CHICHA San Chen – First in PH!

If you’re a fan of bubble tea, you’ve probably heard of CHICHA San Chen. This Taiwanese brand has gained a following for its high-quality teas and unique brewing process. And now, Filipinos can enjoy CHICHA San Chen’s drinks at its branch in Makati City. They have been in operation since 1998 and later opened its first branch in the Philippines in the first quarter of 2023. Located at Carlos Palanca Street in Legazpi Village, CHICHA San Chen is a must-visit for bubble tea lovers. As soon as you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a sleek and modern interior, with a black-and-white color scheme and plenty of fake leaves decors. Despite the lack of space and seating, the place still looks airy and inviting. I wish they have seats for dine-in though, hopefully someday. One thing I noticed, they were always busy and tons of people are buying for to-go!

CHICHA San Chen in Legazpi Village!

But let’s get to the most important part: the drinks. CHICHA San Chen offers a wide range of teas, from classic flavors like oolong and black tea to more unique options like lychee oolong and osmanthus oolong. The teas are brewed fresh every day using a unique three-step process that involves rinsing, brewing, and cooling. This ensures that the teas are of the highest quality and have a rich, full-bodied flavor. Of course, no bubble tea experience is complete without the bubbles. CHICHA San Chen offers several types of add-ons, including tapioca pearls, coconut jelly, and grass jelly. You can also customize your drink by adjusting the sweetness level and the amount of ice, and choosing the flavoring. But if you don’t know to mix things up, they have recommended drinks on their Menu which the Baristas gladly explain. They were so friendly and helpful with my questions!

Tastes not too sweet, not too leafy either, just perfect!

One standout item on the menu is the Lemon Wonderland and Milk with Brown Sugar Bubble. Lemon Wonderland is a refreshing drink made with fresh lemon juice, honey, and sparkling water. It’s a great option for those who want a non-tea-based drink or prefer something tart and tangy. The honey adds a touch of sweetness and helps to balance out the acidity of the lemon juice. Meanwhile, Milk with Brown Sugar Bubble features a base of fresh milk, which is combined with brown sugar syrup and topped with chewy and flavorful brown sugar bubbles. The brown sugar syrup used in the drink is made with high-quality brown sugar that is melted down and simmered until it becomes a thick and fragrant syrup. This syrup is then added to the milk, giving the drink a rich and caramel-like flavor. I love how the sweetness and leafy taste aren’t overpowering, just right!

Take my money, I want the tea!

Both drinks are great options for those who want to try something a little different from the classic milk teas that CHICHA San Chen is known for. CHICHA San Chen in Makati is a great spot for refreshing and high-quality bubble tea. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious to try something new, you won’t be disappointed by the drinks on offer. Just be prepared to wait in line during peak hours – CHICHA San Chen’s popularity is well-deserved. They also use the Lion Teapresso Machine for brewing their tea. The Lion Teapresso Machine is another proprietary brewing system developed by CHICHA San Chen. It uses a high-pressure extraction method to extract the flavors and aromas from the tea leaves. The machine also has precise temperature control, ensuring that the tea is brewed at the perfect temperature for the specific type of tea.

Menu

The price range of their beverages is just the average given that this is a very famous brand and sits in Makati Business District. Customers can get these premium milk teas for as low as Php 170 – Php 230 only!

How to get there?

• Take the MRT and get off at Ayala Station. If you’re coming from the north, you can ride the MRT Line 3 (MRT-3) and if you’re coming from the south, you can ride the LRT Line 1 (LRT-1) and transfer to the MRT-3 at the EDSA-Taft Station. Or take any nearby MRT and drop get off Ayala Station.
• Once you exit the Ayala Station, head to the nearby Ayala Center Mall. From there, From there, take a 10-minute walk to CHICHA San Chen in Carlos Palanca Street.