Best Boba Koreatown – Complete Guide to 30+ Shops

Looking for the best boba Koreatown LA has to offer? K-Town has exploded into LA’s second-biggest boba destination with 30+ shops packed into less than 3 square miles, blending Korean cafe culture with Taiwanese bubble tea traditions.

Introduction: Koreatown’s Boba Boom

Koreatown has exploded into LA’s second-biggest boba destination with 30+ shops packed into less than 3 square miles. What started as a handful of tea shops in the early 2010s has transformed into a boba lover’s paradise, with new concepts opening monthly and lines stretching around the block at popular spots.

The K-Town boba scene is unique. Unlike San Gabriel Valley’s traditional Taiwanese focus, Koreatown blends Korean cafe culture with Taiwanese bubble tea traditions, creating innovative hybrid drinks you won’t find anywhere else. Think cheese foam milk tea meets brown sugar boba, or Korean citron tea infused with tapioca pearls.

Whether you’re hitting up a late-night boba run after Korean BBQ (check Yelp’s Koreatown boba listings for reviews), need a caffeine fix before hitting The Wiltern, or want to Instagram the most aesthetic drink in LA, Koreatown’s got you covered. Most shops stay open until midnight or later, and many

cluster around major intersections like 6th & Western, Chapman Plaza, and the Wiltern corridor.

Top 30 Boba Shops in Koreatown

1. Tiger Sugar – The Brown Sugar King

Address: 621 S Western Ave #105, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Daily

Price Range: $5.50 – $7.00

Best For: Brown sugar boba phenomenon, Instagram photos

Tiger Sugar brought the brown sugar boba craze to Koreatown and remains the gold standard. Watch baristas torch brown sugar syrup right in front of you, creating those signature tiger stripes that cascade down the cup. The theatrics are matched by quality – pearls are cooked fresh every 4 hours for perfect chewiness.

Signature Drinks:

• Brown Sugar Boba Milk with Cream Mousse – $6.25
• Brown Sugar Boba Latte – $6.00
• Tiger Milk Tea – $5.75

What Makes It Special: Live brown sugar torching, fresh pearls every 4 hours, Instagrammable tiger stripes

Insider Tip: Go weekday afternoons (2-4 PM) to avoid 30+ minute weekend waits. The cream mousse version is worth the extra $0.25.

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2. Ding Tea – Real Taro, Real Quality

Address: 3525 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours: 11 AM – 12 AM Daily

Price Range: $5.00 – $6.50

Best For: Real taro (not powder), quality over quantity

Ding Tea stands out by using real taro root instead of artificial powder – you can actually see the purple taro chunks in your drink. Their brown sugar game is different from Tiger Sugar; they slow-cook the syrup for hours to achieve deep caramel notes.

Signature Drinks:

• Real Taro Milk Tea – $5.75
• Brown Sugar Fresh Milk with Boba – $6.00
• Mango Green Tea – $5.50

What Makes It Special: Real taro root (not powder), house-cooked brown sugar, consistency across locations

Insider Tip: Ask for 50% sugar – their drinks tend to run sweet. The seasonal winter melon milk tea is a hidden gem.

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3. Kung Fu Tea – Reliable Favorite

Address: 3435 Wilshire Blvd #110, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Daily

Price Range: $4.75 – $6.25

Best For: Consistency, milk cap series, reliable quality

With 20+ Southern California locations, Kung Fu Tea delivers remarkable consistency. Every K-Town location serves the same quality drinks, making it perfect when you want zero risk. Their Milk Cap series (tea topped with cheese foam) is surprisingly addictive.

Signature Drinks:

• Taro Slush – $5.50
• Kung Fu Milk Tea – $5.25
• Milk Cap Oolong – $6.00

What Makes It Special: Consistent quality across all locations, milk cap cheese foam, extensive customization

Insider Tip: Download their app for rewards points. Every 10th drink is free, and you can skip lines by mobile ordering.

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4. Teaspoon – Customization Heaven

Address: Chapman Plaza, 3460 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours: 11 AM – 12 AM Daily

Price Range: $5.25 – $6.50

Best For: 50+ drink options, endless customization, convenient location

Teaspoon’s menu is overwhelming in the best way – over 50 drink options with 10+ topping choices. Their Mango Tango and Passion Fruit Green Tea are crowd favorites. The Chapman Plaza location is perfectly positioned for post-shopping or pre-movie boba runs.

Signature Drinks:

• Mango Tango – $5.75
• Passion Fruit Green Tea – $5.50
• Oreo Milk Tea – $6.00

What Makes It Special: 50+ drink options, extensive topping selection, sugar/ice level customization

Insider Tip: Try the almond milk option for dairy-free drinks – it’s house-made and actually tastes good.

