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    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab

    4.3 (310 reviews)
    Open • 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    SMOKING TIGER COFFEE LAB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab

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    Cream filled matcha croissant
    Miguel C.

    I don't give 5-star reviews lightly, but Smoking Tiger Coffee & Bread on Western Ave in Gardena has absolutely earned every single star. This place is a total gem, and if you haven't been yet, you are seriously missing out! Let me tell you about the star of my visit, the Matcha Cream Filled Croissant. Oh. My. Goodness. This thing is on another level. The croissant itself is buttery, perfectly golden, and incredibly flaky -- with just the right amount of crisp on the outside. But the matcha cream filling? Silky smooth, lusciously rich, with a beautiful earthy matcha flavor that isn't overpowering or too sweet. It's the kind of bite that makes you stop mid-chew just to appreciate how good it is. I honestly could eat three of these in a sitting. The Korean-American fusion approach to their baked goods is inspired and completely unique, you won't find anything like it anywhere else in the South Bay or in Gardena. Seriously Impressive, I paired my croissant with their Iced Matcha Latte, made with premium grade matcha sourced from Jeju Island, and WOW, this drink is stunning. It's vibrant, beautifully layered, and tastes as amazing as it looks. The matcha is bold and authentic without being bitter, perfectly balanced with creamy, cold milk. Not too sweet, not too earthy -- just absolutely perfect. It's easily one of the best iced matcha drinks I've had in a while. You can customize your milk choice too, which is a great thoughtful touch. This place is warm & welcoming: The staff here is attentive, friendly, and clearly passionate about what they do. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with a smile and made to feel at home. The baristas are well-trained and knowledgeable, they took their time explaining the menu and made sure my order was exactly right. No rushing, no attitude, just genuine hospitality that keeps you coming back. Decor is absolutely Charming. The interior of Smoking Tiger is adorable and so well thought out. It's modern, clean, and stylish with a cozy Korean café aesthetic that feels fresh without trying too hard. The lighting is warm and inviting, the seating is comfortable, and the whole vibe just makes you want to stay for hours. There's both indoor and outdoor seating available, which is a great bonus. Whether you're catching up with a friend, working on your laptop, or just treating yourself to something special, this place sets the perfect mood. One thing that really stood out to me was how immaculately clean this café is. The tables, counters, floors, and display cases were all sparkling, it's clear that the team takes real pride in maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for every guest. A clean café is a happy café, and this one passes with flying colors. Bottom Line, Smoking Tiger Coffee & Bread is the real deal. Creative, high-quality food, exceptional drinks, warm service, gorgeous decor, and a spotless space, this place checks every single box. The Matcha Cream Filled Croissant and Iced Matcha Latte alone are worth the trip. Do yourself a favor and go try yourself. Miguel C.

    Scones and cake (Feb 2026)
    Luke L.

    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab is a Korean bakery chain in LA County and Orange County. Think of this bakery chain as the Korean version of 85C Bakery or Sunmerry. Currently the Coffee Lab has multiple locations with the flagship shop in Buena Park, nine Coffee Lab locations (as of March 2026), and one bread factory in Cerritos. [Parking]: The coffee shop is located inside a strip mall and parking is free within the plaza. [Atmosphere]: There are plenty of indoor tables to sit and study. Few outdoor tables are also available. [Menu]: Some of Yelp's top highlighted items are Matcha Pistachio Croissant, Cream Cheese Garlic Croissant, and Scones. Unfortunately, they ran out of some croissants. For drinks, they focus on Korea's iconic flavors like banana milk, yuzu, misugaru, and mugwort. The four signature drinks are the Tiger Latte, Smokin' Spaniard, Banana Milk Latte, and Sweet Corn Latte. *** Bacon Cheese Croissant ($6): An interesting croissant as it was sliced into two layers. It was a bit cold but tasted solid. Tiger latte (signature brown sugar latte with caramel & frothed oat milk over our espresso - hot, $6.25): The foam was alright and the sweetness was spot on. It tasted more like milk tea than latte for some reason with a hint of smoky aftertaste. *** I actually like Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab a bit better than 85C Bakery, but the bakery selection is fairly limited.

    Jeju Matcha Latte / 말차 라떼 with Banana Milk
    Briseida N.

    Came here a while ago with a friend and we got the matcha with banana milk and it was good! Today I went in after I saw someone on Instagram highly recommended the banana milk latte and I was not disappointed! It's so so good, one of the best lattes I've ever had! Definitely coming back to try more drinks plus their bakery items! The service was great and I love the ambience, it's super calm and plenty of tables!

    Matcha scone
    Chanel C.

    I love this cafe. Their coffee and matcha drinks are very good. I also really like their matcha scone to accompany my drink. My husband is a huge fan of their Tiger Latte that has brown sugar. I try something different each time I go.

