First timer and the tea did not disappoint. As much as I wanted to try the milk tea- I opted for something lighter due to the excessive heat. Service is ok, you order from a kiosk and there's really no interaction. The drink took a while since they had a lot of delivery and mobile orders. Clean and small yet nice establishment. read more

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Chicha San Chen is finally in Chicago!! We have this in Vegas and it's one of my favorite tea places. This is originally is based from Taiwan. They have numerous teas to choose from. You can also do a taste test as well! This location didn't really have anyone doing taste test like the Vegas location! Which is weird because usually, they always get people to taste their teas! I got the Honey Osmanthus Oolong with lychee jelly. I love this one because it wasn't sweet and it was light/refreshing! Service here is subpar..no greeting. No tasting. They did give me the wrong drink originally. Ambiance is casual and clean. The service in Vegas is better. Staff were more engaging and proving tasting services ! read more

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I like that they offer a wide variety of fruit teas, milk teas, and different tea bases, so there are plenty of options no matter what you're in the mood for. I tried the Dong Ding Oolong Tea with the cream top, and it was excellent. The tea itself tasted strong and high quality, and the cream top added just the right amount of richness without overpowering the tea. Everything felt well balanced and thoughtfully made. We came on a weekday evening, so it wasn't too busy, and our drinks came out pretty quickly. The shop was also very clean, with a modern atmosphere that made it a nice place to stop in and enjoy a drink. I'd definitely order the Dong Ding Oolong with cream top again. read more

This place has a great selection of teas, and you can watch them brew your tea right in front of you. You can definitely taste the difference that fresh tea makes. The shop has plenty of small tables for dining in, and it's clean, cozy, and cute. The service is fast, friendly, and welcoming. I hope they open a location in Minnesota soon! read more

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The only thing I like from here is the green milk tea with the taro boba. They make it so well. Everything else is either too sweet or not special. The service use to be slow but now it's a lot quicker. read more

Chicha San Chen - Taro Ball Green Tea Latte - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Chi Cha is such a great boba spot! I'm so glad we finally have one in Chicago. I first tried Chi Cha during a trip to Seattle and made it a point to visit every time I was there for work, so it's exciting to now have a location much closer in Chinatown. The staff is always friendly, and the shop itself is beautifully designed. They have a great selection of drinks and boba options. I was in Chicago for a weekend trip and ended up stopping by twice because I enjoyed it so much. My go-to orders are the Boba Milk Tea and the Honey Green Tea, both are consistently delicious. I even ordered extra drinks to bring back home to Cleveland. Definitely worth a visit if you're a boba lover! read more

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A guy handing out samples to people. I tried and really liked them. We went in and got Creamy Mango Tart 青青芒果露和Taro Ball Tea Latte 曼熟濃芋鮮奶茶. Both were great. We loved them. read more

Chicha San Chen - Creamy Mango Tart 青青芒果露和Taro Ball Tea Latte 曼熟濃芋鮮奶茶 - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I went to Chicha San Chen after work on a hot day. When I arrived, I noticed there was already a line of people waiting for their drink orders, but there was no line at the ordering kiosk. Because of that, I assumed the wait would not be too long. Unfortunately, I ended up waiting almost an hour just to get my drink. For a drink that costs around $10, I expected something more impressive. I tried the taro drinks, but the taste was just average to me. It did not feel worth the long wait or the price. While waiting inside the shop, I also noticed that the workers seemed to be taking their time making the drinks, and there did not seem to be enough staff to handle the number of orders. I understand busy times can happen, but the system they have made the wait feel very frustrating. Overall, the drinks tasted regular, not premium, and the wait time was way too long. For me, the taste did not justify waiting almost an hour. I probably would not come back and would choose Molly Tea or Gather Tea Bar instead. read more

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This is such a cute place and their small service touch points are lovely. They have a small carrier you can use for your drinks if they're in hand or they can give you your drink packed up in a bag to go if you're traveling. They have so many fresh milk tea and fruit tea options to choose from. Definitely will be back! read more

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It is not soo busy here anymore so there is not a long wait. The workers are pretty quick anyways. I would recommend adding the taro balls in any drink. It tastes exactly like taro, nothing artificial tasting. The texture is also exactly like taro but with starch added. read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great spot to grab a drink after exploring Chinatown. I tried the Bubble Volcano, which has brown sugar milk tea with boba, and it was really good. Ordering is done through a kiosk so there's not much interaction with the staff. What makes this place stand out is that they brew the tea fresh right in front of you. One thing to keep in mind is that the bottom of the drink can be pretty hot at first, so make sure to mix it well before drinking. Overall it's definitely worth checking out because it offers something a little different. I'll definitely be back to try more flavors. They also give you a nice carrying bag that helps keep your drink cold if you're taking it to read more

