Taste is very good. Definitely one of my favorite bubble tea places--highly recommend!

Went here once on a Thursday night near closing time and it was packed and loud. I panic-ordered since it was overwhelming inside and stuck to a tea that I've already tried (high mountain tea with cream and boba) and a tea that a friend recommended: honey osmanthus tea. Both were way too light and tasted watered down and I really was not impressed. With so much hype around Chicha San Chen, I knew I had to give it a second try when I was in the area. This time around, I did my "research" on the interwebs and landed on these two drinks: #1 Tea: dong ding oolong tea Flavor: either mousse, milk, or cream depending on your liking Ice: no ice (I add my own later) Sweetness: perfect sweet Topping: taro balls #2 Tea: Osmanthus tea Flavor: Mango Ice: no ice (I add my own later) Sweetness: perfect sweet Topping: either konjac jelly or bubble I'm so glad I gave it a second chance because this time around really changed my mind. There also was no line at 6pm on a Wednesday and drinks were done in less than 10 minutes. It was cozy and quiet which was nice. Dong Ding Oolong tea has to be the best - nothing can beat that nutty flavor from the tea, and it pairs so well with whatever "creamer" you choose. The taro balls are super chewy and are a nice addition. The Osmanthus tea was super underwhelming with honey in my opinion, but adding mango really changed the flavor profile for the better. They complement each other very well. I ordered it with bubbles which had the perfect boba texture, but I'd definitely love to try it with konjac in the future. I asked about tea tastings and at the moment, the Fairfax location does not yet offer them. They said "hopefully soon". In that case, I'll be back "hopefully soon!" not just for the tea tastings, but to try more tea from here. read more

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I absolutely adore this chain and have had it in California/Singapore, so was super hyped to see it open in NoVA! The 4 stars are more of a review of the chain as a whole (if you've never had it before, definitely recommend), rather than this location. I will say this was one of the worse locations I've been to, though it wasn't bad. Chicha is usually a 10/10, but this was maybe a 7.5/10. Not sure if I came too late (~15 min. before closing on a weekday night), but there were still many people ordering after me. My go-to is the osmanthus oolong tea w/ mango & konjac jelly, no/less sugar & no/less ice, but it didn't hit as usual. It tasted a bit watery / lacking the punch of mango that I usually love. Hopefully this was just an off day/employees wanting to go home, but otherwise I'd love to come back and try it out again if I'm in the area! read more

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Friend recommended Chicha after a conversation about their favorite boba shops. Heard lines were long when they opened not too long ago so we drove by and while the line wasn't out the door the store was full of people. They have two kiosks inside that can get backed up and there's not much standing room due to the people waiting. We ordered an Osmanthus + Mango with Konjac and High Mountain Pouchong Tea + Mango with Bubbles both with light sugar. Took about 10-15 minutes to get our number called. Every drink came with a cardboard and twine carrier which is cool though. Loved both teas. The mango flavor was very strong and they were both overall very refreshing drinks. Not too sweet, which was perfect. The boba was cooked perfectly as well. We came back within the next week, ordered online, and our drinks were ready even faster. Still consistently great drinks as well. Might be in my top 5 in the area for now but great to add to the rotation. read more

Wanted something refreshing and caffeine free so I got the osmanthus + orange (light sugar regular ice, add konjac jelly). I love the presentation of the cup! So cute. I forgot how good konjac jelly is!! I'm definitely going to get that as a topping more often. The orange juice tastes freshly squeezed and just right amount of sweetness. Drank it all to the last jelly!!!! Will probably try either one of the milk teas or another osmanthus drink. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Enjoy the aram in the background lol - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I love this place! I'm happy that we have another good tea place around the area. I've visited a bit after their Grand opening which was super busy as expected, but I've also visited multiple times after the lines have died down a bit. Weekdays are less busy especially during the day and of course weekends are busier. They do have 2 kiosks now which helps with ordering. You can also order online which is nice. I've tried a variety of their drinks but my favorites so far are the bubble milk tea (specifically with boba) and High Mountain Pouchong Tea + Lemon. The interior is nice but there is limited seating inside. read more

