**4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Little Bean Rowland Heights: Classic Taiwanese Boba Nostalgia with Room to Grow**
Tucked in the heart of Rowland Heights' bustling Colima Road plaza, **Little Bean** is the quintessential old-school Taiwanese boba shop that feels like a time capsule from the early 2000s golden era 🧋❤️. The vibe hits instantly—faded posters of pearl milk tea, plastic bucket seats, that familiar hum of the shaker machine, and aunties behind the counter slinging drinks with practiced speed. It's the kind of place where families pile in after dinner, students study in corners, and everyone knows the menu by heart.
The classics are still spot-on. The **black milk tea** is perfectly balanced—strong Ceylon brew, creamy nondairy creamer, chewy house-cooked tapioca that's soft yet QQ without falling apart. **Taro fresh milk** shines with real taro chunks blended smooth, earthy sweetness that doesn't taste artificial. Pudding is silky, grass jelly bouncy, and the **aloe vera** adds refreshing crunch. Everything tastes like the comforting Taiwanese boba I grew up with—no trendy gimmicks, just honest execution.
Service is warm and lightning-fast, even during peak hours. The outdoor patio is great for people-watching, and it's dog-friendly on slower days.
That said, points deducted because some **ingredients** feel like they've stayed the same while others have moved on—the pearls occasionally batch inconsistent (some nights perfect, others slightly hard), and the tea base could use fresher leaves. The interior also needs love: **renovations** haven't kept up—worn booths, peeling wallpaper, dim lighting that makes it feel dated rather than charmingly retro.
Little Bean remains a reliable SGV staple for that classic Taiwanese boba fix, especially when you want nostalgia over novelty. I'll keep coming back for the taro milk, but hope they refresh things soon to match the competition. Still one of Rowland Heights' OGs worth supporting.
Sy W
Best authentic shaved ice I’ve ever had! Exactly what I’m looking for. It’s similar to the Korean style but this is more tradition, more old schoooled, the one I grew up eating. Owners are very nice and explained how the toppings work. Recommend getting shaved ice with mango, taro balls and green beans. Would come back.
Carlos Rodriguez
This is what boba tea used to be like in LA before gentrification. Simple and great.
Joseph Bernal
Really good spot with good teas for a good price. Apparently the first boba tea spot in roland heights.
Rahil Patel
mom 'n pop, auntie 'n uncle, since 1994... such lovely people. God, I miss Taiwan! What used to be a tea 'n snack shop shifted to become a Taiwanese 7/11 to survive, the sort of place where you can do everything! Also, it's the only bubble milk tea under $5 after tax(!) nowadays.
M M
Definitely an interesting spot. Kind of crowded and messy, with a really homey feel to it. Two older people run the spot. Asked for a boba, and the old lady looked annoyed. Asked for scratchers and she was a bit happier and wished me luck. I’d call this place more of a gambling den than a spot for boba.
Nathan Leung
I've been going to this establishment for over 15 years and usually stop by every two months when I'm in town. The elderly couple are the best. They've been running the shop for years and are always polite and the best! In addition, you'll find some of the best boba and tea anywhere at an affordable price. Cold and sweet. Every time I go in the shop, it brings back memories of being a kid.
Michelle Luk
I’ve been coming here for the past 24 years, since I was a little kid. Their shaved ice is delicious and super affordable (I usually order to-go, so we can eat it at home under cozy blankets in all seasons). It’s my go-to for dessert at least twice a month, and I got my husband obsessed with it too ? Love supporting this cute moms/pops shop. You should too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taiwan Shaved Ice-Choice of 4 Items
Karen Chen
The roasted grass jelly is a big bowl, cheap and delicious, and the toppings are delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Vitamin D
DRINKS ARE FRESH SINCE THEY MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU USING FRESH INGREDIENTS. PLACE IS A LITTLE SMALL THOUGH BUT I ALWAYS TAKE EVERYTHING TO GO. GIVE MOM AND POP SHOPS SOME LOVE.
This place has real avocado and taro smoothies, and make a lot of their menu items fresh. It's just the two of them working now usually but the owners are wonderful.
Vegetarian options: They offer milk substitutes for their drinks
Parking: Spaces are a bit tight
Recommended dishes: Popcorn, Avocado w Milk Smoothies Special, Red Bean Smoothies w Milk
Dandrich Lim
Came here for the authentic Taiwanese shaved ice. The place is also a small grocery store. The owner couples are very friendly and nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexandra Serratos
Yes, the shop is a bit of a "hole-in-the-wall," but they have the BEST BOBA I've ever tried ANYWHERE. It's soft, warm, and slightly chewy. Not tough and over cooked, like most places. You have not had a boba drink until you try the Little Bean.
