9 Best Gongfu Tea Set Reviews: 2023 Ultimate Guide

Gongfu tea sets are a must-have for any tea enthusiast. They are an essential tool if you want to brew the best tasting cup of loose leaf tea, and they often come with many other useful components that will help you prepare your favorite drink.

In this article, we will be giving you a comprehensive overview of what makes up a gongfu set, as well as our top picks for the best products on the market today!

What is the Best Gongfu Tea Set?

The best gongfu tea sets can be a subjective choice, as this depends on your aesthetic preferences and the purpose of your tea set. For example, do you want a beautiful gongfu luxury tea set to impress your guests? Or perhaps a portable set better suits your needs?

Here are our Top Picks:

1. Best Overall - Music City Tea Yixing Large Tea Set (Black & White) Zi Sha Kung Fu Set
2. Runner Up - Ufengke Wood Tea Tray Ceramic Kung Fu Tea Set
3. Best for Travel - Travel Tea Set Teapot with Ceramic Infuser and 2 Ceramic Tea Cups
4. Best for Beginners - Music City Tea Yixing Tea Set 8 pcs
5. Best Portable - Ceramic Travel Gongfu Tea Set Teapot In Cotton Bag
6. Best for Splurging - Handmade Yixing Zisha Clay Tea Set Teapot With Four Teacup
7. Most Advanced - Iron Style Tea Set with Ebony Fish Tea Tray by Umi Tea Sets
8. Honorable Mention - Purple Clay Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets
9. Honorable Mention - Simple Small Chinese Gongfu Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets

As you can see we have picked the best gongfu tea set products for several categories to help you in your quest for finding the best tea set for you!

1. Music City Tea Yixing Large Tea Set (Black & White) Zi Sha Kung Fu Set

Best Overall

We have selected this tea set as our best overall because of its overall completeness, its aesthetics, and use of Yixing clay bamboo materials.

We also like that this tea set is sold by Music City Tea, which is based in Tennessee, USA. This is a good advantage since shipping takes less time, is less risky and more economical. Jinlan (Jenny) is the shop owner and she is from Wuyishan in the Fujian Province in China. This region in China is famous for producing the four main types of tea: black, oolong, white and green. She is also Chinese tea expert - so you can shop her products with confidence.

Going back to the tea set, this gongfu set offers a minimalistic design featuring black and white colors. It includes 29 pieces including a fairly large bamboo tray measuring 15 x 10.5 x 2.5 inches. The tray also collects any waste water - the tray's top comes off to allow you to easily clean any overflow water.

For those not familiar with gongfu tea sets, just beware that the size of the tea cups might seem quite small. Each cup has a 0.5 oz capacity. However, this is atypical in kung fu tea sets, since the cups are supposed to be tasting cups, which allow the user to admire the tea colors, scents and flavors, and how the evolve after each tea infusion.

The only drawback is that this tea set is a bit pricey, but you are getting a quality piece shipped directly from the US.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Yixing Teapot
• 1 Gaiwan
• 10 Tasting Cups
• 6 Aroma Cups
• 6 Bamboo Coasters
• 1 Tea Strainer
• Tea Tool Set
• 1 Tea Towel
• 1 Large Bamboo Tray

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 4.5/5
• Quality: 4/5
• Portability: 2/5
• Price: 3/5
• Aesthetics: 5/5

2. Ufengke Wood Tea Tray Ceramic Kung Fu Tea Set

Runner Up

We have selected this tea set as our best overall because of its balance between functionality and design, completeness, traditional beauty, and price.

We are aware that our number one pick is a bit pricey so we wanted to give you another option of a complete gongfu tea set at a lower price.

Compared with our number one pick, this gongfu tea set is even more complete; however, some other components such as the tray may not feel of the same quality as more expensive sets. This is expected however for this price point, as some Gongfu tea sets can cost thousands of dollars!


It comes with a large wood (Lithocarpus glaber) tea tray with a drain hole, and even includes a small hose with a hand pump to help you remove all water that has accumulated in the tray!

This tea set is made zisha /purple clay with some glazing and it's lead free.

This gongfu tea set suits different occasions. This set can serve as a decorative or collection item, for both home or the office, since it looks really nice. This does not mean it isn't functional though. Just make sure you hand wash it very well before using and after using.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Teapot
• 1 Tea Bowl
• 1 Fair Cup
• 10 Tea Cups
• 1 Filter
• 1 Tea Tray
• 1 Tool Set (5 tools plus the tool pot)
• 1 Draining Hose with Hand Pump
• 1 Cleaning Set
• 3 Tea Pets

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 5/5
• Quality: 3/5
• Portability: 2/5
• Price: 4/5
• Aesthetics: 4/5

3. Travel Tea Set Teapot with Ceramic Infuser and 2 Ceramic Tea Cups

Best for Travel

This travel tea set is perfect for those who like to travel and drink their loose leaf tea on the go! Personally, we pack our Gyokuro tea while traveling...

