This unassuming shop has such a comprehensive selection of Taiwanese snacks and bowls! I saw a lot of people getting the fried chicken meal and the pork belly meal but since I was just there for a snack, I got the fried fish balls stuffed with fish roe. These are obviously way cheaper if you buy them yourself at 99 Ranch, but I don't like frying food at home so these were great. The only other place I know in LA that has them is MJs on Sawtelle, so imagine my delight to find that I now have a place near school I can get them from! I also got the oolong milk tea (25% sweet) with coffee jelly, which I enjoyed, but I was there mainly for the fish balls. I'm definitely coming back to try more of their food! read more

Cup O' Joy - Golden fish balls have fish roe in them!! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Well once again Cup O' Joy more then exceeded all of my expectations. The Chicken Strips were delicious and the PopCorn Chicken was out of this world. We finished our lunch off with the best dumplings EVER. We had an awesome car picnic in the parking lot. If this is what the times have come to, we'll I am all in for Cup O' Joy car picnics. FIGHT ON Tim and Helen. We will always support Cup O' Joy. read more

See all

My good friend introduced me to this place a while back. Decided to stop by again while grabbing food at the ono Hawaiian next door. There was a sign that said they had mini boba and well I'm a big fan. I went with the regular size milk tea with mini boba... omg REGRETS! It wasn't until i had left that I tried my boba and was super disappointed. First of all no one like hard boba. Specially when it's mini boba. I was upset. Wish I had gone with the regular size boba instead. Oh well. Now I know. The drink itself however was good. read more

Cup O' Joy - Mini Boba - NO GOOD / it was hard. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Ordered a sea salt cheese foam green tea with mini boba 75% sweetness, but got regular boba. Chewy boba, can taste the tea and cheese foam. A little sweet for 75% sweetness for this drink. Overall, would recommend and come back. read more

Cup O' Joy - Gren tea with sea salt foam with boba - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

There are other bubble tea places that are better, cheaper and tastier. However this is still fairly good. I think if there aren't other options or the others are too far away, this is going to satisfy your bubble tea craving. I love that they have so many flavors and there's a ton of option. They use good flavors and do a good job with the bubble tea, however the price was higher than at other places and the wait time was longer. read more

Decent boba near USC. I go here when I want to grab some and not go anywhere far, but I much prefer to go to other places in the city if I can. The interior is small, but nicely lit and kept clean. It doesn't feel like a very good space to work on laptops or study, however, and is a bit cramped, so I never come here for that. The food here is also pretty good, but I wouldn't really get it again, as the popcorn chicken and other food options at other boba places that I've been to elsewhere in the city tend to taste a lot better than the food here, even though it still is pretty decent. The boba is good, and that's what counts the most. I'd say it's about on par with most other boba cities around here, although I still have other places I prefer if I feel like venturing further out, but this is a great option when looking for something just down the street from where I live (the only option other than It's Boba Time, though). Great boba, decent food, small but well-kept interior and friendly staff. A solid establishment, although nothing amazing. read more

If we stop telling people about this place it won't get crowded anymore. Please? Let's just keep it between us before things blow up? Mortals are not worthy of this goodness. I'm not sharing what I ate here because even I might not be worthy read more

Solid bubble tea shop near USC. It was bigger than I expected on the inside and has a lot of seating. There's a very extensive menu with different drinks and different snack and meal options. Service is friendly but not over the top and drinks come out quickly. Food has a little bit of a wait but tbh it's expected since they're making it to order. I ended up ordering a simple bubble milk tea with half sugar and an order of takoyaki to share with my boyfriend. The bubble milk tea was pretty good! It's really similar to Volcano Tea but their boba is a little softer. I enjoyed it! The takoyaki came out a couple minutes after my tea and was steaming hot. Takoyaki comes 6 an order and comes with two toothpicks. Their takoyaki was better than I expected; it had a little more mayo than I would want but I still really liked it! I definitely recommend getting the takoyaki when you come here. They're about a 10-20 minute walk from campus (depending on where you are) and there's a decent-sized parking lot outside. The lot was super empty when we came so I don't think parking will be an issue. Definitely recommend if you're in the area! read more

Cup O' Joy - Bubble milk tea and an order of takoyaki. Takoyaki is really good here! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Awesome service! Great drinks! Tasty food! The workers remember you and your order when you are a regular. They are always super friendly and the drinks come out super quick! The boba is always consistent. Recommend highly for anyone looking for tasty boba drinks and especially USC students looking for a great spot to study and have boba. Recommend the Thai milk tea, piña colada smoothie, matcha with fresh milk, and chai milk tea. Love the chicken tender meal! Been coming here for years and will continue to! read more

