Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab has been long overdue for a rating from me. I've been here multiple times and have even racked up quite a few points through their membership program. It's a wonderful spot to study as long as you get there early. The atmosphere is always warm and inviting, and the drinks are consistently made fresh and served piping hot. There's also a solid variety of food options to choose from. I've had the chance to try a few items: the Dubai chocolate mochi (4/5), the breakfast burrito (4/5), and the breakfast sliders (5/5). The sliders are especially good--kind of like a stacked sandwich with egg, sauces, and jam that all come together really well. My go-to drink is the Bori Cano, which is my current seasonal favorite. It's a unique mix w cream top over an Americano, with barley tea on the bottom. It's perfect for keeping me going during long study sessions. I'm really glad to have a place like this in Monterey Park where I can settle in and get work done. As for parking, there are only about five spots right in front of the café, but there are two larger lots on either side with no time limits, which makes things much easier. read more

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I took my chance to visit this Korean cafe a block away from the hotel early morning before my check out. Their register wasn't working so everyone had to pay in Zelle or Venmo, including exact change in cash. The guy was welcoming and recommended me to try the Kimchi Musubi Croissant and the Garlic Cheese Bread since this was my first time here. I ordered their popular Honey Bori Latte in almond milk ($1 extra) with less sweetness and the Kimchi Musubi Croissant, which you can request to heat it up. The Bori latte didn't have much honey flavor and a bit watery, but I liked the puff rice topping that made it unique. Kimchi Musubi croissant was flaky and flavorful, but I wish they added more kimchi since it was more like eating a spam croissant. Overall, I'm glad I came here early before I left Monterey Park. It was less crowded an hour after opening and I like their 90s rnb playlist. I even love their cute mascot sticker. Highly recommend coming back to visit and download their app if you come frequently to earn rewards and discounts. read more

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Decently good coffee but not super special. Sweet Corn Latte ($6.50) 25% sugar was a good sweetness level for me. Pretty strong coffee flavor at the top before mixing it. Not too bitter. I should have mixed it, but I didn't so it was a bit watery for the second half. It's a decent coffee, but not something I would particularly yearn for again. It could have less ice - I forgot to ask about ice adjustments. They have some seasonal drinks with honey and ube. They have some bakery items too and to-go drinks. Very big and spacious interior with a few seats and tables. Looks very clean. Pretty quiet, good place to study/work. There's a restroom at the very back. The staff members are very nice and patient. I might go back to try other drinks and pastries. read more

Second time visiting Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab but different location. This place had a few seats, bar style. The garlic cream cheese bread roll thing is where it's at. The other pastry item with meat was just okay and not memorable. And I love the drink options. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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Ambiance: it's a spacious coffee shop, chill vibes and good for handout Service: friendly and efficient, you place the order at the front counter, and pick up further inside Drink: standard smoking tiger menu SMOKIN' SPANIARD - **** Smoking Tiger's Spanish latte, espresso sweetened with condensed milk, hazelnut and cinnamon, sweet and refreshing taste, recommend Price: decent quality and affordable prices, expect about $7 for each drink read more

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I wanted to try this cafe out since it was close by my house & I needed to do some studying. I came on a Monday afternoon and to my surprise, the cafe was completely full. Luckily, by the time I ordered someone had left so I was able to snag a table. The tables are decently sized and the cafe is quite big. I was lucky that my table had an outlet next to me. I noticed that some tables lacked that. The WiFi is great except it resets every 1-2 hours and you have to click on a button to reconnect, which I found quite annoying. I wanted to give the jeju matcha a try since I'm not a big coffee lover. I had read some reviews about it and was quite skeptical but decided to try it anyway. It was extremely bitter and had a strong grassy taste. There were still powder bits and it mainly tasted like milk. I was quite disappointed. I would not recommend their matcha. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Jeju Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

This is the 2nd time visiting this place and it's great! The workers here are absolute sweethearts and are especially helpful and kind. :) The coffee here is nice and smooth, and you can feel the love with each cup. I love the variety of flavors and appreciate that they have non dairy options. Prices are average for most coffee shops and they have a point system to sign up for rewards. This shop reminded me of my trips to Korea, and the love and craft they put into their lattes. We just moved to the area, and this is especially a nice addition. I'll be back! :D read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Banana Milk Latte - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

