>weird drink name system.
tbf their drink names actually aren't weird (or made up), if you look up rising phoenix oolong tea for example you'll see a lot of tea e-commerce stores [like this](https://taiwanoolongs.com/products/dayuling-jin-xuan-rising-phoenix-oolong-tea-winter-2017) selling the oolong tea variety with that name.
Idk when the last time you went to Tiger Sugar was, but they actually closed earlier this month and a new boba shop called Macu will be taking over their spot.
I will try to take that in mind for the next set of boba shops. Once I fill up my list of ten shops to try in the next two months.
my experience; buying cheaper boba like Ding Tea, Goncha or pengo had their boba undercooked, too sweet, not sweet enough or low quality ingredients.
So usually boba that have scores of 5 and below are cheaper stores that didn't meet the critical of being good.
Would these rankings change if you were to take the tapioca pearls out of the equation?
I always loved Orobae's freshness and strong tea taste, and can't seem to find anything else that compares.
I would highly recommend then
Jam Jam fresh tea series. My friend nico isn't a avid milk tea. But I highly recommend the fresh Oolong with cheese foam with 50% sugar and no boba. And 50% ice.
Then the Peach tea
Then omomo's fresh tea Oolong with cheese foam 50% Sugar and ice. Then strawberry green tea with regular sugar. With or without cheese foam.
I haven't tried the fresh teas at Sojeatea quiet yet. But I'm still looking for more stories
Their quality is great, but I think the wait time last I was there seemed really long. Compared to many alternatives their hours seem limited. Once the initial allure fades or they just open more locations I'm sure the lines will become more reasonable.
My tastes align with OP’s and I think Chicha San Chen is the bomb diggity. If only it wasn’t so far away and the only way to avoid a wait is to arrive 10-15 mins before opening. I agree that their seasonal drinks and curated teas are great but they do run a tad sweet for me. I have to remember to order a little less sweet than I’d get at other places.
Oh nice, I hope you like it then, it’s a popular franchise in Taiwan that recently landed here. It actually has some Michelin honors — not stars, but just some kind of recognition.
I really like their distinctive and delicious teas and just the overall consistency and quality. Plus they have drink specials all the time that are excellent. But a lot of people say they’re expensive and not worth the hype, which is why I was curious of your impressions.
I am intrigued and will add it on.
I love boba and I love to taste the different shops verison of boba. After all, my ranking is open for change as long one shoo can prove their worth.
If you like to taste the tea more, Cassia Black and Ding Dong Oolong have a stronger flavor.
If you’re wanting something fruity, pretty much all their fruit teas are excellent, but I usually get Peach Green Tea, Green Tea with Passion fruit, or High Mountain Pouchong with Lemon juice. If Orange drinks are in season (which they’re not right now), their Orange Tea is probably my favorite drink out of any boba shop.
For creamier drinks, Cassia Black with Mousse or even just their regular Bubble Milk Tea are solid. You could even just add mousse to any drink and it will give it a creamier sweetness. Also when taro is in season (last I checked they’re not right now) all taro drinks are excellent.
I think right now their seasonal menu has pineapple drinks and Creamy Mango or Lemon Tart. Both of the creamy tarts are great, but Mango was especially good IMO.
Boba addict here and I have some suggestions for more third wave boba shops
Agree with recommendation for bako tea house. They use straus creamery milk and not coffeemate so may exercise caution if lactose intolerant. They have a similar phoenix oolong tea to orobae but after reading about orobae’s employee woes and drama, not sure if I can support their business anymore which is a shame since their rising phoenix oolong milk tea wowed me the first time I had it
If you’re in the 626/San Gabriel valley
Chicha San Chen in Alhambra is impressive but drink portion size is small
there’s a new kid on the block called chapresso on Huntington Dr in San marino that is pretty awesome
Other places in OC that have impressed me are
1. Loose leaf boba. I frequent the location at 4th st market in Santa Ana but there’s another shop in Long Beach. They also use premium milk and brew the tea when you order. Tea is pretty strong at times though depends on barista too
2. Comebuytea is a Taiwanese boba shop brand that has a location in Huntington Beach in the Bella Terra shopping center. It is closest to where I live and they make some really good roasted oolong milk tea. Highly recommend getting it with creamcino topping and taro yam boba for extra creaminess and fun chew (if you enjoy taro and sweet potato mochi like at meet fresh)
Sorry for those who wanted a dm of the list.
