Cup O&#x27; Joy

3365

1053

9417

9 months ago

went to the science museum nearby and wanted to get a drink so found this bubble tea stop, got 2 items, a sea salt milk foam oolong tea with 25% sugar (not much tea flavor) and a fruit tea (50% sugar level but still way too sweet), both were average and not that impressed. I ended mixing the two to make it more drinkable, would recommend trying other items or pick another place! My friend got the Okinawa milk tea 50% sugar and that was not good at all. More like 2.5 stars for me and rounding up. read more

Cup O' Joy - Skippable drinks - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Michelle L.

0

179

305

22 days ago

their drinks aren't the best but the popcorn chicken is one of the best i've ever had. read more

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Don K.

21

177

728

1 year ago

Stopped by Cup O' Joy after class and tried their Oolong Milk Tea--and I'm really glad I did! The tea had a smooth, roasted flavor that wasn't overly sweet, and the balance of the milk and oolong was spot on. The boba was soft and chewy, just the way I like it. The vibe inside was chill and welcoming, with plenty of space to sit and hang out or get some work done. It seems like a perfect little study break spot if you're around USC. Service was quick, and the staff was friendly. Definitely planning to come back and try more of their menu--probably the popcorn chicken next time. read more

Cup O' Joy - Oolong Milk tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Marcela O.

10

67

61

1 year ago

There are so many drink options at this place. They also have your drink ready quickly. Their food is good they give big portions which is worth the price you are paying. The place has always looked clean and well kept and it has a cute neon sign which is cute for social media pictures. Favs: their mini boba option! Please offer it more often! read more

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Chayanne A.

399

9

1

4 months ago

I promise they have some of the best boba in the area. I've been a consistent customer here for nearly 10 years.

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Kiara A.

0

1

0

3 months ago

Ts is so tuff, its so yummy everything is good and the boba I recommend getting the dumplings ,and the person on the cashier is so nice and sweet. read more

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Lestter S.

109

90

173

2 years ago

This place had a pretty wide selection of crafted drinks including coffee and boba. But I have to be honest, I've been coming here for one thing and one thing only. The sea salt foam top coffee!!! It's is absolutely delicious. They also have finger food if you're in the go. Always great service and friendly staff. read more

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Helen C.

Hi Lestter,…

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Nguyen K.

0

8

11

1 year ago

I got the popcorn chicken ( hot and medium). It was alright. My usual spot Pine and Crane has better popcorn chicken imo. Was looking at the reviews and expecting like "wow" reaction but not really. A lot chicken for a portion which is a good thing. I also got kiwi tea and taro milk. The kiwi tea is pretty good. Not too sweet. The taro milk is okay. The boba is the soft, not too chewy kind. Not the best boba place I've ever tried but it's not bad. read more

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Jessica M.

113

89

310

3 years ago

A solid boba spot! It's hard to find decent boba in the area and this spot does it well! I've gone here multiple times and the tea here is solid. The drinks are around $5.50 for the regular size and toppings/size upgrades are an extra $.50. The mango green tea is a sweet and filling drink option that anyone will like. I adjusted the tea to 50% sweetness and it was perfect for my taste. I also tried the fresh lemon mint green tea and it's so refreshing. This drink was perfect for a hot summer day and it really hit the spot. There's a small parking lot where the shop is located that you can easily access. It can get a little full, however, because there are other establishments in the same vicinity. Nevertheless, there's still usually ample parking. Please check out this boba spot if you're in the area! read more

Cup O' Joy - Green Apple Slush with Mango Jelly - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Jessica,…

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Carla P.

111

114

432

3 years ago

This place was not messing around when a name was chosen. So much joy coming out of this spot. The person at the register was just the sweetest and so helpful in helping me choose exactly the flavor I wanted! He took his time in making multiple custom recommendations. Ambiance - a little crowded but that means they're loved. Service - see above. The best! Boba - fresh boba balls and the rose/jasmine milk tea combo we came up with was exactly the right amount of flowery. And the lactáid will keep this girly bubbly gut free. read more

Cup O' Joy - Rose Milk Tea with jasmine tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Carla,…

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Griselda S.

327

345

645

2 years ago

Yummy boba and so many options! They literally have every flavor imaginable. They have slushies, smoothies and milk teas. I recommend everything on their menu. They also have many appetizers to go along with your boba. They are located in a plaza with a Starbucks , Ono Hawaiian bbq , and pizza place so the parking can get full but luckily they have three parking spots specifically for Cup O' Joy. read more

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Helen C.

Hi Angelita,…

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Berenice F.

83

7

2

1 year ago

Love the drinks. the fact you can pretty much mix whatever you want is amazing. the options are endless.

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Luna K.

