CHICHA San Chen - Sawtelle

Mischa Hayase 2 months ago

A beautiful tea experience in Sawtelle, but be prepared for the crowd! I visited this highly hyped spot and it was absolutely packed. Even while I was sitting inside enjoying my drink, the line outside never stopped! The Experience: The interior feels like a clean, modern, mini-theme park for tea lovers. They even have a space where you can look at the tea leaves. Before ordering, the staff kindly explains the menu and even offers tastings, which made choosing our drinks so much fun! The Drinks: They offer some incredibly unique toppings that I’ve never seen at other boba shops. The tea itself had a very clean, crisp, and high-quality flavor—absolutely delicious! Pro-Tip: The tea is amazing, but the wait times can be intense. I personally loved the flavor, but I might wait until the initial craze calms down a bit before lining up again. Definitely worth trying at least once!

Lily Q 3 months ago

Had lunch in Sawtelle and walked over to check out this new location. I parked elsewhere but it seems they also have garage validation. There’s a few tables inside and some outdoor seating in the plaza. Lots of customers awaiting their orders but no line for placing an order. Super excited to see the return of the taro series, especially since the SGV and Koreatown locations don’t have it. I ordered the taro milk tea as I’m a huge fan of the taro balls and taro paste and it didn’t disappoint. Would highly recommend this drink, or any in the taro series, if you’re a taro fan. Their green milk tea with taro balls is also an amazing drink. Quick service, friendly staff, would come back again.

Olivia Kang 5 months ago

This place is a hidden gem! From the moment you walk in, you can feel the attention to detail—from the upscale design to the warm, welcoming staff. The tea is on another level. Super fresh, clean, and perfectly balanced. The cream topping is incredibly unique—it melts right into the tea and creates this smooth, rich texture without being overwhelming. Every sip just feels thoughtfully crafted. What really stood out to me is how much care they put into their tea process—you can truly taste the difference compared to typical tea shops. Also, big plus for the team offering free samples—it shows confidence in their product and genuine hospitality. If you appreciate high-quality drinks and a premium experience, this is definitely a must-visit spot!

Emily H 5 months ago

Unmatched quality of tea. This location also has a tea tasting station that other locations don’t always have, which was a super cool and educational experience. Their honey oolong is delicious. Very cute interior with a few tables, and underground parking lot (with 1 hour validation)

Patricia de Dios 5 months ago

Came during opening week and already know I’ll be back. The space is aesthetic —clean and minimal, with ample seating. For drinks, we tried the bubble milk tea, honey osmanthus oolong, and passion fruit green tea with boba—everything was so good. Fave was definitely the oolong. The boba was soft, chewy, and even served warm, which made a difference. Each drink was perfectly balanced in sweetness, and it was cool watching the teas being freshly and precisely brewed right in front of us. On top of that, the staff was incredibly kind and accommodating. Great vibes all around!