Despite being a travel set, the design is beautiful with a nice minimalist approach. It is made of porcelain which makes it very durable, as long as you take good care of your set.

Taking good care of this tea set should not be an issue because it includes a nice case that protects it and allows you to bring it for brewing tea virtually anywhere you go.

The only downside we found is that there are no insulation pads included in this kit, but these are not necessary as you would be brewing tea and enjoying it in small quantities.

Of course, this tea set does not have all the components of other sets, but that's okay because it's designed for portability.

This tea set includes:

• 1 travel case
• 1 teapot
• 2 tea cups
• 1 tea infuser

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 2/5
• Quality: 4/5
• Portability: 5/5
• Price: 5/5
• Aesthetics: 3/5

4. Music City Tea Yixing Tea Set 8 pcs

Best for Beginners

This tea set by MusicCityTeas is perfect for beginners who are looking to get into the Chinese Gongfu Tea ceremony.

We have selected this tea set given its small size and because it only includes the essential components. So it's not as intimidating as other tea sets for beginners.

This tea set is made of quality materials. It is made of Yixing clay - this traditional material is venerated due to its heat insulating properties and its porosity which absorbs the tea flavors over time. This means that after you use this tea set several times it will start developing its own flavor profiles based on the types of tea you use.

This tea set also includes 2 bamboo coasters and a little hand-shaped holder for the tea strainer.

An advantage of this tea set, besides its beautiful minimalistic design and quality materials is that it ships directly from the US. Music City Tea is based in the US, which means you will get this tea set within days instead of months.

As most gongu tea sets, this one features small sized-cups. The intent is not to make a large mug of tea. Instead you use the small 0.5 oz cups to experience how tea evolves through multiple steepings, or to appreciate difference kinds of tea, in one sitting.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Teapot
• 1 Serving Pot
• 4 Tasting Cups
• 2 Bamboo Coasters
• 1 Strainer
• 1 Hand-shaped Strainer Holder

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 3/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Portability: 3/5
• Price: 4/5
• Aesthetics: 4/5

5. Ceramic Travel Gongfu Tea Set Teapot In Cotton Bag

Best Portable

We would like to present to you this beautiful portable tea set. This tea set is ideal to bring it to your friend's place or to work. But it's more fragile than our Travel Pick, because it does not include a travel case. So we don't recommend it for travel (unless you are careful unlike me).

Instead of a travel case this portable gongfu tea set comes with a cotton bag. It makes makes up the lack of a travel case with amazing quality and workmanship. This is truly one of the most special tea sets we've come across in a long time.

The handmade teapot (5.7 oz) and teacup (2.7 oz) are made of ceramic, and features a rough traditional timeless design. Because of the use of high quality materials, this tea set is microwave safe, and impressively, it can be heated directly on open flame.

If you want something that is unique that will last you for many years we highly recommend you pick this tea set.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Teapot
• 1 Tea Cups
• 1 Cotton Bag
• 1 Towel (Extra Cost)
• 1 Additional Tea Cup (Extra Cost)

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 2/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Portability: 4.5/5
• Price: 3.5/5
• Aesthetics: 5/5

Ceramic Travel Gongfu Tea Set Teapot

Check Price on Etsy (Base)

Check Price on Etsy (Extra Cup Tray & Towel)

6. Handmade Yixing Zisha Clay Tea Set Teapot With Four Teacups

Best for Splurging

We have selected this gongfu tea set for those who have an unlimited budget, and want to get a tea set made of the best materials and featuring exquisite details and workmanship.

This beautiful tea set includes a teapot and four tea cups. So overall, it's a small and simple set.

However, the highlight here is the quality and workmanship. The teapot and tea cups are made of red Yixing Zisha clay. They are adorned with green organic leaf shapes, featuring touches of yellow and red clay colors.

The teapot has rougher textures on top to give the effect of erosion, as if if this were an old tea pot. The teapot lid has a snail in place of a typical finial, giving this piece a very unique look.

Of course, this tea set comes with a hefty price, but it could last a long time if you take good care of it (i.e. always hand wash, don't use soap, and don't drop it!)

One drawback is that it could take a fair amount of time for this tea set to arrive to your doorstep since it ships from China. However, we've scoured the reviews and we can report that the this tea store's products are excellently packed.

