Bubble U
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The service was fast and easy! We ordered on a kiosk and got our drink within minutes! I do wish that there is a section to add notes or that we could order with someone directly in case we want to substitute anything though. We tried the rose milk matcha. If you don't like fresh and strong matcha, I wouldn't recommend this drink. Their matcha is definitely fresh and strong. As someone who isn't super into matcha, I like the rose milk part of the drink but not so much the matcha. I would have loved a plain rose green tea or rose milk tea but I don't think those were options based on the menu in the kiosk. So it would be nice if there was a bit more flexibility in the drink options. I would like to come back and try one of their drinks that don't include matcha next time because the drinks are definitely of high quality and flavor!
My favorite spot to get a drink, so yummy and so refreshing! Service is always quick and reliable! Super cute and clean inside
Bubble U has relocated! So happy for them for expanding and for this much more convenient location. The original owners are here now with the og Chinatown location managed under someone else. The owner was so nice and patient, answering all of my questions as i had my senior moment, forgetting what i used to order. Heads up, their tea drinks have a strong level of caffeine so if you'd like to opt out, be sure to let them know. I ordered the Peach Tree without caffeine, mild sweetness, with their unmatched sea salt cream topping, and added their homemade brown sugar mochi! Love that i can get my mochi jelly fix here too, and not have to always go to torotea. The interior at this place is more relaxed and roomier than the Chinatown location too, which is another bonus. I was alone but as I stepped out and took my first sip the words just slipped out of my mouth, "that is so good." I mean all the ingredients are so high quality here, the peach drink is made from an actual whole peach blended up and the foam topping is uber creamy. They still claim their rank in my top all-time fave boba spots. And they also sell a handful of Japanese snacks!
I enjoyed my Thai tea here a lot. The tea tasted fresh and like it's brewed daily. It also had a potent tea taste versus being watered down and tasteless. The service was friendly and fast, and I particularly liked the ability to order on a kiosk at the counter. The store is spacious with plenty of seating and very clean. Definitely would return again when we're in downtown LA.
I visited Bubble U for a second time during Christmas Eve and enjoyed the honey milk tea ($5.49). As expected, the drink tasted delicious because I ordered my favorite flavor for iced tea. However, they charge extra if you don't want to put in any ice. They had a holiday-themed boba cup and a reusable bag to hold the drink on the way back. I'll try to bring the bag back on my next visit even though it has a holiday theme. Last time I visited, they had Lunar New Year designs on their cups, so I can appreciate the thought put into their products. Unfortunately, their website says that this store will close on April 30, 2025. It was a pleasure visiting this boba shop, and it'll be missed.
The good: We ordered a caramelized pineapple green tea and avocado coconut mango drink with 25% sweetness for both. The level of sweetness was great in each. The avocado part of the drink was creamy. The charred pineapple slice on top of the drink was tasty and visually cool. The bad: They had two self-ordering tablets but only one was working. There's no outdoor dining. There's a machine inside (maybe a cotton Candy machine?) that's out of order. I couldn't taste the coconut in my drink (maybe it was coconut water?). The interesting: It's an extra 30 cents to get your drink with no ice.
Drinks: 4/5 Good flavor, sweet/tart/refreshing. Nice portion, drinks are highly customizable. Service: 3/5 Machine orders, not much a service location. Ambiance: 4/5 Clean, nice decoration, and decent spacing.
No egg pudding! Google said this store had it so I'm sad about that. There's not a lot of street parking bc of how busy the area is. The staff was very helpful. The inside is very cozy and aesthetically appealing. Pistachio honeydew melon milk tea was delicious.
Cute little hole in the wall boba cafe! I got the Uji Matcha Milk Tea while my family got the Strawberry Paradise Smoothie and the Taro Milk Tea. The Uji Matcha Milk Tea is great, nothing special about it. The Strawberry Paradise Smoothie is very creamy, it tastes like Nesquik Strawberry Milk. The Taro Milk Tea is also good, but it just tastes like your average taro milk tea. The drinks also come in this harder plastic which I like! The cafe is small, but it's very cute and clean. There's two kiosks to order from, and you can also order with an employee. There's also a cotton candy machine near the register. The decor is cute, simple but nice. There's plenty of seating, but the cafe can get full fast. People are constantly going in and out of the cafe so I'm unsure if there's air conditioning, but if there is, you won't feel it with the opening doors and body heat. I would come here again! I didn't notice they had sold ramen when I went there, but now I'm very intrigued. There's also plenty of drink options so you're bound to find something you like.
