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2nd or 3rd time here, but first time trying a drink other than the Smokin' Spaniard. The Tiger Latte is a great balance of deep coffee taste + sweet caramel & brown sugar. Not just your typical sweetened latte. I loved it iced, but could see myself liking it a lot hot.
I took my chance to visit this Korean cafe a block away from the hotel early morning before my check out. Their register wasn't working so everyone had to pay in Zelle or Venmo, including exact change in cash. The guy was welcoming and recommended me to try the Kimchi Musubi Croissant and the Garlic Cheese Bread since this was my first time here. I ordered their popular Honey Bori Latte in almond milk ($1 extra) with less sweetness and the Kimchi Musubi Croissant, which you can request to heat it up. The Bori latte didn't have much honey flavor and a bit watery, but I liked the puff rice topping that made it unique. Kimchi Musubi croissant was flaky and flavorful, but I wish they added more kimchi since it was more like eating a spam croissant. Overall, I'm glad I came here early before I left Monterey Park. It was less crowded an hour after opening and I like their 90s rnb playlist. I even love their cute mascot sticker. Highly recommend coming back to visit and download their app if you come frequently to earn rewards and discounts.
Ambiance: it's a spacious coffee shop, chill vibes and good for handout Service: friendly and efficient, you place the order at the front counter, and pick up further inside Drink: standard smoking tiger menu SMOKIN' SPANIARD - **** Smoking Tiger's Spanish latte, espresso sweetened with condensed milk, hazelnut and cinnamon, sweet and refreshing taste, recommend Price: decent quality and affordable prices, expect about $7 for each drink
Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab has been long overdue for a rating from me. I've been here multiple times and have even racked up quite a few points through their membership program. It's a wonderful spot to study as long as you get there early. The atmosphere is always warm and inviting, and the drinks are consistently made fresh and served piping hot. There's also a solid variety of food options to choose from. I've had the chance to try a few items: the Dubai chocolate mochi (4/5), the breakfast burrito (4/5), and the breakfast sliders (5/5). The sliders are especially good--kind of like a stacked sandwich with egg, sauces, and jam that all come together really well. My go-to drink is the Bori Cano, which is my current seasonal favorite. It's a unique mix w cream top over an Americano, with barley tea on the bottom. It's perfect for keeping me going during long study sessions. I'm really glad to have a place like this in Monterey Park where I can settle in and get work done. As for parking, there are only about five spots right in front of the café, but there are two larger lots on either side with no time limits, which makes things much easier.
I wanted to try this cafe out since it was close by my house & I needed to do some studying. I came on a Monday afternoon and to my surprise, the cafe was completely full. Luckily, by the time I ordered someone had left so I was able to snag a table. The tables are decently sized and the cafe is quite big. I was lucky that my table had an outlet next to me. I noticed that some tables lacked that. The WiFi is great except it resets every 1-2 hours and you have to click on a button to reconnect, which I found quite annoying. I wanted to give the jeju matcha a try since I'm not a big coffee lover. I had read some reviews about it and was quite skeptical but decided to try it anyway. It was extremely bitter and had a strong grassy taste. There were still powder bits and it mainly tasted like milk. I was quite disappointed. I would not recommend their matcha.
New location and I was excited to try it out something new from my regular coffee drink at smoking tiger. Black frost latte a bold mocha wrapped in a cool veil of black sesame foam dark chocolate and rich espresso, I asked and they put 2 shots of espresso in this drink. I had to sub the milk to almond milk and this drink was soo good and very happy I ordered it. Not too sweet, your able to taste the coffee and the slight sesame flavor as well. Got the ube scone and it had the flavor and a chewy moochi inside. The texture was not hard but crumbles and good flavor, Service was great, we were able to bring in our fur baby as long as he was on a leash.
