Golden buckwheat rubios tea was good. Mango slush very sweet but tasty. Great service

We went to check out Desouro on a Friday night, and the line was long -- it stretched past the ramen restaurant next door and took more than half an hour before we got inside. The staff was friendly and talkative, but we tried to order quickly to help keep the line moving. We decided on the Phoenix No. 2 Oolong Milk Tea and the Rising Buddha Oolong Milk Tea. After ordering, we waited by the left wall, and our drinks came out in about 5 minutes. Both drinks were good! I'd recommend lowering the sweetness to around a 3 or 4 and keeping the ice level at full. They do offer adjustments, but note it will take another 5-7 minutes. Overall, it's solid, but I'll only get it if I'm in the area. read more

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within a couple sips i knew this was going to be my new favorite place for boba :') easily S tier. it's everything i'd want done super well tea is brewed fresh to order, espresso style and the tea to milk ratio is perfect. it's super smooth and perfectly sweet at 3/5 as someone who drinks 25-50% sweetness at most boba shops. half ice really was just one layer of ice, just enough! boba itself was super brown sugary (as it should be) and was cooked really well! was also the perfect amount, i didn't feel like i had to ration it or had too much at the end. we got the red jade milk tea and the rising buddha milk tea both at 3/5 sweetness with half ice and pearls. both were super tea forward and genuine 10/10s (menu descriptions are pretty accurate) cashier was also really nice and gave good recommendations! staff are all super enthusiastic and knowledgable about the menus. they will make you try it before you leave in classic orobae fashion and make any adjustments you want! came on a saturday afternoon and probably waited no more than 5 min to order and 5 min to get my drink! i think they've gotten the hang of everything by now so :D you will be seeing me again read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

3/5 - Good drinks, weird vibe The oolong drinks are great. I had a honey green tea which taste good but ordinary. My friends who got oolong based teas were all unique and fair prices. hard to replicate But the vibe? Strange. The staff tries so hard to be friendly that it feels forced and uncomfortable. There's a lot of conversation happening at the register, I feel like they didn't have a good gauge of who wanted to talk and who just wanted to get the drink and move along. That's also why the wait is ~40 mins (Sunday evening). When I finally got my drink, the whole process felt robotic. It was giving "robot trapped in customer service mode" until I said the magic word "this drink is perfect". My friends got the same feeling. I get what they're aiming for, but it's too much. The staff didn't look like they were having fun, but stressed, with shaky hands and forced smiles. I preferred Orabae, same good drinks, way more chill. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

My friends invited me to try Desouro, hearing that it was basically Orobae 2.0. Although I did hear and see some controversy about the shop I wanted to try it anyways just to see if the quality was the same, and if it was worth the hype. My friends waited for 45 minutes and got to order without me since I was still at work. By the time I got there, they had just gotten their drinks and I met them outside, not getting to experience any part of ordering. I got the Phoenix Oolong No. 13, level 5 sweet, since I remember that the Phoenix Oolong at Orobae was one of my fav drinks. I also decided to get it (in comparison to their No.2) with the expectation of a prominent "medium-dark roasted oolong tea" (which was in the menu description). Unfortunately it was not to my liking. It was very milky and creamy, and the oolong tea did not come through that milk. The tea did not seem to be of a medium-dark roast and actually came out quite light. My friend who got the same drink but at a level 3 sweetness also said her drink was very bland. Out of curiosity I tried it. It was very much just milk.. (or maybe even nondairy creamer because it has that familiar texture and after taste..). From experience working at a boba shop, and frequently going out for drinks with friends, usually the sweetness level shouldn't change the amount of tea inside the drink. Understandably the enhancement of certain flavors might change, but in no way would anyone expect for there to be more of a milk flavor. Luckily the owner was nearby greeting a lot of his customers. He came up to us, unknowing we had just talked about the drinks, and asked us about our experience. Just being honest I let him know about the flavor discrepancy. He kindly listened but was very quick to move on and suggest us an entirely different drink, the Charcoal Oolong. He took my friends half finished drink and went to make her a new one inside. We tried it in front of him and it was def more tea tasting and of a darker roast than the previous, which were our initial complaints. After he left and a bit more drinking, we all came to the conclusion that the drink was still not that great.. it was just very nutty, thick, and milky, not really resembling a milk tea. Overall okay experience. The service was nice and the wait wasn't as bad as expected. The owner being outside and talking one on one to customers is great. I just wish the drinks were a bit better, with high quality teas and leaves I would've hoped that the flavors can come through even in a milk drink. read more

