This place is definitely overrated... Drinks: are okay...but you can get okay boba drinks basically anywhere in irvine...we had passion fruit green tea ( taste exactly like lollicup) and green milk tea with boba, which wasn't that bad but too sweet for our authentic boba taste. We are Taiwanese btw... Food: is horrible! Crispy chicken? Where is the chicken? More like crispy batter...I can make better crispy chicken! And the rice...OMG I shouldn't have to eat long grains rice in CAlifornia! Service: staffs are friendly but they should be anyways. My advice: get drinks here, DON'T eat here!! :) read more

I used to come here all the time when I went to UCI. I don't know how to cook, so this was my new Pippin/Brandywine. Late at night, when I needed a break from eating at Lee's Sandwiches next door, I would come here. The owner and manager of this branch is really nice and hospitable. This place feeds thousands of UCI students every year. They're always packed, so they're doing something right. I love their mango green tea with aloe vera. I drink this with my Garlic Chicken sandwich from Le Diplomat *mouth waters* read more

Not normally a tea person but the peach black tea is amazing! My daughter got the iced coffee which was delicious. Id you come between 3-4 its kinda slammed with high school kids. The food on the menu looks pretty good, if I wasnt so hungover I would have ordered something. Its a bit small and crowded, Just a few tables and no bathroom. I will post another review about food. read more

Their tea is a little pricier than other boba places and the milk tea is nothing to marvel at, but they always have yummy samples at the door and the staff is nice. Sometimes, it gets a little busy but I've never had a hard time finding a place to eat or drink, either inside or at the outdoor tables. It's also nice that Cha for Tea has a seating area just for to-go orders. 3 stars for being A-OK! read more

Cha For Tea - HONEY green milk tea & HONEYDEW green milk tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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Pros: Samples tea flavors before you buy Tea sweetness can be adjusted (wish all places offered this) Ample Parking Nice Staff Location Cons: Can get crowded This is a good place to get boba if you are in the area. We came here after a day of paddle boarding at Back Bay. It was a refreshing treat. I had the mango boba with 1/2 sweetness, however for me it was just too sweet... can't imagine how sweet full sweetness is. read more

I am addicted to their almond milk tea. I don't know what it is, but any trip to Orange County results in a visit to this place. That combined with their popcorn chicken is a delight to the tastebuds (who knew crispy chicken pieces with a dash of spice could satisfy a deep hunger craving!). No matter what time of day, it's always busy in this place (probably due to being in a major shopping center near a college campus), but the staff work like a well oiled machine. Besides their almond milk tea (which is very sweet and creamy, but I wouldn't have it any other way), their honey green tea is very refreshing on a hot day. My friend also loves their rosebud tea, great for anyone not wanting a caffeinated beverage. If you don't want to clog your arteries with the deep fried crispy chicken goodness, their wonton soup is packed full of dumplings, noodles and vegetables - a regular size is a good meal for a cheap price! (The college kids love a good bargain...) Definitely stop by to at least sample their products - there is always someone at the door handing out chicken or pouring tea varieties to taste. You will be hooked, I'm sure of it... read more

I was living in SF for a few years and I missed this place! Now that I'm back, I try to go at least once a week. Best boba ever and I love how I'm always in and out. The staff is friendly and productive, which I love in a place! I get the Thai ice with boba. So delicious! I'm happy that I can get my cha for tea fix again :) read more

This is my favorite boba place in OC! I have a serious addiction. The tapioca balls are soft and chewy and the service is always really fast even though it's usually pretty busy. My go to is Thai tea and it never disappoints. Parking is super easy and their late hours are perfect when you're in the mood for some boba at midnight! read more

Cha For Tea - Black milk tea with boba, almond milk tea with boba, and Thai tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

They used to be sooooo good. I remembered back then this was my go to spot for boba at uni. Their taro boba was delicious, rich in flavor and had a unique and distinct sweet taste to it. I would boast how this place have the best boba, couldn't quite put it to words, it doesn't taste like your regular boba (like lollicup or boba tea house), it had a distinct base that's very delicious in its own way. A bit pricey, but worth it as treat every now and then. To my disappointment, coming back after 2 years or so, the place has changed. Prices are lower, but so is the quality. It tastes 50-60% more diluted now, the rich base is no more. So for all the new people trying this place and think the boba is good, well just imagine your good boba tasting 2-3x better. That's how good this place used to be with their boba. read more

