Chahalo — Local services in Richmond

Came the day before their grand opening so missed out on the bogo deal. The line wasn’t very long and they had samples to try before ordering. After sampling the rock oolong and jasmine, we went with the rock oolong because it had more tea flavour. The jasmine was too floral for my liking.

It was a quick wait to get the drink but the drink was definitely not as good as the sample. I ordered the rock oolong with light ice and 50% sugar. There was probably too much milk because I couldn’t taste the tea at all. For their price, I really expected a stronger tea flavour. I feel like I could have made a better milk tea at home so would definitely not be...

I like their specialties with no bubbles. Lately, bubble tea has become more about the toppings—so much so that it’s easy to forget whether we’re drinking tea or just having dessert. But this was a refreshing experience where I could actually enjoy the rich, high-quality tea without any toppings, using a narrow straw that let me focus on the flavor itself. I also really appreciated being able to sample the tea beforehand. The aroma was beautiful, and I highly recommend the Jasmine...

Cha Halo serves some of the best jasmine tea I’ve tried in Richmond — super fragrant, smooth, and refreshing. The drinks are definitely the highlight and worth coming back for.

That said, the ordering area could use a little more attention. When I visited, the floor had some garbage around and all three bins were full, which took away a bit from the overall experience.

Still, the quality of the drinks makes it a great spot, and I’d recommend it if you’re looking for excellent...