Self service and very clean. The worker was kind when handing us our drink. The drinks themselves were on the pricier side (~7/8$) however, I will say it was some of the best boba I have ever had. The taste of the mango matcha was amazing and surprisingly neither overpowered the other. The tapioca itself was fresh and great texture. The grape slush drink was amazing and mouth water. I am wishing I had both as I write this review but sadly I live in Orange County so it's not very realistic for me to go to LA specifically for this shop haha. If you're near I couldn't recommend more that you go.
The staff is friendly and helpful. The service was fast. The drink came out perfect- it was exactly what I ordered. Banana matcha with brown sugar mochi was amazing.
A cute boba place in Chinatown! I ordered in the kiosk and my drinks came out relatively quick after that. I got the Luna Matcha and it came with a cutie little dragon art on top of the sea salt foam! I also got the Black Sugar Fresh Milk. Both drinks were so good and perfect for my boba craving. The matcha they use is uji matcha from Japan and you can really tell the quality of matcha is high! The customer service is excellent as well! I was struggling with putting my straw in and the employee saw and kindly assisted me! Would def return if ever in the area!
I was a bit confused when I walked in because there is a boba drink-making machine on one of the counters by the front but also a tablet to place orders, and no workers visible, and no bell for service! I ended up pulling back the half curtain and shouting loudly to the back a couple of times before I got someone's attention to ask questions. I was disappointed that they didn't have any oolong tea offerings since that's my go-to order, but I spoke with one of the workers who said they were pulled all of their oolong based drinks because the tea leaf quality from their distributor was not up to their standard. I ended up ordering a Ceylon milk tea with boba at 75% sweet, which was still a bit sweet for me. Their boba texture was softer than I liked and was notably smaller in size, although the drink to boba ratio was good! The Ceylon tea also didn't shine through for me.
7 years ago
My friends and I decided to stop by here after exploring Chinatown. As soon as we entered, we were greeted by a super friendly and helpful employee. I had milk tea with 50% sugar and tapioca, and my friends got some other drinks and macarons. Everything was really yummy and refreshing. While we were there, I noticed the employee continued to be really nice and friendly to people, even when it was approaching closing time. Definitely a place to check out. read more
4 years ago
Business owner information
Terry D.
Sakura season is special, and we're glad both drinks nailed it for…
4 years ago
Business owner information
Terry D.
Those oat milkshakes are a customer favorite for a reason! Love that…
First time coming in here. My sister lives down in street and this is her favorite boba place within walking distance. The place looks fine on the inside. The could use more tables and chairs. The person at the register was very sweet and great customer service. I got the burn burn tea latte. It tastes good. It's got creme brulee at the top and sea salt foam and milk. The boba wasnt to my tastes as it was too tiny and too soft. The cups are pretty cool. You can slide to drink it straight from the cup or use the boba straw. read more
3 years ago
Yum!! I came because I was in the area. I ordered the Uji matcha milk tea and it was literally so amazing. My tastebuds never tasted something this good. Im totally coming here instead of quickly. read more
Business owner information
Terry D.
Uji matcha hits different when it's made with real care and Strauss…
6 years ago
I loved the contact-less ordering and many ways to make your drink! Once you order on the tablet, it's card only (or Apple Pay), you enter your number and they'll text you once your order is ready. My go to order is Autumn Fairy, but I also love the black sugar milk tea. Boba is always fresh tasting and well cooked. I've also tried the different jellies and haven't found one I don't like. This is my go-to CT boba spot and I'll continue to come back when I'm craving boba :) read more
Nice little place run by a pair of awesome people. The menu is typical of a teahouse but the location is great and the decor is nice and minimalistic. Their peach green tea was on point; the flavors of the peach and green tea were balanced and the sweetness didn't drown out the tea...ness. Their popcorn chicken is more "pure" in the sense that they don't just give you a box of fried batter and skimp you on the actual chicken. Each bite was perfectly crisp and full of chicken meat and the seasoning was light - which is something I should learn to appreciate more haha. The most pleasant surprise was when they gave me and my coworker 10% off for being a neighbor - we work down the block and this gesture (promotion) was key to securing us as return customers. I'd definitely visit this place again. read more
Business owner information
Terry D.