Desouro - Phoenix Oolong No.13 - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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finally got to try desouro and it did not disappoint. when you enter the front of the store, the smell of the fresh tea is so strong and refreshing! i was excited to try the gyukoru milk tea but when i asked to order it, the cashier told me they don't serve that drink anymore :( the cashier asked if i like floral notes and recommended the galle ceylon medley black milk tea instead for the berry and floral notes. and oh my goodness, the first flavor of berry hits exactly like what he said and the strong tea flavor comes after. it is the most unique tea flavor that i've tried so i'm really glad he recommended it. next time i'm back in the area, i would like to come back and try one of their oolong milk teas! sunday 4pm total wait time to order and get my drink was 15-20 min read more

Desouro - galle ceylon medley black milk tea, 4 sweet, half ice - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

This place has the best boba and milk tea I've ever had. When you first arrive, the long line may look intimidating, but they're incredibly fast in making your drink and each staff member is so kind in helping you order. There are also some tables outside, but right now it functions more as a grab and go kind of boba place. One thing that really stands out are their non-caffeinated tea options - the golden buckwheat rooibos tea is a REVELATION. The boba is also perfectly springy, and never chunks together like some other places. I've gone around 3 times already, and the quality of both the tea and the boba has never wavered either. If you enjoy Desouro, the owner also has a gelato place nearby called Papi's Gelateria with several tea-flavored gelatos! read more

Desouro - Black milk tea w/ boba and lychee slush w/ lychee jelly - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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I got pretty lucky and arrived mid day without a line. Everything is brewed to order, which means full aroma, clean flavor, and zero bitterness. Even the boba was warm, perfectly chewy, with that ideal QQ texture. Honestly loved it more than Orobae. I ordered a range to get a full read: - Matcha Blend: a mix of two roast and oxidation levels--deep umami, very savory- Rising Buddha Oolong: a blend of Phoenix No. 2 and Tieguanyin ("Metal Goddess")--roasted, buttery, with a natural rose-like finish (despite having no florals added)- Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea: medium-dark roast, creamy, nutty, slightly earthy--my favorite, super smooth and coating- Gallee Ceylon: dark berry, blackberry, layered florals--more aromatic than flavor-forward And apparently they are launching specialty coffee soon so I can't wait to try that. read more

I had Desouro for the first time, and it was a pleasant experience. The line was long, but it moved extremely quickly. There are some tables outsides, however, no available seatings inside. The service was great, and the cashier was very thorough with explaining the different types of drink options, which was plentiful. I got the Rising Buddha Oolong and it was extremely floral and tea-forward. The milk tea was really amazing, and the boba was pretty standard, a little bit hard. I would definitely come here again and try different tea options. I usually go for 100% sweet at other locations, however, full sweetness here was too sweet for me, so I'd recommend getting less sweet. read more

