As someone who loves food, I was a bit embarrassed to discover Mixue only after it opened its first U.S. stores in New York City last year. With over 40,000 locations, this is the world’s biggest fast food chain, yet it doesn’t serve burgers or fries.
Mixue focuses on tea, coffee, soft serve ice cream, and fruity drinks. Founded in China in 1997, the chain is now tapping into a huge market in the U.S. New York has no shortage of dessert spots, so I decided to check out the Mixue in Chinatown to see what all the buzz was about.
Walking into the shop, I noticed it was bright and busy. There wasn’t a long line, but customers were placing orders at touchscreens while staff worked diligently to prepare drinks and soft serve. I grabbed a quick photo with the Snow King, Mixue’s mascot, before diving into the menu.
Must-Try Menu Items
Before my visit, I researched the best items to try. The classic soft serve and milk tea stood out, along with other desserts and frozen drinks. Unfortunately, some popular choices, like brown sugar milk tea, were sold out on my visit.
I focused on the soft serve desserts, looking for a creamy texture and a balance of sweetness—not the cloying flavors often found at fast-food joints. For the tea, I aimed for floral and earthy notes, and I played around with different sweetness levels.
Soft Serve and Milk Tea
The Super Strawberry Sundae brought back nostalgic memories of summer treats. But the overly sweet strawberry topping overshadowed the ice cream’s milky flavor, making it too sugary. Mixing it up helped, turning it into a more balanced strawberry milkshake instead.
The milk tea was a standout. I’ve had milk tea from many places, and Mixue’s was exceptional. I chose 30% sugar, just right for my taste—enough to enhance the black tea’s earthy notes without being overwhelming.
A coconut latte was less impressive, though. It tasted weak and lacked the rich flavors I expected. It was cheap for Manhattan but felt flat—definitely not a highlight of my visit.
Signature Best Sellers
The Signature King Cone was a pleasant surprise. This soft serve was light and milky, offering good value at just $1.19. It melted in my mouth and had a nice balance of sweetness, surpassing many other soft serve options in the city.
I also tried the Oolong Iced Tea, a steal at $1.99. The flavor was richer than expected, making it a good choice for tea lovers. Oolong tea falls between green and black tea, providing a nice depth to the flavor.
Final Thoughts
I walked away impressed with Mixue. While not every item was perfect, the prices were fair, especially in New York City. The standout items—soft serve and milk tea—anchored the menu. Despite the bright and cold atmosphere of the shop, I found it an excellent stop for a quick treat.
As summer approaches, I’m looking forward to visiting Mixue again for some refreshing soft serve. If you’re in the area, it’s worth checking out this unique fast food chain that doesn’t fit the traditional mold.
For more insights into Mixue’s rise and the trends in fast food, check out this recent article by Forbes.
