Chinese Coffee Chains Expand Across NYC Chinatowns

Brands like Cotti, Luckin, and Mixue bring a new era of boba and coffee shops to Asian neighborhoods.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Major Chinese coffee and tea chains like Cotti, Luckin, and Mixue are rapidly expanding into New York City's Chinatown neighborhoods, offering a new generation of Asian youth a modern take on traditional boba and coffee shop experiences. These chains are prioritizing scale and efficiency over cultural authenticity, combining coffee, tea, and boba under one roof to cater to a diverse customer base.

Why it matters

The rise of these Chinese coffee chains in NYC's Chinatowns represents a shift in the local drink shop landscape, moving away from the mom-and-pop boba shops of the past towards a more corporate, globalized model. This raises questions about the preservation of cultural identity and the impact on small, independent businesses as these large chains gain a foothold.

The details

Cotti Coffee, a former Luckin spinoff, has opened multiple locations in neighborhoods like Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, and Manhattan's Chinatown, offering a range of coffee, tea, and boba-based drinks. Luckin Coffee, China's largest coffee brand, has also expanded to 10 NYC locations, featuring a minimalist, app-based ordering system and a menu focused on high-quality coffee. Mixue, a Chinese chain known for its ice cream and tea drinks, has opened a vibrant, maximalist location in Chinatown, highlighting its vertically integrated supply chain.

  • Cotti Coffee opened its first NYC storefront in Sunset Park in May 2025.
  • Luckin Coffee opened its first NYC location in June 2025.
  • Mixue opened its Chinatown location in New York City in February 2026.

The players

Cotti Coffee

A Chinese coffee chain that has expanded to over 18,000 stores in 28 countries, including multiple locations in New York City's Chinatown neighborhoods.

Luckin Coffee

China's largest coffee brand, with over 26,000 stores worldwide, including 10 locations in New York City as of 2025.

Mixue

A Chinese chain specializing in ice cream and tea-based drinks, with 45,000 stores globally and a vibrant new location in New York City's Chinatown.

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What they’re saying

“Every time I walk by a small Kung Fu Tea, Vivi, or a HeyTea, and I see young kids inside, I realize another generation of Asian youth can find solace inside these shops, through the teensy promise of a cup of black sesame latte or strawberry matcha.”

— Helen Chen, Author (eater.com)

The takeaway

The expansion of these Chinese coffee and tea chains in New York City's Chinatowns represents a significant shift in the local drink shop landscape, moving away from the traditional mom-and-pop boba shops towards a more corporate, globalized model. This raises questions about the preservation of cultural identity and the impact on small, independent businesses as these large chains gain a foothold in the community.