T4 NW23rd

Good prices for boba tea etc, huge menu, plus foods like takoyaki and chicken wings. You can customize the sugar and ice levels as well. Plus a "happy hour" (between 3p-7p weekdays, I think): $3.99 all drinks (but not including add ins like boba). I have been happy with the drinks I've tried so far (matcha, thai, grapefruit royal), but do order 30-50% sugar because they're SWEET. Tried the takoyaki today. I lived in Osaka, literally the birthplace of takoyaki, and this stuff is yummy but it's a different, sweeter sauce than I'm used to. Still, I would order it again--just not "authentic Japanese" (but it's a Taiwanese spin on it, so no biggie). The main reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is the AMBIANCE (or lack thereof). Last year (and this year, I was just informed) no outdoor seating in a neighborhood that thrives on it. I was told "yeah the permit is expensive, it's like $1500..." can't help thinking they'd recoup a lot of that if they had outdoor service (like other cafes must, which is why they do it?). Unless you can snag the large front table, the indoor is dark with cheap plastic furniture, and feels a little grimy tbh. Still, nice selection and decent food. Worth a stop.

Giving this place a gracious 1 star, because I almost want to stop visiting based off the customer service. If you ask any questions about their menu, or products, you’ll be met with a wonderful “gen-z” stare. The teenagers will stare at you and you’ll sit there and wait for them to get the information but it seems like it’s a really big deal for them to walk across the kitchen and check an ingredient related to an allergy. Gen Z girl that works here is like, giving off major density. Find someone who isn’t pained to answer menu questions to run your counter.

RIDICULOUSLY DELICIOUS FRIED FOODS I’ll speak to the milk teas in a bit but you MUST TRY THEIR FRIED STREET FOOD it’s possibly more delicious than the original. The store owner is so kind and takes care to ask for feedback and make sure things taste the way she wants it to. My mind was blown by the popcorn chicken and fried squid; the seasonings, the crisp, the lack of oily residue after you stuff your face… I will always remember and miss this taste. As for the milk tea, quite standard with better overall flavor and tea than others in the area. I like that the sweetness adjustments taste true to scale; overall, not too sweet. The seating and decor is perhaps too simple, but the food is incomprehensible… 10/5 if I could.

First time visiting and we were happily greeted by the owner. The bubble tea offerings were fantastic and for someone who is picky about his Boba, they got it spot on. The care put into the bubble tea and food is greatly appreciated. You get a taste of Taiwan with each sip and bite. Just wish we had them in Vancouver! Plenty of seating for the average crowd and the decor is modernistic. We will be back often as it's so hard to find great Taiwanese bubble tea. Highly recommended!

My tea was great but it was a bad experience as a person who is hard of hearing. The employees were very soft spoken. I misheard a question and instead of repeating themselves to fix the miscommunication, I got a response that made me feel like they didn't want me in there anymore. I also didn't hear when they called my name (if they did? Again, I didn't hear) and allowed my drink to just sit on the counter until I looked up to see it waiting for me. I was the only one in the store at the time. But on the plus side the Elegant Rose Tea is my new obsession, the perfect drink I needed for a lunch break on a super hot day!

Good place to grab a refreshing drink when you are in the area. I liked the lychee green tea with grass jelly (ask for minimal sweet and ice). The drink definitely does the trick after eating something heavy. Service was quick and friendly.

Great bubble tea place when in the alphabet district of Portland. This is right on the main strip with all the other neat shops. They also serve some quick bites but we only ordered bubble tea. The Taro and Thai Iced Tea flavor is popular and are very good. Check this place out to get refreshed. Clean place and friendly staff!

Really cute boba tea shop with some yummy bites to eat. I had the milk tea with coffee jelly and mini boba pearls. My partner had the taro milkshake. Both drinks were GOOD. The location is nice. It's fun to dip in and get away from the crowds on 23rd. We were told to come here by the employees at Robot Piercing because of the good food and drinks. Very casual and clean spot to sit and chat. Would be great for a date or meetup! I also had some fried cheese sticks and they were fresh and yummy. Got a solid 2 foot cheese stretch on those puppies when you pull them apart. A+ I was impressed. No sauce though to dip them in so it was a little dry.