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Overall I think this is a solid tea place (I'd give 3.5 if I could), but also a bit overhyped. If this is local to you, I'd say it's a good bubble tea shop to go to. But not worth going out of your way for or waiting in line for. I ordered the following (all normal sugar + ice): -Creamy Lemon Tart: This was my favorite because the drink was tart and not too sweet, and the mousse provided a perfect balance. Don't recommend a straw for this drink, but it does start to mix weird as you're finishing the drink (not an issue to me, but in case that's offputting to you). -Creamy Mango Tart: Same thing for no straw, but this mango base was too sweet and one dimensional for me. I wish the mango was also a bit tart. -Bubble Volcano: Good brown sugar boba tea, not my favorite but still solid! On the creamier side. Personally, I'd choose HeyTea (for a creamy mango drink or fruity slush), Molly Tea (if I want a solid, simple Jasmine milk tea) and Tiger Sugar (if I want brown sugar boba) before I would go here. Drink packaging is cute though, we didn't wait too long for our drinks, and the inside is bright and has a decent amount of seating along the wall. read more

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I have been to this location a couple of times since their grand opening weekend as well as on a normal weekday. - Osmanthus + Orange -- became my favorite osmanthus combination! It is on the pricey side for the cup size, but it is worth a try! The interior appears bright and modern with limited seating. There was no wait when we went in, but a long line suddenly formed while we were waiting for our drinks. The service was good and their staff offered recommendations when needed. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Osmanthus + Orange - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

My friend and I stopped by a bit before 1 PM on their first soft opening day on June 30. We weren't sure if we should be overly excited since CHICHA is not the most consistent franchise. We waited in a very long line, ordering about 2.5 hours after waiting. There didn't seem to be a consistent order when it came to making drinks? I got my drinks (#107) at least 15-20 minutes before my friend got his drinks (#106), and #121 was called before #94 or something. DONG DING OOLONG + MILK + BUBBLE - 6.75 + light sugar, no ice +0.75 for bubble The tea flavor was quite watery, but surprisingly fragrant. The milk tea was pretty frothy and creamy, which was one of the only redeeming qualities. The tapioca was really unpleasant. Personally, I liked the chewy and slightly mushier texture, but my friend thought it was overly so and that the size was too big. We both agreed that the sweetener used for the tapioca was terrible and didn't compliment the oolong milk tea. My friend ended up tossing his pearls and drinking the milk tea on its own. My friend also got the high mountain pouchong tea + mango with grass jelly, which he was hoping to be the refreshing option. However, the tea flavor was minimal and overpowered by the mango syrup, and he didn't like the grass jelly either. Overall, our experience was pretty mediocre (2.5/5, but will bump to 3/5), but I understand that they're at their soft opening stage. My friend lives close by and said he would be willing to go again in a couple months once the hype and excitement dies down to see if it's any better by then. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Dong Ding Oolong + Milk + Bubble - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Tried to go twice during soft opening/ opening on a weekend but line was just too long and turned back. Went on a weekday and there were only 2 people in front of me in line. After trying, glad we never waited hours for a drink - definitely overhyped. The staff is very pleasant and patient in explaining the drinks but the method to ordering drinks is very strict. You can order only a certain way. I also couldn't taste the tea as well as I thought I would be able to, given the hype around the tea itself. There is a lot of hoopla around the packaging - should focus on the tea! read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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I finally came when the lines died down. TBH thought it was super overhyped. Menu is small, maybe 6 drinks and only two milk teas. I tried the oolong and it was ok. The presentation was nice but the price was steep and it took some time to get my drink even though it wasn't too busy at the time. Seating was limited. read more