I've always been a big fan of Cha for Tea. I've been to other boba places, and nowhere else are the drinks as tasty, the orders as flexible (Splenda instead of sugar? Soy milk instead of regular? Sweeter? Less sweet? NO PROBLEM), and the staff as nice. Their prices are a tad steep, but generally in line with other boba places - and their food menu is small but well-done. PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Food: Cha Chicken Noodle Soup with Glass Noodles Spicy Crispy Chicken (veggie) Fried Tofu (veggie) Sweet Potato Fries Drink: Coconut Crush Iced Black Coconut Milk Tea Almond Black Tea Chai Tea The one downside of Cha for Tea is that it IS loud and crowded - during the day, you're best sitting outside, and at night, you're best doing take-out. Please don't let this deter you, though - the food is delicious, and decently priced... AND it's open until 1 AM regularly, and 3 AM during UCI's finals. So if it's late and you don't want fast food - hit up Cha and enjoy their stuff. read more

Why would ANYONE drive to Irvine from LA? Well, to make your tummy happy at Cha for Tea! A family outing that was recommended, by, you guessed it, a family member, was not initially what we expected. Well, I did drive 2+ hours for dinner - and turns out it was a pseudo fast food joint - but typical it wasn't. From the service - my God, the friendliest staff I have always encountered! To the free samples that sealed the deal. It didn't matter that we were amongst the UC Irvine kiddies - this was the best casual dinner spot in Irvine (although it's probably better for lunch). The two other people in my party ordered a pot sticker salad, spicy chicken with rice, and I ordered the crunchy chicken plate. All around, great choices. The food had an amazing flavor, sweet but not too pungent. The touches on the food - such as the heart-shaped rice brought a smile to our faces - it was cute, what can I say. We also had the shaved ice dessert with mango, boba, and condensed milk - this was rather large, and no where near as good as Conchitas Raspados, but was a nice end to a great meal. However, the crowning glory was their tea. All three of us had the rose milk tea with boba - flavorful, amazing, great - I just don't have enough adjectives in my vocabulary to express how yummy it was. Although I wont drive to Irvine just for dinner at Cha for Tea, I will definately go again if in the area. read more

I used to go here a lot more often, but for some reason I've stopped lately. Granted, their drinks are good, but I don't usually have cash on me. I think you have to buy over a certain dollar amount to use credit card. The black or jasmine milk tea is always good. I've noticed an inconsistency in sweetness sometimes, though. The almond milk tea is different and good too. One time I thought I'd get adventurous and add mini boba balls instead of regular ones - bad idea. They clung together into a huge, gross mass that stuck to the bottom of my straw. Luckily, the people at Cha gave me new boba balls. I really like the green apple tea; it's nice and refreshing especially on a hot day. It's tangy and sweet, but sort of leaves a film on your tongue after wards. I also wish they didn't put so much ice in their drinks. I get the green apple tea with the little clear lychee things, which are chewy and sweet. Also good with green mango tea. As for the food... eh. The spicy crispy chicken is just the same as anywhere, but I'm not a big fan of it anyway. I've also had the potstickers, grilled and boiled, but they are ok... the filling inside isn't my favorite kind. There's sort of a cilantro-taste that dominates the dumpling, and I don't really like the sauce they include with it. Oh well, I'm sure I'll head back to Cha one day. The way it smells in there is always a turn-off though. read more

A bit pricey for the drink, but great for it's convenient location (right across the street from UCI) and the drinks are super tasty! The food is okay, but a bit over-priced in my opinion. read more

This location is really convenient for UCI students. I visit the campus once every year and ALWAYS come to Cha for my Cha fix :) I love the almond milk tea. I also love this strawberry slush thing I get every time I go. The food is really good here, too. The timing of service really all depends on the hour you go. Overall, I think everyone should give it a chance :) You're bound to like something from their menu! read more

I rarely go here but when i do i usually order the almond milk tea. Its pretty tasty and a great alternative to energy drinks when staying up studying. However, its a little on the expensive side but its expected because of where its located. I haven't tried anything else here but based on other Yelpers it doesn't seem promising. read more

I like this place not for their boba, but because they offer both boba and good premium teas. Their typical pearl-style drinks are definitely better than you can find at Tapioca Express or Lollicup, but it is pricier as well. Also, the flavors are limited to mostly just fruit flavors and they don't have the same type of variety in the style of drinks that the aforementioned establishments have (like Snow Bubble, millions of flavors, juices, etc). However, what they lose in variety, they make up for in quality. Also, everything can be adjusted and sent back if you aren't digging the drink they give. And they give you a 5% discount to use cash!!! I wish it was like that when I was at UCI. Their food is about what you would expect. The cool thing is, they're always sampling food and teas so if you're not sure what you want, there are some options to try out. The service is excellent and super-friendly. The only problem you'll generally have is that it gets very crowded. So if you're looking for a place with a good atmosphere, you can either hang inside and play games or grab a seat at an outdoor table to enjoy the great OC weather. Cha gives you quality drinks and if you don't mind paying the extra cash, you'll find that you will frequently return for more tea cravings. Also, try having some Cha w/ a sandwich from Le Diplomat Cafe which is a couple doors down! read more

