First was greeted by one of the friendly staff with a sample of Zesty Oolong. I was debating to…read moreorder other items but that sample just left me with such impression and I had to order it (perfect sweetness and perfect ice) While waiting, my husband found me and ask what am i doing in a spa needless to say, the ambiance is definitely a world apart from other places. To me Zesty Oolong is similar to a HK lemon tea but this is much more elevated.

Came for the popcorn milk tea, and it definitely delivered. You really get that kettle popcorn…read moreflavor blended with the tea, and the jelly added a nice extra touch. I enjoyed every part of the drink. My friend ordered the calamansi drink, and that was really good too--you really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The line wasn't bad when we arrived. Even after 9pm, the place was still packed, but service was quick and efficient. One thing that caught me off guard was how dark it was outside--there's not much street lighting. Not sure if that's intentional, but it did feel a little off. Overall, it's not something I'd constantly crave, but it's definitely a spot I'd happily come back to.

Parking: Same store as factory tea bar so parking is a small lot and some on the street. Usually…read morenot packed as the store is only open part of the day. Interior: Factory tea bar remodel quite a bit so it is a lot more modern and well light. Great studying spot. Wait Time: None as I ordered online. Drinks were ready when I got there. Also was empty mid day. Items Order: Larges 9/10 Egg coffee $7.5 - Coffee was very good, strong, sweet, authentic viet flavor. Egg foam was a solid addition but the egg flavor gets lost when mixed so could use more. 7.5/10 Matcha Einspanner $8 - sweetness was about 50% so could use more. the matcha itself was average, foam was solid and creamy. 8/10 Viet Coffee Einspanner $7.5 - solid viet coffee overall but the foam doesn't do much in my opinion 8/10 Nutty Spice Viet Coffee $7.5 - the pistachio milk added a different taste profile to the coffee which was a nice switch up. Pistachio flavor is definitely strong so get it only if that's what youre looking for.

this place is in combination with the old factory tea bar. pretty empty & probably for a reason :/…read more there is a tiny parking lot & also street parking i ordered the matcha einspanner, the matcha tasted like anything but matcha. i can't even describe what i took a sip of, a combination of slight sourness & super grainy & lots of chunks in the drink.

The Smoking Spaniard is my favorite and go-to from here, but their Banana Milk Latte and Corn Milk…read moreLatte are also great! Coffee is always strong and not too sweet. Their savory pastries are some of my favorite! Not to mention their cakes and chubby basque cheesecakes... so basically all their baked goods. FYI, they're also on TooGoodToGo if you get lucky! I appreciate their app and rewards program as well, as I'm a regular at this and their MP location.

02/14/26 Saturday…read more Got the corn latte again, but this time I chose to upsize. The corn flavor wasn't quite as strong and tbh it became pretty bland after the ice melted, but still enjoyable overall before the ice melted. Cappuccino bean taste interesting. I got the true medium roast. It was a little acidic/sour. Busy on Valentine's Day, especially since their space is small. They have napkins and sugar + creamer + stir sticks on the side. It can be hard to miss with folks waiting on the side for drinks. Hard to mix my corn drink because the stir stick is kinda short. Plenty of parking outside but it's a busy plaza so it does fill up sometimes.

My husband and I visited Lotus & Bean (previously AK Fresh Roast) for the first time in person on…read moreSat. April 11th at around 10:30 AM. The shop is located in the Blossom Market Hall. I ordered two Pandan Coffee $6.75 (price as of April 2026.. $7.46 including tax). One with regular ice and one with less ice. The pandan coffee includes Robusta Vietnamese double espresso serve with fresh pandan juice prepared in-house, coconut milk and whole milk. I loved this drink as it was just the right amount sweet. The pandan flavor was also enough for my liking, and the overall drink was not heavy (sometimes that pandan flavor can be too heavy). We thoroughly enjoyed our drinks, and I'll continue to crave it from time to time. The line was suUuper long that went straight to the restroom so I opted to order online, which I highly recommend. lotus-and-bean.square.site Though, I did want to mention that although I placed my mobile order, the order took longer to receive and pick up when compared to the estimated time. I gave it some extra time before I went up to the counter, but had to wait maybe another 10 minutes longer before I received my order. If you're in a rush, please consider ordering with sufficient time in advance through mobile order. The funny thing is, I actually got my "Your order from LOTUS & BEAN is ready" email at a comical 1:14 PM. Customer Service: Not as much interaction, the staff member who helped me was friendly Overall, I'm giving this experience a full 5 star review for my love of the pandan drink. Otherwise, the drink getting experience probably would have made this a 4. Anyways, I'll be sure to come back to satisfy my next pandan coffee craving!