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It was nice that you can order quickly using the kiosk. However I was disappointed when the order number #990 was done before my order #986. Counter personnel said that the order are not done consecutively. I was more than miffed. And although the taro milk tea was great, it is not so as to prevent me from going to another place where my expectations will b met. read more

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Great new addition to Chinatown! Must stop here if you're in the area, exceptional service and fast! The only down part is they don't have restrooms for customers. Didn't matter to me since I was grabbing a drink before I dined somewhere! The bobas were perfectly made and tea freshly brewed per order. With so many people going in and out I would thought it'd be crowded and tables sticky but I was wrong! I love all their Osmanthus tea, tried 3 different flavors with it and loved all of it. read more

Chicha San Chen - Honey Osmanthus Oolong Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Been to their locations in Houston and Chicago multiple times now, Chicha San Chen is consistently tasty with their tea and the various drinks, boba and tarot balls! Love the freshly brewed tea and the fragrant smell every time you walk into the store. There is a tea tasting station and there is always samples of milk tea next to the cashier register. This location has some seating inside but it can get crowded during peak meal times. It is pricey considering the size of the drink (aboutn$8-10 per drink after tax depending on how much add-on too), but it really is the best in town so I will keep returning! read more

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Chicha is simply amazing everywhere and always so consistent. This is the one spot I'll get boba with tea instead of a milk tea because I want to get my value on just the tea. Located in Chicago Chinatown, this Chicha isn't super spacious, but has seating available. It can get a bit loud so not the best spot to do focused work, but can work in a pinch. Nice for conversation though! There's a tablet to order from immediately upon entering. Honey Osmanthus Oolong w/ Boba - lightly sweet and subtle, the combination just works so well. Osmanthus is lightly floral and sweet similar to a dollop of honey dissolved in hot liquid, so the two together feel like a multiplication. Plus it's aromatic and smooth, no need for any creaminess from milk. Boba is consistently QQ, bouncy, and coated with flavor from marination across all Chicha locations and that is no different here. read more

Chicha San Chen - Honey Osmanthus Oolong w/ Boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love the way this store is styled! The store wasn't busy and the employees were very friendly. They have kiosks to pay and displays to show what number they're working on and which drinks are ready. Will probably pass on the creamy mango tart next time. It was just okay when we first drank it; when it watered down, the drink separated and tasted worse. The milk teas were good! read more

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Wonderful experience here today! The green tea with lemon was really refreshing on a hot summer day. It wasn't too sweet and had really fresh ingredients. They were really efficient getting drink out too. The seating inside was really nice. read more

Chicha San Chen - Green tea with lemon - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We have this establishment in Duluth, Georgia, and I saw it here in Chicago and just had to try the sister restaurant (this is my favorite Boba spot!). The ambience is exactly the same as Atlanta. Very clean, spacious and open. The lady at the counter was quick and attentive. Everyone that worked here was precise and took their time with every single drink, even though they were slammed. The taste is exactly the same as back home. I love going to a place in a completely different state that has the same exact formula and feel. 100 out of 10 Chi cha San Chen for the win. read more

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So excited Chicha San Chen finally opened up in Chicago. We came by on a Saturday afternoon and luckily the wait wasn't too bad. There are 2 kiosks for ordering or you can order ahead of time on Chowbus or Fantuan (there is a $1 service fee). I got the Taro Milk Tea with Black Tea, Cream, Taro Ball, and Taro Paste. I really just wanted to try the taro paste but there was not an option for the taro milk tea without the taro balls. I still really enjoyed the drink though as the tea was able to shine through even with the taro and everything tasted really fresh. Loved the taro paste which was lightly sweetened and added more richness to the drink. I got it less sweet which was perfect for me. The taro balls didn't add much other than texture so next time I'll try to omit it. Overall great boba shop! It's just as good as the locations in California and love that they had free samples of their original bubble tea to try before you order! read more

