Some cities like their boba sweet. Long Beach is unquestionably a big bubble tea town. We have a staggering amount of taro milk teas, brown sugar pearls, fruit teas, cheese foam toppings, and more than one spot with “bubble” in the name. It can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help you find the best ones in the city and make sense of them all.
Sunright Tea Studio – Long Beach
$ | (562) 494-3509 | WEBSITE
Long Beach’s bubble tea scene starts feeling repetitive when you’ve tried as many spots as we have. But true to its name, this little studio in Long Beach is the best modern tea shop in the area. What separates it from the rest is how perfectly they prepare the boba in these consistently excellent drinks, giving it just the right texture every time. We like the strawberry Yakult, which gets a refreshing blend of strawberry and yogurt while it’s still being mixed.
The fast, friendly service has been consistent across all locations and employs efficient staff who make crafting our favorite drinks in the city look easy.
Ding Tea Bixby Knolls Long Beach
$ | (562) 548-2522 | WEBSITE
Ding Tea in Bixby Knolls is the Long Beach sibling that decided to specialize in perfecting bubble tea. And they’ve absolutely nailed it. They’ve been serving the neighborhood for years now. You can still see their classic menu items like Thai tea with boba and brown sugar milk tea featured prominently. They also still offer that personalized touch of adjusting sweetness levels, and haven’t lost their knack for creating a cozy ambiance in their clean, spacious interior.
But they’re open regularly, with convenient parking at the rear. If you spot the friendly staff behind the counter, you’re in for a refreshing treat. They make a fantastic Jasmine Green Tea Milk Tea and love to suggest 75% sweetness (let them). It’s so perfectly balanced, they serve it with that signature creamy texture and dairy-free options, like a tribute to the bubble tea purists.
Gong cha Long Beach
$ | (562) 342-9230 | WEBSITE
There are two Gong cha locations in Long Beach (that have nothing to do with each other). At this one, you should under no circumstances ask for a regular milk tea. We almost mistook the bright boba shop for a creme brûlée enthusiast’s laboratory. There are creme brûlée posters, flavor charts, and preparation tools displayed behind the counter. The restaurant’s passion for that dessert is only rivaled by its love of boba varieties and self-ordering kiosks.
They take their time making drinks, ensuring all ingredients (which they leave perfectly balanced) are blended before they get crowned with a thick layer of milk foam. Drinking one is like drinking two desserts, but it only costs the price of one. For $6, it’s a great deal that pairs beautifully with a nearby movie theater.
One Zo Boba/Myungrang Hotdog
$ | (562) 354-6330 | WEBSITE
This cozy spot in Long Beach serves Korean-style corn dogs so generously loaded, they demand two hands and a moment of admiration before the first bite. It’s primarily a grab-and-go operation, but there are a few stools where you can enjoy a sweet potato dog with mustard cheese sauce and watch the efficient staff prepare boba drinks behind the counter. Not much has changed since the place became popular, including the reasonable prices.
Our favorite item, the potato hot dog with hot Cheetos and cheese mustard sauce, costs less than $8 and can satisfy any street food craving. We’re guessing the peaceful atmosphere comes from details like the animal crossing videos and K-pop projections on the walls. Don’t overlook the boba drinks just because they’re not the main attraction—the brown sugar milk tea is a must-try.
Knead Donuts & Tea
$ | (562) 386-2075 | WEBSITE
Knead Donuts & Tea blurs the line between donuts and bubble tea. Their take on a classic donut is a creative fusion with flavors like Dubai chocolate and Vietnamese coffee. But from there, Knead gets off the exit and speeds away from tradition. They use rich, fluffy textures and unique combinations like oreo and lemon poppyseed old fashioned. And instead of plain coffee, they serve fragrant Vietnamese coffee that can be customized for sweetness, along with zombie coffee and ham and cheese melts.
It’s hard for us not to get their Vietnamese coffee every time we come here, but they’ve got more options, like cheesecake donuts and their signature specialty beverages.
