Review

San Chen (officially CHICHA San Chen 吃茶三千) is a newly opened boba joint that just opened at the intersection of Mass. Ave. and Boylston St. The line was very long but moved relatively quickly due to the excessive number of employees making drinks concurrently. Orders were taken on one of several automated kiosks. The point-of-sale software was responsive and easy to use—clearly outsourced to a third-party SaaS company that also manages the rewards system and order board.

Once inside, the delightful aroma of milk tea fills the air. The humidity was high (as expected for a place that makes tapioca pearls), but controlled. The noise level was lower than expected given how busy it was, and there was a decent amount of seating (albeit it was all full due to the place just opening). The decor was fairly modern (expected given its age) with bright colors, clean lines, and minimalistic features. In a few months, I could see this being a nice place to grab a drink and hang out with friends.

I ordered a regular black-milk tea with tapioca pearls, "perfect" sweetness, and light ice. I found the drink to be absolutely fantastic, and unmatched so far in my quest for the "perfect boba". The pearls themselves were delightfully chewy and were definitely fresh. My only (big) complaint was that the drink was exceptionally overpriced ($8.75!) and came in a comparitively small cup. There didn't appear to be a way to order a larger version of the beverage, not that anyone would want to unless they’re prepared to take out a second mortgage.

Final Remarks

Pros

• Great location — future outdoor seating will likely be a highlight
• Interior seemed comfortable and inviting (once the hype dies down)
• Drinks made quickly and efficiently
• Absolutely top-tier beverage

Cons

• Very small portions
• Prices verging on absurd

Overall

This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of boba shop. It's absolutely worth trying—just maybe not more than once until the prices come down.