The Bubble House

Tucked away on a hip Philadelphia side-street in University City is The Bubble House, a trendy little restaurant specializing in pan-Asian cuisine and the infamously strange beverage that serves as a namesake.

A highly-tattooed staff wanders around the chic Asian-inspired décor, serving customers from any of the four distinct dining areas, including a fully-stocked bar. The semi-private seating areas and casual ambiance have all the right ingredients for a quiet and relaxing experience. However, this rarely happens. The restaurant and bar are an area hot-spot for local college students, and prompt, courteous service takes a serious hit once the night heats up (especially on weekends).

I’ve visited The Bubble House twice before, and each time the service and atmosphere have gotten progressively worse – inattentive or rude servers paired with blaring, shitty cali-hipster-techno music (meant to boost indie cred I’m sure) that makes it difficult to hold a quiet conversation. Complaints were minimal during an early dinner last Saturday, but perhaps because the thrill of actually leaving the house for once outweighed any impatience. We were seated promptly, given drinks, and appetizers arrived within ten minutes – but without silverware or napkins. Our server wasn’t terrible, just kind of bored and uninterested.

The prime reason to visit the bustling shop is for the bubble tea, a sweet, innovative drink originating in Taiwan in the early 80s according to The Bubble House Web site. The drink caught on with force in the 80s and found its way to America via the always up-to-the-minute west coast, eventually making a footing in east coast cities like New York.

Tapioca pearls, made from sweet potato, cassava root, and brown sugar, are cooked and added to black or jasmine green tea and flavored depending on the consumers preference. The recipe provides a kind of versatility that amounts for endless varieties, and the Bubble House offers a great selection of flavors and styles.

The tea menu is split into two categories – latte (with milk) and non-latte (plain tea). Customers can choose from over twenty flavors like Passion Fruit and Chocolate Covered Strawberry. For the uninitiated, the sensation of sucking the chewy tapioca pearls through a wide straw can be quite overwhelming, but once you get used to it, this fun drink becomes an addicting experience. Try the spiced chai bubble tea or substitute lychee jellie for an unexpected twist on the standard.

The dinner menu is varied, ranging from Thai Curry and Bibim Bap to grilled salmon with wasabi mashed potatoes. The menu also features many vegetarian-friendly meals as well as a few vegan options, including grilled sietan ($ 10.99) in a yellow curry sauce, served over rice and sautéed vegetables.

Lemongrass dumplings ($5.99) were a light, flavorful appetizer filled with freshly chopped vegetables and served with a warm soy vinaigrette. A side of sweet potato fries ($3.99) proved to be the highlight of the meal; crisp, sweet, and perfectly paired with a tangy orange ginger sauce for dipping.

Rob ordered the Vietnamese Hoagie ($5.99) a spicy combination of jalapeno peppers, carrots, daikon radish slices, sweet chili mayonnaise and mixed greens, served with either grilled pork or chicken. The sandwich was stuffed with such a large piece of grilled, marinated chicken breast that it proved too much for the slender baguette bread.

Loaded with carrot slivers, water chestnuts, and fresh plum tomatoes, the Tofu Pesto Salad ($7.99) with fresh baby greens came smothered in an airy basil-peanut pesto dressing with a bit of kick. The small chunks of cold tofu mixed throughout were bland and could have benefited from a quick sauté.

No meal is ever truly over without dessert and The Bubble House’s tried-and-true dessert menu has something for everyone, complete with a sinful dark chocolate layer cake, white chocolate cheesecake and the classic Reese’s peanut-butter pie (each $5.99).

The Xando, a warm cheesecake wrap surrounded by flaky, cinnamon-sugar coated pastry was a gooey, inviting treat that brings back childhood memories of sugar-laden churros.

A sliver-thin slice of carrot cake was hardly enough for my ravenous sweet-tooth, but I was impressed by the quality. Topped with traditional cream cheese icing, the cake itself remained refreshingly moist inside – a common shortcoming for this dessert.

In short, The Bubble House is a fun place for college students to go chill or grab a cocktail at night – but just don’t bother going for dinner if you’re uppity, impatient, in a hurry, or on a budget. I’d definitely visit again, but mostly just for the bubble tea and yummy appetizers.

The Bubble House
3404 Sansom Street
Philadelphia PA
215 243 0804

Hours & Directions
Online Menu
Pros: Good food, Fantastic bubble tea, Vegetarian friendly, Casual atmosphere
Cons: Slow and sometimes rude service, Substitutions or special requests typically go unnoticed (if you are a vegan or have food allergies, make sure you STRESS the importance of your individual needs)