Founded by Hsuan-Hsuan Chang (Taiwan / ESCP), Le Te at 41 bis rue de Montpensier is Paris\'s reference Taiwanese tea house: high-altitude teas, whisked matcha, calm atmosphere.
Hsuan-Hsuan Chang travels yearly to small Taiwanese growers to select leaves.
Ali Shan above 1500m, roasted Dong Ding, Sun Moon Lake. No generic leaves.
Bamboo-whisked to order. Vegetal notes softer than Japanese matcha.
In Paris, many addresses claim a Taiwanese influence (bubble tea shops, generic Asian restaurants), but very few are actually Taiwanese tea houses in the strict sense: leaves imported from Taiwan, brewing respected, atmosphere designed like a Taipei salon. Le Te at Palais-Royal is one of the rare houses meeting that standard. The founder, Hsuan-Hsuan Chang, was born in Taiwan and travels yearly to the central mountains to select leaves directly from growers.
The menu is Taiwan-focused, without dispersion. High-mountain Taiwanese oolong Ali Shan (floral, buttery notes, low bitterness). Roasted Dong Ding (woody notes, hazelnut finish). Sun Moon Lake black tea (round, malty, soft). Pinglin baozhong (barely oxidized green tea, floral). Hand-picked jasmine. Autumn osmanthus. Taiwanese matcha whisked with bamboo. One of the sharpest menus in Paris on Taiwan.
Each tea is served with the right water temperature (between 75 and 95 degrees depending on the variety), in an individual teapot with enough water for two or three successive infusions. Each infusion opens different notes: the first more floral, the second more vegetal, the third more mineral. This grammar distinguishes a real Taiwanese tea house from a cafe serving teabags.
The room is intimate (30 seats), under the Palais-Royal garden arcades. Light wood, ceramics brought from Taipei, soft light, discreet music. A setting made to stay long. A teapot of oolong can last 90 minutes with two infusions. Wifi and outlets are available for those wanting to work or read.
Alternative to Chinese tea house, alternative to Japanese tea house, cocoon tea house, MAISON LE TE (the 11th restaurant version).
Le Te, 41 bis rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris. Open daily 11am-8pm. Booking recommended on weekends via the contact page.
Leaves directly imported from Taiwan, respected brewing (temperature, time), focus on high-altitude oolongs.
Ali Shan oolong for floral, Dong Ding for roasted, Sun Moon Lake for black.
Yes. Taiwanese matcha from the central mountains, bamboo-whisked to order.
41 bis rue de Montpensier, Paris 1, under the Palais-Royal arcades.