Conveniently nestled in the heart of Campus Corner, Tea Café On the Corner proves to be the perfect spot for a study date accompanied with fresh, homemade boba and Asian food originating from Taiwan with Vietnamese, Japanese and Thai influences.
Viet Nguyen, Tea Café’s owner and manager, said when the establishment opened in 2005, boba was not as popular as it is today. Since then, their menu has grown tremendously and it continues to evolve.
“Expect a quality product and something that has a lot of hard work behind it,” Nguyen told OU Daily.
Nguyen said that a fan-favorite dish is orange chicken with chicken fried rice, although he personally recommends the pho.
“It's like home cooking,” Nguyen said. “I cook it the way I like it.”
Nguyen said the key to working on Campus Corner is adjusting to the fluctuation of business as OU students come in and out of town. He said despite the ever-changing nature of the location, the restaurant still maintains a steady stream of regulars.
“Students love this place,” Nguyen said. “I appreciate them so much, and I know what they're going through. They're just trying to (get through) the rigors of school, it's not easy. I'm glad that we’re a part of their journey and that we can be able to provide that service for them.”
Tea Cafe on Campus Corner has a large menu of Asian foods. The restaurant has takeout, delivery and dine-in options.
In between bites of the chef’s special fried rice and sips of taro milk tea, employee Andrew Thompson said his favorite part about working at the Campus Corner spot is the personal connections he makes on a daily basis.
“I get to see a lot of familiar faces coming in,” Thompson said. “I'm not really a social person but working with others helped me open up a little bit more.”
Carol Jarrett, Tea Café’s social media marketer, was a regular customer for about seven years before landing her current job.
“The first order I ever got there was a rose milk tea with boba. It was the first time I ever had boba and chicken fried rice,” Jarrett said. “And I swear I can still remember it.”
As she began to manage the business’s social media, she quickly witnessed the overwhelming community support.
“You have a one-of-a-kind experience where you can go in and you can either have formal dinner, casual dinner or simply get drinks,” Jarrett said. “I don't know any other place on campus, let alone in Norman, that offers something so unique as that, alongside a very local touch and hospitality that is unmatched.”
Most recently, chai and brown sugar flavors for boba were introduced, which Jarrett said became instant hits.
“The drinks are always made fresh,” Jarrett said. “We always try to experiment and try to create new drinks that we can add to the menu.”
For a first time boba consumer, Jarrett recommends something simple like a vanilla or almond milk tea. And for the seasoned boba connoisseur, Jarrett recommends taro and coconut milk tea, a choice she says is a wonderful combination.
Much of Jarrett’s work on social media is highlighting the menu options that customers tend to overlook. She said while having a go-to order is understandable, it can be exciting to see customers switch things up.
“If you're looking for a place that's local with amazing food, great people and all around the best environment and hospitality you will ever find, Tea Café is the way to go, hands down,” Jarrett said.
Tea Café On the Corner is located at 788 Asp Ave. and is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.
This story was edited by Emma Blakley and Karoline Leonard. Sophie Hemker, Mary Ann Livingood and Nikkie Aisha copy edited this story.