Teatopia A Boba Project LBC
$$ | (562) 588-9320 | WEBSITE
At Teatopia, when they ask if you want the green Thai tea “how it comes,” you say yes. The reasonable price of six dollars lets the perfect balance of herbal and floral flavors shine. The phoenix oolong is mild and nutty, yet still smooth and refreshing. They have a loyalty program for a free drink after your 10th purchase—a goal you will accomplish faster than you think, thanks to the affordability and welcoming staff of this spot.
Teatopia feels like the kind of place you’d find in a trendy neighborhood. Until you realize their banana cream matcha latte is paired with instant ramen from a special machine, and then you remember you’re in Long Beach.
Tastea LBX
$ | (562) 420-8327 | WEBSITE
Unlike most of the spots on this guide, Tastea LBX isn’t a full-service cafe. They’re a compact, clean shop tucked into the LB Exchange plaza that serves an extensive menu of bubble tea and smoothies. But you’re coming here for their standout Thai Tea Smoothie. It’s a creamy delight of rich tea flavor and smooth texture, noticeably richer than the slush version. Plus, it gets a sweet, chewy boost with their signature golden boba.
Finishing a 32-oz cup in one go should get you some kind of reward, but drinking it is a treat in and of itself.
Cha For Tea – Long Beach
$ | (562) 668-5100 | WEBSITE
The name of this Long Beach spot is straightforward, but the experience is surprisingly nostalgic. We’re talking cozy seating, friendly chatter, and a deep love of boba. This campus-adjacent tea shop is best known for its namesake: their almond milk tea—and it’s good. The fresh, chewy pearls are cradled in creamy, fragrant tea with just the right sweetness that holds it all together. If you want to fit in, make sure you ask for it with crunchy chicken on the side.
Tea 9
$ | (562) 434-8882 | WEBSITE
What sets this Tea 9 apart from the rest is: the house special red noodles with fried chicken. It’s the best of its kind in Long Beach. The noodles are tangled between every bit of crispy chicken. The staff is also really proud of their Jasmine Tea, so make sure you pair that with some steamed or fried tofu. At the ordering counter, right next to the usual straws and napkins, they also have honey—which you should definitely add to your boba, too.
The workers are a force that runs around their cozy shop refilling water and hands you extra napkins with your meal while chatting up regulars. It’s for wiping up the bits of sauce that drip from these generous bowls.
Loose Leaf Boba Company
$ | (562) 435-1559 | WEBSITE
Loose Leaf Boba Company is a Long Beach favorite, even if it doesn’t quite make the best boba in Long Beach. They used to be, but these aren’t the same drinks we grew up sipping. The shop is so popular these days, they’re more focused on efficiency than artistry. But the drinks are still the freshest and made with the highest quality tea, which is saying a lot because there are some impressively crafted beverages on this guide.
Loose Leaf Boba Company has one location in Long Beach with ample parking. We’re focusing on the original spot, where the whirring of blenders for smoothies never stops. A lot of people take their drinks to go, but they have a cozy seating area inside if you want to relax there.
Boba Tea House
$ | (562) 989-9853 | WEBSITE
Order the banh mi from Boba Tea House and savor it immediately from the comfort of your car. The Long Beach spot is perfect for takeout and to experience a fresh, flavorful bite, you should eat the sandwich right away. The bread is perfectly toasted and comes with crisp vegetables and savory meat. But, for such a cozy shop, there are plenty of options. They also make excellent egg rolls and a vermicelli bowl that should be topped with extra egg rolls, fresh herbs, and fish sauce.
It’s the place to prioritize the next time you’re craving a quick, tasty meal and some alone time in your 2018 Toyota Camry.
Boba Guys Long Beach
$ | WEBSITE
By Long Beach’s bubble tea standards, Boba Guys’ drinks are a little pricey. This waterfront shop charges premium prices, but makes up for that by delivering exceptional quality. Instead of cutting corners, Boba Guys impresses with flavorful creations like the black sugar hojicha and enough customization options to give a barista anxiety. They also get creative with seasonal specials, but you’re better off sticking to the classics, like their hojicha banana latte and black sugar drinks.