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I thought I had come by in the post-opening craze, but we still had to wait a good 30-40 minutes for our drinks. It's reminiscent of how it was at HeyTea when it opened in Tyson's Corner. The inside is nice. While the area for taking orders is right at the front so the line quickly goes outside, there's a decent amount of seating compared to other tea shops. I ordered a customized drink (mango Pouchoung tea with coconut jelly) and it was good! There wasn't anything too special about it, but I find that most people have stronger opinions about milk teas and boba. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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TLDR: A beautiful new tea shop with high quality, aromatic teas and premium toppings that rivals Molly Tea and Heytea. Expect longer waits while they're new, but it's worth a visit. A new tea spot that brings me back to Asia. Since they just opened, expect longer waits, especially on weekends. I visited on a weeknight about 30 minutes before closing and didn't have much of a wait. Keep in mind they close promptly at 9 p.m. and will ask everyone to leave. The interior is designed with a live moss wall, and the fragrant aroma of tea fills the space. The team works hard to get drinks out efficiently, and a manager walks around calling order numbers. It would be even better if they announced customer names as well, since there was some confusion when orders were ready. Now for the most important part: the drinks. This place is a strong competitor to Molly Tea and Heytea in my opinion. The teas are aromatic, and the toppings are high quality. I ordered the High Altitude Pouchong with mousse at light sweetness. The tea itself wasn't quite as aromatic as I expected, but the mousse was delicious. Think of it as a thick, creamy topping that gradually blends into the tea, giving it a lightly milky flavor. I also recommend the green tea with cream and adding the konjac jelly for a satisfying chewy texture. The lemon tart is tasty as well, though it's very lemon forward, just as the name suggests. One small issue is that some drinks don't let you adjust the sweetness level on the kiosk for some reason. They're still brand new, so there are a few things to refine. Overall, I'd happily come back, and I also love the unique pouch packaging. read more

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Absolutely loved my experience here. The quality of the Boba is just top-tier! The service is great - I really appreciated how the staff walks you through the various options... From how long to steep your tea...to the amount of sweetness or ice you'd like in your cup. The space is so warm and inviting inside. I'm a fan and I'll be back for more! read more

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We went on a weekday evening and while it was busy, it wasn't too bad. The ordering line went by fast and it took about 20 min to get our drinks. The store is still relatively new so this was expected. We got the bubble volcano and creamy orange pouchong. Bubble volcano was a solid milk tea! I like the creamy orange pouchong too but nothing crazy. Excited to try the other drinks on the menu! read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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I was so excited that there's a Chicha in the DMV area. However, I'm currently waiting for my drinks to be made, and it has been an hour so far. Apparently, one of their tea machine is broken, yet they're still taking orders. The store inside is extremely hot, with too many people waiting in line to pick up their drinks. This is actually disappointing, especially when I commuted far to check this spot out. UPDATE: I waited 1 hour and 30 minutes for my drinks. No apology was made to the customers. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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I'm making this review a week after they have been opened. They are still on that opening phase so lines are out the door and it's going to be a wait to get your order- I believe I waited over an hour. The space inside in very nice and they have a real moss wall. On a regular day I would say there is a decent amount of seating inside and the service area where they make drinks is quite large as well. The workers were pleasant and they were moving efficiently to try to fulfill all of the orders in a timely manner. There is a board that show what order is being processed and which are ready. I like the presentation of the drinks with the cup holder and the stick on top- makes it easy to carry around. I got the creamy mango tart and it was good. The mango portion of the drink itself I really like although I wish it was colder and the foam part is maybe not for me in the future but overall not bad. I would be interested in trying out more of their drinks in the future when the lines are shorter. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Wait was long as it took an hour to get drink. It wasn't the greatest with my drink, as I felt it was overly sugary and watered down as there was no options to readjust icing and sugar levels. The area was small as well, but they did give us samples while we wait as well as a free keychain if you follow their instagram. Maybe I just got the wrong drink so willing to give this another shot but probably wouldn't go back until the line dies down. I will say I went to the Berkley location and it was excellent so willing to try it again Update: I did try a different flavor this time (Green tea mango), and it was excellent, so if a flavor didn't work out the first time, try another one! read more

CHICHA San Chen - Orange Lemon Pouchong Tea. Very sugary - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Last Tuesday I finally got a chance to go and try CHICHA San Chen and it's a place I would likely go again. They have a lot of choices to pick from but I went basic and got the milk tea and boba to-go. I really liked it but I prefer a little more milk since the black tea was a little strong for me but hey if that's your thing then it's perfect! I really want to try the brown sugar milk tea so that will be my next trip! read more

