"One of the LA area’s essential boba spots is coming to the Convoy District. But Bopomofo Cafe is much more than boba, says co-founders Eric Wang and Phillip Wang. The friends launched Bopomofo’s flagship San Gabriel location in 2019, which was followed by a second outpost in Artesia. The newest branch will open by mid-January in the Convoy complex shared by Target and the Costco Business Center. It’s a full circle moment for Philip, a filmmaker and notable YouTube creator, who told Eater that he spent a lot of time on Convoy while attending UCSD in the early 2000s. Though it's popular for its boba drinks, made with lactose-free milk or oat milk and without any artificial flavors or syrups, Bopomofo is also known for its other unique beverages, including a matcha latte infused with cold-pressed carrot juice and a strawberry-corn concoction that mixes fresh corn milk with housemade strawberry sorbet. The cafe also offers a substantial food menu, which the partners tell Eater is a fusion of Chinese, Taiwanese, and American flavors. Bestsellers include mapo tofu-topped tater tots, Taiwanese fried chicken sandwiches, and honey walnut shrimp burgers as well as seasonal dishes like Hainan chicken tacos. The partners, who tell Eater that they hope to open more than one location in San Diego, are planning to create some items that will be specific to the San Diego stores." - Candice Woo