BAMBU on North Broadway completely exceeded my expectations. From the outside it looks casual and unassuming, but once you step inside, there's a lively, colorful energy that instantly lifts your mood. It's the kind of place that feels welcoming whether you're meeting friends for a relaxed dinner or just stopping in because you're craving something flavorful and different. The menu is what really makes this place stand out. There's a creative mix of Vietnamese-inspired dishes and modern fusion options, and everything tastes intentional. The ingredients are fresh, the herbs are vibrant, and the flavors are layered without feeling heavy. I appreciated how balanced everything was -- nothing overly greasy or overwhelming, just clean, bright flavors that keep you going back for another bite. Even the presentation shows care, which adds to the overall experience. The drink selection is just as impressive. Whether you're in the mood for something refreshing and fruity or a more classic option, they've clearly put thought into crafting beverages that complement the food. It's not just an afterthought -- it's part of the experience. Service was another highlight. The staff were genuinely friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and quick to offer recommendations when I asked. They checked in often enough to make sure everything was perfect but never hovered or rushed us. That balance is rare and really appreciated. Overall, BAMBU delivers more than just a meal -- it delivers a full experience. Great atmosphere, flavorful food, solid drinks, and attentive service. I'll absolutely be back, and I'll be bringing friends next time. read more

A neighborhood staple and always busy. However, I am also realizing that the service is slow, which causes the place to get backed up and in turn, causes there to appear to be a flood of customers. Prices are about $7-10 per drink. I really like #10 Bambu favorite: Coconut milk, pandan jelly, red tapioca, and grass jelly (and then I add coconut meat for an additional $10). My friend loves the pandan waffles and always wants to come here for it when she visits. read more

I love Bambu!! The #4 always hits the spot when I'm craving some refreshing che. Not to mention all the ches come with the best pebble ice. The servers are friendly and accomodating. They recently switched to self checkout machines which is nice to look at pictures of the menu but you can ask the staff any questions too. There's plenty of seating inside but if it's nice out, I recommend taking your che to go and walking around the neighborhood! read more

This place is insanely good. My taro drink was like something I have never had before and I enjoyed every sip. It was so many people in there we were hesitant at first but we decided to just go and I am SO glad we did. You order and pay with a kiosk and it was pretty simple. There were so many options we will definitely have to go back and try more. read more

BAMBU - Taro & Vietnamese BLEND - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I got the #10 Bambu Favorite and the Pandan Waffle. I love grass jelly so the Bambu Favorite che was good for me. I also got a pandan waffle and thought it was okay - wish there was more of a mochi texture to it though. One of the kiosks wasn't working at the time so that delayed the line. The space inside can get quite crowded too, it's not too big. The drink and waffle were about $14 total so, in this economy, overall pretty good value. read more

BAMBU - Menu - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Everything I've tried from their menu has been great! The drinks are always fresh, and the wait time is reasonable (unless they're busier, typically on the weekend in my experience). It's a great place to go and grab a quick snack and/or drink while on break, passing through, traveling, etc. and the ambiance is equally as pleasant. The coffee and espresso is very strong as well! read more

BAMBU - Coffee Milk Tea 3 French Macarons - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this place! It's a Vietnamese dessert spot and it's always crowded. They finally put kiosk, two of them inside and it's so nice and much quicker. You can personalize to your liking and it's so nice. Have been here a couple of times and tried their Fruit Addict if you like Che and their Bambu Favorite. They have limited seating once it gets crowded but it's perfect treat for summer or winter. They also have other smoothies options waffles and macaroons. read more

BAMBU - Bambu Favorite - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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The drinks are very flavorful and so refreshing to eat/drink! I tried their Thai tea with boba last time, and it was the perfect amount of sweetness and tea. The boba was soft and chewy, just how I like it! The service was good, and they called out the drinks pretty quick. The ambiance is very clean and nice. There's a few seats inside, but they fill up pretty quick. I really want to try their ube and mango halo halos, so I'll definitely be back again! read more

BAMBU - Fruit Addict Che & Thai Specialty Milk Tea - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Quality desserts with quality ingredients. I love their Che selection. Fruit addict is my go to. The place is small and always crowded read more