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If you think of Boba or bubble tea or any food that is pretty viral in this period, a lot of it originated from Taiwan. Chicha san chen is a premium boba shop originating in Taiwan that is making it's mark in northern Virginia. I came here on a weekday on a day off from work. I am glad I did not go during their soft opening as I am reading that it was not the most pleasant experience as wait times were in the hours. My visit was much shorter which I am glad. It was my first time coming here so I was unsure of what to order. I ended up getting the Dong Ding tea with cream and grass jelly. My wife got the bubble volcano (caffeine free). The wait times for our drinks was longer than most boba shops. We probably waited around 15 minutes for the drink to be ready after ordering even though it was not that busy. The tea is dispensed from a machine that precisely measures the amount. Then the workers put together the milk or cream and other toppings. There is attention to detail in everything here which I appreciate. The drink is served with a little paper cup holder with a string attached. My recommendation is not to hold the drink with the strings as it will likely spill. I saw someone spill their drink and it had to be remade. Just hold it like a cup. The drinks were not too sweet even though I got their recommended sugar level. The boba in the bubble volcano had a really nice chew and flavor of honey similar to Kung fu tea boba. I would try again if I was in the area, but I would not wait more than 30 minutes for a drink here. The drinks are somewhat on the more expensive side compared to other boba places ($8 average for a standard drink without any additions). Some seats are available inside for small groups 2-4. I find it funny that each boba shop has their own distinct smell when you walk in. There is a strong tea smell as you enter here. read more

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My girlfriend and I come here quite often and we are always very impressed with the different drinks. The boba and grass jelly here is fresh and a perfect texture. read more

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Finally go try this place after the hype die down a bit it was still taking 20-30 mins for my order. The place wasn't pack but definitely busy still. They measure and brew the tea fresh for each cup, and this is why it's takes time for the order to be completed. The tea was definitely really good , sweetness just right. Price is definitely higher than other boba tea place for the size of the cup but worth it. read more

Line was a lot speedier than expected especially after all the hype. Thank goodness. They still seemed pretty busy, but I really liked the authentic teas here. I wish they had more for seating though. Would love to sit here for hours for their amazing scent. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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We tried this place in PA and had a great experience. I was so happy to hear that they were opening up in VA! I'm glad that when we went, it was a few weeks after the grand opening, so we didn't have to wait in a long line. Since it was near closing, they didn't have enough boba for both drinks but it's okay. We got a Bubble Milk Tea and Honey Green Tea with Konjac Jelly. They were both very refreshing and you could tell it's quality tea/boba. The boba had a very soft texture and perfect temperature. The owner and staff were also very nice and accommodating. Overall, a very nice and well lit place. Will definitely be back! :) read more

CHICHA San Chen - Bubble Milk Tea and Honey Green Tea w/Konjac Jelly - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

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Welcome to Fairfax, CHICHA San Chen! As their other locations, their menu features teas, milk teas, and lattes, and customize your level of sweetness and toppings. We went for the Bubble Volcano, the Creamy Mango Tart, the Creamy Lemon Tart, and the Orange Lemon Pouchong Tea. The teas were brewed well and more forward within the drinks - definitely better than the other locations we've been to! The staff seemed slightly overwhelmed, but kept the line moving along and were friendly! Ample parking in the large plaza lot. +friendly staff +ample parking read more

I like how they give samples at the front if you ask. The passionfruit one I tried was very refreshing! I ordered the mango mousse drink and the orange one. I love the mousse foams on top! The tea itself was good, but nothing super outstanding. It is a bit pricey for what you get. I do prefer other tea places over this. My drink came out in a little over 10 minutes which is fairly quick for how many orders there are. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

I can't tell if it was because it was their grand opening and they were slammed, but I was saddened by their quality. The Dong Ding milk tea and their volano bubble (brown sugar milk tea) were too milky unlike their other locations. The Dong Ding Tea flavor wasn't very strong, but it was more weakly floral. The key chain and tote bag were cute as they were giving it out on their grand opening day. read more

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Got their boba tea and love it! The milk is very rich and their store is still busy. Decent space for sitting down and very quick order. read more

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We came here on a Friday night and decided to brave the line. It took us 40 minutes to get to the front to order and then I guess they had a wait for bubbles it was another x for the drink itself. I got a dong ding oolong cream bubble tea. It was definitely the most fresh I have had and top tier. I saw around an hour before they closed they handed out a I am the last customer sign. I checked beforehand and they were not accepting online orders. I can't give it 5 until the wait times go down so maybe one day otherwise I wouldn't justify the wait. read more

The store is nice and modern with touches of the brand that make it unique and not bland. The tea is fresh and always good! Just keep in mind you can't modify the popular drink menu options, they're good without it tho. They're always quick making drinks even when it's busy and I've never felt rushed when ordering. read more

