There was a time that boba was not a thing and even when it gained popularity, it was still hard to find in Anaheim. Good boba was found in places like the San Gabriel Valley, Rowland Heights, or maybe Irvine. While boba tea shops might not line every intersection here as they do in Taiwan, they certainly have become more ubiquitous especially in the melting pot that is California. You can find boba in milk teas, fruit teas, coffee drinks, slushies, shaved ice, etc.. Everyone's palate is a little different, but here are a few solid options within a 10-15 minute drive from the Alamo Inn and Suites.
Conveniently located in the Anaheim Packing District, Mini Monster was one of the first boba tea shops that we can remember in Anaheim. The take home glass jars were always hard to miss and sure to remind diners of their boba craving. They certainly win for creativity + nuttiness by offering drinks such as a Thai tea boba topped with cotton candy. Compared to the other tea shops on our list, we would say that Mini Monster is the most family-friendly option, as it is situated in a popular food court with plenty of seating and space.
Teascape Coffee & Tea Bar is only a 10 minute drive west from the Alamo Inn and Suites, but its location does feel a bit off the beaten path. While the tea shop itself is cute enough and the staff were kind, the surroundings might not feel the most hospitable, especially if you've been immersed in the world's best theme parks. If you don't mind or you're already passing by anyway, consider grabbing a drink before heading back to the resort district. The sea salt coffee is a decadent Vietnamese style coffee for those looking for a beautiful ice-cold combo of caffeine + creamy sweetness, and the lychee watermelon fruit tea is refreshing and not too sweet, perfect for hot days.
For something traditional, we recommend Wushiland, which opened their Anaheim location just this year. Wushiland first opened in 1994 in Taiwan, the birthplace of boba, and eventually brought their beloved flavors to San Diego in 2016, steadily expanding afterwards. Almost a decade later, this island staple is now easily accessible to Anaheim visitors, which is incredible. The menu has grown over the years, but if you want a taste of Taiwan, you can't go wrong with the roasted oolong milk tea with pearls (mini boba). Just be ready to answer questions about your preferred ice and sweetness levels!
Finally, we can not tell you how excited we are that the owners of Bopomofo Cafe are installing a new café concept – Bopo Go! – in Downtown Disney®, a 15-minute walk from the Alamo Inn and Suites. Rooted in the Asian American experience, Bopomofo offers high quality boba milk teas/drinks and mouth-watering food items, such as their Taiwanese chicken sandwich or mapo tots. We aren't expecting anything less from Bopo Go!.