Roasting Water
$ | (562) 377-0011 | WEBSITE
Roasting Water used to serve drinks in glass bottles, then switched to reusable ones, and now it’s a small shop in LB Towne Center where you’re not judged for inevitably spilling your customizable fruit tea all over your lap. One is a refreshing mango tea, the other a sweet strawberry. And both appear on the menu alongside three types of tea, all adjustable with less ice and sweetness. It’s not just customizable, it’s so flavorful you’ll struggle to finish it without taking a break.
Somehow, their cozy outdoor seating holds it all: friendly staff including the owner, consistent coffee, and pureed fruit smoothies. If you need a break between sips, hop on your phone and scroll through photos. But wipe your hands first, please.
Star Bakery & Sandwich
$ | (562) 599-2692 | WEBSITE
Star Bakery & Sandwich has options—so many that you should probably glance at the menu before you arrive, lest you annoy the line of regulars who come daily for their lunch fix. Most of the offerings center on Vietnamese-inspired dishes, with a particular focus on Banh Mi sandwiches that do a great job of balancing fresh ingredients and savory flavors. The soundtrack here is a steady hum from the bakery ovens.
Like any good family-owned spot, you can customize your order pretty freely, so go ahead and load up on extra pickles and pâté in your sandwich, you adventurous soul.
SoCal Wings
$ | (562) 743-0006 | WEBSITE
Of the many wing spots in Long Beach, this one in the heart of the city is the standout. Their wings earn the adjective “dynamite,” and that’s mostly due to the crispiness of the skin. This SoCal Wings doesn’t drench their wings in as much sauce as other wing joints, but it’s all cooked fresh and flavorful. They even take the time to fry each batch upon ordering so it gets perfectly crispy throughout.
The Dynamite wings are spicy, juicy, and charred in all the right places, but we like the lemon pepper a bit more.
Boba Bee
$ | (562) 354-6227 | WEBSITE
We come to this friendly spot in Long Beach for their Ube Creme Brûlée drink. It’s loaded with creamy ube flavor and caramelized sugar that tops the smooth milk tea and mixes with the chewy boba pearls. For an extra dollar, we like ours with extra boba, which are perfectly sweet and have just the right chew.
The drinks come out quick, so if you’re on a tight schedule or on your way to hang out with friends, this is a great place to stop before you start enjoying the nice ambiance and plenty of seating space.
Meet Up Boba Teahouse & Café
$ | (562) 387-9565 | WEBSITE
The drinks at Meet Up Boba come in two sizes: regular (more like large) and extra-large (more like a mason jar of liquid happiness). Their Thai iced tea is layered with creamy sweetness, and if you ask for it fully loaded, they’ll pile on the boba pearls until it’s practically a meal. The fruit tea to prioritize is the lychee. The floral notes and fresh fruit meld together beautifully to become the highlight of your Saturday stroll.
The inside has cozy booths where you can linger, and there are outdoor tables. Otherwise, takeout is a good option since the drinks hold up quite well without getting watered down.
Mochinut – Long Beach
$ | (562) 342-4440 | WEBSITE
If choosing between a sweet or savory treat is your typical struggle, Mochinut’s hot Cheetos Korean corn dog is here to solve your problem. This Long Beach spot combines a crispy corn dog with a spicy Cheetos coating that delivers both crunch and kick. The mochi donuts are especially noteworthy for their unique texture that’s chewier than traditional donuts. Try the Classic Choco donut with an Ube milk tea for a flavor combination that’s as satisfying as it is unexpected.
Grab your order with a side of their mozzarella sticks and don’t miss checking out the colorful menu board behind the counter for some creative descriptions. There’s a playful note about their limited seating that’s as charming as it is honest.
CaliTea Long Beach
$ | (562) 343-2646 | WEBSITE
When you need a break from regular milk tea, head to CaliTea Long Beach for their brown sugar milk tea. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a rich, caramelized (but not so sweet you can’t enjoy the tea flavor) boba drink. The chewy tapioca pearls soak up that brown sugar goodness, too. This spot is right in the heart of Long Beach. So add it to your rotation if you’re studying at one of the nearby tables or need a refreshing drink after exploring the city.
The spacious interior with natural light makes it perfect for relaxing with a board game or getting some work done on their Wi-Fi. Service is quick, and parking is convenient, so you can grab your drink and go—or stay awhile in their welcoming atmosphere.