If you got the budget for it, you will be owner of one of the most beautiful tea sets we've seen.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Teapot
• 4 Tea Cups

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 2/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Portability: 3/5
• Price: 1/5
• Aesthetics: 5/5

Handmade Yixing Zisha Clay Tea Set Teapot With Four Teacups

Check Price on Etsy

7. Iron Style Tea Set with Ebony Fish Tea Tray by Umi Tea Sets

Most Advanced

The Iron Style Tea Set With Ebony Fish Tea Tray by Umi Tea Sets is an advanced gongfu set for those who want the best of the best and have the budget for it.

It is beautifully handcrafted and made of the highest quality materials, including a hand-carved wood tray, traditional ceramics, and enamel hand-crafted fish along the edges of the tray. Even if you do not end up using this set, it makes for a wonderful display to make you happier and make your friends envious.

Although it is quite pricey, if you do take care of this set this is the type of object that can be passed from generation to generation due to its durability and timeless aesthetics.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Teapot With Stand
• 6 Tea Cups
• 1 Gongdao Cup
• 1 Tea Strainer
• 1 Tea Pet
• 1 Tea Caddy,
• 1 Tea Utensil Set,
• 1 Teapot Brush,
• 1 Tea Towel,
• 1 Tea Tray with induction cooker

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 5/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Portability: 1/5
• Price: 1/5
• Aesthetics: 5/5

Iron Style Tea Set with Ebony Fish Tea Tray by Umi Tea Sets

Use Code "YOURCOFFEEANDTEA"
for a 5% DISCOUNT

Check Price on Umi Tea Sets

8. Purple Clay Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets

Honorable Mention

This Purple Clay Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets is our pick for the best overall gongfu tea set. It is simply beautiful.

It features gorgeous handcrafted pieces made of purple clay and other ecologically and ethically sourced materials. The premium quality purple clay makes it not only aesthetically pleasing but also very durable, provided that you take good care of your tea set.

The entire set comes in its own crafted box which makes it perfect to gift to your family, friends, or yourself!

Frankly speaking, Umi Tea Sets offer similar tea sets as these ones for a similar price point. We just really liked the aesthetics of this one, you this is personal! So feel free to check their other sets!

This tea set includes:

• 1 Teapot
• 1 Gongao Cup
• 10 Tea Cups
• 1 Gaiwan
• 6 Aroma Cups
• 1 Tea Strainer
• 1 Tea Pet
• 1 Tea Utensil Set
• 1 Tea Towel
• 1 Tea Tray with induction cooker

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 5/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Portability: 2/5
• Price: 4/5
• Aesthetics: 5/5

Purple Clay Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets

Use Code "YOURCOFFEEANDTEA"
for a 5% DISCOUNT

Check Price on Umi Tea Sets

9. Simple Small Chinese Gongfu Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets

Honorable Mention

The simple small gongfu set by Umi Tea Sets is a must-have for those who want to dive into the wonderful world of gongfu tea.

Purchasing a gongfu tea set can be intimating because of all of the many components they come with. However, this set is perfect because for beginners because it only has the essential tools you need to start brewing and enjoying a gongfu tea ceremony.

The set is made of high-quality porcelain, and it is handcrafted. No plastic or cheap parts means that this tea set will last for a long time if you take good care of it.

This tea set also comes in two colors: black or white porcelain.

This tea set includes:

• 1 Tea Tray
• 1 Teapot
• 6 Tea Cups
• 1 Fair Cup
• 1 Tea Strainer

Bottom Line

• Completeness: 3/5
• Quality: 5/5
• Portability: 3/5
• Price: 3/5
• Aesthetics: 3/5

Simple Small Chinese Gongfu Tea Set by Umi Tea Sets

Use Code "YOURCOFFEEANDTEA"
for a 5% DISCOUNT

Check Price on Umi Tea Sets

Components of a Gongfu Tea Set

It is important to be familiar with the components of a gongfu tea set before making your purchase. The last thing you want is to order a set and then discover a component you were hoping to get is missing.

So let’s go over each piece of a typical gongfu tea set:

The Tea Tray 

The main purpose of the tea tray is to hold your teapots and cups while neatly displaying them. Trays also collect water if it overflows; some come with an overflow connection to a house which leads to a wastebasket. Others have two layers, any wastewater goes to the bottom layer.

Tray materials are usually wood (bamboo), while other higher-end materials include stone, jade, or ceramics.

Another purpose of most trays is aesthetics. They tend to have carvings or beautiful designs, highlighting the beauty of your tea set!

The Tea Pot

This is obviously one of the most important pieces of your tea set, without it, you can’t really brew tea! Traditionally gongfu teapots are made of clays known as Yixing or Chao Zhu. However, other materials are nowadays used, including porcelain or glass.

These tend to be smaller than their western counterparts. This allows for a quicker brewing time and maximizes the number of steeps, which helps you appreciate how the tea flavors and aromas change after each steeping.

