Want to know what my childhood tastes like? Of course you don't, but that shouldn't stop you from checking out Bambu anyway. The Vietnamese dessert here is so legit, I go out of my way to get their che. The Bambu Special ($4.75) is my favorite, a dessert drink filled with chewy pandan jelly, sweet longan fruit, basil seeds, and fresh young coconut meat and juice, topped with crushed ice. Their che is so good that I haven't had a chance to try specials from their boba, coffee, or smoothie menus. What I love best about Bambu is that the prices are so reasonable for drinks using fresh coconut juice, which is so much better than paying the same amount for artificial flavorings at typical boba tea joints. I love how a sip of a drink can take me back a handful of years to when I was a kid. Best tasting time machine ever! read more

So many wonderful dessert options to choose from! The ingredients themselves are limited but the combinations plentiful. #6 is practically the go-to option as it has every anyone could ever want, including a large hunk of coconut flesh. When do you ever see that nowadays?? If you love coconut, the coconut shake is an excellent option, though it could be a bit sweeter than necessary. read more

This place is legit -- pay less than $5 for a HUGE cup of Vietnamese che / dessert-beverages. The menu is expansive and every che drink can be custom made (without additional charges). Every drink I've tried I've devoured...or at least finished the day after. The flavors are perfect and the fruit to liquid to ice balance is on point. I've found that this location in particular makes the drinks better than the others. I'd like to recommend something, like the #6, but seriously, everything is delicious. The girls here are really nice, but it can get quite busy (and stays open late). My only complaints about this location is that there isn't much in terms of seating options and the music they play (Vietnamese, what else?) gets insanely loud...though I think this is to cover up the sounds coming from the cafe next door. Can they open one on the South Side please?? read more

Che used to be one of those desserts where you could only buy them in sandwich shops and sit down restaurants. I really like the idea of a milk tea and che place that is open late! I'm really biased in that the only che I like is che 3 mau. I'm glad to say that it's really tasty here. I like to order it with less ice. I feel that the regular amount of ice that they use water down the che too much. My partner doesn't like che so he only orders milk tea- which is also good. read more

Apparently their mashed avocado is top-notch but I don't like avocado as a dessert so ... I'm not a great judge of that. My brother is obsessed though. I do enjoy their combo drinks with grass jelly and a couple differently-textured jellies. read more

There are so many che combinations! Luckily our friend was there to help us choose! We tried the Bambu Special with pandan jelly, basil seeds, coconut, and longan. Wow it's really good!! Come here for a refreshing dessert to cool you off on a hot summer day! read more

Drove around looking for a nice spot to grab some boba right after my graduation at SJSU. We came here up one recommendation of my brother who had mentioned the Bambu location near his house in Daly City was pretty good. It was my first time coming here and didn't know what to order, how to order and what to expect. First off. The store is pretty darn small, there is some seating but it was nicer outside and less crowded (I get really irritable in crowded small areas) when it came for myself to order, and the girl at the register had asked if I wanted any tapioca, I asked her what types they had. Here is where 2 stars come into play. She has no customer service skills what so ever, she rolled her eyes and sighed and pointed to a sign and literally said "we have those"... Like wtf really!? If I'm going to spend my money at your location the least you can do is act like you enjoy your job and provide some customer service. This one girl gets no stars and the drinks were ok and get only 2 stars. I get the place is popular but at this location I don't see why. I wouldn't recommend going here on a daily basis. read more

CASH ONLY! I believe there's no sign that says so too :( Last time I came here I ordered #2, 3, 4, and 10. Honestly, I think there's nothing special about this place. I was craving for some Viet desserts so I decided to come here since I've never been here before.. All their che are different...different than the ones that I had back home. The customer service was ehhh. Reviews: #2. Chè thap cam (combination) - Red bean, white bean, green/mung bean, taro, pandan jelly, pearl, combo jelly - 4 stars #3. Chè 3 màu - Red bean, white bean, green/mung bean, taro, pandan jelly - 3 stars #4. Chè suong sáo hat luu - Grass jelly, red tapioca, pandan jelly, jello, mung bean - 3 stars #10. Hat luu suong sáo bánh lot - Red tapioca, grass jelly, pandan jelly - 3 stars Customer service: 3 stars (they should make a sign that says cash only instead of telling ,me when I just finished ordering and getting ready to pay. I had to go to the Pho place next door for an ATM. Man!) Also, the person that took my order looked like she was annoyed :( Decorations/ atmosphere: 4 stars read more

