A Modern Tea Bar – Cloudy Co.

CLOSED AS OF FEBRUARY 2024.

You really got to applaud new places opening up in the middle of a pandemic, and applaud them even more for opening up right next to a viral beast in the boba scene. Enter Cloudy Co., a boba shop that opened in the same plaza as Orobae a bit after they did, somewhat mid-pandemic. As boba enthusiasts know, Orobae is a bit of a viral and popular boba shop with lines extending at least a block any time of day, any day of the week, any week of the year. To compare, Cloudy Co is definitely on the opposite end, with more “normal” boba shop drinks, of the aesthetic nature, like Orobae’s exact opposite, Omomo.

That’s not to say Cloudy Co is bad. I bet in any other city it’d be great, but in Irvine with fierce competition, it’s a bit hard to not compare. They have good drinks, from milk teas, to straight teas, to smoothies, and even have some food options to help them stand out (I haven’t had them yet though). They even have some of the more unique tea options most basic places don’t have. If I had to choice between Cloudy Co. and Orobae purely based on drinks, honestly, I’d still go with Orobae, but if the line is too long and I need boba, I suppose I’m going to Cloudy Co. A bit feels bad, but that’s the reality of the situation. Definitely better than other places, but just not the best comparatively.

Beware that their special whipped cream topping can sometimes have nuts on them, if you are not great with nuts.

Chain? No.

Drinks Tried: Osmanthus Oolong Milk Tea, White Peach Oolong Milk Tea,

Boba: I think they give pretty decent brown sugar boba. Never had any complaints.

Price: Prices are ok, pretty along the lines of normal boba prices nowadays.

Size: Sizes are pretty nice, one of those now standard nice plastic cups.

Interior: It’s pretty slick, chic, smooth, modern, and definitely deserving of a tea bar label. There’s even some old Asian fused with modern aesthetic-type-of counter seating/bar furniture that’s pretty cool. You even pick up your drink at a window.

Wait: Whenever I’ve gone there hasn’t been a wait.

Sell Food? Yes. They offer ice cream and waffles and shaved ice of various flavors, like Matcha, Milk Tea, Taro, and more.

Reward System? Yes, they use Toast.