The Art of Boba: Hidden Gems in San Francisco
For Bay Area foodies alike…a refreshing treat that can’t be beat
Are you an avid boba consumer, “professional sweet-tooth”, food blogger, or food enthusiast? Well, I would say I am all of those things — and certainly many of you can say the same for at least one of those titles. The tapioca dessert boba has become increasingly mainstream in the last few years. With the rise in popularity in boba, there has been a surge in shops opening that specialize in making these drinks. Through all of the different boba’s I have tried in San Francisco there is one that stands out not only in quality and taste, but the convenience and efficiency in which it is made. Here I have curated a review on a singular boba shop chain in the Bay Area that has revolutionized the “boba game” in my eyes. That’s how you know it has been written from the heart after all, and because of that; here is a love letter written as an ode (and non-sponsored advertisement) for one of the most exquisite boba chains in all of San Francisco — Little Sweet.
My first experience with Little Sweet was during a casual outing in SF, to see the Guo Pei exhibit at the Legion of Honor (a fantastic exhibition I highly recommend). On my way home I had decided I had an insatiable urge I needed to fulfill…it was time to pick up some boba. In my Yelp search for spots nearby I stumbled upon the Geary Street location of Little Sweet. If it hadn’t been for rave reviews and close proximity I might have never known Little Sweet existed…(It’s amazing how the universe and online marketing works, isn’t it?) I got lucky with parking and made my way to the storefront.
The store is compact and they have lots of fresh produce on display in a glass refrigerator case in the front. When I entered I came in right behind two other individuals who ordered verbally with one of the workers. I opted for the digital ordering station — to ease my social anxiety. It was a breeze to navigate and pay. There are so many delicious options on the menu, so it was hard to pick my very first Little Sweet “treat”. My drink ended up being ready before the two other people in front of me which was a shock. They are able to finish creating your drink orders in a blink of an eye.
The drink I chose is a customer favorite, and one I couldn’t pass up on trying. Little Sweet’s Mango Sago is a truly balanced, delicious, and refreshing drink. I ordered mine with boba which only added to the variety of texture and flavor. Sago is a popular starch based ingredient similar to boba (which is made from tapioca), but much smaller. Mango sago is a dessert made with sago (the small white pearls), mango, coconut milk, and other ingredients depending on where you get it. It’s a popular dessert in southern and eastern parts of Asia. Recipes vary from region to region.
At Little Sweet, the mango sago ingredients listed on their website are, “Smooth mango puree with coconut milk garnished with pomelo and soft mini sago. Contains dairy.” Each layer is distinct, not overly sweet, and keeps you sipping for more. The crushed ice is another aspect of the drink that really adds to its refreshing qualities — it adds texture while not taking away from the flavors of the drink. It’s a dessert worth every single penny, and one that I keep coming back for more.
The perfect texture of the boba and sago, the quality of ingredients, ease of order, convenience, and speed at which the orders are prepared are what makes Little Sweet one of my top picks for boba spots in San Francisco. I am hoping to experience every drink on the menu at some point in time, but I can say without a doubt that the mango sago is a treat you won’t want to miss out on.
If you are interested in checking out any of Little Sweet’s San Francisco locations, you can visit their website through this link. Enjoy! :)