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5. Gong Cha – Taiwanese Classic

Address: 3131 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Daily

Price Range: $4.50 – $6.00

Best For: Milk foam series, authentic Taiwanese tea

Gong Cha brings authentic Taiwanese tea culture to K-Town with premium loose-leaf teas and their famous milk foam topping. The foam is slightly salted, creating an addictive sweet-salty contrast that pairs perfectly with their oolong teas.

Signature Drinks:

• Milk Foam Oolong – $5.75
• Brown Sugar Milk Tea – $5.50
• Passion Fruit Green Tea – $5.25

What Makes It Special: Premium loose-leaf teas, signature milk foam, Taiwanese authenticity

Insider Tip: The milk foam is meant to be sipped without a straw first – you get the salted foam, then the sweet tea creates layers of flavor.

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6. Boba Bear – Late Night Essential

Address: 3500 W 6th St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours: 12 PM – 2 AM Daily (Friday/Saturday until 3 AM)

Price Range: $5.00 – $6.50

Best For: Late-night hours, post-KBBQ boba, bear-themed aesthetic

Boba Bear is a lifesaver for night owls – they’re open until 2-3 AM making them perfect for post-Korean BBQ dessert. The bear-themed cups and decor are Instagram gold, and their pearls somehow stay perfect even during late-night hours.

Signature Drinks:

• Bear Claw Brown Sugar Milk – $6.00
• Honey Bear Milk Tea – $5.50
• Matcha Bear Latte – $5.75

What Makes It Special: Open until 2-3 AM, cute bear-themed drinks, quality at all hours

Insider Tip: Come between midnight-2 AM on weekends when everywhere else is closing. They often have promos after 1 AM.

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7. Share Tea – Premium Experience

Address: 5075 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Hours: 11 AM – 10 PM Daily

Price Range: $5.50 – $7.00

Best For: Premium teas, aiyu jelly, Taiwanese authenticity

Share Tea positions itself as the premium option with higher-quality teas and unique toppings like aiyu jelly (made from fig seeds). Their Wintermelon Latte and Panda Milk Tea (with pearls and pudding) are worth the premium price.

Signature Drinks:

• Panda Milk Tea – $6.50
• Wintermelon Latte – $6.00
• Aiyu Jelly Lemon – $5.75

What Makes It Special: Premium tea quality, unique aiyu jelly topping, sophisticated flavors

Insider Tip: The aiyu jelly is an acquired taste but refreshing in summer. Try it in their lemon tea first before committing to milk tea versions.

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8. Meet Fresh – Dessert + Boba Hybrid

Address: 3525 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours: 12 PM – 12 AM Daily

Price Range: $6.00 – $9.00

Best For: Dessert-drink hybrids, grass jelly, sweet tooth

Meet Fresh blurs the line between dessert and boba. Their drinks come loaded with toppings – grass jelly, taro balls, red beans, and pearls all in one cup. It’s more of a dessert in a cup than a drink, perfect for those wanting maximum bang for buck.

Signature Drinks:

• Grass Jelly Delight – $7.50
• Taro Ball Paradise – $7.00
• Classic Milk Tea (loaded) – $6.50

What Makes It Special: Dessert-level toppings, grass jelly focus, filling portions

Insider Tip: Come hungry – these are meals disguised as drinks. The grass jelly delight can easily replace dessert.

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9. Caffé Bene – Korean Cafe Vibes

Address: 3500 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Hours: 8 AM – 12 AM Daily

Price Range: $5.50 – $7.50

Best For: Korean cafe atmosphere, boba + coffee combos, study spot

Caffé Bene brings Korean cafe culture to the boba world. Their spacious interior with power outlets and WiFi makes it a popular study spot. They excel at coffee-boba fusions – think dirty boba with espresso shots.

Signature Drinks:

• Dirty Boba (brown sugar + espresso) – $6.75
• Korean Citron Boba Tea – $6.00
• Caramel Macchiato with Pearls – $7.00

What Makes It Special: Korean cafe atmosphere, coffee-tea fusions, spacious seating for studying

Insider Tip: Come mornings (8-11 AM) when it’s quieter. They serve breakfast pastries that pair perfectly with their coffee boba drinks.

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10. Boba Story – Artisanal Approach

Address: 4211 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010

Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM Daily

Price Range: $6.00 – $8.00

Best For: Artisanal ingredients, unique flavors, Instagram aesthetic

Boba Story takes an artisanal approach with organic ingredients and creative flavor combinations. Their Strawberry Matcha Swirl and Ube Cloud are as photogenic as they are delicious. Expect to pay premium prices for premium quality.

