CHICHA San Chen 吃茶三千 (Chinatown) — Restaurant in Toronto

Drink Venturing in late at night, my friend and I were met with a bustling scene, testament to its viral fame and the allure of its so-called Michelin Star Drink. Despite the crowd and the hype, did the bubble tea measure up? While it didn't quite surpass our lofty expectations, it was close, making a strong impression as one of the finest bubble teas we've had. Notably less sweet than its counterparts, it offered a unique smoothness absent in others. The limited selection, a consequence of their meticulous preparation and specialized machinery, speaks to their commitment to quality over quantity.

However, the packaging did not mirror the excellence of the beverage itself—a surprising oversight for an establishment of its reputed caliber. The lack of a secure seal on the drinks posed a risk for spills, detracting from the overall experience. Nonetheless, the bubble tea itself is a delight, one that beckons for a return visit despite minor flaws.

Service The establishment operates with a well-orchestrated procedure, yet patience is required as we found ourselves waiting for about 20 minutes. Despite the wait, the staff displayed efficiency and professionalism, their hard work evident in managing the demands of a busy night.

Ambiance The space, though crowded, made an effort to accommodate with outdoor seating—a necessary compromise given the popularity. What the venue lacks in spaciousness, it compensates with tasteful decorations and art that pay tribute to tea culture, blending traditional elements with modern design. The use of wood and contemporary decor creates a welcoming atmosphere, even amidst the hustle and bustle of its...

Do I think it’s overrated. Yes. Does that make you deserve with stars? No. I think with a lot of places that expectation is so high that the food doesn’t end up tasting good. But with this place, the quality is still good. I just can’t fathom why it would deserve a Michelin star is all. I’ve definitely tasted the same quality and other bubble tea places, which also deserve a five star. That’s why, even though I don’t think the Michelin star makes it special, I’m still giving it a five star as even without it, it would be a five star.

I got brown sugar with milk. It was so good!! The tapioca was slightly larger than normal, but it was still chewy and bouncy and had a lot of flavor. And obviously it’s covered in brown sugar syrup, so it would have flavor, but you could taste past the brown sugar and tell that the tapioca had flavour on its own.

Their menu was really cute and I’d love to try more items on it. The interior was designed very well, they have some seating outside, and a little waiting area on the inside. The decorations on the wall were cohesive with the rest of the store. I really really really enjoyed the little cupholder as I was going to walk 10 minutes before I started drinking it. Not only is it cute, but it’s efficient, environmentally, friendly, and useful.

The staff were really friendly and efficient as well, even if there is a line, they worked relatively quickly.

I was really lucky and got there right before a line formed, but whenever I pass by that area and a streetcar, the line goes out the door, so be careful.

I’ll definitely be back! :-) Thank you...

Tl;dr: Give it a try when they've improved hopefully in a few months and you're willing to justify $10 for experience. Bad service & experience for meh food for now.

The drinks are okay. Definitely not worth $10 per drink unless you really really really really really really really want some fancy tea, which you can also get for like $5 literally 5 minutes from this store. There's often a really long wait so consider using mobile app orders (I think they have Ritual?) If you're also getting the fruit drinks make sure to shake them well, or they'll taste more bland than water for the first half.

The bigger problem with this store is inconsistent quality of experience and service. The drinks and your first greet by the staff is fancy, literally nothing else afterwards is. The cup is so fragile that I held it slightly wrong and exploded and the staff yelled at me. They also cared more about cleaning up the mess and nothing about me even though my hands got super messy. Don't expect people to know how to "properly" hold your drinks. It's a pathetic, shameful quality of a cup for a $10/drink. I'd care more about the material being used than the fancy stickers you've been trying to put on the dirt cheap cups.

Don't go when there's a line. The staff won't necessarily make your order in the order they receive and you'll end up wasting a lot of time. Give it a try when they've improved hopefully in a few months and you're willing to justify $10...