Serenitea, never promise what you can't Deliver

Serenitea Philippines has a branch in Robinsons Ermita Manila Padre Faura Wing. Ly and I were craving for milk tea. I wanted to have Gong Cha, but since she is not allowed to drink a lot of tea because of health reasons, we opted to get from Serenitea instead. And since we were too lazy to go to Robinsons Manila (Pedro Gil/Padre Faura) from the Department of Tourism (Kalaw), we just decided to call up Serenitea and asked for our drinks to be delivered.



Serenitea Robinsons Manila Delivery number: +632-4742725

I asked if they have a minimum order for delivery to Kalaw (DOT), and they said it was Php 350. No worries, since I asked some other people to order with us to complete the minimum delivery requirement of Serenitea.

I ordered for a large Serenitea Hokkaido Milk Tea, 25% sugar level, with pearls as add on, while Ly got a large Green Apple Yakult drink. I also ordered for ASec.LPJ and Sir Pat (large Hokkaido Milk Tea and large Wintermelon Milk Tea).



I asked how long it will take for them to deliver my orders, since Kalaw is just near Robinsons Manila. They initially said that it will take them an hour and thirty minutes (1 hr and 30 mins) for them to deliver, and I asked politely if they can do it in an hour (1 hr) instead. They agreed.

Right now, It's a few minutes past 3 o'clock PM, 2 hours after (and counting), and my Serenitea Milk Tea orders still haven't arrived. I called them to inquire where my milk tea orders are, and they said it's still there. They are still waiting for their riders, who are on their way back (according to them). I insisted that they promised to deliver the orders in an hour, and all what they can answer is that they'll deliver my orders right next.

I wonder what time will it arrive? I will update you once they do. I didn't expect the poor service from Serenitea. Sad :(

EDIT: As of 3:25 PM, Serenitea Milk Tea Delivery arrives! Better late than never? Still, it's no excuse to promise to deliver within an hour, then actually deliver 2 hour and 25 minutes later. I hope Serenitea fixes this. Good thing, your milk tea is good.

Serenitea opens at Robinson's Midtown Manila

Serenitea has become so famous among foodies, tea addicts and health conscious people. I first wrote about this "Tea Craze" in San Juan almost six months ago in May. Then I blogged about it again last August with the rumor, or more like a news, that it will finally open in Robinsons Place Midtown in Malate, Manila. Finally, two days ago, it opened its doors (or stall) to mall-goers in RP Manila.

I am a confessed addict of Serenitea's Hokkaido Milk Tea with Pearls. I ordered the same thing again. Hokkaido Milk Tea with Pearls. But this time, I wanted to try an additional topping/ingredient in my fix, so I asked them to add the egg pudding. It was okay, but the pearls are still the best. :)

I noticed that they added the sticker feature on the cups to tell which drink you ordered. It also tells what size, which add-ons, the sugar percentage you picked, and the time and amount of purchase you made. It's cool if you ask me. I wonder when this feature started? I also noticed that the stickers used in this particular branch has "San Juan" written on it. I think they have yet to produce stickers for RP Manila?

Zen Tea at EGI Taft Tower

Zen Tea, located at the EGI Taft Tower along Taft Avenue Manila, is a hangout place near De La Salle University (DLSU), where people have their tea fix and pass time with their friends. It's a hole in the wall stall, similar to the ones in the UP Shopping Center (SC), but it's much more cozier and cooler.

You'll have to order and pay at the cashier, then wait for your order to be called out. They have a second floor where you and your barkada or friends can sit and relax while you enjoy your tea.

They offer several tea drinks, like the Green Tea Iced Tea, Personalitea, and the Milk Teas with pearls. As you can see in the photo below, they are served in two sizes (L and XL), and with the corresponding prices.


I only got to try the NaiCha or the Pearl Milk Tea (XL at Php 50), which was supposed to be their bestseller. I can't help but compare it to Serenitea (the tea place I instantly fell in love with). I have to say it's miles away from Serenitea. I don't care if it's Php 40 cheaper, but this didn't even come close to Serenitea's Hokkaido Milk Tea. There was just something odd in the mix.

I guess I have to give it the benefit of the doubt. The other tea we got, for Tracy, was the Lemon Green Iced Tea (Php 40). I hope it was much better than their milk tea. I have to go back and try out their other tea-concoctions. Until then, this is my review. P.S. I miss my Serenitea-fix! :))

Serenitea's Hokkaido Milk Tea with Pearls

I visited Serenitea, the milk tea craze in San Juan, recently. I was surprised to see improvements to the establishment. The tables and chairs were renovated. They now have original and better looking cup labels. The Hokkaido Milk Tea with Pearls, great as ever! :) I heard that they will open another branch in Robinson's Place (RP) Manila soon, so watch out!

Beijing Hand-pulled Noodles

Before we enjoyed Serenitea, my best friend and I tried out the Beijing Hand-pulled Noodles just across the tea establishment in San Juan. He got the Braised Beef La Mian (拉麵) while I tried the Beef Chao Mian (炒麵). Literally La Mian means stretched noodles. "The hand-making process involves taking a lump of dough and repeatedly stretching it to produce many strands of thin, long noodle."



According to Wikipedia, in the Beijing style of preparation, "the dough is twisted, stretched delicately by waving the arms and body, untwisted, looped to double the strands, and then repeated. When stretching, they coordinate waving their torso and arms to increase the potential length of the noodle beyond that of the puller's arm span. Flour dusting is more liberally employed in this style than in the Lanzhou style of preparation."

Serenitea, Tea Craze in San Juan

I first heard of Serenitea being mentioned over at Plurk. It's not until Achie Fran (FrannyWanny) explained to me what Serenitea is, and how it's oh so deliciously addicting. I tried it out first just recently with fellow blogger Christa Uymatiao, who happens to live around the area.


We wanted to order Hokkaido Milk Tea, since we heard from Achie Fran that it's really good, but it was out of stock the first time I was there. We ordered the Okinawa Milk Tea (Large) at Php 95 instead. We had it with pudding and crystals (nata) at Php 5/topping.


The second time around, I went with my best friend. He first thought the place was pronounced "Se-re-ni-te-ya" instead of how you correctly pronounce it as "Se-re-ni-ti". Funny, he says it's more classy that way. Whatever :)) That time, we both got to try the Hokkaido. I had mine with no sugar, and with pearls. Him, mild sugar (25%) and pearls. It was awesome!

Serenitea is located along J. Abad Santos cor V. Cruz, San Juan City. You may contact them at 3794166 for more inquiries.