Cha An -- Japanese Tea House

Cha An is such a lovely spot to have tea and a light meal whether on your own or within a small group. The ambiance is perfect for socializing or just relaxing. I am happy to say Cha An is the location of our next Tea Tour NY event. We will be meeting there this Sunday, January 21st. For more details and to RSVP please visit the events detail page.


I was just at Cha An on Sunday and am looking forward to visiting again with our tea group. This past weekend I enjoyed a light meal of the six small appetizers and sweet potato samosas. The six small appetizers were an enticing ensemble of little bites including tea smoked salmon, scallion quiche, vegetables, pork and squid. It was amazing. Not only was it delicious, it was beautifully presented. Actually, in my book the serving and presentation was artistic and perfect! The plate itself seemed as if it was designed just for the appetizer, it was divided into several small sections and its weight, color and shape enhanced the appearance of the food. When the plate was served, the waitress rested a set of chopsticks atop a little black stone. The chopsticks were tied with a pink string making the experience seem like an exquisite little gift... just for me.

While the sweet potato samosas were presented in a relatively simple, yet still beautiful Japanese bowl, they were no less special than the six small appetizers. Being a lover of sweet potatoes I just couldn't resist having this appetizer and it was divine! As a dish it was more than I could handle on my own, quite large, but incredible. It consisted of a steamy paste of sweet potato which filled a flaky filo pastry. As I pierced and broke the samosas with the chopsticks, the scent of the delicate, sweet flavors to come was released. It was an intoxicating and unforgettable moment.

I enjoyed two teas at Cha An this time around. One was the Osmanthus Oolong which is an oolong from China which has been scented with one of my favorite flowers -- Osmanthus. For those that don't know Osmanthus -- they are small star shaped flowers that grow on shrubs/trees native to Asia. Their beautiful fragrance is sweet and floral and reminds me of a cutting garden after a fresh rain. On very special occasions I have worn these in my hair! They hold a rigid shape once picked and hold up to long periods without water or moisture.

Matcha was my second tea. I always enjoy matcha, while it can be a bit intense both in taste and caffeine, the experience itself always feels special. To enjoy a tea that has been artfully prepared and presented is always a nice thing. As I handled the bowl with both hands, breathed in the scent and appreciated the color and texture I thought of the elegance that accompanies the Japanese tea tradition. It is a sublime experience that spiritually intertwines art, nature and taste. I brought the bowl to my lips and took a sip, savoring the slight bitterness and strength of the tea just prior to sampling the Japanese dessert that was served alongside it. The dessert was a sweet rice cake dusted with soy bean powder. It was delicious, sweet and mild, the perfect accompaniment to balance out the strength of the matcha.

Cha An is located on East 9th which is such a fun block, filled with beautiful ethnic establishments. This area has always been among my favorites, since my days of attending NYU. In addition to Cha An there is a neat little Tibetan restaurant called Tsampa which features an incredible atmosphere and foods with lingering spicy flavors. This street also contains one of my favorite hiding spots in all of New York... an incredible little bar called the Angel's Share which sits atop a Japanese restaurant. I discovered it 12 years ago and it's still there! A rarity in NYC. After I left Cha An I spent a good hour there, getting a fun 'cocktail education' from one of the sweet Japanese bartenders.