RareTea
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First time trying RareTea. I had Oreo milk tea with less ice and 50% sweet. Despite asking for less ice, I felt the ice initially diluted the Oreo flavor. I use the word "initially" because once I shook the drink, I could taste the Oreo flavor more. My friend got a fruit tea but unfortunately I don't remember which one. The employee was friendly and patient with my questions as a first timer. Our drinks came out pretty quickly. They also have a good selection of games. Cash or card accepted and prices are reasonable. I'd come back if in the area and would either get the Oreo milk tea hot or try another drink.
Pretty 'meh' experience. RareTea is on the lower end for boba options. The interior isn't modern, but it's not ghetto either. The tea flavor was unsurprisingly lacking despite asking for no sugar. Service wasn't terrible though. The drink came in a timely enough manner. Pretty much an in-and-out experience for us.
I RARELy seek out a milk tea, boba/jelly drink or fruit tea as I'm not a fan of chewing my drink and usually, find the drinks too sweet for my liking. I was in the Oakland's Rockridge area and hoping to grab something quick...Zachary's Pizza had a line even after the lunch rush so opted to try RareTea. Their picture menu of items looked promising and decided to give it a try. I ordered the chicken teriyaki and Mango- Passionfruit green tea and both were ok - the chicken teriyaki was tad bit salty as it's pre-marinated, cooked and then sauced. I wasn't too keen on the flavor or savory to sweet ratio...meh...yes, I've had better. Also, it wasn't as quick as I had hoped as they were fulfilling plenty of delivery orders. The Mango-passionfruit green tea was good but at the lowest level of sweetness (30%) was still too sweet for me so I let it sit to let the ice melt... Staff friendly but wasn't a huge fan of the food. Sure, I'd return for another try of their fruit teas but that will be a RARE chance I seek it out...gave it a try but not rushing back.
While I was in the Rockridge area, I decided to order ahead a roseflower milk tea with 0% sweet, lite ice for pickup. It was ready on time, and the drink was actually very sweet so I assume that is from them using rose syrup for the flavor, which would prevent them from being able to adjust the sweetness even if they didn't add any sugar on top of that. The drink was decent, it did have a nice floral taste and I personally don't mind that it was quite sweet but did want to note that if you're trying to cut down on sweetness or sugar, you should probably pick a different drink. It's also aesthetically pleasing as a nice pastel-colored drink.
Come here a few times to try this place out and have gotten the rose milk tea, mango milk tea, strawberry matcha milk tea, Hokkaido milk tea, and caramel milk tea. Each of the drinks tasted really watered down even when we don't order them w ice and got them w full sugar. Strawberry Matcha milk tea was bitter and not sweet enough.
Good variety boba/milk tea shops. I initially walked into the place next door I went to the right place after the host redirected me. My order was ready on time. I ordered my drink at 80% sweetness but it was still too sweet, maybe it was due to the mango popping boba syrup at the bottom. I'll take that into account next time I order toppings and order it even less sweet.
I love this place! I come here so often by myself and with friends since it's a 2 minute walk from my house. I love that you can order 75%, 1/2, or 30% sweetness, but keep in mind some things cannot do less sweetness like any of the drinks that have rose milk tea and any of the drinks that have mango passion fruit flavoring. If you want less sweetness, I'd highly recommend checking with the cashier if your drink can actually have reduced sweetness. I also order their spam musubi a lot and they always come out hot and yummy because they make it fresh. Appropriately, the waiting time for the spam musubi is usually several minutes longer than the wait time for your drink. Busy times: Lunch time/school lunch time/hot days. Sometimes it's super packed when it's hot, when it's lunch time, or when it's school lunch time (Claremont & OTHS). Since Claremont Middle School and Oakland Technical High school both have off campus lunch, a lot of the kids come here for boba and food so if you come here during the school year at lunch time or after school is out, the line can be out the door and packed with kids. It will also be loud and cramped. Just keep that in mind!