5

85

156

2 years ago

I got the brown sugar boba with almond milk. It was so good. I also got food: spring rolls, fried tofu, & fries. The food was alright. I would not come back for the food, but for the boba, heck yeah! I ate inside & it was okay. Clean. Staff was friendly. read more

Cup O' Joy - Horchata boba & Brown Sugar boba. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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mark y.

49

805

1016

4 years ago

Ordered a strawberry mint green tea. Nothing particularly stands out except that it was over $5.97 for this drink--no extra, not even boba. Strawberry syrup added to green tea. Not worth it. You have to compare it with the standards--cup of Cha in Monrovia or SunRight. read more

Cup O' Joy - Small for a medium cup of joy - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Mark,…

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Audrey F.

378

712

1652

4 years ago

Heads up if you go here - the parking lot is small and Starbucks customers create a huge line in the parking lot. Other than that, Cup O' Joy is a great, casual boba spot that also has a decently sized menu of Taiwanese food. I tried the fresh milk with oolong, fresh orange green tea, and mushroom meat noodle. I appreciated that along with the milk teas made with creamers that they had tea options made with real milk and with real fruits. The orange green tea was definitely the standout of what I got. It was very citrusy and not too sweet. The noodles were a good sized portion and the marinated tea egg had lots of flavor. Service is very friendly as well. read more

Cup O' Joy - Oolong Tea with Fresh Milk, Fresh Orange Green Tea, Mushroom Meat Noodle - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Audrey,…

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Zahra S.

101

60

18

2 years ago

I come here often, the drinks are very good. I particularly enjoy the passionfruit smoothie with lychee jelly added into it and the Thai tea smoothie with Boba and or pudding. It is a more noisy, high energy type of environment, which I like, but if you're looking for a really quiet place to have a drink and read or something like that, this wouldn't quite be it. The staff are always very friendly and helpful, the place is kept very clean and tidy. I just wish they would add rose and lavender and almond flavored drinks to the menu, and the chicken/beef/shrimp fried rice options. Next time I go, which might be in about an hour from now, I'm gonna get one of the red bean drinks. read more

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Helen C.

Hi Zahra,…

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Danya G.

16

225

565

3 years ago

Underrate boba place! A lot of my mutuals always hype up the other boba place, but this one is really good. I decided to try it out after a friend said the popcorn chicken was really good. And it was! They give a lot for a really good price, and the chicken bits are big. I have had the strawberry milk tea and the honeydew milk tea and cannot wait to try more! There's a lot on the menu and the seasonal drinks look very interesting and fun. read more

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Helen C.

Hi Danya,…

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Yvonne C.

152

587

1457

5 years ago

Covid19 delivery review: I always have random cravings and today it was tea eggs. I couldn't find it anywhere else but this restaurant. So I got the sausage and popcorn chicken and I'm almost sure that the popcorn chicken would've tasted much better if I had it fresh but the delivery time made the food a bit cold already. This is out of the restaurants control but it was still good. Now the egg, it was rock hard and taste like it's been left out forever. I also ordered dumplings which was okay. Nothing special. read more

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Helen C.

Hi Yvonne,…

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Nancy N.

0

6

0

1 year ago

This is a gem I had found randomly when searching for a good popcorn chicken place. They have good portion and the drinks are perfect.

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Lorraine V.

5

20

55

3 years ago

This place use to be my Fav boba spot in all of LA. However, my recent visits have been a total fail. I usually get a basic chocolate shake with extra boba- simple mix, literally chocolate ice cream, milk and boba. So why did last months drink and todays drink taste like watered down cold hot chocolate? It's the weirdest flavor ever. I usually hold off on drinking it until I get home to enjoy it with my family. The drive is about 25 minutes away from home and since LA traffic is a hot mess, I'm too lazy to drive back to ask for a new drink. The food is great, but pricey. Unfortunately, I'll need to find a new spot for my boba fix. read more

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Helen C.

Hi Lorraine,…

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Clara H.

2

21

16

2 years ago

Great customer service! Chicken strip basket is delicious and all their drinks are a hit specially the strawberry kiwi lemonade with sour apple jelly ! read more

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Stephanie S.

116

157

212

5 years ago

Decided to try this spot on my way to work and wasn't super impressed. Parking is pretty tough due to being in DTLA (around 2 pm). I spent about $13-15 on these two items. Popcorn chicken was a bit stale and seemed to be have cooked for a while. Boba milk tea was okay. I chose these because they were the most popular. read more

Cup O' Joy - Milk tea with boba and egg pudding - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Popcorn Chicken - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Stephanie,…

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G R.

0

4

2

1 year ago

I am a local at this Cup O Joy, I've been going for about 6-8 years now but recently the service has been bad and the food is even raw! Today my i went in to get some of the Chicken Tenders with fries and i go home and i only eat 2 of them... i check them out and realize they're not cooked all the way... or at least some parts but damn, I love the store it's always clean in there but I was not expecting that. read more

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Helen C.

Hi there! This is NOT typical of our service and since you’ve been a…

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Natalie L.

