Coconut Curry, which looks like a Jackson Pollack painting with its mixture of Napa cabbage, carrots, and scallions over rice and your choice of meat. Tofu and seitan are both “meat” choices in all the dishes. Seitan, if you’re wondering, is vegan-friendly and made from wheat gluten, and according to the waitress is “what all the cool kids choose.”

Completely stuffed and sated, it was back to the pages-long tea list for me to wrap up the meal. I settled on the Arctic Fire black tea (the knowledgeable waitress helped me choose it, saying it’s good for digestion and even letting me smell a bunch of different teas before picking). It was minty, citrusy and spicy, and a beautiful finish to a delicious meal.

Bubble House Restaurant and Tea Room
3404 Sansom St
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3404
(215) 243-0804