Almost but not quite Ordered the basic black tea milk tea with boba and popcorn chicken. The boba in the milk tea was warm-- that's a good sign. Even though I ordered regular sweet milk tea, it was not too sweet at all. The popcorn chicken here smelled really good-like I really wish they'd let me sit indoors and eat it kinda good (no indoor dining). However, it was very crispy--too crispy where I think they used too much starch. I also feel that the pieces were too bulky and thus not popcorn enough. Would come back for tea but not the food. Kudos on the straws though!!
Yikes, stay away for at least 6 months- 1 yr until they get better drink makers. I got their watermelon since it's their new flavor and it was awful. The drink separated immediately with the watermelon pulpy stuff from the tea and the tea flavor was soooo strong. I said 100% sugar and the tea was way too strong to notice any sugar at all. The watermlon flavor was so light and barely able to cut through so it seemed like the artificial flavoring. This is suppose to be the new flavor they offer. I was told it'd be like the berry 2.0 which I usually enjoy from their other locations but this was not made well. The only reason this place gets a second star is because the staff were nice and the owner double checked my ticket and made sure everything was correct. Too bad he didn't supervise the drink made or he might've caught that it was made poorly. Besides the flavor of the drink, the boba needed to be cooked for a little longer. I'm not sure what they did but the outside was gummy, not just soft/smooth and yes there is a difference. This is not quality boba, you'll know the difference if you go to other spots in the bay area like boba guys, happy lemon, sharetea, sheng kee bakery, purple kow, etc. For the food, sweet potatoes were only lightly fried and the fried oreos were crispy. Not much flavor in seasoning but it was all steaming hot! I had high hopes for this RareTea location since there is no other boba spot in rockridge. If I do give it another chance, I will taste the drink before I leave and make them re-make it or give me a refund. Otherwise it's worth the extra little drive over to Mr. Green Bubble in Piedmont.
4 months ago
Good tasting drinks ! We have been coming for a while and always drinks are great ... We try dumplings and are really good ! read more
Horrible Customer Service. I was the only customer present when I arrived. I was not greeted and the two employees at the front ignored me as they continued to socialize with one another. When I politely interrupted them to make an inquiry on an item, they became extremely annoyed and answered in a rude tone. I started to continue to order, but did not feel welcomed as the conversation progressed. I decided not to get anything because of this as well as the ambience of the shop altogether. It did not look clean. There were items everywhere such as old boxes and yellow caution signs. There was also an unpleasant smell that I believe was coming from the garbage can that they left filled located near where they prepare the drinks.... So this in addition to their poor customer service were contributing factors in me not wanting to patronize their establishment. I would not recommend this Boba shop to others. read more
9 months ago
High oolong mountain tea presso milk tea -less ice -50% sweet -it just tastes like milk with sugar -I was scared by the light color that the tea wouldn't be strong and I was right. read more
First time trying RareTea. I had Oreo milk tea with less ice and 50% sweet. Despite asking for less ice, I felt the ice initially diluted the Oreo flavor. I use the word "initially" because once I shook the drink, I could taste the Oreo flavor more. My friend got a fruit tea but unfortunately I don't remember which one. The employee was friendly and patient with my questions as a first timer. Our drinks came out pretty quickly. They also have a good selection of games. Cash or card accepted and prices are reasonable. I'd come back if in the area and would either get the Oreo milk tea hot or try another drink. read more
Pretty 'meh' experience. RareTea is on the lower end for boba options. The interior isn't modern, but it's not ghetto either. The tea flavor was unsurprisingly lacking despite asking for no sugar. Service wasn't terrible though. The drink came in a timely enough manner. Pretty much an in-and-out experience for us. read more
3 years ago
5 months ago
