Dave Cook / Eating In Translation
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The low West 100s near Columbia University is becoming a destination for major Chinese food and beverage chains. Auntea Jenny, one of the world’s largest bubble tea franchises with over 9,000 locations globally, appears to be setting up shop at 2794 Broadway at the corner of West 108th Street. Thanks to Dave Cook at Eating In Translation for the tip.
The Shanghai-based chain opened its first American location in Flushing, Queens in May 2025, the same month the company went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The IPO raised approximately $35 million, and the husband-and-wife founders, Shan Weijun and Zhou Rongrong, now have an estimated combined net worth of $1.7 billion.
Since then, they’ve expanded to several cities in California.
Founded in 2013 with a single store in Shanghai’s People’s Square, Auntea Jenny built its reputation by pioneering the fusion of grains with milk tea. The brand expanded rapidly, particularly in China’s smaller cities, growing from 1,000 stores in 2018 to over 6,000 by 2023. The company opened its first overseas location in Kuala Lumpur in February 2024 before turning its attention to the United States.
The menu features fresh fruit teas, mango pomelo sago, various milk tea options, and the chain’s signature grain-infused beverages. Popular items at the Flushing location include the premium jasmine green tea latte and a strawberry daifuku-inspired drink with mochi bits. The brand positions itself as offering high-value, healthy freshly brewed drinks at mid-range prices.
Auntea Jenny’s arrival marks the third China-based food and beverage chain to announce plans for the Columbia neighborhood in recent months.
Luckin Coffee, the Chinese coffeehouse giant that dethroned Starbucks in its home market, has signage up at 2799 Broadway at the corner of West 108th Street—directly across the street from the prospective Auntea Jenny location. The app-only coffee chain, known for its low prices and innovative flavors like its viral Moutai-infused latte, began its U.S. expansion in June 2025 with locations near NYU and in NoMad.
Meanwhile, NaiSnow recently opened at 971 Amsterdam Avenue between West 107th and 108th Streets. The Shenzhen-based chain, which has nearly 2,000 locations and was the first upscale teahouse chain to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, combines premium teas with freshly baked pastries like coffee tiramisu tarts and savory meat floss cakes.
The clustering of these brands near Columbia University is no coincidence. As Luckin noted in its expansion strategy, the company is initially targeting cities with larger Chinese student and tourist populations. The demographic mix around Columbia—with its substantial international student body—appears to be drawing these chains looking to establish a foothold in the American market.
The building at 2794 Broadway is a mixed-use property on the corner of West 108th Street, with residential units above street-level retail spaces. The retail space was previously home to 108 Food Dried Hot Pot, which closed in June 2025.
We have reached out to Auntea Jenny for comment on an expected opening date and will update this story as more information becomes available.
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