The Gaiwan

Gaiwan means “covered cup”, and this is because they are composed of 3 pieces. These are the lid, the bowl, and the saucer.

Gaiwan can be used to brew tea as an alternative vessel to a teapot, and to drink your tea. They are made of various materials such as porcelain and even glass, but traditionally Yixing or Chao Zhu clays are used.

The Gong Dao Bei

The Gong Dao Bei is a pitcher that holds the brewed tea and is used to serve it. This is separate from the teapot since the infusions are quite short, and leaving the tea leaves in the water for long will result in bitter flavors. Pouring the brewed tea into the gong dao bei first also ensures the tea is evenly brewed before pouring.

Typical materials include clay, porcelain, or glass.

The Appreciation Cups (Pinming Bei)

The teacups, or pingming bei, are the cups you use to drink your tea. They are much smaller than western teacups. This allows you to appreciate all aspects of the tea, including how the colors, smells, and taste change after each steeping.

The Aroma Cup (Wenxiang Bei)

The cups are tall and slender. As the name suggests, they are used to appreciate the aroma of the tea. Traditionally, the brewed tea is first poured into this cup, and then into the pingming bei. One can then appreciate the leftover tea aroma in the wenxiang bei. As it cools, you may notice subtle changes to the tea fragrance.

The Tea Strainer (Lvwang)

The strainer is used when you are pouring the tea leaves from the brewing vessel (usually the teapot) onto the Gong Dao Bei. The purpose is to filter tea leaves or residue. Tea strainers also come with their own holders.

The Tea Holder

The tea holder is used to hold the tea leaves before brewing. They tend to be shallow and small, to contain only the amount of tea leaves that will be used. Part of the purpose of the tea holder is to display the tea leaves so that you can admire their beauty.

Materials include bamboo, porcelain, or clay.

The Tea Canister

The tea canister (chaoye guan) is used to store your tea leaves. You can find them in most materials. If you are going to store in one of these make sure it is airtight!

The Waste Bucket

The waste bucket, or fei cha tong, is a container used to catch any wastewater and tea. Some trays include a small orifice from which a hose is connected to the waste bucket.

The Brush

Also known as yang hu bi, the brush is used to clean your teapots. This is particularly important if your tea set uses traditional materials such as Yinxing clay since handling it too much will result in your pots absorbing the oils from your skin.

The Tea Cloth

The tea cloth, or Cha Jin, is an absorbent towel used to clean any spills both outside and inside your tea set. Your beautiful hand-carved wooden tray could be stained from tea stains if you leave water spills on it without cleaning it.

Tea Pet

Many tea sets come with a tea pet, a small figure usually made of the same materials as your teapot and tea cup. Just appreciate its beauty, and make sure to feed him or her some tea!

Other Tools

As you can see, there are many tools used in the Gongfu tea ceremony. Other tools include:

• Pu’er Tea Knife (Pu’er Dao): A dull knife used to cut into your Pu’er tea cake.
  
  
• Pot holder (Hu Chen): some tea sets come with a holder for your teapot. They are usually made of the same material as the teapot.
  
  
• Tea Scoop (Cha Ze): As the name implies, these are used to scoop the dry leaf tea into the teapot for brewing. Another variation is the digger tea spoon (Cha Shi), used to transfer tea from the tea holder onto the teapot.
  
  
• Tea Funnel (Cha Lou): This is used to funnel the tea into the teapot to avoid spillages and waste.
  
  
• Tea Tweezers (Cha Jia): Don’t burn yourself when trying to get the used tea leaves from the tea pot. Use these instead!
  
  
• Tea Pin (Cha Zhen): Used to clear any clogs that may have occurred. Those tea leaves like to get stuck on the filter holes of your set!
  
  
• Tea vase (Cha tong): It’s a vase used to neatly store your tools in one place.

About the Gongfu Tea Ceremony

The Gongfu Tea Ceremony is usually practiced in the morning or before dinner. The tea ceremony has its roots in Chinese emperors who wanted their guests and themselves to enjoy high-quality teas during meetings.

Nowadays it’s mainly done as an art form for appreciating all aspects of the tea, including how the colors, smells, and taste change after each steeping.

In practice you will probably need at least two people: one person pours while another serves the tea cup of brewed tea so they don't get cold - this takes some coordination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bottom Line

We hope that this quick guide has helped you figure out which gongfu tea set is best for you. When choosing a gongfu tea set, make sure to think about your budget and preferences in terms of materials used.

Remember, Gongfu Tea sets are beautiful both on the inside (tradition) and outside!

And don't forget to try different types of tea, such as Oolong tea, green tea, or black tea, and see how the flavors differ with these tea sets!