Yaya Tea GRAND (Little Italy) — Restaurant in New York

Horrible service and milk tea. Save your time and money, go elsewhere.

Earlier today, I wanted to order a rose tea latte, but the cashier said all the items on the left side of the menu were "unavailable" and "took too long to make." I ended up ordering a regular black milk tea with 30% sugar and was told the place was also out of tapioca. The cashier told the customers behind me to go next-door for a drink with tapioca! Even worse, while I was waiting for my drink, I saw someone else get a rose milk tea, which the cashier wouldn't let me order!

My order came out and it was DISGUSTING. Tasted like sugar water and it was lukewarm, barely had any ice and it had all melted within a minute of getting the drink. I was unsatisfied with my order, so they took my drink back, opened up the top and kept adding black tea to it (no milk, just plain black tea). It just got worse and worse so I asked for a refund. The cashier said "they used too many resources already" so they couldn't give me my money back. RIDICULOUS. Not only is what they did unsanitary, especially during the pandemic, but they also wasted my time, money, and contributed to a very bad experience.

Seriously, go anywhere...

Yaya Tea in Little Italy is a nice place to grab some fragrant tea drinks as well as their iconic rice onigiris! Additionally, they also have customizeable food options for non-dairy, vegetarian, and vegan people. The shop also features a selection of Japanese snacks and a variety of branded merchandise, special tea jars, and plushies. It is a nice cozy place to people watch from the corner of Grand & Mott Streets and I would definitely recommend visiting!

P.S. They always play nice bangers on the music speakers, have a comfy climate controlled setting with ventilation & seating. And for international tourists ordering on the kiosks, Yaya Tea has a specific number labelled on the corner that works with the ordering system! No WiFi is provided in store, although the reception from the free LinkNYC Public WiFi/Phone Access Point across the street reaches the store (I would advise using a VPN or Secure WiFi protection when accessing this...

I came here on 6/2 and ordered a plum rice ball. I used the wrapper as a plate and left it on the table while i ordered a new one. The cashier didn’t call out the food but I saw my name on it so I figured it wasn’t ready… I go back to sit down and she’s staring me so I go up to her and ask if it’s ready and she says “when you’re done with the food, there’s a garbage can RIGHT THERE. “ and I told her “yeah I wasn’t gong to leave my food on the table” and all she said was “do you need napkins..” food was cold and she was completely rude. I worked in customer service for 12 years and I would never say that to a customer. Don’t take out your anger on customers who were nice to you. Even before this incident, I said thank you and she said nothing. First and last time coming to...