Tea Station (again)

Thank you for stopping to read this blog, mmm-yoso!!! Kirk is still working long days. Ed (from Yuma) is also really busy with appointments and things retired folks do.  Cathy only has classes to take, so there is free time for her to write about some meals.

I've been posting about Tea Station in one form  or another on this blog since 2007.  This Taiwanese chain now has three locations in the County.   

   

  There are two main eat-in areas ( as well as a nice outdoor space).  The menu is filled with photos.

  We usually try a different hot tea each visit.  So far, our favorite has also been the osmanthus, a light colored, fragrant, deep flavored tea ($6.99 for this pot) I want to say the flavor is a fruity black...not that there is fruit added, just the leaves have that background flavor of peaches.   The shredded pork plate ($10.25) comes with the large portion of tea flavored pork, rice and the (daily changing) three sides: one hot and two cold this time.  The cabbage and green beans had a light pickled flavor and the corn had more of a tea/tannin/brisk taste.  All were complimentary to the meat. 

 
The deli plate with pork house noodle (or rice noodle) soup ($9.99) is a good choice which we can share.  The soup is quite nice and not salty; good flavors from the ingredients. The 'deli plate' is quite interesting, with tea flavored bites of hard boiled egg, seaweed knot, smoky tofu and a dried preserved vegetable.     Tea flavored dumplings ($8.99) are almost always a fallback choice.  The tea flavoring the meat is subtle, but there.  The presentation is always pretty.  You can see the skins were not thin.   The taiwanese tea sausage ($5.99) is also an automatic choice.  It's served with slices of raw garlic, which are just so perfect with the flavorings in the sausage.  The spicy fried chicken appetizer ($5.99) (light/medium spice level) is always perfectly lightly breaded and crispy fried; not greasy. 

 On a recent visit, we tried a pot of the chrysanthemum/Pu-ehr tea ($5.50)  This photo of the filter shows you the mix of chrysanthemum flowers and tea.  We really liked the more subtle fermented flavor of this tea.  You can see it was darker, and Pu-Ehr is fermented; quite earthy in flavor on its own, but by being 'cut' with the chrysanthemum flowers, it was a flavorful accompaniment to our meal this time.    There are three menu pages devoted to 'dessert', which is shaved ice, which you can create or order.  We have asked for the menu, stared at it, then always agree we want this same item: grass jelly with sour plum ice ($5.75). I have eight photos of this dessert.  No condensed milk or any other toppings. Just a light, pleasant way to end a meal, with some tea, of course.

I hope you are having a good week so far!

Tea Station 7315 Clairmont Mesa Boulevard San Diego 92111 (858) 268-8198 website

 

Comments

[Caninecologne]

I'm interested in that Taiwanese sausahes with raw garlic slices. The shaved snow dessert looks good as well. I've never visited any of the locations but would give it a try.

[nhbilly]

Sounds like a place I'd like to visit.

[Cathy]

The sausage has a really nice flavor, cc. It's steamed and just has that fresh taste that goes with a thin slice of garlic. There's one location on El Cajon Blvd at College Ave (SW corner) that would be closest for you. The 'sour plum' flavor on the ice is like prune juice, which I really like.
You would like it, Bill. Casual enough to just get a beverage, but also some really nice meals.

[Ed (from Yuma)]

That looks good and interesting. Thanks.

[Cathy]

It's a nice place, Ed. The majority of customers are younger than us and fill up the tables in the evenings. For a nice daytime respite, it's just right, with a good quality and quiet setting.