Latest news with #Chagee
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Chinese tea house Chagee set to enter the PH with 3 Metro Manila branches in August
Chagee, an international tea house from Yunnan, China, is set to enter the Philippine market with three branches opening in Metro Manila this August. The stores will be located at SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, and Venice Grand Canal Mall. Ahead of its official launch, Chagee will host a pop-up event from July 7 to 13 at SM North EDSA, to offer Filipinos an early taste of its signature drinks, including its bestselling Boya Jasmine Green Milk Tea. Known for its modern tea bar concept, Chagee prides itself on using whole tea leaves and avoiding artificial sweeteners and flavorings, aligning with its focus on health and quality. The Philippines marks the latest addition to Chagee's growing branches worldwide, including locations in China, the United States, Singapore, and Malaysia. — Hermes Joy Tunac/LA, GMA Integrated News
Time Out
5 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
Review: I tried the buzzy new 'Starbucks of tea' that just opened in Century City and it didn't live up to the hype
When I see influencers of every stripe and specialty posting about a buzzy new L.A. opening, I tend to take a wait-and-see approach before going—if I bother to even visit at all. Which is why, despite loving tea (and preferring it over coffee), I waited nearly two months before trying the brand-new Chagee Tea House at Westfield Century City, a brand founded in Yunnan, China, one of the world's most important tea-producing regions. In April, the fast-growing Chinese company, which has over 6,400 locations around the globe, made its debut on the Nasdaq and is reportedly worth approximately $6 billion. Given that valuation, some folks in the media have billed Chagee (pronounced 'CHAH-jee') the ' Starbucks of tea." After trying the drinks firsthand earlier this month, I wholeheartedly agree with that metaphor—Chagee serves the same exact kind of premium mediocrity as the multinational Seattle-based coffee chain. While I wouldn't say the drinks are terrible, per se, there are much better milk tea options in the San Gabriel Valley, including a handful of independently run boba shops and tea houses you probably already know and love. Nevertheless, it's easy to see why the masses love Chagee. The aspirational, Dior-esque branding and high-touch customer experience carries the patina of luxury, even if the semi-automated brewing leaves much to be desired in the taste department. In many ways, the brand reminds me of the recent Zoomer obsession with 'old money style'—all of the class signifiers, none of the actual class. To find Chagee, you'll need to navigate to the top floor of Westfield Century City. The store is located a few short steps away from Knotted, an equally buzzy (and equally premium mediocre) South Korean dessert café, and right next to the Container Store. Coincidentally, I needed to pick up an online order from the latter, which meant several large, unwieldy wooden shoe racks tagged along with me during my weekday afternoon visit to Chagee. Inside, the all-wood interiors and paper lanterns overhead created a warm, inviting atmosphere, though the overall sleekness of the place and the gust of air conditioning still reminded me I was in a mall-anchored corporate business entity. From the moment I walked in the door, it was readily apparent that Chagee places a higher emphasis on customer service than most tea or coffee shops. The day of my visit, an employee hovered near the front to open the door for guests. A second employee was also stationed at the back of the then-short line, shortening wait times for guests; the store only has enough counter space for one cashier. The bulk of the counter space is taken up by AI-powered teaspresso machines, shielded behind glass, which allegedly improve brew consistency. Unlike most Chinese and Taiwanese tea shops, Chagee doesn't offer boba or other drink toppings, although the brand does allow customers to adjust the ice and sugar levels or swap the standard whole milk for nondairy options. There's also a small selection of pastries for sale, including tea-flavored cruffins, croissants and other baked goods, sourced from Farmshop in Brentwood. Through Chagee's PR, I received a QR code to sample five different drinks, which I was able to order through a manager. To experience Chagee in its corporate-intended fashion, I ordered all of my drinks unmodified, starting with the BOYA Tea Latte, Chagee's signature jasmine milk tea, and one of the chain's top sellers. I also tried an iced roasted black tea latte, an iced peach oolong tea latte, an iced roasted black pure tea and an iced jasmine green lemon tea. The manager informed me that my drinks would take about 10 to 15 minutes, so