Boba shops carry a wide variety of fun drinks that anyone can enjoy, whether that be fruit teas, slushies, milk teas or coffee. All the drinks offered, of course, compliment the chewy, sticky sweet texture of the popular tapioca pearls that originated in Taiwan.
We scoped out all the boba shops in the area and narrowed down the five best shops in our backyard of Pomona.
7 Leaves Café– Chino Hills 
Image via Facebook
If you love tea, you’ll absolutely love 7 Leaves Café. You won’t find sugary, artificial rainbow-colored drinks here. Nope, this no-frills mid-century modern styled boba shop specializes in tea brewing and uses real, natural tea leaves. It’s on our list because it puts a unique twist on tea without overdoing it. Some popular orders include the award-winning Sea Cream Jasmine Tea, Vietnamese Ice Coffee and Strawberry Hibiscus Tea. The Chino Hills location is the closest to campus, but if you’re out and about, don’t worry! There are other locations all over Southern California.
T & Joy – Claremont 
Image via Yelp
This cozy little shop is one of the hidden gems of the Claremont Village. T & Joy is known for its cold brew teas, including Tea Mojitos, FruiTeas and SpecialTea Cremas (tea with cream). You can also find ramen, sandwiches, salads and ice cream here, so it’s the perfect place to grab a small bite with friends. T & Joy’s drinks are also served in a cute, reusable cup with a heart-shaped stopper so we give them bonus points for sustainability!
Tea Block – Rowland Heights
Image via Facebook
With operating hours from 11:45-3 a.m. you will most definitely find night owls doing homework, catching a bite and mingling at Tea Block. Milk teas are a hit here, and some of the most popular ones include their Iced Milk Tea, Sea Salt Cheese Latte and Hokkaido Milk Tea. Drinks come in huge portions so you might want to share if you plan on getting a large sized drink. If you’re hungry, you’re in luck because noodles, popcorn chicken, fries, fried tofu and a variety of desserts are also served here. This adorable, tiny shop has everything you’re looking for whether that be something sweet, savory, sour or anything in between.
Tancca – Chino Hills
Image via Facebook
This 4.5-star spot has only been around for a year, but it has become a staple boba stop for many. If you want to treat yourself, come here for high-quality drinks made with real ingredients, must-try cakes from Lady M Cake Boutique and the minimalist interior decor (#goals). Our faves include their refreshing Strawberry Green Tea (blended with real strawberries) and rich Matcha Tanccabella (a foamy matcha green tea drink). Drinks also come in reusable cups. What’s not to love?
Happy Lemon – City of Industry
Image via Happy Lemon Instagram
Have you ever thought of getting cheese in your boba tea? It sounds gross, we know, but Happy Lemon is one of the stores that made salted cheese tea become popularized (they literally call their store, “Home of the Salted Cheese Tea”). What exactly is a salted cheese tea, you ask? Metro reports that Happy Lemon’s cheese teas “start with brewed black or green tea…and are topped with a creamy cheese foam made with whipped cream, milk and cream cheese, finished with a pinch of rock salt,” … so think of it as a foamy cheesecake-like layer that compliments your cold brew tea! Try out their Fresh Squeezed Lemon Green Tea with salted cheese and see what the hype is all about.
Which of these boba spots are you going to try? Share with us using #CampusCropChat on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Don’t forget to follow us on Snapchat @ASICPP!
