Mai is an absolute gem of a local spot that has quickly become a fave go-…read more to spot for me! I've tried most of their menu offerings and can confidently say they're all equally good. The selection here is incredible, starting with their top tier matcha, both the matcha latte and the matcha with mochi toppings feature a rich, earthy, and beautifully grassy profile that isn't overly sweet. On the tea front, the black milk tea with unique barley burst boba is fantastic, while the white peach oolong iced tea offers the crispest, most refreshing pick me up. Their Vietnamese coffee is equally phenomenal whether ordered straight up or topped with their velvety banana or sesame creams! To top it all off, their baked goods are unbelievable!! The freshly baked croissants are to die for, with the chocolate and guava flavors standing out as absolute must tries. Parking is super easy bc they're located in a big plaza! They also have a reward system for frequent customers.

I got the phoenix oolong milk tea and a guava cream cheese croissant. This was around 1pm on a…read moreSunday, so I was glad they still had an assortment of pastries. The milk tea was okay. I think the tea flavor could have been stronger, but the texture of the boba was good. I did think it was a bit odd that my iced drink was served in a paper cup while my friend got the usual plastic cup. The croissant was delicious. It had a nice guava filling, but the cream cheese was thinner, more like a condensed milk consistency. Still very good, just different from what I was expecting. My friend got the iced cheese coffee with biscoff, which was pretty strong and tasty. The restroom was not terrible, but could have been cleaner.

We visited Junia Café around 10:30 am on a Saturday and it was quite packed. Seating was limited,…read morebut we were able to grab a table pretty quickly once one opened up. We originally wanted to order the Matcha Grey, but were disappointed to find out they no longer serve it. As an alternative, the staff recommended ordering the regular Matcha Latte with Earl Grey syrup for an extra $1. We tried that along with the Jasmine Matcha Latte. Both drinks were good, but I personally preferred the Jasmine Matcha Latte. The Earl Grey Matcha Latte was a little too sweet for me, while my partner preferred it because they felt the Jasmine Matcha Latte wasn't sweet enough. It really comes down to your sweetness preference, but the matcha quality overall was solid. There isn't a dedicated parking lot, but there was plenty of street parking nearby, especially along 166th St. I'd come back to Junia Café to try some of their other drinks and possibly their coffee next time.

Really wanted to like the drink because the baristas and the ambience were all 5/5 …read more Conceptually, the mocha grey latte sounded delicious: mocha (double shot espresso) + earl grey syrup. Unfortunately, the chocolate part of the mocha was too overpowering. The more subtle bergamot and smoky notes of the earl grey were completely subdued by it. Eventually, it just tasted like chocolate milk :( For $7, I almost feel like I paid for an upcharged mocha. If I have a chance to revisit, I would love to try something else.

Vienna latte with no agave syrup pump was perfect for me. The cream added sugar already so it was…read morethe right amount of sweetness. Smooth and decadent. Chocolate bread and banana bread were delicious, esp when they warm it up for you. Staff were friendly and quick. Easy to park in the lot. Love how there's no more long lines.

Yum! Adorable coffee shop with such great vibes!…read more Parking was easy since it's in a small plaza. I came on a weekday afternoon so there wasn't any line but there were plenty of people sipping on their lattes inside and hanging out. I ordered the Vienna Matcha since it is their most popular item and I'm not from here so I wanted to try what they're most known for. The latte was so good! Not that sweet until you mixed the foam and even then it wasn't overly sweet. It was just right. The girl helping me seemed very sweet and kind and ready to answer any questions I had. Since I was on the road I wanted to also try one of their pastries so I got the mushroom croissant with cheese and that tasted so good especially warmed up. It was like having a mini pizza. I'm glad I got to try this spot!

I don't give 5-star reviews lightly, but Smoking Tiger Coffee & Bread on Western Ave in Gardena has…read moreabsolutely earned every single star. This place is a total gem, and if you haven't been yet, you are seriously missing out! Let me tell you about the star of my visit, the Matcha Cream Filled Croissant. Oh. My. Goodness. This thing is on another level. The croissant itself is buttery, perfectly golden, and incredibly flaky -- with just the right amount of crisp on the outside. But the matcha cream filling? Silky smooth, lusciously rich, with a beautiful earthy matcha flavor that isn't overpowering or too sweet. It's the kind of bite that makes you stop mid-chew just to appreciate how good it is. I honestly could eat three of these in a sitting. The Korean-American fusion approach to their baked goods is inspired and completely unique, you won't find anything like it anywhere else in the South Bay or in Gardena. Seriously Impressive, I paired my croissant with their Iced Matcha Latte, made with premium grade matcha sourced from Jeju Island, and WOW, this drink is stunning. It's vibrant, beautifully layered, and tastes as amazing as it looks. The matcha is bold and authentic without being bitter, perfectly balanced with creamy, cold milk. Not too sweet, not too earthy -- just absolutely perfect. It's easily one of the best iced matcha drinks I've had in a while. You can customize your milk choice too, which is a great thoughtful touch. This place is warm & welcoming: The staff here is attentive, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a smile and made to feel at home. The baristas are well-trained and knowledgeable, they took their time explaining the menu and made sure my order was exactly right. No rushing, no attitude, just genuine hospitality that keeps you coming back. Decor is absolutely Charming. The interior of Smoking Tiger is adorable and so well thought out. It's modern, clean, and stylish with a cozy Korean café aesthetic that feels fresh without trying too hard. The lighting is warm and inviting, the seating is comfortable, and the whole vibe just makes you want to stay for hours. There's both indoor and outdoor seating available, which is a great bonus. Whether you're catching up with a friend, working on your laptop, or just treating yourself to something special, this place sets the perfect mood. One thing that really stood out to me was how immaculately clean this café is. The tables, counters, floors, and display cases were all sparkling, it's clear that the team takes real pride in maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for every guest. A clean café is a happy café, and this one passes with flying colors. Bottom Line, Smoking Tiger Coffee & Bread is the real deal. Creative, high-quality food, exceptional drinks, warm service, gorgeous decor, and a spotless space, this place checks every single box. The Matcha Cream Filled Croissant and Iced Matcha Latte alone are worth the trip. Do yourself a favor and go try yourself. Miguel C.

I've known about this place for almost 2 years, if not more, but finally decided to leave a review…read moresince I've been visiting very often these past months. Since my first visit, there's been many competitors opening around Gardena, but I find myself drawn back to this place because of the balance of spaciousness (there's actually places to sit whenever I go!), quality of products (the espresso shot is pretty strong and they have many beans to choose from), and best of all, price of their drinks (specifically the specialties). While I wouldn't say the prices are a bargain, it feels more reasonable than other local competitors. One thing I do miss is that 2 years ago, the pastries weren't individually wrapped. We used to have the option of selecting pastries with tongs, the typical experience you'd get when going to a bakery in Japan. Hopefully they would bring that experience back again! Until then, I'll keep returning for their quality drinks!

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!