133

153

100

3 years ago

Small location but huge menu! All the tea options, was hard to choose because everything sounded great. I ended up with a peach slush with popping boba, was very refreshing. For food I ordered the popcorn chicken and the portion was huge! Big pieces of chicken and the seasoning was perfect. They had a sriracha aioli but I opted for sweet and sour sauce. I'd definitely get the popcorn chicken again, I was full and didn't even need dinner after that! Great size for sharing. I will be back! read more

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Helen C.

Hi Natalie,…

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Marc L.

Elite 25

1230

611

2221

4 years ago

Still the best Popcorn Chicken in Southern California... but DAMN they got expensive! I stopped by Cup O' Joy on the way to a campus for a screening at the film school and it looks like they're essentially just doing takeout right now; the majority of the seating was removed except for two small tables. I guess it makes sense because most of what they sell is takeout food anyway. What shocked me, though, was the price hike on everything. For one order of Popcorn Chicken and one drink, my total came out to $18. EIGHTEEN DOLLARS??? I know inflation and college town tax and all that... but EIGHTEEN DOLLARS for Popcorn Chicken and a drink is more than excessive. I don't know if this is a temporary thing or what but as much as I love the Popcorn Chicken at Cup O' Joy, this is way outta hand. Do they ONLY have rich kids at USC now? Sheesh, I am at a loss for words. read more

Cup O' Joy - Pork Belly and POPCORN CHICKEN combo... my God the popcorn chicken here is GOOD! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - This popcorn chicken really may be the best in Southern California... I'm amazed every time I come through - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Combo 1... Sausage and Popcorn Chicken Meal (the Pork Belly and Popcorn Chicken Combo is better) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Still the best Popcorn Chicken in Southern California - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Lemon Mint Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Essentially takeout only right now - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Marc,…

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Mariela M.

20

149

234

4 years ago

My team and I were craving boba and fruity drinks after anime expo in LA and this place popped up! They have plenty of snacks and drinks and I got their fruity drink! I honestly forgot what it was called but it was the drink that had fresh fruits in it! I was so thirsty and dehydrated I wasn't able to take any pictures! Their drink was soooo refreshing!!!! This place is a MUST if you're ever in the area! read more

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Helen C.

Hi Mariela,…

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Lauren J.

0

4

2 years ago

Ordered an almond milk tea with boba. Wouldn't recommend. Taste like a glass of warm milk, no essence of almond and was watered down from the ice. Cashier didn't understand English. Overall customer service was poor.Parking lot is a mess. I found this place on yelp. I wouldn't return to give it another try and don't recommend. read more

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RJ T.

Elite 25

7

133

451

4 years ago

What a quick and cute place! Originally came here to get Hawaiian BBQ so I didn't have a chance to eat the food here, but now I want to based on the previous reviews by other people. We did get matcha here, since all the Starbucks were sold out we decided to come here. Glad we did because it was good! We got: - Matcha milk tea with oat-milk - Matcha milk tea with soy milk Will come back to try their popcorn chicken too! read more

Cup O' Joy - Cup sizes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Matcha milk tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Front cashier - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi, RJ! Thanks for your review and we hope you come back for food…

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Maddy E.

28

35

9

2 years ago

I only ever order the peach black tea, but it is delicious! Service is good. Plenty of seating inside.

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Helen C.

Hi Maddy,…

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Ryan H.

0

1

0

1 year ago

An amazing store with a great atmosphere. They have a wide selection of drinks and foods, and the service is amazing. Any time someone asks where I get boba, I always recommend it here. read more

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Daisy S.

1

5

1

1 year ago

they have the best variety of boba. iced coffee with coffee jelly is my go-to, i wish they opened earlier. their chicken tenders meal, with fries, is delicious. so are their pork dumplings. i haven't had anything bad! it's a safe place to try different menu items. Service is exceptional, friendly, kind, fast. Ambiance feels comfortable and welcoming. order wait time depends on how busy they are and never unreasonable. (it's worth the wait ) read more

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T.kay B.

281

58

19

3 years ago

Love the boba Thai tea !! 10/10 Do ittt The spring rolls are fire too! Staff is super kind. read more

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Helen C.

Hi T.Kay,…

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Theresa L.

0

2

1

2 years ago

Horrible.Looks nothing like the picture, and the popcorn chicken does not taste like popcorn chicken. Also chicken was burnt. read more

Cup O' Joy - Popcorn Chicken Meal - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Theresa,…

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Clara C.