tl;dr the Asian-inspired espresso and matcha drinks are among the best in the neighborhood, worth…read morebraving the wild weekend wait and the premium prices Lotus & Bean (formerly AK Fresh Roast) is a modern San Gabriel coffeeshop specializing in Vietnamese coffee. Here, the beverage menu spans from the usual suspects to over-the-top lattes featuring ube, pandan, corn, and more. The shop maintains a strong social media presence, but has received little press; nonetheless, the mob around the stall every weekend morning speaks for itself. L&B has a stall in the Blossom Market Hall. Briefly, this premium San Gabriel food hall (opened in a former Masonic lodge) hosts two rooms of fast casual food and beverages, broadly with a pan-Asian bent. The rainbow mosaic mural in the main room is almost pretty enough to make you forget the weak AC. Chatter for customers overwhelms the pop playlist. L&B is right up front, in the accessory room. The miniature pastry case is stocked with cookies and croffles. The menu is displayed on flat screens behind the counter, while seasonal drinks are featured against the faux-foliage wall to the right. Across the expansive menu, my go-to drink is the Pandan Coffee. The coffee is strong, and the pandan-forward flavor is indulgent without feeling unnecessarily sweet. Other solid choices are the fresh Banana Coffee and toasty Black Sesame Coffee. Any of the beverages can be decked with a cream top; my favorite is the sweet-and-savory Black Sesame Cream, but the smoky Creme Brulee Cream with intermittent sugar crisps is a strong option, too. The service is efficient, but the queue may still take 30 minutes if you don't order ahead. The coffees run $6-7, before accounting for add-ons. While the price is no laughing matter, neither are the drinks -- my fiancee and I agree that they are the best Vietnamese lattes in the area, always fun but never sacrificing flavor or quality.

I get the dirty milo and the double matcha and they soo delicious. Weekends it can get busy and…read morecustomer service and staff are always friendly!

Came here with a friend on a Friday morning and had such a nice, chill experience. Uncle Fung is a…read moresuper cute little coffee spot with a cozy vibe and a small selection of homemade pastries. We ordered the putu and a dirty Milo. The putu was definitely our favorite, the coconut pandan cream on top was so good and really made it stand out. The dirty Milo was solid too, just not quite as memorable in comparison. I already had breakfast before coming, so I didn't get to try their pandan chiffon cake, but it looked really good and I'd come back for it. It's a great place to study or just hang out for a bit. The baristas were really friendly and helpful, especially since it was our first time there. Parking was easy too. There's a free lot in the back and also a free public parking structure on First Ave, which makes it super convenient. Overall, a solid spot if you're in the area and want something a little different from your usual coffee run.

The pastries are very light not too sweet and very delicious. The ingredients are high quality and…read morethe flavors really emphasize that. Service was great and attentive.

Found this spot on Yelp and it's quickly become one of my regulars. Kelly (the owner) is super…read morewelcoming and genuinely makes you feel comfortable every time you walk in. I've been back a few times now and the consistency is what really stands out. The drinks are always solid, the pastries are fresh, and everything looks just as good as it tastes. No drop-off between visits, which I really appreciate. Overall just a reliable, well-run spot with good energy. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the area.

I came to try this spot since a fellow acquaintance said it was yummy…read more Parking is ample for street parking. There's outdoor seating which is nice. You can order via kiosk or at the counter. Staff were friendly & open to questions. I went with the matcha Einspanner which was a 10/10. I was able to customize my drinks as well for sweetness/ice. I would come back to try other drinks since they have a vast selection.

I had an adequate experience at Chapresso (San Marino). I ordered the Mango Matcha Latte ($8.50 -…read more16oz - 75% Sugar). It's earthy, gritty, and tastes like mango cereal milk. It reminds me of liquid mango candy. I arrived at Chapresso (San Marino) on Sunday (around 12:15PM). Parking is a little challenging. There's no lot, so I used street parking. It's a brief couple minute walk. Customers can order at a self-service kiosk or counter. Staff is polite. Staff kindly answered all my questions. My drink took one minute and 52 seconds. Fast! As mentioned, I ordered the Mango Matcha Latte ($8.50 - 16oz - 75% Sugar). It's not bad, and it's thirst quenching. The drink made me think of candy mango and something a little gritty. On ambiance, Chapresso (San Marino) is very tiny and cramped. There's one small counter and a bench. There's also three assigned tables at front. The floors looked like they needed a quick sweep, but the air felt clean. I also enjoyed the slow-paced music. The location is very dimly lit though, so it all felt a little melancholy. Fortunately there's a little bit of utility at Chapresso (San Marino). There's one available electrical outlet. And there's customer internet with password; customers must ask staff for the details. However; this small location doesn't have a restroom. Overall, Chapresso (San Marino) is not bad. I didn't hate my beverage, and staff is friendly. If already nearby, I can lightly recommend. 3.9 out of 5

