In SF, there are at least 136 boba places around the city. Its growth as an amazingly popular beverage has truly become a staple of the Bay Area, where you can grab a quick cup of boba anywhere. However, deep in the Mission District, is a quaint boba restaurant, Brew Cha, which does things a little differently.
Their claim to fame shines in how they make their drinks: using espresso machines to maximize the flavor and freshness. As the first boba shop in California to use this alternate method, they freshly brew every cup of tea, extracting the natural flavors and making the teas healthier than most.
Upon walking into Brew Cha, I was already impressed with the adorable aesthetics and the variety of entertainment. Not only were there huge claw machines filled with vibrant plushies, but an assortment of board games that made this experience reminiscent of a fun after-school program. While waiting for drinks, I was able to get in one round of Connect Four, which I narrowly lost.
The menu itself was a mix of classic boba drinks and unique flavors I’d never heard of before. I’m sure that everybody could enjoy at least one of Brew Cha’s many options. I ended up ordering a taro ube drink, a customer favorite, and a matcha oreo drink. It only took about five minutes for them to be ready, served in uniquely geometric cups.
My first impression of these drinks was how pretty they looked, with vibrant colors and contrasting toppings. At $6.90 for the taro ube, it seemed a little on the pricey side, though the intricacy of their process may have added to the price. I’d ordered the standard sweetness at 100%. The taste was pretty good, with strong ube flavoring and the right amount of sweetness. The boba was a free add-on to this drink, and was just the right chewiness. Even though I don’t usually get these types of drinks, I really enjoyed it. It got a little sweeter with every taste, and I would recommend it to anyone who typically enjoys ube.
The matcha oreo drink was a really interesting idea to me. I was skeptical about the $6.65 combination, but it ended up blowing me away. The flavors went so well together, with the matcha’s subtle taste and the oreo’s loud sweetness mixing amazingly. I’d never seen the two together before, and I’m very surprised that it hasn’t been more popular. As someone who doesn’t enjoy matcha, and frequently tries to avoid it, I’m glad that I was able to try this. Even though it isn’t on the customer favorites list, I believe that it should be. The taste and texture is all there, so if you love matcha, this is definitely for you. And even if you don’t, the matcha oreo drink is worth a try.
From the boardgames inside the shop to the unique sweet treats, Brew Cha is a must-try experience for every San Francisco citizen.