Elite 26 All-Star

3117

2126

7129

5 years ago

*COVID UPDATE* For being so close to USC, I expected a lot more. Both my food buddy and I were so so disappointed in Cup O' Joy. I ordered via Yelp app. I paid $19.05 for a popcorn chicken and a fresh milk black tea. The parking lot was small, but there was a spot open for pick up orders. The order was not ready when I arrived. The drink, which I upgraded to a large size, was not good. The tea was watered down. The popcorn chicken was the greatest disappointment. I ordered at night, so I didn't get to see what it looked like. I was really hoping for some authentic Taiwanese "yan su ji". There were big pieces, but they were big pieces of fluff, not chicken. There was no basil. The flavor was not what I expected, but it just tasted like fried chicken. I couldn't finish it. I feel there is really nothing special about this place other than the convenience of ordering ahead for pick up. But even then, they didn't have the order ready. read more

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Crystal C.

0

13

46

2 years ago

Great taste!!!Clean store . Quick service. Pretty busy for a Saturday night, but service was speedy and order was correct. read more

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Cup O' Joy - Maybe next time. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - I got the fruit tea! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

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Katarina R.

42

123

91

5 years ago

Trying their potatoe fries 10/10 a little on the overpriced for the amount you get but I was craving some‍ Blended boba milk tea is my number one go to drink 6 feet apart reinforced and masks required Clean,friendly staff and fast service read more

Cup O' Joy - Entrance area - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

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Van F.

Elite 24

14

161

262

6 years ago

I ordered through Postmates Arrived on time! I ordered the popcorn chicken meal with curry sauce! It perfectly delicious (such a pleasant surprise!). I order the mango smoothie (boba and aloe Vera) and the passion fruit tea (boba and aloe Vera). I will definitely be ordering again. Such a great comfort food :) read more

Cup O' Joy - Mango Smoothie - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Cup O' Joy - Passion Fruit Tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Helen C.

Hi Van,…

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Sandra N.

7

25

16

2 years ago

Wanted a quick lil late night snack and ordered the popcorn chicken and wintermelon milk tea. Unlike traditional popcorn chicken which usually has distinct flavors like basil and five spice, the flavor of Cup O' Joy's popcorn chicken wasn't there. It looked heavily seasoned at first which I was excited about but it was just really bland. The milk tea was alright but tasted a little watered down. Service however was good though! I just probably wouldn't come back because the taste wasn't there. Update: Also ended up with food poisoning day after read more

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Helen C.

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More info about Cup O' Joy

3016 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90007
University Park
Directions
(213) 745-8569
Call Now
Order Takeout or Delivery
Start Order

Full menu

Hours

What time does Cup O' Joy open?

Cup O' Joy opens at 11:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Cup O' Joy close?

Cup O' Joy closes at 10:30 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Payment methods

Does Cup O' Joy take Bitcoin?

No, Cup O' Joy does not take Bitcoin.

Does Cup O' Joy take credit cards?

Yes, Cup O' Joy takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Cup O' Joy have catering options?

No, Cup O' Joy does not have catering options.

Does Cup O' Joy have a happy hour?

No, Cup O' Joy does not have a happy hour.

Does Cup O' Joy serve alcohol?

No, Cup O' Joy does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Cup O' Joy allow dogs?

No, Cup O' Joy does not allow dogs.

Does Cup O' Joy have TVs?

Yes, Cup O' Joy has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Cup O' Joy have bike parking?

Yes, Cup O' Joy has bike parking.

Does Cup O' Joy have outdoor seating?

No, Cup O' Joy does not have outdoor seating options.

Does Cup O' Joy have parking?

Yes, Cup O' Joy has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Cup O' Joy wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Cup O' Joy is wheelchair accessible.

Does Cup O' Joy have free WiFi?

Yes, Cup O' Joy has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Boba, smoothies, slush, teas, popcorn chicken, meals & snacks.

History

Established in 2002.

authentic Boba tea from Taiwan

More Info

Health Score

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Joy

4.5(2.1k reviews)

7.9 mi•Highland Park

Met up with my sister and her brother here for lunch. The wife found this place from a tiktok video…read moreand we decided to try it since we didn't get to try a lot of Taiwanese food on our trip to Taipei. When you come in, there is a sign that tells you to order before being seated. My sister and her bf had yet to arrive so I placed a sizeable order for the 4 of us. Luckily, they were there (waiting in the car) so I told them to walk over so we can be seated. I ordered 2 orders of chiayi chicken (1with white rice and 1 with brown rice), 2 orders of thousand layer pancake (1 with egg and 1 with egg and cheese), shrimp wonton, dance dan noodles, wonton noodle soup, hakka mochi and forbidden rice pudding. For drinks we had a few of the shaken iced green teas and 1 taro milk tea (my sister said it didnt taste like taro) Everything was great. I was surprised my sister's bf liked the food. The chiayi chicken was good with a bit of the chili sauce (sambal). The thousand layer pancake was good if you dip it in the black vinegar (mixed with chili oil and a little soy sauce). The shrimp wonton were surprisingly light and tasty. The dan dan noodles was balanced my medium thin sliced cucumber. Everything was portioned very small so you can try everything.we didnt get additional sides because were getting full. The desserts was what I was looking forward to and it did not disappoint. The hakka mochi reminded me of the soy pudding stalls in singapore that had mochi balls filled with a black sesame paste and peanut paste inside. This is what the hakka mochi was but in dry soft chewy form with black sesame and peanut grains to top it off. For my sister, it reminded her of the filipino dessert pichi pichi. The forbidden rice pudding reminded me of a soupy version of the filipino dessert biko. It had chunks of sweet potatoes and tapioca. Also very good but my bias is the hakka mochi. The ambiance was bright, bustling and inviting. Very small tables perfect for a quick bite. Highly recommend if you want a tapas style lunch that doesn't break the bank.