Cup O' Joy - Chai Milk Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place is so good. The food is delicious, the drinks are tasty, and they're constantly holding promotions and deals! It's a good place to go and hang out but it's a little too noisy to study. Though I've spent plenty of my time working on assignments becauseI like listening to music while working. Plus, they have free WiFi so I'm always using that! In addition, the people are just so friendly and kind; they even give out chicken or other items on the menu to sample! Usually come here midday when the parking lot isn't super busy. read more

Cup O' Joy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

It's like sugar doesn't exist. All four of our drinks taste like unsweetened tea with only a hint of sugar. Thai tea boba is suppose to be sweet, jasmine milk tea is suppose to be sweet, it literally taste like milk and water. 5 dollars for milk and water is actually a scam. read more

I mean TWO HAIRS?!?!? I found a LONG black hair in my popcorn chicken and I'm not sure what prompted me to removed the plastic covering for my bubble tea, but I did, and low and behold ANOTHER HAIR!!! I'm bald. Have been bald for over 6 years and the delivery driver had a short buzz cut so it couldnt have come from anyone other than the people that prepared it. I've never had popcorn chicken before and this was a terrible introduction. I will NEVER give my money or time to Cup O' Hair ever again. Orderer beware read more

Cup O' Joy - HAIR with a side of Popcorn Chicken - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Cup o joy!! Best boba around USC, and this is coming from someone who drinks tons of boba, and doesn't like most places. Just a good old fashioned mom n pop shop that's keeping the USC community running on caffeine and popcorn chicken. Got wifi (cupojoyonly), lots of seating, amd the bombest chicken strips combo with fries. Legit, those chicken strips I've had like twice a week since they came out with em. I'm here mostly for the full meals, tea eggs and everything. Boba spots with full on menus are getting harder to find. Food: What you're really coming here for. Chicken strips: ask for extra lemon, the chipotle aioli slaps. Enough for 2 people to share, but you probably wanna kill one yourself. Fries = everything you'd want fries to be (like steak cut) Potstickers great Boba balls: softer than most places, and chewy throughout. Not as firm as other places, but makes this spot unique. Balls not as soaked thru w honey as other places, but I take my drink 0% sugar, so that's how I like it. Teas: The teas are pretty standard, I've only had the rose jasmine (barely rosey) and the cucumber green tea. read more

Picking up my lunch at the best place for boba in this heat I recommend the lemonades, and if you like fruity drinks; the spicy mango and pineapple coconut are my favorite. If you are hungry everything here is delish but a must is the popocorn chicken with fries. read more

See all

I ordered popcorn chicken with fries and the food itself is good. However, I do not feel comfortable with how they package their food for delivery under this Covid situation. I ordered delivery through ubereats and the food arrived in a unsealed box? Like it was literally left open and any delivery guy could easily see or touch or steal the food? Please fix this issue as it poses Covid safety concerns. read more

Cup O' Joy - bag of food on a table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I went here a few days ago at night. I ordered just the popcorn chicken. It was pretty dissapointing.. it looked really good since it has a lot of powder on the chicken, I thought its going to be seasoned well but it was pretty blend. I dont know what kind of powder they used but it tasted like nothing. Really nothing. Not even spicy or anything. I ordered level 4 for spice level. It needed salt and some dipping sauce. Also chicken was dry, but their portion was good. My 2 stars are just based on the chicken, not the drink, but I would like to try their drinks next time . read more

Just spent $20.00 for chicken and french fries ,could have gone to KFC for less than half the price never again,save your money and the parking sucks read more

Really good boba. And I know boba cuz I've had the real stuff from Taiwan. The boba is squishy and fresh - drink / juice is authentic and refreshing. Only reason I didn't give five stars is because the staff is foreign and not the best with customer service. Homegirl tried to charge me for four drinks when I only ordered three. I mean after drinking my boba, I wouldn't have mind paying for the fourth but still. I had to call her mistake before she did. No bueno. read more

Cup O' Joy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place never fails my taste buds! I love to order the chicken strips with a side of boba Thai tea. Customer service is great, very kind, and friendly staff. Never fails. read more

Milk Tea with boba and popcorn chicken are my favorite. Service was good and friendly. Reasonable price. read more

Wow, I didn't expect to find a decent quality Taiwanese boba shop in the USC area. This place has a good variety of milk teas and fruit teas. I particularly liked the lychee green tea. The server was extremely nice and even offered me a sample of the fried chicken hot from a pan and it was a huge piece.. Parking is a bit of a struggle in the small plaza but very do-able if you're patient (beware some spots are reserved for other stores only) read more

I was pretty shocked when I came into this boba shop. It's very clean and the employees are really friendly and helpful in assisting you to choose what you'll enjoy most. Their menu has to have at least 50+ things printed on there so if you like to have options, this is your place to be. read more

