【台中 吃茶三千】Chicha San Chen Flagship Store in Taichung
Chicha San Chen is a well-known boba tea brand deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture. The name Chicha San Chen (吃茶三千) translates to “Eat Tea, Three Thousand,” conveying the love of tea culture. It’s similar to the iconic phrase “I love you 3000” concept — a nod to the Taiwanese passion for tea.
Long story short, our boba tea adventure started in Cupertino, California, then in Chinatown, New York, before we finally landed at the iconic flagship store in Taichung, where the first official Chicha San Chen Concept Store was born.
The longer story… A couple of years ago, I was first introduced to Chicha San Chen during a trip to California, where my partner and I visited the Cupertino location with a close friend. I was surprised to discover that this boba spot was so highly rated. I had even previously saved the Taichung flagship location on my list of places to visit before returning to the States, but I didn't actually make it there for another year.
The New York store, where my partner and I are currently located, opened shortly after our visit to the Cupertino store, making it our second stop.
Finally, I was thrilled to visit Chicha San Chen's concept store in Taichung. Without further ado, let’s explore this stunning place together!
about Chicha San Chen
Flagship Store
Chicha San Chen was founded in 1998 and has since become a hallmark of Taiwan’s thriving tea culture.
While it’s commonly associated with Michelin star recognition, it hasn’t officially received a Michelin star but was rated by the International Taste Institute in 2021 — a recognition that’s equivalent to three Michelin stars.
One cool thing they’ve done is create their own Teaspresso machine called Lion — it took them over two years to get it just right! This machine blends traditional tea brewing methods with modern technology to create the perfect tea for every person.
The Taichung flagship store is housed in a historic building over 40 years old, which they preserved rather than demolished. The design beautifully blends the building’s original structure with modern touches, making it both a historical and contemporary gem.
To make this building even more iconic, the Taichung store has a tea garden on the second floor, where you can experience the same tea leaves grown in Taiwan’s mountains. The room is constantly misted and kept at the same humidity levels as those found in tea plantations, giving visitors a chance to see firsthand how tea thrives in Taiwan’s climate.
the vibe
The flagship store blends the old and new seamlessly. The building’s brick exterior and preserved historical details add to the industrial charm, while modern, natural lighting flows inside, and design elements create a sleek, welcoming atmosphere.
As you enter, you’ll notice the eco-friendly touches, like dried tea leaves on the walls. Any tea leaves that fall during brewing are collected and put to good use on the walls, showing the store’s commitment to sustainability.
While there is seating inside, I noticed there aren't many chairs. However, there’s additional outdoor seating available; be mindful to clean up after yourself when you’re done enjoying the outdoor space — many people forget to throw their trash properly when there’s a trash can inside.
The two-story layout includes a fascinating tea leaf exhibit where you can learn more about Chicha San Chen’s history and the tea leaves they use.
My favorite highlight is the greenhouse upstairs! You can really appreciate the tea leaves grown in Taiwan’s mountains, all while being surrounded by a mist-filled room that recreates the perfect growing environment.
the menu
The menu at Chicha San Chen’s flagship store is similar to the one in New York, offering a mix of classic and seasonal tea drinks. You’ll find popular options, such as their signature oolongs and boba teas.
The menu is bilingual, with both Chinese and English, making it easy for international visitors to view!
tea tasting experience
A must-do experience at the flagship store is the tea tasting. Located right behind the ordering counter, the tasting booth offers a chance to explore five varieties of Lishan tea.
To participate in this tea-tasting experience, you’ll need to grab a ticket and wait for your number to be buzzed.
When it’s your turn, the staff will guide you through the tea-tasting process, providing insights into the tea’s unique qualities and how it’s brewed.
One thing I learned during this tasting is that lighter-colored teas actually contain more caffeine than darker-colored teas — an interesting fact I didn’t know before!
If you’re visiting, don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Taiwanese tea!
tea garden room (upstairs)
The upstairs tea garden room is one of the most unique features of the Taichung flagship store.
This mist-filled room is designed to replicate the environment of Taiwan’s mountain tea plantations, allowing visitors to see tea leaves in their natural habitat. While the tea leaves are for display and not used in the drinks, the immersive experience adds to the store’s magical experience.
The air is misty, and the temperature and humidity levels are carefully controlled to mimic the conditions where the tea leaves thrive in the mountains.
🌱 TIP 🍃
Leave your drinks on the outdoor table before heading inside to prevent any accidental spills! 🧋
what's nearby
know before you go!
🌤️ BEST TIME TO GO | Monday–Thursday = fewer crowds. Weekends can get busy, so go early if you want a chill tea break.
🥛 MILK OPTIONS | A2 beta casein milk available. Sadly no oat/plant milk options yet.
👕 DRESS CODE | Casual all the way — nothing fancy needed.
💳 PAYMENT | Cash and cards both accepted.
👯 PERFECT FOR | Tea lovers. Friends. Families.
💰 PRICING | $$
🧋 RECOMMENDED DRINKS | Dong Ding Oolong (凍頂烏龍). Bubble Volcano (熔岩黑糖波霸鮮奶) are fan favorites.
final thoughts
While I do agree that this boba store is pricier than other boba shops in Taiwan, I believe the drinks are super worth it!
With their self-built Teaspresso machines, which curate the finest tea drinks for each person, the boba itself is flavorful and delicious. You can taste the tea, and the flavors don’t overpower anything. The tea is perfectly balanced, and the flavors enhance it beautifully.
This flagship concept store is stunning!
I love how they didn’t demolish the historical building but built around it, creating concepts like a tea garden for you to explore. Although there isn’t much seating, this place feels a bit like a spacious museum, with tons to see and cool experiences like the tea tasting.
We were here for about an hour, and I’m so happy we got to experience this place together with my family!
visit info
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Chicha San Chen: Art and Craft
check out my Taiwan travel vlog!
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11132024 13:18
Last Updated: 02.12.2026
From its iconic boba drinks to a misty indoor tea garden, this must-visit flagship store blends authentic Taiwanese tea culture with innovative design.