Luh Yu Tea Emporium

Closed! It really is too bad.

I went by today basedf on the Unilocal review to pick up a Father’s Day gift. I dont think theyre open anymore. I went around 5, which shouldve been opened, and the place looked pretty abandoned. Too bad :(I’m tired of relying on Ten Ren.

On a frigid January afternoon, while under the the stupor of soup dumpling satiation, I wandered along Northern Boulevard, looking for a Taiwanese tea shop based on a vague recollection from a minuscule mention on the web.
I stumbled upon Luh Yu, hidden under a street-​level jade emporium and requiring a push of a gate and a ring of a bell to gain entrance. I was greeted by the amiable proprietress and within a few moments, was invited to sample the teas.
I didn’t expect to be treated to an hour-​long didactic gonfu session with two Taiwanese oolongs and two vintage pu’erhs. As a novice, it was enlightening to taste each tea through 4 or 5 infusions. I’m still not a tea connoisseur, but now I realize the qualities to look for in a good cup. Sensing my interest in pu’erh, the proprietress created a simultaneous cupping of the 2003 and 2006 vintages. Presented in this fashion, I was immediately able to discern the difference between the two. While both shared the dominant flavor of aged aromatic wood, the older variety had a subtle sweetness and was more balanced. I could have probably sampled the 20-​year old pu’erh as well, but I was fateagued and felt guilty for having already taken up so much time. Since the teas here are not cheap, it’s great to be able to sample them beforehand.
Most of the Taiwanese teas are sold as 100g or 150g packs and will run $ 30−60+. The young pu’erhs are $ 35/​$ 45 per pound with a ½lb minimum. The 20-​year old pu’erh is $ 65 for a 200 gram cake. I wish that they were sold in smaller increments so that I could purchase more varieties.
The proprietors are very knowledgeable and serious about their offerings. They even roast some of the teas further to produce the desired qualities. I can’t confirm that they have the best Chinese teas in NYC, but they most certainly have great service.