Desouro - Drinks - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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If you've been to Orobae before, then you may want to consider skipping the long line and just waiting when it's less packed. Is it good? Sure. But if you've had it before, you aren't missing much. Unless you wanna go for the hype haha First... the bad... kinda weird that the staff yell "yes chef" to every time the manager/supervisor gives an update on pending orders... like... ok sure but why? Obviously you can do what you want in how your employees operate, but it's pretty annoying and unnecessary... this ain't master chef... it's a boba shop... also another bad is that the cups are smaller now... The place is much bigger than orobae. This time you can actually go inside the store. Which brings me to the point of the line. There's two lines inside. One to order and another to wait, but it's not really a line, people just happen to line up there to wait for their drinks as the staff call out orders by name. The line to order when I went stretched back up to Ralph's, but not actually at Ralph's, just the wall. The wait from there was about 1 hour. Waiting for the drinks was like another 20 minutes. We ordered the Phoenix 2 and 13, and rising Buddha. You can adjust ice and sweetness accordingly, and tapioca/boba. All were good. But again, is it worth the wait? Depends on if you want more of the same from Orobae. Would I go again? Sure. Just not when the line is crazy. read more

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Orobae dupe but the drink tastes kind of odd I do love the service here tho, they are so great and nice but I think oolong isn't my favorite. I maybe wpuld come back bevause a lot of my friends like it! read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Currently out of stock of my favorite drink, the honey green tea. Am minorly devastated because this is the only place that does a good green milk tea. Apparently the harvest was dry this year, per staff, so tea was not very good. Had the rising buddha oolong, level three sweetness with no ice and no add-ins. Had half in the car, stuck the rest in the fridge when I got home, had the latter half after dinner. Excellent flavor, as always. Honestly, I hate how good this place is sometimes because I never want milk tea from anywhere else now. They really do just make the best tea. read more

It's been a couple months and the quality of their drinks has improved. My favorite milk teas is their rising Buddha oolong and metal goddess oolong with a level 3 sweetness and half ice. I do wish they had a large size option! Service continues to be great. The pricing is not bad, but $1.50 for agar pearls?! My drink ends up being close to $8. I would also be weary about the to-go packaging since one of my recent orders ended up spilling all over my car. It would be better if it was a bag instead of a cardboard box that doesn't prevent any leakage. read more

I have been eager to experience this establishment since the closure of Orobae. The new shop presents a very pleasant aesthetic, and the drinks was delightful. The staff members were both amiable and well-informed. I thoroughly enjoyed my order of item #13, and the peach slush was also quite satisfying. I have rated my experience with four stars due to the slightly extended wait time for the tea compared to other venues. I placed an order for five beverages and waited 35 minutes, which felt a bit prolonged. read more

Desouro - #13 - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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Went to try this on a weekday and there was no wait. We tried a variety of slushies, milk teas and teas. They were all pretty good and I love that the baristas really explain or help you choose which tea would suit your liking. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Originally got the desouros matcha blend with milk and added tapioca according to the worker's recommendation but it was too sweet for my liking with minimal matcha taste. They have a perfect drink guarantee policy where if you're not satisfied on the drink, you can have it remade. Although they could not add more matcha powder to my drink, they made me a formosan matcha with milk that was made to have more matcha taste. It was better tasting, but next time I would not add the tapioca as it adds unnecessary sweetness to the drink. The peach oolong that my boyfriend got was really good though!! Very authentic tea taste. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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Line started 10 minutes before opening on a weekday. I immediately see they try to go with a clean looking, streamlined look with everyone dressed in black behind the counter. Even though there were so many employees working, orders take a while as they take time to offer suggestions on drinks. I saw a long line develop out the door within 10 minutes of opening. I asked for a suggestion wanting to try something different than what I usually order. They suggested the Galle Ceylon Medley Black Tea when I asked for something fruity and floral. I don't usually like Ceylon tea and I still didn't like it but was in a rush to go so didn't want to wait for them to fix me another drink. The boba was cooked well, soft and chewy. Kinda pricey for a small 16oz. cup. I wouldn't want to wait in a long line for it. read more

Although the decor is cool, the flow is so odd, where there are long bars that seem to have been meant for congregation instead leading you just to one side to line up and wait for your drink order. I had hoped it would be reminiscent of the defunct tea place that was in the same plaza but there was just something about it that wasn't as satisfying. read more

