Hello, my dear Hallyu peeps. Of course, you guys already have an idea of what I am going to talk about today.
You know, I really like going to little cafes, clicking pictures, and trying out their menu. However, I have recently developed a knack for visiting and reviewing such places for you.
Therefore, I went to another famous cafe in Kolkata, which also provides a real Korean small cafe aesthetic. Yes, I am talking about Boba Panda.
In this article, I will write everything about my experience at Boba Panda. This is going to be very, very interesting!
About Boba Panda
Boba Panda is a cozy place with bright pink decor and K-pop themes. They serve Taiwanese iced tea with chewy tapioca balls, a popular drink in many Asian cities since the ’90s.
I already mentioned, it is located in Gariahat. Boba Panda satisfies your taste buds and offers drinks that look great on Instagram.
Furthermore, the menu features exciting drink options such as the creamy bubble teas and tasty corndogs filled with cheese.
Timing: 12 PM – 10 PM. Closed on Mondays.
Price: INR 1300
Google Rating: 3.9/5
Boba Panda Menu
Oh, did you know? Boba Panda has received numerous compliments for offering a diverse range of menu.
Although there is a vast selection of drinks and Korean and Japanese cuisine, only a few items are particularly popular.
These are all the items that are allegedly famous in Boba Panda. Let’s take a look, shall we?
| Food Item | Price INR |
|---|---|
| Chicken Cheese Corndog | 569 |
| Non-Veg Rabokki | 599 |
| Veg Corn Dogs | 569 |
| Kimchi Fried Rice | 519 |
| Chicken Bulgogi | 519 |
| Mango Sticky Rice | 359 |
| Mango Slush | 299 |
| Passion Fruit Slush | 299 |
| Hibiscus Sparkle | 299 |
| Flavored Ice Tea | 299 |
Boba Panda: My Detailed Experience
I will start with the pricing. NOT WORTH IT. Although I think that if I just leave it at this, it won’t suffice. So I will say more.
I also liked the ambience and the aesthetic decor, but then again, it was exactly how a cutely artsy little cafe is supposed to be.
Although the only thing I liked about that place was their selection of Boba drinks, they do put a lot of boba pearls in their drinks, and they taste good as well.
What Did I Eat?
I ordered two choices of Boba drinks, one of which was the mango slush and the second was their hibiscus sparkle drink. Both tasted pretty good.
Furthermore, I ordered the Chicken Bulgogi and the Chicken Cheese Corn Dog. Oh, I almost forgot! I had also ordered Kimchi Fried Rice.
I had taken the Mango Sticky Rice for my niece back home, so I will be giving her a version of the dessert. However, I assure you it’s completely authentic!
Now that I’m writing about it again, I feel a sharp pang in my heart, because I spent a significant amount, but the food did not meet my expectations at all.
How Much Did I Spend?
I spent a total of 2556.25, including a 5% GST on all the food items. I have provided a detailed breakdown of the bill below. Have a look.
My Total Bill Breakup
| Food Item | Price | GST Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken Bulgogi | 519 | 25.95 |
| Chikech Cheese Corn Dog | 569 | 28.45 |
| Mango Sticky Rice | 359 | 17.45 |
| Mango Slush | 299 | 14.95 |
| Hibiscus Sparkle | 299 | 14.95 |
How Was The Service
The service was quite nice for me, although I noticed some of the other people present were visibly irritated by the late start.
This is something I have always experienced; generally, when people get irritated due to late service, it doesn’t bother me much.
However, something that does bother me about the cafe servies in Kolkata is the overpriced menus. I also spoke to many people to gather their personal insights.
Most of them were also disappointed about the quality of food. Well, so was I. I did not find any particular reason why I should pay so much for this quality of food.
How Was The Overall Ambience
The overall ambience was quite nice. As I have mentioned earlier, it is like a cute Korean artsy cafe.
I mean, don’t expect a concessionary cafe, though. The space is quite small compared to other cafes. However, the ambiance is cute, with its decor and light music playing.
The space is designed to be visually appealing and inviting, with a vibrant and playful atmosphere.
The overall atmosphere is described as vibrant and energetic, suitable for a young and lively crowd.
What Are People On The Internet Saying?
My Takeaway
Ah! This is the part I have been waiting for all this time. Now that I have provided you with all the relevant facts and information, I will share my perspective on the matter.
I personally did not like the food quality at all. The chicken cheese corn dog was really dry, and the chicken was not properly cooked.
Additionally, I told you that the claims regarding the mango and strictly rice are correct. They give normal white rice with mango.
They cook the rice in coconut milk for a short time to soften it further. However, the sticky rice is a completely different type of grain, which they probably do not use.
Boba Panda is situated in a prime location, frequented by many young people. If it checks on its food quality, then I am sure the cafe can do very well.
Additionally, a few people on the internet also mentioned the questionable behavior of the owner. These things need to be considered pretty seriously.
Have you ever been to Boba Panda? If you have, please share your experience in the comments below! Also, if you haven’t, give it a shot!
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