    Garlic cream cheese AFTER coming out of their microwave. It was still cold.
    Joshua P.

    I ordered the Banana Latte and my wife ordered the Corn Latte. The foam of her Corn Latte was delicious. The coffee itself wasn't a great combination. It was at most a solid 4/10. The coffee took away from the Corn Latte and my Banana Latte was a solid 6.5/10. We bought their highly advertised garlic cream cheese bread. We had to ask if they could heat it up. They put it in the microwave, but when they brought it over to our table it was still cold. Service was friendly. Interior was clean. Coffee and baked good experience was not what I expected it to be.

    Lorena S.

    I've already been here three times but Im just barely writing my review. Every time I come here I'm greeted very warmly and asked if I have any questions. They have a great selection of coffee and pastries. I have tried their banana coffee iced, which is SO delicious. I've also tried their Smoking spaniard latte and most recently I went and I had their seasonal apple crisp latte. I have never. I love that it has lots of space inside and then a little area on the outside. Plus there's lots of parking which I truly appreciate I would be there more often if it wasn't a little bit out of my way

    Paid 37 bucks for these three

    Long‑time fan of this bakery, especially their cream cheese garlic bread, which I've ordered on multiple visits. Today I grabbed 3 items, paid with Apple Pay and rushed out. Upon arriving home, I saw I was charged $37 for those three pieces of baked goods. This charge seems far too high for what I purchased. Food is good, but this billing issue needs attention.

    Maruko X.

    Ambiance: this coffee chain place is located in a packed plaza, the seating area inside is crowded, without enough charging stations, and the restroom is gross Service: staff here is friendly although not skillful to make decent coffee drinks Drink: I wanted to try their food, but all the pastries ones on the shelf look so stale, so the review is based on drink only HOUSE DRIP COFFEE - * watery, lukewarm, probably the worst drip coffee I've ever had TIGER LATTE - ** their Signature Brown Sugar Latte with Caramel and frothed Oat Milk over their Signature Espresso, sugary but lack of coffee taste, it's a shame to be their signature Price: poor quality and not worth $6~$7 cost per drink

    Warmed it in the air fryer
    Lola B.

    I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE their garlic cheese bread. I haven't tried anything but the two variations of the cream cheese garlic bread. It's so delicious. It smells so good inside. Price is about $5 each I'll try their coffees one of these days. Very clean inside and staff is clean. Quick service. Large parking lot but it is always filled.

    This is the bag my items were in...does not look new to me?! TF is this?
    Rissa B.

    I picked up a Too Good to go order from this place and I'm not at all impressed which is strange because on here and the app they have high reviews??? For one the bag that they put my items in was already used because it was crumbled and folded like it had been used already and I don't think I got what I paid for?! Why are you charging $6.99 for some damn pastries that look old and not fresh, this shyt should've been $2-3 dollars at most not $7.72 what I paid, don't worry cause I most certainly will never be returning, the vibes were there and customer service was definitely lacking!!

    Rosa H.

    This was a nice place to get some weekend work done. It was a mix of people getting work done and groups of friends catching up, so it had a nice atmosphere. The staff was really friendly and attentive as well. I tried the iced coffee and tiger milk coffee. The drinks were okay but the coffee was a little too light for me. They had a little baked foods section at the front but I went later in the day so it was nearly sold out - hope I make it earlier next time to try out some pastries!

    Banana Milk Latte / 바나나 라떼
    Bruce L.

    Banana milk latte was pretty damn good. I was fairly impressed by this place. They have several stores it seems and a central kitchen that pumps out their pastries? Usually coffee shops bring their pastries in from some local bakery but it seems like they legitimately make their own. Not only that but they are unique enough that I believe it. Not your typical almond croissant, blah, blah, blah that every other place has. Their unique takes on pastries genuinely makes me want to try them all. Kudos! Can't wait to go back.

    Blueberry scone & Tiger Latte / 타이거 라떼
    Kimberly H.

    One of my favorite coffee spots--Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab always delivers! From the moment you walk in, the vibe is chill, modern, and welcoming. The cups and sleeves are adorable with their minimalist tiger design--such a cute touch that makes every order feel a little extra special. The customer service is always kind and quick. Even when it's busy, the team moves fast without sacrificing friendliness, which I really appreciate when I'm on the go. As for the coffee? SOO good. I always go for the Tiger Latte--smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced. If you want to switch it up, the Smoking Spaniard is another solid pick with a unique flavor twist that never disappoints. If you're a coffee lover who also appreciates great service and aesthetic details, you'll love it here. Definitely a go-to in my rotation!

    Creme brûlée sweet potato bun

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    2 months ago

    Great coffee, service, pastries, and vibe. Huge fan of their specialty Korean inspired drinks!

