Tiktok brought me here of course. Something told me to come before 10am. After all, it is a Sunday…read more But I did not listen and came at noon. Luckily when I got there it wasn't too crazy, but the line was just at the door. This place was packed inside and it felt a bit overwhelming. There are kiosks to place your order which is smart so the employees can focus on making drinks due to the large volume of traffic. Luckily it only took about 3 min for me to place my order. It was easy to do. I've heard about the infamous mango matcha latte so that is what I ordered. There's an area to wait for your drinks and they even have seating. I was able to snag a spot and people watch. 1 thing about this place is the people who come in here sure do dress nice so I'm glad i put myself together somewhat instead of coming in my pj's. I think people are in and out typically because of how crowded it is. It would be nice to enjoy the ambiance if there were more room. It is a nice vibe inside. After maybe 7 minutes of waiting my name was called according to my drink order. Once I left, the line was out the door. So the question is does the mango matcha latte live up to its name? It most certainly does! The drink is really good. Totally understand the hype. Thank you Gathers for making my drink and managing the foot traffic so well on the day to day.

i got the matcha latte (extra matcha) and thought it was decent. you can def taste the matcha and i…read morelike how they use simple syrup so nothing is overpowering it. i will say, i wish the matcha was stronger, it was kinda eh, i was hoping for something strong since i got extra matcha the strawberry matcha was good, jam adds a nice sweetness to it. the black sesame matcha i did not like as much, thought the matcha flavor got pushed to the background more yummy rating: 6.5/10

There is a wide selection of drinks and they taste really good! The place is gorgeously decorated…read morewith comfy sofas and plenty of sitting space The vibes are amazing and the service is great. Our server was Monica and she has always been so sweet and helpful. she is very attentive and fast as well. I think I found my favorite boba spot in Chicago!

I am actually quite impressed! Came here on a Saturday afternoon and there were a handful of people…read moreinside. It's beautifully decorated and has a lot of comfy and spacious seating! I love that there's a big comfy couch, and the tables and counters are wide. The tables and chairs and whole space was very clean as well. There's a TV and they were playing Adventure Time. It was a relaxed and casual vibe! Ordering was easy on the screens to the left when you enter the space. There was one person working and they were very speedy with making the drink! I ordered the taro coconut milk tea with egg pudding, 75% sweet. It was perfect!! Not too sweet, and you can taste each flavor distinctly. The taro and coconut really came through and the egg pudding had a lovely texture. I thought it was cool that when you order this drink they include one topping with no extra charge, and you can pick any of the options! For $8 for this quality and size of drink I was happy. I can't say the same for some other boba spots that sometimes are too expensive. This spot was just right!

(Kari's Rating 9.5/10)…read more I always stop by here after know or whatever does adventure I've gone on and I think in way too full to get dessert but-NOPE! I always have room for Kurimu. When I went, I got two scoops of the cereal and milk flavor ice cream in a cone and they made it into a duck or some sort of cute animal. Wow it was adorable! I'd come here alone for the aesthetic, staff and attention to detail they out into their ice creams. Friday and Saturday night expect a line but it's definitely worth it! Unfortunately I did not take a picture as I ate it that fast!

I like how they have new flavors throughout the year but that makes it difficult when you find a…read moregreat one. I got the s'mores flavor and it's my favorite one so far! You are able to try samples. There are a couple of tables on the upper level but not the best for bigger groups. No public bathroom and parking can be difficult to find at this location.

Cute pink interior, and the coco mango drink was so yummy! 30% sweetness was perfect for meread more

Came here on Chinese new year which was on a Tuesday. Showed up right after an early lunch right…read morearound noon. We were lucky that this was located in that Chinatown mall because we got parking and we're able to walk directly up here. When I got here, there was no line there was one other patron waiting for her order. There are a couple screens where you put your order in and then they text you because they ask you for your phone number once your order is ready then you pick it up right on the left-hand side of where they're actually is a register. The one girl who was working here that day was very nice and friendly, but I don't think she totally understood me as I was trying to explain the benefits of leaving tip in cash versus tip on the card at the kiosk where you put your order in. We did order two drinks and both drinks are absolutely delicious. However the Taro milk Boba tea was a little bit chewy. You could obviously customize your toppings, the sugar amount, the iced amount, etc. that sounds pretty standard. The flavors were delicious and super fresh so frankly, if this came out of a can or out of powder, it definitely didn't taste like it. Really top quality and great taste for the price. I believe each drink was $6.25 which puts it right at par with a lot of its competitors in Chinatown. Also, if you order some of the unique drinks that come in a unique square cup, believe it or not. The location is completely decked out in their pink. It's very cute and I assume was really put together for the purpose of social media pictures as you can see from the pictures I took. I would definitely come back here again as it is unique however, a lot of the menu is pretty similar across the Boba competitors located in this exact same mall as well.

Yes sometimes there's a crowd but it ebbs and flows. I'm glad that they staff accordingly compared…read moreto some other of my fav tea places "hey" I'm thinking about you. Nothing in particular except the jasmine tea tastes the same in this location as the one near me in a totally different city and state. That's all we want, right?

It's a mad house here on weekends. But during weekday it's much more chill. Order at kiosk vs…read morecashier, get a number and see said number on screen queue and your number gets called when ready. I ordered the Jasmine Apple Milk Tea (iced, 30% sweetness, less ice, crystal boba) $8.28. Very refreshing and tasty. Can't tell difference between 50% and 30% sugar taste. The pink delivery bags have a lot of packaging but very aesthetic and it might be reusable? Looks insulated!