I RARELy seek out a milk tea, boba/jelly drink or fruit tea as I'm not a fan of chewing my drink and usually, find the drinks too sweet for my liking. I was in the Oakland's Rockridge area and hoping to grab something quick...Zachary's Pizza had a line even after the lunch rush so opted to try RareTea. Their picture menu of items looked promising and decided to give it a try. I ordered the chicken teriyaki and Mango- Passionfruit green tea and both were ok - the chicken teriyaki was tad bit salty as it's pre-marinated, cooked and then sauced. I wasn't too keen on the flavor or savory to sweet ratio...meh...yes, I've had better. Also, it wasn't as quick as I had hoped as they were fulfilling plenty of delivery orders. The Mango-passionfruit green tea was good but at the lowest level of sweetness (30%) was still too sweet for me so I let it sit to let the ice melt... Staff friendly but wasn't a huge fan of the food. Sure, I'd return for another try of their fruit teas but that will be a RARE chance I seek it out...gave it a try but not rushing back. read more
1 year ago
While I was in the Rockridge area, I decided to order ahead a roseflower milk tea with 0% sweet, lite ice for pickup. It was ready on time, and the drink was actually very sweet so I assume that is from them using rose syrup for the flavor, which would prevent them from being able to adjust the sweetness even if they didn't add any sugar on top of that. The drink was decent, it did have a nice floral taste and I personally don't mind that it was quite sweet but did want to note that if you're trying to cut down on sweetness or sugar, you should probably pick a different drink. It's also aesthetically pleasing as a nice pastel-colored drink. read more
1 year ago
3 years ago
Come here a few times to try this place out and have gotten the rose milk tea, mango milk tea, strawberry matcha milk tea, Hokkaido milk tea, and caramel milk tea. Each of the drinks tasted really watered down even when we don't order them w ice and got them w full sugar. Strawberry Matcha milk tea was bitter and not sweet enough. read more
2 years ago
The boba tea is amazing it's the only boba place that I like ,and I get the strawberry milk tea with almond milk and tapioca. All of the people that work there are very nice. It's a nice and cozy vibe except for when it's busy. I hang out with friends after school and it's not too far away read more
1 year ago
Good variety boba/milk tea shops. I initially walked into the place next door I went to the right place after the host redirected me. My order was ready on time. I ordered my drink at 80% sweetness but it was still too sweet, maybe it was due to the mango popping boba syrup at the bottom. I'll take that into account next time I order toppings and order it even less sweet. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
I love this place! I come here so often by myself and with friends since it's a 2 minute walk from my house. I love that you can order 75%, 1/2, or 30% sweetness, but keep in mind some things cannot do less sweetness like any of the drinks that have rose milk tea and any of the drinks that have mango passion fruit flavoring. If you want less sweetness, I'd highly recommend checking with the cashier if your drink can actually have reduced sweetness. I also order their spam musubi a lot and they always come out hot and yummy because they make it fresh. Appropriately, the waiting time for the spam musubi is usually several minutes longer than the wait time for your drink. Busy times: Lunch time/school lunch time/hot days. Sometimes it's super packed when it's hot, when it's lunch time, or when it's school lunch time (Claremont & OTHS). Since Claremont Middle School and Oakland Technical High school both have off campus lunch, a lot of the kids come here for boba and food so if you come here during the school year at lunch time or after school is out, the line can be out the door and packed with kids. It will also be loud and cramped. Just keep that in mind! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
Almost but not quite Ordered the basic black tea milk tea with boba and popcorn chicken. The boba in the milk tea was warm-- that's a good sign. Even though I ordered regular sweet milk tea, it was not too sweet at all. The popcorn chicken here smelled really good-like I really wish they'd let me sit indoors and eat it kinda good (no indoor dining). However, it was very crispy--too crispy where I think they used too much starch. I also feel that the pieces were too bulky and thus not popcorn enough. Would come back for tea but not the food. Kudos on the straws though!! read more
