Chinese Coffee Chains Are Changing What It Means to Be an Asian Drink Shop

"Today's options have bigger footprints than the mom-and-pop shops of my youth. We are in the heyday of boba coffee shops opening in Chinatowns across New York City, ventures combining two vibrant drink cultures under one roof. They're often established Chinese chains, such as Cotti, Luckin, and Mixue. These shops have eliminated the need to choose between sitting down at a cafe or a grab-and-go boba shop."

"These chains market themselves not on cultural authenticity or boba's Taiwanese roots, but on scale - how many people they can reach and how efficiently they can reach them. As these shops establish themselves in NYC Chinatowns, offering caffeine and sugar on a budget, here are some of the highlights."

"Cotti Coffee comes from former Luckin workers and also originated in China. The brand is now among the three biggest coffee shops in the world, with 18,000 stores in 28 countries. The menu includes fruit coffees, lattes, teas, and frappes with prices ranging from $3 for the classic coffees to $5 and $6 for lattes and fruit coffees."

Boba shops have evolved from intimate neighborhood hangouts into large-scale commercial ventures. Chinese chains like Cotti, Luckin, and Mixue now dominate NYC Chinatowns, combining coffee and boba tea under one roof. These establishments market themselves on accessibility and efficiency rather than cultural heritage or Taiwanese origins. Cotti Coffee, founded by former Luckin employees, exemplifies this trend with 18,000 stores across 28 countries. Their NYC locations offer affordable drinks ranging from $3 to $6, featuring vibrant fruit coffees, lattes, and teas. These shops provide budget-friendly options in working-class neighborhoods while serving as gathering spaces for younger generations of Asian youth.

Read at Eater NY