Came here with my friend on a Sunday about 15 mins before opening and there was already a line of…read morearound 20 people outside, so we knew expectations were going to be high. This Taiwanese spot in Highland Park is the sister restaurant to Pine & Crane and definitely has that same modern-casual energy with comforting dishes and efficient service. After looking over the menu, we ordered the minced pork rice with braised eggs & pickles, shrimp wontons, Dan Dan noodles, and two clamshell buns -- one with pork belly and one with five spice beef. The Dan Dan noodles were pretty classic and straightforward. I've definitely had better versions elsewhere, but it still hit the spot if you're craving something familiar. The minced pork rice, however, reminded me so much of my mom's braised pork and egg dish. It had that comforting home-cooked feel to it, though I did think it was missing a little something at first. Once I added soy sauce, black vinegar, and chili paste, it completely transformed the dish and gave it the perfect oomph. Same situation with the shrimp wontons -- the custom sauce combo really elevated the flavors. Now onto the clamshell buns: this was the star of the meal. We each picked different proteins so we could try both. I got the pork belly while my friend got the five spice beef, and we both agreed the pork belly was by far the more flavorful option. Super tender, savory, and balanced perfectly with the soft bun. For dessert, I got the forbidden rice pudding with coconut milk and sweet potato/taro balls. I appreciated that it wasn't overly sweet, and I loved the chewiness from the taro balls paired with the purple rice. Service was smooth and efficient from ordering at the front to food arriving at our table. I also liked how attentive the staff was with dessert timing -- they give you a card to attach to your table sign when you're ready for dessert instead of bringing everything out at once. Small detail, but thoughtful. The restaurant itself also had a charming aesthetic with traditional Chinese accents and cute up-cycled Asian jelly cans being used as utensil and napkin holders. Overall, portions were generous enough that we had leftovers, and the pricing felt fair for the amount and quality of food. I already want to come back to try more items like the thousand layer pancake and the Chiayi chicken rice next time.

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4.3(3.4k reviews)

4.6 mi•Silver Lake

We ordered 6 different dishes for the table to try.. Only 2 of us had been here prior.. BUT we will…read moreALL be back.. They were quite busy but the staff was very efficient and very cordial as they managed getting all of us fed and satisfied.. EVERY dish that we tried, was fantastic.. Order with confidence that your meal(s) will all be great.. Thank You..!!

I recently had lunch at Pine & Crane and it was a fantastic experience. The atmosphere is modern,…read morelively, and perfect for a casual meal with friends or family. The menu offers a great selection of Taiwanese-inspired dishes, and everything we tried was fresh and full of flavor. Popular times like Dan Dan noodles, beef rolls, and dumplings really stand out for their taste and quality. The ordering system is quick and efficient, and the staff were friendly and helpful throughout the visit. Portion sized are generous, making it great value for the price. Overall, it's a vibrant spot with delicious food anfun vibe. I would definitely come back again soon!

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Liu’s Cafe

4.4(732 reviews)

