Yaya Tea Garden is an AAPI women-owned business known for its handmade onigiris (Japanese rice balls) and wide selection of Asian snacks. They also have freshly-brewed fruit teas with names like “First Love,” “Second Chance,” and “Sugar Mama.”

In January 2008, Mindy Cheung borrowed $30,000 from her family to start the business on 163 Hester Street. A college junior at the time, she had no experience in business or making boba when she first started. Due to rising rental costs in Manhattan’s Chinatown, she eventually relocated the business to its current location, 51 Chrystie Street, two years later. Despite the setback, Mindy says that “she doesn’t think she will leave Chinatown as the neighborhood is like her home. Everyone knows everyone, just like the first batch of customers became her part-time employees. Everyone is like family here.” A lot of drinks on the menu are even created by her customers!

Now, her business has expanded beyond her original store on Chrystie Street. Customers can now enjoy Yaya Tea Garden in Chinatown, Little Italy, Gramercy, Bensonhurst, Elmhurst, Newark, and even Chapel Hill and Durham!

Despite the saturated bubble tea market in NYC, customers continue to return to Yaya Tea for its family vibes, cute designs, and affordable prices. And we agree! Our favorite is the shrimp tempura rice ball paired with the “Boyfriend” tea.

Fun Fact: Yaya, actually stands for 雅雅, which was Mindy’s nickname growing up.

📸: Chinaqw and Robert K. Chin.

📍 Yaya Tea Garden (Chinatown)
51 Chrystie St, New York, NY 10002

📍 Yaya Tea Garden (Little Italy)
206 Grand St, New York, NY 10013