CHICHA San Chen - Creamy mango tart - Tea Rooms Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

So glad they open one here in Fairfax Virginia. Love their location in Vegas. Their tea are freshly made for every cup. They don't have big menu like other places, which is why they focus on quality of their limited menu. They don't have the traditional boba but their taro balls are delish! We came there during their grand opening, got free key chain (follow their page) and free tote (order 2 drinks). Would be back again when I'm around the area. read more

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I was very excited to try the new chicha San Chen as I've had it once in Philidelphia. I was there for the soft opening went hour early to secure a spot and trust it was worth it. Must be popular because within minutes the line extended past the shopping corner. They passed out free samples in the line for those waiting. We got did the free tea tasting and got to learn more about their tea and harvesting. This is a Michelin star tea shop for a reason I loved how refreshing and not too sweet drinks. Vibes and ambiance was hectic day of due to its first day open but from previous experience it's a cute cafe and chill vibe. read more

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We went around 9pm on Saturday night, and it was very busy. There were 8+ workers behind the counter, but since the line was so long it took 30mins for us to get our drink. The store is very well lit, with limited seating. I ordered: Creamy lemon tart $7.75 - This tasted very similar to a real lemon tart. We ordered it with no modifications, but it was not too sweet which was great for me. Definitely would order again after I try a few of their other drinks. 9/10 read more

Finally our very own Virginia CCSC! Pretty much addicted and getting it a few times a week. The tea quality is definitely top notch (if you don't load it with sugar). Other places have a bitter after taste in the tea but you don't have that problem at CCSC! After the initial craze, the wait now is not bad (5-10 mins for your drink during slow time and maybe 20-30 mins during peak. Yes, I time it cuz I got nothing better to do while waiting). Get the volcano boba if it's your first, but you can also mix and match with tea and topping (don't load it with sugar and you can tell it's good stuff) read more

The tea was good in the ambience is really pretty. And I especially love that you could just check out a machine and didn't have to talk to people. read more

The atmosphere was great, being able to watch your tea brewed right in front of you is exciting. While it was busy, I believe it is with the wait. I got the bubble tea and the boba was cooked and flavored perfectly. read more

Went in the chicha San Chen 1 hour 15 minutes ago. Took my order with in 5 minutes only for them to tell me AFTER the order that the wait is 1-1.5 hours. It's 1 hours 15 minutes later and there's still way too many unfulfilled orders ahead of me. At least notify your customers of the wait prior to ordering. read more

Extremely unfortunate combination of high 90s temp and line out the door. The team was working as fast as possible but orders were slow. No milk alternative option. Unbearably warm in the store. read more

If I could give more than 5 I would. Great taro, amazing topping quantity,excellent tea, very hardworking staff. Sure they are in soft and recent grand opening mode so wait times are longer but would you want it to be no wait? I see folks complaining that it was hot outside and they had to wait outside. Where else did you expect to wait? Can they control the weather? DRINKS: like 7/5. I'm sick of boba tea shops in the dmv area. They don't give enough toppings and the teas don't taste fresh. This place is one size drinks and the toppings are generous. Wish I took a picture but just trust me. There's that one place in Tyson's that gives you a little scoop of boba and the rest is ice. The tea is very fresh here too, they brew each one by hand when the order comes in so be patient SERVICE: 5/5, nothing to complain about, actually kudos to all working especially the managers or leaders because they get in so early and are so nice to everyone complaining. We went in when the machines broke and they also had to recook the taro. Things happen. COST: 3 drinks no ice cost us 19 and we put some tip. With the amount of topping and the size bigger than Molly and hey tea, this place is worth it. AMBIANCE: good ambiance, has some seats along the walls. I imagine they'll be packed quite a bit. I hope this store does well. For those who waited for soft opening and are mad about wait times, please be level headed since it takes a lot for folks to open these stores and they probably didn't expect this big of a turnout. read more

The Creamy Mango Tart drink has been really good both times I've had it! And the boba is perfectly chewy here, as it is at any Chi Cha location. The milk teas, however, taste very watery with only a hint of tea that comes through with decent but also watery milk taste. I do think the quality is there, I just wish it was made better. I'll probably avoid the milk teas here for now. read more