I've been to the Whittier and Cerritos location and I gotta say that Smoking Tiger is a solid franchise to get some yummy drinks and baked goods at. My friends and I dropped by this location on a rainy day between the reset time at the maid cafe across the street. There was maybe 2 tables free, but they have a small seating counter area too, but I can imagine this place gets pretty packed (like the other spots) with people wanting to do work or study, so keep that in mind if you visit on other days. We were there on a Sunday evening. They have an app now too, just an FYI if you are a frequenter. This location has some merch for sale and a small refrigerated area with some cake slices, sandwiches, and other cooled goods. For our visit, we got the: 1) Hotteok Latte: -This is one of their seasonal drinks and only comes in hot temperature, but it wasn't as scalding hot as the other drinks that were ordered. Came out with a nice warmness that was drinkable. -Sweet and yummy with their brown sugar and spice, just like the Korean dessert donut pastry. Reminds me of an autumn flavor. You can ask for no nuts and seeds, but you gotta have it on top if you want the true experience. 2) Rose of Sharon Espresso: -Aight, I am not an espresso person by any means. This was so bitter and sour that I grimaced immediately. Never again, but I guess if you're a true connoisseur, you may enjoy. 3) Slice of Black Sesame cheesecake: -Nice cloudy texture and sweet, slightly burnt (positive) crust. -We were able to share this large slice amongst the 3 of us. -Pairs well with some coffee or tea, I'm sure. This location has a small display case of baked goods, but in comparison to the other 2 locations where you have a tray and tongs to pick out your baked goods, this one does not have that. So if you're here for giga carb maxxing or if you're trying to get all of the good stuff from the other locations, there's a chance you may not be able to get them here.
This is the 2nd time visiting this place and it's great! The workers here are absolute sweethearts and are especially helpful and kind. :) The coffee here is nice and smooth, and you can feel the love with each cup. I love the variety of flavors and appreciate that they have non dairy options. Prices are average for most coffee shops and they have a point system to sign up for rewards. This shop reminded me of my trips to Korea, and the love and craft they put into their lattes. We just moved to the area, and this is especially a nice addition. I'll be back! :D
I had a memorable, lovely experience at Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park). It's a comfortable study/work spot with high-quality ingredients and coffee. I ordered their signature Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) and seasonal Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz). When rigorously stirred, that Sweet Corn Latte sent my heart aflutter. I arrived at Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) on Monday (around 11AM). Parking is simple. Although there's extremely limited storefront parking, there's available parking at the adjacent rear lot. Its sign says, "Parking for Customers - 3 Hours Max." Staff is youthful and active. Staff took my order at the counter, and Staff performed their assigned duties. Each drink took about three minutes. As mentioned, I ordered the Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) and seasonal Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz). This is the rare visit where I ordered a second coffee because the first (aka: Black Frost) felt too weak/ornamental. Still, both coffees had a distinguished charm. The Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz) tasted like a dessert drink. It's mocha with black sesame foam, dark chocolate, and espresso. It reminded me of an iced chocolate coco with a light caffeine taste. The drink is decadent, powdery, and sugary like a well-crafted treat. I wouldn't recommend it if searching for caffeine. Fortunately, the Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) went above and beyond. It's corn milk, espresso, and corn cold foam. With its first sip, I tasted power & strength!! After a thorough stir, this coffee unfurls into a distinct, creamy sensation. It's smooth and enduring. This coffee is not bitter nor too sweet. Instead, the faintest aftertaste of popcorn dances across the palate. If I close my eyes, I can feel my body soaring across the sky. Regarding ambiance, Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) is an outstanding study/work spot. There's about six electrical outlets. There's also customer internet with password; details are taped onto counter's glass. And there's a gender neutral restroom. I especially enjoyed the upbeat instrumental music. The location also felt surprisingly spacious with its tall ceiling. There's about eight tables and one counter table in this spot. The location also quickly fills with quiet, working college students. The location also felt fresh and well-ventilated. Overall, Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) is a top-tier destination for coffee. I left with a bright smile and a cheery outlook. If you love coffee or searching for a work/study spot, this is an easy recommendation. 5 out of 5!!!! GO!!!
I've been excited to try this place. It was delicious coffee. It's not a huge coffee menu but I like that. I also like that i can order ahead on the app and customize my drink to make it half sweet. My only gripe is they open at 8am. I wish they opened earlier so I can grab coffee before work on the week days. Ps the Spanish latte is amazing!
Food and Drinks: The pastries/breads and drinks look really cute, but I thought they were just okay. The Jeju matcha wasn't the best quality, though it was fine. The tiger latte was also okay, nothing special. The banana milk latte was very sweet and a bit overpowering with the artificial banana flavor, but that might be something people who love banana would enjoy. The cheese bread bun was surprisingly more on the sweeter side and I prefer savory. Service: The service was standard. You order at the front and wait for your drinks and food, which took a little while. Ambiance: Really cute and aesthetic. I liked the bar seating area with the little lamps. The place is clean, bright, and has a chill environment to hang out in.
