The world’s largest fast-food chain just landed in the US — start with these 7 orders, all under $5

With more than 46,000 locations worldwide, the Snow King–fronted chain known for soft serve and bubble tea often sells out of items by day’s end at its U.S. locations.

Key Points

• Mixue, a massive Chinese beverage chain with more than 46,000 locations worldwide, has quickly drawn crowds in New York City thanks to its ultra-low prices and playful branding.
• Despite its high-volume shops, Mixue delivers polished, well-presented drinks with great value, especially in its teas, juices, and ice creams. Customizable sugar and ice levels, quick service, and sturdy packaging add to its appeal.
• Standout menu items include the Super Mango Sundae, Matcha Soft Serve, and Jasmine Float, which balance bold flavors with affordability.

A few months ago, most New Yorkers had never heard of Mixue, a Chinese beverage chain founded in 1997 in Zhengzhou that now operates more than 46,000 stores worldwide, making it the largest fast‑food chain on the planet. The brand is known across Asia for its cheerful Snow King mascot, its soft‑serve‑meets‑bubble‑tea menu, and its almost impossibly low prices. Not surprisingly, its relative anonymity here didn’t last long: New Yorkers are now mobbing the three recently opened shops, in Hell’s Kitchen, Herald Square, and Chinatown, where items routinely sell out. On a recent night, staff at the Hell’s Kitchen store even had to tape up a handwritten “No Ice Cream” sign.

Determined to understand the hype, I started working my way through the menu, and the charm and the chaos snapped into focus quickly. The Hell’s Kitchen shop played the same aggressively upbeat jingle on loop during three of my visits — a refrain of “I love you, you love me…ice cream…and tea,” which edged into audio torture with a side of boba. But the kiosks, mobile ordering, and a few cashiers let you dial in ice and sugar levels down to several different percentage points, and orders come out fast, even if the massive — and mobbed — Herald Square location did forget one of my drinks.

What surprised me most, though, was how polished everything looks once it’s in your hand. The cups are sturdy, the sealing is clean, and the branding — bright red logos, crisp labels, and that cartoonish Snow King — makes even the simplest lemonade or soft‑serve float feel more intentional than the prices suggest. 

After I visited a handful of times, patterns emerged. I’ve narrowed the menu down to seven must‑order items — the things Mixue genuinely does well and the drinks that show off the brand’s strengths. Be ready with a backup order, though, as items sell out constantly and the shops don’t hesitate to pull selections.

Among the items that didn’t make the list: the coffee, which was consistently bitter and really needs significant sugar or a flavor add‑in like coconut to be enjoyable. It also won’t help your morning commute — the shops don’t open until 11 a.m. And the passion fruit drinks taste fresh but have a naturally slimy texture that only fans of the fruit will love. Stick to the teas, juices, and ice cream — that’s where Mixue shines.

Super Mango Sundae, $3.49

The mango sauce has real tang and a silky texture that tastes far more expensive than it is. The vanilla soft serve is creamy with deep vanilla flavor, and the pearls add a nutty chew that makes the whole thing feel engineered for maximum joy per dollar.

Matcha Soft Serve, $1.69

A true bargain and a genuinely satisfying snack. (You can also get a vanilla cone for $1.19!) The matcha flavor is surprisingly present and bolstered by vanilla, and the texture is smooth enough that you forget you paid less than the price of a subway swipe.

Coconut Mango With Taro, $4.99

This drink has great mango flavor and a creamy coconut base. I’d recommend 30% sugar to keep it bright. The taro balls are firmer and less flavorful than the pearls, so I’d recommend swapping them out.

Pudding Milk Tea, $3.99

Silky and mild, with a custardy pudding that blends into the tea instead of sitting like a separate layer, this one is comforting and not too sweet.

Fresh Lemonade, $1.99

This was one of the prettier drinks, as you can see through the clear cup to real lemon slices — I just wanted a few more of them for more of a lemony punch. A sugar level of 50% was plenty for me to keep it refreshing, and I see this being a big hit as the weather warms.

Jasmine Float, $2.99

This float is very floral and robust — jasmine lovers will be thrilled. I was surprised how well the vanilla ice cream complemented the jasmine, softening the edges without muting the tea. It’s unexpectedly elegant for three dollars.

Matcha Latte, $4.49

The matcha in the latte tasted weaker and flatter than in the soft serve, but if you don’t expect ceremonial grade and tell yourself you’re spending about half of what you would at Cha Cha Matcha, this will do the job.