Delicious, sweet, silky drinks. They have so many varieties but almost all of them are milk based drinks with jelly, beans, pearls, and etc . also known as Vietnamese milk desserts. I tasted the avocado smoothie and it's one of the best I've had. Not too sweet, and it's smooth and creamy. Their size is great for only 3.5 bucks. I've had gotten this same drink and size for 5$ and wayy not worth it. Also, because their store is so pretty, and comfortable, it's a great place to just study or chill with friends even though it's a bit small. read more

The avocado brick drink. Sweet, not too overbearing, and filling.

I finally got to try this after my Facebook friends, who don't even know one another, was visiting both this and the Milpitas location and posting pictures too. Sometimes that is just torture. This place is SO good if you're into the Asian style desserts with coconut milk, jellies, and other yummy goo (don't even know what they are). I'm not Viet so I'll try my best... my favorite when going to the Vietnamese restaurants is the suong saa hot luu (xuong xaa hot luu) and that is basically #4 - Chè sng sáo ht lu. I got the #10 which is like #4 - Ht lu sng sáo bánh lt, but without the mung bean. My mistake, #4 for me next time. Mung bean goooood. The drinks are quite easy if you're familiar with the ingredients. Just read what you want in the drink and pick a number. Seriously can't go wrong unless you're picky. I'm secretly glad that I don't live nearby because I'd balloon into a fat Asian boy like in "Up" from eating all the yummy che desserts. read more

I love this place! (: Every time I'm back in San Jose, I always take my younger sister to get our che-s! I normally get the combination one, but without the boba (pearl) read more

These desserts completely hit the spot on hot summer days. I'm lovin' the desserts with the coconut milk. This place can get pretty packed at night and during various times of the day. That doesn't stop them from dishing out the desserts in lightening quick speed. I've tried their jasmine milk tea. It's good but definitely not something they're known for. I've tried wayy a lot of their desserts and can't really say what my favorite is. I definitely like the ones with coconut milk. Quick Tip: When ordering to-go, you can get the ice separated from the drink so the ice doesn't melt into the drink. They give you a lottttt of ice when you do that. read more

Don't even bother coming here. I got a Vietnamese coffee and a taro milk tea and the whole cup was just ice. I went back in to ask if I could get less ice and the girl got very upset took another lid and scooped ice out and some of my drink and gave it back. I was told they don't fill their drinks to the top because people like a lot of ice.... I'm sorry but I'm not paying for the ice I'm paying for the drink. read more

Bambu - Ice is just popping out - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

See all

Mmm Vietnamese dessert drinks! There's sooooo many options and so many combinations here! @__@ Good thing my bf picked a drink for me otherwise I would've taken forever to decide. He chose the pandan jelly, taro, and red bean drink for me (#14) and it was deliciouss! I lovee all three of those ingredients and the drink was simple but tasty for me :D He got the #2 which had a bunch more ingredients and had a totally different flavor from mine since it had white bean and mung bean in it. With so many different drink options, I'll definitely come back! read more

If you are going to drop by somewhere for dessert, I recommend BAMBU as their Vietnamese desserts and other menu items like their smoothies and their yogurts are the bomb! Although the wait may be long at times if the store was crowded, it isn't very often. They make your dessert quickly within a small amount of time and their store is quite organized although it may feel a bit cramped at times as it is a bit small. read more

Bambu - Mango yogurt and the Vietnamese dessert with fruits! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

Always a good stop whenever I'm craving some Che! My favorites are the Che trái cây and the bambu special! The worker here is especially cute, I think her name is Vicky?? She has good employee manners. (; read more

This place is soooooo good!!! Taste like original vietnamese desert! Omg worth every penny. I found my favorite place