**4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Little Bean Rowland Heights: Classic Taiwanese Boba Nostalgia with Room to Grow**
Tucked in the heart of Rowland Heights' bustling Colima Road plaza, **Little Bean** is the quintessential old-school Taiwanese boba shop that feels like a time capsule from the early 2000s golden era 🧋❤️. The vibe hits instantly—faded posters of pearl milk tea, plastic bucket seats, that familiar hum of the shaker machine, and aunties behind the counter slinging drinks with practiced speed. It's the kind of place where families pile in after dinner, students study in corners, and everyone knows the menu by heart.
The classics are still spot-on. The **black milk tea** is perfectly balanced—strong Ceylon brew, creamy nondairy creamer, chewy house-cooked tapioca that's soft yet QQ without falling apart. **Taro fresh milk** shines with real taro chunks blended smooth, earthy sweetness that doesn't taste artificial. Pudding is silky, grass jelly bouncy, and the **aloe vera** adds refreshing crunch. Everything tastes like the comforting Taiwanese boba I grew up with—no trendy gimmicks, just honest execution.
Service is warm and lightning-fast, even during peak hours. The outdoor patio is great for people-watching, and it's dog-friendly on slower days.
That said, points deducted because some **ingredients** feel like they've stayed the same while others have moved on—the pearls occasionally batch inconsistent (some nights perfect, others slightly hard), and the tea base could use fresher leaves. The interior also needs love: **renovations** haven't kept up—worn booths, peeling wallpaper, dim lighting that makes it feel dated rather than charmingly retro.
Little Bean remains a reliable SGV staple for that classic Taiwanese boba fix, especially when you want nostalgia over novelty. I'll keep coming back for the taro milk, but hope they refresh things soon to match the competition. Still one of Rowland Heights' OGs worth supporting.
Best authentic shaved ice I’ve ever had! Exactly what I’m looking for. It’s similar to the Korean style but this is more tradition, more old schoooled, the one I grew up eating. Owners are very nice and explained how the toppings work. Recommend getting shaved ice with mango, taro balls and green beans. Would come back.
This is what boba tea used to be like in LA before gentrification. Simple and great.
Really good spot with good teas for a good price. Apparently the first boba tea spot in roland heights.
mom 'n pop, auntie 'n uncle, since 1994... such lovely people. God, I miss Taiwan! What used to be a tea 'n snack shop shifted to become a Taiwanese 7/11 to survive, the sort of place where you can do everything! Also, it's the only bubble milk tea under $5 after tax(!) nowadays.
Definitely an interesting spot. Kind of crowded and messy, with a really homey feel to it. Two older people run the spot. Asked for a boba, and the old lady looked annoyed. Asked for scratchers and she was a bit happier and wished me luck. I’d call this place more of a gambling den than a spot for boba.
I've been going to this establishment for over 15 years and usually stop by every two months when I'm in town. The elderly couple are the best. They've been running the shop for years and are always polite and the best! In addition, you'll find some of the best boba and tea anywhere at an affordable price. Cold and sweet. Every time I go in the shop, it brings back memories of being a kid.
I’ve been coming here for the past 24 years, since I was a little kid. Their shaved ice is delicious and super affordable (I usually order to-go, so we can eat it at home under cozy blankets in all seasons). It’s my go-to for dessert at least twice a month, and I got my husband obsessed with it too ? Love supporting this cute moms/pops shop. You should too!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Taiwan Shaved Ice-Choice of 4 Items
The roasted grass jelly is a big bowl, cheap and delicious, and the toppings are delicious!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
DRINKS ARE FRESH SINCE THEY MAKE EVERYTHING RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU USING FRESH INGREDIENTS. PLACE IS A LITTLE SMALL THOUGH BUT I ALWAYS TAKE EVERYTHING TO GO. GIVE MOM AND POP SHOPS SOME LOVE.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
super authentic
super authentic
This place has real avocado and taro smoothies, and make a lot of their menu items fresh. It's just the two of them working now usually but the owners are wonderful.
Vegetarian options: They offer milk substitutes for their drinks
Parking: Spaces are a bit tight
Recommended dishes: Popcorn, Avocado w Milk Smoothies Special, Red Bean Smoothies w Milk
Came here for the authentic Taiwanese shaved ice. The place is also a small grocery store. The owner couples are very friendly and nice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Yes, the shop is a bit of a "hole-in-the-wall," but they have the BEST BOBA I've ever tried ANYWHERE. It's soft, warm, and slightly chewy. Not tough and over cooked, like most places. You have not had a boba drink until you try the Little Bean.
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