CHAGEE Jongno Cafe Review: My Top Milk Tea Picks

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Seoul's Must-Try Tea Spot:

CHAGEE Jongno Review

Hey there, fellow explorers! It's your travel blogger, Tak Sajang, here.

You've probably heard about the "Jang Won-young Milk Tea" that's taken China by storm, right?

It's none other than CHAGEE milk tea!

I've enjoyed CHAGEE in China before, and I was thrilled to hear they've opened several branches in Seoul, including locations near City Hall and Jongno. I visited the Jongno branch, and I'm excited to share my top menu recommendations and how it compares to the Chinese experience!

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🚨 Today's Travel Notes

This is my honest, self-funded review of CHAGEE milk tea, based on my personal experience.

⭐️ Travel Difficulty Rating: ★☆☆

Super easy! Just decide on your sweetness level when you order, and you're all set!

1. CHAGEE Jongno Location & How to Order

✔️ Location: A quick 3-minute walk from Jonggak Station

✔️ Operating Hours: 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM

✔️ Special Feature: The first two-story CHAGEE store in Korea!

I visited the recently opened CHAGEE in Jongno. Having experienced it in China, this was my first time trying it in Korea, and I was impressed by the clean and pleasant atmosphere.

This location boasts two floors; you order on the first floor and can enjoy your drink on either level. The second floor was quite popular, bustling with customers!

🚨 Travel Pro Tip!

If you order through the CHAGEE app, you can snag a new member coupon and earn membership points! If you plan on visiting more than once, signing up is definitely the way to go!

2. CHAGEE Milk Tea Recommended Menu

Prices for a regular size are around ~$4.

A larger size typically costs around ~$4.

Most of the drinks are tea-blended beverages, and the Matcha series seems to be incredibly popular these days in 2026!

If you're new to Chinese teas or find the names a bit intimidating, don't worry about getting stuck at the ordering counter.

A fantastic tip is to simply smell the tea samples displayed on the side! This makes choosing your drink much easier and more enjoyable.

For my visit, I opted for Dahongpao and Lapsang Souchong.

While Jasmine is a popular choice, I found it a bit too floral for my taste when I tried it in China. This time, I went for a more savory, oolong-style tea with a rich, roasted aroma.

3. My Honest Review

I actually expected a super long line, but to my surprise, there wasn't much of a wait at all when I visited. It seems like with more CHAGEE locations popping up across Seoul, the crowds are a bit more spread out now.

My drinks were ready in about 5 minutes, which was fantastic! My only slight regret was choosing to drink in-store, as I missed out on the unique, Dior-esque takeout cup that CHAGEE is known for.

I received my two drinks. They looked similar at first glance, but the Lapsang Souchong had a slightly darker hue. After tasting both, my clear favorite was the Dahongpao!

Dahongpao is a Wuyishan rock tea, a type of oolong tea from China.

With the first sip, a delightful, roasted grain-like aroma enveloped my senses. It felt slightly lighter than the Lapsang Souchong, making it incredibly easy to drink. Compared to Jasmine, its robust, savory finish lingered beautifully, delivering a truly rich and comforting milk tea experience.

Honestly, I found the CHAGEE milk tea in Korea even more delicious than what I had in China!

I'd highly recommend increasing the sweetness level by one notch above the standard (50%). The base sweetness isn't overly high, so it won't taste too sweet, just perfectly balanced.

4. CHAGEE vs. Heytea Milk Tea: A Comparison

When it comes to popular Chinese tea brands, CHAGEE milk tea and Heytea are two names you simply can't ignore. With both having branches near Cheonggyecheon in Seoul, choosing between them can be quite a delightful dilemma!

Having tried both brands in both Korea and China, my personal verdict leans towards Heytea.

While Heytea is known for its extensive range of fruit teas, even when comparing just their milk tea offerings, Heytea stood out as more delicious to my palate. (Of course, taste is subjective!)

If you prefer a sweeter milk tea, Heytea is your go-to. But if you're like me and appreciate a more fragrant, aromatic tea experience, then CHAGEE is definitely worth a try!

✔️ My personal ranking: China Heytea >>>> Korea Heytea > Korea CHAGEE >> China CHAGEE

5. CHAGEE Milk Tea FAQ

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Q. Is the waiting line long at CHAGEE Jongno?

CHAGEE primarily uses app orders, so you can cut down on waiting by ordering ahead via the app before you arrive. If it's not peak time, the in-store ordering wait isn't usually long either.

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Q. Is the taste of CHAGEE in China the same as in Korea?

The menu offerings are similar, but the names and prices differ. In Korea, a regular size starts from about ~$4, while in China, prices are around 20 yuan.

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✅ Today's Travel Log Complete!

If you're trying CHAGEE milk tea for the first time, Jasmine is an easy and safe choice. But if you appreciate a rich, savory tea aroma, you absolutely must try the Dahongpao milk tea!

I'll be back with more useful travel tips in my next adventure log. Feel free to leave any questions in the comments, and have a wonderful trip!

Thanks for reading today!

Happy travels! 🇰🇷

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