A global “new-style tea” giant is making its way to Malden.
HeyTea—formerly known as RoyalTea—is preparing to open a new tea house at 180 Pleasant St, according to city permits. Franchisee Xiao Tao Chen is listed on the filings and business documents as the operator behind the upcoming outpost.
Founded in 2012 in Jiangmen, Guangdong province, HeyTea has grown from a tiny alleyway shop into a worldwide phenomenon with more than 4,000 existing locations. The brand is widely credited with pioneering the modern cheese tea craze, thanks to founder Nie Yunchen.
The drink pairs freshly brewed tea, often green or black, with a thick, lightly salted cream cheese foam on top, resulting in a silky finish often compared to liquid cheesecake. It is meant to be sipped directly from the cup without stirring, so the layers of salty foam and sweet tea can be enjoyed together.
Beyond its signature cheese teas, HeyTea’s menu spans fruit-forward blends like mango grapefruit and peach oolong, creamy matcha lattes, brown sugar boba milk teas, and espresso-based beverages. Select locations also offer light bites such as tonkotsu, shoyu, and miso ramen, along with snacks like popcorn chicken and takoyaki.
“Starting from a humble alley in a small town, we dreamed of doing something truly cool: beginning with inspiration, staying committed to quality ingredients, and giving ancient eastern tea a fresh, modern spirit,” reads HeyTea’s website. “Through every cup, we aspire to bring a sense of inspiration and zen to everyone.”
According to permits, the Malden space will span roughly 1,500 square feet with seating for 12 guests. Recent filings indicate that signage is in progress, though an official opening date has not been announced, and Chen has not yet responded to What Now Boston‘s requests for comment.
Another HeyTea location is reportedly in the works for Boston’s Chinatown, though details about that outpost remain limited for now. Once open, the new shops will join the brand’s existing nearby locations in Allston and the Back Bay.
