【吃茶三千】Chicha San Chen in Chinatown, Manhattan
As a self-proclaimed boba tea enthusiast 🧋, I've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Chicha San Chen (吃茶三千) in NYC. Having previously tried out their drinks in Cupertino, and almost visited their stunning Taichung location, I had high hopes for their New York debut. So, when the Chinatown location opened its doors, I knew I had to check it out. Let's dive in to see if Chicha San Chen lives up to the hype. ✨
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about Chicha San Chen (吃茶三千)
Founded in 1998, Chicha San Chen has grown from a humble tea shop in Taichung City to a global sensation. Their dedication to sourcing the finest tea leaves and mastering the art of brewing has earned them a prestigious award equivalent to a three-Michelin-star rating from the International Taste Institute.
Chicha San Chen's philosophy is centered around their innovative Teaspresso machine. This state-of-the-art technology carefully extracts the pure essence of each tea leaf, guaranteeing a consistently exceptional fresh cup of tea every time. This Teaspresso machine they’ve perfected is a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to perfection.
With over 100 stores in Taiwan and a growing international presence, Chicha San Chen has redefined the tea-drinking experience. Their expansion to major cities like New York, California, Hong Kong, and more is a testament to their global appeal.
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the location
Located in Manhattan's Chinatown, this place might be easy to miss at first. However, the long line of people waiting to get inside and place their orders will catch your eye.
The interior is modern, with a dedicated area for tea-tasting. Currently, it's packed with people waiting for their tea, especially on hot summer days.
Unfortunately, when I visited a few days after the grand opening, the line was very long (as expected), and the summer heat deterred people from enjoying their boba outside.
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New York popular drinks menu
They offer different types of tea leaves such as osmanthus, green tea, oolong, high mountain pouchong tea, and cassia black tea.
You can also customize your drink by choosing different flavors, toppings, and adjusting the ice and sugar levels. Experiment with different tea bases, elevate your drink with a variety of toppings, and adjust the sweetness and ice levels to create your perfect boba drink!
My recommendation for refreshing summer drinks is Honey Osmanthus Oolong Tea, the Classic Fruit Tea, or the Orange High Mountain Pouchong Tea. 🍹
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taste test!
For drinks, I ordered the Honey Osmanthus Oolong Tea (left) with boba, light ice, and light on the sugar, of course. My thoughts? I loved how perfectly balanced the tea tasted — it wasn’t too strong and had the perfect touch of honey. The boba was perfectly chewy.
Brian ordered the Dong Ding Oolong Tea Latte (right) with boba as well. The milk didn’t overpower the tea taste! Surprisingly, it was sweet but not too sweet — just the perfect amount of sweetness.
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the verdict?
While the quality of Chicha San Chen's tea is undeniably exceptional, its overwhelming popularity has created some challenges. The long wait times and crowded atmosphere might deter some customers. That said, if you're willing to brave the crowds, the tea is definitely worth the hype.
I recommend visiting during off-peak hours or on weekdays for a more relaxed experience. And remember, patience is a virtue when it comes to enjoying this trendy tea shop.
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VISIT
HOURS
Monday - Sunday
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
LOCATION
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check out my Taichung travel vlog
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