Chapayom is a Thai tea franchise originating from Thailand, known for its street-style drinks and desserts, with its first Australian store opening in Sydney in 2019.
Cha Yen Latte ($5.50)
A combination of Thai milk tea and coffee, built on spice-infused black tea from Chiang Rai with condensed milk, fresh milk and cream over ice. The profile leaned towards coffee, which carried through most of the palate. The tea sat behind it, contributing a mild spiced sweetness rather than leading. The result resembled a condensed milk coffee with a secondary tea note.
Mango Sticky Rice Crème Frappe ($7.50)
A thick, blended drink inspired by the classic dessert. Mango was immediate and sustained, presenting a bright, sweet profile from first sip to last. Purple sticky rice lined the cup and appeared intermittently, adding a mild starch note and soft texture. The overall weight was substantial, closer to a dessert than a drink.
Grilled Milky Bun with Sangkaya Pandan Custard ($3.50)
The bun was toasted to a crisp exterior while remaining light internally. The pandan custard introduced a smooth, fragrant sweetness, while fresh coconut added a light chew and freshness. The structure balanced warmth, softness and mild crispness.
Thai Tea Soft Serve ($4.00)
A dense, creamy soft serve with a persistent Thai milk tea flavour. The tea profile remained intact throughout, without fading as the temperature dropped. Sweetness and tannin were held in balance, maintaining clarity across the portion.
A revisit during Parramatta Lanes introduced a broader dessert format.
Coconut Pandan Ice Cream and Drink Combo ($12.00)
Coconut pandan ice cream inspired by itim kati, served with sticky rice, roasted peanuts, nata de coco and a caramelised crisp element. The composition moved across temperatures and textures: warm rice against cold ice cream, soft against crunchy. Coconut and pandan formed the base, with salt and caramel adding contrast. The elements integrated without any single component dominating.
Cha Yen ($5.50)
Ordered with reduced ice. This shifted the profile towards a more rounded and less concentrated flavour. The tea and milk integrated more evenly, reducing the sharper, sweeter edge typical of standard preparations.
Chapayom was located on the Rooftop Eat Street Carpark at Parramatta Lanes from 15-18 October 2019.
Drinks and desserts leaned heavily on contrast—temperature, texture and sweetness—while maintaining accessible flavour profiles. Coffee-based variations showed a tendency to dominate, while traditional combinations performed more cohesively.
Chapayom is located at Meriton Retail Precinct, Kiosk 1, 537-551 George St, Sydney NSW 2000.