Liu's Café -- That Soup Is a Hell of a Drug…read more Let me set the scene. You're a family man. You did your research. You found a place with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, great prices, and a reputation for the real deal. You're feeling good about yourself. You load up the wife and kids, plug in the address, and pull up to... a sidewalk that smells like a bus station bathroom at 2am, with a full cast of characters shouting at each other over the last open seat at the bus stop. I looked at my wife. After years of marriage, we don't need words anymore. She sent me a full telepathic paragraph: "You brought our children HERE? I don't see a single other child on this entire street. Explain yourself." I sent back: "Bib Gourmand. Trust me." She replied -- out loud this time -- "This better be worth it." The second we walked through the door, the street chaos evaporated. A young gentleman greeted us immediately, and the moment he clocked the kids, he skipped the "order at the counter" routine and sat us at a table on the spot. My wife looked at the menu, looked at the prices, and said, "Let's order one of everything." I was doing a full touchdown celebration inside my head. She's in. We're in. God is good. Food hit the table within minutes. Like, embarrassingly fast. And then -- the beef noodle soup arrived. The smell alone should be illegal. My entire family went silent. The broth had this deep, bone marrow, collagen-rich, buttery complexity that somehow carried every bold, layered spice note all the way across the Silk Road and landed directly in my soul. When I bit into that beef shank -- tender, melty, absurdly rich -- I had to fight every instinct in my body not to let out a falsetto shriek sensual moan like Prince in Purple Rain right there at the table. I am a gentleman. I held it together. Barely. Now. About my son. He finished his portion. He paused. He looked left. He looked right. And then -- slowly, deliberately -- he lifted that porcelain bowl and licked it clean. My innocent child. Licking a bowl in public like a man who has lost everything and found it again in beef noodle soup. Liu's Café, look what you did to my family. Here's the verdict: this is an absolute, non-negotiable MUST GO. Best beef noodle soup I've had in my life. Bring your friends, your parents, your kids -- whoever you love. You'll get to watch each other become completely unhinged over a bowl of noodles, and honestly, that's a bonding experience money can't buy. Would I walk past sticky sidewalks and dried-up mystery puddles to get back there? Yes. Would I navigate that whole chaotic scene again with the family in tow? Without hesitation. Would I, hypothetically, shove dirty weird characters into moving traffic to clear a path through a crowd by any means necessary just to secure a bowl? ...I'll plead the fifth. Rick James had cocaine. I have Liu's Café beef noodle soup. Shoot, that beef noodle soup is a hell of a drug. Give it to me, baby.

The hype was so real that I didn't get the chance to try Liu's Cafe until recently!…read more French Toast 3.5/5 - Yummy but it's deep fried and very heavy. Despite being fried, it didn't taste super greasy but it has a cream filling so it's very cloyingly sweet. Pork braised rice 3/5 - Very mediocre and didn't impress me much Wontons 4.5/5 - Great flavor and reminds me of DTF without the price tag. Pairs great with both the rice and sesame noodles Sesame Dandan Noodles w/ Chicken 3.5/5 - Very thick sesame sauce probably from being kept in the fridge. The noodles are very al dente - I actually think it tastes better on day 2. Sauce could be thinned out a little. I don't get why the lady makes us queue outside when there's no one at the register. I walked in just to avoid the sun (since no one was at the register anyway) and she made us go back outside. Food comes out fast - within 5 minutes. There's one gender neutral restroom, street parking only.

Indoor seating 2nd room

Beef noodle soup.

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Chiayi chicken rice

Pine & Crane DTLA

4.5(1k reviews)

1.4 mi•Downtown

Had a long layover in LA after my flight to San Francisco got canceled, so instead of sitting at…read morethe airport for 6+ hours, I decided to finally check out Pine & Crane in DTLA. It's been sitting on my saved list for a while, and honestly, this turned out to be the perfect opportunity. The space itself is bright, clean, and welcoming with warm woody tones throughout. Casual setup where you order at the counter and they bring the food out to you. I had already looked through the menu beforehand, so the real challenge was narrowing down what to order for one person. I failed at that... and I'm very happy I did. Started with the Pig Ear Salad 滷豬耳朵. Braised thin sliced pig ears dressed with soy sauce, chili oil, sesame oil, scallion, and cilantro. OMG. So good. Tender, flavorful, perfectly braised, with that satisfying chewy texture done right. Also got the Fried Peanut Salad 五味花生 with garlic, cilantro, scallions, vinegar, and Thai chili. Super crunchy, bright, refreshing, and honestly addicting. I added a cup of the Hot & Sour Soup 酸辣湯 too. Organic tofu, beech mushroom, carrot, bamboo, woodear mushroom, and egg. Super comforting with a really balanced tang and peppery heat. Not overly thick or heavy like a lot of Americanized versions can be. Exactly the kind of soup you want during a long travel day. For noodles, I ordered the Dan Dan Noodles 擔擔麵. Sesame-peanut sauce, cucumber, cilantro, crushed peanuts. Delicious on its own already, but I ended up adding some of the fried peanuts from the salad into the noodles and it became even better. Then the Three Cup Chicken 三杯雞 with sesame oil, soy sauce, rice wine, and Thai basil. I do wish it had a little more wok hei, but overall the flavor was still really comforting and savory. Extremely good with rice. Had a glass of Gewürztraminer alongside everything, which paired surprisingly well with the spice and aromatics. Their wine list leans more organic / natural wine focused, which felt very LA in a good way. Ended up sitting at a high top next to one of the managers and had a great conversation throughout the meal. She ended up hooking me up with the Traditional Shaved Ice 傳統刨冰 with grass jelly, red bean, boba, sweet potato balls, taro balls, brown sugar syrup, and condensed milk. I was already planning to order it anyway, and wow... I finished the entire thing. The brown sugar syrup was incredibly fragrant. Packed the leftovers to-go, and that ended up becoming my dinner after landing in San Francisco later that evening. Flight cancellation somehow turned into a really great food day.