I decided to head to the Container Store and return once I'd finished picking up my online order. Once I returned, the store had filled up with even more shoppers, tourists and local office workers picking up large orders. Almost every seat in the house was occupied. An employee called out people's names. When I approached her to ask if my name had been called (eyeing a drink with my order number on the counter), I was told it hadn't been called yet. Several minutes later, I discovered from another employee that my order had been ready and was sitting against the back wall, in separate to-go bags. Slightly annoyed, I decided to find a seat outside and try Chagee's drinks while they were still in optimal condition. It wasn't until I sat down outside and looked at my order that I realized why Chagee's signature blue-and-white patterned cups, to-go bags and other merchandise looked so familiar. The pattern and cup design are both blatant ripoffs of Dior's Book Tote, and the pattern bears more than a passing resemblance to the French luxury brand's actual line of home goods. Sip by sip, I sat down and tasted through all five drinks. 'This is it?' I thought to myself. 'This is what everyone's raving about?' In a line-up of jasmine milk teas I've had in my life (and I first visited Sawtelle's Volcano Milk Tea at the tender age of six), I wouldn't be able to identify Chagee's BOYA Tea Latte in a l line-up next to other slightly higher-quality boba tea shops like Latea in Culver City, Boba Guys (Culver City and Historic Filipinotown) or even the jasmine milk tea offered at Din Tai Fung. It may be an apples-to-oranges comparison, but when it comes to international Chinese tea brand expansions, I was far more impressed with Heytea, a cheese tea specialist that opened an outpost in Beverly Hills last year and has other locations in Monterey Park and Rowland Heights. The other teas at Chagee were a slight cut above anything I'd find at Starbucks or even most specialty coffee shops without well-considered tea programs, but they weren't outstanding in any way. Like many East Asian drinks, none of the drinks were particularly sweet. The iced roasted black pure tea, which I ordered unsweetened, brought out the roasted notes in the leaves. The peach oolong and jasmine green lemon tasted only vaguely of each fruit, like someone had whispered the name of each flavor into each drink. None of the drinks were offensive, but nothing really stood out. The only milk tea option, jasmine or otherwise, that stands out to me in L.A. is Taiwan's oolong-oriented Chicha San Chen, whose perpetually busy locations in San Gabriel and Alhambra also use teaspresso machines, minus the use of artificial intelligence. Recently, I also tried the San Gabriel outpost of Molly Tea, another equally popular Chinese jasmine tea brand originally founded in Shenzhen. It wasn't anything special in my book, and I still think Chicha San Chen is the best overall. Even then, however, I would still put Molly Tea above Chagee. Another dark-horse favorite of mine in the San Gabriel Valley is Good Alley, a restaurant in Rosemead that also uses a teaspresso machine, uses direct sourcing from Chinese growers and also offers to-go drinks. For fruity teas, the obvious favorite in my book is Sunright Tea Studio. Of course, all of the aforementioned options are slightly tainted by the fact that these mostly iced drinks are served out of paper or plastic cups. Even the casual afternoon tea aficionado understands that proper ceramicware and the ability to sit down and relax elevates the tea drinking experience. If you're looking for truly great loose-leaf tea (I'll leave the matcha shortage-causing cafés out of the equation here), I love the traditional brewed teas and Korean-style sweets at DAMO in Koreatown. In still-recovering Altadena, Callisto Tea House offers a traditional Chinese gong fu tea service on the weekends that includes a delightful, color-changing tea pet and your choice from a selection of high-quality, carefully selected imported varieties you can't find anywhere else in Los Angeles. Other solid options for properly brewed loose-leaf tea include Steep LA in Chinatown and the tiny but mighty Golden Dragon Tea Room in West L.A. You also can't go wrong with Chado Tea Room, which has locations in Little Tokyo, Hollywood, Pasadena and Torrance. Given this abundance of options, I can't really recommend visiting Chagee. Maybe if you happen to be at Westfield Century City and the line isn't too long, give it a shot. It's the Starbucks of tea for a reason—there are way better caffeinated drink options in Los Angeles, and you don't need to deal with weekend crowds at the mall to experience them.
Independent Singapore
21-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
"Why no English?" — Are foreign businesses in Singapore leaving locals behind?