Signature Drinks:

• Strawberry Matcha Swirl – $7.50
• Ube Cloud Latte – $7.00
• Brown Sugar Delight – $6.75

What Makes It Special: Organic ingredients, creative flavor combos, aesthetic presentation

Insider Tip: The drinks are beautiful but mix them before drinking – the layers are for photos, but flavor is best when combined.

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11-30: Quick Reviews

11. Vivi Bubble Tea – 3030 W Olympic Blvd | Classic Taiwanese chain, reliable milk teas, budget-friendly $4-6

12. Quickly – 3807 Wilshire Blvd | Old-school boba pioneer, popcorn chicken combo deals, nostalgic vibes

13. Lollicup – 3540 Wilshire Blvd | Classic chain, consistent quality, good for boba beginners

14. Ten Ren Tea (K-Town) – 3522 W 6th St | Taiwanese tea house, premium loose-leaf, authentic experience

15. The Boiling Crab Boba Bar – 3377 Wilshire Blvd | Attached to seafood restaurant, pairs with Cajun seafood

16. Class 302 – 3300 W Olympic Blvd | Korean study cafe concept, quiet atmosphere, late hours

17. Snow Monster – Chapman Plaza | Shaved snow + boba combos, summer favorite, unique texture

18. Bambu – 3132 W 8th St | Vietnamese che desserts with boba, coconut milk base, different take on boba

**19. KOI The – 5075 Wilshire Blvd | Taiwanese chain, golden bubble milk tea, macchiato series

20. Yi Fang Fruit Tea – 5050 Wilshire Blvd | Fresh fruit focus, Instagram-worthy, premium pricing

21. Tastea – 3030 W Olympic Blvd | SGV import, authentic flavors, cash-friendly prices

22. Half & Half K-Town – 3680 Wilshire Blvd | Sea salt cream foam, coffee-tea fusions, SGV quality

23. Sunright Tea Studio – 5050 Wilshire Blvd | Fresh fruit chunks, yogurt drinks, healthier options

24. 7 Leaves Cafe – 3600 Wilshire Blvd | Vietnamese flavors, mung bean drinks, unique menu

25. Urban Cafe – 3280 W Olympic Blvd | Korean-style boba, waffles + boba combos, brunch spot

26. Cafe Duke – 3550 Wilshire Blvd | Korean dessert cafe, bingsu + boba, upscale vibe

27. Tous Les Jours Boba – 4032 Wilshire Blvd | Bakery + boba concept, pastry combos, breakfast boba

28. Urth Caffé – 451 S Hewitt St | Upscale organic boba, $8-10 range, organic pearls

29. The Coffee Bean (Boba Menu) – Multiple locations | American chain with boba options, familiar + exotic

30. 85°C Bakery Cafe – 3871 Wilshire Blvd | Taiwanese bakery chain, sea salt coffee with pearls, baked goods + boba

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Koreatown Boba Map: Where to Find What

Near The Wiltern (Wilshire & Western)

Best for: Pre-concert boba, parking challenges, high foot traffic

• Tiger Sugar (best brown sugar)
• Kung Fu Tea (most reliable)
• Half & Half (sea salt cream)

Chapman Plaza Area (6th & Alexandria)

Best for: One-stop shopping + boba, parking structure access

• Teaspoon (most variety)
• Snow Monster (shaved snow combo)

Olympic Boulevard Corridor

Best for: Budget options, authentic vibes, less crowded

• Vivi Bubble Tea
• Tastea
• Bambu

Wilshire Boulevard Main Strip

Best for: Upscale options, date night boba, premium quality

• Share Tea
• Boba Story
• 85°C Bakery Cafe

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What Makes Koreatown Boba Different?

Korean Cafe Culture Influence

Unlike SGV’s traditional Taiwanese tea shops, K-Town boba shops often double as Korean-style cafes with:

• Spacious seating for studying/working
• Power outlets and WiFi
• Coffee + boba hybrid drinks
• Dessert pairings (bingsu, waffles)
• Later hours (many open until midnight+)

Innovation & Experimentation

K-Town shops aren’t afraid to experiment:

• Cheese foam + boba combinations
• Coffee + tea fusions
• Korean ingredients (citron, sweet potato, red bean) in boba form
• Dessert + drink hybrids

Location Density

30+ shops in 3 square miles means competition drives quality:

• Fresh pearls cooked multiple times daily
• Constant menu innovation
• Competitive pricing
• Better customer service

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Best Boba for Different Occasions

