Founded in 2017, Chagee has quickly become one of the fastest-growing specialty tea brands in the world. The company focuses on handcrafted drinks made from premium whole-leaf tea sourced from Yunnan, China, a region widely regarded as the birthplace of tea cultivation. Rather than relying on powders or artificial concentrates, Chagee emphasizes brewing techniques designed to highlight the flavor of traditional Chinese teas while presenting them in modern formats like tea lattes, fruit-forward lemon teas, and chilled pure teas.
The brand describes its concept as “rooted in heritage and reimagined for today,” blending centuries-old tea traditions with contemporary café culture. Its menu typically features milk teas topped with creamy foam, bright citrus-infused teas, and lighter pure tea options designed to showcase the natural character of the leaves.
Chagee has also begun building cultural partnerships as it expands globally. One recent collaboration paired the brand with Icelandic-Chinese jazz singer Laufey, highlighting the company’s focus on storytelling and cross-cultural inspiration while promoting tea as both a social ritual and a sensory experience.
The upcoming San Diego location will join a rapidly growing lineup of Asian food and beverage brands that have turned Westfield UTC into one of Southern California’s most concentrated destinations for international dining concepts. Over the past decade, the La Jolla shopping center has attracted a mix of high-profile imports and regional favorites including Din Tai Fung, Hai Di Lao, Ramen Nagi, Silverlake Ramen, Marugame Udon, SomiSomi, Happy Lemon, 85°C Bakery Café, and the recently-unveiled Katsuya Ko. The space once home to The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar inside UTC will also soon welcome Chef Fei, one of China's most celebrated stir-fry restaurant brands, marking its first-ever North American location.
Other concepts spanning global cuisines have also expanded the center’s culinary footprint, including Shake Shack, Salt & Straw, Parfait Paris, Raised by Wolves, and the soon-to-open Teleferic Barcelona and JOEY La Jolla.
Chagee Modern Teahouse is expected to open later this year at 4545 La Jolla Village Drive in San Diego’s University City neighborhood. For more information, visit chagee.us.
Originally published on March 4, 2026.