I'll be honest--when I heard Bopomofo Cafe was taking over the old Jamba Juice spot in Downtown…read moreDisney, I was curious but not fully sold. Then I checked out their website and saw they had a fish sandwich featured by the LA Times... yeah, that definitely got my attention. So I went. Right away, the menu surprised me--in a good way. I noticed they had a shrimp burger, and since I just got back from Japan (and was still thinking about that McDonald's shrimp burger), I had to try it here. Order came out in under 10 minutes, which honestly isn't bad at all for how busy the area gets. First bite of the shrimp burger? Immediate happiness. Like, loud "mmmmm" type of happiness. For $15, you expect something solid--and it delivered. The patty was packed with flavor, perfectly cooked, and the pickled jalapeños gave it a nice kick. Then that honey wasabi yuzu sauce came in with a sweet, tangy balance that just tied everything together. Not gonna lie... I liked this more than the one I had in Japan. Then came the fish sandwich. And wow. I'm pretty sure the fish is wrapped in nori, which already levels it up. Super crispy, tangy, a little sweet, a little creamy--just everything you want in one bite. It's one of those sandwiches where you immediately think, "Yeah, I could easily eat two of these." This place is seriously that good. What makes it even crazier? My best friend lives like two blocks away, and I've been in that area so many times without realizing I was this close to something this good. Safe to say--I'll definitely be back. Probably way too often.

Great Taiwanese eatery located in a mall. There is a mall parking lot, but very crowded most of…read morethe time. Street parking is available too. We have eaten several times here. The food and drinks are high quality and a little pricey. However, you get what you pay for and it is worth it for an occasion special treat. The service is fine; you order at the counter and there are a few tables inside and a few tables and benches outside. The establishment is clean as well as the bathrooms. I enjoy the Taiwanese Chicken Sandwich. Recently they added on a fish sandwich and I tried it. It is like a Mac D fish sandwich, but on steroids and 1000 times better!!!! It is so good that it is my go-to sandwich now. A THICK slice of fish that is juicy and moist. It is slathered with a ton of sauce that is really yummy and topped with a generous slice of cheese. The bun is delicious. Great ratio of all the ingredients. They also had a seasonal drink that I love..... black sesame with coffee. If you still have room in your tummy, you can top off dessert at With Love, for dessert. It is in the same plaza.

I recently discovered this donut shop while looking for something beyond the usual traditional…read moreflavors and I'm glad I did. Everything I tried had just the right level of sweetness without being overpowering. I ordered: Butter Pistachio donut Crème Brûlée donut Peanut Butter & Jelly donut Peanut Butter donut Onion Sesame (2) All of the donuts were delicious, with unique flavors that really stand out. I haven't tried everything yet, but I'm definitely on a mission to come back and work my way through the menu. My all time favorite is the Onion Sesame flavor. But all in all they were all very good. Customer service was excellent, and the shop itself has a really trendy, welcoming vibe. Overall a great find!

4/26/25 How did I not drop a review here!? Oh for shame! Thandar is super awesome, friendly--always…read moreproviding service with a smile. Donuts are so daRn decadent & devilishly delicious that I can't help but return over & over! Cute donut shop with retro design inside & out. The butter pistachio got me on a chokehold- it beckoned and I was hooked!!! So soft, rich, decadent but amazingly not overly sweet. Hubby really fawned over the regular peanut butter donut. Both have this captivating filling that'll bring you to your knees. Dare I say, a mouthgasm? (Stole that word from fellow Yelp Elite, Leonard). Nuff said. Run. Don't walk! Coz once they're sold out for the day, you're @$$3D out Parking can be tricky as it shares a lot that includes Paris Baguette & Bonchon. Enjoy!

Paris Baguette is one of my favorite bakeries of all time. The bakery chain offers a great mix of…read morepastries, cakes, sandwiches, breads, packaged treats, and beverages. This particular location though, could use some work with consistency. The selection and quality of pastries and drinks seem to vary throughout my many visits. My top pastries are all of their croissant-like pastries, especially the Pastry Frank (filled with a savory sausage inside) and Mini Strawberry Lemon Cream Croissant (filled with a smooth and tangy lemon cream and fresh strawberries that add a tartness). Both of these have flaky, buttery exterior shells that are wonderful to bite into. For cakes, I love the strawberry soft cream cake. This cake is simple, light, and not too sweet. The thin layers of vanilla, soft cream, and strawberries blend excellently together. I appreciate that they provide free candles with whole cakes. An underrated cake is the green tea roll cake, which is delicious, but not ideal for celebrations.

Stopped in for a little weekend sweet treat and I'm so glad I did. The space is gorgeous. It's…read morelight, airy, and smells amazing the second you walk in. It just feels fresh and inviting in a way that makes you want to stay and enjoy it for a bit. The desserts are almost too pretty to pick from. Everything looks so good and a little indulgent. I tried to pace myself but still ended up with a twisted cinnamon donut, a slice of tiramisu cake, and a few extra treats to go. No regrets at all. Service was quick and everything came out exactly right, which made the whole visit feel easy and relaxed. I left very happy and already thinking about what I'm trying next time. I was definitely satisfied and I can't wait to return.