drink
Cha Yen
ชาเย็น
Mild
Cha Yen is Thai iced tea — strongly brewed black tea mixed with condensed milk and evaporated milk poured over crushed ice, creating Thailand's most iconic sweet, creamy orange drink.
Cultural Origin
Cha Yen, Thai iced tea, is a 20th-century street-vendor drink built on strongly brewed Ceylon-style black tea blended with star anise, tamarind, and food coloring, then sweetened with condensed and evaporated milk. It is one of Thailand's signature beverages and is sold from carts and noodle shops nationwide.
Allergens & Sensitivities
dairy
Key Ingredients
- Thai black tea
- condensed milk
- evaporated milk
- crushed ice
Where to Try It
Every Thai restaurant, market, and street stall in the country — it is essentially Thailand's national drink.
Tips
- Don't stir before drinking — watch the condensed milk sink and swirl through the tea for maximum visual pleasure before mixing.