Tea ‘n’ Bowl

The meal I had here was amazing. Thanks to other Unilocal reviews, I came in knowing exactly what to order: roasted duck noodle soup.
Amazingly, the duck skin remained crispy without getting soggy in the broth. Speaking of broth, this was a rich broth with loads of flavor. I couldn’t stop shlurping this broth so enthusiastically; oil spots on my shirt be damned! The baby bok choy is a fantastic accompaniment.
The couple next to me ordered a LOT of food; the roasted bok choy in garlic sauce is next on my list of things to try. The lady declared to her waitress «this is similar to what my mom makes.»
I washed the meal down with a tall cup of black tea. This ain’t no Lipton, kids; this was the real deal. It helped to see canisters of loose tea sitting on the table.
The staff was super friendly and attentive. I can’t wait to come back!

Wonderful! Amazing food. Delicious bubble tea! Service is spectacular, Ivan usually waits on us, and he is just great (although the other servers are also super)! My mother and I often eat there often, and it’s always delicious. I order the same thing everytime (steamed shrimp with garlic), but I’ve vowed to try some of the other dishes, which all look so good. Tonight I tasted the kung pao chicken, and it was absolutely delicious.
I highly recommend this restaurant.

Our last two experiences have been quite different from the initial ones. The last one really capped it of. First off this place is pretty pricy for Chinese food. I don’t mind paying extra for good food but the last couple times it has been sub par. The flavors haven’t been there and the service has been lacking. The last time we ordered we were quoted 45 minutes for delivery. After an hour we followed up and they said the delivery guy just left and he would be there in 10 minutes. 30 minutes later still nothing. Followed up again and was again told the same thing. It was another at least 15 before he showed up. Food did not seem fresh. It was incredibly frustrating and will not repeat.

My boyfriend and I ate here on a whim a few weeks ago as I was really craving some authentic Chinese food. The experience we had was enough to make me think that we were on some hidden camera show. First off, the waiter seemed very frazzled and couldn’t answer questions about what certain items on the menu were… then after ordering, we were informed that they no longer make what we had wanted. After choosing other items, we waited as we saw others get their food. About ten minutes later, we finally got our drinks.
The food we did receive was quite good, and we informed the waiter of this the TEN times he came back to our table. It was a little off-​putting and sort of uncomfortable as it felt like he wanted us to order more or strike up a conversation?
I went to the counter to pay, and they kept asking if we were paying separately. I asked for the items to be on the same check, and they seemed to be very confused about that… I stated that I was covering the bill probably three times. After paying, I went back to the table to wait for my boyfriend, and the waiter came over once more to ask if we wanted soup? I said that we had already paid and he said, «That’s ok, it’s complimentary!». So, like any red-​blooded American, I was all, «Sweet, free food, why not?» and I said I guessed we could wait for it.
Now, we had out bags/​coats on, and he brings us out soup in ceramic bowls. We looked in disbelief and I meekly asked if maybe they could be put in Styrofoam bowls as we didn’t want to waste the soup but there must have been a misunderstanding. The waiter gave a puzzled look back and said they could not do such a thing.
All in all, it was a very weird experience and even though the food was good, I don’t think I’ll be returning!

I love this family owned business. Not only, the food is good but also, the people are very nice. Best bubble snow in town.

I ordered scallion pancakes for an appetizer. When I got it, it barely has any scallion. All i had is a fried pancake flour with oil and a green speck. Quite disappointed since this has been my go to Chinese place. I hope this gets the attention of the owner.

Tea n Bowl is, in my opinion, the best Chinese food in the UC area! It’s better than Red Pepper and King Wok, for sure. Their lunch special is awesome, you can get so much food for 6 dollars. Plus, they deliver the lunch special and have a lower delivery minimum during that time, I believe. They have so many different types of bubble tea-​slush, snow, milk, etc. It’s all delicious. The service is generally really great, I’ve personally never had a bad experience. Best hot and sour soup I’ve ever had, as well. All in all, it’s one of my faves!

I would not even give them one star if possible.
My colleagues and I saw an ad for the place and saw that they delivered within the area we work — medical campus. We checked out the menu and decided what to order and went to order online through their website — only it did not work. Ok NBD.
Then we called and put in our order for 4 people. They said 20 – 30 minutes.
THEY. NEVER. SHOWED. UP.
How can you run a business like this???