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We stumbled upon this tea shop after dim sum with the family one day. Apparently it's the new hype in the area, and I can see why. This tea shop feels less like a bubble tea stop and more like a high-end tea experience. As soon as you walk in, the aroma of tea fills the air. The ambiance just feels noticeably more upscale than most tea shops we've visited -- very clean, very polished, highly organized, and professional. The first thing I noticed was how focused the staff were. Everyone wore uniforms and masks, and the whole operation felt like watching a well-oiled machine in action. There's a glass prep area where you can see the tea being made, along with a brewing machine that extracts the tea almost like watching coffee brew. The workers were incredibly concentrated -- even bending down to eye level to double-check orders. It almost felt like an assembly line with everyone moving in tandem-- it was fascinating to watch. One unique feature here is the tea bar located next to the cash register. You can sign up to join a queue for a live tea tasting with a tea host where they will let you choose the type of tea leaves, brew them right in front of you, and guide you through tasting. I was told the whole process takes about 20 minutes. I'm not sure if the tea leaves can be purchased separately, but the experience seems interesting. We didn't have time to try it during this visit, but it might be fun for those who have time and already waiting for their orders. You can expect a little wait time as each tea is brewed upon order. I did noticed a good amount of people waiting on this day so it shows the high traffic that this store gets on a Sunday afternoon. Along the tea-tasting wall, they display information about how their tea leaves are harvested from the high elevations of Lishan Mountain (over 2000 meters). Supposedly the altitude gives the tea a distinct flavor, which I can imagine tea enthusiasts and aficionados would really appreciate. When I spoke to one of the staff members at the register, he mentioned the café had only been open for under a month. Even so, there was already a long line of customers waiting to order, and both ordering kiosks were busy. You can also place your order at the kiosk and then pick it up at the counter once it's ready. Their packaging also deserves a mention. The cups are labeled neatly, tied with a decorative string that doubles as a handle for the cup, and even the straws have customized branding. Definitely an A+ for presentation and marketing. They also offer complimentary milk tea samples near the register. After trying one, my husband decided to order drinks for himself (and for me to have a sip) and his mom. It came out to be $18.44 for two bubble milk teas. My husband ordered the iced version, while his mom opted for the hot milk tea since she prefers warm drinks. The boba was surprisingly very soft and glutinous. The staff member was very helpful in explaining the sugar level of the sample. You can customize sugar levels, and he chose the "perfect sugar" option for both. He really enjoyed the drink and said he could clearly smell the aroma of the tea leaves. As far as sizes go, they seem to only have a small size at about closer to $9 base-price on the menu. The price point can feel a bit steep compared to other tea shops, and you may get slightly less volume, but the focus here seems to be on quality. If you customize your drink, you can choose your tea base for $6 and add additional flavors for $1.25 each or toppings for $1 each. I noticed familiar toppings like coconut jelly and grass jelly, but also some I haven't tried yet such as taro balls and konjac (maybe next time). Overall, this is a really interesting tea shop worth checking out. I personally don't drink a lot of tea because I'm sensitive to caffeine, but I'd still be curious to try some of their other menu items like the "Bubble Volcano" or the "Taro Fresh Milk" drinks. I appreciate that they have options beyond traditional tea. I had already grabbed a smoothie from another shop earlier that day, so I didn't order a drink for myself this visit, but I'd definitely be open to trying one next time I return to ChiCha San Chen with our family. Tip: One downside is that the shop doesn't have public restrooms, though many of the small cafés in Chinatown Square are similar. Still, it would be a nice addition if they eventually added one. read more

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We've been to other locations, so we knew their tea would be good -- the bar is set pretty high, and this location definitely met expectations. We ordered the iced osmanthus tea with cream top and taro balls (no sugar) and an iced oolong tea with boba (no sugar). Both were delicious, and we really appreciate that the tea is freshly brewed. The taro balls are especially addictive to chew on -- so good! Service i would say was fast, given how many orders and people were in the shop. read more

The drink was made with care and the packaging was nice but it tasted a little bitter like it was over brewed. Very strong flavor. The taro balls at the bottom taste like mochi ball which I liked and the taro paste reminded me of red bean paste which is nice but there were little chucks in it that I did not like. I think I'll try some more of their drinks and update this review later. The service was ok. You place your own order on a kiosk. We also had to point out that our drinks were ready and sitting. The store its self looks very chic and as soon as we walked in the smell ok black it hits you. I was also a little sad they don't have the old sleeves with the string that you see in the commercials. read more

