Food & Beverage

Gong Cha using Line Friends Minini characters to intro new flavor

April 28, 2025

Gong cha, a bubble tea brand with over 240 locations, is featuring Line Friends minini characters on keychains and special-edition minini tumblers to mark the introduction of a new topping at Gong cha — mini pearls — to create four flavors. They include:

• Mini Pearl Mango Milk: Mango milk poured over coconut jelly, layered with mango puree, mini pearls, and topped with diced mango.
• Mini Pearl Mango Smoothie: Mango and tea slush blend layered with mini pearls and topped with diced mango.
• Mini Pearl Strawberry Milk Tea: Strawberry milk tea poured over coconut jelly, layered with mini pearls and topped with diced sweetened strawberry pieces.
• Mini Pearl Strawberry Smoothie: Strawberry and tea slush layered with mini pearls, a drizzle of sweet strawberry syrup and topped with strawberry pieces.

"This partnership is all about fun — from the launch of our mini pearls, to the special collectibles featuring the playful world of minini," Missy Maio, VP of Marketing & Global Partnerships, Gong cha Americas, said in a company press release.

To celebrate the launch, the partnership will be spotlighted with a digital billboard in New York City's Times Square from May 5 through May 18

Created by Line Friends (corporately known as IPX), minini are petite characters known for their humble cuteness and curious spirit, captivating Gen Z, according to the release. For the partnership, Gong cha is giving away minini keychains to guests who spend $24 or more on drinks (excluding merchandise). Three collectible designs are available, and additional keychains may also be purchased for $7.99 each. Also available for a limited time are minini tumblers featuring fan-favorite friends such as minini bnini and minini conini. The reusable tumblers cost $19.99.