I understand that it's a busy Sunday evening, but there is no one at the counter to take the order…read morefrom a long line of customers, but there's sufficient time to redirect traffic because the line was getting so long that was blocking the entrance.. It's very poor workflow, not to mention negligent customer service. The management should really take notice before business goes under.

Interior of Pine and Crane

Popcorn chicken!

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Pan fried buns. Fried brown bottoms

Little Fatty

4.0(1.4k reviews)

8.9 mi•Mar Vista

My wife and I visited Little Fatty while on a short LA business trip. We didn't have reservations…read more(I recommend a reservation) and the host told us the wait would be about an hour and this was a Monday night! She told us that we could be seated at the bar immediately, which is what we opted for. She placed us at a lower portion of the bar with two seats, which was perfect. The bartender, Justin took our drink and dinner order and I have to say, he makes amazing cocktails! We had egg rolls for an appetizer, which arrived very quickly and went well with our cocktails. I ordered a rye old-fashioned and my wife ordered a house creation, "Jesuit's Tea Party," which she enjoyed. For our entrees, I ordered Hainan Chicken and my wife had the Walnut Shrimp. Mine was really good, but I have to say I like the Walnut Shrimp better. They have their breading skills dialed in, so next time I think I'd go with something fried. All in all a great experience. Great vibe and everyone was very friendly and attentive.

Little Fatty is an Asian fusion restaurant that specializes in Taiwanese soul food. David Kuo is…read morethe chef and owner of Little Fatty. The restaurant was previously called Status Kuo and then rebranded to Little Fatty. It is also attached to a bar called Accomplice Bar. [Parking]: Metered parking only and I was able to find a spot two blocks away on Grand View Blvd. [Reversation]: For parties of 6 and smaller, reservations can be made on Resy. For parties of 8 and larger, there is a minimum spend of $75 per person prior to tax & gratuity. No-show fee = $15 per person. [Experience]: The receptionist greeted our party just outside of the restaurant and checked us in. Outdoor tables were available, but our party opted for indoor seating. The lighting was dim with a romantic and casual dinner vibe. At the end of the meal, the staff offered our table hot towels to clean our hands. [Menu]: Menu highlights on Resy include Chinese BBQ Pork, XO Fatty Noodles, Walnut Shrimp. Other Yelp highlighted items include Orange Chicken, Beef Roll, and Hainan Chicken. Burger Tuesday is offered ONLY at the bar. A bowl of rice is an extra $4.00. The staff also gave our table a cute cocktail menu with drinks named after each LA neighborhood. *** Squid Ink Xiao Long Bao (shrimp and pork soup dumplings, fresh ginger - $18.00): Only came with 6 pieces of dumplings. The dough was a bit thick and the flavor was just alright. XO Fatty Noodles (rolled rice noodles, XO sauce, bean sprouts, garlic chives, fried shallots - $22.00): The noodles tasted slightly salty. I couldn't tell whether I had sliced pork belly or flat noodles in the dim lighting and it turned out to be thick slices of flat noodles. Orange Chicken (orange soy-based sauce, dried chilies, orange zest - $22.00): Super crispy orange chicken, but it was crunchy type of crispy and tasted a bit dry. Walnut Shrimp (mayo, candied walnuts, sesame seeds, red cabbage - $25.00): his dish came with lettuce and looked really nice. The flavor was solid and it tasted very healthy. *** Personally it was an overpriced experience for mediocre Asian fusion food. I would much rather visit Jade Rabbit in Santa Monica for cheaper and more delicious Asian fusion food or Din Tai Fung in Santa Monica for a more consistent dumpling and noodle experience. The only reason to come here is for the date-night vibe. Honestly, the food tasted more like Northern Chinese fusion cuisine than Taiwanese fusion cuisine.

Sparkling Rose in celebration of my anniversary.

Cucumbers

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Yum! Loved this dessert.

Woon

4.2(597 reviews)

3.4 mi•Westlake

Delicious food served extremely promptly - hot, fresh and full of flavour. Friendly staff, chilled…read moredecor and even great drink choices - definitely would recommend!

i really don't think you could go wrong with any choice off the menu! the service is always great…read moreand quick. i was actually quite surprised by the braised pork belly over rice. this is such a classic dish that i've always loved from my childhood and they made an amazing version of their own. just this alone was able to keep me full and happy. the cucumber pickles are a nice touch! even if you're not well-versed in chinese food, the menu is a great introduction to delicious staples that you typically can find in asian restaurants! went right before dinner so parking was easy and it wasn't busy.

Dining Area

Pork Chop Sandwich - Insta @friesandchives

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Beef Noodles 牛肉粗炒麵

Kato

4.4(652 reviews)

2.2 mi•Downtown

•$$$$

My wife loves food, and one of our personal goals is to visit as many Michelin starred or highly…read morerecommended restaurants as we can. Over the past few years, we've been to 30+ tasting menu spots, and this one truly stood out. From the food and service to the wine pairing, this ranks among our very top experiences. Every dish felt well-crafted, with very clear and distinct flavors. Nothing felt repetitive or overlapping, and each wine pairing created a really nice balance with the course. Also, the portion was actually enough. Many times, we've spent $1K+ on a meal and still left feeling hungry, but this one felt very satisfying. We will definitely return for more.