Yikes, stay away for at least 6 months- 1 yr until they get better drink makers. I got their watermelon since it's their new flavor and it was awful. The drink separated immediately with the watermelon pulpy stuff from the tea and the tea flavor was soooo strong. I said 100% sugar and the tea was way too strong to notice any sugar at all. The watermlon flavor was so light and barely able to cut through so it seemed like the artificial flavoring. This is suppose to be the new flavor they offer. I was told it'd be like the berry 2.0 which I usually enjoy from their other locations but this was not made well. The only reason this place gets a second star is because the staff were nice and the owner double checked my ticket and made sure everything was correct. Too bad he didn't supervise the drink made or he might've caught that it was made poorly. Besides the flavor of the drink, the boba needed to be cooked for a little longer. I'm not sure what they did but the outside was gummy, not just soft/smooth and yes there is a difference. This is not quality boba, you'll know the difference if you go to other spots in the bay area like boba guys, happy lemon, sharetea, sheng kee bakery, purple kow, etc. For the food, sweet potatoes were only lightly fried and the fried oreos were crispy. Not much flavor in seasoning but it was all steaming hot! I had high hopes for this RareTea location since there is no other boba spot in rockridge. If I do give it another chance, I will taste the drink before I leave and make them re-make it or give me a refund. Otherwise it's worth the extra little drive over to Mr. Green Bubble in Piedmont. read more
***3.5 Stars*** The first boba tea joint to hit Rockridge! Woot wooooot! I'm so excited about that. But as exciting as that is, RareTea is still in their developing stages. I've been to their location off Telegraph a few times and their teas have really grown on me. Stopped by here last week to check them out and my first impression was that it was pretty good overall. What I wasn't too excited about was how high their prices are at this location. I know it's Rockridge, but why the hell does every new place raise their prices so damn high? It just don't get it. It's effing milk tea... that's all it is. But anyways... The teas are about $.50-$1.00 more than their other locations. It doesn't sound like much of a difference at first. However, once you start adding in toppings, salted cheese, tax, and a tip, you're walking out the door with an $8 tea! Hmmm... um, no thanks. I also noticed that this location doesn't have all of the flavors that the other locations offer. I was excited to get my favorite milk tea from here (Hokkaido) when I found out that they didn't even have it. Maybe it's because they're still new. I guess I can give them a break on that until I find out if their current menu is permanent or not. Not only are the drinks priced higher, but the snacks are waaaay overpriced here! $6.50 for popcorn chicken and $5.25 for fries? Wtfaaaack? You have got to be kidding me. Neither one of those can even pose as a meal on its own. So, if I want popcorn chicken AND fries plus a milk tea, I'm pretty much looking at a $20 meal. That's just ridiculous. Make sure you tell them light ice if you want more than just a few sips of your investment. I made the mistake of not doing this, and most of my drink was just ice. I ordered the handmade taro fresh milk which was quite tasty, but their plastic cups are smaller than most other boba spots and they fill it with a ton of ice. So at the end of the day, it felt like I only got a few sips for $6. They have snow cream here which is similar to sea salt foam and salted cheese, but they charge a whopping $1.50 to add it to your drink. Ouch! Maybe I'm cheap, but that's just too damn pricey for me. The staff is nice and the interior was really clean as it should be since it's new. I don't know... I wanna love it but I'm just not there quite yet. They're still in soft opening so we'll see what changes that they make when they have their grand opening. I just can't justify spending this much on a milk tea simply because it's in Rockridge. read more
Expect a long wait time and customer service that's difficult to understand. They have a decent variety of options from tea to smoothies and many food options too. The pricing is ok, and the drinks (mango mango and watermelon juice with boba) were both ok, it's just the really long wait time (60 minutes) for the online order of 2 drinks to be prepped for takeout, and the difficult customer service that caused me to make this a 2.5 star experience. More specifically, We were told 15-20 minutes by google after ordering our drinks, so we called 10 minutes in to just check and see the status---- at which time they had no idea what our order was and how long it'd take. Yeah. ... well, we got our watermelon juice with boba and mango smoothie! The watermelon drink was fresh, the mango drink was decent, being a little watery and jasmine tasting :/ It also had the mango hairs in literally every sip I took---- which told me it was fresh, I guess? There's street parking available under trees, which is wonderful, and it's also a stones throw from the neighbourhood Trader Joe's. read more