After being a die hard Orobae fan, I finally got the chance to come to Desouro. The menu is a bit expanded from what the Orobae one used to be, and this spot is a definite must if you are an oolong tea aficionado. The lines can get a little long, and the wait doesn't move as quickly as some other boba spots since the baristas take their time to explain the menu for people's first times. My favorite is the rising phoenix 2, and the boba is chewy and QQ. There's ample seating outside, so this is a great spot to come with a group (but be prepared to potentially wait!) read more

nice and quick service, i got the metal goddess milk tea and it was quite good! nothing too special crazy but very good compared to a lot of other places. the inside of the store layout was interesting, very clean tho read more

I stopped by this boba shop recently as I was in the area. It was my first time. The menu had a lot of options, almost a little overwhelming at first, but it's nice if you like having plenty of choices. The tea flavor came through and didn't taste overly sweet or watered down like some places. The boba had that perfect soft chewiness. The shop itself looks upscale and aesthetic, with a clean and modern vibe. One thing to keep in mind is that the line can get pretty long, which seems to show how popular it is. That said, the service was friendly and the staff were very attentive. I appreciated that they actually checked in and made sure customers were happy with their drinks before leaving. read more

Really good service! I appreciate they ask how you like it for any adjustments Half ice is either super light ice or they don't cool their tea before adding ice. This place is very flashy and wordy like I just want a good drink and none of this extra theatrics. The names make things for confusing and complicated for me. Like just give me a strong creamy thick sweet yummy drink, unfortunately their drinks are more on the thinner liquidy watery side. I got the metal goddess. Oolong milk tea. Boba is fine. I want this thicker and stronger. 5 sweetness is normal level. The pheonix 13 has floral aftertastes. Not my preference cause it's perfumy to me. All this fancy equipment and names and chef clothes for 7/10 drinks imo. They need to add cream tops! To make their drinks thicker/creamier Idk it was ok hahaha kinda watery. read more

Desouro is easily my favorite drink place simply due to the depth of flavor in each tea. Each blend is nuanced, and I can tell that the selection was thoughtfully curated. The teas that I have tried before include their Red Jade Black, Desouro Matcha Blend, Phoenix No. 2 and No. 13, and probably many more. Every tea is extremely smooth with notes that are perfectly balanced. I'd definitely call myself a regular customer. All the staff were so incredibly attentive and thoughtful. They ensure that each drink is to your liking, a mindset that helps maintain their impeccable quality. They make knowledgeable recommendations and are always helpful. Will always be getting Desouro! read more

Desouro - Desouro Matcha Blend with Cream Ribbon - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

We had the Rising Buddha Milk Tea and it was an excellent example of how to have a strong tea flavor while also having the creaminess of milk tea; amazing especially considering the low price point of $6.50. The service was very kind with the barista explaining that they wait for every customer to confirm the drink is exactly how they want it before finishing the order. Personally, I would like to see more cheese foam options because I prefer a bit more creamy tea. read more

My go-to boba place! The drinks are always so good and consistent, and the customer service is always warm and friendly. Highly recommend! read more

What once used to be Orobae is now Desouro. The inside is modern white with empty walls. It's a clean environment with no seating inside. The line is typically out the door but shorter during the day. Modern tea drinks that were similar to Orobae. Service is pretty quick and they want to ensure you're happy and ask that you try it before leaving, in case of adjustments. Teas are freshly brewed here so that's a plus! They offer modifications to ice and sugar levels which is great for those who don't like it too sweet. The "metal goddess milk tea latte" was fragrant and delicious. Try their peach tea if you want something fruity. Is it tea forward? Yes! Would I wait in the line again? Maybe not. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Short review as I've only been once. Tried the #13 and I feel like it's good but definitely not worth a long wait. I waited about 10 minutes and felt like it was fine. (BTW: If it's past Kitakata then you know your wait will be pretty long). The agar boba was ok, and the milk tea quality was fine but not mind blowing IMO. 3 sweet was fine (I normally get 50% sweet) Service was exceptional despite it being very crowded and loud inside- staff was really friendly! Seems like a pretty loud and almost chaotic ambiance lol- more a pickup/go type of boba spot, with no seating. I'll come back if the line is short enough! read more

