CHICHA San Chen 吃茶三千 — Restaurant in Boston

I rarely write negative reviews, but this experience was truly frustrating and disappointing. I’ve been a regular customer at ChiCha San Chen in Boston, but after what happened during our recent visit, I felt the need to speak up. My bf and I arrived around noon and were informed there was a tea tasting available. We went over to the tea tasting counter, where a woman with dyed blonde hair and glasses was serving a family. We waited quietly by the counter, assuming she would acknowledge us once she was done. However, even after the family left and we were the only ones there, she continued doing her own thing without looking at us or saying a word. After several minutes, I asked politely, “Is there a tea tasting here?” She responded “yes,” without making eye contact or stopping what she was doing. We kept waiting, but she continued to ignore us completely. Eventually, we approached another lady who seemed to be the manager. When we explained what happened, she asked if the staff member had given us a number—which she hadn’t. We weren’t even told we needed one. This clearly showed she had no intention of serving us. The manager went to speak with the staff and later told us the tea tasting lady thought we were part of the previous family. Honestly, that excuse doesn’t make sense—we were two adults, and the family was a couple with two kids. We had no interaction with them at all. By the time I asked my question, that family had already finished, and their cups were cleared. It felt like a weak excuse to cover up the fact that she just didn’t want to serve us. The manager kindly apologized on her behalf, but the tea tasting staff member never did. I still don’t understand why we were deliberately ignored, and I’d appreciate a real explanation instead of an unconvincing excuse. That said, the drink we ordered was very good, and the manager and other employees were friendly and helpful. I’ve always liked this location, which is why this situation was so disappointing. I’m just not comfortable with the way the tea tasting experience was...

Great new milk tea chain from Taiwan, but not quite worth the hype or the line.

Still crazy lines. Came late Sunday evening to try their famous milk tea. My friend’s colleague from Taiwan said that Chicha only has two stores in Taiwan and isn’t that popular, but we still decided to wait in line. Took about 20 minutes just to get inside, but once we ordered, drinks came out in under 10.

Once we got to the counter, they handed us a small sample of their signature milk tea. No ice, “perfect” sweetness level. It was smooth, fragrant, and instantly got us hooked. We ordered a full one with boba, plus a Dong Ding Oolong tea latte with taro balls, and the Creamy Lemon Tart.

The milk tea base was excellent. But the boba itself was fine. Good chew, solid texture, but nothing that elevated it above the better spots in town. Surprisingly, it was the taro ball topping in the oolong latte that stood out most. Soft, slightly chewy, with a mellow sweetness and earthy texture that made the drink more balanced. Would get that combo again.

The Creamy Lemon Tart was a bit disappointing. Tasted like a basic lemonade for the first few sips. Got a little better once the foam settled, but still didn’t live up to the name.

If there’s no wait, I’d come back just for the milk tea. But next time: less ice, perfect sweetness, and...

CHICHA San Chen: Good, But Not Worth the Price or the Hype I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about with CHICHA San Chen, after hearing so much buzz. Luckily, I went during a quiet time, which meant no line. This was a definite plus, as waiting in a long queue would have only made my eventual disappointment sting more. The ordering process was smooth, and the staff were efficient. When I finally got my drink, I found it to be good. It wasn't bad by any means; the flavors were pleasant and the overall quality was decent. However, despite being a perfectly fine beverage, it simply didn't live up to the "hype" that surrounds this particular chain. What truly brings this down to a 3-star review is the price. For what you get, CHICHA San Chen is simply too expensive. It felt like paying a premium for the brand's reputation rather than for a genuinely superior product that warranted the cost. I've had equally good, if not better, bubble tea from other places for significantly less money. So, while the drink itself was enjoyable, the experience as a whole was overpriced and underwhelming. If you're curious, by all means, give it a try when there's no line. But don't expect it to be the mind-blowing bubble tea experience its...