Trendy boba shops to visit near campus

How USD students can get their boba fix all around San Diego

Mei Flory / Assistant Arts and Culture Editor / The USD Vista

“Hey, wanna get boba?”

For some USD students, this is a rather common question, to which many would immediately agree. 

Why? Because boba is sweet and refreshing, and it’s so easy to get a group of friends together for a quick boba run. But what is it, exactly?    

 Bubble tea, more commonly referred to as boba, is a popular drink consisting of milk tea and tapioca pearls. 

Although the exact origins of bubble tea remain unknown, it is believed that the popular drink originated in Taiwan and migrated to the U.S. in the late ‘80s, where the tasty drink soared in popularity over the next few decades. 

 Now, boba reflects a huge part of Asian-American youth culture and is consumed on the daily by any and all ages. 

The drink itself even evolved, with options for fruit tea available in addition to more traditional milk tea flavors. 

Toppings like lychee jelly and crystal boba were added to menus as well. 

 Luckily for USD students, San Diego is home to several different boba shops; some are even within walking distance from campus. During breaks between classes, check out these cool spots to go for a fun drink with friends.

Tan-Cha – $

5375 Napa St #108, San Diego, CA 92110

Located right down Linda Vista Road in the Mission Valley Plaza is the relatively new boba shop, Tan-Cha. With its primary location on Convoy Street, Tan-Cha’s bright interior and aesthetic sign make for a great area to take pictures or hang out with friends. 

The boba shop is popular for those who like cheese foam or tiramisu on top of their milk tea. Tan-Cha offers a variety of milk teas, including matcha, brown sugar and oolong. 

They also have some tasty fruit teas like Strawberry Green Tea and the Super Fruit Tea. Or, to really mix things up, customers can order brulee teas and creamios. Regular teas average from $5 to $6, while specialty drinks are usually $6 to $7.

USD junior, Kenneth Manlapaz, is a former employee of Tan-Cha and certified lover of boba. He recommended ordering the Super Lemon Tea.

“It’s exactly as the name says. It’s super lemon-y, but you can really taste the freshly brewed roasted oolong tea. It’s sour, but in a good way,” Manlapaz explained. 

Manlapaz also recommended Feng Cha located in Liberty Park Plaza for those who are already fans of Tan-Cha. 

Sharetea – $

5265 Linda Vista Rd Ste, 201 San Diego, CA 92110

Right down the street from USD is Sharetea, a perfect spot for those who are unfamiliar with boba. 

Sharetea is located right next to J&T Thai, which makes it a great option for dessert. With a wide array of fruit teas and milk teas to choose from, Sharetea also offers customers the option to adjust the ice and sweetness levels of their drinks. 

Toppings include boba pearls, pudding, ice cream, lychee jelly and aloe vera. Boba pearls and other toppings are available as add-ons for $0.75, while the average milk or fruit tea costs around $4 to $5. 

Caitlyn Parel, a USD sophomore, currently works at the Sharetea located in Mira Mesa. Although the list of tea choices seems endless, Parel suggested ordering the Taro Ice Blend with Oreo. 

“Taro has been my favorite flavor since I was little, and cookies and cream flavor is always really good. So I just wanted to try them together. The results are delicious,” Parel said.

Tea n More – $ 

7380 Clairemont Mesa Blvd #111, San Diego, CA 92111

Right in the heart of Convoy is Tea n More. Notorious for being the unofficial designated boba shop for the Ugnayan Student Organization’s (FUSO) Boba Night, Tea n More has a relaxed atmosphere that’s perfect for studying. 

They have a wide selection of fruit teas and milk teas, and they also carry smoothies, coffees, special blends and food items. Some popular tea flavors include Passion Fruit, Rose and Thai. The average price for a drink ranges from $4 to $7, depending on the type of tea and toppings. 

Mariel Bautista, a USD senior and the president of FUSO, appreciates how accommodating Tea n More is when it comes to ordering. 

She also loves their Iced Jasmine Green Tea. 

Bautista noted, “For me, I just like it simple. I get it with the lychee jelly. I just like the floral paired with the fruity when I’m not feeling anything with milk.”

Honorable Mentions

For more specialty drinks and other drink options, try Ding Tea, Happy Lemon or Mngo. If it’s a fruit tea kind of day, browse the selection at Kung Fu Tea or R&B Tea. 

And for those who are milk tea aficionados, definitely visit Rare Tea or the Wushiland inside the 99 Ranch Market. All of these boba shops are located on Convoy Street or within the surrounding areas. 

So, when someone starts craving something sweet, suggest visiting a fun boba shop. 

There are so many in San Diego just waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. Boba really does cater to any and all taste preferences, even the pickiest of eaters. The drink  can be as sweet, fruity, or flavorful as someone wants to make it. There is always something new to try, too! 

Also, who doesn’t love some fun toppings that will totally elevate this drink. These boba shops will have something for everyone to enjoy, and it’s always a fun, new experience for any foodie out there.