Kung Fu Tea is Bringing More Bubble Tea to the 'Burbs

Bubble tea franchise Kung Fu Tea is beefing up its presence in the D.C. suburbs.

The cafe, which opened a flagship location in Rockville last summer, is poised to debut locations in both Silver Spring and Tysons Corner this year. There's also a location in Annandale.

The bubble tea cafe distinguishes itself by having a system where drinkers can customize their order by sweetness, iciness, toppings, and other variables, using Asian teas as a base (rather than a commercial powder like some bubble tea purveyors do). They also offer some unique flavors like an Oreo milk tea. "We want everyone to try something like this," said franchisee Ray Zhang. "It's something people can cater to their own tastes and really make something out of it."

The Tysons Corner Kung Fu Bubble Tea will be a kiosk inside the mall, in the corridor near Banana Republic and the new American Tandoor, with the target of a June opening. The downtown Silver Spring location will be in the redeveloped Ellsworth Place mall, on the street corner across from Chick-fil-A. Late summer is the target there.

The franchise is based out of New York, with about 40 locations in the Tri-State area alone. The goal is to grow to around 100 nationally in the near future, Zhang said.