In a Boba Bubble

Okay, we know that it's kind of 2002 of us to get jazzed by Boba tea drinks, but we haven't really talked Boba here before, except the last time we had one--at the Chinese Food Festival this summer, and we constantly see puzzled faces when we tell someone we're craving Boba. That's because so many people don't know what Boba is. And we're talking about Boba today because we're hungover and have a vicious craving for one, which means cheating on our no-sugar regimen (Shut up. We know all that alcohol we sucked down last night is really just sugar, but Match makes a great dirty martini and now we're just trying to recover.) and actually getting dressed, facing sunlight (ouch!) and getting one.

So, what is Boba? It is not in any way associated with Boba Fett, who is some folks' "favorite Mandalorian" (if the shoe were on the other foot we'd be needing an explanation for that Boba). It is, however, an Asian tea beverage made with tapioca balls, and it is also sometimes referred to as Bubble Tea. We'll just use Wikipedia's definition:

Bubble tea consists of a mixture of sweetened tea, iced or hot, and milk and possibly other flavorings. Black gummy balls made of tapioca, called "pearls" or "bubbles" or Boba, sit at the bottom of the cup. The pearls are much larger than those found in tapioca pudding, with a diameter of at least 7 millimeters (smaller balls are occasionally used). They are sucked through a wide straw along with the drink, providing something to chew on between sips.

Sure, it sounds kind of gross, but it is one of those "don't knock it till you've tried it" things, but granted an acquired taste. After reading a local OC food blogger's write up today of their trip to the Boba franchise Lollicup, we were absolutely ready to head out to our own local favorite purveyor of this strangely fascinating beverage, Studio City's Boba Bar. And while Lollicup sounds intriguing, today of all days we can't take that atmosphere, which is described by Monster Munching as "Starbucks mixed with a splash of Hello Kitty." Yikes. We'll take our taro flavored Boba with a side of dark sunglasses and an Advil chaser.

Boba Bar
12044 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City
(818) 763-4790