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We went to Desouro on a weekend afternoon and we just beat the rush. The cashier/barista was there at the front to greet you and take your order. Unlike other tea places, Desouro asks you if you need help picking an item to try! She asked us what type of tea we like, do we like it fruitier, stronger etc. There are also a lot of customizations to be had and with each drink choice they make sure you know what the flavor notes will be! The line after we ordered was quite quick it was maybe less than 5 minutes to receive our drinks. They had us try the drinks before we left to make sure we liked it which was a nice touch! I tried the Hokkaido Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea ($5.95) with boba added (+$1). Their boba is some of the best I've had in awhile! It was perfectly chewy. The flavor of the tea was great and what they noted. Definitely very sweet, feels like a dessert and you get strong notes of caramel. We also tried the Galle Ceylon Black Milk Tea ($5.75) + boba ($1). It was great and had a nice floral tea taste. I don't think it was too strong that it would turn anyone off and definitely a good one to try! Overall, I can't wait to go back again! The service was great, inside was clean and felt like a nice "tea lab", and the drinks were delicious!
this place always have a long line, even when they were previously known as orobae. the drinks are the exact same and the concept is the same as before so you can expect it to be alright. they let you try the drinks you ordered and ask if you need any adjustments before you leave so that's nice. the interior is pretty and now you can actually walk into the store instead of just waiting in front.
I got the mango alisan oolong and really liked it! I feel like Desouro isn't really known for their fruit teas, but I thought this was very refreshing and flavorful. I don't usually like teas, but I felt like the tea flavor on this one wasn't too strong and the mango flavor really came through. I originally was interested in the tropical sunset green tea, but when I asked the worker what it tasted like/what fruit flavors were included, she wasn't really able to give me an answer. Usually, I get the fruit slushes here. I remember Orobae having more slush flavors that I wish Desouro had. I've had the guava, mango, and grapefruit slushes. The guava is pretty floral, and the grapefruit has a more bitter grapefruit flavor. Very fresh and natural. I prefer the mango as it's the sweetest of those three. The boba texture here is always good. The service here is interesting and slightly uncomfy, but that's just part of their thing. Not a reason I wouldn't come. There is a lot of parking in this plaza; you just might not be able to get a spot right in front if it's during a busy time. Line can be long but typically moves pretty quickly. Overall, great value for quality.
White peach oolong milk tea (non floral tea, non dairy creamer) with 4 swt and half ice. So good! First experience here and can't wait to come back and try other items! The staff are knowledgeable and friendly here! Hopefully they will have the coffee bar portion available next time I visit. Also, I hope they will have other alt milk options like oat milk available because even their non-dairy creamer affects me.
Loveeeee the tea! Glad they are back. Nobody does a phoenix or Buddha like they do. Love the clean look and the fact that I can order inside. With the old place I always ordered outside which was weird, and all I can see in the window was stuff in the windows, like storage? Not a good look. So this is an upgrade. There aren't any seating inside, but I'm not mad at it. They make up for it with their amazing tea. Also their staff were very very nice and patiently explained all the differences between the teas I asked about. Highly recommend. Definitely coming back.
