HOME > TAIPEI > DINING >

Teen Hangouts Cha Du Branch 1: 55, Lane 160, DunHua S. Rd., Sec. 1; (02) 2721-7918 Branch 2: 24, Lane 190, DunHua S. Rd., Sec. 1; (02) 2773-4605 Branch 3: 18, Lane 316, Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 3; (02) 2365-9321 Branch 4: 162, BaDe Rd., Sec. 3 (02) 2579-8492 Hours: 10 am-1 am Credit cards not accepted at all branches. No 10% service charge.

--By Shanzi Chen Translated by Cara Steenstra

"Cha Du" literally means "tea poison", a name that gives a lasting impression. Emphasis is placed on stronger, heavier tasting drinks here. Cha Du has four branches, with the first branch established back in 1993, and all are decorated with an old Chinese-style inn style, with a few other exotic items placed here and there for effect. Although some would say that most bubble tea shops are more or less the same, Cha Du offers something that no one else has: Bitter Melon Mountain Fen Yuan Juice. Using mountain bitter melons as its base, this drink has a surprisingly sweet taste at first, then hints of bitterness followed by a refreshing aftertaste in your throat. Those who do not dislike bitter melons should definitely give it a whirl. The meals are worth checking out, too, especially the Beef Noodles -- 10 pieces of beef that are half tendon, half meat, placed on top of a chewy bowl of handmade noodles. This dish has won the praise of many customers. Their Shanghai-style Fermented Tofu Stewed Rice is also another popular item.