Ten Ren's Tea

Ten Ren's Tea (5095 Yonge Street)

(416) 229-1688

Pu-Erh Tea Beef Noodle

It was kind of salty, even for me. Many of the beef pieces were those weird parts I don't enjoy eating, like hard tendon, or lump of chewy fat. And maybe my memory is messing with me, but I thought that the noodles used to be green?

Chocolate Hokkaido Milk tea

Came with bubbles, which I never voluntarily order, so that's cool, I guess. Tasted like chocolate milk with tapioca bubbles.

Would I return? Uhmm... not sure. The beef pieces were definitely not enjoyable. Gone are the daily specials, and in their stead is a menu that I could not understand (not due to translation issues). There was a rice/noodle combo for $8.99 + two sides, and I still don't know what the two sides are, even after asking. The menu items in that section are awkwardly numbered, and it didn't really make any sense. The prices of the drinks range from about $6-9, which is a bit much. They're cheaper if you combine them with a meal, but still. This used to be the cheap Ten Ren location, but I guess everything has changed since my last visit. Maybe, I'll just have to stick to the highway 7 location, or you know, find a better place to go to.

Total damage: approximately $15.

Chachago

Chachago (3 Elm Street, Toronto)

Have fun trying to Google this place... It all leads to stuff in Chicago. Even though, this is another Taiwan import to Toronto.

Taro milk tea.

Chunks! You can see the taro at the bottom of the cup. I was jealous because I didn't drink this.

Instead, I got the regular milk tea with bubbles.

It was okay. But I'm so used to roasted milk tea from Chatime that I missed the roasted flavour. That might've been why I thought there was too much milk. Can't really complain as it's the free one in 'buy one get one free'. 

Would I return? Maybe to try the taro drink. But to be honest, it's quite a bit more expensive than the other bubble tea places downtown. I think the prices were about $6-8. I could get downtown alcohol for those prices.

Sharetea

Sharetea (15 Northtown Way, Toronto)

416-901-9988

Hot fresh taro milk tea ($4.60)

It has chunks! Ever since Chatime's taro milk tea became some grainy, sandy disappointment, I've been wanting some hot milk tea with chunks of taro. Sharetea delivers this. Sugar content is adjustable based on order. 

Would I return? Probably, just not if I am in a rush. It took a while for someone to take our order. And when the order was placed, there was a lot of confusion. I'm not really sure what was going on as Viv and the Sharetea girl had a back and forth discussion in Mandarin for our order of two drinks. Regardless, I was satisfied with the drink itself. Chunks! :D 

Mabu Station

Mabu Station (5457 Yonge Street)

647-430-2175

Mabu Station is a Taiwanese-style bubble tea place. Me and Jo just wanted something to snack on while waiting to go for lunch. 

Mocha and popcorn chicken

The chicken was fresh, crispy, and salty. I like salty, so it was okay. The drink was okay, but nothing to rave about. All in all, our cravings were satisfied. 

Would I return? Most of the things on the menu seemed a bit expensive for what they were, but I'm willing to give it a shot. Every time I walk past this location, there seems to be quite a bit of people in there. They greet most Asians in Mandarin, and do not seem to switch languages after English responses. Our server was nice enough, and he was deeply apologetic in a funny kind of way when he forgot to get our bill after we had asked for it. 

Cha Time

Chatime (132 Dundas Street West, Toronto)
647-340-8406

Hours:
Mon - Wed 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Thurs - Sun 11 a.m. - midnight

On Monique's recommendation, we went for some bubble tea at this Taiwanese joint on Dundas West.

Regular taro milk tea with less ice.
(Pic by Derek)

I'm not usually a fan of bubble tea, mainly because I'm not a fan of bubbles. Also, it is usually overpriced. I have to admit, though, that the taro in this drink was pretty good. It was the best taro milk tea that I've ever had - not that I've had that many, but still. The taro was real and in soft chunks throughout the drink. I feel like real taro chunks in milk tea is a rare find. I like that you can ask for less/no sugar and less/no ice. 

Would I return? Yeah. I can see myself randomly craving that taro. Word on the street is that it's imported from Taiwan. From now until Sunday, there's a promotion to upgrade any Chatime Special Mix drink from regular to large for free. 

Total damage: approximately $5.

Tea Shop 168

Tea Shop 168 (5193 Yonge Street, Toronto)

416-224-9168

Small almond milk tea. 

It tastes like the Chinese almond paste soup in cold drink form. The almond flavour is pretty intense and the drink is quite sweet. 

Would I return? Sure. It's a comfortable place to hang out while grabbing a drink and/or snacks. They open somewhat late, and there are magazines and board games available for patrons to borrow. Just don't pick up the Chinese chess game and ask the staff how to play.