Select by Kung Fu Tea, a new elevated tea concept from the parent company of America's largest bubble tea brand, is set to grand open two New York City locations on June 26th, one in Manhattan's Chinatown and another in Flushing's New World Mall.
Select by Kung Fu Tea's menu distinguishes itself through the use of rare and carefully sourced tea bases, including Da Hong Pao from the rock cliffs of Wuyi, Long Jing green tea with its characteristic chestnut warmth, and Camellia Oolong with delicate floral notes. These sophisticated blends are used to build milk teas that prioritize temperature, texture, and composition. Select by Kung Fu Tea's specialty coffee program complements the tea offerings with Italian-style espresso pulled at optimal temperature, then paired with unconventional ingredients like Black Sesame, Osmanthus, or coconut water to create familiar yet novel beverages.
The grand opening weekend will feature limited gift bags for initial guests containing items such as Levain Bakery treats, Phlur Matcha Milk Mist, a custom candle, incense sticks, and mini flower bouquets, along with a buy-one-get-one-free promotion on all drinks.
Image Credit: Select by Kung Fu Tea
What's Driving This Trend
- Premium Bubble Tea
- Rare tea bases and precise preparation elevate bubble tea from a casual treat into a craft beverage format with room for higher-margin, origin-led menus.
- Tea-coffee Hybrids
- Cross-category drinks pairing espresso with ingredients like black sesame, osmanthus, and coconut water create a new middle ground between café culture and Asian tea shops.
- Sensory Launch Gifting
- Limited gift bags featuring bakery items, fragrance, candles, incense, and flowers turn store openings into lifestyle moments that extend beverage brands beyond the cup.
Who This Affects Most
- Beverage Retail
- Quick-service drink concepts are becoming more premium and experience-driven as consumers seek specialty ingredients, customized textures, and visually distinctive formats.
- Specialty Coffee
- Espresso programs blended with nontraditional flavors and tea-shop aesthetics expand the specialty coffee category into more experimental, culturally hybrid occasions.
- Experiential Marketing
- Lifestyle-oriented launch promotions combining food, beauty, scent, and floral products create collaborative retail ecosystems around limited-time beverage experiences.