Having been a HUGE fan of Orobae and was very bummed when they closed, I was excited to hear that they were resurrected to Desouro. I didn't keep up w/ the drama that lead to their original demise and tried to keep an open mind & gave them a chance again..once the hype/long a** waits died down. Desouro (aka Orobae 2.0 lol) is known for their premium Taiwanese teas ~ esp. oolong milk teas and house-made boba. They are praised for their customizable drinks and quality ingredients. This boba tea store is located in the Heritage Plaza ~ between Culver Dr. and Walnut Ave. (directly next to Kitakata and near Ralphs & CVS/Pharmacy). The interior is very minimal, with little waiting area space and no seating at all. Only a couple of standing tables adorn the outside. The staff is very helpful in recommending teas to suit your preferences & cravings, but this can sometimes hold up the line. I originally was OBSESSED with Orobae's Gyokuro green tea, but was uber bummed to hear that it didn't make the menu cut at Desouro. I instead had to shift gears to try another drink and was recommended and opt'd for the Phoenix No.2 oolong tea (with boba of course). ($4.95 + $1 for the boba). Level 4 sweetness is perfect (which is NOT sweet at all, I promise). You can definitely taste the quality of the tea used. It's earthy, light, and sweet. Not too overbearing or bitter. While it's good, I don't always crave it ~ like I once did for the Gyokuro. Their boba is chewy (not overly soft), which is my liking. My stopping by now depends on how long the line is cuz it's just not worth waiting for (if you recall how long the Orobae lines use to be). From ordering, service, to order completed..the process could be more efficient and quicker. While I appreciate that they strive for customer satisfaction, IDK if asking each person to taste their drink to see if any adjustments need to be made is really necessary, as it just holds up the pick-up line. Definitely worth a try, if you were once an Orobae fan..but, I'd only come back IF I was already in the area and the line wasn't too long.
One of the more unique boba shops. Maybe it's because I'm not very knowledgeable about different types of teas, but I honestly hate places with menus like this. Instead of just describing the drink plain and simple, they use these crazy titles and labels that only make it harder to know what each drink is -- "Metal Goddess", "Phoenix", "Alisan High Mountain". They have flavor notes to help understand the taste, but it's still pretty difficult to really get a full understanding of everything. They also only offer one size for their drinks, and some drinks don't allow adjustments to their sweetness level. It's a bit difficult to find exactly what you're looking for, but when you do manage to find it, it's pretty good! The prices are also very reasonable considering the small sizes. * Mango Alisan Oolong: 10/10 - nice mango flavor * Large Tapioca Pearls (Topping): 9/10 - soft and chewy but could've been more generous with the portion The interior looks and feels like an abandoned museum or New York City apartment studio. My sister honestly thought it was a pop-up shop that was only there for a limited time. They offer a restroom in the back, but the entire shop isn't very spacious. People have to line up against the wall to wait for their drinks, and there's no interior seating at all. The workers were very nice and friendly, but they were obviously understaffed. It's located in the popular Heritage Plaza, so parking should be relatively simple, but it can get crowded at peak times like dinner. We would definitely come back, but it's not exactly our favorite boba place in the area. Nevertheless, good!
I really enjoyed Desouro! As others had said, it's very close tasting to its predecessor, Orobae. I went in with the mindset that they're not the same so maybe I wasn't as disappointed as others have been because the comparison isn't apples to apples. I was actually more nostalgic that the drinks tasted like Orobae because I have yet to find a boba place that made it taste as good as Orobae was. Desouro is a good replacement, not the same replacement. Also, shoutout to the really friendly staff! I'm reminded again of the same friendly staff that I felt when I ordered from Orobae. The only thing I wish they had was larger sizes. Please make large sizes.
Knowing this is Orobae rebranded, I had to zoom and see if my White Peach Drink made it back on the menu. I was excited to see there was the White Peach Honey Oolong Tea which I got with Boba! It tasted almost like how I remembered it, even better! Each flavor didn't overpower another, but the amount of ice giving in the cup... I swear I finished it in 3 sips. I appreciate how they let us try it before leaving to make sure it's up to par. I'll definitely stop by again when I want to get something other than my usual jasmine green teas.
Came here during their soft opening and I have to admit I was impressed! The space is simple, modern, clean. They really try to elevate the experience with their menu style, the open kitchen concept with upscale machines, and the menu options. When your order is ready they have you take a sip before leaving to ensure you "love it" (if you've been to Philz coffee, exact same concept) Given it was a soft opening, I was more understanding of how long of a wait it was but hoping that resolves itself as they go. Price point is average to slightly high in comparison to other boba spots (which are endless around the city of Irvine) Overall a solid first impression, will be back to see how they fare in a couple months!