Expensive, but always busy because it's only a bridge away from the UCI campus. Everyone's really friendly. They definitely got customer service down here -- sometimes even to a point where it becomes a bit overwhelming. Overall the food and drinks are pretty good. The drinks are more on the sweet side, but it's nice that their quality is consistent and the pearls are always chewy. read more

Being close to campus where there's a high Asian population makes Cha For Tea an awesome spot to get your daily (or weekly) dose of Bubble Tea! I'll start by saying that the CLOSENESS to UCI is a definite plus for Students. They have a nice Samples girl or guy who will get you to try some of the place's new or most popular teas and entrees. Cha is a fun place to bring your friends, go on a date or simply get some Boba Tea on the run. Service is friendly and there are samples to try! Boba is a bit pricey compared to other places but for the location it's a nice deal. My only complaint is the HIGH price on Entrees and snacks. Chicken or Tofu anything will be more than $7 dollars easily! and the servings are small so you will feel wishing you had more for what you paid for, P.S. As A UCI Student, this is a must place to go! read more

Pretty fine tea place. I think most students would like this place because they give so many TASTERS. Lol~ Seriously, they make everybody taste everything they have there every single day. Every time I go they're letting passbyers taste gyozas, dumplings, mango green tea, almond milk tea, etc. I think they're overdoing the tasters, but hell I LOVE IT! I tried almost everything they have by now haha. I love their FRIED STRING BEANS, FRIED SWEET POTATO, and their entree side dish sweet corn is really good and fresh. Otherwise, their tea is so-so (really not the best, I can never get the exact taste I want at this place for ex. if I want less sweet they overdo it so it taste bitter). Their entrees are so-so as well, I only eat their entrees for the side dish CORN they have. Service here is pretty ok. I think they hire some workers who has never done restaurant or hospitality jobs before though. But I used to be a server, and I know how they fee so I'm not too concerned. Clovah ^m^\/ read more

3 1/2 stars. Why must you take my money, Cha? Freshman year, I came here often to satisfy my milk tea craving. Each time, the drink was about $5. FIVE DOLLARS ): My wallet still stings from it. You were so tasty though, and the crispy chicken was always so tantalizing. I've learned though. You may be expensive and tasty, but I'm also a poor college student. Even though Lollicup and Quickly's aren't as tasty, they are enough to satisfy my milk tea craving. Until the next time I'm stuck on campus with a milk tea craving ... read more

This place is always crowded! Mosly by uci kids since its right across the street. Pros: Deelicious drinks and tasty food. You can also ask them to adjust your drink if necessary. They also always have samples and the workers are also always friendly andd they're open till 1 am. Cons: It is WAAAY overpriced. A medium sized drink is almost five dollars! I've stopped coming here since it started burning a whole in my wallet!!! There are definitely cheaper alternatives. ESPECIALLY IN IRVINE TRUST ME!!! SAVE YOUR MONEY! ITS ONLY TEA! read more

I came here twice during my weekend visit to orange county. Not being able to tolerate dairy, I was so excited that they offer dairy alternatives: non-dairy creamer in all their drinks or you can also choose soy milk instead. They also offer aloe Vera instead of boba if you'd like. Instead of sugar, you can also choose to have splenda or agave in your drinks. It's so great that they're so accommodating because it's hard to find boba places that offer all these alternatives. The best part of this place is the customer service. Their employees are so friendly and helpful! They always welcome you in and offer to fix your drink if you need any changes to it. I tried their almond black milk tea and their green milk tea, both with soy and splenda. The tea was so tasty and the boba was so chewy! I wish they had a location in the bay area! I can't wait to come back the next time I visit Irvine. In addition to drinks, they also have snacks and meals (rice plates, noodle soups, crispy chicken, etc.). The only reason why I didn't give them 5 stars is because the drinks are a bit pricey. The food prices are reasonable though. I will have to come back and try the food! read more