Hey Jeff,…
7 years ago
The decor was aesthetic. The cups were cute too. But the drinks?! The rose matcha was powdery. If you're a huge matcha fan, maybe you'll like it. The black sugar milk looked good but it tasted like flavorless milk. When stirred with the cream on top, it tasted worse. The honeydew smoothie was basic but tasted the best out of the 3 drinks. All of these drinks were at regular sweetness. Not worth the $6 per drink. The self-service kiosk was quick and easy. I liked ordering with it instead of waiting in the long line. read more
Having now sampled most of the Milk Tea spots in DTLA, I can pretty confidently say that Twinkle Brown Sugar has retained the crown in my mind. However, Bubble U made a strong showing thanks in part to their excellent contemporary macarons and more quaint atmosphere. For reference, Bubble U points of comparison in DTLA are: Twinkle Brown Sugar: Five Stars Milk+T: Three Stars TeaShot: Three Stars Boteaga: Four Stars Little Fluffy Head Cafe: Four Stars Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere? The service and atmosphere at Bubble U are both excellent, and you've got a nice cozy coffee shop vibe as opposed to the more commercial settings at the other Milk Tea shops in the area. I was well taken care of, and my tea and macarons came out quickly. Star. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? $4.50 landed me a standard Hong Kong Style Milk Tea with boba, which is a price point that is reasonable compared to the competition. Additionally, my macarons were $2.25 each, which also is somehow par for the course in the macaron department. Star. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? Everything at Bubble U was good. For starters, while I wished that I'd been offered the levels of customization that are standard at say a Twinkle or a Milk+T like ice quantity and sweetness, the default here at Bubble U was just about right, with mild sweetness, no ice, and the emphasis of the sweetness coming from the boba itself. The boba was smaller than usual and while it didn't taste as fresh and almost 'fuzzy' as you might find at Twinkle, it did the trick. The macarons were excellent as well, and both consistency and flavor came together in the right way with what was some fun contemporary fillings like cream or caramel. Single Star. Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could? I really enjoyed my trip to Bubble U, and I'd say with Twinkle and Boteaga it's in my top three Milk Tea spots in DTLA. Star. read more
8 years ago
6 years ago
7 years ago
Delicious.... so refreshing and fresh! You can not go wrong with this little spot. Very clean, friendly customer service and they have none dairy options. Made to order and different toppings. Oh but no restroom (FYI) read more
7 years ago
I think this was the best or one of the best bobas I've ever had. It's also 3 min walk from the Chinatown metro stop! Luna Matcha boba: the matcha flavor was really good and their foam wasn't cheesy but it still had a good salted flavor. Also had the cutest picture of pikachu on top. The boba was a bit smaller than normal but had a rlly good flavor and texture. I got the taro pudding as well and this was one of the best boba toppings I've ever had. I debated getting this for so long especially because I don't usually like pudding in my drink and it was already expensive, but I'm so glad I got it because it had a wonderful silky texture and taro flavor. Interior: Small but very aesthetic with props like plants and lightbulbs along the wall. Machines are there to put in your order and customize your drink without having to feel embarrassed about all your requests ;) read more
6 years ago
I stopped by here one hot hot day in LA (what's new right?). The shop was a lot smaller than I expected, but nonetheless it was cute. There's a bar and a few tables if you're looking to stay. I ordered the Original Milk Tea w/ grass jelly. It was pretty yummy and the grass jelly tasted really fresh! One thing to keep in mind is the teas here come unsweetened. This threw me off a bit because I'm used to them being a "normal" sweetness and then you can reduce or add from there. But, after taking a couple sips I came to enjoy the unsweetened version a lot more than their sweetened counterparts. Plus, it's always better to reduce your sugar intake anyway right? I'm really looking forward to stopping by again! But, definitely not looking forward to dealing with the parking situation. There's only street parking or pay to park in a lot. It's a bit frustrating, but sometimes good tea is definitely worth it! read more
7 years ago
5 years ago
8 years ago
Always a solid choice for a delicious iced tea. I like their drink selections and customization options, all of them easy and simple to read off their menu. This place is small, so it gets crowded. Patience helps... Like any place where people make multiple-drink orders, it can take a while for a drink to be prepared. 14 chairs in all, a combination of tables and counter seating. Upbeat pop music. No restroom. read more
2 years ago
Business owner information
Terry D.
