How to order non-dairy boba

Short answer: ask for oat, almond, or soy, and watch for hidden dairy in "milk" drinks and toppings.

Swap the milk

Most shops carry oat, almond, or soy. Say "non-dairy milk" clearly when you order.

Where dairy hides

• "Milk tea" and brown sugar milk usually use dairy or condensed milk.
• Cheese foam and cream tops are dairy.
• Some creamer powders contain milk.

Safer picks

Fruit teas are often dairy-free by default, though it's worth confirming the base. Many shops will make a brown sugar drink with oat milk on request.

Toppings

Pearls, grass jelly, and aiyu jelly are typically dairy-free. Pudding and cream tops are not.

If you're strict

Ask whether the tea base or powder contains milk powder, since some pre-mixes do.

Have a boba question we should answer? Email hello@bobanight.com.