Xiu Xian Tea

Mako and her husband, Robert are very customer oriented and know their teas very well. We'd have to say this is one of the better places to buy tea from especially with their knowledge and tea tasting they offer too before purchasing it. We love this place! NYL/Kent Chamber Members more

Good: As Tea becomes more popular, even as people sense that if one teashop is profitable another will be also, you will see advertisements; do not fall for gimmicks. Because Xiu Xian is authentic and every tea comes from China, while other shops disregard the quality issue out of necessity. Because the owners are frugal and control expenses, they can provide the best quality tea at a reasonable cost. For the customer it is a win-win situation that is rare in this world of fast foods and misconception.. Bad: The customer service is impressive. Improvements: nothing, they will surprize me.. Other: As I stated earlier, the tea is from China, they go there to get it, where most other shops buy from intermediaries that would give the best quality tea to the highest bidder, if they even check quality. Because the owners here go to pick out the actual tea, shipped in marked boxes, and you, the customer end up buying the best tea from each province in a country where the tea plant is grown and trimmed by people who understand quality. Merlin. more

In a region run by coffee, I was so happy to find Xiu Xian Teahouse (I go to the Bellevue/Crossroads location)! Mako & Jenny really know about tea and take the time to educate buyers and answer *every* single question one might come up with. AND they went out of there way to make me and the other customers feel right at home. Other perks: *Inexpensive-moderate priced teas (from my experience) *Free Wi-Fi! *Real Chinese tea tables (which adds to the experience) *A nice range of teas (good quality too) *Iced teas (and bubble tea in the Kent store) - made from real tea - NOT A POWDER! *No hassle parking - they have their own lot *In a good location Cons - *WILL have trouble picking just one tea *No food in shop (plenty nearby though) My overall impression? This was a wonderful tea drinking experience. Their customer service is incompareably good and I am so please to have found them. more

The word is TEA, the benefit is well supported and the previous message was correct. The Xui Xian Tea shop in Kent is both quaint and like another world, one from the lands where the tea leaves grew, In fact the owner travels to each province in China where tea plants are grown and brings back only the best of each variety of tea, the best teas in the world. Along with a wide variety of products available from fresh teas to Chinese tea ware and many other items from China, the owner will delight you with the best ways to prepare the teas and ways different teas aid the body. You may even get an insight into Chinese customs and the environment the tea plants are grown in. As a customer of the shop, I cannot express how highly I recommend that you visit it, especially before Christmas. If you like tea and a truly Chinese atmosphere, a drive from anywhere in the Seattle area will be worth it. I found it because I live in Kent; however it is a shop that is centrally located and close to the 167 freeway, at the Kent Des Moines exit and available to the whole city. Please consider inquiring about the freshly brewed samples of a wide variety of teas to add to your visit. You may visit their website at XuiXianTea.com more

First off, Thank you Mako and your team for all you do. I was introduced to the tea shop soon after they opened whey they were in a little corner unknown in this community. From then on, I have introduced it to many friends, family and coworkers -- many who have now become regulars. Want to have a "real" tea party? Need a quiet place to escape to in the middle of a hectic day? What about a creative date? If you answered yes to any of these, then Xiu Xian Tea is the place to go. The staff not only know what they are talking about, but they are friendly and caring as well. Mako is a wealth of knowledge and a gem. If none of these is a reason to visit, then using one of her special tea cups with a variety of her teas is a definite conversation starter. "What is that?" someone asks -- looking at your cup with a flower in it, or something that looks a lot like seaweed. What a great chance to talk to that someone who you've been wanting to meet. Check it out, if you haven't already! You won't be disappointed! more

Such friendly service and great selection! I can't believe I'm so into tea now... curse you Xiu Xian. :-) Mako and Yulia are wonderful. I'd recommend this place to anyone (and have). more

Xiu Xian is a true wealth of knowledge. They are very helpful with questions. They also have great prices and super fast service. I would not buy from anywhere else. more

Mako and Yulia are great. (owner-manager) I have turned on at least 5 people to this shop and really get excited when i have an extra hour and am in the neighborhood an can go in and sample the wide variety of teas. I quit smoking 2 months ago and went into the shop a nervous wreck and after conferring with mako and purchasing an assortment of teas can now happily report i am 2 months without cigarettes and now happily addicted to loose green and oolong teas. what a way to go. I feel look and smell so much better. thank you Mako for taking the time to teach me about the vast variety and holistic benefits of the various teas. I now spend my extra money on tea instead of cigs. God works in mysterious ways. life is good, feel blessed and pass it on. I had to fill up with gas the other night, it was cold & damp. I was with my mom and i had my 7 year old with me. I just wanted to get home and curl up on the couch. But this gentleman was at one of the pumps and his car would not start, so he started pushing it out of the way and then my mom gets out and asks him what is wrong, she then comes and tells me he needs a jump and would i do it. well although i wanted to go home and get warm, i decided i needed to pay it forward and help out. i did not hesitate i just pumped my gas and drove over to his car, opened my hood and put the spark plugs in place. His car started quickly and he asked me if I wanted anything, like money or somehting. I just said, no, just pass it on. Pay it forward. Just imagine if we all just pay'd it forward. what a wonderful world it would be. Yea!! more