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    9 months ago

    Good beverages and baked goods. They have plenty of free parking. This location is big, good for studying. Service was decent.

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    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab

    Any gluten-free breads or pastries?

    Not really many gluten free options

    Are there any of the baked goods vegan?

    We have on vegan pastry item called the Mochi Pie! It is delicious and we highly recommend it :)

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    My Panecito - Oreo concha ice cream sandwich  (IG: @KEEPITFITFOODIE)

    My Panecito

    3.8(168 reviews)
    1.8 mi•Athens
    •$$
    Family-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    If you're only coming here for the conchas, you're missing out! While their conchas get a lot of…read moreattention, their flans and cakes deserve just as much recognition. I stopped by on a Friday early afternoon to pick up a flan for my daughter's birthday celebration. There was no wait, and the customer service was friendly and welcoming. I decided on the cheesecake flan, and it absolutely did not disappoint! It was rich, creamy, and the perfect combination of cheesecake and flan. Everyone at the celebration had a slice and loved it--there wasn't a single piece left over! That says it all. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of their cakes and desserts. Highly recommend if you're looking for something delicious for a special occasion or just to satisfy your sweet tooth!

    I have been to this location twice. The first time, I tried their strawberry crunch concha. It was…read morereally delicious, but pretty messy to eat because the crumbs on top kept falling apart. On my second and most recent visit, I tried their vanilla and chocolate conchas. I really liked both of these classic flavors. They weren't too sweet, and the conchas were freshly made and still warm when I got them. They pair really well with hot coffee. I haven't tried the coffee here because I usually like eating my concha with black coffee, creamer, and Splenda. I also love dipping my concha in my coffee, so I picked up a hot coffee from McDonald's next door instead. Customer service is good, and the staff have been pleasant both times I've visited. However, during my last visit, only one staff member was working. I went in the morning before work, so it was during the breakfast rush. I had to wait about 10 minutes just to place my order because he was taking orders and preparing the food, and the two people ahead of me had ordered a big box of conchas. It wasn't his fault, and I honestly felt bad that he was working by himself. I hope management makes sure there is enough staff, especially during the busy hours.

    Photos
    My Panecito - Daily offerings

    Daily offerings

    My Panecito - Strawberry Krunch

    Strawberry Krunch

    My Panecito - Flavors

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    Flavors

    Sakura-ya - They have more varieties I didn't get them in this box.

    Sakura-ya

    4.5(417 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    •$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Family-owned & operated

    Sakura‑Ya is one of those Gardena institutions that doesn't need neon signs, trendy décor, or…read moreInstagram bait. It's a family‑run mochi shop that's been quietly perfecting the art of handmade mochi and manju for decades. You walk in, grab your treats, and walk out feeling like you just stepped through a time portal into old‑school G‑Town sweetness. I ordered several varieties of mochi and manju to go, and every piece tasted like someone's grandma woke up at dawn to make sure your day started right. Soft, chewy, fresh, each bite has that unmistakable "made with love" energy. Nothing fancy, nothing flashy, just pure craftsmanship. Vintage to the core. This place has that old‑school Japanese bakery charm, minimal, humble, and frozen in time in the best way possible. It's grab‑and‑go, no frills, no fuss. The kind of place where the walls could tell stories if they wanted to, but they're too polite to interrupt your mochi moment. Those who know this spot... know. It's one of those Gardena classics that locals speak about with a little pride and a little nostalgia. Service was excellent, warm, quick, and genuine. You can feel the family's heart in the way they greet you, pack your order, and keep this place running year after year. They're not trying to be trendy; they're trying to make you happy, one perfect piece of mochi at a time. Plenty of street parking. Easy in, easy out. No drama. Sakura‑Ya is a reminder that great food doesn't need flash, just skill, tradition, and heart. Every piece of mochi and manju tastes like a small pleasure crafted by people who genuinely care. If you grew up around Gardena or have been exploring its food scene for years, this place hits you right in the nostalgia. "A classic. A staple. A sweet little time machine." "Enjoying life one bite at a time!" Miguel C.

    An absolute hole-in-the-wall type place that my friend Cindy introduced me to. She knew that I…read morerecently moved to the South Bay area and wanted to take me here after our little lunch date. I was so surprised by the location because from the outside, it looks a little run down and I don't imagine myself stumbling across this place unless if I was looking real hard for it, but I was so happy to have come here. First off, I've heard not from my friend Cindy but also another friend that this is probably the most tastiest, hand-made mochi spot. They have an array of delicious mochi desserts ranging from matcha flavored to the more generic snow mochi with red bean as well. I was stuffed from my lunch but managed to grab three different types of mochi and I cannot wait to go back again to try the other flavors. We found parking on the main street, but also noticed that there's a neighborhood in the back where you can park and walk over.