2 years ago
Stopped by while cruising through Rockridge. Apparently they're the only boba place in Rockridge so they were fairly crowded on a Saturday afternoon. We looked over the breadboard sign outside and found a few we liked to we headed inside. Unfortunately the first one, Lychee Tea, they were out of. She ordered a watermelon tea which was just so-so. I ordered a passion fruit mango green tea which was also just so-so. Boba apparently is extra (many places include it), so just tea for around $5. Son ordered a mango milk tea which was actually OK. The service could be improved. They set the thermostat at 73 so it was too warm inside. 6-7 small tables with steel stools, nothing special. Overall, in the very crowded boba marketplace RareTea fails to standout. Don't think I'd come back. read more
4 stars for the brown sugar fresh milk drink and 2.5 stars for the boba itself. I came here around 5 on a Tuesday and I didn't have to wait to order. I ordered the brown sugar fresh milk with boba and got it within a few minutes. The drink is yummy--very sweet but that's normal for this drink. The boba, however was hard after a couple of sips--this was disappointing. If I come back, I would not order a drink with boba. There seems to be a lot of delicious drinks on the menu, and I think I'd come back if I was in the area. read more
6 years ago
I came here around 7:50 pm and it was open. The service was contactless and my drink was super good. I got the earl grey milk tea with boba. The boba also tasted very yummy read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
The tea and snacks here are both pretty good. I recommend the har gow. Goes great with RareTea's selection of drinks. However, I do not recommend the chicken bun. Not terrible, but mostly dough. read more
4 years ago
Delicious popcorn chicken, shrimp dumplings and Thai tea smoothie w/ boba!!! Forreal, hella tasty. My only complaint is the paper between the dumplings and the container got extremely stuck to them, so I was forced to forgo some of it so as not to eat paper. I'd just put them in the container as is and this won't be an issue! read more
2 years ago
7 years ago
Review #190 - 2019 After I picked up my niece & son, we made our way over with some pretty high expectations since we've been going to a lot of new milk tea spots together since summer started. We showed up around 1 PM on Friday, July 26th, and there was a short line for their BOGO free grand opening offer. A few seconds later, a group of about 8-9 college kids show up. Thank goodness we showed up before they did! I went with the signature tea snow cream and it was ok. I think they put way too much snow cream to the point that's all you taste for the first few sips because it doesn't mix very well. Flavor wise, it's nothing special. My son & niece got the brown sugar boba fresh milk tea & they both said it was just ok. They didn't think it was any better compared to the few places that we frequent. I got my daughter the strawberry berry 2.0 since it's the only drink that's made with real fruit. She drank about half of it & decided to give up. I guess it wasn't to her liking. Service was actually pretty good considering it was their grand opening day. They had sufficient staffs on-hand so the line moved fairly quickly. Unfortunately, their drinks aren't all that special so we probably won't be coming back, but they do have potential so I still wish them all the best! read more
5 years ago
Thank you for the Thanksgiving treat. Their tea is the best quality and is always packaged nicely. We love the big straws to suck up the bolba pearls! Thank you for great service! read more
3 years ago
5 years ago
place is just small and sorry to say but staffs are not that nice so do not expect much for service. i just bought one drink which is mango passion fruit green tea. taste is great and i think i chose the right sweetness which is 50 percent. this drink is recommended. they also sell some snacks and i ordered popcorn chicken which i almost cannot taste the meat, the batter is so thick. spring roll ~ the filing is very little and only cabbage which is mushy. chicken wings ~ just ok. i did not try the rice bowl so not sure. anyway, stars is for the drink... read more
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