A very sweet spot in the Grainger Market – Manhua Cha & World of Sweets

By Ania Askwith

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Alley 2, Unit 62, Grainger Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5QQ

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If you find yourself in the Grainger Market and you’re in need of a sweet pick-me-up, Manhua Cha is a must-visit for their delicious bubble teas and sweet pick and mixes.

It’s been a while since we last visited the market, so we popped in on a Saturday morning to check out some of the independent traders and grab some unique goodies along the way, with Manhua Cha being our first stop.

What we had

We opted for our favourite drinks (but had to ask for topping recommendations – there are just so many options!)

We tried:

• brown sugar matcha latte with brown sugar pearls
• brown sugar latte with tapioca pearls

My matcha was absolutely gorgeous – smooth, well-balanced, and exactly what you’d expect from premium-grade matcha. It wasn’t overly sweet, so you could really taste the earthy matcha flavour which I adore. I watched them make it and I could tell that it was going to be a good one. It was well blended and there was a generous measure of the matcha in the drink, which is a big plus. Honestly, it’s been ages since I’ve had such a lovely matcha bubble tea.

The brown sugar latte was as delicious; by its nature it is a sweeter drink than a matcha so if you’ve a sweet tooth – this one is a great choice.

We really enjoyed the drinks, but what I also loved was the way they serve them which sets Manhua Cha apart.Your drink is mixed and then sealed in a can (watching the machine do its thing is so fun!), which keeps it fresh for ages! I waited until I got home to have mine because I’d already had a coffee, and it was super fresh and delicious.

Take bubble tea home

For those who love bubble tea but want to enjoy it at home, Manhua Cha has two great options:

1. DIY bubble tea kits – Perfect for recreating your favourite boba drinks in your own kitchen. I think it would be a really fun thing to do as a bit of an activity with kids, but I am a tempted to get one and try it just for myself to see how easy it really is, and whether it really is as good as the one they make in the shop.
2. Ready-made bubble tea cans – Super convenient and great for when you’re on the go or stocking up for later. It is brand new and they have only just started it, but I think it has a potential to go viral – who doesn’t want to be able to grab a fresh boba from the fridge anytime you fancy one? We’ll be stocking up!

Sweet treats at World of Sweets

Right next door, you’ll find World of Sweets, where we picked up some treats (how could we not ha!)

• Pick and mix  – there is so much choice and I like it that they have vegan sweets clearly marked and on separate sides of the counter so if you prefer vegan treats, you don’t need to ask about each one when you’re picking them.

• A Chinese New Year mix –themed timely for the upcoming Chinese New Year of the Snake, you can get a ready premade bag of sweets; ours came to £4.50 for the whole medium bag, which is so reasonable for what we got (price depends on weight). It would make a nice gift for a friend or a neighbour who celebrates!

Other offerings include:

• Freeze-dried candy – I was intrigued by this but as we already picked up 2 bags, I will leave this for the next visit.
• UK pick and mix – including the sweets that we all love, as well as some old school, traditional sweets – save yourself a trip to Beamish and head to Manhuan Cha for some nostalgia!
• American pick and mix -loads of choice and much cheaper than we’d seen in some other places.
• Sweets, snacks, and drinks mystery bundles, where you can choose the origin: America, Asia, or mixed – perfect if you want a surprise.

If you have a sweet tooth, you need to pop in. We found the mix of themes was pretty good; from super popular sweets to nostalgic classics, to some unique Asian and American picks, and many things in-between – if you love a sugar hit, they combine so many different choices at really reasonable prices.

Why we enjoyed our visit it

• You get boba and sweets in one place – ideal for grabbing treats and drinks for a cinema date or cosy night in. The only issue will be deciding what movie to watch, ha!
• Seating is available if you fancy catching up with a friend over bubble tea rather than taking it away.
• Located in the heart of Grainger Market, it’s a great excuse to explore the other stalls while you’re there (before it is fully redeveloped).
• There is so much choice and we could have spent ages picking our sweets and chatting to Carine and Dave who own the two shops; they are both so passionate about their business and this really translates into the service you receive and the quality of products they make and sell.
• The inventive DIY boba kits and ready made cans – just when you think bubble tea can’t be improved upon, they come up with these creative options. In the name of research (obviously) I am going to have to try them and will be sure to let you know my thoughts!

Location

Manhua Cha & World of Sweets are located at Alley 2, Unit 62, Grainger Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 5QQ. The nearest metro station is Monument, just a short walk away. We normally park in the Dean street multistorey and take a little walk (working the appetite before all the sugar rush, ha)

Links

To check out their menu, any special deals and offers, visit the website here, or follow them on their socials here.

Tips for visiting

• Be mindful of their opening times which are:
  • Tuesday–Friday: 11:30 am–5 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am–5 pm
• They have a loyalty programme which lets you earn rewards on your bubble tea orders.
• Need a gift idea? Their gift cards make the perfect treat for any bubble tea fan.
• Watch them make the boba and seal the can – it’s such a small detail that can be missed but it is really fun to watch. I have never seen it anywhere else!

What I thought would be a quick visit to pick up some bubble tea, turned into a little foodie adventure; the drinks were delish and we left with enough sweets for a full weekend of movie nights!

I will also be trying their DIY kits and ready made boba cans to see what they’re like, but if you get there first – let me know what you thought!

Best for: Boba, bubble tea Newcastle, Newcastle sweet shop, traditional sweets, pick and mix Newcastle, Grainger Market treats

Enjoyed this post? If you love discovering things to do, places to go, and the best spots to eat and drink in the North East and beyond, be sure to follow my blog for more reviews, recommendations, travel tips, and hidden gems. And for a closer look at my day-to-day experiences, follow me on Instagram@ania.askwith for behind-the-scenes content and even more discoveries! Let’s explore together!

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