Cup O' Joy - Cappuccino slush. (Large) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

My friend and I got 2 jasmin milk teas with boba and they were quite delicious. Jasmin milk tea with boba is my go-to drink option at a boba spot and I was really happy at how well they made it here. The cashier was very nice and gave us a free sample of the fried chicken soecial they have- the fried chicken was actually very delicious. read more

Cup O' Joy - Cute sign - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

I have been coming here since high school Probably my sophomore year or so, about 5 years ago I've tried other places but there are none like this one Best boba place ever! I love it Popcorn chicken is the best here read more

Perfectly cooked boba, light teas, crispy chickens. What more could one ask for???? Service is quick, tables a plenty, even have parking :) read more

Cup O' Joy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Now, I like this place for a quick meal when I'm at work. I've been disappointed before with some of my orders but this last time they messed up they did not want to do anything to fix their mistake. I order the LUCKY SNACK COMBO asked that everything is WELL DONE and for EXTRA EXTRA SPICY. My order came with absolutely no spice. All she did was apologize for the wrong order and said they cannot do anything about it. Absolutely ridiculous. I will not be ordering from here ever again! read more

Cup O' Joy - Ordered EXTRA EXTRA EXTRA SPICY and this is what they give me. Something with absolutely no spicy what so ever. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This is my favorite place to get Thai Tea boba!! I've also tried their Takoyaki once and it was really good too :) I've been going here for a while and it's still my fav! read more

Food is good I like there chicken strip and fries . People are very nice drinks are good. Service each time is on point

I have been coming here for about 5 years now and decided it was time to give a review. Helen, the owner of the business always greets everyone, I mean anyone with a warm "Welcome" when they come in the door, she always has a smile on her face, which is very rare in LA. She feels like a sister or you're aunt welcoming you home. The boba is what they are known for, I usually always get either the jasmine milk tea or the standard milk tea with Boba, it has been consistent for the last five years, never a bad cup, never attitude by any of Helen's girls or cooks, everyone is always so helpful and wants to be there, they aren't distracted by their phones and social media like at other boba places. Today Helen offered her customers a free sample of her homemade chicken strips, Let me tell you, I am a very picky eater, I don't eat just anything that is put up near my face, These chicken strips ARE AMAZING! you need these in you're life! All in all, you will love Helen and Cup O' Joy! this place is home! read more

Always a solid choice here- my friends and I frequent this place all the time after dance practice or before or just because I'm feeling like having some boba. Now- I personally am not that much of a boba snob but a lot of my Asian die hard boba friends are not too big of a fan of cup o joy. I however think that their boba is good (cooked to the right soft chewy texture) and their milk teas are non dairy (vegan friendly!) and you can adjust the sweetness of them :) Favorites are: Thai milk tea, original milk tea, and lychee boba (careful with fruit boba because the syrups are extremely sweet) read more

See all

By far the best boba spot I've tried and I've been coming here about 6 to 7 years and still can't beat other spots

I'm typing this as I'm sitting here at Cup O' Joy using their free wi-fi! THANK GOD for this place! The wireless at my apartment hasn't been working the past few days (Time Warner sucks!) so I had to go somewhere else to get my daily... uhh scratch that...HOURLY internet fix! Fortunately, this boba place is conveniently located a couple blocks away from USC and from my apartment! Yay! I love free wi-fi! Nicely air conditioned, colorfully decorated, has plenty of parking in their lot, large flat-screen TV on the wall, neon green bathroom, plenty of seating, this place is pretty great! I usually get their original milk tea with boba ($2.75). Cheap, consistent and delicious! I like how the boba's not too chewy and not too soft--it's juuust right. Their popcorn chicken snack ($3.95) is also pretty good. You can make it spicy from a range of 1-5, with 5 being the spiciest. If you're hungrier, you can get a popcorn chicken MEAL($5.95) which comes with rice, potato salad, and steamed veggies. I'm not gonna lie... the veggies are pretty gross.. kinda like airplane food but worse! But everything else is great! This is a good place to come and chill with friends or to come and pretend like you're studying. They're always blasting the music here so it's hard to focus if you need absolute peace and quiet. read more

Not horrible, but definitely not good either... I only go here if I'm in the area and absolutely craving milk tea/boba, but with today's visit, I don't plan to come back for a long while. My almond milk tea with boba was just really not that good, I regretted not going to Starbucks instead. It's unfortunate that there really are no other tea houses in this area, especially this being so close to USC and knowing how much students love boba, somebody PLEASE open up a decent tea house in this area...I and so many people would be so grateful! read more

Cup O' Joy - Large almond milk tea half sugar with boba. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Came in today and got their spring rolls. Got to say they were probably the best spring rolls I have ever had in the downtown area. Customer service was an A and the owner of the shop was filled with so much energy that filled the shop. read more