Came here on a Tuesday night and the line was long! Forgot the name of the one I ordered but its one of the top sellers (black tea with dates) It had deep, natural flavors. You can actually taste the real date flavor coming through the tea! It was on the sweeter side even though Igot 50% sweet, but it was probably from the dates. It was still well balanced and very enjoyable! The boba was incredibly soft and fresh when I got it and the staff is really nice. The layout of the store is kind of wonky for picking up ur drinks, u have to swim up the crowd to get out of the restaurant. They dont take orobae gift cards (obviously) but I had to ask :)
The drinks are good and reasonably priced (less than $7 including boba) but the customer service experience is the highlight. There isn't seating, but the staff are very welcoming and remembered my name from my order as they said goodbye. Each tea is brewed to order. Upon pickup, the staff hands you a straw (holding the wrapper for you and disposing of it) and asks you to test the drink. If you don't like it, they can remake it with changes or make a completely new drink for you, free of charge. This leads to a slightly slow pickup line but it wasn't any more crowded than a typical boba shop.
Wow boy did this place have a huge line! lol. I'm not sure why because the inside is just plain white walls and maybe it's "aesthetic" but I didn't think it was that cute Lolol. As far as the menu, there were a good amount of options. However only the slushes were non caffeinated. And they didn't have lychee slush which is my go-to at boba places so that was unfortunate. lol. I ended up getting the osmanthus oolong tea with boba with no ice. It was warm lmao. Yikes. I would highly recommend ice Lolol. My bad. It tasted ok. Definitely not my favorite place. read more
Foramen breakfast milk tea - strong creamy floral tea with apple undertones, recommend getting with 50% sweetness and boba Service quick and staff friendly. They let you taste test drink at store and are ready to make any adjustments if needed. Parking free and easy. read more
This spot is supposed to be similar to a previous popular tea shop that was in this plaza, but I thought the tea fell short. I tried the phoenix 13 milk tea, and it could've had a deeper tea flavor considering it's advertised as a dark roast. The drinks here also run on the sweeter side, 3/5 was already plenty sweet for me. The staff is super friendly and lets you readjust your drink, but as a result the wait can get even longer. I definitely don't think this spot is worth the wait, but it's a good option if there's no line. I also wish there was seating inside, but the whole space is pretty much taken up but the staff and equipment. read more
2 months ago
2 months ago
Best matcha boba I've had in a long time. The matcha was incredibly clean, smooth, and creamy, without any bitterness or overpowering sweetness. You can really taste the quality of the tea. I also appreciated how efficient everything was, no long wait, and I was able to get my drink right away. The space and preparation felt very clean and well-organized, which honestly reminded me of the precision you'd expect from a Michelin-level kitchen, but applied to tea. The staff was knowledgeable and took the time to help me choose a drink based on my preferences, which made the experience even better. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try the other teas on the menu. read more
It was my first time coming here since Orobae closed. There was a short line during the day. After ordering, there was quite a wait to get my drink. I got the rising buddha oolong milk tea, level 4 sweetness and less ice. It tasted more on the sweet side than more tea flavor. I would prefer if there was a stronger tea flavor. They also didn't have the gyukuro milk tea which I used to get in Orobae. Overall, I wouldn't wait that long in line for a drink. I rather go elsewhere for some milk tea. read more
11 days ago
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
5 months ago
The line here is always long!! Unfortunately, I do think Desouro lives up to the hype so I will sacrifice my sanity to wait in line. The last time I went here, I waited about 30-40 minutes before getting to the cashier to order. The staff here is always amazing. They're all super friendly, helpful, and accommodating. My go-to drink is the Honey Gyokuro green milk tea with either level 3-4 sweetness depending on my mood. This milk tea always hits the spot. My friend tried the Rising Buddha oolong tea, which I thought was good too. I usually don't get boba so I can't comment on how their tapioca pearls are. read more
5 months ago
