Today
Boba World is still focused on opening new locations. Check back here for updates!

 

September 6, 2001
A Taiwanese television station wanted to do a story on the popularity of boba in the United States, so they chose the coolest boba business- Boba World.

 

August 25, 2001
We received many requests for a Boba World in the San Fernando Valley. We searched for several weeks, but there were no decent locations available. But then we met with the owners of Lannathai Restaurant- the Valley's most established Thai restaurant. We were able to work out a co-branding deal and are now proud to present Boba World Sherman Oaks.

 

June 20, 2001
Boba World Pasadena opens. This store is located in the heart of Old Town on Colorado Boulevard, one of the most-walked streets in Los Angeles. Brick walls, wood floors and an old-time vibe gives this location a cool, hip feel. Boba World Pasadena is on its way to becoming our best-selling location!

April 29, 2001

Westwood gets something new to chew on
By MARCELA ROJAS

     Strolling through Westwood Village these days, it's hard not to notice
the curious-looking drinks that students and business folk alike are sipping:
milky and fruity concoctions with ebony-colored "marbles" sucked out through
thick straws.
     As a complement to the coffee and tea craze of recent years, which
supports at least a half dozen coffee shops in Westwood alone, the community
now has something new to chew on.
     Taiwanese tapioca balls called boba have moved from the Asian American
communities of Monterey Park and San Gabriel to the Westside.
     The gelatinous balls have become so hot that many want to claim to be
the first to introduce the drink into this hotbed of trendy drink
enthusiasts.
      Boba , which literally means "ball explosion," and also is slang for
"large breasts" in Taiwanese, is made by taking dry tapioca and forming it
into small balls. It is then cooked in boiling water for a few hours. When
done, the tapioca turns black and jellylike.
     While the sweet, gummy balls may take some getting used to, many say
they learn to enjoy the sensation of chewing something in their drink.
     Erik Idos, 21, said he travels three times a week from Granada Hills to
Boba World on Westwood Boulevard, which offers the "black pearls" with 14
types of smoothies, 13 flavors of fruit juice blends and various types of
tea, coffee and juice combinations that range in price from $2.25 to $2.75.
     "It's cool because it's like you're eating and drinking at the same
time," Idos said. "There are so many flavors to choose from. It's addicting."
     Boba World owner John Mekpongsatorn, who owns six Pan-Asian restaurants
throughout Los Angeles, said the boba idea came to him after he saw how
popular the concoctions were in the Asian communities of L.A.
      Boba originated in Taiwan in the late 1980s and made its way to L.A.'s
Asian neighborhoods in the mid-1990s.
     Mekpongsatorn, 29, said he now has more than 100 requests for boba
franchises and is working with several investors to open them up throughout
the country.
     "In Taiwan, every corner is saturated with boba stands. The trend is
just beginning here," Mekpongsatorn said. "I want to be the standard where
other places measure."
     "We come from Valencia for boba about three times a week," said Joe
Jotikasthria, 23. "It tastes good and it's appealing because it's not like
drinking boring iced tea. It's just different."

 

April 20, 2001
An Arizona television station came by to do a news story on the popularity of Boba World in Los Angeles.

 

February 12, 2001
Boba World opens a counter inside of Noodle World Restaurant in Alhambra.

January 28, 2001

The New York Times
Tea to Sink Your Teeth Into
By ALLEN SALKIN

It takes a straw as thick as a sprinkler pipe to suck up California's latest
trend: boba, dime-size black balls that are being added to tea. Also called
black pearls, boba started in Taiwan and are now popular enough to be the star attraction at two new teahouse chains in Los Angeles. At the sleek, steely Boba World in Westwood Village, students from U.C.L.A. cluster in blue vinyl booths to slurp and chew their boba.

The pearls are made from tapioca starch and natural sweeteners and taste faintly like caramel-flavored Jell-O. While Boba World serves them most often in sweet milky tea ($2.95), black pearls are also popular in litchi juice and in taro smoothies. The seven-month-old store also has a make-your-own dessert bar where patrons add ingredients like rambutan, pearl barley, palm fruit and coconut gel to ices. There is another Boba World in nearby Alhambra, and more are coming soon.


January 12, 2001
KABC Channel 7 news came to our Westwood location to film a story about us. Click Here to view it.

January 6 , 2001

The Los Angeles Times featured Boba World on the front page of the Business Section. This article talked about the growing popularity of boba and the future of boba. The article will be posted on this site soon.

 

November 3, 2000
Boba World is mentioned in an L.A. Times article on Westwood! Read the article here.

 

November 2, 2000
Boba World beverages now available at Thai Fusion in Brentwood!!!

 

October 18, 2000
Our Westwood location now offers hot teas upon request! Simply ask for your favorite tea hot instead of iced- a great idea for those cold winter days!

 

September 5, 2000
New Boba World opens a stand in Alhambra at 700 West Valley Boulevard inside of Noodle Planet. Being next to Noodle Planet in Westwood has proven to be a wonderful idea! Thanks to a business alliance with Noodle Planet, we were able to open inside of their other location in Alhambra. Thank you Noodle Planet!

August 3, 2000
Boba World opens its doors. Located in Westwood Village, our flagship store sports a beautifully designed hi-tech interior, and an overall energetic atmosphere. We were lucky enough to find a spot in Westwood Village right next to Noodle Planet, which has become the hub of Asian dining in the Village.

Our artwork was created by Dr. Kamol Tassananchalee, the National Artist of Thailand! There are a series of 9 paintings that diagram the stages of growth of a lotus flower as interpreted by Dr. Kamol.

We are hoping for a bright future in Westwood Village, and are looking forward to serving you soon!