Egg Waffles & Boba Tea in Portland (& Beaverton)
Imagine this: You’re strolling down a bustling Portland street, maybe taking in the vibrant murals of the Alberta Arts District or enjoying a rare moment of sunshine near Pioneer Courthouse Square. You have a cold, creamy bubble tea in one hand, the sweet tea and chewy boba pearls a familiar comfort. Now, what could possibly make this moment better?
Picture a warm, golden-brown waffle in your other hand. It’s not just any waffle. This one is made of delightful, puffy spheres, crispy on the outside and wonderfully soft and cakey on the inside. You tear off a warm bubble and pop it in your mouth, the slight sweetness and vanilla essence a perfect prelude to another sip of your rich milk tea.
This, our friends, is the magic of pairing a classic bubble tea with a freshly made Hong Kong-style egg waffle. It’s a combination of temperatures, textures, and tastes that creates an unforgettable snack experience. At Tea & Tea, we’ve perfected this duo, turning a simple drink run into a moment of pure joy. It’s more than a treat; it’s the heart of the community experience we cherish as a family-owned shop right here in Portland and Beaverton.
What’s the Big Deal About Egg Waffles, Anyway?
If you’ve never had the pleasure, you might be wondering what separates an egg waffle from the breakfast waffles you’re used to. Let us introduce you to your new favorite snack. Known as gai daan jai (鷄蛋仔) in Cantonese, which literally translates to “little chicken eggs,” these spherical waffles are a beloved street food staple from Hong Kong. The unique texture is what makes them legendary. While a Belgian waffle is dense and evenly textured, an egg waffle is a delightful paradox: each of the 30 little balls has a thin, crisp shell that gives way to a light, airy, and slightly chewy interior.
The magic comes from the eggy batter, which is cooked in a special spherical mold. This process ensures that you get a satisfying crunch and a soft, warm center in every single bite. Unlike heavy, syrup-drenched breakfast waffles, egg waffles are light enough to be the perfect companion to a drink, designed to be eaten by hand as you walk, talk, and explore. Their subtle sweetness, with hints of vanilla and custard, doesn’t overpower your palate; it complements it. They are, quite simply, the perfect sidekick for our handcrafted beverages.
The Ultimate Pairing Guide: Finding Your Perfect Match
At Tea & Tea, we believe in flavor harmony. While any of our drinks is delicious on its own, pairing it with the right waffle can elevate the experience from great to truly sublime. Our baristas are experts at recommending combinations, but here are a few of our tried-and-true favorites to get you started on your flavor journey.
The Decadent Duo: Tiger Boba + Tiger Waffle
This isn’t just a pairing; it’s an event. Our famous Tiger Boba is a visual and culinary masterpiece. We take our freshly brewed black tea and creamy milk, then artfully drizzle thick, caramelized brown sugar syrup along the inside of the cup, creating bold “tiger stripes.” At the bottom, you’ll find our signature chewy boba pearls, slow-cooked to perfection.
Now, pair this with our Tiger Waffle. We take a classic, warm egg waffle and drizzle it with that same rich brown sugar syrup and a swirl of condensed milk. The result is pure indulgence. The warm, caramelized notes of the waffle perfectly echo the deep, roasted sweetness of the drink. It’s a decadent, satisfying combination that’s perfect for when you need a serious pick-me-up after a long day of classes at Portland State University or a shopping spree downtown near our SW Yamhill St. location.
The Classic Comfort: Honeydew Milk Tea + Plain Waffle
Sometimes, simplicity is bliss. Our Honeydew Milk Tea is a fan favorite for a reason. It’s creamy, refreshing, and has a delicate, sweet melon flavor that’s both unique and incredibly comforting. It’s a taste of sweet nostalgia for many of our regulars.
What better to pair with this gentle giant of the boba world than our Plain Waffle? Served warm and unadorned, the plain waffle lets you appreciate the pure, simple joy of its crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside texture. The waffle’s subtle vanilla notes provide a beautiful, warm base that makes the fruity honeydew flavor pop. It’s the perfect, cozy combo for a relaxing afternoon, perhaps enjoyed while sitting on a bench at Laurelhurst Park after visiting our SE Division St. shop.