TLDR does it taste the same as Orobae? No. But is it still pretty good compared to what's out there? Yes. As a huge fan of Orobae, I was sad to hear it closed down and all the speculations of what caused its downfall. Even with all the dupes, no one could do Orobae like Orobae. So with that said, I was excited to try Desouro (Orobae 2.0) and see if it was the exact drinks I previously enjoyed. The wait was about 40 minutes even with some light rain. Unfortunately this place still thrives on long lines and they refuse to do an online ordering system. The ordering system is about the same, except now you can actually walk in to the store to order and pick up your drink. The interior was highly surveillanced with a lot of cameras and looked pretty sterile. The drink I got was Rising Buddha. The initial sip was a bit disappointing: more watery, not as smooth, and left an odd aftertaste. Not the exact same as Orobae. But, the more I drank it, the more I liked it. It's honestly a pretty good drink with a roasted flavor, if you don't compare the two. So overall, I would come back to try the other drinks. read more
If you're reading this, you're probably concerned about the line. Well, if the line is to the end of the bagel shop, the line will take about 45 minutes. If you knew about orobae, this is orobae rebranded. Almost the same menu with some new names. They have new black cups, basically the same price, but the cups are so much smaller. Cup-flation. The inside decor is pretty minimal. There are a lot of tea making machines (pretty impressive). And the staff are super friendly and helpful. At the end when you get your drink they have the same practice in which they ask you to taste it right in front of them so they can address any concerns if you don't love your drink. read more
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
We came here at a friend's recommendation. There was a long line here! Plenty of parking outside as it's in a plaza. The menu is more complicated than other tea places I've been to, as the teas seemed to be primarily broken down into black teas, green teas, and oolong teas, and further more into pure teas versus milk teas. Beyond that, each main type of tea had different flavor profiles. To help us navigate the menu, the owner (I presume) was outside talking to people in line and helping them pick out drinks. He was helpful, as he asked if we had eaten earlier, what kind of meal, and gave us recommendations on what drinks would work well for us based on what he asked. With that, I ended up with the Phoenix No. 13 milk tea, less sweet, half ice, added boba. For the Phoenix No. 13 milk tea, flavor notes included medium-dark roast, deeper oxidation, bold nutty-earthy tones. I think that was pretty accurate, although I might have liked something else, such as a more floral drink. The owner explained that all the items on the menu was vouched by him, and if he didn't like it, it is not on the menu. They also have a drink guarantee, so if you don't like the drink, they will remake it for you, which is reassuring and allows you to try new things without worrying whether you'll like it or not, because they will make it right for you! I think although I didn't love my drink 100%, I enjoyed trying something new, and this is really my preferences rather than something reflective of the business. The line took a while to get through, but once we ordered, we got our drinks fairly quickly. Service was very friendly overall. There is no seating inside, and there is limited outdoor seating. I think overall, their menu is very unique. I would have to study it to find the perfect drink for me here. 5 stars for the experience, 4 stars the drink i have based on my preferences. I would give the other drinks a try if I'm in the area! read more
They were out of the gyokuro green tea for a while, and they found a new supplier so I went back to try. Unfortunately this new green tea supplier does not compare. It has a bitter taste like it was over steeped or just poor quality tea leaves. I thought it was just a one time occurrence so came back again to try this new batch and it was the same. Sad this doesn't compare to the previous as gyokuro was my go to drink! They did extend their hours so wait isn't nearly as long! The staff are all still very friendly too! read more
I'm not picky with my boba drinks but my husband is. He is a tea aficionado- he used to work at a specialty tea supplier and he's very picky with his teas. He sipped his phoenix and said, "oh wow. One of the cleanest milk teas I have had in a while." The teas are fragrant and perfectly sweetened. Definitely will be back! read more
3 months ago
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
7 months ago
