Order Chicha San Chen Takeout or Delivery
Chicha San Chen Photos
Business Info
CHICHA SAN CHEN ATMOSPHERE
More like Chicha San Chen
Recommended Reviews - Chicha San Chen
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
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!
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 !
Great, yummy, and flavorful! Super fragant! It super pretty inside and nice and clean. I would definitely come back. Service was quick and helpful.
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.
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.
First time trying this franchise and I enjoyed my drink! I forgot what I got, but you can't go wrong with your order as they have plentiful options and their tea has a very strong tea flavor. Friendly service + you get a cup holder carrier with your drink. :)
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.
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
6 months ago
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
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear…
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
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We're…
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
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're delighted to hear…
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
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for visiting Chicha…
6 months ago
So hype this came to Chinatown. Insanely popular internationally. Absolutely loved my drink, and they were really quick to make both drinks. Very organized, with two ordering kiosks, front staff for ordering, and numbers displayed on screen. I heard there's tea tastings as well but they weren't doing it later in the day. Have to come back to try that and many more drinks on the menu. Favorite tea I've had so far in Chinatown. Personally love it more than Molly Tea. read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear…
7 months ago
Never thought I'd pay nearly $10 for boba but unfortunately I will do it again because their drinks are delicious. I got their creamy mango tart and it was so refreshing and I loved the cold foam on top. My friend's milk tea was delicious as well and the taro balls were cooked perfectly. Service was pretty fast and friendly too. read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear…
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
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We're…
What an amazing tea tasting experience as you enter the tea shop! Loved the "stand alone solo station" for the Introduction and process of the teas! It was a refreshing presentation about the teas, the tea leaves by texture and the varying green colors, aroma and fragrance, from roasted to light options, and the steeping temperature! Isabella was the presenter. She was amazing and allowed us to sample a few of the delicious premium teas! Isabella was professional and gentle in describing the teas! (There was a group ahead of us at the tea presentation station. Glad we waited! Well worth the learning and tasting experience)!! Metered parking and there's a self- pay parking lot nearby. read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and detailed review! We're…
Fave boba shop in Chicago!!! When I lived in the Bay Area I always wanted to try this place but the line was always out the door even months after their opening. I'm so glad I was able to try it after moving here! Definitely always super packed but I usually never wait move than 15 minutes for my drinks. The store itself is pretty small so it gets super crowded, a few times there has been no walk room. There is no guidance on where the line for self-checkout starts so it gets a bit confusing when people are just standing by the line while waiting for their drinks. There are so many different types of tea options! They offer samples of their tea, freshly brewed as well. The taro ball toppings are my favorite! They are super soft and chewy. All the drinks I've tried so far I get light sweetness and they have been perfect! My partner's favorite is their Dong Ding Oolong Tea series! We much rather prefer this to other places that do the roasted oolong. Excited to try their other drinks on our future visits! read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We're honored to be your…
First time here and the hype is real. Imagine a Starbucks but for tea. They have these sessions for tea tasting and the "tea-rista" as I call them explain the differences in the taste. I ordered bubble milk tea with perfect sugar and easy ice. It was smooth and not overly sweet. The tea taste was subtle but yet aromatic. Highly recommend if you're in the Chinatown area! read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear…
I LOVE THIS PLACE. Like... favorite boba spot in THE WORLD and I'm not exaggerating. I first had it in Singapore, then California and New York - so when I found out Chicago was getting one, I RAN and told everyone. I literally drove there during a winter storm and it was 100% worth it. Got a hot fruit tea with fresh fruit and freshly brewed tea - literal perfection as it was well balanced and not too sweet. Just flawless. It's right in the heart of Chinatown and I'm telling you, you need to go. read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your incredible review! We're truly honored to…
9 months ago
I went on the soft opening and it was very crowded. However, the employees are still attentive and polite. They had free samples of their milk tea and a separate free tea demo where we chose our own tea strength and try it then and there. It was a nice way to spend our time while waiting in the long queue for our drinks. I got the classic fruit tea and the taro ball green tea. The fruit tea had a lack of tea flavor but the drink itself is still good and not too sour. The taro balls for the green tea were delicious and chewy. I would prefer the taro ball drink over the fruit tea. read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your thoughtful…
4 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're so glad…
I can't express how happy I am for this place to exist in Chicago now!! It's been on my boba radar for my West Coast travels but now I don't have to travel so far for it!! Quite pricey for a regular sized drink (~$10) BUT SO DELICIOUS. I got the Taro Milk Tea (Black Tea+Cream+Taro Ball+Taro Paste) and loved it! The taro paste had authentic taro. The tea tasted freshly brewed. I absolutely love taro balls as a topping and there are very, very few boba shops in Chicago that have it, and the ones that do don't quite get it right (usually they taste a bit bland/watery and takes a while for the milk tea flavor to soak into it). Chicha's taro balls are the best I've had!! Super chewy, tasty and enhances the drink. Will be trying the Taro Fresh Milk and Taro Ball Tea Latte next! It was quite packed when I went on a cold, snowy day, but didn't really have to wait long for my drink! (Felt similar to Molly's Tea in terms of how packed it is and wait time). Appreciated the free samples of the cream black tea they had. There's also some space to lounge, chat, or even do some work, like a coffee shop. Hope they open up more locations in the city!! read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your incredible and thoughtful review! We're…
1 month ago
7 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback and for…
8 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear…
9 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear…
2 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We're so happy you…
4 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're honored to hear…
9 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're truly honored to…
8 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your amazing review! We're truly honored to…
9 months ago
green tea cream + honey osmanthus so good. It was so busy but it was so worth, will come back again read more
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear…
5 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear…
6 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful and thoughtful review! We're…
9 months ago
Business owner information
Chicha San Chen S.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're so happy to hear…
Page 2 of 2
More info about Chicha San Chen
2150 S Archer Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
Chinatown
Directions
(312) 285-2631
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order
Hours
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
![Ume Tea - [UMe] Crème Brûlée Thai Tea](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/eQ_GVtQDV9gzx_oXSXOwgw/ls.jpg)
