Would You Like Some Cha? @ Cha Tra Mue Tanjong Pagar

Just as how coffee come from a variety of beans from the world over, tea, too, come from a variety of tea leaves from the world over. Tea originated from southwestern China, and is now the second most widely consumed drink in the world (after water!). While tea plants may have it's origins in East Asia, throughout the years, with different types of processing and hybridization, we now have a mind boggling array of brews to choose from (if you happen to be at TWG, do take some time to browse through their non-exhaustive list of brews sourced from all around the world). It is said that China's legendary Da Hong Pao tea is the world's most expensive tea, 1g of this rare tea will set you back a staggering $1,400, or $10,000 for a pot! But hey, we don't need to go to that extent for a good cuppa, not too far away, tucked away along the stretch of little shops at Tanjong Pagar MRT, is Cha Tra Mue, who in my opinion, does the best Thai Milk Tea I have come across by far. And, I believe the throngs of eager customers awaiting their orders around lunch hour can attest to my claim, hehe.

Liquid gold

For first timers, the amount of people hanging around will be a tad confusing if you are looking at where you should go to place your order. Here's what you should do, look out for the cashier, that's where the queue is for you to place your order, pay up, get your receipt (with your queue number printed on it) and wait for your number to be called. Collection point is on the far right of the counter. Do try to pay a bit more attention to the numbers called as it does get noisy with all the people waiting around.

They carry the "Number One Brand" from Thailand, which have been around since 1945. Number One Brand is distributed by Papanda Group Pte Ltd, which also offer franchising of the brand in Sunny Singapore. Tanjong Pagar MRT outlet is the second to open after the one at Far East Square. The tea comes in 3 variations of tea base - Original Thai Tea, Original Thai Extra Gold and Thai Green Tea.

This is a personal favourite - Original Thai Extra Gold Tea (less sweet) @ $2.40. Orignal version costs $2.30 a cup, I've tried both and I do prefer to have that tinge of bitter aftertaste, hence the Extra Gold winning top votes from yours truly!

The aroma of the strongly brewed black tea is so intoxicating, even before taking that first sip, the punchy heady scent will always leave me drunk with anticipation of what's to come.

They also make a cold version (which comes in a very tall cup!) and also an ice blended version. Original version @ $3.00 for iced, $4.20 for ice blended.
Extra Gold @ $3.20 for iced and $4.50 for ice blended.

Do note that they are super busy at the tail end of lunch hour, around 1.00pm - 1.30pm, so do be prepared to wait. And oh, while waiting, try not to linger right in front of the shops just across them, the shop aunty can be quite protective of her space :)

Cha Tra Mue (Tanjong Pagar)
Tanjong Pagar Mrt, B1-35, 120 Maxwell Road, Singapore 069119
(Right next to the bakery)