4187 Campus Dr #M173
Irvine, CA 92612-4643
(949) 725-0300
http://www.chafortea.com
Ever since I had Cha For Tea's Almond Milk Tea, I have been craving for it badly. After bugging Dr. P for days, he finally agreed to go back to Cha For Tea for lunch with me yesterday.
California Green Tea ($3.66) with Pearls ($0.47) / Pearl Black Milk Tea ($3.25)
I had full intention to get the Almond Milk Tea, but after the counter girl offered me a sample of their California Green Tea, I changed my mind. The iced green tea tasted more like a slushy. They added some citrus fruit juices to the green tea, and it was tasty. Dr. P got his usual Pearl Black Milk Tea.
Crispy Chicken ($3.90)
Crispy crunchy outside, juicy tender inside
We ordered Crispy Chicken as starter. No basil, but it came with a sweet & sour sauce. Why? That's not the Taiwanese way. The chicken wasn't bad, but it just tasted like there's something missing. I don't think I'll order this again from Cha For Tea.
Minced Pork with Rice ($6.74)
Succulent ground pork marinated in a traditional blend of Chinese pickles and Green Tea
I ordered Minced Pork with Rice. It was so tasty! Dr. P liked it, but he also said "have you noticed that Irvine restaurants always make their food sweeter?" That's kind of true. Now I know Dr. P like Taiwanese style minced pork with pickles, I am going to make a pot of it a http://www.eileenlikestoeat.com to go with rice. But how do you add green tea to it like Cha For Tea's version? Do you just add a green tea bag to the sauce?
Cha Beef Stew Noodle Soup ($8.25)
Beef simmered in Szechwan and Pu-Erh Tea Sauce
Dr. P ordered Cha Beef Stew Noodle Soup. The soup tasted delicious. The menu stated that it was made with Pu-Erh Tea. I couldn't really taste the tea, but it sure was good. The beef was really tender. I also like how they added so much veggies in the soup. Portion was huge. This bowl is enough for 2 people to share.
I like the drinks and the food at Cha For Tea (except the crispy chicken). I am still craving for Almond Milk Tea. Guess we have to go back soon.
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Cha for tea is such an interesting place! So much tea accessories on sale, and their employees are great salespeople on promoting their product:). Personally I still haven't eaten here but have passed by it many times due to a friend who is at UCI.
ReplyDeleteTheir employees are definitely all great sales.
Also their customer service was good... maybe a little too good.
As we were eating, 3 people came by to asked if everything tasted ok.
you can't just use tea bag, you have to use good tea leaves if you want to use them to cook and you have to use hot water to spread the tea leaves first and can't let it stand in the hot water for too long in case it became bitter, after that, you can use the tea water and the leaves for cooking!
ReplyDeleteBut how do you get the loose tea leaves out from the sauce?
Maybe you can try their sweet yam fries and chicken glass noodle soup next time.
ReplyDeleteIt's delicious.
Oh yes, I will! ^^
either you just use the tea water or you can use the 小紗布wrap it and after it's done, you can simplly take it out and disregard it!
ReplyDeletemy mom had a friend used to sell all kind of tea cooked food. he usually just sautee them first and use them to cook and leave them in the food, we didnt' care but either eating them or take them out when eating! it wouldn't hurt!
K.J
Thanks for the tip. I'll try that next time. ^^
I kinda HATE the Cha for Tea in Alhambra. Worst milk tea of any kind in all of SGV. But.. really, what's up w/ 1 month of straight Irvine/OC reviews! Ack!
ReplyDeletehaha I now live in Irvine.
I only go back to LA once a week to visit my parents now.
I miss LA food though.