Katherine N.
Yelp
The moment I stepped into Cha Tra Mue in OC, I was immediately greeted by the most incredible aroma -- the fragrant, earthy smell of Thai tea leaves filling the entire shop. It was so inviting that I knew right away I was in for something special. You can actually smell the authenticity in the air before even ordering.
I ordered their classic Thai Tea and the Thai Lemon Tea, and both completely lived up to the hype. The Thai Tea was perfectly balanced -- bold and creamy without being overly sweet, which a lot of places unfortunately get wrong. The Thai Lemon Tea was super refreshing too, a perfect pick for a hot day. It had a citrusy brightness that complemented the tea beautifully, and just like the Thai Tea, the sweetness was subtle and never overwhelming. You get the full depth of the tea flavor without it being masked by too much sugar.
One thing to note: if you ask for light ice (which I tried), the drink tends to fall a little short compared to getting it with full ice. With full ice, everything stays perfectly cold and the ratio of tea to ice is just right, enhancing the flavor experience.
The service here was excellent -- the staff were friendly, patient, and you could tell they take pride in serving the best quality drinks. Another huge plus is that unlike a lot of other shops that use whole milk or half-and-half, Cha Tra Mue uses a different kind of milk and sugar that really allows the tea to shine. You can actually taste the difference; it's cleaner, lighter, and gives the tea a much more authentic profile without feeling heavy or overly creamy.
Overall, Cha Tra Mue is an absolute gem considering this is their other location besides LA. If you're looking for real Thai tea made with care and high-quality ingredients, you won't be disappointed here. Whether you're just stopping by or making it a destination, it's worth every sip.