    Photos
    Sakura-ya - The best mochi ever! $12

    The best mochi ever! $12

    Sakura-ya - Top left: Kinako mochi Top right: pink mochi Bottom: Sakura mochi (special mochi for Japanese girls day.. only on March 3rd!)

    Top left: Kinako mochi Top right: pink mochi Bottom: Sakura mochi (special mochi for Japanese girls day.. only on March 3rd!)

    Sakura-ya - Mochi on point (10 for $15)

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    Mochi on point (10 for $15)

    Cream Pan - Pan Au Raisin  03-31-2026

    Cream Pan

    4.3(471 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    •$$

    We brought my little granddaughter here after school for a treat. She has visited here often and…read morepointed out her favorite goodies to us. Considering it was our first visit she recommended a few things to her PopPop and me. She ordered the hotdog in pastry and the spam musubi. We ordered the apple croissant, ham and cheese croissant and the beef curry pan. Everything was quite tasty. We will return to try a few other things and buy bread next time. The service was spot on and friendly, in addition, we were asked if we wanted anything heated up. The ambiance is light and airy with windows all around. Items on display make it easy to pick out whatever you like. Highly recommend a trip to the Cream Pan. Unfortunately, we devoured our treats before I remembered to take a photo.

    As many say here, I have been going to this bakery for past several months every weekend to grab…read morebaked goods. As many say this is a great bakery with great pricing. A month ago, they raised their prices quite hefty probably due to the inflation and tariffs. I was okay with this price increase. However a week ago, I bought and ate an apple pie (apple croissant) and while eating, I noticed in my mouth there was something sharp and metal. I took it out and saw that it was this metal piece that was IN the baked good! Like how does this even happen! I even feed the baked goods to my 1.5 year old toddler and if my kid ate it, I woulda had to take him to the ED! I am extremely disappointed by this and I don't think I would like to go back. This is a shame since I really liked this bakery. Other customers please be aware... there maybe some metal piece in your food...

    Photos
    Cream Pan - Fruit tart

    Fruit tart

    Cream Pan - If you see this place, that's the universe telling you....It's time to stop and enjoy some delicious coffee and a pastry  ASAP!!!!!

    If you see this place, that's the universe telling you....It's time to stop and enjoy some delicious coffee and a pastry ASAP!!!!!

    Cream Pan - Cheese cake

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    Cheese cake

    Noon Korean Bingsoo House - Injeolmi shaved ice cream

    Noon Korean Bingsoo House

    4.5(386 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$

    I don't know why I took so long to try Noon since it's walking distance from me!…read more I know we have a lot of options when it comes to treats in the South Bay Area but Korean bingsoo is in a class of its own. For me, regular shaved ice usually lacks enough syrup or the ice is too hard. I'm such a wuss, I know, but I hate feeling like I overpaid for a cup of ice. It has been brutally hot and today seemed like a great day to have some shaved ice. The cafe is located in a Korean plaza on Western and 154th. Smoking Tiger coffee is also in the same plaza. The cafe is on the smaller side but there's lots of seating and you can take your orders to go if you want. It's cashless and you take your tray and trash to the counter once you're done. The menu has everything from fruity flavors to Asian flavors like hojicha and injeolmi to Cinnamon Toast crunch. You can get an individual size or larger size to share. The interior is minimalist with vintage-looking posters of the business. They have WiFi and complimentary water. We ordered matcha and mango flavored bingsoo. Both had a tall pile of ice with ample toppings and more syrup layered inside the ice which I think is an important very often overlooked step. I can't wait to return to try out more flavors!

    Would have given another star if service wasn't so slow…read moreTheir rate limiting step is their ability to shave the ice - which makes it tough for large groups waiting for their orders because your bowl starts to deflate when it melts Price for a single is a bit high. Would recommend sharing and ordering a large which could easily feed 2-4 people for only double the price of a small single serving Have to admit that this is a less decadent dessert than ice cream The ice is so soft and light. Fruit bowls are not just topped as a garnish but filled in the center with plenty of fruit too for a surprise treat Flavors are fresh Each bowl has a unique combo Black sesame bowl was topped with red bean and a crispy rice cake Sit powder bowl had mochi pieces throughout There are seat S both inside and outside Maybe they should have better A/C to keep the bowls from melting so fast

    Photos
    Noon Korean Bingsoo House - Mango shaved ice cream

    Mango shaved ice cream

    Noon Korean Bingsoo House - Cinnamon Tasted Crunch Bingsoo

    Cinnamon Tasted Crunch Bingsoo

    Noon Korean Bingsoo House - Chestnut tiramisu

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    Chestnut tiramisu

    Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - coffee - Updated September 2026

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