Hiccups Kitchen- Long Beach, Ca

There’s something special about walking into a place and instantly feeling like you picked the right spot.

That’s how I felt when I walked into Hiccups Kitchen in Long Beach near Cal State Long Beach.

I originally went there just to study for a little while, but I ended up leaving inspired by the entire experience.

I got there around 12:41 pm and it was pretty empty, which for me was perfect. Most people came in, ordered, and took their food to go. Inside, it was spacious and honestly the perfect study spot to sit, think, work, or just enjoy your food without feeling rushed.

The first thing that pulled me in was the music.

People underestimate how important music is in a restaurant. You can have good food and a cute setup, but if the atmosphere feels awkward or disconnected, people notice. At Hiccups Kitchen, the music matched the vibe perfectly. It made the space feel relaxed, welcoming, and enjoyable. You could literally see people walking in and immediately getting into the vibe, tapping their feet, bobbing their heads, smiling a little more.

That matters.

Atmosphere matters.

And that’s something I pay attention to whenever I go somewhere because dining out is more than just eating food. You are spending your money, your time, and your energy in someone else’s space. The experience should feel intentional.

What also stood out to me was the cleanliness. The restaurant was clean, organized, and even during slower moments the employees stayed active. Nobody was just standing around. They were cleaning, restocking, wiping things down, and preparing for what was next. That says a lot about a business because good habits show even when nobody’s watching.

Even the bathroom surprised me. It was super clean and honestly cute enough for a mirror picture, which you wouldn’t even expect from the outside.

Now let’s get into the food.

I ordered the Pad Thai because I wasn’t in the mood to experiment that day. Sometimes you just want something familiar that you know you enjoy. The portion size was great, everything came out hot, and the flavors were on point. I added chicken, and to my surprise it also came with tofu, which ended up being really good together.

But the real star of the show?

The Vietnamese iced coffee with ube foam at Hiccups Kitchen might honestly be one of my favorite coffee drinks in Long Beach.

That drink absolutely carried my entire day.

When I tell you it knocked my socks off, I mean it. It tasted like dessert and coffee had a perfect baby together. It was rich, sweet, smooth, and honestly addictive. I woke up the next morning still thinking about it. The only thing stopping me from getting another one immediately is the drive because it’s not close to me, but somehow I need that drink in my life at least twice a month.

And the funny part is Keira, the cashier, warned me. She told me I probably wasn’t going to sleep after drinking it, and she was absolutely right. But I got so much accomplished that day that honestly, I can’t even complain.

Experiences like this are exactly why I love trying places and talking about them.

I think people should be more intentional about where they spend their money. Don’t just go places because social media says it’s trendy. Pay attention to how businesses make you feel. Pay attention to the service, the atmosphere, the music, the cleanliness, and the effort. Those little details matter because they create the overall experience.

If you’re looking for a clean and spacious restaurant near CSULB to study, eat, or work, Hiccups Kitchen is definitely worth visiting.

People remember how you made them feel long after they leave.

For me, Hiccups Kitchen understood that perfectly.