Project Tea Serves Up Unique Boba and Street Food in Chico

Chico’s culinary scene has welcomed a vibrant addition with the opening of Project Tea, a boba tea shop that combines traditional flavors with innovative street food offerings. Owner Tom Zhang has transformed the establishment since acquiring it in 2024, after relocating from Sacramento. The shop has quickly become popular, boasting a diverse menu and an emphasis on quality ingredients.

The origins of boba, a chewy drink made from tapioca pearls, date back to 1980s Taiwan. It has since become a favorite in Western culture, with Project Tea offering a wide selection of flavors and textures. Zhang commented, “We use high-quality ingredients,” and he believes that customer feedback positions them as the best boba shop in Chico.

Expanding the Menu with Street Food

Project Tea features four types of boba pearls: classic fried brown sugar boba, strawberry and mango popping boba, and crystal boba. In addition to these, customers can select various add-ins like lychee jelly and salted crema. The drink menu includes options such as milk teas, tropical teas, and blended beverages, with standout items like the Okinawa dream tea and passion paradise tea gaining popularity. Currently, the seasonal offering is pumpkin Thai tea.

Zhang has also broadened the menu with savory street food items to attract a diverse clientele. Among these are Korean corndogs, filled with beef or mozzarella, and takoyaki, a dish made from fried octopus balls. The latter has become a customer favorite, with one patron expressing a strong desire for it to remain on the menu.

A Journey from Engineering to Entrepreneurship

Originally from Shandong Province, China, Zhang moved to the United States in 1988 to study engineering at San Jose State University. After completing his education and working in IT, he realized that the corporate environment did not fulfill his aspirations. “I was sitting in a cubicle thinking, ‘I don’t want to work for other people,’” Zhang recounted. He decided to pursue entrepreneurship, opening a Panda Express and a boba shop in tandem in San Jose.

Zhang’s experience in college towns has informed his business strategy. While boba is popular among young people, he acknowledged the challenges presented by seasonal fluctuations, particularly during summer breaks. He noted that Chico’s demographics—where students make up about 15% of the population—create a more stable environment compared to other college towns.

Upon arriving in Chico, Zhang was pleasantly surprised by the town’s vibrancy and community spirit. “When you make a good product and people like it, it’s very rewarding,” he remarked, expressing his enthusiasm for contributing to the local culture.

Project Tea operates daily from 11:00 to 22:00 at 1008 West Sacramento Avenue, Suite H. More information about the diverse offerings can be found on their website, project-tea.com.