Gong cha is among a handful of new restaurants in downtown Andover.
As students stepped onto campus, they were introduced to fresh new eateries in Andover downtown. Among them was Gong cha, an international bubble tea chain, which quickly became a hotspot for students looking for familiar flavors, a place to socialize, and even a new way to celebrate milestones.
Meara Wang ’26, an employee at the Andover Gong cha, has eagerly anticipated the store’s opening. She noted the versatility of the shop, observing crowds from a variety of age groups and locations. Enjoying perks such as free drinks, Wang spoke highly of the restaurant’s broad appeal.
“Honestly, I just thought, ‘Finally!’ when I heard Gong cha was opening. It felt long overdue because so many Andover students, and people in town in general, love boba. I’ve noticed that a lot of students treat it as a hangout spot now, just chilling and enjoying bubble tea together. We don’t have many options like that, so it fills a social niche we’ve been missing. I’ve seen all kinds of people come through. There are middle schoolers from Doherty [Middle School] who love it because it’s within walking distance, and they’re into the sweeter drinks. I also see older people stop by, especially in the evening when they’re out for a walk. I wouldn’t say it’s just for Andover students. There’s something on the menu for everyone,” said Wang.
The shop timed its opening perfectly with the start of school, drawing immediate crowds through its first-week promotions. Many students such as Benjamin Park ’29 were already familiar with the Gong cha brand prior to the Andover location, flocking to the store with curiosity.
“In Korea, where I used to live, I used to have a lot of Gong cha, so now I’m glad I can have the same stuff that I used to have over here too. It was surprising because I heard there were a lot of stores like Dunkin’ Donuts or some ice cream shops, but I never knew Gong cha was coming there. I think it will be popular, not only for students who used to have Gong cha before, but also for students who have never tried it or are willing to try it. Because of [its] proximity to downtown and also because news spreads pretty fast in this school, students are going to quickly know that there are new stores downtown,” said Park.
For others, the appeal of Gong cha began with the buy-one-get-one-free opening-week deal. Ian Kim ’28 recalled stopping by with friends and finding the shop already packed despite an ordering system designed for speed.
“I tried it last Friday after school with some friends, and when we walked in, the place was packed, which made sense because there was a lot of excitement. The way you order is convenient, you just go to the kiosk and quickly pick what you want. It did take a while because of the crowd, but I was satisfied with the experience. Bubble tea is already a big trend, and the buy-one-get-one deal when they first opened was definitely an extra incentive to check it out,” said Kim.
The influx in crowds and popularity, however, have also meant challenges. Forrest Wang ’29 pointed out long lines, mix-ups, and an understaffed team on busy weekends.
“At one point, I went with around ten people over the weekend, and there were only two people working on drinks and one at the counter. Everything took a long time, and a lot of people were getting impatient. Some drinks weren’t made correctly. For example, I ordered ice in my milk tea but didn’t get any, so it was half warm. I don’t blame the workers, though. It just shows the place needs more staff to keep up,” said Wang.
Despite these issues, Gong cha is still holding strong as Andover’s hottest new social spot. Wang added that the store has already become central to how he and others connect outside of campus.
“Going downtown with friends is a staple. I’ve met a lot of new people that way. For example, yesterday, I went downtown with a bunch of people I hadn’t really met before. It helped me meet new people and strengthen friendships with the ones I already had. A spot like Gong cha makes that easier,” said Wang.
Beyond Gong cha, restaurants like Nan’s Kitchen and Coco Kong have also expanded the Andover downtown dining scene. The increased variety has given students new ways to mark special occasions, break routine, or find time to bond with peers.
For many, these openings mean more than just food. They embody choice, atmosphere, and a broader sense of community in downtown Andover.