BAMBU - 6. Fruit Addict Che - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you want a dessert that is outside the box and bursting with flavor while staying true to its asian roots, look no further than BAMBU. It is definitely worth a shot and has something for everyone. We got the BAMBU special #1 which was made with a coconut water base. I absolutely loved how light it was and the pandan jelly, coconut toppings were a perfect complement to the base on a hot summer Chicago day. I will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. Quick and efficient service as well! P.S. the smoothies (at least the Durian one) is made with real fruit! read more

BAMBU - Bambu Special - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Yummy! I've never tried ché before and it was such a good experience :) I wish it were a bit cheaper, though, but I can tell they use quality ingredients. I got the #10 with pandan and grass jelly, and red rubies. It was good! I'll probably try the fruit addict or coconut one next time. Would be 5 stars if it were a dollar cheaper (I'd come nonstop) read more

BAMBU - 10. Bambu Favorite Che - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great service and a very welcoming atmosphere. The staff was attentive and made the whole experience enjoyable. I'll definitely be coming back again soon! read more

This place used to be good, but now they're just constantly ripping off customers. Their drinks have become so overpriced, it's absurd. SO MUCH ICE! They'll fill up your drink halfway and then add a ton of ice. The drinks become so diluted with ice and water. Service is barely passable, as they don't seem to care if it's busy or not. Ambiance is just ok, as there's some seats and clean. Other than that, definitely not recommended unless you want to get an overpriced drink with a ton of ice. read more

BAMBU - So much ice! Not even filled to the top for a large. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Bambu is one of those places to go each time when I am in Chicago. I usually get their avocado Che but this time I wanted to try something else. So I got the bambu combo Che. The Che is made pretty fast. This Che has quite a lot of toppings inside. It was delicious. It was also very filling. read more

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People weren't lying when they said best smoothies ever! My husband use to go here when he worked in the area, and always talked about how creamy and delicious the smoothies are. I finally got to give Bambu a try for myself and wow, I am so impressed! Bambu is located in Uptown, with lots of pay to park around if you are driving. It's also just a block or so from the Argyle L stop. This stretch of town is also known as 'Asia on Argyle' or 'Chicago's Little Vietnam' as there are some incredible Southeast Asian owned cafes, restaurants, and businesses to explore! Bambu is really adorable, small, and clean on the inside. The walls are lined with gorgeous images of the beverage options. The selection is VAST, and with each drink, there are many customizations to really make it your own. I wanted to keep it simple for my first order, and decided on the coconut taro smoothie with no additional boba toppings. The drink was made in just a few minutes (I was the only one in the cafe) and was the gorgeous lavender shade I expected. It tasted even better than it looked! It was so creamy, and neither flavor overpowered the other. I can't wait to come back throughout the summer and try more flavors! This is truly a little gem in Uptown, and I'm so happy to have discovered it. read more

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I go here every year during summer getting the Che and it always satisfy my sweet craving. I always get something different but this time I went I got the Bambu combo. The service is super quick and efficient. They just remodeled to make their place more modernized. It is a super cozy place where you can study or go with friends. read more

BAMBU - 2. Bambu Combo Che - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I was visiting one of my besties who lives in Chicago and she said I have to go here bc they have the best pandan and ube. I love both so no need to ask me twice! I got the Ube Lover which has ube and pandan jellies in it. Eeerrmagherd so good and you can tell the ingredients are fresh. None of that powder shiiet. I'm back in Arizona now and on the hunt to find something similar. I was greeted when I walked in. A lot of Vietnamese drinks to choose from. The place is clean and my drink came out quickly. I will be back! FYI - parking is hard to find on the weekends in this area but easier during the weekday. So my friend just parked on the street in from of bambu while I ran in. read more

BAMBU - 7. Taro lover Che - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I think I just I don't like boba. I would have given 2 stars because I didn't really like it, but I'm no pearl milk tea connoisseur, so who knows, maybe it's relatively good. I've had boba tea maybe 5-6 times in my life. I always want it to be better. I got the flan che and my girlfriend got taro boba tea. The flan at the bottom of my drink was good, the rest of it was pretty bland. LOTS of boba / gelatin. Made feel like I had a brick in my stomach... I kept eating it because I kept wanting it to be better. The taro had no sweetness and very little taro flavor. Basically bland milky boba. Both were very pretty. Service was fine, server was nice (counter service). Ambiance was... a boba shop. Music was not loud, thank you for that. read more