Recently, I was in Monterey Park and stopped by Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab for a pick-me-up. This location has limited parking, but you could park in the structure next door and take a short walk over. It wasn't too busy after 6pm on Sunday, so I was able to get a table inside and relax for a bit. The space's bright and modern with lots of purple furnishings. Service was minimal, but quick. I wanted a non-caffeinated drink, so I ordered the MSGR ($6), which was light, milky, and refreshing. However, I wished it had a stronger roasted rice flavor. I'd revisit Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab to try other menu items, if I'm in the area again. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - MSGR - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I just tried the Honey Bori Latte. Omg it was delicious. It wasn't too sweet and of course I loved the puffed wheat snack on top. I've also had the Spaniard here, but I think I might prefer the Honey Bori one. If you order on the app, first time order is an extra $5 off. What a deal! Parking is scarce in front (only 3 spots and shared with the other businesses next to them). However, there is a parking lot structure to the left. You'll just have to walk a bit, is all. I think I saw additional parking in the back to the right of the store, but I've never parked there and it looked a bit shady to go on my own as a female, so I didn't even consider it. read more

New location and I was excited to try it out something new from my regular coffee drink at smoking tiger. Black frost latte a bold mocha wrapped in a cool veil of black sesame foam dark chocolate and rich espresso, I asked and they put 2 shots of espresso in this drink. I had to sub the milk to almond milk and this drink was soo good and very happy I ordered it. Not too sweet, your able to taste the coffee and the slight sesame flavor as well. Got the ube scone and it had the flavor and a chewy moochi inside. The texture was not hard but crumbles and good flavor, Service was great, we were able to bring in our fur baby as long as he was on a leash. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Inside - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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I've been to the Whittier and Cerritos location and I gotta say that Smoking Tiger is a solid franchise to get some yummy drinks and baked goods at. My friends and I dropped by this location on a rainy day between the reset time at the maid cafe across the street. There was maybe 2 tables free, but they have a small seating counter area too, but I can imagine this place gets pretty packed (like the other spots) with people wanting to do work or study, so keep that in mind if you visit on other days. We were there on a Sunday evening. They have an app now too, just an FYI if you are a frequenter. This location has some merch for sale and a small refrigerated area with some cake slices, sandwiches, and other cooled goods. For our visit, we got the: 1) Hotteok Latte: -This is one of their seasonal drinks and only comes in hot temperature, but it wasn't as scalding hot as the other drinks that were ordered. Came out with a nice warmness that was drinkable. -Sweet and yummy with their brown sugar and spice, just like the Korean dessert donut pastry. Reminds me of an autumn flavor. You can ask for no nuts and seeds, but you gotta have it on top if you want the true experience. 2) Rose of Sharon Espresso: -Aight, I am not an espresso person by any means. This was so bitter and sour that I grimaced immediately. Never again, but I guess if you're a true connoisseur, you may enjoy. 3) Slice of Black Sesame cheesecake: -Nice cloudy texture and sweet, slightly burnt (positive) crust. -We were able to share this large slice amongst the 3 of us. -Pairs well with some coffee or tea, I'm sure. This location has a small display case of baked goods, but in comparison to the other 2 locations where you have a tray and tongs to pick out your baked goods, this one does not have that. So if you're here for giga carb maxxing or if you're trying to get all of the good stuff from the other locations, there's a chance you may not be able to get them here. read more