We got a hojicha cheesecake slice to go. It was decent for a pre-packaged bakery item. The hojicha taste was pretty strong so the cream balanced that well. The cafe itself is pretty minimalist and is a good space to do work. I would try their coffee and drinks next time!
I've tried Smoking Tiger before at their Temple City-San Gabriel location, but this is my first time at this MP location. It's located in a plaza with plenty of parking in front of the store. We were greeted immediately as we walked in. They have their regular menu as well as their seasonal menu, which changes. Aside from drinks, they also have pastries (kimchi croissant, cheese bread, scones, cookies), a small fridge with dessert items like various cake slices, coffee beans, tea bags and merchandises. I really wanted to try the Hojicha Cheesecake, but they sold out - one day. For our visit, we tried... 1. Hotteok Latte (4/5) One of their winter seasonal drinks. Hotteok is a popular Korean street food; it's sweet-filled pancake with a crispy exterior and chewy interior. It is typically stuffed with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts like peanuts or walnuts. Therefore, this drink is a spin-off of it. Knowing that it's a sweet-dessert inspired drink, I didn't want mine too sweet, so asked for less sweetness. Despite asking for less sweet, it was still plenty sweet for me. Other than the sweetness, I did like the flavor which was very rich in cinnamon spice and had an infused nutty aroma. They do top the drink off with pecan, pumpkin seeds and pine nut/sunflower seeds. If you don't like cinnamon or nuts, this drink is not for you. For me, I like both, so this was the drink for me, but minus 1 star for the sweetness. 2. Sweet Corn Latte (4/5) The sweet corn flavor is mainly in the foam part, so if you have the lid on, it's hard to taste the sweet corn flavor. Best to drink it without the lid to get the full experience of this drink. The espresso was strong and not bitter. 3. Hotteok Loaf Cake (3.5/5) Basically a slice of sweet, cinnamon crusted sponge cake. It was moist, doughy and chewy. The middle part had a light sweet glaze with cinnamon swirled in, which is almost like eating a sponge-cake cinnamon roll. There were pine nuts throughout the cake, which added texture and slight nutty notes. Good flavor overall, but again, too sweet 4. Kimchi Musubi Croissant (5/5) We took this home and toasted it ourselves. The croissant turned out flaky and buttery. The kimchi flavor was mild, but noticeable. The musubi is in reference to the thin slice of spam placed inside the croissant and the slice of seaweed that laid over the top of the croissant. Overall, a decent Korean-inspired croissant. 5. Valentine's Day Strawberry Hazelnut Chewy Cookie Set (1/5) Comes as a set of 4 "cookies" but they are more like mochi balls than cookies. The mochi had a strawberry powder coated exterior with the inside filling being roasted kataifi that's mixed with their house-made hazelnut paste and nutella. Sorry, but this was one of the nastiest thing we've ever eaten. The mochi was chewy, but the inside filling was almost saturated with pure sugar. You can hardly taste the nutella/hazelnut flavor because it was just powdery and sugary. The strawberry powder added a bit of tartness. DO NOT RECOMMEND ... sad waste of $24.