I've been ordering smashed avocado from Bambu but what happened BAMBU??!! From what i remembered i ordered smashed avocado not guacamole. It's so thick not a drink or dessert. You have to eat it with chips! No good. I dont recommend it. read more

Best place for Viet dessert in town and just pick your number. read more

Bambu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

I think i have a new addiction to Vietnamese desserts. I discovered this gem a year ago when it first opened on Holstetter. I was a noob back back then and always got #10 with the red tapioca, grass jelly, and green jelly. DELICIOUS! Another favorite is Bo Dam + Sau Rieng. Avocado and Durian! yummy. I have always been a fan of durian. I know that not everyone likes it since it has a strong scent/taste. But i love it. YUM YUM YUM. When I am not feeling dessert but would like something sweet, I would get the fresh coconut juice! YAY! I don't give a damn that it is high in cholesterol. I love it and plus who cares if I die early! You only live once!!! I would like to try other things on the menu! That review will be soon! YAY for Vietnamese Desserts!! read more

yea im good off of this place A lot of my friends has been coming here and checking in so i wanted to see what the hype was about. The day i came was hot so the joint was filled with vietnamese families, just chilling and doing their thing. The location is in a plaza in the back, so there is this funky smell outside...but maybe it was just THAT day The menu was kinda confusing, their main special drinks looked more like dessert but i was assured other wise. They do have their basic of milk tea and what not, but its their specials that made them famous. I got a #4, whatever that is, consisted of pandan jelly, grass jelly, red tapioca and mung beans with coconut milk. Whatever the hell pandan jelly is, that what i killed in my drink,. The drink itself is more like a dessert really (they provide you with a spoon today), its really thick and you can suck out some liquid here and there but its more eating involved. I still dont know what the red tapioca is and it scares me, it has a interesting taste and is nothing like tapioca or BOBA. And whoever invented mung beans into drinks is gross....it totally changed the taste of my drink. Least to say for me, i wont be coming back but thats cause im not a big fan of all that crap =P read more

If I could give this place 0 stars review, I would. I typically get the bambu special and substitute their pandan jelly for crystal boba. I have been doing this many times and don't get charged extra for it. Today, I was charged an extra 50 cents. The cashier told me any substitution would cost us extra. So I opted for the option to customize my own drink instead. On the menu, it clearly states (up to 5 items) with coconut juice for $5.25. In the end, I added less than 5 toppings and the cashier still charged me extra. She claimed that crystal boba costs more. NO WHERE DOES IT SAY SO ON THE MENU. This place needs to be more consistent with pricing. This has been a very disappointing experience. read more

I like my vn dessert to be milky/coconutty so the che chai cay is what i normally get when i go here. I have tried other things but this one is my favorite and i'm sticking with it. read more

Che is the best during the summer when it's hot as hell in South Bay. I've liked everything I've tried from here, so you really can't go wrong. The stuff with taro was my favorite because I really like the flavor and texture. Anything with pandan jelly is great too! It's delicious no matter what! Portions are pretty big, so if you're going here after dinner, I recommend sharing two people to an order so you don't end up wasting a ton! read more

I got the bambu drink special, I honestly don't know what's in it. So I took a picture of the drink. Its really delicious. read more

Bambu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Jose, California

While I was up north visiting my aunt took me to this place to get the three color dessert because she knows I love it but I ended up getting the toro smoothie because I can never say no to toro! haha The place is pretty small and was packed when I got there. I ordered and my drink was ready in no longer than 5 mins. They had tvs playing videos while I waited. They have a large selection of drinks and dessert that I wish I could try them all but I couldn't. It's differently a place I would go back to when Im back in the area! read more