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This place was really nice to come and sit drink coffee! Tried their iced Tiger Latte and it was delicious, paired it with their honey butter croissant! That croissant was so delectable! I am really glad to have tried it. The location was clean and the baristas were nice! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I had a memorable, lovely experience at Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park). It's a comfortable study/work spot with high-quality ingredients and coffee. I ordered their signature Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) and seasonal Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz). When rigorously stirred, that Sweet Corn Latte sent my heart aflutter. I arrived at Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) on Monday (around 11AM). Parking is simple. Although there's extremely limited storefront parking, there's available parking at the adjacent rear lot. Its sign says, "Parking for Customers - 3 Hours Max." Staff is youthful and active. Staff took my order at the counter, and Staff performed their assigned duties. Each drink took about three minutes. As mentioned, I ordered the Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) and seasonal Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz). This is the rare visit where I ordered a second coffee because the first (aka: Black Frost) felt too weak/ornamental. Still, both coffees had a distinguished charm. The Black Frost Latte ($6.50 - 12oz) tasted like a dessert drink. It's mocha with black sesame foam, dark chocolate, and espresso. It reminded me of an iced chocolate coco with a light caffeine taste. The drink is decadent, powdery, and sugary like a well-crafted treat. I wouldn't recommend it if searching for caffeine. Fortunately, the Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) went above and beyond. It's corn milk, espresso, and corn cold foam. With its first sip, I tasted power & strength!! After a thorough stir, this coffee unfurls into a distinct, creamy sensation. It's smooth and enduring. This coffee is not bitter nor too sweet. Instead, the faintest aftertaste of popcorn dances across the palate. If I close my eyes, I can feel my body soaring across the sky. Regarding ambiance, Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) is an outstanding study/work spot. There's about six electrical outlets. There's also customer internet with password; details are taped onto counter's glass. And there's a gender neutral restroom. I especially enjoyed the upbeat instrumental music. The location also felt surprisingly spacious with its tall ceiling. There's about eight tables and one counter table in this spot. The location also quickly fills with quiet, working college students. The location also felt fresh and well-ventilated. Overall, Smoking Tiger Coffee (Monterey Park) is a top-tier destination for coffee. I left with a bright smile and a cheery outlook. If you love coffee or searching for a work/study spot, this is an easy recommendation. 5 out of 5!!!! GO!!! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Sweet Corn Latte ($8 - Large - 20oz) - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

We got a hojicha cheesecake slice to go. It was decent for a pre-packaged bakery item. The hojicha taste was pretty strong so the cream balanced that well. The cafe itself is pretty minimalist and is a good space to do work. I would try their coffee and drinks next time! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Menu - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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I've tried Smoking Tiger before at their Temple City-San Gabriel location, but this is my first time at this MP location. It's located in a plaza with plenty of parking in front of the store. We were greeted immediately as we walked in. They have their regular menu as well as their seasonal menu, which changes. Aside from drinks, they also have pastries (kimchi croissant, cheese bread, scones, cookies), a small fridge with dessert items like various cake slices, coffee beans, tea bags and merchandises. I really wanted to try the Hojicha Cheesecake, but they sold out - one day. For our visit, we tried... 1. Hotteok Latte (4/5) One of their winter seasonal drinks. Hotteok is a popular Korean street food; it's sweet-filled pancake with a crispy exterior and chewy interior. It is typically stuffed with a mixture of brown sugar, cinnamon, and nuts like peanuts or walnuts. Therefore, this drink is a spin-off of it. Knowing that it's a sweet-dessert inspired drink, I didn't want mine too sweet, so asked for less sweetness. Despite asking for less sweet, it was still plenty sweet for me. Other than the sweetness, I did like the flavor which was very rich in cinnamon spice and had an infused nutty aroma. They do top the drink off with pecan, pumpkin seeds and pine nut/sunflower seeds. If you don't like cinnamon or nuts, this drink is not for you. For me, I like both, so this was the drink for me, but minus 1 star for the sweetness. 2. Sweet Corn Latte (4/5) The sweet corn flavor is mainly in the foam part, so if you have the lid on, it's hard to taste the sweet corn flavor. Best to drink it without the lid to get the full experience of this drink. The espresso was strong and not bitter. 3. Hotteok Loaf Cake (3.5/5) Basically a slice of sweet, cinnamon crusted sponge cake. It was moist, doughy and chewy. The middle part had a light sweet glaze with cinnamon swirled in, which is almost like eating a sponge-cake cinnamon roll. There were pine nuts throughout the cake, which added texture and slight nutty notes. Good flavor overall, but again, too sweet 4. Kimchi Musubi Croissant (5/5) We took this home and toasted it ourselves. The croissant turned out flaky and buttery. The kimchi flavor was mild, but noticeable. The musubi is in reference to the thin slice of spam placed inside the croissant and the slice of seaweed that laid over the top of the croissant. Overall, a decent Korean-inspired croissant. 5. Valentine's Day Strawberry Hazelnut Chewy Cookie Set (1/5) Comes as a set of 4 "cookies" but they are more like mochi balls than cookies. The mochi had a strawberry powder coated exterior with the inside filling being roasted kataifi that's mixed with their house-made hazelnut paste and nutella. Sorry, but this was one of the nastiest thing we've ever eaten. The mochi was chewy, but the inside filling was almost saturated with pure sugar. You can hardly taste the nutella/hazelnut flavor because it was just powdery and sugary. The strawberry powder added a bit of tartness. DO NOT RECOMMEND ... sad waste of $24. read more