BAMBU - Taro milk tea and flan che - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Kind of outrageously priced and NOT as marked. My small iced coffee was supposed to be $5 as per the signage but the total for mine and my friend's similar beverage was over $14. So, either his coffee was $9 for a small or they're just charging whatever and neither makes me feel great a customer. I gave them 3 stars because the drinks were delicious. read more

Bambu may be a little pricier than similar restaurants for the products but they do deliver in consistency and quality. You can definitely taste the fresh ingredients and care put into every drink and enjoy their delicious Che which isn't something you'll commonly find at other places. I also recommend their delicious Pandan waffle which is a mix of crispy, sweet, and chewy all in one. This goes well with their delicious vietnamese coffee options. Make sure you try some unique items such as pennywort, basil seed, jackfruit, palm seed, and other items that you don't find as often in other drink places. Or go ahead and order your favorite like red bean or taro for an elevated experience both in terms of flavor and texture. Overall, it may not be cheap or quick -- but the drinks here are consistently delicious and worth a visit. read more

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I love Bambu as a pick me up spot for Vietnamese Che. It is on the pricier end but joining their rewards program is nice with occasional discounts. My favorite is #10 which is simple and delicious for a warm day. read more

BAMBU - #10. Bambu Favorite Che - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love their #1 dessert. I used to order via Uber eats and the driver just gave me a broken one. The store took responsibility very well.

I didn't realize until after I left that I believe they made me the wrong drink. Nevertheless it was still pretty decent despite not what I initially ordered read more

Great place for Boba. The ambience is nice and bubbly. The Boba is delicious and their service is top-notch. Cannot complain. Can't wait to get some more Boba from them. read more

this is my best kept bubble tea secret y'all. forget kung fu tea and the others, bambu is quick, delicious and affordable. my favorite is a vietnamese coffee blended, either with or without boba depending on the day. it's almost like a frappe. the staff are also really friendly, and it's always clean, usually smelling like macaroons. i love bambu read more

Great drinks! My favorite are the coconut milk based drinks. Very fresh and delicious. Highly recommend if you want something different from boba. read more

BAMBU - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My first Vietnamese dessert shop! I got the #1 Bambu special - fresh coconut, pandan jelly, longan, basil, seed, coconut water. The ingredients or "toppings" were all tasty, good chewiness and coconut water was what I expected. It was just strange in that I was constantly switching between drinking through straw and fishing my spoon through the lid hole to try to get out the longan which can't obviously be drunk through the straw. There was also crushed ice which I didn't feel like was necessary to the dessert drink? 's ingredients. But if that's the Vietnamese culture's dessert thing, cool. I'm still willing to come back and try other drinks. read more

BAMBU - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love boba tea and am always in hunt for it! This place has pretty decent boba tea but bummer is the prices are a bit higher than other places in Chicago read more

BAMBU - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

If you're looking for Sly Stallone shooting people, skip Bambu, and look for "Rambo." If you're looking for a guy with a fatty chest, skip Bambu, and look for "Manboobs." And if you're looking for the girl with the fishnets, skip Bambu, and look for "Bimbo." What to get: If you're feeling adventurous, try one of the special Vietnamese drinks like #10. They're weird, wild, and wonderful. Or if you're smoothie obsessed... What to get: Honeydew Smoothie Or: Chocolate/Coffee Smoothie, Berry Smoothie, Taro Coconut Smoothie Bambu is a chain which makes Vietnamese dessert drinks. They exist all over the place - I mean there's even one in Oklahoma City FFS. Literally. All. Over. The. Place. And if you're looking for an Eternal Flame, skip Bambu, you're looking for "Bangles." If you're looking for bad country music (is there any other kind), skip Bambu, you're looking for "Banjo." I like this Bambu a lot. The girls in here are really friendly and they make their products well. I like the authentic Vietnamese drinks which are numbered 1 through 20 or something like that. Number 10 is my favorite and it was what I got here and I loved every sip. Nice and refreshing. A little over the top on the jelly but that is usually the case. And if you're trying to outlaw hecklers, you want to "Banboos." And if Affleck has just finished a stage performance, then "Benbows." And if Calvin Harris comes here, and hates his drink, he tries to "Blamebu it on the ni-i-i-i-ight" (or blame it on me) (or blame it on me). Always skip the milk teas and fruit teas here but they do make very good smoothies. The Vietnamese seem to Center on smoothies in a lot of their bubble tea shops and this chain is actually Vietnamese. And if you're looking to get with my girlfriend, then you're not looking for Bambu. You're looking to "Bang Boo." Don't even ask if you have Manboobs from too much Bambu. read more