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Words cannot express how incredibly excited I am that CHICHA San Chen has finally landed in Chicago. This is my all-time favorite bubble tea chain so I had astronomic expectations but I'm delighted to say I was not disappointed. At this point, I've been a few times since they opened and my drinks have always been on point. Note that during peak hours, there will almost definitely be a wait and there's very limited seating but don't let that stop you - it's worth it! Sometimes they even provide tea samples. I'm a milk tea fiend so naturally I need to try all the varieties they offer. The only official "milk tea" on the menu is the classic bubble milk tea (with black tea) BUT you can choose any tea base and add creamer to make any tea a milk tea so the sky is the limit! So far I've done that with their green tea and dong ding oolong tea - both phenomenal with a strong tea flavor, just the way I like it. I do believe the creamer has dairy though so might want to pop that lactaid if you're lactose-intolerant. It also goes without saying that the tapioca pearls are perfect: bouncy, sweet...doesn't get better. Tons of other toppings to choose from as well but I can't vouch for them because I'm basic and always stick with the boba. Tip: you can order at the counter in person if the kiosks have long lines! read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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I stopped by Chicha San Chen just before closing while waiting for my late-night dinner reservation. The interior was modern and clean. Even close to closing time, there were many people inside waiting for their drinks. A friend of mine has been raving about this place for a while, so I was excited to finally give it a try. I ordered the Passion Fruit Osmanthus Oolong Tea with no toppings, light sugar, and less ice (making a note of this order for next time). It was so refreshing and delicious! Not too sweet nor bitter. The hype was real. The drink came out to a little over $8 before tip, which feels a bit steep for a drink, but at the same time, desserts and drinks cost as much as meals used to. Inflation is real :'). Still, would I come back and try more drinks? Absolutely. Live life and treat yourself. Also, the packaging is really cute, and if you request a bag, it's super cute as well. It's the little details that make the experience even better! read more

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Have never set foot in the previous milk tea shop at this location before Chicha San Chen. Very happy about the takeover as the shop had gotten a complete facelift and is thriving more than ever before. Their packaging is superb and tea flavors are delicate and pleasant. I have dropped by twice in a week and loved both experiences. Give them a try today. read more

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We ordered: 1. Taro Milk Tea - black tea, cream, taro paste, taro balls 2. Dong Ding Oolong Tea Latte 3. Creamy Mango Tart - high mountain pouchong tea w/ mango and mousse 4. Green Tea w/ mousse My favorite international boba chain from Taiwan, I like to get Chicha when I find it in other cities. The first three we ordered are my go-to drinks and they were consistent. I highly recommend the taro Milk Tea because it uses fresh taro paste and balls that you won't find elsewhere. Tea topped with cream, like #3 and 4, you should drink straight through the layers; do not mix! Mango Tart is so refreshing and the green tea by itself is fragrant. Tea drinks are brewed to order so expect a little longer wait time. Staff were friendly and helpful. Small number of seating inside for small groups. read more

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Got the creamy mango tart drink and it was a bit sweet for my taste. It didn't have an option to adjust sweetness on the kiosk either. The cream topping was good though. The wait this time felt a bit long. Noticed they have a station with their original milk tea you can pour for yourself to sample. It was really nice, I'll probably get that next time. read more

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This was a nice change from all the other boba shops. It felt clean and chic. Loved the decor and to go packaging for the drinks. You order on a kiosk. It was busy. Drink was fresh and delicious. The bubble volcano is a brown sugar boba read more

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Yesss!! I was so happy to know that Chicago was finally getting a Chicha San Chen location. Our drinks were phenomenal! Strong tea flavor, soft and fresh boba, and great cream. My personal favorite is the Dong Ding Oolong Tea with mousse! I'd recommend light sweetness if you're usually a 20-30% sugar drinker. Only cons I have are that 1) it's located in Chinatown so parking can be tough and 2) drinks are quite pricey ~$9- however, the quality is superb so if I'm craving a yummy treat this is justified in my books... read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The perfect addition to the Chicago Boba scene. This brand needs no introduction to boba lovers across the world. I think it's won some pretty prestigious awards including a Michelin star. The flavor profile of their drinks is definitely an ode to Taiwanese boba milk tea. I heard of crazy lines over the weekend even in the blistering snow storms so I came right around opening 11 am on a Wednesday morning and was shocked to see there was no wait at all besides a few people ahead of me who had ordered first. For me, the standout was the taro milk tea. Very few places, especially in Chicago do the taro balls with the paste as authentic as this. The bubble milk tea is probably as authentic as it gets in this city as well to what you would get in Taiwan. The honey osmanthus was not my tea, tasted a bit watered down. I think they might do milk tea drinks a little better than their fruit teas. The quality and taste is premium, but expect to pay premium prices ~$10 per drink after tax is what you're likely going to fork up here. Probably not a place you would go for your daily caffeine fix anyway. Will definitely be back to try other things on their menu! read more

