Interesting experience. The employees were super attentive and described each drink well. It was cool to see each cup of tea being freshly brewed. The tea itself was fragrant read more

Desouro - Ceylon black milk tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

We came on a Friday evening and there was no line when we got there. The shop is very clean and has a modern feel to it. However, there are no tables to sit. Nonetheless, the service was spectacular. The manager Elise recommended us with drinks and walked us through the entire menu. She was so friendly and asked us our names. The drinks were ready quickly and they encouraged us to try it before we left to ensure we liked it. The Phoenix 2 was creamy and had a great earthy tea flavor. Level 4 sweetness and half ice was great for my liking. I will for sure be putting this place in my boba rotation spot! read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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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

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

Desouro - To go drink carrier - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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

Desouro - 10.2025 Phoenix No. 2 (more floral than expected), metal buddha, and white peach oolong tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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

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What a stellar cup of tea. I got one of their oolong teas with half sweet, they use these crazy cool "tea espresso machines" that extract the tea leaves out of a wand just like coffee! Never seen that before. The baristas are so nice and help you find a tea youd love, explain their extraction processes, and you can customize ice, sweet, and boba levels. Really just gotta try it to get that unique flavor the tea gives when extracted this way. read more

Desouro - Oolong half sweet (one size) - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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

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Energy and passion unmatched - the owner, I'm assuming, took mine and my husband's order. Great recommendations. We loved what we ordered. It gets busy but the line moves QUICK. They redo your drink if you don't like it. Clean space, seating outside. I recommend checking it out! 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

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Okay, I'm honestly impressed. I heard mixed reviews about this place and people made it sound pretty meh compared to Orobae so maybe my expectations were low. FAVORITE ITEMS: - Phoenix No. 13 Milk Tea: very strong flavor. I got it level 2 sweet and thought it was perfect. The milkiness was really amazing with the milk tea. I find myself craving it even after a few days. PARKING: in a big plaza, typically pretty crowded SERVICE: the ladies in the front were pretty nice, greeted us with a smile, and the drinks came out quickly. They wanted us to try the drinks to make sure we liked them before leaving. PRICE: actually very reasonable. My boba drink was less than $6 which is unheard of at boba shops. Overall, I definitely find myself coming back here. I know there's of course some comparison with Orobae but objectively I think this spot really does hit. read more

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

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

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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

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

Desouro - Rising Phoenix #13 Rising Buddha - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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

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

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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

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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

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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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

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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

Desouro - Hokkaido Metal Goddess Oolong Milk Tea with Boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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

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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

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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

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

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

Their teas are amazing made fresh upon ordering, but you should know how to order. Any person rating this place for anything less than the welcoming experience, delicious drinks and opportunity to sip & adjust your drink before you leave the store is a loser. If you want something less watery, ORDER LESS ICE. If you want something less sweet, ORDER A LOWER SWEETNESS, if you want a stronger taste, ORDER BOLDER TEA FLAVORS. It's not rocket science. Some yelp reviewers on here will give 1 star for where the bathroom is ... absolutely ridiculous. read more

Desouro has perfected oolong tea. OC has an extremely bloated milk tea scene, and I appreciate how Desouro has taken a minimalist approach. I tried the white peach oolong milk tea and really enjoyed it! Peach flavor is very fragrant. I also tried the Formosan matcha, and it was okay. I've never ordered matcha from Desouro before, so I don't know if my drink was supposed to have clumps of sugar at the bottom. Other than that, Desouro is my go to when I'm in the mood for more artisanal drinks. And the customer service is always great! read more

Me and my gang came at 8:45pm, waited in line, and got to the register by 9:17ish. The girl at the register was helpful answering our questions. Before leaving, the guy recommended we taste it to see if it is to our liking. We liked our drinks so no changes needed. I got the Aged Crescent Black Milk Tea and the Charcoal Roasted Oolong Milk Tea. I loved the Aged Crescent because it was quite smooth, milky, and chocolate-y. My partner's Charcoal Roast has flavor tones of popcorn which the flavor notes on the menu was on point (caramely, toasty). Boba was warm, firm yet chewy. The lids felt a bit cheap though? Anywho, decent spot next to Kitakata. Will come back to get new drinks over time. read more

Desouro - Charcoal roasted oolong milk tea and aged crescent milk tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

Ambiance was nice and it felt luxurious. I would rate the service 2/5 because I did feel like the interaction was forced, rushed, and unnatural. This wasn't because of the cashier but more on everything they had to say and it feeling like a stretched out script. I would feel more comfortable if they simplified it and be more focused on active listening. The tea was great and had good flavor but the boba ruined it for me. The boba lacked a good texture and the sweetness wasn't there for me. 3/5 for a rating. Would not wait in the hour line again unless they improved their overall quality. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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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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

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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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

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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The taste of the tea was amazing, I enjoyed the Matcha quite a bit. This is more of a tea shop, and they layout was a bit weird. If your party orders, regular tea and Matcha, you would have to go into two different sides to pick up your order, from the store, which is a navigation or nightmare, especially when there's a lot of people. I basically have to cross to the front of the store, then over to the other side to get the Matcha, then come back, and pick up the tea when it's ready. Why couldn't they just serve it in the same side? Or have like a front bar area that has everyone's order? This was a bit confusing for me, and if you have this being done for everyone, it's just a front traffic nightmare. However, the trick was really good and was worthwhile. The service itself was really good, so I don't blame the staff for the foot traffic nightmare. They were so nice and helpful with the order process. read more

Desouro - Bubble Tea Near Me - Irvine, California

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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