Some may give the “happiest place on Earth” title to Disneyland, a pricey theme park with entertaining decorations and fantastic pretzels. I would like to counterthat statement, however, and give that title to a more than deserving corporation– Ding Tea. 

At the Mission Viejo location of Ding Tea, I am definitely more than a local, and with good reason. They offer the best selection of milk teas, slushes, and boba– of course. 

I have been lucky enough to try almost the full menu– as I had made an executive decision to try every single flavor until I found the tea I like best. There are definitely a few standouts: the chocolate slush, taro milk tea, and my all time favorite, hazelnut milk tea. As for the drinks that aren’t mentioned, they are still phenomenal, and have proven so by the long line always seen outside of Ding Tea’s door. 

The boba, golden boba in specific, is what I believe makes their teas outstanding, and it’s the best in the entire county by far. It is the perfect combination of vanilla flavoring, and childhood nostalgia of orbeez– but edible.

The drink flavors themselves are also to be commended, having a variety of categories including coffee teas, milk teas, slushies, lattes, fruit juices, and fresh teas. They also have the inclusion of yakult/yogurt toppings and of course, the many types of boba.

However lovely the corporation entitled Ding Tea may be, it has come to my attention that another boba business, Pengo, is believed by some to serve “the best boba.”

I’m here to debunk that idea, fast.

Although I am not one to bash boba, no matter what business it comes from, I will easily stand on behalf of  Ding Tea in its comparison to the less than ideal Pengo. Unfortunately for Pengo, the boba itself is not nearly as good and the texture being awkward and unflavored.

Their drinks are also incredibly heavy, heavy on the stomach that is, and I strongly encourage anyone with lactose intolerance or just sensitivity in general to stick with the lactose free teas at Ding Tea. Especially for those lactose intolerant friends, who will likely spend their evening over the toilet instead of finding enjoyment at Pengo.

The ice at Pengo is another fault. It’s much too small and oddly crushed. It feels as if you are drinking a soda rather than a sweet tea, and if I wanted that I wouldn’t spend $6 for it.

Ding Tea also caters to the specific tastes of customers that Pengo doesn’t do as accurately, taking orders for certain portions of ice, sugar, caffeine and several other adjustments until your tea can leave you 100% satisfied.

I could go on and on about the superiority of Ding Tea over Pengo, but if I do I’m afraid Ding Tea will find my appreciation too obsessive, and as an avid customer that would be a shame. With that being said, I can only repeat my statement on behalf of Ding Tea being the ultimate boba corporation, and for anyone saying otherwise, you are either unacquainted with all that Ding Tea has to offer, or have questionable taste.