Berkeley's boba shop cup runneth over. J's Snacks and Tea is the latest addition to Berkeley's burgeoning boba scene, offering snacks like popcorn chicken, spicy Taiwanese sausages and sweet potato fries dusted with plum powder. Heartier meals are also available, including bento box lunches, rice bowls and a seared salmon salad. J's Snacks and Tea, 2505 Hearst Ave. (at Euclid Ave.), Berkeley
For UC Berkeley students, it's not a question of whether to get boba: It's where to get boba. In Berkeley's Telegraph District, a neighborhood adjacent to the south side of Cal's campus, there are a whopping 18 different shops that serve the popular Taiwanese drink featuring tea, milk, sweetener and tapioca balls. Eleven of these stores are primarily dedicated to boba, with the rest featuring it alongside other menu items.