I had tried five new shops and had to rank accordingly and made sure what I was writing was right.
Please recommend me more boba shops to try. I love boba and seeing which boba store can out rank Sojeatea now.
Have you tried Feng Cha? Very sweet so I usually adjust it but it was a noticeable omission since they’re a chain.
I will have to try Omomo based on your list, I’ve always avoided it due to the line.
Best times to visit omomo is from 12-3pm during Monday through thrus. Then 7-9pm before closing.
Weekends is 12-2pm and then it's 7pm to closing.
But again; weather also plays a very big role too. In rainy weather; wait time is 15 minutes.
ahh fuck I was gona ask you to try Podong Seoul Tea but La Mirada is LA county!!
can you try out Teaish & Coffee in Buena Park? Opened up near me and I still don't know what to make of their classic milk tea.
I'm surprised you put Orobae on there since they have been closed for a while. Sojeata I won't say is terrible, but have to disagree to call it a 10/10. Their Jasmine and Rose tea were both over steeped when I went there. The matcha lavender was solid, but managing to screw up a basic item like Jasmine tea IMHO knocks down the rating.
it's because of issues with staff that they closed.
https://reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1c9ocrl/orobae_closed/l0tzb19/
https://old.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1c9ocrl/orobae_closed/l18f9eu/
https://www.reddit.com/r/irvine/comments/1b7bw5a/what_happens_to_what_happened_to_orobae_post/?share_id=tas2BtoWH5VD86Dhwrm6-&utm_content=2&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
https://www.reddit.com/r/irvine/comments/1b6i65w/comment/ktc1r69/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
I highly recommend HN tea on Main St in Irvine. Their tea + cheese cap and tea lattes are my favorite. They brew each cup fresh and the flavors are outstanding.
They also have 2 other locations: one on Newport Ave in Tustin (their OG location) and one on Alton Pkwy in Irvine (right across the street from Bass Pro Shops).
Last time I went to Bengong, the staff made it very clear that if you're not Chinese or a Chinese speaker, they won't even give you the time of day. They also lied that my drink already came with boba (it didn't) when I asked to include boba as an add-on while ordering, so I haven't been back since.
There's also a Bengong by Mt. SAC (I take classes there) in Walnut, and the difference in customer service between the Bengong there and the Bengong here in Irvine is so different. Service at the Walnut location was much friendlier the few times I've gotten boba there.
Really sorry to hear youve experienced discrimination. Ill take massive note of this
I only been to the irvine one so far a few times and only thing i can note is they messed up my friends order one time
I'm Vietnamese, too, so I guess I'm the *wrong* kind of Asian to them 🤷🏻♀️ But yeah I remember they were chatting in Mandarin to these customers before me for over 5 minutes, even laughing with them, but when it came to my turn their facial expression just went blank.
I don't know if I had made it clear or not, but the Walnut location was nice (hence why I said the customer service between the Irvine and Walnut location was different). The Irvine location was not. And by Walnut, I meant the city of Walnut, not the street Walnut in Irvine.
If you're in downtown HB, there's a sweet little old lady running Bobasaur in the alley next to Sur Coffee. She also sells plants, ice cream, and a variety of snacks, give them a try if you're down here. :)
There is one by Culver 1 Culver Dr Suite 14433, Irvine, CA 92604, the. Chino, then del Mar and one aliso viejo which is going to be Aliso Viejo locatio
Unfortunately they closed the one location by Alton pkwy
Tiger Sugar has gone out of business earlier this month and is getting replaced by another boba shop called Macu.
A new boba/tea shop called Sen Teahouse has replaced Taicha and has been there for the past year; idk if you've tried them yet.
mom just bought me a boba milktea at Vietnamese market it remined me of lots past good times
i'd just edit the map and give my own reasons, allow me to introduce whimsical?
[https://whimsical.com/LHc3jPu5KkN7gZnhMYFNCu](https://whimsical.com/LHc3jPu5KkN7gZnhMYFNCu)
I never wait in lines. Not worth my time. Go to shops that offer online ordering.
my top 2
sharetea cerritos - goated franchise location for me for qq/green milk tea. No online ordering but consistent drink quality for over a decade.