Phuong, you driving an hour for us is seriously humbling. The Burn…
8 years ago
I love drinking tea and this place serves quality tea! You can taste the bold flavors in both their green and black teas! I like how you can customized the level of sweetness and ice here. The 25% sweetness was perfect for me. The service was friendly and quick - about 5 mins to get our drinks. There's no restroom and no AC...They did have a small fan available. Parking: Street meter parking only. Good luck! Tidbits: 10% off for students - must show student ID. read more
Pretty cool spot. Near Chinatown. Had a wide selection of boba drinks. I got almond milk tea with less sugar. Worth it overall. I usually get taro milk tea but they didn't have it when we went this past week. Wife got warm matcha milk tea with golden boba. I would definitely get the golden boba next time. It tastes like there is a little more caramel in it. The lines go by quickly. Cool cups also. read more
8 years ago
Probably the best boba spot ever!!!! I've been to SOOOO many spots (faves are Milk+Tea, Alfred Tea, Half&Half, Percolate) and this is my new fave!!! I got the Rose Matcha with taro pudding and golden boba and it was to die for! I also got 0% sugar, as the rose and golden boba already had some sweetness to it. I WILL BE BACK ASAP! Don't forget to get a punch card!! read more
3 years ago
Popular boba place, during the pandemic there would be lines outside. They have indoor seating but no restrooms unfortunately. They charge for no ice which is an unnecessary fee, no other boba place does that. They only have a self-order machine which is card only so there's no one at the register to take your order. Their drinks are pretty good. I ordered a taro milk drink and a strawberry green tea drink which were both really good. read more
Business owner information
Terry D.
Thanks Anastasia! Glad the taro and strawberry green tea hit right.…
7 years ago
Holy shat, I didn't think this boba would be this good lol. The tea is sweetened to perfection and the boba is actually soft and sweet. I ordered the rose matcha tea and got my husband the jasmine green tea with boba and it exceeded our expectations on what boba and milk tea should taste like. I don't live in LA, I live about 40 minutes away, but I know that when I pass by LA or come to visit I'm going straight here. read more
We were killing some time in Chinatown and needed a caffeine boost. This boba spot was the nearest one on Broadway. It's very small with a few tables and some bar stool seating. The menu is simple with milk/fruit teas, smoothies, and coffee options. You can customize your drinks by sweetness level, ice level, and type of milk. There are a variety of add-ons: boba, aloe, egg pudding, coffee jelly and more. They offer snacks as well: flavored fries, popcorn chicken, macarons, etc. We had the mango fruit tea with boba and jasmine green milk tea with egg pudding. Both were not too bad. The green tea flavor was strong. The toppings were good. It's a decent boba shop if you're in Chinatown and want a refreshing drink! read more
8 years ago
This is for a delivery order Got the Avocado Mama added egg pudding and Milk Tea boba for my daughter. The drink was creamy smooth sweet and it came in a decent portion cup and I will definitely order again Not giving them a 5 star rating only because my Grubhub order was a wait of 1hr and 15min!!!! It was a disappointment to wait so long read more
Random pit stop while my friend was waiting in line for Howlin' Rays, so i simply yelped "bubble tea" and this was the first option. Bubble U is a cute, trendy little spot in Chinatown. Actually really enjoy their aesthetics, filled with bright white & contrasting the space with wood tones. I ordered the oolong black tea with sea salt foam and tapioca. Pretty standard drink in terms of flavor, and the tapioca was soft and chewy. They offer wi-fi and plenty of seating so you can easily hang out with friends here! read more
This review is really overdue since I came here at the beginning of summer. I wish this place was closer so I could frequent it more. It's a nice little place in the heart of Chinatown but it gets buried amongst all the shops around it, so it's easy to miss. Parking is terrible but that's the way it's always been in Chinatown and pretty much all of Los Angeles for as long as I can remember growing up in California. The service is really good. I dealt with one of the owners. She was a really sweet person. It's small, so there's not a lot of seating. They offer daily specials, student discounts and stamp cards. Anyway, the decor is cute and really photo friendly. The drinks are so refreshing and you can taste the quality. The next time I'm in the area, I'm definitely coming back. read more
6 years ago
Wooow! You can definitely taste the quality in the drinks here. So glad we came across this place while driving by. During these times you walk up to order on a screen fairly easy, except for the fact that there are so many options to choose from. I loved the fact that you could specify the sweetness level and the amount of boba options they have so cool! Definitely looking forward to coming back :) read more