SINGAPORE: A viral Reddit post has reignited the conversation on language accessibility and integration, after a Singaporean user shared their frustrations about the lack of English signage in a growing number of Mainland Chinese eateries across the island. The post, which quickly surged past 2,200 upvotes on r/singapore, was written by a self-described Indian Muslim Singaporean who expressed interest in Chinese cuisine and cultural exchange, but felt alienated by the linguistic exclusivity of some retail outlets. 'I would love to try more Northern Chinese cuisines if there are halal options,' he shared. 'But I don't mind the vast majority of them not being halal. This isn't meant to be political, but rather a personal concern.' The user clarified that their frustration wasn't with major brands like Haidilao, Luckin Coffee, or Chagee but with the smaller PRC eateries popping up in areas like Bugis and Clementi, where menus, promotions, and even staff communication are often almost entirely in Chinese . 'Having only the Chinese language means you are excluding non-Chinese people and even some Chinese Singaporeans who struggle with their Mother Tongue… English is a common language here, and the lack of it makes it seem they do not really want to expand their business' clientele outside the PRC immigrant population,' the post continued. Even when English was present, it was often an afterthought: tiny fonts, poor translations, or only partial information provided — a situation the user found both unwelcoming and unnecessary. Many Singaporeans feel the same way What stood out in the comments was not just support from minority communities, but from Chinese Singaporeans themselves , who echoed concerns about social cohesion and national identity . 'As a bilingual Chinese, I feel you,' one user wrote, garnering over 1000 upvotes . 'To me, English is the language that's supposed to bridge the social divide between races… when businesses do not care to use English, it feels like we're taking a step backwards in social integration.' Another popular comment went further, suggesting deeper implications: 'The proliferation of such food stalls is part of a self-reinforcing loop that feeds a burgeoning PRC expat bubble…The key difference is the minimal use of English in storefronts, menus, signages, apps, and customer communications. Locals patronising such stores are bonus revenue . What if you, the local, were never their target audience to begin with?' This comment, too, wasn't alone in highlighting broader geopolitical concerns, suggesting that some PRC businesses may be setting up shop in Singapore not solely for profit , but due to external economic pressures in China or as vehicles for capital outflow. What about inclusion and citizenship? One particularly pointed comment asked why new citizens aren't required to meet a basic English language threshold , noting how the lack of shared language undermines efforts toward social harmony: 'I really wish there is an English test for new citizens to at least make the non-Chinese Singaporeans feel more included.' A call for common ground At its core, this thread was not a rant, but a collective call for accessibility, mutual respect, and cultural integration . While Singapore has always been a multiracial society with a rich linguistic heritage, English has long served as the default bridge between communities, and in a landscape where PRC eateries are becoming a daily fixture, many Singaporeans are asking for a baseline level of linguistic accessibility in shared public spaces. Because inclusion is not just about race or religion, it starts with language and the ability to read the menu. A general ruling to mandate that signs, menus, and storefronts carry both English and the preferred language of the business, many suggested, would go a long way in ensuring every Singaporean feels at home, not just the ones who speak the language.
New Paper
21-06-2025
- Business
- New Paper
Tea chain 'Chagee'-ng towards inclusivity with new NUS outlet
As the second-oldest among four siblings, Mr Muhammad Salahuddin Omar was the only child in the family born deaf. The 27-year-old picked up sign language in kindergarten and now works at Chinese tea franchise Chagee's signing store located in the National University of Singapore (NUS). The store is staffed by Deaf and hard-of-hearing baristas employed through a partnership with SG Enable and the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf). The term "Deaf", with a capital letter D, refers to people with hearing loss who prefer to use sign language, and identify as a part of the Deaf community. Speaking to The New Paper in Singapore Sign Language (SgSL) with the help of a sign language interpreter, Mr Salahuddin shared that he, fortunately, did not experience bullying growing up. "I feel like maybe it's because of my face," he signed with his nimble fingers before letting out a chuckle. Though a little anxious, Mr Salahuddin was very enthusiastic while sharing his experiences. TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE The Deaf barista attended the Singapore School for the Deaf and Lighthouse School where he grew up alongside children with hearing disabilities and supportive teachers, he shared. Before joining Chagee, Mr Salahuddin worked in retail and F&B, roles he secured with support from SG Enable, a government agency aimed at assisting persons with disabilities and their caregivers. However, during his time at his previous