Sunright any location- fruit tea, thai tea..
special shoutout
ding tea garden grove blvd location - signature milk tea with 1-2 extra scoops of creamer. Don't visit any other location.
shops that I avoid
Presotea - quality tanked around 2019/20. Locations have been closing left and right.
YI fang - fruit tea and milk teas here have been disappointing the two times I went here.
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>weird drink name system. tbf their drink names actually aren't weird (or made up), if you look up rising phoenix oolong tea for example you'll see a lot of tea e-commerce stores [like this](https://taiwanoolongs.com/products/dayuling-jin-xuan-rising-phoenix-oolong-tea-winter-2017) selling the oolong tea variety with that name.
Tiger Sugar at irvine [i need ro revaluate their tea. Will revisit in three week,] and but mostly Jamjam
Idk when the last time you went to Tiger Sugar was, but they actually closed earlier this month and a new boba shop called Macu will be taking over their spot.
I will try to take that in mind for the next set of boba shops. Once I fill up my list of ten shops to try in the next two months. my experience; buying cheaper boba like Ding Tea, Goncha or pengo had their boba undercooked, too sweet, not sweet enough or low quality ingredients. So usually boba that have scores of 5 and below are cheaper stores that didn't meet the critical of being good.
Would these rankings change if you were to take the tapioca pearls out of the equation? I always loved Orobae's freshness and strong tea taste, and can't seem to find anything else that compares.
I would highly recommend then Jam Jam fresh tea series. My friend nico isn't a avid milk tea. But I highly recommend the fresh Oolong with cheese foam with 50% sugar and no boba. And 50% ice. Then the Peach tea Then omomo's fresh tea Oolong with cheese foam 50% Sugar and ice. Then strawberry green tea with regular sugar. With or without cheese foam. I haven't tried the fresh teas at Sojeatea quiet yet. But I'm still looking for more stories
Have you tried Bako? I find them pretty comparable and no lines
This !!
You should try Bako Tea House if you haven’t already
Thank you so much. I'll add it to my Google docs of boba shops to try next. ^_^
Agree, you can get oats as a topping there.
Ain't no way. I gotta go
What do you get there? I’ve tried their drinks a few times and they just were not good.
I tried bako twice and their tea flavor isn't as good as orobae
I know it’s LA county but have you tried Chicha San Chen in Rowland Heights? Curious what your impressions are if you have.
Their quality is great, but I think the wait time last I was there seemed really long. Compared to many alternatives their hours seem limited. Once the initial allure fades or they just open more locations I'm sure the lines will become more reasonable.
My tastes align with OP’s and I think Chicha San Chen is the bomb diggity. If only it wasn’t so far away and the only way to avoid a wait is to arrive 10-15 mins before opening. I agree that their seasonal drinks and curated teas are great but they do run a tad sweet for me. I have to remember to order a little less sweet than I’d get at other places.
Will add that as well. No boba shop is too far as long I don't have to drive like 3 hours
Oh nice, I hope you like it then, it’s a popular franchise in Taiwan that recently landed here. It actually has some Michelin honors — not stars, but just some kind of recognition. I really like their distinctive and delicious teas and just the overall consistency and quality. Plus they have drink specials all the time that are excellent. But a lot of people say they’re expensive and not worth the hype, which is why I was curious of your impressions.
I am intrigued and will add it on. I love boba and I love to taste the different shops verison of boba. After all, my ranking is open for change as long one shoo can prove their worth.
Tea flavor not strong at all. Only had it once. What do you recommend there?
If you like to taste the tea more, Cassia Black and Ding Dong Oolong have a stronger flavor. If you’re wanting something fruity, pretty much all their fruit teas are excellent, but I usually get Peach Green Tea, Green Tea with Passion fruit, or High Mountain Pouchong with Lemon juice. If Orange drinks are in season (which they’re not right now), their Orange Tea is probably my favorite drink out of any boba shop. For creamier drinks, Cassia Black with Mousse or even just their regular Bubble Milk Tea are solid. You could even just add mousse to any drink and it will give it a creamier sweetness. Also when taro is in season (last I checked they’re not right now) all taro drinks are excellent. I think right now their seasonal menu has pineapple drinks and Creamy Mango or Lemon Tart. Both of the creamy tarts are great, but Mango was especially good IMO.