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This place is so underrated!! It's in the most unassuming location in town, but don't underestimate its quality. I always get the #1 Bambu Special. For 260 calories, you will feel much more filled than a boba. It's full of fresh fruits and flavor, and I always feel so refreshed afterwards. Coconut, Pandan Jelly, Longan, Basil Seed, Coconut water. Some people complain that it's a bit more pricey than your average $5 boba, but it makes complete sense. The drinks are made fresh and the ingredients are prepared fresh everyday -- not canned! The owner was so friendly and explained to my group how they made the drinks and ingredients. A perfect afternoon? A #1 Bamby Special from Bambu and a Banh Mi next door. They complement each other perfectly for barely over $10. Can you ask for anything more out of Argyle? read more

BAMBU - #1 Bambu Special - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Bambu is a solid choice for getting your fix of chè, coffee, tea, smoothie, juice, and/or desserts. Almost all, if not all, of the drinks are made fresh upon ordering. For easy decision-making on chè, you can choose from the preselected combinations or you can create/customize your drink the way you prefer. Simply order at the counter and they will announce your drink as soon as it's ready. I recommend having both a straw and a spoon ready before digging into the chè. I ordered the Fruit Addict Chè which comes with lychee, longan, red tapioca, jackfruit, palm seed, jello, pandan jelly, coconut and coconut milk. The portions and ratios are great! They really load up the drinks with the ingredients. The coconut milk was sweet and refreshing. All of the different fruits, seeds, and jellies added textures that I kept wanting more of. Awesome flavor, sweetness level, and ingredients variety - I'm already craving for more. read more

BAMBU - Left: Bambu Favorite chè; Right: Fruit Addict chè - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Call me naive but as a Californian that's lived in both the Bay and SoCal, how did I never notice BAMBU being a thing ever when we made the damn chain? I blame all the other competition when it comes to boba. Here in Argyle though, they might be a godsend as their drink quality and Vietnamese desserts really reign supreme against the competition. I came here after a hefty dinner for something sweet. My go-to dessert will always be a flavored milk-tea boba drink so this time I opted for their Passion Fruit Milk Tea. Funny enough though, my eyes glazed over their impressive menu of che desserts and it really made me contemplate if I should be getting something different. At such a high price point though ($6), I opted for my lovable drink instead. Simply put, my boba was fantastic. Great quality milk tea and the flavoring was done very well. Their use of crushed ice had me going crazy as many boba shops don't think about the ice they are using and how it ultimately impacts the drinking experience. Definitely satisfied with my drink and perhaps one day when I am feeling eager will I try their big desserts. read more

BAMBU - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This rating is for customer service. I went here today and did not have a pleasant experience. I have 2 toddlers under 4 yrs old and I always order them 1 smoothie and have it split into 2 cups. No problem anywhere else. Today, they tried to charge me $1 for a plastic cup. They gave me a free foam cup with no lid or straw. I know it's a pandemic but this is a takeout place. How many people really ask for an extra cup? And when did they start putting boba on top? Used to be my favorite spot but not anymore. read more

BAMBU - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really wanted boba milk tea, but kung fu tea down the street is cash only (ugh). So, BAMBU came to the rescue! I've been to BAMBU in SoCal, where I primarily tried more traditional vietnamese drinks/desserts like the vietnamese tri color dessert drink. Yum. But, I kept true to my initial craving of boba during this visit. Ordered the Jasmine Milk Tea with Boba. The milk tea itself is nothing home to write about, but the boba was so fresh. It was still a bit warm & just the perfect just-cooked consistency. 87/365 read more

