T shop

 

T shop is a tearoom, which opened last year, located downtown between East Village and China Town near Houston Street. It’s a very tiny shop hidden at the back. This teahouse is specialized in Taiwanese tea. The owner goes several times a year in Taiwan to the tea field to choose the tea by her own.

They have several choices among Oolong tea, Puerh tea, green tea and black tea. The owner explained that the tea varies a lot with the region; an Oolong tea from China will taste different from an Oolong tea from Taiwan.

She offers two possibilities in the shop: you can either have a tasting with her, which lasts for about 20mn with the traditional set or you can do it by yourself with your friends at a table. Some people prefer to do it by themselves as they find it more fun.

I wanted to try something I have never had before so she recommended me the Oolong tea. The tasting cost me only $10 without having to pay any tip (quite interesting in terms of price). It’s a place I will highly recommend you. It’s quiet and cheap and especially there aren’t many tea places like that, which provide a traditional tasting.  

http://www.tshopny.com/

Ten Ren Tea

                          

This time I decided to have a bubble tea in China Town. An advice: never go there a Friday around 5pm, it’s too crowded.

The tea place is very modern, meaning, don't expected a nice ancient teahouse but more a casual place. You can order "for here" or "to go". There are only five tables; it's a small place but pretty nice.

If you are tired of having traditional tea, but you don't want coffee or juice, bubble tea is a great choice. It’s a great mix I think. I’m sure many of you have already tried. I particularly like bubble tea, it’s refreshing during summer and if you feel a bit hungry it’s a good compromise.

http://www.tenrenusa.com/