Mini Bamboo Chinese Tea Tray 11 x 7 inch Gongfu Tea Table with Reservoir Water Storage Review (2026)

What it is

This tray is a mini bamboo gongfu tea tray measuring 11 by 7 inches, built with what the manufacturer describes as a reservoir type water storage box underneath the slatted bamboo top. In gongfu-style Chinese tea brewing, rinse water and any overflow from pouring gets drained through the slats and collected in that hidden reservoir rather than pooling on the table, which is the main functional reason this style of tray exists compared to a flat serving tray. Because it is labeled mini and sized at 11 by 7 inches, this is one of the smaller trays in its category, positioned as an entry point rather than a large centerpiece tray for bigger gongfu setups.

Reservoir and drainage

The reservoir underneath the bamboo slats is what separates a proper gongfu tray from a plain serving tray, since gongfu brewing typically involves rinsing the teaware, pouring rinse water over the pot, and topping off cups in a way that produces more spilled or drained water than a single Western-style pot and cup. Having that water collect in a hidden compartment instead of running off the table is a real practical benefit for anyone actually practicing this brewing style at home. The tradeoff of a reservoir this size is that it will need to be emptied more frequently during a longer session than the larger reservoir on a bigger tray would, simply because there is less volume to hold before it fills up.

Size for the table

At 11 by 7 inches, this tray is sized for a small table, a desk, or a corner of a kitchen counter rather than a full dining table setup, and it comfortably fits a small teapot or gaiwan along with a couple of cups. That makes it a sensible choice for someone with limited space, such as an apartment or a shared desk at work, who still wants a proper gongfu tray rather than skipping the tray altogether. For a household that regularly hosts three or four guests for a full gongfu session with more teaware in play at once, a larger tray in the same bamboo tray family would likely fit the extra cups and pot more comfortably than this mini size.

Bamboo build

Bamboo is a common and practical material for gongfu trays because it tolerates regular contact with hot water and steam better than many other woods, and it has the light, natural look often associated with this style of tea serving. As with other bamboo tea accessories, it benefits from being wiped dry after use rather than left sitting in standing water, since prolonged soaking can affect any wood-based material over time even when the wood itself is naturally water resistant. Handmade or slatted bamboo construction like this typically holds up well to years of regular tea sessions as long as it gets a basic wipe-down after each use.

Bottom line

This tray is a good, space-conscious entry point into gongfu-style tea brewing, with the reservoir doing the core job of keeping rinse and pour-off water contained rather than making a mess of the table. Its 11 by 7 inch footprint is best suited to a solo brewer or a compact two-person setup, and anyone planning to regularly host a larger group for gongfu sessions should look at a bigger tray in the same bamboo lineup instead. For the person it is built for, a small-space gongfu enthusiast just getting started, it covers the fundamentals well.

Frequently asked questions