Los Angeles

Best Bubble Tea in Los Angeles

From fish-shaped soft serve to classic milk tea

The San Gabriel Valley is where Taiwanese tea chains tend to open their first American shops, so LA boba tracks what Taipei is drinking more closely than any other US region. That means real brewed tea rather than powder, brown sugar boba made in small batches, cheese foam done properly, and seasonal fruit teas that change with what is actually in season. The shops on this list run from international franchises with strict quality control to local studios doing their own thing. Most cluster in Arcadia, Alhambra, San Gabriel, and Rowland Heights, so you can try several in one afternoon. Sweetness and ice are always adjustable; ask for 50 percent sugar if you want to taste the tea.