My first time having che, and it was a pretty bad intro to the stuff. I came here with a few other people around 8:00 (not very late) and tried ordering a #6, but the cashier told me they'd already run out of a few of the relevant ingredients. I guess the bad experience was partly my fault, because I ordered it anyway (MIGHT have been better with all of the ingredients included), but then struggled to actually eat it when it came. The spoons they provide are too big to fit through the opening in the cap (great thinking, guys!), but there was too much liquid in the cup to remove the lid (so I could actually use that spoon) without spilling the drink everywhere. I should have just used the straw then, but I kept thinking that the spoon should be of some use if they decided to provide spoons; so, I waited til later, when the ice was half melted, until I had a bowl I could pour this stuff into (so that, once again, I could actually use the spoon they provided). Bad idea. This stuff is terrible without ice (unless you use a straw, maybe?). For some reason, I decided to return at another time, and it was actually not bad if eaten properly (i.e. with a straw), but I'm knocking off a few stars because the service was bad, they ran out of some ingredients well before closing time, and the spoons and cups don't work well together. read more

See all

i like coconut milk tea here. And the cashiers always give me recommendations for new drinks whenever i come. will definitely come back again read more

the drinks are good.... but it takes sometime to try and find one that u like...tried the Vietnamese coffee.... one that reminded me the same taste I had in my previous place.... the smashed avacado with combo jelly was amazing .. it's little heavy... I felt it's the best way we can have avocado... the thai milk tea, black milk tea, and bamboo special were tasting good too... place is good.. hv fun read more

I'm not a huge fan of Vietnamese desserts but I do LOVE their shakes, coffee drinks, and pearl drinks. I checked out Bambu last night - this one is located right next to the Grand Century Mall on the corner of Story and McLaughlin. I ordered the Honey Dew blended shake with pearls - BEST I'VE HAD (at least in a looong time). Service was quick and the shake was freshly made. I have no complaints and I plan on coming back often. read more

I finished all of it. I think I paused only briefly to savor the moment, because I couldn't remember the last time I've had pandan jelly, or Vetnamese desserts even. Babmu special didn't even have a chance. read more

The drink is ok, but there's a ugly girl with attitude that do cashier, she choose to give straw and tray to whoever she feel like it ... lol wtf at least treat people this the same service read more

ohhh this place is yummy! I got the Combo drink and absolutely loved the different kinds of jelly inside. Wasn't way too sweet or anything and it was the perfect dessert after getting Crawdaddy. Didn't wait long at all after dinner and had plenty of places to sit. My friend got coconut juice and it was very light and refreshing...had a good amount of LARGE coconut pieces inside as well. I know this place just opened in Irvine down in Socal so I'm excited to try that when I go back to visit! read more

Don't order drinks from these store via Door Das or Uber eats or any delivery based services. They always sent the wrong drink.

For the last couple of months, I've been hearing a lot about this place from friends and friends of friends. It got me wondering how a new Vietnamese dessert place in SJ could be so poppin'. I finally made my way to this place. On my way there, I almost drove by it without even realizing it. So I went inside and looked around. Nothing too special. It reminded me a lot of your typical boba place. I expected it to be similar to the Che places in OC... But was sadly disappointed. I ordered the #8. It was good but a bit wasn't sweet enough for me. It was bad, but it wasn't worth bragging about. I'd come back to try other drinks. read more

Bambu special all the way! Also, they have a spacious and clean bathroom, that's always nice. read more

So my boyfriend and I came in and ordered separate drinks. I ordered first, he was behind me. I just finished ordering and a couple comes in. One star docked cuz the cashier basically skipped past my (non-Asian) boyfriend and went straight to the (Asian) couple behind us. I'm not trying to pull the race card here, but I did think it was rather odd - like how the hell do you miss someone right in front of you? Right now I'll just give her the benefit of the doubt, but I definitely did not appreciate the possible racial profiling. This place still gets 4 stars because they make tasty drinks. Their strawberry banana smoothie was delicious (and at only $3.75 -which is pretty cheap considering other places charge over $4). I'm also a fan of the milk tea tapioca (tender chewy balls). You also can't go wrong with any of the che. They also make the strongest (and thickest) iced Vietnamese coffee I've ever had. read more

This is one of worst service place that ive been to. I called and ordered in advance. When i arrived 5 minutes later, paid for it and waited for at least 15 minutes to get my order. Them she handed put the wrong ones. The cashier maybe (owner) was rude. I would Not recommended this place to anyone. I will never come back here. Spend your money somewhere else read more

It never fails... #10 all the way.