Glad to see another coffee shop in Monterey Park, and such a cute one! Its clean, modern, and comfortable for studying/working. There is a good amount of seating and outlets, but it can fill up because people tend to spend several hours doing work. I've had their Chai latte, americano, and some other drinks. All were really delicious! They also have pastries and sweets from the case. I've tried their new butter mochi and didn't care for it though. The staff here is friendly and helpful as well. read more
Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a decent cafe with plenty of seating, making it a comfortable spot to relax or get some work done. Coffee - 3/5. The coffee was well-made - it wasn't burnt, overly bitter, or sour, so the extraction seemed solid. However, the flavor felt flat and watered down. It lacked the aroma, body, and rich roasted notes that make a cup memorable. Nothing really stood out, leaving it tasting more diluted than satisfying. Also, I don't think the barista could froth the coffee well. Instead of a nice velvety, dense froth, the froth was a bubbly foam (see photo). Food - 3/5. I visited around 9 a.m., but the pastry selection was surprisingly limited (see photo). The pastries also didn't taste particularly fresh; they had more of the texture and flavor you'd expect from pastries sitting out later in the day rather than freshly baked items you'd hope to find early in the morning. The café has a modern, hip vibe and a warm, inviting atmosphere. It's spacious, with plenty of seating, making it a pleasant place to spend some time. Overall, Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a fine neighborhood café if you're looking for a comfortable place to sit and enjoy a coffee. Unfortunately, neither the coffee nor the food left much of an impression. Nothing was particularly bad, but nothing really stood out either. While the ambiance is probably its strongest point, the coffee is just average. read more
3 months ago
[ Drink ] At my most recent visit I ordered the Matcha Latte and it was pretty disappointing. When I picked up my order the drink looked fine, but when I got to work I noticed the drink getting clumpy, even when I tried swirling the cup a couple of times and stirring with my straw. I don't think that has ever happened to my matcha drinks elsewhere, so that was interesting. I was basically drinking milk with matcha chunks. Their Hojicha Latte's also mid imo; tastes bland/grassy. [ Service ] Customer service is actually not great. The gentleman who took my order last time was pretty much expressionless. This recent time, when I picked up my drink for my mobile order, the girl seemed a tad bit annoyed for no reason. The workers at the San Gabriel location are much nicer. The drinks also come out fairly slow despite going early in the morning, I recommend ordering through the app ahead of time. [ Parking ] They have the tiniest lot in front of the shop so you might have to drive up a bit further where the bank is for more parking spots. read more
2 months ago
2nd or 3rd time here, but first time trying a drink other than the Smokin' Spaniard. The Tiger Latte is a great balance of deep coffee taste + sweet caramel & brown sugar. Not just your typical sweetened latte. I loved it iced, but could see myself liking it a lot hot. read more
5 months ago
I took my chance to visit this Korean cafe a block away from the hotel early morning before my check out. Their register wasn't working so everyone had to pay in Zelle or Venmo, including exact change in cash. The guy was welcoming and recommended me to try the Kimchi Musubi Croissant and the Garlic Cheese Bread since this was my first time here. I ordered their popular Honey Bori Latte in almond milk ($1 extra) with less sweetness and the Kimchi Musubi Croissant, which you can request to heat it up. The Bori latte didn't have much honey flavor and a bit watery, but I liked the puff rice topping that made it unique. Kimchi Musubi croissant was flaky and flavorful, but I wish they added more kimchi since it was more like eating a spam croissant. Overall, I'm glad I came here early before I left Monterey Park. It was less crowded an hour after opening and I like their 90s rnb playlist. I even love their cute mascot sticker. Highly recommend coming back to visit and download their app if you come frequently to earn rewards and discounts. read more
Ambiance: it's a spacious coffee shop, chill vibes and good for handout Service: friendly and efficient, you place the order at the front counter, and pick up further inside Drink: standard smoking tiger menu SMOKIN' SPANIARD - **** Smoking Tiger's Spanish latte, espresso sweetened with condensed milk, hazelnut and cinnamon, sweet and refreshing taste, recommend Price: decent quality and affordable prices, expect about $7 for each drink read more
Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab has been long overdue for a rating from me. I've been here multiple times and have even racked up quite a few points through their membership program. It's a wonderful spot to study as long as you get there early. The atmosphere is always warm and inviting, and the drinks are consistently made fresh and served piping hot. There's also a solid variety of food options to choose from. I've had the chance to try a few items: the Dubai chocolate mochi (4/5), the breakfast burrito (4/5), and the breakfast sliders (5/5). The sliders are especially good--kind of like a stacked sandwich with egg, sauces, and jam that all come together really well. My go-to drink is the Bori Cano, which is my current seasonal favorite. It's a unique mix w cream top over an Americano, with barley tea on the bottom. It's perfect for keeping me going during long study sessions. I'm really glad to have a place like this in Monterey Park where I can settle in and get work done. As for parking, there are only about five spots right in front of the café, but there are two larger lots on either side with no time limits, which makes things much easier. read more
I wanted to try this cafe out since it was close by my house & I needed to do some studying. I came on a Monday afternoon and to my surprise, the cafe was completely full. Luckily, by the time I ordered someone had left so I was able to snag a table. The tables are decently sized and the cafe is quite big. I was lucky that my table had an outlet next to me. I noticed that some tables lacked that. The WiFi is great except it resets every 1-2 hours and you have to click on a button to reconnect, which I found quite annoying. I wanted to give the jeju matcha a try since I'm not a big coffee lover. I had read some reviews about it and was quite skeptical but decided to try it anyway. It was extremely bitter and had a strong grassy taste. There were still powder bits and it mainly tasted like milk. I was quite disappointed. I would not recommend their matcha. read more
New location and I was excited to try it out something new from my regular coffee drink at smoking tiger. Black frost latte a bold mocha wrapped in a cool veil of black sesame foam dark chocolate and rich espresso, I asked and they put 2 shots of espresso in this drink. I had to sub the milk to almond milk and this drink was soo good and very happy I ordered it. Not too sweet, your able to taste the coffee and the slight sesame flavor as well. Got the ube scone and it had the flavor and a chewy moochi inside. The texture was not hard but crumbles and good flavor, Service was great, we were able to bring in our fur baby as long as he was on a leash. read more
I've been to the Whittier and Cerritos location and I gotta say that Smoking Tiger is a solid franchise to get some yummy drinks and baked goods at. My friends and I dropped by this location on a rainy day between the reset time at the maid cafe across the street. There was maybe 2 tables free, but they have a small seating counter area too, but I can imagine this place gets pretty packed (like the other spots) with people wanting to do work or study, so keep that in mind if you visit on other days. We were there on a Sunday evening. They have an app now too, just an FYI if you are a frequenter. This location has some merch for sale and a small refrigerated area with some cake slices, sandwiches, and other cooled goods. For our visit, we got the: 1) Hotteok Latte: -This is one of their seasonal drinks and only comes in hot temperature, but it wasn't as scalding hot as the other drinks that were ordered. Came out with a nice warmness that was drinkable. -Sweet and yummy with their brown sugar and spice, just like the Korean dessert donut pastry. Reminds me of an autumn flavor. You can ask for no nuts and seeds, but you gotta have it on top if you want the true experience. 2) Rose of Sharon Espresso: -Aight, I am not an espresso person by any means. This was so bitter and sour that I grimaced immediately. Never again, but I guess if you're a true connoisseur, you may enjoy. 3) Slice of Black Sesame cheesecake: -Nice cloudy texture and sweet, slightly burnt (positive) crust. -We were able to share this large slice amongst the 3 of us. -Pairs well with some coffee or tea, I'm sure. This location has a small display case of baked goods, but in comparison to the other 2 locations where you have a tray and tongs to pick out your baked goods, this one does not have that. So if you're here for giga carb maxxing or if you're trying to get all of the good stuff from the other locations, there's a chance you may not be able to get them here. read more
This is the 2nd time visiting this place and it's great! The workers here are absolute sweethearts and are especially helpful and kind. :) The coffee here is nice and smooth, and you can feel the love with each cup. I love the variety of flavors and appreciate that they have non dairy options. Prices are average for most coffee shops and they have a point system to sign up for rewards. This shop reminded me of my trips to Korea, and the love and craft they put into their lattes. We just moved to the area, and this is especially a nice addition. I'll be back! :D read more
