Vietnam restaurant group Golden Gate has stepped into the bubble-tea market with its first Yu Tang outlet in Hanoi.
It is on the Chua Lang site formerly occupied by failed The Coffee Inn. The group acquired the property at the end of last year.
Yu Tang expands on the traditional bubble-tea offering with Taiwanese finger foods such as dumplings and popcorn chicken.
Founded in 2005, Golden Gate now owns local and franchised F&B chains in Vietnam such as Gogi House, Kichi Kichi, SumoBBQ and Vuvuzela Beer Club.
Meanwhile, Taiwanese milk-tea brands Sharetea and T4 have moved into Ho Chi Minh City this year, promising more stores in the near future. A third brand, Presotea, is seeking a partner for Vietnam.
Cashing in, fast-food giant McDonald’s has launched its own milk-tea recipe at all its Vietnam outlets. Its Milkfoam Kacchiato is made from speciality tea grown in Bao Loc city.