Bubble Waffle – Crystal Mall

I haven’t come here for any savory dishes, therefore, this review is purely on the bubble tea that I have had at least 3 times last year while in the mall with some friends. It was a grab and go situation. I come here ’cause my girl friend always buys my bubble tea so beggars can’t really be choosers if something is bought for you and free. I do have a small right to make one critical observation which is they’re skimpy on pearls and then charge you extra for more pearls which is fair, however, the extra is extremely skimpy compared to other places that offer extra pearls for a small charge. I did have a plain bubble waffle that was decent. Customer service was fair.

Came here for a SocialShopper coupon: «Authentic Hong Kong» Soup Noodles Set Meal for 2, Including Side Dish and Drinks. The deal is $ 14.50 with a supposed $ 27 value.
There are definitely savings here since you choose your two noodles either from the mark-​it-​yourself menu, or any of the pre-​set $ 7.29 bowls. You get two drinks, and one small side dish.
Despite the place being called Bubble Waffle Café, you do not automatically get a bubble waffle but you can add it on for just $ 2, their special price for add-​ons when you also purchase noodles.
Super Hot Dry Noodle with Grilled Sausage and Fish Tofu (normal price $ 7.29)
–Not «super» spicy-​hot to start, but there’s a hot aftertaste in your mouth. Thankfully the drinks are all cold.
–Noodles look redder (due to sauce) than in the picture at the counter. Sausages were also more grilled (which I prefer).
–Approximate amount of noodles is what you get in a packet of instant noodles.
–Even without the coupon, price for portion felt okay and it was fairly tasty.
Starbucks Grande-​sized drinks. They are plastic-​capped bubble-​tea style, with a western astrology cartoon picture. We got Gemini and Aries.
«Small Side Dish»: Curry Fish Balls
–Basically, fish balls (7?) tossed in curry sauce. Nothing too special here.
–In retrospect I’d go with one of the other choices, though. Twisted potato (rotato!) would be the most fun. Don’t worry about portion since it’s all bound to be small.
Chocolate Bubble Waffle ($ 2 with noodle order, $ 4 otherwise)
–Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and pretty big — about 75% bigger than a single waffle in one of those supermarket frozen food section packs.
–Not super fun or tasty, to be honest. Maybe I should have tried the cheesecake one.
–I wouldn’t buy this for $ 4. Get it as an add-​on if you really want it.
Overall, the SocialShopper coupon is a good deal. Noodles are an OK value. Smaller portion than a phở bowl, but also cheaper and with more interesting taste options, so it evens out.

Towards the end of the meal, I looked closer and there were at least 15 tiny BUGS in the soup (probably from lack of proper washing)… Terrifying after you just pretty much finished everything. They refunded the meal but I looked on Unilocal and apparently the same thing happened to someone else this past April (see below review). Never going back there again, as well as any other Bubble Waffles…

3.5. I had a Social Shopper voucher that had 2 noodle soup with 2 toppings each, 2 drinks, and an appetizer. The food tastes pretty much the same as the other locations I have tried. They do offer bubble tea for .50 cents more and bubbles for another .50 cents. However, I found the passion fruit green tea pretty tasteless and will stick to my lemon tea. The food was quick, about 7 – 8 mins. There was no line when I arrived. There are so many choices at Crystal Mall! Also takoyaki came in only 4 pieces but at Lansdowne Mall, there are 6 pieces. The bubble waffle was not included in the voucher, which I thought it was, and would be $ 2 extra. It’s usually $ 1 extra. Overall, good tasting food and reasonably priced. I absolutely hate the parking lot at Crystal Mall. The spots are tight and no one seems to know what they are doing. Park at P2 because it is less busy.

Founds some bugs in my soup. I guess they like to serve extra protein with their noodles !