two jobs, he did not have anybody he could communicate with as there was no one else who could understand sign language. When he first received the offer to work at Chagee's signing store last year through SADeaf, he was looking forward to being in a work environment where everyone could understand each other. "I thought it'd be interesting - I wanted the job because it'd be easier to communicate," he signed. Mr Salahuddin underwent three weeks of training conducted in sign language and aided by resource videos with closed captions before being deployed on the ground. Prior to the opening of the Chagee NUS store, Mr Salahuddin was working at the Orchard Gateway outlet - a high-volume store with long queues every day. "I need to be very focused at work because it's quite busy over there." Other Deaf and hard-of-hearing staff members at the signing store have also been previously attached to another store, ensuring a smooth transition to the newly opened NUS outlet that serves a large student crowd. Mr Lawrence Wen, general manager of Chagee Singapore, noted that the prior experience has equipped the team well for the high demand at the NUS outlet. "This store is actually a very high-volume store for us as well - there's a lot of delivery orders. Our store partners are more than capable of handling the high volume during lunchtime." The store is staffed by 14 baristas. TNP PHOTO: SEAH JUN DE The signing store had its soft launch last month and Mr Salahuddin has already become acquainted with some of the store's regulars. Faculty members visit the store so often that they have slowly picked up sign language, making it easier to communicate with them, he explained. Chagee NUS had its official launch on June 19, becoming the tea chain's first signing store in South-east Asia. The franchise has three signing stores in China. "Siting it at NUS was a deliberate choice - this is where future leaders are shaped, and we want to inspire more inclusive mindsets through everyday experiences," said Mr Wen in his opening address. The store was designed with the staff in mind. Walls are lined with cork to soften ambient noise and the open brewing area keeps the staff visually connected. "An inclusive society is one where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Initiatives like the Chagee signing store remind us that accessibility is not just about infrastructure - it is about mindset and intent," said Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development Eric Chua who was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony. To introduce customers to basic SgSL, a custom-made flip chart on the wall was developed with the help of SG Enable and SADeaf. Simple terms like "hello" and "thank you" in SgSL are displayed on the wall. Mr Salahuddin standing in front of the flip chart, signing the letter C. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHAGEE The store also features a mural by award-winning Deaf artist Angeline Chen Ziyue and photos taken by Singaporean Deaf photographer Isabelle Lim. "I hope that customers will be able to learn a bit more about sign language after their visit and be inspired to go for courses to pick it up," Mr Salahuddin signed in SgSL with a smile.
AsiaOne
20-06-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Chagee opens sign-language store at NUS supporting deaf community, Lifestyle News
Chagee unveiled its latest outlet at National University of Singapore (NUS) yesterday (June 19), possibly Singapore's first sign language-equipped tea-chain store. Located in NUS' Yusof Ishak House, the new outlet is also the tea chain's first-ever signing store in Southeast Asia. In a partnership with SG Enable and the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf), the outlet is staffed by deaf and hard-of-hearing baristas. The store's official launch was attended by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development and Law Eric Chua, where he highlighted the importance of inclusivity in Singapore. "An inclusive society is one where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Initiatives like the Chagee signing store remind us that accessibility is not just about infrastructure — it is about mindset and intent," he said. In a Facebook post later that day, he described such initiatives towards disability-inclusive employment as "encouraging". Not your average bubble tea store The 135 sq m outlet features cork-lined interiors that create a welcoming space for all. A layered step seating configuration also hopes to promote social interaction. One of its most eye-catching features is the custom-built flip chart wall. Developed in consultation with SG Enable and SADeaf, the flip chart wall is meant to be a simple step to introduce newcomers to basic sign language, and to foster meaningful exchanges between customers and staff. Another head-turner within the outlet is the vibrant wall mural, designed by award-winning deaf artist Angeline Chen Zi Yue, which adds an artistic touch to the space. To celebrate the opening of the store, Chagee has introduced two exclusive in-store merchandise bundles. They feature Chagee's signature Bo·Ya Jasmine Green Milk Tea and items such as canvas totes and keychains. For every bundle sold, the chain will donate $2 to SADeaf. Address: 31 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Yusof Ishak House, level 1, Singapore 119078 Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am to 8.30pm [[nid:716027]] amierul@