Tea lovers, a new spot opened in Irvine and it's amazing! My boyfriend and I found this place on TikTok and decided to give it a try today. First impressions, loved the white walls, cleanliness, and welcoming staff. When we ordered the cashier patiently walked us through their menu as they had a lot of original tea recipes and blends. I settled for their Phoenix milk tea with boba and wow did the caffeine hit after! My boyfriend got a decaf milk tea which is so nice they have that as an option. We also had a lovely conversation with the manager, she told us more about their intentional tea sourcing from Taiwan to curate an authentic menu. You can tell they put a lot of care into the products and process in creating these drinks. Very different from the "fast food" tea shops. We will definitely be back to try more of their items! read more

Desouro - Milk tea boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

I just ordered 3 milk tea drinks, which the server gave me in one of their paper carrier bags. I placed it securely on the passenger seat. After I stared driving, a couple of the lids must have been loose because all the liquid (minus the boba) spilled out into the bag and all over my seat, floor mats in the front and back as well as the rug part of the car. I took photos to show how bad the damage was. I didn't want my car reeking of rotten milk tea smell in this summer heat so I went directly to the car wash to get the interior detailed. This cost me $240, including tip, plus the time and energy; way more than I wanted to spend for 3 milk tea drinks!! Sadly, I am not the only one who has experienced their flimsy cups and lids Multiple friends have also had similar issues; I've also had this issue when they used to own Orobae. If they truly felt bad or empathy for the trauma their cups/lids caused me, I would hope they offer to cover the cost of my car cleaning. read more

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When peering into the shop, it's giving museum vibes as the walls are white & has molding on it. In the middle of the shop is where the magic happens of the drinks & ordering. The names are super interesting and the descriptions of each drink can be funny! What I enjoy about this shop is that the workers ask you to try the drink and if there is any adjustments needed to be made, they will redo the drink for you! I got the hokkaido milk tea and I love it! I got it a level 3 sweet but after trying it, I asked if I could actually get a level 4 because I like my hokkaido drinks on the sweeter side. :) read more

After Orobae closed down, I was excited to try Desouro for the first time. Despite a long line on a busy Saturday, the experience was pleasant from the start. The employees were friendly and took the time to explain the menu, even offering to remake our drinks if we didn't like them. The tea itself was excellent, however, I wasn't a fan of the boba, which was too sweet and hard. It didn't match what I remembered. The shop was clean and well-kept, though there was no seating available inside. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

This is quality tea and service! It reminds me of Orobae that was viral a few years ago. I did a quick google search and I believe this is their rebrand. I do hope management has changed things around and invested into their employees because I do love their milk teas and drinks. I went on a Wednesday afternoon around 3PM and there was no line. The store itself is very clean and bright,. I can see how this place can get backed up very quickly, but I can confirm a perfect cup guaranteed! I wasn't able to get the cashier's name but she was so sweet and informative on the differences between all the tea options. Shout out to Alita for making my perfect drink and exceptional service. I will definitely make the drive back! read more

Wanted to try the new boba place in Irvine & it wasn't really my cup of tea! I fear if you're looking for a quick place to just go in and get out, this isn't the place for you since the employees really emphasize customer interaction here. So I can see why the line gets pretty long. The conversation felt disingenuous and forced but again, not my vibe. I got the: Phoenix No.13 with boba ~ tea was decent! Very nutty and roasted, but the boba was basically rock hard. Very disappointed. Plus the cup was smaller than most places. I'd honestly just go elsewhere for my boba read more