I had a memorable, lovely experience at Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park). It's a comfortable study/work spot with high-quality ingredients and coffee. I ordered their signature Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) and seasonal Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz). When rigorously stirred, that Sweet Corn Latte sent my heart aflutter. I arrived at Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) on Monday (around 11AM). Parking is simple. Although there's extremely limited storefront parking, there's available parking at the adjacent rear lot. Its sign says, "Parking for Customers - 3 Hours Max." Staff is youthful and active. Staff took my order at the counter, and Staff performed their assigned duties. Each drink took about three minutes. As mentioned, I ordered the Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) and seasonal Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz). This is the rare visit where I ordered a second coffee because the first (aka: Black Frost) felt too weak/ornamental. Still, both coffees had a distinguished charm. The Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz) tasted like a dessert drink. It's mocha with black sesame foam, dark chocolate, and espresso. It reminded me of an iced chocolate coco with a light caffeine taste. The drink is decadent, powdery, and sugary like a well-crafted treat. I wouldn't recommend it if searching for caffeine. Fortunately, the Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) went above and beyond. It's corn milk, espresso, and corn cold foam. With its first sip, I tasted power & strength!! After a thorough stir, this coffee unfurls into a distinct, creamy sensation. It's smooth and enduring. This coffee is not bitter nor too sweet. Instead, the faintest aftertaste of popcorn dances across the palate. If I close my eyes, I can feel my body soaring across the sky. Regarding ambiance, Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) is an outstanding study/work spot. There's about six electrical outlets. There's also customer internet with password; details are taped onto counter's glass. And there's a gender neutral restroom. I especially enjoyed the upbeat instrumental music. The location also felt surprisingly spacious with its tall ceiling. There's about eight tables and one counter table in this spot. The location also quickly fills with quiet, working college students. The location also felt fresh and well-ventilated. Overall, Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) is a top-tier destination for coffee. I left with a bright smile and a cheery outlook. If you love coffee or searching for a work/study spot, this is an easy recommendation. 5 out of 5!!!! GO!!! read more
3 months ago
I've been excited to try this place. It was delicious coffee. It's not a huge coffee menu but I like that. I also like that i can order ahead on the app and customize my drink to make it half sweet. My only gripe is they open at 8am. I wish they opened earlier so I can grab coffee before work on the week days. Ps the Spanish latte is amazing! read more
4 months ago
Food and Drinks: The pastries/breads and drinks look really cute, but I thought they were just okay. The Jeju matcha wasn't the best quality, though it was fine. The tiger latte was also okay, nothing special. The banana milk latte was very sweet and a bit overpowering with the artificial banana flavor, but that might be something people who love banana would enjoy. The cheese bread bun was surprisingly more on the sweeter side and I prefer savory. Service: The service was standard. You order at the front and wait for your drinks and food, which took a little while. Ambiance: Really cute and aesthetic. I liked the bar seating area with the little lamps. The place is clean, bright, and has a chill environment to hang out in. read more
7 months ago
We got a hojicha cheesecake slice to go. It was decent for a pre-packaged bakery item. The hojicha taste was pretty strong so the cream balanced that well. The cafe itself is pretty minimalist and is a good space to do work. I would try their coffee and drinks next time! read more
I've tried Smoking Tiger before at their Temple City-San Gabriel location, but this is my first time at this MP location. It's located in a plaza with plenty of parking in front of the store. We were greeted immediately as we walked in. They have their regular menu as well as their seasonal menu, which changes. Aside from drinks, they also have pastries (kimchi croissant, cheese bread, scones, cookies), a small fridge with dessert items like various cake slices, coffee beans, tea bags and merchandises. I really wanted to try the Hojicha Cheesecake, but they sold out - one day. For our visit, we tried... 1. Hotteok Latte (4/5) One of their winter seasonal drinks. Hotteok is a popular Korean street food; it's sweet-filled pancake with a crispy exterior and chewy interior. It is typically stuffed with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts like peanuts or walnuts. Therefore, this drink is a spin-off of it. Knowing that it's a sweet-dessert inspired drink, I didn't want mine too sweet, so asked for less sweetness. Despite asking for less sweet, it was still plenty sweet for me. Other than the sweetness, I did like the flavor which was very rich in cinnamon spice and had an infused nutty aroma. They do top the drink off with pecan, pumpkin seeds and pine nut/sunflower seeds. If you don't like cinnamon or nuts, this drink is not for you. For me, I like both, so this was the drink for me, but minus 1 star for the sweetness. 2. Sweet Corn Latte (4/5) The sweet corn flavor is mainly in the foam part, so if you have the lid on, it's hard to taste the sweet corn flavor. Best to drink it without the lid to get the full experience of this drink. The espresso was strong and not bitter. 