Boba tea — aka bubble tea or pearl milk tea — is a Taiwanese dessert drink that has become a total sensation in the US, especially California. In fact, San Jose is home to dozens (and dozens) of boba tea shops.

Although “boba” refers to the chewy tapioca pearls in the drink, “boba tea” has become a catch-all term for many Taiwanese dessert drinks. Most shops offer similar categories of beverages — milk or fruit-based teas + blended tea drinks — but you’ll also likely find a variety of toppings. (Psst… here’s a guide to some of the most common.)

Ready to dig in? Here are 40+ spots in San Jose for you to get your boba fix.

The "potted plant" topping at Tiger Juice & Tea is made from crushed Oreos. | Photo by SJtoday staff

🧋 North San Jose + Berryessa

Tiger Tea & Juice | 1706 Old Oakland Rd., Suite 25

Try this: Get down to earth with an Oreo “potted plant” topping.

Bobaholics | 1055 E. Brokaw Rd., #40

Boba Galaxy | 2090 N. Capitol Ave., #C

Tiger Sugar San Jose | 1628 Hostetter Rd., Suite H

Pro tip: This spot is well-known for their Black Sugar specialty drinks.

Tocotea | 1694 Berryessa Rd.

Sharetea | 1728 Hostetter Rd., Suite 30

Boba Express | 1645 Flickinger Ave.

Bambu Desserts & Drinks | 1688 Hostetter Rd., Suite D

2kTea Lounge | 2671 Cropley Ave.

T*Spot Boba Drinks & Snacks | 2520 Berryessa Rd.

Tra Temptation | 3245 Sierra Rd.

🧋 Downtown

Urban Ritual | 100 N. Almaden, #72

Boba Bar | 310 S. Third St.

Breaktime Tea | 110 E. San Fernando St.

Sinceretea | 392 E. Taylor St.

Milk Tea Lab | 1175 E. Julian St., Suite 40

Tea Alley | 40 S. First St.

Suncha | 326 Commercial St.

Fun fact: All drinks are made with lactose free milk.

Try the Assam Black Tea or the Horchata Boba at Tea Lyfe. | Photo by SJtoday staff

🧋 East San Jose

Tea Lyfe Drinks | 8018, 989 Story Rd.

Try this: This spot specializes in Vietnamese-Mexican fusion teas, including specialty horchata boba drinks.

Lucky Tea | 956 Story Rd.

Teahee | 979 Story Rd., #7012

Teazu | 969 Story Rd., Unit 6033

Sweet Gelato Tea Lounge | 979 Story Rd., #7084

Bobo Drinks | 779 Story Rd.

Teasociety San Jose | 1654 E. Capitol Expy.

Our pick: Get the flan topping in your House Special Ice Milk. For adventurous foodies, try the Durian Puff Milk Tea.

i-Tea | 2936 Aborn Sq.

TeaZer Cafe | 22 N. White Rd.

🧋 West San Jose

Boba Guys | 378 Santana Row, Suite 1115

Try this: You can’t go wrong with a Strawberry Matcha Latte with extra strawberry purée and boba.

Tea Top | 6158 Bollinger Rd.

🧋 South San Jose + Willow Glen

Lilikoi Boba | 1228 Lincoln Ave.

Rainbow Tea House | 4100 Monterey Rd.

Pop Up Tea | 185 Branham Ln.

Boba Pub 1576 Branham Ln.

Try Happy Lemon's Passionfruit Green Tea or Mango Jasmine Tea with Salted Cheese. | Photo by SJtoday staff

🧋 Multiple locations

Gong Cha | 140 Paseo de San Antonio + 1701 Lundy Ave.

Happy Lemon | 567 Coleman Ave., Suite 10 + 311 N. Capitol, Suite C

Try this: Known for their fruit-forward drinks, this chain created the popular Rock Salt Cheese Tea.

Pekoe | 3276 S. White Rd. + 996 Lundy Ave.

Pro tip: Find yourself some strawberry hearts with a Pretty In Pink.

Teaspoon | 1698 Hostetter Rd., 4328 Moorpark Ave. + 4750 Almaden Expy, Suite 116

7 Leaves Cafe | 1743 Berryessa Rd. + 375 Saratoga Ave., Suite N

Our pick: Experience a blend of pandan in the signature Mung Bean Milk Tea.

Tastea Berryessa | 1160 N. Capitol Ave.

Pro tip: Stock up on Tastea’s Partea jugs with customizable toppings and drink options.

N7 Draft Tea + Coffee | 3005 Silver Creek Rd., Suite 184 + 4306 Moorpark Ave.

R&B Tea | 929 Story Rd., Suite 2039 + 1757 E Capitol Expy

Soyful Desserts | 999 Story Rd. + 3005 Silver Creek Rd., Suite 170

🧋 Beyond SJ

Ceremony Tea | 18568 Prospect Rd., Saratoga

Pro tip: Go green with this spot’s ceremony-grade matcha.

TaoTaoTea | 18472 Prospect Rd., Saratoga

Try this: Add some savory to your sweet with cheese foam topping.

Ten Ren Tea | 1732 N. Milpitas Blvd., Milpitas + 10881 N. Wolfe Rd., Cupertino

Fantasia Coffee & Tea | 3969 Rivermark Plaza, Santa Clara

Sunright Tea Studio | 795 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale

Our pick: Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Brûlée Latte drink series.

Boba Pup | 1080 Kiely Blvd.

Pro tip: Enjoy your beverage in collectable mason jars featuring anime + cartoon characters.