Visited this new boba spot in Irvine twice already this past month since I heard it was a spin off of the previously closed Orobae. This place is definitely very hyper right now so the wait is about 1.5 hr at opening and 30 min closer to closing time on a week night. Their hours are quite limited currently as well. This plaza is also very busy in general so parking is tough. The storefront itself is quite small and there's just a counter to order and a side area to stand to wait for your drink. Service is currently quite slow so expect to wait even 15 min+ after ordering your drink. They continue to maintain the same customer service as Orobae where they will remake your drink if you are not satisfied. However, the customer service is a bit robotic and over the top and I felt the cashiers were very difficult to converse with as they don't seem to be able to go off script. I have tried the phoenix no. 2 (most similar to orobae's rising Phoenix), and Phoenix no. 13, metal Buddha, and white peach oolong tea. The metal Buddha and white peach oolong were pretty good. The Phoenix no 2 was a bit too floral for my liking and I wasn't a fan of no 13. It definitely fell short of my expectations but I would still enjoy it if the wait weren't so ridiculous. read more
Decent drinks, love that the tea is brewed individually, but the drink itself tastes slightly watered down. The cups themselves aren't also the best, if you carry a few drinks in the box they give you, there's a very strong chance to spill. Had my classic Gyokuro Green Milk Tea, & & Red Jade, which were both fine, but definitely didn't hit home. Their soft opening has a large line that goes to Ralph's, and these days other places I feel do it better. read more
The trick is to come here at an off hour. I went to Desouro within the last hour before closing on Sunday evening. We waited like 10-15 minutes in total! If the line was over 20-30 minutes, I probably would've skipped. Service was really friendly and we made some small talk. Design-wise, the overall look is very unique. The black cups, the drink holder packaging, and the setup are all very different than a typical boba shop. It's very stylish! Their drinks are just how I remembered them to be. I think they have a taste that people either love or hate, but the flavor is very similar Orobae. I tried their Phoenix No 2, Phoenix No 13, and the Metal Goddess, and they were all really good. No complaints on the boba texture, but they sweeten their boba quite a bit, so I recommend choosing a lower sweetness level to balance it out. I'll definitely be back (only when the line is short)! 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
My husband and I loved Orobae and have been trying to find another good oolong place for our boba needs. We came to Desouro with no expectations since we wanted to keep an open mind. Let's just say we LOVE IT!!! I got the rising phoenix #13 and the rising Buddha. It is sooo good!!! I will crave this, which means I'll be coming back. We came on a Wednesday at 5pm so there was no line and our drinks came pretty quickly. The new interior seems more "up-scale" and the workers are nice, but talk really fast. It seems Deouro focuses on baristas and brewing every cup, so that's different in a good way. They did say that because they brew every cup, it'll take longer. I don't have any complaints about the size of the drink as the quality of the tea itself is very good, I enjoyed savoring the drink! There is no seats inside but everybody takes the boba to-go so that's not a problem. The only thing that kinda threw me off is the 6 security cameras lined up around the barista bar, felt a bit excessive but that's just a comment and doesn't take from the overall experience. I like this place a lot and would come here again (only during off-peak hours). read more
8 months ago
Would the weird vibe feel that comes off be best described as being in a cult? Came here during their soft opening prior to open (they're currently open 5-10p Thurs-Sun I believe) and the line did not really move all too much. I did wonder why that was until I got inside. They currently only have one of two cashier stands in use. Introverted me (I think I ended up reaching the cashier 80 mins after store opening) was not a fan lol. First off, they introduce themselves and then ask for my name. Interesting way to get a name for the order, but this is weird because I feel the cashiers put the name for the order at the end. How do I know? I got asked my name at the beginning of the interaction, and twice more after I gave my order (yes, it's also loud here). They do give a small spiel about their teas and their guarantee of making sure you like your drink or they will remake it. After getting my order, I stood off to the left to await for my drink. This part (ordering and then getting the drink) only took 10 minutes. They do have you try to see if your drink is acceptable, and if it's not to your liking, they can remake it. This part was similar to what Orobae had. I ended up choosing Phoenix 13 Oolong Milk Tea (medium dark roast, deep oxidation, bold