3. Hotteok Loaf Cake (3.5/5) Basically a slice of sweet, cinnamon crusted sponge cake. It was moist, doughy and chewy. The middle part had a light sweet glaze with cinnamon swirled in, which is almost like eating a sponge-cake cinnamon roll. There were pine nuts throughout the cake, which added texture and slight nutty notes. Good flavor overall, but again, too sweet 4. Kimchi Musubi Croissant (5/5) We took this home and toasted it ourselves. The croissant turned out flaky and buttery. The kimchi flavor was mild, but noticeable. The musubi is in reference to the thin slice of spam placed inside the croissant and the slice of seaweed that laid over the top of the croissant. Overall, a decent Korean-inspired croissant. 5. Valentine's Day Strawberry Hazelnut Chewy Cookie Set (1/5) Comes as a set of 4 "cookies" but they are more like mochi balls than cookies. The mochi had a strawberry powder coated exterior with the inside filling being roasted kataifi that's mixed with their house-made hazelnut paste and nutella. Sorry, but this was one of the nastiest thing we've ever eaten. The mochi was chewy, but the inside filling was almost saturated with pure sugar. You can hardly taste the nutella/hazelnut flavor because it was just powdery and sugary. The strawberry powder added a bit of tartness. DO NOT RECOMMEND ... sad waste of $24. read more
Super cozy and plenty of tables for a work from cafe kind of day at this location. There's also a bar style seating area if you prefer that more. Parking right in front of store is very limited but you can always park in parking structure. Banana Milk Latte -very artificial flavoring and didn't pair well with their coffee. Wouldn't order this again. Sweet Corn Latte - after mixing the corn cold foam into the drink, you don't really taste it. It was more of a creamy coffee. Strawberry Matcha -not too sweet, great for super hot days! Jeju Matcha Latte - wasn't as strong as I'd like. The strawberry version adds more flavor. Black Sesame Hojicha (seasonal-winter) -after mixing the black sesame cold foam into the drink, you don't really taste it. Its more of a thick hojicha, better off ordering regular hojicha. Black Froth Latte (seasonal-winter) -all flavors paired well. Mocha brings out the black sesame flavors. Coffee was rich. Hotteok Latte (seasonal-winter) -only comes hot and was best out of all of the winter seasonal items. Cinnamon balances the brown sugar and not overpowering. It's like a warm hug. read more
Coffee is always great at Smoking Tiger. This was my second time at this location, but the wait time to order was about 10 minutes. No line, just short staffed on a Saturday at 6pm? (Very) compact spaces available in the lot next to the building. read more
Holy Cow! I mean Tiger! Amazing delicious coffee. I love the espresso taste. Their flavors are sweet, nutty, and subtle. I don't particularly like sweet coffee so I definitely appreciated the balance in these lattes. The Smokin' Spaniard was my favorite. I'm looking forward to trying the whole menu! read more
I've been to this location and the one in Whittier and both have such good vibes for both studying and socializing! Everyone here is so nice and they have delicious drinks and tasty Korean-inspired treats too. Definitely come here! Both locations have free parking lots! read more
Came by before work today because I wanted their cream cheese garlic bread. Ordering took a while because the cashier turned around and walked away right when I walked up to the register so I had to wait for him to notice me. I ordered a hot tiger latte, a YSL, and the cream cheese garlic bread. I highly suggest ordering ahead through their app because wait time was pretty long. I was late to work because my order took 15 minutes, and they weren't even busy when I went. The cream cheese garlic bread was so good though. I love how garlic-y it was and I would definitely get it again. read more
I love Smoking Tiger so I'm so happy one opened up in Monterey Park. Delicious Korean flavor inspired coffees and drinks, and tasty pastries, scones, scone cookies, and chubby cheesecakes. I saw a seasonal menu so had to try the hotteok latte. It's a healthier grown up version of the flavors that are so nostalgic during the cold season. Pine nuts, cinnamon, brown sugar, milk... and not too sweet. All it needed was a nice real hotteok to accompany it, but alas, they don't sell hotteoks here. They do have a hotteok loaf on the menu but I guess only during a specific time of day. It wasn't available at opening. I got my kimchi spam pastry as usual. It was solud, as usual. I love how savory it is with a tiny bit of spicy and tangy and wrapped with a solid pastry. read more
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9 months ago
I've had Smoking Tiger a few times before at their other locations, and overall I've always enjoyed their drinks. I used to go pretty often when I was in the area. This time, I tried the black sesame hojicha latte. It wasn't bad, but I don't think I would order it again. The black sesame flavor felt a bit overpowering, and the combination didn't quite work for me personally. I've tried their matcha before and enjoyed that. This location just opened and there were plenty of tables and space to get some work done. Service was quick and efficient. I am glad SGV is opening up more coffee shops because the boba scene here is popping but the coffee scene here is lacking. read more
