Master Panda — Restaurant in New York

A prime example of a business that looks cute/good but lacks in everything else.

On my first visit, I noticed a sign that was promoting a combo deal. Not only does that bao look unappetizing, but the price tag for what they’re offering is ridiculous.

As I walked inside, the place was empty, which is surprising on a late Friday afternoon. I ignored the ordering machines and places my order with one of the staff members. Their English was poor but I didn’t care about that. They were making the effort to try. However, they did not know what “milk powder” or “lactaid” was. They asked their team member for further assistance. They also spoke limited English. At that point, I gave in and asked if they wanted me to speak Cantonese. I knew they spoke Mandarin but my Mandarin is limited and their eyes widened as they sighed with relief that we were able to communicate on some level. They took my order and I watched them make it. The first staff member began to make my order but messed up and poured it out. No worries, it happens.

As I waited, I noticed a sign that showed my drink that I ordered at a much lower price. I waited for my drink to be ready before I asked them why it was $4 when I paid $8.99 per my receipt. They were unable to answer me and had to grab yet ANOTHER staff member. The manager (probably) was able to speak English much better and told me it was for Members-only pricing. I asked them why was it not dictated on the sign of how to be a member. They told me I can only be a member by ordering through the machine.

In the end, they gave me a refund and I resubmitted my order on the ordering machine. I won’t be going back. The staff was not well trained or well communicative, and they cannot make a simple black milk tea well. They obviously spent all their efforts in appearances and not in the quality of...

My partner and I visited this place today, and we were completely blown away by the wonderful atmosphere, the care and kindness of the staff and the taste of the tea. After spending 7 months in Taiwan (the birth place of boba and milk-tea), I looked for a good tea place which prioritized tea quality and taste. We ordered the Ceremonial Matcha Milk Tea and the Osmanthus Milk Tea, both of which we strongly recommend! The Osmanthus (I drank it with brown sugar boba) had the sweet honey-like flavour with the right balance of brown sugar boba, tea and milk.

From what I gathered from the extremely friendly worker, the Osmanthus tea is especially imported from Sanxia, one of the primary places where the Osmanthus flowers are grown in Taiwan. The difference is very evident in comparison to other Osmanthus teas on the market (particularly having just yesterday gone to Chinatown, ordering the same type of tea, which completely lacked the taste of the flower).

We would definitely recommend anyone in the area, or online to order from Master Panda! Truly, a small and cozy place with a quick and...

Unique and tasty fruit drinks! My favorite so far has been the peach strawberry iced tea w/half sugar + less ice. The fresh mandarin jasmine tea was also interesting but probably not for everyone 🍊 It reminded me a little of SunnyD (not in a bad way). I like that the fruit drinks have real fruit chunks in them!

I've tried the milk tea here once, and it was good (though nothing particularly special). You could taste the tea, and the boba was sweet + chewy.

Overall would recommend - the menu a nice variety of drinks, and the drinks aren't too pricey. The milk teas are cheaper than most boba shops in the area and in NYC in general.

Knocking off a star because their health grade is suspicious - they've had a "grade pending" sign out for a while, and their previous scores have not been great...

I also find it odd that their online ordering platform charges a $1 convenience fee. Not a huge deal since the store has never been super busy when I've gone...