Some words carry a whole childhood inside them.
Li ho. I heard it at kopitiam tables, across corridors, from uncles who never waited for a real answer. It meant "how are you," but it also meant I see you.
So when I saw that name on a tea shop sign, somewhere in the middle of an ordinary errand, I stopped. Not because I needed another drink, but because a greeting in Hokkien felt like an unexpected thing to find on a bubble tea cup.
This is my review of LiHO Tea Singapore. It is written for the first-timer, the regular, and anyone who wonders what a bubble tea shop has to do with who we are.
The Story Behind LiHO Tea and Royal T Group
LiHO Tea was established in 2017 by Royal T Group, here in Singapore. Over the years, it has grown steadily, becoming a beloved name in the local bubble tea scene.
LiHO was among the brands that put cheese tea firmly on Singapore's bubble tea map in 2017, with Royal T Group describing it as the first bubble tea brand here to introduce its CheezHO concept. At the time, that was a strange idea to many people. Today, it is something most of us have tried at least once.
The brand has since expanded across Singapore, with outlets in shopping malls and neighbourhood centres around the island. You'll find them in shopping malls, MRT stations, and busy public spaces, including Bugis, Orchard, VivoCity, Jurong Point, NorthPoint, and Suntec.
What stays with me is the name. Singapore holds many languages and many cultures. A brand choosing a simple dialect greeting to bring people together says something quiet about where it wants to belong.
First Impressions of LiHO Tea
A Pause Between Errands
LiHO outlets tend to sit inside the rhythm of wherever they are. This isn't a tea house where you sit for hours with a pot between you and a friend. It's a counter for ordering, waiting a little, and carrying your cup onward.
That suits most of us most of the time.
Presence Over Performance
What I notice each time is how ordinary it feels, in the best sense. Menus to read. Cups being sealed. Someone deciding between two drinks while the person behind them waits patiently.
There's no performance here. Just tea, and people choosing what they want.
Exploring the LiHO Tea Singapore Menu
The menu covers milk teas, cheese teas, smoothies, and the classic bubble tea options many of us grew up queuing for. It can feel like a lot on your first visit.
My advice is simple: start with the signature drinks. They tell you what the brand cares about.
- Earl Grey Milk Tea: LiHO's fragrant Earl Grey-based milk tea
- Da Hong Pao Milk Tea: Premium Da Hong Pao tea leaves paired with milk
- Avocado Series: LiHO's Avocado Series blended drinks
- CheezHO: Drinks topped with LiHO's sweet-and-salty cheese cream
Four drinks. Short ingredient lists. There's something honest and unique in that.
The Signature Drinks, One Cup at a Time
Earl Grey Milk Tea: The Quiet Choice
If you love tea for the tea itself, this is where I'd begin.
Earl Grey carries that familiar floral lift of bergamot. With fresh milk, it softens into something gentle and balanced. It doesn't shout, and it doesn't need to. The Earl Grey Milk Tea is the perfect drink I'd hand to someone who says they "don't really like bubble tea." Sometimes the calmest cup changes minds.
Da Hong Pao Milk Tea: For the Oolong Drinker
Da Hong Pao is a famous oolong, known for its roasted character. LiHO describes making this drink with premium tea leaves from that tradition.
For those of us raised on oolong poured from small pots at family dinners, it's interesting to meet that toasty depth again, this time rounded with fresh milk. It feels like an old friend in new clothes. I'd call it the most underrated drink on the list.
Beyond Tea: Fresh Avocado and Creamy Milk
The Avocado Smoothie steps away from tea altogether. Fresh avocado, creamy fresh milk, ice, blended into a thick, refreshing drink.
On a humid afternoon, after walking too far in the heat, it makes sense. It's closer to a small meal than a sip, a perfect way to eat and refresh.
Cheese Tea: Where LiHO Made Its Name
It's hard to talk about LiHO without talking about cheese tea.
A tea base, cold and clean, crowned with a layer of cheese foam. Salty against sweet. Creamy against bright. The first time I tried the concept, I wasn't sure what to make of it. Now it feels like part of our recent tea story.
LiHO helped bring it into the mainstream here. Whatever you think of the idea, that's worth acknowledging. Every generation adds something unique to the way a country drinks its tea.
Bubble Tea, Pearls, and Personal Preference
You can, of course, keep it classic. Many customers come simply for bubble tea with pearls, adjusting sugar and ice to their liking.
That flexibility is part of the appeal. The same drink can taste quite different depending on who is ordering. Some want it barely sweet. Others want the full comfort of sugar and chew.
Service: An Honest Look
Online customer reviews across LiHO outlets are mixed.
Some praise helpful, friendly staff. Others mention sugar levels that didn't match the order, customizations that were missed, or drinks that tasted diluted. These are the realities of a large chain with many outlets.
So a small habit I'd suggest: glance at your cup before you walk away. If you asked for less sugar or no toppings, check gently. It saves disappointment later.
Practical Tips for Your First Time at LiHO Tea
Ordering Options
- Walk up and order at the counter
- Pick-up may be available depending on the outlet and ordering platform
- Delivery and pick-up options vary by outlet and platform, so check your preferred delivery app for current availability
Payment
Available payment methods can vary by outlet, so check at the counter when ordering.
Membership
The membership program lets regular customers earn points on every purchase, redeemable for future orders or discounts. Members also receive birthday treats, early access to new drinks, and invitations to events.
A Note on Calories
If you're mindful of sugar, LiHO provides nutritional information, including calorie counts, for its drinks. I appreciate that transparency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does LiHO mean?
It means "how are you" in Hokkien.
When was LiHO Tea established?
LiHO Tea was established in 2017 by Royal T Group in Singapore.
What is LiHO Tea known for?
It's best known for cheese tea. LiHO was the first major tea chain in Singapore to introduce it commercially.
What are the signature drinks on the LiHO tea menu?
Earl Grey Milk Tea, Da Hong Pao Milk Tea, Avocado Smoothie, and Cheese Tea.
Does LiHO Tea offer delivery?
Yes, through Foodpanda, GrabFood, and Deliveroo. Pick-up is also available at all outlets.
Are there LiHO promotions?
LiHO runs promotions from time to time, so check its current official channels before ordering.
Conclusion
In conclusion, LiHO Tea offers a unique and perfect experience for tea lovers and newcomers alike. Over the years, it has become a staple in Singapore's bubble tea culture. Over the years, it has become a familiar part of Singapore's bubble tea culture, with a broad menu spanning milk teas, tea-based drinks, blended drinks and creative seasonal releasesr.
Whether you want to eat or drink, LiHO offers a broad range of familiar and creative tea drinks.
Go with realistic expectations about consistency. Check your cup. Order what feels right.
In the end, what stays with me isn't just the foam or the pearls. It's the name on the signboard, asking a question our grandparents used to ask: how are you?
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