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Food and Drinks: The pastries/breads and drinks look really cute, but I thought they were just okay. The Jeju matcha wasn't the best quality, though it was fine. The tiger latte was also okay, nothing special. The banana milk latte was very sweet and a bit overpowering with the artificial banana flavor, but that might be something people who love banana would enjoy. The cheese bread bun was surprisingly more on the sweeter side and I prefer savory. Service: The service was standard. You order at the front and wait for your drinks and food, which took a little while. Ambiance: Really cute and aesthetic. I liked the bar seating area with the little lamps. The place is clean, bright, and has a chill environment to hang out in. read more

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Super cozy and plenty of tables for a work from cafe kind of day at this location. There's also a bar style seating area if you prefer that more. Parking right in front of store is very limited but you can always park in parking structure. Banana Milk Latte -very artificial flavoring and didn't pair well with their coffee. Wouldn't order this again. Sweet Corn Latte - after mixing the corn cold foam into the drink, you don't really taste it. It was more of a creamy coffee. Strawberry Matcha -not too sweet, great for super hot days! Jeju Matcha Latte - wasn't as strong as I'd like. The strawberry version adds more flavor. Black Sesame Hojicha (seasonal-winter) -after mixing the black sesame cold foam into the drink, you don't really taste it. Its more of a thick hojicha, better off ordering regular hojicha. Black Froth Latte (seasonal-winter) -all flavors paired well. Mocha brings out the black sesame flavors. Coffee was rich. Hotteok Latte (seasonal-winter) -only comes hot and was best out of all of the winter seasonal items. Cinnamon balances the brown sugar and not overpowering. It's like a warm hug. read more

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Coffee is always great at Smoking Tiger. This was my second time at this location, but the wait time to order was about 10 minutes. No line, just short staffed on a Saturday at 6pm? (Very) compact spaces available in the lot next to the building. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Espresso Tonic - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I've been to this location and the one in Whittier and both have such good vibes for both studying and socializing! Everyone here is so nice and they have delicious drinks and tasty Korean-inspired treats too. Definitely come here! Both locations have free parking lots! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Jeju Matcha Latte - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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Holy Cow! I mean Tiger! Amazing delicious coffee. I love the espresso taste. Their flavors are sweet, nutty, and subtle. I don't particularly like sweet coffee so I definitely appreciated the balance in these lattes. The Smokin' Spaniard was my favorite. I'm looking forward to trying the whole menu! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Smokin' Spaniard and Tiger Latte - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I've had Smoking Tiger a few times before at their other locations, and overall I've always enjoyed their drinks. I used to go pretty often when I was in the area. This time, I tried the black sesame hojicha latte. It wasn't bad, but I don't think I would order it again. The black sesame flavor felt a bit overpowering, and the combination didn't quite work for me personally. I've tried their matcha before and enjoyed that. This location just opened and there were plenty of tables and space to get some work done. Service was quick and efficient. I am glad SGV is opening up more coffee shops because the boba scene here is popping but the coffee scene here is lacking. read more

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Came by before work today because I wanted their cream cheese garlic bread. Ordering took a while because the cashier turned around and walked away right when I walked up to the register so I had to wait for him to notice me. I ordered a hot tiger latte, a YSL, and the cream cheese garlic bread. I highly suggest ordering ahead through their app because wait time was pretty long. I was late to work because my order took 15 minutes, and they weren't even busy when I went. The cream cheese garlic bread was so good though. I love how garlic-y it was and I would definitely get it again. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I love Smoking Tiger so I'm so happy one opened up in Monterey Park. Delicious Korean flavor inspired coffees and drinks, and tasty pastries, scones, scone cookies, and chubby cheesecakes. I saw a seasonal menu so had to try the hotteok latte. It's a healthier grown up version of the flavors that are so nostalgic during the cold season. Pine nuts, cinnamon, brown sugar, milk... and not too sweet. All it needed was a nice real hotteok to accompany it, but alas, they don't sell hotteoks here. They do have a hotteok loaf on the menu but I guess only during a specific time of day. It wasn't available at opening. I got my kimchi spam pastry as usual. It was solud, as usual. I love how savory it is with a tiny bit of spicy and tangy and wrapped with a solid pastry. read more

