Tiny Urban Kitchen

Exploring Food from Boston to Hong Kong and Beyond

  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Michelin
  • Subscribe
  • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Travel
    • Recipes
    • Michelin
    • Subscribe
    • Taiwanese
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    • Godenya Hong Kong
      Godenya Hong Kong (revisited)
    • The Chairman Hong Kong
      The Chairman Hong Kong (1 Michelin Star)
    • Hanu Wan Chai Hong Kong
      Hanu (Korean Beef) Wan Chai
    • Always Joy Hong Kong
      Always Joy Hong Kong
    • Michael Chiarelli Ottimo Yountville California
      Bottega + Ottimo Yountville
    • Ciccio Yountville California
      Ciccio Yountville
    • Charter Oak St. Helena Napa Valley California
      Charter Oak St. Helena Napa Valley California
    • Cole’s Chop House Napa California
      Cole's Chop House Napa California
    • Compline Restaurant Napa California
      Compline Restaurant + Wine Shop Napa
    • Napa, California
      Thomas Keller's La Calenda: A Tribute {Now Closed}
    • Ad Hoc Thomas Keller Brunch Yountville California
      Thomas Keller Ad Hoc + Addendum + Bouchon Bakery
    • Mandalay San Francisco
      Mandalay San Francisco (Burmese Food)
    Home » US Travel » California » Los Angeles

    Ten Ren Tea Station

    Published: Jan 5, 2010 · Modified: Mar 17, 2015 by Jennifer Che

    This post is Part I of the larger mini-series titled "A California Christmas." The posts in this series include: Part I: Ten Ren Tea Station, Part II: Din Tai Fung, Part III: Sushi Gen, Part IV: Mrs. Knott's Chicken Restaurant, and Part V: Melisse.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    _1000787
    There is a term in Taiwanese that has no perfect equivalent in English (or even in Mandarin Chinese, as far as I know). This term is "Q" (pronounced like the letter) and is typically used to describe a particular food texture.  More specifically, "Q" foods are chewy, dense, but resistant at the same time. They bounce back . . . like thick, chewy, fresh Chinese noodles, stir-fried rice cakes, and arguably, good quality gummy bears.

    I absolutely love foods that are "Q". I could chew on fresh homemade udon forever, and mochi is one of my favorite snacks.  So of course, (the reason for this super long winding intro) - what can be more representative of the quintessential "Q" food than Boba, which originated from Taiwan?
    _1000785

    What is Boba?
    Boba are huge, chewy tapioca balls. The classic boba drink literally translates as "Pearl Milk Tea" and consists of strong black tea, milk, sugar, and boba balls. You slurp the boba balls along with the milk tea using an unusually wide straw.  The balls are super fun to chew on, and the possibilities of drinks/juices with which to pair the boba are endless.  You can also enjoy boba drinks hot or cold.

    Los Angeles, one of the most Asian-dense cities in America, naturally boasts some of the best Asian food as well. Tea Station is no exception.  The US franchise of Ten Ren (one of the most well-established Tea companies in Taiwan) Tea Station is a delightful tea shop that opens until late at night and also serves a wonderful array of Taiwanese snack foods.
    _1000786
    I love coming to Tea Station because it totally reminds me of Taiwan. The menu has fun, street-food like snack items, along with a vast collection of tea, tea products, and tea drinks. They even have fun tea dishes, such as tea-eggs, tea flavored fried spring rolls, and tea flavored edamame (boiled soy beans).

    The weather outside was a bit chilly by 10PM the night we went, so I opted for the classic pearl milk tea (below) but hot instead of cold. It's huge!!!! The pearls are nicely "Q" and the tea is top notch. After all, Ten Ren is first and foremost a tea company.  My friend ordered one of the multi-colored jelly ices (shown above), which he described as being like "chewing on a bunch of Gummy Bears."
    _1000788
    Tea Station also sells a vast array of loose leaf teas and tea bags, all Ten Ren Brand.

    My favorite tea to drink at home on a regular basis now is Ten Ren's King's tea No. 913. It is mostly oolong with a touch of ginseng which just adds enough sweetness to round out the harshest bitter notes of the tea. I love it, and I drink it all throughout the winter. A pot of it costs $12 at Tea Station, but you can buy a canister of loose leaves, which will last you all winter, for only $24.

    The ambiance at Tea Station is relaxed. My friends and I often bring along cards or a board game. We sip tea, enjoy some Taiwanese snacks, and play games. It makes for an absolutely perfect late night outing.

    Tea Station
    11688 South St Ste 101
    Artesia, CA 90701
    Tea Station on Urbanspoon

    ©2009-2014 Tiny Urban Kitchen
    All Rights Reserved

    More California

    • Boulettes Larder Ferry Building San Francisco
      Boulette Larder (Ferry Building) San Francisco
    • Bodega SF California (Vietnamese)
      Bodega SF (Modern Vietnamese)
    • Tselog Daly City California
      Tselogs (Filipino food) Daly City California
    • Angler San Francisco
      Angler San Francisco - 1 Michelin Star

    Recent Posts

    • Godenya Hong Kong (revisited) June 12, 2025
    • The Chairman Hong Kong (1 Michelin Star) June 6, 2025
    • Hanu (Korean Beef) Wan Chai June 2, 2025
    • Always Joy Hong Kong May 29, 2025
    • Bottega + Ottimo Yountville May 14, 2025
    • Ciccio Yountville May 11, 2025
    • Charter Oak St. Helena Napa Valley California May 8, 2025
    • Cole's Chop House Napa California May 5, 2025

    Trackbacks

    1. Southern California Favorites - Tiny Urban Kitchen says:
      March 17, 2015 at 10:30 pm

      […] Tea Station […]

      Log in to Reply
    Jennifer Che Tiny Urban Kitchen

    Hi, my name's Jen and welcome to my cooking, eating, and travel site! I am an expat who moved from Boston to Hong Kong 5 years ago. Born and raised in Ohio to Taiwanese immigrant parents, I am a chemistry nerd, patent attorney by day, blogger by night, church musician on weekends, and food enthusiast always. Feel free to explore away, maybe starting with the Recipe Index or one of the travel pages! I hope you enjoy this site!

    More about me →

    logo
    Food Advertisements by

    Explore

    • Recipe
    • Restaurant
    • US Travel
    • World Travel

    Popular Posts

    • Mesa by José Avillez Macau
      Mesa by José Avillez Macau
    • Restaurante Litoral Taipa Macau
      Restaurante Litoral Taipa Macau
    • Antonio Macau Taipa
      Antonio Macau Taipa
    • Vienna Opera House
      Vienna Austria Trip Report

    Recipes

    • Appetizer
    • Snacks
    • Meat
    • Vegetables
    • Soup
    • Salad
    • Seafood
    • Noodles

    Recently Traveled

    • Hong Kong
    • France
    • Belgium
    • Boston
    • California
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • Spain

    Support Us

    Support Tiny Urban Kitchen by making purchases on Amazon through our affiliate link:

    Recognition


    Featured on the front page
    of the FOOD Section: 2015

    Best Food Blog Awards:
    Restaurant & Dining 2012

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • My Equipment
    • In the Press
    • Project Food Blog
    • Privacy Policy

    Eating Guides!

    Eating & Travel Guides
    Trip Reports
    "Kawaii" (Cute Foods)
    Around the World

    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube
    • Mail
    • RSS Feed

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Shop at Amazon

    Copyright © 2024 Tiny Urban Kitchen