Richmond’s bubble tea scene isn’t slowing down, and we’re here for it.
The latest addition?
Chahalo, a global tea brand with over 1,000 locations worldwide, is making its BC debut this spring.
Remember back in December 2024 when Whale Tea at Empire Centre quietly called it quits?
Well, its space didn’t stay vacant for long.
Chahalo is moving in, ready to bring their poetic spin on milk tea and Eastern tea culture to Richmond.
Chahalo is a tea culture-focused brand that aims to capture the leisurely essence of Chang’an (an ancient Chinese capital) in every cup.
It’s all about turning tea drinking into a moment of Zen—because who couldn’t use a little peace with their caffeine?
Founded in 2016, Chahalo has already made its way to Canada with three locations in Ontario, and now it’s Richmond’s turn to get in on the hype.
If you’re into tea with some real flair, Chahalo’s menu has just that.
The drinks are made with real tea leaves (no artificial nonsense here) and come in gorgeous ancient Chinese-inspired paper cups.
The drink names?
Pure poetry. Think Lotus Tea Latte, Emerald Tea Cappuccino, and Matcha Whispering Spring.
Each one is crafted to highlight tea flavours, a refreshing shift from Vancouver’s fruit tea obsession for the past couple of years.
Chahalo also fits into the growing trend of modern tea shops like Chagee and Mollytea that have taken Asia by storm.
With Vancouver recently welcoming its first modern milk tea-focused spot, Chayan, and seeing major success, it’s clear that there’s an appetite for stronger, tea-forward beverages.
According to Chahalo, their Richmond outpost is set to open in March 2025 at Empire Centre.
If their unique branding and dedication to authentic tea-making are anything to go by, this is one spot to mark on your bubble tea bucket list.
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Address: 4600 Number 3 Rd Unit 131, Richmond, BC V6X 2C2