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Yay for the additional SGV location and finally with some seating! Lots of people here even early to work or hang with friends though, so still plan on grab and go unless you come early. Service was super nice and patient with us as we looked at the menu. Drinks continue to be solid and I love how the strawberry puree matcha is just the right hint of strawberry while still having a very strong matcha flavor. I got mine with oat milk and it was still a tad creamy in a good way. My friend got the corn milk latte which has a nice smokey/cinnamon-y flavor to it. I will be back if I'm ever in the area! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Strawberry puree matcha - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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Got the sweet corn latte and their seasonal Black Forest latte, and both were really good. Not overly sweet but still super rich in flavor. Haven't been to their other locations, but I've heard those ones are smaller. This location is pretty spacious with plenty of seating, which makes it perfect for studying as they also have WiFi, lots of outlets, and the parking is convenient. The staff were very friendly and really knowledgeable about their drinks, which I appreciated. Would definitely come back to try more of their menu! read more

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The employees are very attentive and helpful with the menu. Great attitudes. The store looks small but it a nice size place to hang out with friends. Im not accustomed to Asian Bakeries but the items I got were tasty and worth a try. I had to try the Butter Mochi. Im a bit snobby when it comes to coffee. Coffee needs to have a medium to bold flavor to it and this place didn't. I was told that Asian /Korean coffee shops don't really have strong coffees. The place was a bit pricey for my liking but you judge for yoursel read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Honey Butter Cone , Banana Milk Latte, Butter Mochi. - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

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We will definitely be coming back to this coffee shop. We tried the sweet corn latte and the banana latte and we were impressed that the coffee was strong but still tasted sweet. They were quick to give advice on drinks and they also provided quick service. This place is definitely study friendly since almost all the tables were filled with people studying but it does make it hard to find a place to sit since it's all occupied but students who don't seem to drink the coffee read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Sweet Corn Latte Banana Milk Latte s'mores cookie - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

Smoking tiger was quite obscure to me before they opened this location in Monterey Park. I must say, this is an excellent spot for coffee snobs and sweet treat lovers alike! The good: - A really gorgeous aesthetic that screams Third Wave cafe. I'm not too good with words in this regard, but the purple accents and wood finish cabinetry has an almost regal feel. - This espresso! I ordered my cortado with their medium roast, and it's so smooth. It's well bodied with a light acidity that I located at the front of my palate. There are strong berry notes up front that develop nicely. - The barista who took my order was very knowledgeable in the different blends they offered. The meh: - like many other cafes, Smoking Tiger Monterey Park didn't seem to consider where to have customers wait for their drinks. The only place I could potentially see was a bench up front, far away from the pickup area, or limited bar seating. - I found the menu a bit difficult to navigate, they have one large screen above the register that I assumed had the full menu, but as I got too the front of the line, I found even more drink options available on another menu in front of the register. Smoking tiger, yall chill asf read more

I've wanted to try this place for a while now and finally bit the bullet this week. First impressions were it was much more spacious than I thought. It seemed like a great place to study too so I will definitely be doing that. I ordered a large corn iced coffee and it was pretty good! The coffee was a bit bitter, but that might be because I got decaf. I want to try the other drinks, especially the matcha. I ordered my coffee about maybe 7 minutes in advance and when I got there it was almost ready so they're pretty fast as well! Overall, I'll be heading back to try their other drinks. read more

Chefs kiss...if you love a good not too sweet cinnamon drink, this drink is for you! I highly recommend ordering ahead read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Smokin' Spaniard - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

