This place is always a hit every time I'm in the area! The drinks are consistently delicious and…read morecrafted perfectly. I especially love their matcha selection they offer so many unique flavors to choose from. On my most recent visit, they were unfortunately out of the banana cream matcha even though it was still listed on the menu . My husband had been really looking forward to trying it, so that was a bit of a letdown. However, he ended up getting the mango matcha instead, and it was just as delicious, so it all worked out. The space itself is open and inviting, making it a great spot to hang out with friends. They also offer food, which I haven't tried yet, but I've heard great things especially about their waffle dessert that everyone seems to love. Definitely planning to try that next time! Overall, this place delivers on all fronts: amazing boba drinks, great vibes, and friendly service. 10/10!

This boba shop is tucked away in a plaza right before the freeway, so I completely missed the…read moreentrance the first time and had to circle back. I also ended up going about 10 minutes before closing, which I normally try to avoid, but I didn't realize they closed at 9 PM. Ordering was super easy thanks to the self-service kiosk, and my drink was ready in less than two minutes. I ordered the crème brûlée brown sugar boba latte, and the crème brûlée topping was thick, creamy, and absolutely delicious. The brown sugar milk latte itself was definitely on the sweeter side. I think I would've preferred it if it had been made with milk tea instead of just milk, since the tea would've helped balance out the richness and sweetness from both the brown sugar and the crème brûlée. Even so, it was still a tasty drink. The inside of the shop is really cute and very clean. I noticed a few people working on their laptops while I was there, and it seemed like a nice place to hang out for a while. They also don't blast music in the background, so it's easy to have a conversation or get some work done. I'd definitely come back to try some of their other drinks because several of them looked really good.

I don't crave halo halo often, but when I do, I'm getting the UPSIDE DOWN HALO HALO from here!…read moreWhile it isn't the most traditional version of the dessert, it still has all of my favorite parts. I love that the base is an ube milkshake and the corn flakes add a nice crunch. I'm glad they opened this Carson location because it's closer to me and I can fulfill my cravings!

My partner and I stopped by Cafe 86 in Carson hoping we had found our next go-to halo-halo spot…read more Unfortunately, authenticity and customer service were both missing from the recipe. Parking was easy, and when we walked in, there was only one occupied table. Three employees were chatting in the back. We were greeted, but it felt more like, "What would you like?" than "Welcome in." No smile, no conversation, no thank you--just a transaction. After taking our order, the employee returned to chatting with coworkers. When our order was ready, our name was called, the halo-halo was placed on the counter, and that was the end of the interaction. As for the halo-halo itself, my partner rated it a 2/10. It was overwhelmingly sweet and overpriced for what we received. We were hoping for layers of flavor and nostalgia but got a sugar rush that could probably power a small city. As a business owner myself, I understand that customer service is one of the biggest drivers of customer retention. Great products can bring people in once, but great service brings them back. Unfortunately, this visit missed the mark on both. The good news? These issues are fixable. A little more warmth, engagement, and hospitality would go a long way. Until then, we'll continue our search for our next favorite halo-halo spot.

I absolutely love this place. I come here at least once a week for my matcha strawberry with boba…read more It is phenomenal when I ask for 50% sweetness, it's authentic. Not too sweet, not too bitter. The service at this place is top notch! The workers are so sweet and hands the drink out to you. I love the atmosphere there! It's super cozy, a place where everyone can have peace and study. If I had a place to choose to study, definitely here!

I saw this place on Yelp and wanted to check it out since it's so close to my house. I'm glad I…read moredid! There is plenty of parking, and it's located in a small plaza, which makes it easy to find. The cafe itself is very spacious with lots of natural sunlight and a nice, relaxing atmosphere. The space is beautifully decorated, I love the art work on the walls. I especially loved the cute Vietnamese-style chairs. It feels like a great place to spend a few hours. There's plenty of seating whether you want to work, study, or catch up with friends. They also have a large variety of drinks on the menu, so there's something for everyone. I ordered the matcha. It was a little more bitter and astringent than I personally prefer, but that's just my taste. Overall, I really enjoyed the space and atmosphere, and I'll definitely be back to try some of their other drinks!

Such a cool little spot to grab some boba and Food as well. We came here after a Soccer game and…read morehad 3 minutes before they closed. The doors were still open and we were able to order on their self checkout pad. It was easy and convenient and we were out the door in a few minutes. Love that they had a Goodbye song when it was time to close that's was so smart and a fun touch. We had their cookies and crème one with boba and it was so good! Also had their mango tea and was refreshing and so good. Probably the best boba I've had. Can't wait to try their food next time some of the stuff they had looked good. The inside is a cool hangout spot and cool vibes there and big parking spot as well. The place was clean and the staff were nice and easy going even though we showed up 3 minutes before they closed. Appreciate that.

