Chicha San Chen 吃茶三千

We came for boba but we got a really cool tea tasting tour. Thanks to Nic for giving us a fun and informative tea tasting session.

Chicha San Chen is absolutely on par with Molly Tea and TP Tea and honestly it is playing in the top tier of boba spots right now. Their High Mountain Pouchong with cream is one of the best milk teas I have had. It is up there with a good Tieguanyin. Floral smooth and insanely clean on the finish. Huge shoutout to the baristas for recommending cream instead of milk. It made a noticeable difference. The mouthfeel was thicker richer and way more satisfying without overpowering the tea itself. That kind of guidance tells you they actually know their product. The taro boba was another standout. Great texture chewy but soft and the taro flavor was natural and fragrant. Not overly pasty or artificial like you get at a lot of places. We also lucked out with a complimentary tea tasting session with Nic which was a really thoughtful touch. He managed to get us in as walk ins within about 15 minutes which felt like winning the lottery given how busy it was. While the oolong we tasted was not quite on the same level as their pouchong we appreciated experiencing the different roast levels and how dramatically they affect the flavor. Yes it is super busy but the location is great and there is plenty of seating so it never felt chaotic. Overall you can tell Chicha San Chen takes tea seriously and it shows in every cup. Definitely worth the wait.

This place is busy! Luckily I ordered online and just picked up. The cups come in these cardboard holders with strings which is so cool and convenient. I got the signature milk tea with boba which was very strong and milky, which I’m not that into. I also got the classic fruit tea which was just awesome with a ton of diced fruit in it and fresh sweet flavors to enjoy. The classic fruit tea is definitely what I’m coming back for.

I recently did Chicha San Chen’s Lishan Oolong tea tasting and it was such a great experience. Thank you Nic! We got to sample different levels of Lishan Oolong, each with its own distinct aroma and flavor profile. It was really cool to taste how the tea evolved from lighter, floral notes to deeper, more robust layers. The staff explained each brew clearly and made the whole session feel both educational and relaxing. I walked away with a new appreciation for high-mountain oolong and how much craftsmanship goes into every cup. Overall, a fun and flavorful tasting that I’d definitely recommend.

I’m a casual tea drinker, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this free tea tasting won me over. The staff (Nic) was super welcoming and made everything feel relaxed and easy. He walked us through a few different oolongs, explaining the flavors in a way that actually made sense, even if you don’t know much about tea. Each tea tasted really clean and smooth, with noticeable differences between them, which was cool to experience side by side. I also loved learning a bit about Taiwanese Lishan oolong tea while sipping. The shop itself is calm and cozy, a great place to slow down for a bit. For something that was free, it felt surprisingly thoughtful and generous. I walked out appreciating oolong way more than I did before. Definitely recommend stopping by if you’re even a little curious about tea.

I had a tea tasting experience by Lucas. It was a great session to know different tea's taste. He guided the details of the each level of mature leaf and explained very well. We enjoyed the tea tasting experience a lot! The bubble tea was so great as well!

I have mixed feelings about Chicha San Chen. I have heard a lot of hype around the original location getting culinary awards and all that. So, I had to give it a try. And yeah, the brown sugar milk tea was definitely delicious. Was it $13 delicious? I’m not sure. That’s basically double the cost of most other tea shops in the bay. My other complaint is how inflexible their ordering is. Most drinks had no topping options. Something I like about most tea shops is how much customization they tend to offer. That’s not really the case here. Overall, it was quite good. I just found it to be limiting in their offerings, and a bit overly expensive.

First time having Chicha a few months ago. I had the Mango Green tea with konjac. At $8.25 a drink, I found it pretty wild for a smaller cup also. I was able to sample the Passion fruit green tea (which is usually my go-to), but wanted to try something else. In the future, I will definitely order PFGT since the flavors seemed quite good on the sample. Overall, flavors are decent but a bit over-priced. Parking can be difficult in the plaza. Also, be prepared to wait. You can order on snackpass at times too.

Super busy in the morning. They offered me tea testing and it was so well explained. Loved the experience. Their milk boba tea strikes the perfect balance of creamy sweetness and chewy texture, making each sip irresistible. The staff is exceptionally friendly, adding a personal touch that makes you feel right at home. While the place can get busy, the lively atmosphere only enhances the experience, making it a great spot to grab a drink and catch up with friends. If you’re looking for top-notch tea in a vibrant setting, San Chen won’t disappoint.

This is one of the fancier milk tea shops. They have freshly brewed tea samples while you wait. Ordering is thru the kiosk only, which is pretty fast but there can be a long wait to get your order during the busier time. There is a large waiting area with plenty of seating. I ordered the Ding Dong Oolong milk tea with bubble. Boba was soft with right amount of chewiness. The tea flavor was good but a bit water down for my liking. It’s on pricier side with the amount of tea you’re getting.