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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Isabella Lee

Mascots, merchandise and Mixue: the new wave of Asian fast food chains in Australia

Mascots of Mixue, MollyTea and Marrybrown: a crowned snowman, cartoon child, and waving chipmunk character
Cafe mascots (clockwise from left): Mixue’s Snow King, MollyTea’s Molly and Marrybrown’s Brownie the chipmunk. Composite: CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images/The Guardian/Marrybrown Australia

On a Thursday night along Sydney’s George Street, teenagers Sasha Luangrungvilai and Livinia Boyden are looking for a “little treat” after a big day of window shopping. Although it’s Luangrungvilai’s first time at Mixue, it’s been a long-awaited visit – Boyden has been hyping up the Chinese bubble-tea juggernaut for weeks. “I love having so many dessert options for treats,” says Luangrungvilai. “It gives me a chance to try new foods which is always great.”

The first Australian outpost of Mixue opened in 2023 in Sydney and now they have more than 10 locations across the country. The brand is part of a wave of fast food and quick service restaurant chains originating from east and south-east Asia that have set up shop in Australia in recent years.

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