Best for Instagram: Boba Story, Tiger Sugar, Snow Monster

Photogenic layers, tiger stripes, and aesthetic presentations

Best for Late Night: Boba Bear, Meet Fresh, Class 302

Open until 2-3 AM on weekends

Best for Studying: Caffé Bene, Class 302, Gong Cha

Spacious seating, WiFi, quiet atmosphere

Best Budget Options: Quickly, Lollicup, Tastea

Under $5 milk teas, student-friendly pricing

Best Premium Experience: Share Tea, Boba Story, Yi Fang

Organic ingredients, unique flavors, $7-8 range

Best Brown Sugar: Tiger Sugar, Ding Tea, Boba Bear

Specialty in brown sugar boba variations

Best Milk Foam: Gong Cha, Half & Half, KOI The

Signature salted milk foam toppings

Best Fruit Tea: Yi Fang, Sunright, Teaspoon

Fresh fruit, healthier options, refreshing

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Parking & Getting Around

Parking Tips

• Chapman Plaza: Paid structure ($2-5), validates with purchase
• Olympic Blvd: Street parking easier than Wilshire
• Wiltern area: Nearly impossible on event nights
• Residential streets: Check signs carefully (permit zones)

Metro Access

• Purple Line: Wilshire/Western, Wilshire/Normandie, Wilshire/Vermont
• Red Line: Vermont/Beverly (north edge of K-Town)

Best Times to Visit

• Least Crowded: Weekday afternoons 2-4 PM
• Most Crowded: Weekend evenings 7-10 PM
• Late Night: After 11 PM (only select shops open)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best boba shop in Koreatown?

For brown sugar: Tiger Sugar. For overall quality: Ding Tea. For late night: Boba Bear. For value: Quickly or Tastea. It depends on what you’re looking for!

How much does boba cost in Koreatown?

Most drinks range $4.50-$7.00. Budget chains (Quickly, Lollicup) run $4-5, mid-tier shops (Kung Fu Tea, Teaspoon) charge $5-6, and premium spots (Boba Story, Share Tea) can reach $7-8.

Which shops are open late?

Boba Bear (until 2-3 AM), Meet Fresh (midnight), Teaspoon (midnight), Class 302 (1 AM). Most other shops close by 11 PM.

Is there parking?

Chapman Plaza has paid parking. Street parking on Olympic Blvd is easier than Wilshire. Avoid Wiltern area on concert nights. Most shops don’t validate parking.

What’s the difference between K-Town and SGV boba?

K-Town blends Korean cafe culture with Taiwanese boba (spacious seating, later hours, coffee fusions). SGV is more traditional Taiwanese tea-focused. K-Town has more experimentation; SGV has more authenticity.

Can I get vegan/dairy-free options?

Yes! Most shops offer oat milk, almond milk, or soy milk substitutes. Fruit teas are naturally dairy-free. Ask about milk alternatives.

Which shops have the best pearls?

Tiger Sugar (cooked every 4 hours), Ding Tea (perfect chew), Gong Cha (consistent quality). Avoid late-night pearls unless it’s a shop specializing in late hours like Boba Bear.

Are there unique Korean-inspired boba drinks?

Yes! Try Korean citron tea (Caffé Bene), sweet potato milk tea (various shops), or red bean milk tea (Meet Fresh). These incorporate Korean ingredients.

What’s the best drink for first-timers?

Classic milk tea with regular pearls, 50-75% sugar, regular ice. Try it at Kung Fu Tea or Teaspoon for consistent quality and lots of customization.

Can I mobile order to skip lines?

Kung Fu Tea has a mobile app with pre-ordering. Most others require in-store ordering. Weekday afternoons have minimal waits regardless.

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Bottom Line

Koreatown’s boba scene rivals San Gabriel Valley with its density, quality, and innovation. The fusion of Korean cafe culture with Taiwanese bubble tea creates a unique ecosystem where you can study for hours, grab a 2 AM boba fix, or sip the most Instagram-worthy drinks in LA.

Start with the Big 5 (Tiger Sugar, Ding Tea, Kung Fu Tea, Teaspoon, Gong Cha) to get your bearings, then explore the neighborhood gems for unique experiences. With 30+ options in 3 square miles, you’re never more than a 5-minute walk from world-class boba.

Whether you’re a K-Town local, a boba tourist, or just craving perfectly chewy pearls, this neighborhood delivers. The competition keeps quality high and prices reasonable – it’s a boba lover’s paradise.

Ready to explore more LA boba? Check out our complete Best Boba Los Angeles guide for citywide coverage, or dive into [Best Boba San Gabriel Valley](#) for the ultimate authentic experience.