Truly a lovely experience--from the minimalist decor to the artistic dinnerware used throughout the…read moremeal. Each dish was thoughtfully presented and paired with a meaningful story. It was a long dinner, but absolutely worth it. ENJOY! PS: There is structured parking at The Row in DT.

Seating at the bar area

Duck w/ soy preserves/pine mushroom

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Liu sha bao (sort of - contents of a lava bun should traditionally be hot, but this was served cold)

Hui Tou Xiang

4.3(480 reviews)

6.1 mi•Hollywood

Some call it comfort food, others might call it fine dining on a budget. That evening we went-- it…read morewas simply an amazing dinner. Anything you can eat you any night you don't have to cook is usually a great night out. This evening was no exception. Our waitress was kind and accommodating. Positive energy, drinks filled and smile that felt genuine. The ambiance of the restaurant was bar like, but with adequate seating for dining in. Everything was prepared wonderfully and had tremendous flavor. I recommend trying their Hui Tou, stuffed with pork or beef, pork and leek pancakes, they also have vegetarian options. Their pork shumai was delicious, xiao long bao's soup dumplings were flavorful. Delicious. I definitely need a second trip here to try their soups and more of their variety of dumplings.

I'm convinced Hui Tou Xiang is one of Hollywood's best-kept secrets for Chinese food. I've been…read morehere five times now, and they consistently deliver - every single visit has been excellent. Our go-to dishes are the cucumber salad (refreshing and perfectly crunchy), green scallion pancakes (especially good with the chili sauce), pork shumai (better than Din Tai Fung imo), and the spicy pork wontons. On our most recent visit, we tried the sesame noodles, and I've been daydreaming about them ever since. The staff is always friendly and attentive, the vibes inside are great, and there's a solid drink selection with cocktails, draft beer, and bottled options. And the price point? Outrageously reasonable, especially in this economy. Consistently delicious food, great service, and incredible value. Highly recommend!

Bar

Liang Ban Noodles

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Ahh! The beer help extinguish the fiery chili oil.

Chifa

3.9(427 reviews)

7.6 mi•Eagle Rock

•$$$

loved the interior and the vibe!! would go back for drinks or din just for it…read more asian peruvian fusion- super interesting and works. the scallop crudo was rly good (best ive had in a while), dan dan mien was good, si yao chicken and fried rice was fine.

3.5 stars. Outdoor ambience was very cute and felt like an escape from the city. Food was good but…read morenot great. Went with a group of four and we tried a variety of dishes: cucumber salad, Dan Dan noodles, veggie dumplings, roasted chicken, lomo saltado, and okra. Everything was good but nothing stood out as exceptional. The protein dishes were priced a bit too high for only coming with fries, but again, they were tasty. Service was friendly but a bit slow. It's a large outdoor space (with some indoor seating too) and they didn't have enough staff to accommodate. Overall, it was a decent experience but don't know that I will be rushing back any time soon.

Inside

Lomo Saltado

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Delicious!

Mian

4.0(565 reviews)

4.6 mi•West Adams

MIAN completely blew me away. From the moment I walked in, the aromas set the tone for how good the…read morefood was going to be. I started with the house made chili oil dumplings and they were unreal. The dumplings were perfectly cooked and the chili oil with black vinegar was so good I ended up using it on everything. The staff was incredibly kind and happily gave me extra sauce when I asked. The spicy beef noodle soup was the standout. The beef was insanely tender and the broth was perfectly balanced with just the right amount of heat. The noodles had great texture and held up well in the soup. I also tried the Chengdu zajiang noodle and loved it. The sauce had that numbing spice and deep flavor, and the egg on top made it even better. Every bite felt intentional and well executed. The pickled cucumbers deserve their own mention. Crunchy, tangy, and full of flavor, easily some of the best I have had, even better than Din Tai Fung. On top of all that, they offer great deals after 3pm with discounted noodles and half off beer. MIAN is easily one of the best noodle spots around and I would come back without hesitation.

I don't know if there's a place in this area (or in the 5-mile radius, for that matter) that offers…read morealmost two full meals' worth of food for 12 dollars (at happy hour), y'all. This place definitely smacks; I'm always getting me some beef noodles with L1 (a littleeee spice) and M1 (a little numbing oil) and it's perfect for my dainty tastebuds. The service is usually pretty quick, but they do a lottt of meal-making during happy hour (3-6) so it's arguably a little slower then. The ambiance is pretty spare, with some placemats that explain mung bean soup and some lower-key Chinese decor throughout. It's a simple place, but it really does get the job done. I'll be back!