The Matcha Masterpiece: Matcha Love + Chocolate Oreo Waffle
For the lovers of complex, earthy flavors, this one’s for you. Our Matcha Love is made with high-quality matcha powder, giving it that authentic, slightly bitter, and deeply satisfying green tea flavor, balanced with just the right amount of creamy milk.
We love to pair its sophisticated taste with the playful indulgence of our Chocolate Oreo Waffle. We load our classic egg waffle with crushed Oreo cookies, then top it with a generous drizzle of rich chocolate syrup. The earthiness of the matcha beautifully cuts through the sweetness of the chocolate and cream, creating a balanced and incredibly satisfying treat. The crunchy Oreo bits add another layer of texture to the chewy waffle and the even chewier boba in your drink. It’s a complex, grown-up dessert pairing that still feels fun and exciting.
Your Perfect Pairing Awaits
Not sure where to start? We’ve made it easy for you. Here’s a quick guide to some of our favorite combinations, but remember—the best pairing is the one you create!
| If You’re Sipping On… | We Recommend Pairing It With… | Why It Works |
| Tiger Boba | Tiger Waffle | A double dose of rich, caramelized brown sugar for the ultimate indulgence. |
| Honeydew Milk Tea | Plain Waffle | The simple, warm waffle lets the sweet, fruity honeydew flavor shine. |
| Taro Milk Tea | Vanilla Heath Waffle | The nutty, vanilla-like taro meets the crunchy, buttery toffee of the Heath bar. |
| Strawberry Lemonade | Plain Waffle | The tart, refreshing lemonade is balanced by the simple sweetness of the waffle. |
| Matcha Love | Chocolate Oreo Waffle | Earthy matcha cuts through the rich chocolate and crunchy cookie for a balanced treat. |
| Vietnamese Iced Coffee | Oreo Heath Waffle | The strong, bold coffee flavor stands up to the intense crunch of toffee and chocolate. |
More Than a Snack, It’s a Portland Experience
Being a part of the Portland and Beaverton communities is at the heart of everything we do. We love being the go-to spot for a pre-or-post-adventure treat. Imagine finishing a beautiful hike in Washington Park and then heading to our SW Orbit St. boba tea shop to refuel with a cold TNT blended drink and a warm Tiger Waffle. Or perhaps you’ve spent the afternoon Browse the incredible shelves at Powell’s City of Books and need a place to sit and dive into your new purchase. Our downtown locations on SW Yamhill St.
Here in PNW, we’re blessed with one of the most vibrant and exciting food scenes in the country. From food carts to fine dining, this city celebrates flavor and creativity. We’re proud to be part of that tradition, offering an authentic taste of a beloved international street food right here in our neighborhoods.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Tea & Tea’s egg waffles different from regular waffles?
Our egg waffles, inspired by the popular Hong Kong street food, have a unique spherical shape that makes them crispy on the outside and soft and cake-like on the inside. Unlike breakfast waffles, they are lighter, eaten by hand, and designed to be the perfect snack companion to a drink like bubble tea, rather than a heavy, sit-down meal.
What’s the best boba tea to pair with a sweet egg waffle like the Chocolate Oreo?
For a sweeter waffle, we recommend a drink that offers balance. An unsweetened or half-sweet Classic Black Milk Tea would be perfect, as the robust tea flavor will cut through the richness. Alternatively, a tart and refreshing fruit tea, like our Strawberry Lemonade or Mango Tango, will provide a delightful contrast to the sweet chocolate and cookie flavors.
Can I customize my egg waffle and drink combo at Tea & Tea?
Absolutely! We love it when you create your own perfect pair. You can customize the sweetness and ice levels of any drink and even choose milk alternatives like oat or almond milk. While our signature waffles are masterpieces on their own, you can always start with a Plain Waffle and pair it with any of our dozens of milk teas, fruit teas, or blended drinks to invent a combination that’s all your own!
Ready to find your perfect pair? The combination of a cold, refreshing bubble tea and a warm, crispy egg waffle is a match made in snack heaven. It’s an experience that delights all the senses.
Stop by one of our Tea & Tea locations or order online.