The food is okay. I grew up in Taipei and was craving Taipei food, however, not authentic Taipei…read morefood. It's definitely been americanized and made to suit the American culture better.

Really excellent dining in experience at Taipei. The bento boxes are LOADED with protein and sides…read more Easily enough for 2 meals for me! Their teas were delicious as well. We ordered via a tablet and received our order within 10 minutes. There were folks coming in and out during our dining. Very popular spot on Belmont! Limited seating, but turns over fast!

BAMBU on North Broadway completely exceeded my expectations. From the outside it looks casual and…read moreunassuming, but once you step inside, there's a lively, colorful energy that instantly lifts your mood. It's the kind of place that feels welcoming whether you're meeting friends for a relaxed dinner or just stopping in because you're craving something flavorful and different. The menu is what really makes this place stand out. There's a creative mix of Vietnamese-inspired dishes and modern fusion options, and everything tastes intentional. The ingredients are fresh, the herbs are vibrant, and the flavors are layered without feeling heavy. I appreciated how balanced everything was -- nothing overly greasy or overwhelming, just clean, bright flavors that keep you going back for another bite. Even the presentation shows care, which adds to the overall experience. The drink selection is just as impressive. Whether you're in the mood for something refreshing and fruity or a more classic option, they've clearly put thought into crafting beverages that complement the food. It's not just an afterthought -- it's part of the experience. Service was another highlight. The staff were genuinely friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, and quick to offer recommendations when I asked. They checked in often enough to make sure everything was perfect but never hovered or rushed us. That balance is rare and really appreciated. Overall, BAMBU delivers more than just a meal -- it delivers a full experience. Great atmosphere, flavorful food, solid drinks, and attentive service. I'll absolutely be back, and I'll be bringing friends next time.

A neighborhood staple and always busy. However, I am also realizing that the service is slow, which…read morecauses the place to get backed up and in turn, causes there to appear to be a flood of customers. Prices are about $7-10 per drink. I really like #10 Bambu favorite: Coconut milk, pandan jelly, red tapioca, and grass jelly (and then I add coconut meat for an additional $10). My friend loves the pandan waffles and always wants to come here for it when she visits.

Underwhelmed with the boba here, but I believe as a chain, their actual tea is decent…read more Unfortunately I wanted boba at night and wanted to avoid caffeine, so went with a simple fresh milk. At another location, outside of Chicago, I had tea that was solid but the boba was still mediocre. Not sure if it's the franchisees or the actual chain, but the toppings may not be freshly rotated. Double Purple Bubble Fresh Milk - ube lining, ube grounding, milk, and boba. Combo sounds pretty great, but felt like execution was off. Ube lining was decent and smooth, just took some effort to scrape. However I expected the ube at the bottom of the cup to be mashed similarly and it was not. Boba was chewy on the outside but ripped apart easily in the center, almost firm.

Had a gf in town and she was craving shaved ice. We normally go to gaijin in the city but had to…read morechange course as they were closed for their holiday hours. We had dinner in China town so we decided to give this place a try! We ordered through the kiosk and it was served quickly. It was great! The snow ice had a nice texture and they didn't skimp on any ingredients. Will be back!

Delicious. The kind of place where there's always a kid doing homework or playing with legos at one…read moreof the tables in the back. Built on consistency and neighborhood loyalty. Basically two places in one: * Boba Tea - Grab a drink and walk the park across the street. Fantastic boba texture and flavor. * Restaurant - Focus on the Popcorn Chicken and the Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup A easy place to make a regular haunt.

The food is amazing! The braised pork rice, the tomato beef noodle soup, popcorn chicken and the…read morespicy beef noodles are my go-to. The quality is consistent every time I go. The service is extremely quick and I usually only wait 10 minutes for dishes to come out. There is a parking lot outside but it is limited and shared with other businesses.

Welp, there's a reason this spot has fabulous Yelp reviews. I worked my way throughout the city for…read morea few days and I have to say the little window perch overlooking the sidewalk at Sawada was one of my favorites. It also didn't hurt that their military matcha packs a punch. The espresso matcha combination was much smoother than I anticipated. I'd be lying if i didn't admit that I was questioning that this was a trending drink in the reviews but I was wrong, dear reader. The combination somehow worked and it's pretty at the same time. This space is also home to a bbq restaurant so there's a lot of room to spread out, have meetings, etc. The location in Fulton Market also makes it a great jumping off point for the neighborhood.

DRINKS I opted for their black camo latte. The hojicha…read moreflavor was strong, and the drink itself was not too sweet. Their military latte is their iconic drink, so if I'm ever back in Chicago, it'll definitely be something I'll check out! FOOD They have a limited selection of pastries like donuts available for purchase. Selection was limited near the end of the day. SERVICE The staff are kind and friendly! It gets busy fast, but they are efficient in pumping out orders. AMBIANCE Ample seating is available inside the store that is shared with the BBQ place adjoining the coffee spot. I visited around 2:30pm and it was filled with people working/studying or meeting with friends/coworkers. Complimentary wi-fi is available (password on the menu board). Finding the entrance was a bit confusing despite all the signs, but it's the one with a lot of stickers! PARKING Paid street parking is available at a limited capacity. BATHROOMS Restrooms are available downstairs at the back of the establishment.