【台中 吃茶三千】Chicha San Chen Flagship Store in Taichung, Taiwan
Chicha San Chen is a well-known boba tea brand deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture. The name Chicha San Chen (吃茶三千) translates to “Eat Tea, Three Thousand,” conveying the love of tea culture. It’s similar to the iconic phrase “I love you 3000” concept — a nod to the Taiwanese passion for tea.
Long story short, this tea journey started in California, then New York, before finally landing in the iconic flagship store in Taichung, where the first Chicha San Chen Concept Store was born.
The longer story was that my first introduction to Chicha San Chen was during a trip to California two years ago when my partner and I visited the Cupertino location with a close friend. While I had previously saved the Taichung flagship location on my travel list before returning to the States, I never got around to visiting until later.
The New York store — where my partner and I are currently located — was opened shortly after and was my next stop.
Finally, I was excited to visit the concept store of Chicha San Chen in Taichung during a recent trip to see my parents! Without further ado, let’s explore this stunning place together.
about Chicha San Chen Flagship Store
Chicha San Chen was founded in 1998 and has since become a hallmark of Taiwan’s thriving tea culture.
While it’s commonly associated with Michelin star recognition, it hasn’t officially received a Michelin star but was rated by the International Taste Institute in 2021 — a recognition that’s equivalent to three Michelin stars.
One cool thing they’ve done is create their own Teaspresso machine called Lion — it took them over two years to get it just right! This machine blends traditional tea brewing methods with modern technology to create the perfect tea for every person.
The Taichung flagship store is housed in a historic building over 40 years old, which they preserved rather than demolished. The design beautifully blends the building’s original structure with modern touches, making it both a historical and contemporary gem.
To make this building even more iconic, the Taichung store has a tea garden on the second floor, where you can experience the same tea leaves grown in Taiwan’s mountains. The room is constantly misted and kept at the same humidity levels as those found in tea plantations, giving visitors a chance to see firsthand how tea thrives in Taiwan’s climate.
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stepping inside Chicha San Chen
The flagship store blends the old and new seamlessly. The building’s brick exterior and preserved historical details add to the industrial charm, while modern, natural lighting flows inside, and design elements create a sleek, welcoming atmosphere.
As you enter, you’ll notice the eco-friendly touches, like dried tea leaves on the walls. Any tea leaves that fall during brewing are collected and put to good use on the walls, showing the store’s commitment to sustainability.
While there is seating available inside, I did notice that there are not a lot of chairs to sit on. However, there’s additional outdoor seating available, though be mindful of cleaning up after yourself after you’re done enjoying the outdoor space — many people forget to throw their trash properly when there’s a trash can inside.
The two-story layout includes a fascinating tea leaf exhibit where you can learn more about Chicha San Chen’s history and the tea leaves they use.
My favorite highlight is the greenhouse upstairs! You can really appreciate the tea leaves grown in Taiwan’s mountains, all while being surrounded by a mist-filled room that recreates the perfect growing environment.
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the menu
The menu at Chicha San Chen’s flagship store is similar to the one in New York, offering a mix of classic and seasonal tea drinks.
You’ll find popular options like their signature oolongs and boba teas.
The menu is bilingual, with both Chinese and English, making it easy for international visitors to view!
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tea tasting experience
A must-do experience at the flagship store is the tea tasting. Located right behind the ordering counter, the tasting booth offers a chance to explore five varieties of Lishan tea.
To participate in this tea-tasting experience, you’ll need to grab a ticket and wait for your number to be buzzed.
When it’s your turn, the staff will guide you through the tea-tasting process, providing insights into the tea’s unique qualities and how it’s brewed.
One thing I learned during this tasting is that lighter-colored teas actually contain more caffeine than darker-colored teas — an interesting fact I didn’t know before!
If you’re visiting, don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Taiwanese tea!
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tea garden room (upstairs)
The upstairs tea garden room is one of the most unique features of the Taichung flagship store.
This mist-filled room is designed to replicate the environment of Taiwan’s mountain tea plantations, allowing visitors to see tea leaves in their natural habitat. While the tea leaves are for display and not used in the drinks, the immersive experience adds to the store’s magical experience.
The air is misty, and the temperature and humidity levels are carefully controlled to mimic the conditions where the tea leaves thrive in the mountains.
🌱 TIP 🍃
Leave your drinks on the outdoor table before heading inside to prevent any accidental spills! 🧋
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know before you go!
BEST TIME TO GO
Monday through Thursday is the best time to visit without the crowds. Weekends tend to be busier, so plan ahead if you prefer a more relaxed experience.
MILK SUBSTITUTES
A2 beta casein milk is available, but unfortunately, there are no vegan milk alternatives like oat milk.
DRESS CODE
Keep it casual
PAYMENT
Both cash and card are accepted.
PERFECT FOR
Tea lovers. Friends. Family.
PRICING
$$
RECOMMENDED DRINKS
Dong Ding Oolong (凍頂烏龍) and Bubble Volcano (熔岩黑糖波霸鮮奶) are highly recommended.
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final thoughts
While I do agree that this boba store is more expensive than other boba shops in Taiwan, I believe the pricing of these drinks is worth it!
With their self-built Teaspresso machines curating the finest tea drinks for each person, the boba itself is flavorful and delicious. You can taste the tea, and the flavors don’t overpower anything. The tea drink is perfectly balanced, and the flavors enhance the tea beautifully.
This flagship concept store is stunning! I love how they didn’t demolish the historical building but built around it, creating concepts like a tea garden for you to explore. Although there isn’t a lot of seating, this place feels a bit like a spacious museum, with tons to see and cool experiences like the tea tasting.
We were here for about an hour, and I’m so happy we got to experience this place together with my family!
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what's nearby
Bar Sloth
Craving unique cocktails with a great vibe? Visit Bar Sloth!
Don’t let that one-star Google review scare you away — this place is honestly the best!
Trust me, you won’t regret checking it out! 🍹✨
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VISIT
HOURS
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday - Sunday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
LOCATION
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Chicha San Chen: Art and Craft
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check out my Taichung travel vlog
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11132024 13:18
From its iconic boba drinks to a misty indoor tea garden, this must-visit flagship store blends authentic Taiwanese tea culture with innovative design.