Second time visiting Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab but different location. This place had a few seats, bar style. The garlic cream cheese bread roll thing is where it's at. The other pastry item with meat was just okay and not memorable. And I love the drink options. read more
4 months ago
My Spaniard was alright. I felt like something was missing. Just in LA for memorial weekend and needed some pick me up before we head out to Long Beach. I am from the Bay 415 and 408, tasted more of the cinnamon than anything else. Ordered online so I am not sure of what service is like in person. Daughter and son-in-law picked it up for me. lol It's a cool name and im sure the ambiance inside reflects Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab. I'll give it another try when I come back in town. Maybe a different drink will suit my palate. read more
Yay for the additional SGV location and finally with some seating! Lots of people here even early to work or hang with friends though, so still plan on grab and go unless you come early. Service was super nice and patient with us as we looked at the menu. Drinks continue to be solid and I love how the strawberry puree matcha is just the right hint of strawberry while still having a very strong matcha flavor. I got mine with oat milk and it was still a tad creamy in a good way. My friend got the corn milk latte which has a nice smokey/cinnamon-y flavor to it. I will be back if I'm ever in the area! read more
1 month ago
Was excited to try the berries n' cream matcha but was heavily disappointed when this is what I received. The matcha was chunky and the drink didn't even turn green when I stirred it. A matcha should not be a white color with floating matcha chunks in it. The drink tasted like I was just drinking blueberry milk with no matcha flavor whatsoever. If they aren't going to put effort into the matcha then they should just stick to selling coffee. read more
Recently, I was in Monterey Park and stopped by Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab for a pick-me-up. This location has limited parking, but you could park in the structure next door and take a short walk over. It wasn't too busy after 6pm on Sunday, so I was able to get a table inside and relax for a bit. The space's bright and modern with lots of purple furnishings. Service was minimal, but quick. I wanted a non-caffeinated drink, so I ordered the MSGR ($6), which was light, milky, and refreshing. However, I wished it had a stronger roasted rice flavor. I'd revisit Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab to try other menu items, if I'm in the area again. read more
5 months ago
Got the sweet corn latte and their seasonal Black Forest latte, and both were really good. Not overly sweet but still super rich in flavor. Haven't been to their other locations, but I've heard those ones are smaller. This location is pretty spacious with plenty of seating, which makes it perfect for studying as they also have WiFi, lots of outlets, and the parking is convenient. The staff were very friendly and really knowledgeable about their drinks, which I appreciated. Would definitely come back to try more of their menu! read more
5 months ago
This place was really nice to come and sit drink coffee! Tried their iced Tiger Latte and it was delicious, paired it with their honey butter croissant! That croissant was so delectable! I am really glad to have tried it. The location was clean and the baristas were nice! read more
3 months ago
I was going to go to another boba shop down the street but saw this on the way there and I thought to myself why not give this a try. Turns out it's pretty good, I ordered the Ube Latte. I highly recommend it if you love Ube or want to try something different. I would definitely come back . read more
2 months ago
Wednesday 2PM, ordered a 20oz iced Matcha Latte with Oat Milk and extra shot of matcha. Witnessed the barista make a mistake at 16oz and quickly just poured it into a 20oz cup and poured some extra ice. The drink was not topped off as you can see from the photo. read more
2 months ago
They use old/very low quality matcha. Color is a yellow-brownish green and not the bright green it's should be. This is a Korean coffee shop - yall should know better. If you source this kind of low quality old matcha it makes you question their judgement on the quality of all other things they sell. read more
8 months ago
3.83 stars. Good seating for work from home, parking area is easy, inside is aesthetic and clean. Unfortunately we had to wait a while to be greeted at the cashier - around 10 mins. I got the sesame hojicha latte. While the drink sounded intriguing it was strong in sesame flavor but lacked hojicha depth. Still, I think there is much room for potential as this location is new and their other drinks sounds tasty. read more
I really liked this cafe spot! This location is a lot bigger compared to the San Gabriel spot. There's a lot of tables and outlets to study and work. It's a good spot to cowork with friends and it's relatively quiet enough to stay focused. I really enjoyed the drinks I've tried. I even got a ham and cheese bread that was quite yummy. The staff are friendly and helpful. read more
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