Pretty cute hidden gem that is in a plaza with plenty of other stores/spots. Inside was really cute…read moreand clean, has outdoor seating as well! I like their biscoff matcha and their pistachio matcha. They also serve a variety of food options such as popcorn chicken- which is really good and is portioned nicely unlike a lot of other places that serve popcorn chicken. Will be coming back to try more on their drink and food menu! Service is quick and prompt!

Nice, spacious coffee spot! Wait time was reasonable!…read more We got the Nido Latte, Mount Milo, with a side of pandesal. Love how they had Filipino pastries! All was good! I would definitely come back here!

I want to give 1 star just out of sheer disappointment but I won't because the staff was nice and…read morequick and the overall vibe is great. They got free WiFi. Iced turon latte was the complete opposite however. I could not tell where the coffee started and the sugar ended. It was a sweet milky drink with a bitter edge that very closely resembles what you might get from Starbucks. The cherry on top--it was $9.38. That's an absurd price tag for a 16oz swill. I was also taxed. My understanding is cold to-go drinks are not taxed in CA. This was a cold, to-go order. Maybe a POS error, maybe local laws I don't know but please double check. I'm never taxed at sbx for a similar order.

Ehhh, very overrated boba shop, imo. Picked up on this place due to some social media posts I got…read moreshown by friends, but the jelly they show on top of the drinks is actually just a topping that ends up in the drink. It's...ok? I've tried a few of their drinks, but I don't find the tea tasting special at all. The jelly are fine, but also nothing particularly stand out. My first visit I waited like 20mins near closing, which is waaaay better than the hour it was beforehand. And on a recent visit there was essentially no wait. I'm not sure I'd come back as I have other boba shops I much prefer nearby me.

Hechalou ceased to exist at this location. I suspect that owners broke away from the franchise and…read morestarted their own boba business at the same location. They changed the name subtle enough to avoid a lawsuit, but the changes in the menu and the quality of the drinks are far more drastic, and it's not for the better. Gone are the traditional teas and sesame jelly that made Hechalou so famous. These options are replaced by cheap imitations of Starbucks' frothy drinks that sound good on paper but taste like iced piss with sugar. The drinks are excessively sweet, a mortal sin by Asian standard, and they have a generic taste that might as well have one item on the entire menu. Alas, to get a sip of the old favorites, now I have to drive across town instead of stop by after work. I am glad that I got my many trips here before the old guards died, and it's probably better for my hemoglobin A1c in the long run.

We got the earl grey matcha and the seasonal princess peach matcha, both very delicious! Creamy,…read morerefreshing, and the perfect sweetness, these drinks individually balanced their earl grey/peach and matcha flavors to perfection. Staff was friendly, place was a little messy but to be expected due to the amount of business. Seating was not difficult to find, and the parking lot was full so we parked on a nearby residential street. Side note: they had a bunch of gems that we could stick onto the cups, not sure if this is an everyday or seasonal offering but it was such a thoughtful touch!

This is the second location I have visited and wow, what a disappointment. The barista needs to…read morework on her customer service. She stood there, didn't greet or say hello. Also, she stood with her arms crossed and a serious look until we ordered. The location is more spacious and their coffee/matcha is delicious but their customer service was crap. The location in Glendale was more welcoming

This place has truly great food, excellent service, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere!read more

What an exceptional afternoon tea experience! From the moment we arrived, everything was absolutely…read morewonderful. Melissa, Bill, and Krystal provided warm, attentive, and impeccable service, making us feel truly special. The food was exquisite--beautifully presented, delicious, and definitely a 10+! Every detail was thoughtfully prepared, and the entire experience felt elegant and memorable. A truly outstanding tea experience. We enjoyed every moment and look forward to returning!

Selected this tea room for my birthday and was utterly surprised!…read more My friends and I booked the afternoon tea which comes with samples of sandwiches and desserts and a wine inspired cocktail. We select our own tea flavors and the fun part of your friends select different teas, you get to sample each one! This place was phenomenal and I enjoyed the whimsy ambiance and decor. The staff were friendly and accommodating and they gifted me my own special tea cup and saucer! I had such a fabulous experience and I can't wait to return!

Good room. Good tea. Good people. Just way too damn hot inside. I came in looking for a gift and…read morethe person working was genuinely helpful: patient, knowledgeable and willing to walk me through options without making me feel like an idiot. That matters, especially in a place where the menu can feel a little ceremonial if you don't already know what you're looking for. The only knock is that the room needed air. Badly. Tea is supposed to slow you down, not make you feel like you're quietly melting while choosing a gift. There was also a little too much nudging toward flavors I had already said I wasn't interested in, but nothing offensive. More enthusiastic than annoying. Overall, this is a solid place with real charm. Fix the temperature, ease off the upsell a touch and it becomes much easier to recommend without an asterisk.