While dropping some movies off at Blockbuster, I decided to check out the tea shop next door that had recently opened. Walking in, I was immediately greeted with an excellent atmosphere and excellent service. Seeing what seemed to be loose tea in bags, I enquired as to how I am supposed to brew it. This led to being shown the brewing, an invitation to sample anything I like, and my purchase of a nifty brewing cup along with a variety of tea. I will absolutly be back to this place, as I believe I just had one of the best retail experiences of my life. more

I have been going to the Tea Shop for almost one year. I love it!! I sent many family and friends to the shop, some shop on line from back east. I believe in the healing powers of the tea. The shop owner is a true gem. She is friendly, professional and knowledgeable about her product. The shop is clean and easy to navigate through to find just the right tea you are looking for. I love the display of teas on the wall. It is truly a delightful experience from the time you first enter through the door and smell the wonderful aroma of her teas. more

I would never go to Kent in search of a good authentic tea shop but my husband and I were driving down hwy 167 and saw the sign on the back of the building and decided to stop in. The proprietor is awesome, she is very sweet and a lot of fun. Everytime we go in she has us try a multitude of teas and she sells the neatest cups with strainers built-in (my husband and I send everybody there, we've started a fad with the teacups at Highline.) I highly recommend this shop for anyone interested in tea or even someone who's not! more

Truly genuine service with a smile. Love of the product offered is evident from the moment you enter the store. The tea she makes is extraordinary, and the tea leaves and accessories she sells are well worth your time and money. I cant say enough good about this place, go see for yourself. more

The atmosphere is extremely inviting. I love the way I can sample the different teas before buying them. I think the fact that every time I walk in the store, I am greeted warmly and friendly. They remember me, and make me feel like I am a very special customer, no matter how much money I spend in their store. I highly recommend this store to everyone who asks, "What are you drinking?" Every experience I have had in this store or with Mako has been an enriching experience for me. I am very happy with their product, and the customer service is the best I have received on every trip I have made to this store. Mako makes sure you feel welcome and wanted. more

I have been going to Xiu Xian Tea since she opened up for business last year. They have TONS of differnet kinds of teas and flavors of tea. From white tea to Oolong-From lavender scents to red teas with different flavors. When you come in you will be invited to have some tea at her lovely carved wood tables. These tables are made for tea sampling, enough said, try them yourselves. The atmosphere is homey and inviting. You want to stay there all day, drink tea and catch up on the events of the world. They also have an excellent list of their products available to take with you so you can plan your next visit. more

You can't find a better tea shop that offers not only a plethora of green, oolong, red,and black teas from around China and Japan, But also has the warmest and most helpful curator. Mako and Robert have a beautiful shop where you are invited to sit down for an individual tasting to find the tea that suits you and learn many fascinating tips about tea from the growing regions to flavor description to brewing tips. You can't miss out on this treasure...what a delight! more

This tea shop is fantastic! The owner is a WEALTH of information and can help you find the right tea for your needs! You can taste test any tea on the spot before buying which is awesome! The atmosphere is warm and friendly....just like the owner! I highly recommend this shop and have sent many people her way! Thank you and I hope the shop is there for years to come! more

I love this little tea shop. It is quite the find. The woman that works there is always friendly and willing to help. She knows a lot about the different kinds of teas. The fact that you get to try many of them is wonderful. It really broadens your horizons and adds to the wonderful atmosphere. I have referred many friends and haven't heard any complaints. more

This is a Tea shop like no other. The woman who runs the shop is friendly and will sit you down to try different teas until you find teas to your liking. All of the teas are imported from China by the shop keeper, over 200 hundred in all! She also has myriad tea sets, dishes and other items that will keep you coming back time and time again. You don't get this kind of personal service at any retail store I have ever been to in the Seattle area, or anywhere else. more

This place is in a hidden corner of a little strip shopping center, but it was a great discovery. If you've never had real, traditional Chinese tea you should check it out. They have many different kinds of tea, kettles, mugs and other supplies. The owner was really friendly, and she sits customers down for "tea tastings" and demonstrations. You can probably find similar stuff for cheaper if you dig around in Seattle's International District, but if you're new to Chinese tea you will get more personal attention and can ask lots of questions here. It was a real cultural experience. more