nutty-earthy tones) half sugar, less ice for $5.95, and added boba in it. The boba had a just-a-bit overdone hard center with a chewy exterior. The tea? I did taste a bit of the heavy cream (at least that's what I think it is) that I remembered at Orobae, but for some reason the drink didn't taste as good. It felt -dare I say- watered down. Or like the heavy cream and the tea base didn't mix well and felt like they were two separate parts. I do want to try their other drinks to see if it's a one off, but maybe during a time where the line is shorter. The vibes are definitely off, and (this probably won't happen), but a kiosk where you can place your order would alleviate some of the line issues that they have. Parking situation - shares a lot with other stores, sometimes hard to get through but you should fine some parking. Store ambience? Looks nice and elegant. No space inside to drink or chat after you get your tea, so look elsewhere. read more
My friend and I decided to try Desouro after dinner. We waited about 20 minutes on a Friday night. We were both huge fans of Orobae, but unfortunately, Desouro did not live up to our expectations. We ordered 6 different drinks. They only gave 3 straws when we ordered 6 drinks. Additionally, I felt something was not right when my pants felt extremely cold while I was in the car. The drink carrier was leaking since the drinks inside were spilling. The drink carrier is aesthetic, but definitely not efficient. I ordered the Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea, sweetness level 3, half ice with tapioca. The tapioca was extremely hard and not chewy. Even with sweetness level 3, I thought that it tasted way too sweet for me and I could barely taste any tea flavor. We wanted to order their Gyokuro Green Milk Tea, but were told that it had been removed from the menu since the harvest didn't meet their standards. There is definitely room for improvement. I probably would not wait in line again, but will be willing to give it another try once they become more established. read more
I stumbled upon Desouro while waiting for a takeout order from a nearby restaurant, and I'm so glad I finally checked it out. I'd heard about this spot from a coworker and saw people calling it Orobae 2.0--and honestly, that feels spot on. I loved Orobae and was sad when it closed. The service here is very attentive--almost more than needed. The staff member helping me was super nice: she introduced herself, asked for my name, and gave me a full overview of the menu. Normally that would be helpful, but I had already read the menu thoroughly while waiting, so I knew what I wanted. Still, I understand they probably do it to help pace orders so the drink-making line doesn't get backed up or at least that's what I think. I ordered the Hokkaido Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea, and it was fantastic. You can immediately taste the quality and the clear tea notes--just like what I loved about Orobae. After handing me my drink, the worker had me taste it to make sure I was satisfied before leaving, which I appreciated. Overall, Desouro really does live up to the Orobae comparisons, and I'll be back, but I really wish I don't have to wait too long in line. read more
3 months ago
Another great experience with such helpful staff answering all our questions including the freshness of the boba where a new batch is made every hour. They also now have a matcha tea menu. For us, we went to our tried and true favorites - Metal Goddess Oolong Milk tea and white peach oolong tea! Delish! read more
Welcome to Desouro's soft opening! This is a very lively atmosphere where staff provides a very high level of service and attention to detail, including a guarantee that you will love your drink. They said they would remake anything until you love it. We were asked about what we typically like, and then provided helpful recommendations. We ended up with: Charcoal Roasted Oolong Milk Tea: very creamy and smooth, with some toasty and toasty notes White Peach Honey Oolong Tea with Tapioca: very fragrant and refreshing, with lovely texture boba that's been bathed in honey. Would definitely come back and try more of their extensive menu. Thank you for a very welcoming first visit! read more
7 months ago