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I am thrilled that Chicago now has this place. I tried their drink before in Toronto. It was so good. I went on a Friday morning, so it wasn't busy at all. They have two kiosks close to the entrance. You can also order at the register. The place was not big. It had a few tables. I ordered the Taro Milk Tea. It has taro paste, taro ball, cream, and black tea. I really like this drink because they have taro paste and taro balls that you can't find in other bubble tea places. I also ordered less sugar and no ice. For me, it was just right since it is cold outside. The sweetness is also right for me, not too sweet at all. The price is a little high for the small cup. It is almost like $10 for a drink. It is worth it to try if you are in the area. I saw some reviews mentioning that they had a tea tasting. I didn't see any when I was there. For sure, I would be back to try their other drinks. read more

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Chicha San Chen finally landed in Chicago. Before trying the Chicago spot, I just visited San Francisco store 4 months ago. I ordered the exactly the same flavor - Taro Milk Tea, light sugar, ice free" and it tasted exactly the same. Really impressed by their quality control. I also ordered "Passion Fruit High Mountain Pouchong Tea, light sugar, less ice" and this is a must-try for its great and refreshing combination with tea and fruit! read more

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I was impressed with my first time having chincha San Chen in Chicago. The first time I had it was 2024 in Montreal. I picked the osmathus oolong tea And it was delicious.... Not too strong the tea flavor very light read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My absolute FAVORITE place for tea!! I love fruit tea and this place takes the top! 10/10: passionfruit green tea 10/10: mango osmanthus oolong tea Their service is always speedy and the workers are friendly. Decent amount of seating inside! It can get busy and packed at certain times I personally haven't tried the toppings but I would honestly skip it since they're more tea based and it can be pricey. read more

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Service was good. They had one free sample drink & that was really good! Aroma & flavors were so gorgeous. I liked the service, they were answering a lot of questions that I had regarding their drinks. Their signature bubble milk tea was average, nothing spectacular about it truthfully. You taste more tea fhan a regular tea. 3/5 I got their fruit tea and that was super refreshing, fresh, and delicious. Highly recommend it! 5/5 Giving it a 4/5 bc I liked the fruit tea and not the milk tea. read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Service speed is very fast for a fresh brew tea with the special high pressure tea extraction. However I felt my osmanthus oolong tea was a bit astringent without much of strong osmanthus floral flavor. The mousse foam also tasted too sweet and artificial rather than cheesy and salty. It didn't pair well with the osmanthus oolong. I also got the taro pearls but found some were a bit chalky/lumpy. The cassia cream was my least favorite. The cream per staff is made via a non diary powder to thicken the tea and make it creamier. Vs the milk tea is fresh milk added to tea. However the cream version has a soy milk aftertaste and was a bit gritty, you could probably tell it was powder based. Couldn't really taste the tea flavors either. The lemon tart was quite surprising. Strong lemon flavor, almost like a sweet lemon bar or a sugary lemonade with whip cream. This would be very refreshing in the summer and it's not too heavy even with the mousse, but you can't adjust the sweetness so a couple of sips and it might be too much. I might try their teas alone or just buy their tea leaves to brew at home but not quite a fan of their milk base options so far. I feel like I've tried better milk teas that preserve or enhance the flavor of the teas better. read more

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I'm usually not a huge fan of boba drinks... but I absolutely loved the taro milk tea with taro paste and taro balls! It was flavorful, fresh, and just the right amount of sweetness. I love how you can see all the workers making the drinks, so you can tell it's actual high quality ingredients versus just powder. The honey osmanthus drink was very good as well since it tasted very refreshing and had a hint of sweetness; you could really taste the tea flavor in it with a hint of honey. The ambiance was very clean and aesthetically pleasing. There's two kiosk to order from, but you could also order at the counter. I love the presentation of the drinks as well since you get a little string to carry it. read more

Chicha San Chen - Menu - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Great tea. Service too. The bench you can sit on looks very wet from whatever glazing they put on it. Personally wouldn't order the brown sugar one again, because they do specialize in tea. I would probably stick to ordering oolong/black tea drinks here. read more

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One of my all time favorite Boba franchises! Never disappointed when I order from here. You can really taste the tea flavors in their drinks and are always given a nice drink holder! Ordering is all done through the kiosk and made super simple. They had free samples on this day as well! read more

Chicha San Chen - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I've been to several Chicha's in the country and they have the best boba. Got the dong ding with cream + boba. The boba is still one of the best I've ever had. Perfect texture and super chewy, easily the highlight 9.8/10. The drink itself wasn't as amazing as I remembered, but still solid overall 7.5/10. It was super packed when I went, but drinks came out pretty fast which I liked. Ordering is through a kiosk, and they even had a sample station with black tea and cream near the front which was actually really good. read more

Chicha San Chen - Dong ding oolong + cream and boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois