Boba Lab

It’s easy to say that my drink was a failed experiment. I ordered a taro smoothie yesterday and all I tasted was powder with water. Pretty disappointed, but the waffles are good at least.

My go to spot for boba when I’m in the area. I’ve had a regular milk tea boba and the taro milk tea boba (real taro). Both really good. Definitely try the one of the waba dogs while you’re there. You won’t regret it.

I tried this place for the first time from seeing it on Unilocal.The setup inside is really cool and, since I’m a science major, was funny to see the lab decorations. I had an almond milk tea boba and it was really good. It was light and not super sweet which I liked.

With the close of King Boba, my boyfriend and I ran into the comforting arms of the scientists at Boba Lab. This is definitely a welcome replacement for boba in Santa Monica. The teas are freshly brewed and the tapioca is tasty with the right amount of chewiness. They even have different flavors of tapioca balls that have been infused with berries, not like those artificial popping boba balls. They also sweeten their drinks with agave syrup (no high-​fructose corn syrup here!).
They also sell a small variety of snacks here (no full blown meals like Boba King did), like waffle hot dogs and decadent mini waffle desserts.
The set up is pretty sterile (i.e., white walls and white counters), there are beakers and flasks lined up on the wall and the employees are dressed in lab coats — very fitting for the theme of a boba «lab.» The service here is very friendly and the staff here is very personable and eager to make their customers happy. Their hours are also much more agreeable than Boba King’s hours were (MON-​FRI 9:00am — 8:00pm, SAT-​SUN 11:00am — 9:00pm).
My only qualms about this place are the fact that their prices are a bit steep (about $ 5 for a large boba milk tea) and they charge to add sweetener, so it was $ 17 and change for 3 large boba milk teas with no ice and extra pumps of their agave syrup. Although it’s totally worth it because you really do get what you pay for here — steep prices for quality ingredients, it really takes a toll on your wallet. Parking can be inconvenient (but not impossible) as there is mostly residential parking available unless you can find a free space in front of the high school around the corner (or if you luck out with the one meter parking spot available around the corner). They have, however, advised us that we could park at the lot across the street (that hosts GameStop and El Pollo Loco), but I haven’t tried parking there yet.
They accept credit cards and are hoping to integrate a loyalty point system soon! They also have reusable boba cups available for sale (in regular and large sizes!) that may offer refill discounts in the future (fingers crossed!).
Definitely give this place a try — you’ll be blown away by the quality of their service, teas, and tapioca balls!

I got a jasmine milk tea with green tea boba. The jasmine milk tea was nice, and surprisingly not overwhelming sweet. They do not do sweetness or ice levels like other places as far as I can see. I’m sure you can specifically ask for it though. I personally like that a drink doesn’t start at 200% sweet and what you get should be fine for most.
Average price for milk tea ~$ 3 – 4. The boba was fresh because they were warm in my drink. The boba was slightly undercooked though. The outside was chewy but there was still a little snap when you bite through the center. Boba lab has different flavored bobas, which is nice for drink customization. Names were kind of clunky. I think they should have a visual for the bobas with names, because they’re trying to be different.
It’s hard to write a review for a type of food that isn’t really seen in the area. It’s better than the others I’ve tried in Santa Monica, but if you expand the radius it’s honestly just okay (e.g. sawtelle).
Workers are nice. Inside is clean, there are no tables so you get everything to go. I would come back to try the snacks they have though, but I doubt this will be my boba spot despite how convenient it is.
Solidly okay. I would tell people this place exists.

Boba Lab is new and I highly recommend checking it out. I’ve lived near a bunch of boba shops off of Sawtelle Blvd. and have enjoyed the boba teas there for the last 10 years. I initially wasn’t sure what to expect from Boba Lab. I have to say it was a great experience. I’ve never had boba before that tasted like it was freshly made. The boba was actually still warm when it was served. The tea was a really unique flavor as well. I also tried the sausage waba dog. It was really tasty. I’ll be going back soon for more. Definitely check this place out for yourself.

Boba Lab just opened up right by my office and I decided to check it out with some coworkers. It’s a pretty small space, but they do a great job of making it seem larger with the white walls and clean space. There’s a periodic table of elements on the wall too!
I ordered a medium-​sized mango passion iced tea with tiny (mini) boba for $ 4. It wasn’t overly sweet and the boba consistency was perfect! Just my kind of boba drink. My coworkers had the passion iced tea (I wish I got this one instead), thai milk tea, and almond milk tea. They all loved their drinks but the thai milk tea was said to be a little on the heavier side. One of my coworkers and I also tried the sausage waba dog. The sausage was like a breakfast sausage and the waffle outside was nice and soft. Definitely an interesting idea — I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it.
All in all, will definitely be back again (also signed up for their fivestars rewards, they just take your phone #), probably with my coworkers~

My son loves boba because of the boba lab. They have tasty little waffles and the drinks are really good and creamy.

Honestly extremely disappointed went and ordered 2 taro slush bobas, what I got was vanilla ice cream with boba it wasn’t even purple,. They assured me it was taro… Won’t be returning.

Stopped by recently and got the Matcha Green Tea with Berry boba. The boba was super soft and fresh! The kids loved the mango and lychee smoothie. They also destroyed the Waba dogs! We’ll be back again!

Nice little place that just opened up. Tried the spam and sausage waba dogs which were definitely worth every bite! When it comes to drinks, I had to try their matcha green tea boba. Flavor and texture of the boba was spot on.
As for service, all of the employees were hospital and efficient. The Asian cashier with the big cheesy smile was nice enough to give recommendations since they had a large menu. Will definitely be back!

My kids loved the waba dogs and mango smoothie! We’ll be swinging by again when we’re in the area!

Had just one drink to start off which was Almond Milk Black Tea and I will go back to try more of their drinks, their boba was great it was soft & chewy, the drink was good and hopefully others are just as good

Friendly people in this new neighborhood restaurant near Samo high. Lots of creative flavors — so much to explore. Bow but has not been on the top of my list has a tree, but I think the Boba lab may change that

Quality of the drinks are well made and can be customized to the level of sweetness the customer desires. I had the Lychee lemonade with lychee jelly and felt like a perfect summer drink as it was nice and slushy.
I also had the Siracha dipped sausage dog which was nicely battered, only drawback was I expected something more in the savory side instead of slightly sweet. Also hoped the Siracha would give it a slightly spicy kick than it turned out to be. Nevertheless, we all still enjoyed the drinks and everyone had a great time at the reopening.

Came for the soft opening and it was packed! Finally a worthy boba place on the westside. Waba dog was great as well… Had to go back for a second one. Look forward to coming back and trying the other flavors drinks and boba.
Tip: plenty of street parking around the corner on 7^th.

We went today for a soft opening and ordered a few drinks and waba dogs. Our favorites were the lychee smoothie with lychee jelly and all the waba dogs, they were delicious! Friendly staff!

Amazing boba! The berry boba is different and delicious. The lychee jelly is yum too. Big fan. And the waba dogs were so good. Good for kids too

I just had my first Boba here at Boba Lab for special pre-​opening party invitees and I have to say that hands down, this is the best tasting Boba I have ever had. Very rich in taste and texture. I ordered the jasmine milk tea boba. It’s not sugar water like many places. It feels very light yet satisfying. Many to choose from as well. Even my 7 year old daughter loved her strawberry smoothie boba. We also had their waffles which were eqaually as good as the bobas.
The look of the place is cool too. All white with a labratory concept. Everyone wears a white lab coat. Fun to watch. I can see this place becoming a chain.
Highly recommend them to everyone in the SM and west LA areas. Five stars for sure. We’ll be back!

I came here for the soft opening launch and got the Earl Grey Milk Tea Boba and the dessert wafflicious! They were both incredible and worthy of 5-​stars! The shop itself is incredible, clean and a welcome addition to the neighborhood. I’m sure that it will attract a diverse and steady clientele with SAMO High School. I can’t wait to try more of their delicious specialty drinks and desserts. Will definitely be coming back for more.