Despite the fact that I have to drive 8 hours to get this, I would say that this place is a great place to go to. The tea is very comparable to my favorite tea place in the Bay Area. (Tea Station). The customer service here is fantastic. Once you walk in they want you to try the tea and snacks. YUM! And they made sure to let us know what we can specify our drinks. (Less sweet, more sweet, etc...) They also told me that if I did not life my drink, they will remake it as well as refund if it comes to that point. I ordered a peach green tea, less sweet than usually. The tea place I go to in the bay area overload the tea with syrup, so I made sure to tell them I didn't want it that sweet. It was perfect! I loved the tea! I would definitely go back to try the jasmine milk tea. I am a big fan of the jasmine milk tea! That is my judgement point between all pearl tea places! Anyway, great place to go, hang out or grab a drink! I would definitely go back often if I was in the area! Love it! read more

Irvine is full of Asians so it's very, very fitting that there is a bomb-ass tea place in the area. I come to this place ALL THE TIME when I'm in Irvine. I could easily come here 2 times a day, 3-4 days a week without even thinking about it. I inhale their stuff. I could drink a large even though my stomach can't hold that much liquid but I still drink it because it's so damn good. Food isn't so great. It's almost good, but not entirely satisfying. I like their sweet potato fries though. But most of all, have a drink. read more

Wow already so many reviews so I will just give my two cents about three things. Chicken potstickers - great! Californian Green Tea - Great (although I am not sold on the aloe) Prices - a little higher than I would like. Maybe smaller portions so I can get a reduced price. They have a cool thing that when it rains you can call them to deliver to your car right outside the restaurant. =) I will go back. read more

I would choose this place over Tea Station any day. People here super friendly and always asking you for samples and just very positive atmosphere. The tea is okay, just standard not out of this world. The fried tempura is yum. Love it! I always like it medium spicy. Not too spicy. Passionfruit green tea is always something to get if in doubt. Food here is okay. Typical for Chinese small eats. Good thing is it's open late for all the college kids. And discount for paying with cash. I think 10%. read more

This is one of those places UCI kids get accustomed to their first year when they live on campus because its convenient but its really not that great. If you have a car, do yourself a favor a drive a mile down to jamboree and dupont to Tapioca Express. Their drinks taste a billion times better and they are cheaper. AND their chicken is way way better PROS: convenient for students CONS: drinks are expensive too sweet (i think its weird that they use weird powder mixes) food isn't great either read more

oh Cha for Tea. You are part to blame for my freshman 15. This place gets really really busy, but who can blame? They serve a variety of hot and cold tea drinks, as well as Taiwanese styled bentos and snacks. I love coming here particularly because of the ever so chipper staff. They sure know how to make people feel welcome! I always get the Pearl Black Milk Tea. Their tea is adequately sweet and doesn't taste powdery like some boba places. The blended Love at First Sight makes me fall in love. California Green Tea can sometimes be a bit too sour or bitter, but otherwise ok. Snacks wise I get their Crispy Fried Chicken - one of the best tasting ones outside of Taiwan - or Taiwanese sausages. My friends and I have dubbed the chicken as "crack chicken" - simply because they're so addicting! You can't just have one piece... you'll devour the whole bag in no time. Their bentos taste freshly made and you get a generous amount for what you pay for. I'm glad there's such a good boba place so close to UCI. But if only my wallet can satisfy my every boba craving.... read more

I would give this place 5 stars, but I can't just because I love teastation just as much but at a cheaper price. I come here often whenever I'm visiting the fam at home and always get the green milk tea, which never disappoints. However, a few days ago, I tried the hot almond milk tea which was so delicious! It was very sweet, but that's the way I like it so it was perfect! Lines are usually a little long, but it goes by quick and I love the fact that the drink makers always try the drinks before handing them out. That's a fool proof method right there. It is also great that they are always willing to make adjustments if needed. I haven't tried the food here yet, but from the samples I've taken, I can see that it's all very good. I really can't complain about this place. I just hope they open one in LA! preferably the westside. ;) read more

This is a nice little place. I've only ever ordered their boba & their popcorn/crispy chicken, but they also serve full-on meals. It's pretty good food, and I love how happy the employees always are! This place has a very UCI-vibe, and I always feel like everyone working here and eating here goes to UCI (or Uni High). The plus side though is that around graduation, they usually have a promotion to give you free shakers if you bring your diploma! Other bonus: if you pay with cash, they give you a discount. read more

A wide variety of teas, but it is overpriced! $4 something for hot water and a few leaves does not make me want to go back there! Also, the drinks are way too sweet for my taste. Once, I asked for half the sweetness and I still had to add a lot of water because it was too sweet. If you like drinks that taste like candy, which a lot of people do and that's great, then this place is for you. It's just not for me. If I had to recommend something, I would recommend the Mango Green Tea. Loud, fun atmosphere. A good place to chillax with friends, but not a great place to study. read more