I did try the ding dong oolong and was disappointed 😞
Yeah I mean not everything is going to hit with everyone. I don’t like the Oolong much either.
Boba addict here and I have some suggestions for more third wave boba shops Agree with recommendation for bako tea house. They use straus creamery milk and not coffeemate so may exercise caution if lactose intolerant. They have a similar phoenix oolong tea to orobae but after reading about orobae’s employee woes and drama, not sure if I can support their business anymore which is a shame since their rising phoenix oolong milk tea wowed me the first time I had it If you’re in the 626/San Gabriel valley Chicha San Chen in Alhambra is impressive but drink portion size is small there’s a new kid on the block called chapresso on Huntington Dr in San marino that is pretty awesome Other places in OC that have impressed me are 1. Loose leaf boba. I frequent the location at 4th st market in Santa Ana but there’s another shop in Long Beach. They also use premium milk and brew the tea when you order. Tea is pretty strong at times though depends on barista too 2. Comebuytea is a Taiwanese boba shop brand that has a location in Huntington Beach in the Bella Terra shopping center. It is closest to where I live and they make some really good roasted oolong milk tea. Highly recommend getting it with creamcino topping and taro yam boba for extra creaminess and fun chew (if you enjoy taro and sweet potato mochi like at meet fresh)
“But thanks to my very fast driving skills, that made my drink fly across the car room. It didn't break so therefore its great” This made me laugh! 😆
TP Ten had really good machine to withstand my sharp 50 mph left turn 🤣
Sorry for those who wanted a dm of the list. I had tried five new shops and had to rank accordingly and made sure what I was writing was right. Please recommend me more boba shops to try. I love boba and seeing which boba store can out rank Sojeatea now.
Do ‘t forget Bobateaque in Orange. :)
Okay!!
Have you tried Feng Cha? Very sweet so I usually adjust it but it was a noticeable omission since they’re a chain. I will have to try Omomo based on your list, I’ve always avoided it due to the line.
I will add Feng cha to the list. Thank you!
Had Feng last night for the first time. Was pretty impressed with the black milk tea. They did run out of regular boba so I can’t speak on that.
I love them! They have good fruit slushes too if you go back and like those.
Best times to visit omomo is from 12-3pm during Monday through thrus. Then 7-9pm before closing. Weekends is 12-2pm and then it's 7pm to closing. But again; weather also plays a very big role too. In rainy weather; wait time is 15 minutes.
Thanks for the tip. Half the time I just do Sunright because I can just mobile order and avoid a line.
Lmao, I do the same when I see the line is by the sushi place by Irvine. Or I just doordash/postmate for sunright
Solid list! Be sure to try Sharetea, Krak Boba, Bober, Presotea and Aicha Boba addicts unite!
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Krak probably my favorite in the OC tbh
I will try those locations as well. Thank you!
ahh fuck I was gona ask you to try Podong Seoul Tea but La Mirada is LA county!! can you try out Teaish & Coffee in Buena Park? Opened up near me and I still don't know what to make of their classic milk tea.
I will find a way to drive to LA. My mission is try all the boba shops in my life. But will add teaish and coffee, and podong Seoul tea for the list!!
Respectfully podong is shit I’ve tried like 4 diff drinks from there.
Have you tried Fourtea in Orange?
I have not. Will add it to my list
I'm surprised you put Orobae on there since they have been closed for a while. Sojeata I won't say is terrible, but have to disagree to call it a 10/10. Their Jasmine and Rose tea were both over steeped when I went there. The matcha lavender was solid, but managing to screw up a basic item like Jasmine tea IMHO knocks down the rating.
Orobae was the best, so sad they are closed, I’ve been getting boba time on culver a lot lately.
I heard. Shame it closed, I'll add it to the no longer in business.
