Tea Alley

Let's get straight to the point, I ordered the Tie Guan Yin Milk Tea. It was absolutely disgusting, tea is over brewed, extremely burnt taste. They were out of boba which is understandable since it was the end of the night. The service is self service, no friendly greeting or anything coming in so don't expect that. The shop was decorated very lack luster, no restroom, not even for customers which makes no sense. Only Pro of this spot is that it is open until 2AM so if you find yourself highly intoxicated and don't mind a below average drink, treat yourself here.

Randomly came here with the bf to get some drinks and cookies next door around 10:30 on a weeknight. The shop is small and located next to an alley that leads to other businesses. I can see how getting to it during the day/weekend might be an issue with how crazy parking can get. From the outside, it looks quaint and inviting, almost out of place with the vibe of the rest of the street/shops around.Inside was some chairs/tables for patrons to lounge at after getting their drinks. When we got there, a group of people were waiting around for their drinks. We ordered at the kiosk and then went next door for cookies. Our drinks were ready when we got back. I really enjoyed my drink - black sugar boba milk tea - and my bf demolished his, so I guess he liked his as well. I would definitely like to come back, but it's gonna be hard to unless I luck out with close parking.

Late-night adventures often carry an aura of spontaneity and thrill, and my recent visit to Tea Alley in San Jose encapsulated this perfectly. Nestled in the heart of the city, Tea Alley stands out with its vibrant ambiance, beckoning night owls to indulge in its offerings until the wee hours of the morning. With a 2am closing time, it brings a unique allure to those craving a late-night bite or sip. The boba aficionados and casual tea drinkers alike find solace in this haven, where the hum of conversation mixes with the clinking of cups - a symphony that characterizes the late-night life.The highlight of my nocturnal exploration was undoubtedly their fried milk. This delectable treat, which seamlessly blends creamy sweetness with a crisp texture, is the epitome of culinary brilliance. Each bite offers a delightful contrast between the outer crunch and the silky, smooth insides, making it an unforgettable indulgence. Paired with one of Tea Alley's signature tea blends, the fried milk becomes more than just a snack; it transforms into a late-night delicacy that caters to both comfort food enthusiasts and dessert lovers.As the night wore on, the atmosphere at Tea Alley remained inviting and electric. Conversations flourished under the soft, warm lighting, and the ever-present aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air. The staff, ever attentive and friendly, contributed to an experience that was as enjoyable as it was satisfying. As closing time approached, the place slowly began to quiet down, but the memory of the delicious fried milk and the shared camaraderie lingered. Tea Alley didn't just offer a late-night snack; it provided a slice of community and a sanctuary for those seeking a little midnight magic in San Jose.

The boba my friends & I got was essentially flavored water. It truly wasn't good. And this location is in the middle of the bars in DTSJ, so if you are t prepared for a lot going on, don't go.

There were a lot of options for both tea and snacks here. We went with a classic jasmine milk tea; the drink was a good sweetness and the boba was nicely chewy. The late hours make it a convenient stop while exploring San Jose at night. I would come back the next time I'm in the area!

No photos to share but definitely hit this spot up if you're craving milk tea after being in the nearby bars late at night. The ordering system is awful, the ipad is so SLOW and lags really bad, it took me 10 minutes to complete my order, I didn't even bother browsing the menu because it was that slow so I just ordered their most popular Okinawa milk tea 75% sweet and less ice with boba and popcorn chicken. I would personally get 100% sweet next time because it was lacking in flavor with 75%, it just tasted like a regular black milk tea but the boba was soft and chewy which was a good thing. Definitely helped with my milk tea craving. The popcorn chicken here is so GOOD, well seasoned, very crispy and juicy. Not overly battered. Dark meat, would definitely recommend this especially because they also put the red spicy seasoning on it. Next time I'm gonna order their huge piece of chicken instead though because I know that would be even tastier. Recommend if you're out in downtown San Jose late at night and there are no other options for boba, but if it's not late at night then I would pass and get boba elsewhere. Their chicken is really good though so I'd get that any time of the day!

Tea Alley is located in the heart of downtown San Jose. This is a very busy area, especially on weeknights and weekends, so parking may be hit or miss - parking is either in the nearby garages, parking lots, or street parking. They are only opened at night, which is smart because of all of the nightlife in the area. My drink also took a long time, even though I ordered ahead of time and I only ordered 1 drink - they always seem to be short-staffed as well.I only come here because it is the only decent spot that is opened late night. I ordered their jasmine milk tea with boba. It actually was not that bitter and it had more creaminess to it this time.

Best and authentic tea in the area.My favorite is the Oolong milk tea and the Thai milk tea.

THE POPCORN CHICKEN IS NOT GOODI saw the review pictures and they looked good, but the actual food I got Nov/2024 is terrible. The chicken is overly breaded, dry, and flavorless. They try to add seasoning on the outside but it doesn't really get past the breading. It was also $10 for a small bag.I went on a Saturday night and there was only one person working there. That poor girl had to juggle 10+ customers all by herself and was super nice and apologetic about the wait, but management needs to get it together.

Great late night boba spot in San Jose with fried food options like popcorn chicken and garlic fries. I ordered the Jasmine milk tea with puff cream and I liked it cause the puff cream consistency is thick and doesn't dissolve into the drink. Came here on a Wednesday night so the shop was pretty empty aside from food delivery drivers picking up. The worker was nice and patient as I pondered over the menu.