By The Table desk · Last verified 4 October 2026
Ordering bubble tea in Singapore means making four choices: the drink, the size, the sugar level and the toppings. Each one changes the price, and the sugar and milk change the health cost too. Since 30 December 2023, larger drinks businesses must show the Nutri-Grade mark for grade C and D drinks on menus and ordering apps, and must declare the sugar in toppings such as pearls and jellies. HealthHub, run with MOH and HPB, advises that milk and toppings add saturated fat and sugar, so limiting them is the simplest way to a lighter cup.
No need to give up your favourite drink. Here’s how to order it knowing exactly what you’re paying for.
Quick facts
- Sugar level: most chains let you choose, often as a percentage of their standard sweetness, from full sugar down to none.
- Nutri-Grade: grades A to D by sugar and saturated fat per 100ml; C and D must be shown on menus at larger businesses.
- Toppings: their sugar content must be declared on menus at businesses covered by the rules.
- Exemption: businesses with annual turnover of S$1 million or less and fewer than 10 outlets.
- Milk: full-cream milk, creamer and cheese foam add saturated fat, which can lower the grade.
- Price: set by each chain; base drink, size and every topping are priced separately, so check the menu or app.
How to order: what you can say
| You can say | What it means |
|---|---|
| “Regular” or “large” | Cup size; a large cup costs more and holds more sugar at the same sweetness |
| “50% sugar” or “25% sugar” | Half or a quarter of the shop’s standard sweetness |
| “Zero sugar” or “no sugar” | No added syrup; the tea, milk and toppings may still contain sugar |
| “Less ice” or “no ice” | Less ice; at some shops this means more drink in the cup |
| “Add pearls” or “no toppings” | Each topping has its own price and its own sugar |
| “Fresh milk” or “no cream” | Where offered, a swap that can change the saturated fat and the grade |
Sugar level is not the same as the sugar %
Two percentages can appear on a bubble tea menu, and they mean different things.
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sugar level, such as “50%” | The shop’s own sweetness setting, relative to its standard recipe |
| Nutri-Grade sugar % | Sugar as a share of the drink’s volume, so 8% is about 8g per 100ml |
| Nutri-Grade letter | A to D, from sugar and saturated fat per 100ml; C is over 5g sugar or 1.2g saturated fat per 100ml, D is over 10g or 2.8g |
| Topping sugar | The sugar the topping adds, declared separately |
Working out the real cost
Here’s how to read the sugar on a menu, using an illustrative drink. The figures are examples, not any brand’s.
- Find the grade and sugar %: say the menu shows grade C at 6% sugar for a 500ml cup.
- Work out the drink’s sugar: 6% means about 6g per 100ml, so 6 × 5 = 30g.
- Add the topping: if the menu declares 10g of sugar for your pearls, the cup comes to about 40g.
- Compare a lighter order: a lower sugar level, a smaller cup or no topping each cut that number.
The money works the same way: the base drink sets the price, a larger size adds to it, and each topping is charged on top. Prices differ by chain and change over time, so compare on the menu or app before you pay, and watch for app-only deals and membership points.
The WahLiao Verdict
Pick one treat, not three. If you love pearls, keep them and drop the sugar level; if you love a creamy milk tea, skip the extra topping. Start at 25% or 50% sugar for a week and most people stop missing the rest. Glance at the Nutri-Grade letter and topping sugar before you tap “pay”, and you’ll enjoy your cup with a clear conscience.
Questions people ask
Is zero-sugar bubble tea sugar-free?
Not always. It means no added syrup, but milk, fruit, creamers and toppings can still contain sugar. Check the topping sugar on the menu.
Why doesn’t my bubble tea shop show Nutri-Grade?
Either the drink is grade A or B, where labelling is optional, or the business is small enough to be exempt: annual turnover of S$1 million or less and fewer than 10 outlets.
Can bubble tea shops advertise grade D drinks?
No. MOH prohibits advertisements promoting freshly prepared drinks graded D, though the drinks can still be sold.
Which topping is the lightest?
It varies by shop, which is why topping sugar is declared. Compare the numbers on the menu, or skip toppings altogether.
Sources: Ministry of Health, Nutri-Grade requirements for freshly prepared beverages; Health Promotion Board, Measures for Nutri-Grade; HealthHub, grade thresholds and bubble tea tips. Prices vary by chain. The Table explains; it does not endorse.
Read next: Nutri-Grade Labels Explained · Food Delivery Fees Explained · Back to The Table
For what’s worth it this week, with the bill shown, read The WahLiao Week.
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