Frustratingly inconsistent.
I don’t expect perfection — this is Cincinnati. But This place varies wildly between 1 – 4 stars. The Malay dishes tend to be more consistently good, but they’re often sold out. The Chinese/​HK dishes are sometimes good and sometimes outright terrible (as happened tonight, which is what brought me here to write this review).
I don’t know if this is a variability in the cook working on different nights, timing of ingredient delivery, something else, or all the above, but I’m ready to take my money elsewhere.

I appreciate the owner actually taking the effort to read my review and wrote a reply. I’m glad that she is still there and we were just there when they have new trainees on the floor.
We love your restaurant and will continue to come in for as long as you guys still serve my favorite teas and food. Keep up the great job.

One of my favorite Chinese devilry food places. I just moved here to OH and I was craving some authentic Szechuan cuisines. It was a major bonus when I found out they deliver! Their portions are HUGE! I ordered a couple of their items but I highly recommend their beef lo mien and their hot & sour soup. I tried their various bubble teas and they’re good as well, especially the almond milk tea.
The only thing is the 60 min delivery time… it fluctuates but either way I’m glad I stumbled upon this place. Definitely a must try.

The food is fine but unfortunately they have the worst customer service. The guy at the register has a horrible attitude, as if he is doing you a favor when you come to the restaurant. Nonetheless, I am willing to endure their unfriendly faces and ungrateful service for their delicious bubble tea. I really like the soy milk mango and jasmine bubble teas however only 2 out of the 5 times I go in for the tea they actually have soy milk. As a business, they should at all times have the items they offer, if offering soy milk presents as a difficulty to them they should just remove it from their menu.
If you’re looking for an enjoyable experience this is not your place.

Since a change of owners, improvement of the business can be seen. There are more options for bubble tea. They can make it with soy milk, if there is a lactose intolerance. Instead of just bubbles there are mixed/​jelly options and hot or cold. This is the best you can get for bubble tea in this area. Not the same as other cities, but it will do. They use mainly ready made flavored powders, but the way they make there tapioca (bubbles) are very good. The authentic Chinese food did improve, but its a hit or miss. Sometimes its done very well, sometimes its a total disaster. We ordered the same dish as we had the first time and it was amazing, then the second time… we were disappointed. So just take your chances, there food’s taste and quality isn’t consistent. But if anything, the food is fairly good for your quick fix of Chinese food.

Tea n bowl honestly has wonderful food. This family owned shop is a hidden gem on E McMillan by UC, serving chinese, Sichuan style, Malaysian and Korean dishes. I’ve never had anything off of their American Chinese menu but everything I’ve tried from the authentic menu is always delicious and unique compared to what other Asian places are serving.
If you want to try something from the authentic menu, the owner Yvonne will be happy to recommend something awesome based on what you like. I personally like the hot pot and Sichuan fish fillet. Big portions and the leftovers are always good. The spice levels are 1 – 10 and not many can handle a 10!
If you’re in the mood for bubble tea, it’s decent, not the best I’ve ever had but I usually go with the taro flavor. Sometimes they will give you free dessert when you dine-​in — not super fancy but small bowls of sweet porridge that remind me of home. I think tea n bowl is best in the winter, when the steaming savory food can warm you up. But I’ll eat there anytime!

I’m sorry but this place has bad boba. I’m only going to talk about boba because that’s all I got. Can’t speak for the other food.
I’m pretty particular about my boba so maybe it’s actually pretty good to other people but the boba tastes horrible. The actually little balls. It’s like eating gum that’s lost its flavor… ugh. I didn’t even finish my boba tea because it was soo… ugh.
The avocado just tasted like sugar to me… and I asked for low sugar -.-
ALSO. It’s made from a powder. Just FYI. If you’re concerned about artificial flavors or if you want to try «real boba» would not go here. They seem to have cut corners on their boba to be able to turn a profit…

