Lacaboba: Owasso’s hidden gem

By Alivia Williams and James Burkhalter

Photo of Lacaboba storefront taken by James Burkhalter

About Lacaboba

Along 86th street of Owasso houses a small strip mall of shops– including Lacaboba tea house. Home to over 100 different menu items, Lacaboba brings a sense of uniqueness, vast variety and a warm environment to the Owasso community. The owners, Hyeyoung and Junmo Lee, bought the business about a year and a half ago. Mrs. Lee took an interest in boba tea when she tried milk tea for the first time in her twenties. 

“I fell in love at that moment. I was interested in how it was made and the ingredients. I wanted to share this love with customers,” she explained.        

Lee’s business is a true reflection of her passion and care for bubble tea. From product quality to furnishing and decor— it remains apparent that time and thought were put into the business’s ambiance. 

Their main goal as a local business is to “positively connect with the community and improve customers’ wellbeing,” Mr. Lee expressed. 

Along with the Lees’ passion for bubble tea is their motivation for quality. Lacaboba staff is heavily involved in the cleanliness of their establishment, as well as quality control over their products— this is a key element of their business. 

“I always check the quality (of the teas), because I’m making it. I’ve developed a sense of [taste] over time to ensure the best quality,” Mrs. Lee says. 

Customers can not only expect delicious drinks but also friendly service and helpful staff. Mr. and Mrs. Lee deem customer satisfaction a high priority; patrons can expect Lacaboba team members to be helpful in drink selection and knowledgeable of the menu.

“We have the best staff; our managers think all the time about the best way to clean, how to improve quality, and considering the mood of customers,” Mr. Lee explained. 

The Lee’s determination to run a successful business is vividly apparent in their efforts and is appreciated by their recurrent customers. The appreciation is reciprocated by Mrs. Lee, who mentioned that her favorite part of running her business is meeting new people. 

“I like meeting people. I’m so glad we are connected with our customers…I feel like we are friends. I love the happiness brought to our customers when they try our drinks. I feel proud of this (the business),” Mrs. Lee expresses, sincerely. 

Lacaboba is a beautiful teahouse that is perfect for the opportunity to try something new. Word of mouth and advertising gets small businesses a long way. With all the hard work the Lee couple has put in, they are deserving of a supportive community. The main goal of their business is to connect with the community and serve happy customers their delicious teas. Recommendations for Lacaboba menu items are near the end of the article for those interested!

Atmosphere

Upon walking into Lacaboba, customers are met with warm lights and the semi-sweet smell of boba and tea. The space is welcoming and contains various types of furniture for different occasions. This teahouse is a great place to spend time with friends and family, to study, relax or get creative while enjoying a delicious treat. Additionally, there are a few books (including childrens’ books) and tabletop games for customers to enjoy during their visit. There is also a large, sturdy wooden table that is perfect for studying or completing homework, alongside a warm table lamp to complement. 

Toward the back of the building, there is a structure that resembles an indoor patio, with floor cushions for people to sit. In this space, there are skinny tables not far up from the ground that provide perfect spots for small gatherings with friends, family or couples. One of the best parts of Lacaboba is the serene atmosphere; it is difficult to find other places that compare in Owasso. Decor, music, and lighting are all key factors in creating the calm environment. 

Photo collage of Lacaboba interior, images taken by Alivia Williams and James Burkhalter

Recommendations

Photo of Taro milk tea taken by Alivia Williams 

The effort and care displayed in Lacaboba is mirrored in their impressive menu. Lacaboba has a diverse menu featuring refresher tea, milk tea, smoothies, yogurt, coffee and food such as dumplings and spicy noodles. 

One of the most popular drinks on the menu is the Brown Sugar Pearl Latte, a milk-based drink with a brown sugar drizzle paired with brown sugar house boba. Another classic drink is the Taro Milk Tea (pictured above), another milk-based drink based on an earthy root vegetable, which is surprisingly sweet with a light flavor profile that pairs well with fruity popping boba-like strawberry pop.

While known for their beverages, they also have an assortment of foods. Bungeo-pang or taiyaki is a fish-shaped cake and a popular Korean pastry, which is on the Lacaboba menu with three different filling options: nutella, vanilla creme and red bean paste. Alongside the pastries, they also have dumplings and spicy noodles–perfect for lunch.