Cuisine Scene: Boba
Given that there seems to be a boba tea shop on every other corner, you may be surprised to learn that the popular drink, identifiable by its sweetness and pearl-shaped tapioca balls, was invented less than 40 years ago in Taiwan. It has since spread all over the globe with Long Beach doing its part; there are almost as many boba shops in town as coffee houses. Almost. Allow us to suggest a few terrific spots in town likely to fit you to a delicious tea.
CHA FOR TEA
Freshly made and open to customization, allowing customers to get the proper balance of sweetness and tea, Cha For Tea’s (5720 E. Seventh St.) most popular creations include a Mango Green Tea with half boba and half jelly fruit as well as a Roasted Brown Sugar Boba Latte. Lots of customers also grab something to eat, with crispy chicken and crispy dumplings being popular choices.
BOBA GUYS
When this Bay Area institution first migrated south, the lines were considerable. Boba Guys (6460 E. Pacific Coast Hwy, Suite 120) are known for their commitment to natural, small batch ingredients, crafting an all natural brown sugar-based sweetener which allows customers to indulge their sweet tooth while remaining fructose free. Located in the 2ND & PCH retail center, Boba Guys continuously boil tapioca balls so they remain soft and chewy.
CALITEA
Located just off the Traffic Circle, CaliTea (4549 E Pacific Coast Hwy) has a spacious, comfortable interior great for relaxing with your drink, whether alone or meeting up with a friend. CaliTea prides themselves on never pre-brewing their tea but always brewing to order. Among the most ordered of their rather voluminous menu, are the Cali Milk Tea, Hibiscus Cooler Tea and Avocado Smoothie.
LOOSE LEAF
This popular downtown spot uses nothing artificial–creamer powder, food coloring, etc. Loose Leaf (315 Promenade North) teas are made fresh using an innovative tea press that is similar to an Espresso Machine, allowing them to consistently brew each cup of iced tea. Strawberry and Green Tea Matcha Latte, as well as Thai and Hong Kong Milk Tea are very popular.
KNEAD DONUTS & TEA
One of the drawbacks of being a main mover in Long Beach’s donut renaissance, is that people forget it’s called Knead Donuts & TEA. Indeed, the drinks Knead creates are just as important as their doughy gems. In fact, they are just as proud of their iced Vietnamese Coffee with Boba–which they will tell you is the best you’ll ever have–as their signature creme brulee donut. Same goes for their Passion Fruit Tea, Strawberry Mango Smoothie or Brown Sugar Milk Tea.
HICCUPS
Another Traffic Circle destination, Hiccups (1946 N. Lakewood Blvd.) has a wide range of interesting offerings that range from such solid choices as Taro Milk Tea to a Coffee Float featuring Vietnamese iced coffee and sea salt cream topped with coco. Hiccups also has a Horchata Milk Tea that comes finished with whipped cream, sprinkled cinnamon and a drizzle of caramel.
DING TEA
This Taiwanese chain is located near Cal State Long Beach (1716 Clark Ave.) with a second location slated to open in Bixby Knolls (3908 Atlantic Ave.) in the fall. With locations all over the globe, Ding Tea is known for its fresh, unique taste in drinks such as Hokkaido and Taro Milk Teas, finished off with the likes of tiramisu or sea salt foam.
BOBA TEA HOUSE
This family-owned, West Long Beach shop serves a wide-range of classic milk teas–from taro to jasmine to almond to strawberry–all of which are affordably priced. To go with those drinks, Boba Tea House (1336 W Willow St) features a full menu of popular food items. Many longtime customers believe a Chicken Bahn Mi sandwich accompanied by a Milk Tea Boba is an absolute must.
MOCHINUT
This place is as well known for their unique looking donuts, that appear like delicious, iced bracelets, and equally unique looking, and popular Korean Corn Dogs that feature versions such as the Hot Cheetos Mozzarella. When it comes to Boba, Mochinut (1936 Lakewood Blvd.) does the classics such as Green Tea Milk, Ube Milk Tea and Thai Tea Milk, very well.
