Scallion-flavored milk tea storms Vietnamese social media

Many netizens are enjoying jocko, the new drink that regular say "test customers’ courage" because it also has a noticeable bitter flavor.

The green onion-flavored milk tea debuted at several beverage stands in Ho Chi Minh City on April Fool's Day (April 1), creating a craze across social networks. At first, many people thought it was just a joke, but when they searched on food delivery apps, they saw the new milk tea on menu.

The price of a set includes a glass of milk tea, a box of toppings including tapioca pearls, cheese jelly, water chestnuts, cat paw-shaped jelly, a box of chopped green onions and a package of noodles with prices, all for VND49,000 (US$1.96).

A serving of scallion-flavored milk tea costs VND49,000. Photo courtesy of Young Coffee&Tea

Accompanied with drink set, a store gives customers a note with the words: "Happy April Fool's Day, eat green onions with noodles, please."

A milk tea shop in HCMC’s District 10 has introduced the new drink on its Instagram with a caption saying the milk tea is topped with cheese jelly, water chestnuts, cat paw-shaped jelly while the green onion toppings are served separately on the side. So, you have the choice to add them in or not.

Many TikTokers have also taken the opportunity to experience this new drink, causing the keyword "scallion-flavored milk tea" to top trending at 136 trending videos and tens of millions of views.

The highest customer review video reached 5.1 million views.

A cup of milk tea is topped with cheese jelly, water chestnuts, cat paw-shaped jelly while the green onion toppings are served separately on the side depending on customers' choice. Photo courtesy of the shop

Most TikTokers who experienced the scallion-flavored milk tea said it is "goosebumps, haunting, strange and horrible" and some even felt nauseous because they could not stand the strange combination of this drink.

"The pungent smell of green onions, combined with the sweetness of tea and the fatty taste of cheese jelly creates an "indescribable" feeling that requires all the courage and daring to try it," a TikToker recalled.

Most diners only got a few sips of the experience, then threw it away.

Some netizens said the green onion-flavored milk tea "destroyed the cuisine" and "failed to respect food."

A photo shared on China's social media shows cups of green onion-flavored milk tea are debuted at a shop in China.

In fact, this was not the first time green onion-flavored milk tea had appeared. In 2022, this drink also stormed Chinese social media as Kao Jiang grilled fish shop in Chengdu debuted the milk tea on its menu from April 18 to 30, 2022 for about 6.6 yuan ($0.93).