As much as I'd like to compliment them on how their boba compares to other boba places on campus, I can't. I've gotten a stomachache from this place 4 out of the 5 times I've had their boba. Should've learned my lesson the first couple times I ordered a milk tea but I kept giving them second chances because they cook their boba fairly well compared to places within walking distance of USC. Don't know if it's the milk or what but it seems to only happen when I order drinks with milk in it. I am not lactose intolerant nor do I have a weak stomach but I am officially banning myself from getting their drinks. Popcorn chicken is ok though! But I don't think that is enough to give them an extra star. read more

See all

I went in there expecting to eat popcorn chicken as it is a boba spot. And saw a sign with fries and chicken tenders, with a side of sauce. Decided to go with it and at first, I saw the price was $6.99 and my total came out to $9.98 with tax. No drink no extra nothing. She didn't give me a receipt just a number which was odd because I asked her if it came with a drink and she was hurrying me to wait on the other side. She saw me pull out cash and I instantly think she charged me extra on purpose. Overall something smelled fishy. read more

Cup O' Joy - 5 Chicken tenders and fries, with sauce and 1/3 of a lemon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Of the 3 boba places located within 1 mile of the USC campus, Cup o' Joy is the best of the 3... Although it isn't overly spectacular in comparison to boba places overall, it's convenient when you're craving boba and in the immediate USC vicinity. Goods - have stamp cards so if you buy 9 drinks, you'll get 1 free! - consistency in quality and flavor each visit - generous with the boba / jellies - free wireless internet - colorful, funky, clean interior decor - large flat-screen TV - has a clean bathroom - spacious free parking lot - located literally 2 blocks from USC campus - their popcorn chicken snack is juicy and amazing when it's fresh! Not so Goods - pricey for "typical" quality... chicken + boba = $7+ - not too much variety for food, no combo deals - don't get tapioca with a slush or they will get hard and icky - cash only... although there is a Bank of America ATM right next door in the same strip mall and a Wells Fargo ATM across the street - no bike racks in the area for the USC kids to park their bikes read more

See all

We heard about this place from a friend. We live in Glendale and decided to drive all the way over here to try it out. I have to say, the drive was worth it. Different selections from food to boba. The Spicy Mango, DELICIOUS! Their Chicken Strips are crispy and juicy. You can tell it's fresh and not frozen strips. And the dumplings are a delight. read more

Cup O' Joy - Spicy Mango Slush Strawberry Milk Tea Coffee Milk Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I guess I should start off by saying that I come here at least twice a week, probably more like 3-4 times if I'm being honest! The manager is so nice, I'm not on a boba high-horse so I'm in love with their tapioca pearls (not too squishy, perfectly chewy), and their food is pretty good too. It's the only place within walking distance of USC where you can get Chinese/Taiwanese food, and I really love their pork belly! Pork belly isn't really sold around campus, I've only been able to find it here and at Bacaro (which is a totally different environment and kinda far away). Their meals come with either rice or noodles (depending on what you get), a tea egg, and veggies. My mom is from Chengdu (where all the spicy food in China comes from), and let me just say that their spiciest level of popcorn chicken was actually spicy enough for me! However, Cup O' Joy gets 4 stars from me instead of 5 because 1) If you actually order and finish a Chubby Cup full of a drink, you will feel sick, 2) The food has a lot of grease (especially the popcorn chicken), 3) Their service can be kinda slow if they have one person taking orders and making the drinks, and 4) They have a B rating (but based on Yelp pictures, it must have not always been that way). Price-wise, the food is really cheap (the pork belly meal is under $6) but the boba is a little expensive (a large milk tea boba is over $4), so they balance each other out. They supposedly have a 15% off check-in deal, but I've never been offered it, and I've never used it, so I'm not really sure if it's still valid or not. They also have free wi-fi, and there are always people there studying and on their laptops. I've studied here during the day, and it's pretty quiet, but Cup O' Joy gets pretty busy in the evenings and groups of friends (mostly Asian) come here to hang out, so it can get a little loud if you go later in the day or at night. My recommendations: Milk Tea Boba with the pork belly meal. Yum! read more

Cup O' Joy - Pork belly meal and large milk tea boba with no ice (i drank some, obviously). Perfect place to study during the day! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Delicious and convenient boba shop near USC. Prices are fair, drinks are great! Service is very efficient and friendly. Parking is easy in the daytime (private lot) but can get busy in the evening. Recommendations: Mango Almond smoothie was surprisingly delicious. Flavored milk teas have all been good so far. Chicken tenders here are way better than the average fast food chicken tender. Sometimes I'll crave a tea egg, and this place satisfies that craving. read more