Gong Cha & Fuji Teriyaki Grill in Baltimore: Dual Counter Where Bubble Tea Meets Japanese Grilled Meat

A side-by-side operation in Fells Point that pairs a full bubble tea menu with made-to-order teriyaki bowls, this spot serves customers looking for either drink alone or a meal-and-beverage combination without leaving the counter.

What Gong Cha & Fuji Teriyaki Grill actually is

The storefront operates as two distinct services under one roof. Gong Cha handles the bubble tea operation, a Taiwanese chain with locations across North America that specializes in milk teas, fruit teas, and slush drinks with customizable sugar and ice levels. Fuji Teriyaki Grill occupies the other half of the counter, offering grilled chicken, beef, and vegetable bowls prepared on a flat-top in front of you. The combination works well for solo diners or small groups where one person wants food and another wants a beverage, or where someone wants both without making two stops.

Bubble tea menu and pricing

Gong Cha's pricing starts around $5.50 to $6.50 for standard milk teas and fruit teas in a regular size, with prices climbing to $6.50 to $7.50 for specialty drinks like the Royal Milk Tea or taro milk tea. Add-ons like tapioca pearls, popping boba, grass jelly, or pudding each cost $0.50 to $0.75 extra. The franchise allows full customization of sugar level (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and ice amount, which appeals to customers who find standard bubble tea too sweet. Seasonal drinks rotate, typically featuring fruit-forward options in warmer months.

Fuji Teriyaki bowls range from $9 to $14 depending on protein choice, with chicken at the lower end and beef at the higher. Bowls come with rice, vegetables, and teriyaki glaze. Both menus are available simultaneously, so you can order a $6 drink and $12 bowl without timing issues.

How it compares to other Baltimore bubble tea spots

Gong Cha's main local competitor is Kung Fu Tea, which has multiple Baltimore-area locations and offers comparable pricing ($5.50 to $7 for most drinks) and customization. The key difference: Gong Cha's Fells Point location is the only one in Baltimore proper with an attached food option, making it singular for bubble tea drinkers who also want food from the same counter. Kung Fu Tea locations are standalone drink shops; if you want food, you're walking elsewhere.

For a straight bubble tea comparison, Gong Cha and Kung Fu Tea taste nearly identical to most drinkers. Gong Cha's Royal Milk Tea uses a slightly heavier cream base that some prefer; Kung Fu Tea's offering is lighter. Neither has a pronounced flavor advantage. The teriyaki pairing is what differentiates this location, not the bubble tea itself.

Who it suits and who it does not suit

This works best for: Fells Point visitors or workers wanting a quick lunch with a drink; couples or groups where tastes diverge (one person gets teriyaki, one gets bubble tea); anyone who prefers not to visit two separate shops. The customization options suit people who dislike standard commercial sweetness levels in bubble tea.

It does not suit: Diners seeking a full sit-down restaurant experience (seating is minimal); people wanting an extensive Japanese menu beyond teriyaki; bubble tea purists comparing specialty independent shops against chain flavor profiles.

What the first visit involves

Walk in and note the counter is split. One side displays the Gong Cha menu board with drink options and add-ons; the other shows Fuji Teriyaki protein and bowl options. Order from either side or both. Bubble tea is prepared quickly (2 to 4 minutes), teriyaki bowls take 5 to 8 minutes depending on kitchen load. Expect to wait slightly longer if both are busy simultaneously. Payment is at the counter; cash and card accepted.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Gong Cha & Fuji Teriyaki Grill operates in Fells Point, a dense neighborhood where street parking is tight and meters are enforced. A municipal lot sits two blocks away on Thames Street if street spots are full. Hours typically run 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., but confirm before visiting, as restaurant hours in the neighborhood shift seasonally. The storefront is accessible from the street level with no steps.

This operation fills a specific niche: customers wanting a customizable drink and quick cooked meal from a single counter in a walkable neighborhood. The teriyaki component distinguishes it from standalone bubble tea franchises; the bubble tea menu keeps it relevant beyond what a teriyaki-only shop would offer.