Half & Half Tea House

Regular taro milk tea with pudding and honey boba.

After our dim sum feast in Monterey Park, my fellow APALSA presidents and I decided a second round of dessert was necessary.  So we went downstairs to Half & Half for a "bucket" of bubble tea in straight-up fatties4lyfe fashion.  (Typical).

Bubble tea, also simply known as boba, is a Taiwanese drink, popular amongst many Asians and even non-Asians.  The "pearls" or "boba" are black tapioca rice balls that sit at the bottom of your drink.  Basically, you eat them while you drink your tea.  (it may sound strange, but it's pretty ingenious).  While the taste is not memorable, the texture provides an interesting, chewy contrast.  As for the tea, your choice of flavors are endless!  You can go fruity (strawberry, mango, passion fruit, peach, lycee, etc.), non-fruity (taro, chocolate, pudding, lavendar, mocha, etc.), or just plain milky.  All are quite tasty.  But Half & Half is particularly special because you can choose half of one type and half of another! (hence its name).

This is the regular size?! Holy moly. It's a mini BUCKET!

Ready for my afternoon tea - Asian style!

The only downside is that this place can get ridiculously packed and the line, grossly long.  Maybe you won't find your "bucket" o' tea worth a 20+ min. wait, but I say at least give this place a try.  I found my drink quite tasty and refreshing.



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cuisine:  Taiwanese drink
location: Monterey Park

hours: M-Th, Sun: noon - midnight; Fri-Sat: noon- 12:30 AM

website: { yelp }
attire: Casual
parking: free lot
notes: CASH ONLY!  Also remember to shake it, shake, shake it like a polaroid picture before you puncture the top with your straw. :)
try: Honey boba. 

Ocean Star Seafood Restaurant {Dim Sum}

The key to a good dim sum experience is to go with Chinese people who (1) speak Chinese and (2) have no shame in hassling the waiters and waitresses.  Contrary to belief, dim sum is not about politely waiting for the carts holding your fave dishes to come to you.  Rather, it's about being assertive and yelling across the room for cha siu bao (bbq pork buns) and shumai.  (only half kidding).  In other words, don't be shy. (haha).  Thankfully, I was part of such a group.

As the only Korean at the table, I happily noshed on new plates being added to the lazy Susan (who's Susan anyway?) while people around me ordered all sorts of delicacies (including tripe, but no chicken feet this time).  Because I was so busy stuffing my face, I don't have photos of everything we ate.  Still, you get the picture(s)...

Siu Bao

Har gow

Pork ribs

Lau sah bao

Lo mai gai

Shumai

BBQ pork

Fried taro balls

Fried seafood medley

Har cheong fun 

After feasting for a few hours, the total came out to about $10/person (7 people).  Not too shabby considering $10 might get you one sandwich on the Westside.  Thanks, SGV!  You always remind me of how Asian food should taste and be priced!


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cuisine:  Chinese
location: Monterey Park
website: { yelp }
attire: Casual
parking: free lot
notes: Try to come early so you don't have to wait to be seated.