At the northeast corner of S Decatur Blvd and W Sunset Rd, two California-based brands are preparing to make their first appearance in Las Vegas, together, in one streamlined location. Lilikoi Boba, a chain of boba tea shops with outlets throughout California and (soon) beyond, will open a restaurant in collaboration with Kyoto Ramen, a restaurant serving a selection of ramen, poke, and Hawaiian BBQ that first opened in El Cerrito, CA, in 2018. It’s the second collaboration of this kind, the first having opened in Pinole, CA, in November, 2021.
The restaurateur (and Lilikoi Boba franchise owner) behind the project is Steven Aung. Aung, who worked for Thinkfoodgroup by José Andrés from 2010 to 2021, is also behind several other brands operating in Las Vegas: Cups and Bowls on Tenaya Way and three brands providing delivery service through the major delivery apps: Sanji’s Bao Sandwiches and Wings, Spicy Thai, and El Taco Es Mi Vida.
“Lilikoi Boba serves all of their drinks fresh from a kegerator topped with Lilikoi’s signature puree (using real fruit) that is all made in-house which avoids syrups & powders like traditional boba tea shops,” a representative of the company told What Now Las Vegas on Friday.
Lilikoi signature drinks like the POG Aloha (Passionfruit Orange Guava puree with green tea), Tropical Delight (Tropical puree with green tea), and Horchata smoothies in various flavors will be served alongside Kyoto Ramen’s proven dishes: ramen varieties like Tonkotsu Ramen and Seafood Ramen with shrimp, scallop, and fish cakes; Poke Bowls; Rice Bowls; and Hawaiian BBQ dishes like Hawaiian Garlic Shrimp, BBQ Chicken and Beef, and Kalbi Short Ribs.
“Our menu is based on authentic recipes from Tokyo,” Aung told What Now Las Vegas in an email conversation on Friday. “Our goal is to bring an affordable meal to our community with a friendly and fun atmosphere.”
Lilikoi Boba + Kyoto Ramen is expecting a soft opening in Summer 2022.