9 years ago
Great place to get boba in Chinatown! I'm not sure if it was because I just had howlin rays so my mouth was on fire or because I've been craving good thai tea with boba (tried to satisfy my cravings by going to other places the week prior and they all sucked) but I was very impressed with bubble U! It can be very easy to miss if you're driving since theres so many different small shops that have their products out on the sidewalk, but if you're walking, you def won't miss it. The menu is pretty similar to most boba shops. I got the thai milk tea with boba and it was delicious! I didn't ask about the sweetness level when I ordered, but when I got my drink, it was perfectly sweet. And the boba was also so good! I finished my drink 2 hours later, and the boba was still soft as if it was a freshly made drink. Most boba will get all soggy and gross if it sits in the drink for too long, but not bubble u's boba. There's some tables to sit at inside, but wouldn't recommend this place for group of 6 or more. The place is tiny and is more of a pick up and to go shop. read more
7 years ago
Best boba spot in Chinatown!!! The lychee green tea and peach green tea are perfect! Thank you so much Gary and Snow! read more
7 years ago
Only reason why I don't rate 5 stars is because all the plastic, its just wayy tooo much! Super unsustainable and makes me feel really bad about being prt of it. The cup and the lid are just the thickest plastic I have ever encountered, which is super unnecessary, I've definitely had boba in more simple plastic cups. Other than that the Matcha Rose milk tea was sooo tasty! I loved it, will go back next year so my carbon footprint doesn't exceed. Lolol read more
Blovebalicious! i'm a first timer and i think will come back- they have different options for toppings and a not too complicated options in the menu. Their place is really cute, an ambience for "TEENers", but can also be for "MATURErs" audience.. lol! downside maybe is the parking, but all in all- including the very friendly smiling host is high five! read more
6 years ago
This is one of my favorite boba places and there aren't that many good ones in LA. It's located right in the heart of Chinatown. I like everything I've gotten here so far, and everyone I've recommended this place liked it. I've tried the Tiramisu Iced Coffee, Luna Matcha, Berry Crush and Autumn Fairy. read more
8 years ago
The place is clean and the staff is friendly. I bought 7 boba drinks with different flavors ( because I live far from this place. I wish they could open another store in my area). The matcha honey with white cream on top is my favorite one from this boba tea. They made the drink looks beautiful, and the taste is sweet enough. Not very very sweet like other boba brands. And the decoration is cool. Those are 2 my favorite drinks from Bubble U read more
More info about Bubble U
819 Santee St
Ste 111
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Downtown
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(213) 905-8398
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Ask the Community - Bubble U
Does the lavender bubble tea have any dairy if subbed with almond milk?
Nope. No dairy
What coffee drink would you recommend that isn't too sweet?
Most drinks can adjust the sweetness. We highly recommend the Sea Salt Coffee. Sugar level options: 25%, 50%, 75%, regular or no sugar.
Is there outdoor seating during Covid times?
Dear customer, There are public facilities to sit outside.
Which one is their regular milk tea?
Signature black. I get it with extra creamy milk, which I believe is just Strauss barista milk, which all the good coffee shops use to make lattes. it's the best in town guaranteed. Only other place that comes close is miss cheese.
Do they sell red bean smoothies?
No, only taro, oreo cookie, matcha, thai tea, mango, strawberry banana, and coconut pineapple smoothie.
Is the rose matcha vegan?
Rose Matcha could be vegan if substitutes with almond/soy/oat milk.
Are the bubble teas gluten free? Can the Taro be made gluten and dairy free?
I just asked and they said that the boba not sure that it is gluten free. But the taro is made dairy free.
Do they have Strawberry milk tea?
We will have a natural strawberry milk tea coming out Around April. We use fresh natural strawberry and no syrup. Highly recommended!
Is their student discount a wide known thing or do you have to ask them?
Hi, We gave student discount for his/her drink when students provide ID and proved they are students. Student discount is limited one drink for each student. Feel free to…
Do your milk teas use dairy free creamer or have dairy free options?
Hi Emily, Our regular milk tea are dairy creamer. We also provided almond milk and soy milk as an option.
Do you guys have a parking lot? I tried finding street parking but its almost impossible where you guys are located.
Dear Millicent, Thank you for interested Bubble U! Unfortunately, there are no parking lot provide for our location. It’s a big problem for our guests who are not living in…
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