I may be biased because my brother used to work here, but every time I visited him, I always had to stop here. It can be a little pricey compared to other tea places, but you can tell their tea and tapioca balls have great quality. I like that if you find that the tea is too sweet/bland, they'll adjust the flavor to your liking. Food is decent and is even infused with tea, but I come here mainly for the tea. Workers are friendly, they're open late, and the atmosphere is pleasant. I'd definitely go here again. read more

I don't know what it is, but I absolutely love this place. My cousin went to UCI, and each weekend when he came back home (to San DIego), I had him drive me a cup of their Green Milk Tea back home. Deeelicious. Their service is excellent and they're so cheery to offer a sample of their many teas. The person preparing the tea even pours a bit out, tastes it to make sure its ok before handing it out! Although it is overpriced, I don't mind replacing all the Starbucks near my workplace in SF with a Cha For Tea!! I truly believe that Southern California tea shops make their teas right. Milky, sweet, and a nice bitterness to their tea. I enjoy teas where I can taste their tannins. Amazing how it's just a walk away from Le Diplomat. I would go to UTC plaza daily... I'd be so fat if I went to UCI. read more

Although not the best tea place IMO, the drinks are good. Not quite 4 stars but better than 3. I have never gotten anything here that I have not liked. But on the other hand not very much here blows me away either. I often find myself craving the hot earl grey milk tea with pearls on chilly days in Irvine. The earl grey always hits the spot and it's a nice change to have a hot pearl drink. The service is...well it's good, but the workers sound like robots. The energy and friendliness is there though. I love that they always have a few different types of drinks that you can taste. It gives you a chance to try something new without having to pay the money for it. I haven't tried the food yet so I can't comment on that. Overall, the place is convenient being right next to the UCI campus, the drinks have always been satisfying, and despite the higher prices I know I will be back many more times over. read more

So I've been to many other places like this. Everywhere I go, I always have to try the royal milk tea or at Cha for Tea the earl grey milk tea. To me it is just okay and this place is a little bit pricier but the atmosphere here is nice. The tables inside are very close together but then you can always go sit outside and its a nice place to grab a drink and just sit outside in the sun. The service is very attentive and nice and if you pay with cash then you get 5% off your total price. read more

Here's the breakdown: 5 stars for their Rose Tea...it's seriously my favorite so far. -2 stars for being so crowded. The staff at the registers act like zombies since they need to process so many orders and it's so noise that you can't hear them call your name when your order is done. +1 star for yummy food (the popcorn chicken was pretty good) - 1 star for being super expensive... So for those of you who suck at math, that leaves them at 3 STARS. *double checks* Yes, 3 stars. But I have to admit, this location is better than the Alhambra location in terms of taste but worst in terms of space. read more

The good first, the workers are EXTRA nice! I think that's the main reason why people keep on coming. I love it when I get a smile and eye contact along with a hello instead of someone just shouting out HELLO to the air. (2 stars!) Now the not so good: I followed the advice for the almond milk tea and found it to be disappointing. I got it with less ice and less sweetened but found still found it too sweet. My friend loved it but it had watered down a bit by the time he had it. (I take forever to finish my drink). I don't think I'd want to try the food either because it's too expensive for me. I know, I know 6+ bucks isn't expensive but it is for a plate of corns, green beans, and rice. They gave out samples of dumplings but it just tasted like what I can get a the frozen food section anywhere. My drink was almost 4 bucks for a small size and without boba. I guess I'm just spoiled with the prices for milk tea down here in Westminster. Sorry Cha, I'll still visit you once a semester when I visit my friend. read more

Whenever I went to Irvine (which became somewhat frequent), I would always stop here. It was my "place" in Irvine and when I return to the area I'll continue to go there. There ALWAYS seems to be a crowd here, but I've never waited very long for a drink! It is a little more expensive than other places and it's not too much different, but I've never had any reason to complain. I've always been satisfied with the drinks here. They also give samples of food and drinks! :) read more

5% off when paying with cash. Almond Milk Tea with Soy Milk was nice and flavorful. A regular was ~$3.95 plus the 5% cash discount. Service was great. Would like to go back to try more menu items. To be continued..... read more

My go-to drink is the green flavored ice tea with boba, or sometimes I'd mix it up with the jelly. I like that I can actually taste the green tea, not just the flavored syrup. Another flavor that is my favorite is passion fruit. If you dont' like how your tea tastes, they will make another one according to your requests - no fuss about it too. read more