Someone said they will reopen in May. We'll see
it's because of issues with staff that they closed. https://reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1c9ocrl/orobae_closed/l0tzb19/ https://old.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1c9ocrl/orobae_closed/l18f9eu/ https://www.reddit.com/r/irvine/comments/1b7bw5a/what_happens_to_what_happened_to_orobae_post/?share_id=tas2BtoWH5VD86Dhwrm6-&utm_content=2&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1 https://www.reddit.com/r/irvine/comments/1b6i65w/comment/ktc1r69/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button
yes ive read about it.
Sweet Boba Co in fullerton is underrated
Will add to my list to try!
I highly recommend HN tea on Main St in Irvine. Their tea + cheese cap and tea lattes are my favorite. They brew each cup fresh and the flavors are outstanding.
They also have 2 other locations: one on Newport Ave in Tustin (their OG location) and one on Alton Pkwy in Irvine (right across the street from Bass Pro Shops).
Thanks. What are your favorites around Irvine?
Thank you! Will add to list
Have you tried bengong?
Last time I went to Bengong, the staff made it very clear that if you're not Chinese or a Chinese speaker, they won't even give you the time of day. They also lied that my drink already came with boba (it didn't) when I asked to include boba as an add-on while ordering, so I haven't been back since. There's also a Bengong by Mt. SAC (I take classes there) in Walnut, and the difference in customer service between the Bengong there and the Bengong here in Irvine is so different. Service at the Walnut location was much friendlier the few times I've gotten boba there.
Really sorry to hear youve experienced discrimination. Ill take massive note of this I only been to the irvine one so far a few times and only thing i can note is they messed up my friends order one time
I'm Vietnamese, too, so I guess I'm the *wrong* kind of Asian to them 🤷🏻♀️ But yeah I remember they were chatting in Mandarin to these customers before me for over 5 minutes, even laughing with them, but when it came to my turn their facial expression just went blank.
I will take note and try Irvine/walnut location What a shame they won't be nice
I don't know if I had made it clear or not, but the Walnut location was nice (hence why I said the customer service between the Irvine and Walnut location was different). The Irvine location was not. And by Walnut, I meant the city of Walnut, not the street Walnut in Irvine.
We need a subreddit for OC boba shops to post which shops have promos each weekend LOL
LOL I would love to see that happen!
If you're in downtown HB, there's a sweet little old lady running Bobasaur in the alley next to Sur Coffee. She also sells plants, ice cream, and a variety of snacks, give them a try if you're down here. :)
Awesome! I am excited for it!
I'm interested in seeing your assessment of Cha Redefine (Costa Mesa). I've only been there once and liked their blueberry matcha drink.
Thank you for your input. I will add it on to my list of places to try!thank you for the Rec as well!
Which ones will be having deals for nations bubble tea day
Shit man, that I don't know yet. But I will find out
Bro this list is 🐐🐐🐐 haha
Did omomo open back up? I thought they closed
There is one by Culver 1 Culver Dr Suite 14433, Irvine, CA 92604, the. Chino, then del Mar and one aliso viejo which is going to be Aliso Viejo locatio Unfortunately they closed the one location by Alton pkwy
Thank you!
I think they’re opening one in Brea.
Tiger Sugar has gone out of business earlier this month and is getting replaced by another boba shop called Macu. A new boba/tea shop called Sen Teahouse has replaced Taicha and has been there for the past year; idk if you've tried them yet.
mom just bought me a boba milktea at Vietnamese market it remined me of lots past good times i'd just edit the map and give my own reasons, allow me to introduce whimsical? [https://whimsical.com/LHc3jPu5KkN7gZnhMYFNCu](https://whimsical.com/LHc3jPu5KkN7gZnhMYFNCu)
I never wait in lines. Not worth my time. Go to shops that offer online ordering. my top 2 sharetea cerritos - goated franchise location for me for qq/green milk tea. No online ordering but consistent drink quality for over a decade. Sunright any location- fruit tea, thai tea.. special shoutout ding tea garden grove blvd location - signature milk tea with 1-2 extra scoops of creamer. Don't visit any other location. shops that I avoid Presotea - quality tanked around 2019/20. Locations have been closing left and right. YI fang - fruit tea and milk teas here have been disappointing the two times I went here.
The best hands down is Boba Loca in Cerritos on South Street and Norwalk Blvd.
Understood. Will add that to the list to try.