This is one of the best milk tea, coffee, and matcha. It's a different experience than other milk tea places and their service is beyond exceptional. They cater to every individual with the utmost attention to their quality in their drinks and service. Must try for sure in your lifetime. When my wife is in town this is the first place she wants to stop by and grab her dragon phoenix #2. I recently tried the cream ribbon coffee and it's perfectly balanced in every sip. The owner and the staff is friendly and definitely spend the time to explain the drinks and make recommendations. The vibe here is more elegant and classy as you walk in. read more

Desouro - Matcha blended - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Yes, yes, yes! This is what I'm talking about when I want a boba drink. I don't need any of those superfluous toppings, cream tops, whatever. Just give me a solid tea flavor with some boba pearls. This is what Desouro specializes in. They have a special extraction process that really brings out the flavor of the tea. Truthfully, there are few, if any, other boba shops in Irvine that have such a bold tea flavor in their drinks. They opted for a very sleek interior and even their boba cups have a darker shade to them - it's like boba couture or something lol. They have impeccable service, with the staff providing all the details you need to pick a tea drink that's right for you. They'll also let you taste it and make any adjustments. Luckily, I visit off-peak hours, so this service is great. But I can definitely see how this could play towards their detriment, as it makes busy days even busier. All in all, if you like bold tea/milk tea flavors, I sincerely cannot think of a better spot around here. read more

The drink I ordered is White Peach Oolong Milk Tea; it's pretty delicious and I really like it! There is a long line whenever I went, but it doesn't take long for me, my boyfriend and his friend to order our drinks. There's a variety of things to order, which is nice! It's a pretty lively place, but since it's small, I don't recommend hanging around inside the building because it's small and not a lot of space to sit/stand around after you've ordered your drinks. You can sit outside after you order your drinks, but it's better to walk around the plaza after ordering your drinks. It's a pretty reasonable price, in my opinion. I paid, like, around $12 for two drinks. I'm not entirely sure if you can order a specific size cup, but from what I've been seeing, there's only one size cup--no small, medium, or large drinks. read more

Orobae was my favorite boba spot in OC so I was super excited when Desouro opened - I waited over an hour and a half the first week to try the drinks. Unfortunately, the drink quality was only 75-80% of what Orobae used to be and the boba quality was hard and inconsistent, which was very different from Orobae's consistent chewy tapioca quality. A few weeks after they opened I went back, hoping that the drink quality had improved back to the old standard. However the drinks are now watered down - especially noticeable for the pure teas - and as the drinks are currently I wouldn't recommend them at all. I hope the drinks improve back to the old Orobae standard because they used to be such good drinks, but I definitely won't be returning for a while. read more

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Plenty of parking and the staff were friendly. There's usually a long line so be prepared to wait. There's no indoor seating, but there are some outdoor seatings available throughout the plaza. We tried White Peach Honey Oolong and Tropical Sunset Green Tea and they were both good. read more

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The owner Ken, is the most charismatic, passionate tea guy that I have ever met! I'm not going to lie, I was impressed that he came out to the line to show how much he knows about each tea, and to give us recommendations. I'm not going to lie, I looked him up on LinkedIn and NO WONDER HE'S SUCH A GREAT SALESMAN! He's got EXTENSIVE work experience and you can tell that he cares about the craft - the first and most important part of having your own business. The boba itself is phenomenal, I got the blended phoenix and it was VERY good! I know he was a part owner of Orobae previously, but I dare to say that this place is even better! The wait is long but the shop is beautiful and clean, so to me worth the wait (if the line isn't already to the store next door). read more

Desouro - Omg fresh brewed tea - the scent is intoxicating! - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

I ordered the galle ceylon medley black milk tea 25% sugar and less ice. The tea flavor isn't too overpowering and it's overall a good milk tea ratio. I recommend 25% sweetness because the boba makes the drink pretty sweet! Service is great and the workers are helpful explaining the tea differences. read more