Stellar coffee (not too sweet, strong coffee taste, creamy toppings) and delicious savory and sweet pastries. I really enjoy their San Gabriel location and am thrilled that their new Monterey Park location is large and perfect for working at! My go-to is always the Smokin' Spaniard, but I haven't been disappointed by any of their drinks. Their pastries are so innovative and delicious... but pricey. If you're not picky, I highly recommend grabbing a bag of their leftover pastries on TooGoodToGo! I once got a chewy Dubai cookie, among 4 other pastries, for $6.99! read more

3.83 stars. Good seating for work from home, parking area is easy, inside is aesthetic and clean. Unfortunately we had to wait a while to be greeted at the cashier - around 10 mins. I got the sesame hojicha latte. While the drink sounded intriguing it was strong in sesame flavor but lacked hojicha depth. Still, I think there is much room for potential as this location is new and their other drinks sounds tasty. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

This is easily one of my favorite spots for matcha! I love the strawberry matcha and my sister loves the banana milk latte. The café itself is charming, with a calm and inviting ambiance. read more

I really liked this cafe spot! This location is a lot bigger compared to the San Gabriel spot. There's a lot of tables and outlets to study and work. It's a good spot to cowork with friends and it's relatively quiet enough to stay focused. I really enjoyed the drinks I've tried. I even got a ham and cheese bread that was quite yummy. The staff are friendly and helpful. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I asked for half sweet and in true Korean cafe fashion, it was still crazy sweet. Tiger latte half sweet was a decent sweet latte with a darker roast bordering on unmemorable. The sesame hojicha was not gritty and hojicha flavor came through even with dairy milk. The pineapple express was insanely sweet (did I say this place leans sweet) and honestly what you'd imagine a pineapple refresher to taste like otherwise. The drinks are big and the prices are reasonable! There are a lot of tables. read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - drinks - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

I love that we have another Smoking Tiger in 626! It looks spacious with enough seats to enjoy your coffee and pastries. I tried the sweet corn latte. It was so good and creamy. Their pastries are delicious as well. Service was fast. read more

Hubby wanted his fav from Hey Tea and I've been wanting to try Smoking Tiger so I popped over next door to check it out. Got their seasonal sesame hojicha latte and it was delish. I even ordered it without the vanilla syrup to cut down on sugar. I was bad though and ordered the jalapeño cream cheese spam musubi because it just sounded fascinating lol. I love jalapeño cream cheese! It was quite good! For those who don't like sugary drinks, their specialty ones can only be ordered with less sugar. Regular coffee menu and teas can be ordered with no sugar. Service was excellent and my order was ready quickly. The cashier knew his products as I wanted something with no sugar added and he was able to make some recs. The space is quite long and has a decent amount of seating with a few counter spots. Nice space though echoey. read more

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This place is large and spacious. They have drinks as well as desserts and pastries. I tried a corn latte for the first time. It was well made and very flavorful. The taste was like the leftover cereal milk after you've finished your sugary cornflakes but that's not a bad thing, just unexpected for me. The iced coffee was decent. Drinks came out quickly and the person who took my order was nice. There isn't a lot of parking out front but you can try the lot in the back of the nearby building. I would come again if I'm in the area and craving a milk tea. read more

I got the Hotteoke Latte and a friend got the MSGR latte. We both already had a milk tea earlier in the day so wanted to go with some more caffeine light (or caffeine free options). My Hotteoke latte had a nice roasted taste. I enjoyed it. My friend felt the MSGR tasted to rice-y which is exactly how it is supposed to taste. They told us it has more of a rice taste. Ultimately my friend still wanted a little more roasted/coffee flavor and we brought it up with the staff (not sure if she was a manager or what the exact roles were) but in any case, she was kind enough to add some decaf espresso to give it a more roasted coffee taste even though they completely did not have to do that. I already felt like Smoking Tiger was a good vibe, but the way they handled our concern was well-handled and very nice of them so I wanted to go out of my way to give them 5 stars. Ambiance, taste, and service were solid! Will definitely be back! read more

Smoking Tiger Coffee Lab - Cafes Near Me - Monterey Park, California

The coffee scene is popping in the SGV with another spot to check out! I first tried their coffee in Gardena and San Gabriel. I was excited to check out this location and got an ice banana latte w/ oat milk. It wasn't overly sweet and was perfect! Service was quick and I love their interior. Staff was friendly as well. read more