Tea ‘n’ Bowl is my go-​to Chinese food place in the UC area. Great service, great food! They have both an americanized Chinese food menu, and an authentic one. Their authentic food is a bit pricier, but it’s meant to be enjoyed family style, and the servings are huge!
Their lunch special is super affordable, and they pile the box full of food. For roughly $ 6 you get a huge serving of rice, fried rice, or lo mien ($ 2) with your choice of soup or salad. I ordered the general tso chicken with lo mein and they were at my door in 15 minutes! I was pretty impressed. The food was piping hot and delicious! I love the hot and sour soup as well. I think their serving size of food actually covers two meals because they are so generous!
I’ve also been for their authentic menu. Huge fan of the eggplant and Szechuan style beef brisket! I tried a few other things in the past that were less than stellar, but it might have been before their new chef, so I will not comment on those.
The boba is great as well — though there were some flavors that were off to me. Not top notch, but best in Cincinnati!

Great authentic Chinese food. They have a good variety on their menu. We ordered: Szechuan green beans and Garlic shrimp.
For drinks, I ordered ice green tea and Thai soy milk tea: perfectly made with chewy boba
Service was really good and the owner was nice enough to chitchat with us and gave us complimentary dessert

The best Chinese restaurant in Clifton! A bit pricier than the other Chinese places but definitely worth it if you want some quality Chinese food.
Roasted duck noodle soup is good. The broth is delicious! Ho fun is also very good. Noodles can be overcook sometimes though.
Hot & sour soup is good. Wonton soup, not so good.
Best bubble tea in Cincinnati! Ridiculous varieties!

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: TEA ‘N’ BOWL DELIVERS TO DOWNTOWN AND OVER THE RHINE! I REPEAT… TEA ‘N’ BOWL DELIVERS DELICIOUS STEAMY HOT FOOD RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR.
***This review is for delivery only ;)
Let me take you there… it was a Tuesday night. I was sick. My boyfriend was sick, and also taking care of me. We were exhausted. We had no food. It was storming (in fact, this was the night it was hailing) Neither of us were moving. We thought to ourselves there is no way we are ordering pizza again. After calling every Chinese place in the city we hit the jackpot. Enter Tea ‘N’ Bowl.
(Side note: I wish I could have captured our reactions when the kind woman on the phone said, «Yes we deliver to OTR.» It was pure joy. I cupped the phone with my hand and we did a silent screaming fist bump to one another. I regrouped myself and said, «Yes thank you. We will have the General Tso’s and the Beef Lo Mien please.») And that was that.
The delivery was around an hour, but hey it was hailing out. I didn’t care if it took 3 hours. I was just happy they saved our lives. I literally said to my bf, «It’s been an hour and honestly I don’t even care if the food is cold, I am still eating it.» He shrugged and agreed.
The food arrived not two minutes later after we said that. The food was PIPPING HOT! In fact, it felt like we were at the restaurant and it was just presented to us. The General Tso’s was GIANT. (See photo) The sauce was delicious and spicy just how I like it. But the best part of all was the breading on the chicken. It was really fresh and not rubbery like we have had from those other not-​to-​be-​named places.
The General Tso’s was so good I could barely break away long enough to try the lo mien. There was a heaping amount of beef in here and it was seared but still juicy. The noodles were salty and delicious, and the veggies were just right.
Tea ‘N’ Bowl, I have to tell you, I may or may not have stood up in my two day old sweatpants and runny nose to do a slow clap in your honor. Thank you for not only filling our bellies and delivering to us, but also for providing a fresh delicious meal regardless of if we were eating in or not.
I wish I could give six stars. Keep up the great work and I am sure we will be ordering again soon!

I have been a common customer here for a few years and came only for the bubble tea, until they revamped their menu. The previous menu was pan-​asian and had all of your typical asian dishes and was nothing too exciting to me, so I decided then that I’d stick with the bubble tea for future visits.
When I came in several months ago, I noticed the interior was re-​done and the menu had changed. Curious, I sat down and had lunch with my friend. We ordered the seafood hot pot to share and also the corn chowder and both were fantastic and very authentic when it comes to Chinese food. They even gave us a complimentary seeet rice soup for dessert and it was soooo good. The servers were also very polite and wanted to ensure we enjoyed everything. I absolutely love the new management at Tea n Bowl and can now recommend this place for both food and their bubble tea. Keep up the good work!