BAMBU - Jasmine MT with boba - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What keeps me coming back? Their #1 Bambu Special, which is a Vietnamese ché drink consisting of coconut, pandan jelly, longan, basil seed, and coconut water! It's one of their few ché drinks that uses coconut water instead of coconut milk. I feel like coconut milk can be a bit too fattening. The only downside is that it's a bit pricey at $6.25. It's a small cafe with a few tables and chairs. I always get mine to-go though, and they have typically been fast at taking and fulfilling my order. It's open every day until 10:00pm, which is perfect for going after dinner. ***NOTE: They have a rewards program, so make sure you sign up! You just enter your phone number each time that you order.*** read more

I love this place. I'm a sucker for iced drinks and this is one of my go to spots especially in the summer when I'm craving a cold refreshment. read more

BAMBU - I ordered 2 Bambu favorites, 1 Mango smoothie, 1 Vietnamese iced coffee, and 1 strawberry smoothie with tapioca pearls. - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lots of cool Vietnamese drink options, as well as milk teas and a lot of other juices. My friend got the Thousand Eyes, with basil seeds and coconut jelly, while I got the Bambu Special. It's an interesting, yummy refreshing drink and a good dessert for after lunch or dinner. I don't think I'd crave this, but I'm really glad this place exists and is part of why I love coming yo Argyle. I would definitely come back to try something else, even if I don't find the Bambu Special as refreshing or wonderful as my regular dose of boba from Chatime. Really liked being able to sit and chat with my friend while lots of people and even families came in on a Sunday. Good vibe read more

BAMBU - Bambu Special on left and Thousand Eyes on the right - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a magical Asian dessert place! I wish I had something like this closer to where I live. This is a Vietnamese dessert/drink place, but the stuff they serve reminds me of Thai desserts, too. Coconut goes really well with the different types of jelly. The #10 Bambu Favorite with red tapioca, grass jelly, pandan jelly and coconut milk is a pretty solid choice. It's sweet, delicious, refreshing and fun to drink. Price ranges from $5.25-$6.50. Paid street parking not too difficult. ....| \ _ , , , - - , , _ , .../ , ` . - ' ` ' . _ \ - ; ; ; , _ ..| , a - ) ) _ . ; . ( ` - ` - ' - ' ' - - - ' ' ( _ / . _ ) - ' ( _ \ _ ) read more

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BAMBU! It's not just a fun word to say, but also a place to get a pretty good bubble tea! My usual is a taro smoothie with egg pudding (or boba). As my first time trying a beverage from BAMBU, I had to get my usual so I would be able to compare it to other taro smoothies I have had. Service was kind of comical on the day I went in. The cashier definitely seemed to be new and was learning how to ring up various orders... but instead of staying with the new cashier as she struggled (hey, we have all struggled to overcome a learning curve of new software or a new computer at some point, so I totally understand that), the trainer/experienced girl who was showing her how to enter our order into the computer kept walking away to back into the back area of the store. Thus, the cashier had to interrupt our order three times to keep running back to get the trainer girl. In the end, the order came out (almost) correct. One item was missing from the customized che that my boba partner ordered. The wait for the drinks was actually pretty quick for a Saturday afternoon. My taro smoothie was better than average, but not great. It had the right amount of sweetness and good taro flavor, but it just didn't wow me. I would definitely go back when in the area... but I have had a handful of better taro smoothies. ****FOUR STARS**** read more

BAMBU - Bubble Tea Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Stopped by here to scratch that Asian dessert craving after a big meal on Argyle. This is a quaint little place with a trendy vibe. ATMOSPHERE/ARCHITECTURE: 8/10 Not very spacious inside, probably holding around 20-25 people at max but it has this nice trendy modern feel to it. The menu on the side of all the favorites is a nice display of the options available. SERVICE : 8/10 Service girl was nice enough and our order came out quickly. FOOD: 8/10 There are so many menu options here that it was incredibly overwhelming. We ordered the #10 on the wall, the Chè Sng Sa Ht Lu, which I believe is Americanized under the name Rainbow Dessert. Either way, it came out looking basically like the picture, very colorful and vibrant. It was very good with the mix of red tapioca and grass jelly. The only odd thing was using the large straw to try to suck up the grass jelly strips. It worked out in the end though. PROBABILITY OF RETURN: 9/10 I definitely want to come back here to try all of the other desserts available. There are so many different things that I really want to see what the offerings are. Truly a very unique dessert place in the heart of Argyle. TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT: EAT! If you like sweets at all or are a fan of boba, you might end up liking this place. OVERALL: 8/10 read more