I had been wanting to try this place for a while after hearing it's like the Orobae 2.0, but my first disappointment came when I found out they no longer sell the Honey Gyokuro Milk Tea. I was told their green tea base "wasn't up to their standards," so they decided to remove it from the menu. I ordered the Hokkaido Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea with boba. The cashier mentioned about a 10 minute wait for boba, which was fine, but we ordered around 6 p.m. on a weekend, so I was surprised they had already run out when they still had several hours left before closing. They didn't charge us for the boba and told us to let the person handing out drinks know when we picked it up, which seemed odd since the drink could get diluted while waiting for the boba to be ready. When our drinks were done, we mentioned the boba again, but the drink maker seemed confused since they were out. After checking, they said it would now be about 15 minutes. They even offered to use the last bits of old boba for one of our drinks, but I didn't want old boba, so I declined and decided to wait for the new batch since my cousin was also waiting for her scoop of boba. After 15 minutes, we checked back, but the drink maker wasn't sure how much longer it would be. Turns out, it still wasn't ready and would be a few more minutes. I wish they had overestimated the wait time rather than underestimated it twice, since continuously waiting longer than expected doesn't make for a great experience. By the time we finally got our drinks, we had been there for about an hour. The staff did ask if we liked them, which I appreciated since they want to make sure the customer is satisfied with their drink. The drink itself was creamy with a noticeable Hokkaido flavor, and the boba had a nice chew, but it was a bit too sweet for my taste. I didn't ask them to adjust it since I didn't really want to wait any longer. For the overall taste and experience, I'd rather get boba somewhere else. read more
I gave this place a try as its predecessor store was a family favorite. I ordered the Rising Buddah and Phoenix 13 as a pure tea. The milk tea has powder non-dairy creamer, which is not our favorite. Anyways, the tea flavor was very light. Good to try but didn't live up to our expectations. Easy parking. Outdoor seating area. Please come and create your own adventure. read more
3 months ago
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
Like many others, I was bummed when Orabae closed its doors and let down by all the drama that followed. This new spot is most definitely a rebrand. Whether it becomes a true success or just a glossier version of its predecessor - that remains to be seen. The interior design? Luxury at first glance with the crown molding and classy details. But the ambiance? Total whiplash. It was loud, chaotic, and the constant yelling of "Yes, chef!" felt more gimmicky than elevated. Honestly - what are we cooking here? Who thought that was a good idea? Instead of adding polish, it made the space feel disjointed. Definitely not the kind of tea/coffee shop you'd want to study in or even have a productive conversation at but maybe that's the point. I know they've always aspired to be a "high-end tea shop," but this approach misses the mark. Sometimes less really is more: focus on the tea, not the theatrics. As for drinks, I came back for one reason: the oolong milk tea. The Metal Buddha Oolong Milk Tea from Orabae used to be one of my favorites (Desouro now has an equivalent, the Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea). Ultimately, I wish they'd lean into their strengths instead of layering on distractions. Just focus on the basics - the tea is where they truly shine. read more
25 days ago
One of the best and most consistent tea place in Orange County imo. I always get the No. 13 (highly recommend) but every drink is worth trying bc they're all amazing in their own ways. If you don't know what to get, the people working will help you figure it out, this place does not play about customer's experience and huge shout out to Krista for being so kind and helpful every time we visit :) read more
Don't know if it's just the hype from being recently opened and Orobae 2.0, but the wait time is SO LONG :'( I got there slightly before they opened on a Friday and we waited an hour just to order, and quite a while linger just to get our drinks. I'm personally not a fan of the atmosphere inside the store; the customer service seemed really stiff and rehearsed (similar to Orobae's), but paired with the sterile interior just wasn't my vibe. Overall it seemed to be very uptight once we got inside the actual building. The drinks itself, though, were absolutely amazing. The tea flavor was strong and they offer a lot more variety in the menu than Orobae did. I got the Phoenix 2.0 at a level 4 sweetness and it was so good! My boyfriend got the Honey Jade at the same level sweetness and it was way too sweet for me though, so keep that in mind. read more
More info about Desouro
Ask the Community - Desouro
Weird. Asked if this place is ran by the same owners and my question was removed. Now we know?
If I'm not mistaken, I'm pretty sure it's owned by 1 of 2 of the original owners of Orobae.
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Desouro - bubbletea - Updated May 2026
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