Richmond’s Union Square has been going through a wave of turnover the last couple of months.
But even with all the changes, it still remains the most concentrated bubble tea plaza in the province.
And that pattern continues with the new challenger is now ready to soft open on Wednesday, November 6th (1PM – 7PM).
Chayan, a London-based bubble tea shop, is officially soft-opening at Union Square Shopping Centre, bringing a fresh wave of milk tea excitement to the area.
Unlike the fruit teas and cream foam trends that have taken over Vancouver’s bubble tea scene, Chayan is all about an oriental tea experience.
Think teas inspired by China’s booming tea trends, similar to mega hyped brands like Chagee and Molly Tea.
Originating in London in 2023, Chayan opened with much fanfare and quickly earned glowing reviews, with customers dubbing them the “Best Frappe in the UK” and “Best Milk Tea in the UK.”
Now, they’re expanding into Vancouver—their owners, who live in the city, are ready to bring that UK tea hype to Richmond.
If you’re wondering what to expect, Chayan offers a menu that’s a mix of Frappes, Chappucinos, and Iced Teas, all crafted from teas sourced directly from China.
Their Black Tea Frappe is the star of the show, blending Jinjunmei black tea with fresh milk, a light whipped cream topping, and pecan chips for a bit of crunch.
Other tea bases available include Pu’er, Matcha Green Tea, and Da-Hong Pao—ideal for the serious tea enthusiasts out there.
You can also tweak the sweetness level and temperature.
Chayan’s other standout line is their Chappucino, which gives a cappuccino twist to milk tea.
The Jasmine Green Tea Chappucino is the supposed fan favourite, and customers can even opt for non-dairy alternatives.
During our visit, we got a sneak peek of the entire set up. Note that they were not 100% complete with the interior or machine calibrations at that time.
The drinks at Chayan will be made in quick fashion with their high-tech teapresso machine, the same one used by the well-known HeyTea.
Their London location started off with staff hand making each drink, but has since switched over to this machine as well.
When it comes to the space, Chayan’s branding is a delightful mix of traditional and modern influences.
Their takeaway bags feature bamboo and panda illustrations in elegant black ink strokes, while the cafe interior boasts a minimalist and inviting design.
The wooden counter and wall designs also give off that traditional Chinese vibe.
To celebrate their soft opening on Wednesday, November 6th, Chayan is gifting guests with a limited branded decorative scent charm.
These charms feature floral patterns and come with a choice of freesia or jasmine scent—a lovely keepsake that embodies Chayan’s thoughtful approach to its brand experience.
It is unknown how many of these charms they have, so you’ll likely want to visit on the first day for it.
Chayan’s arrival is an exciting addition to the Richmond bubble tea scene, which has been dominated by the fruity favourites from MACU Tea.
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Address: 8328 Capstan Wy #1108, Richmond, BC V6X 4B6