Chongqing-At the beginning of September, a Chongqing-themed café made its debut in downtown Pasadena, a bustling commercial hub in the northern part of Los Angeles, United States. Named Unicorn Coffee, the venue stands out not merely as a coffee shop—it also functions as a “mini Chinese City Exhibition Hall.” Under the initiative “Twelve Cities in Twelve Months,” a different Chinese city will be highlighted each month, offering customers an immersive sensory journey spanning sight, sound, and taste. The creative mind behind the concept, popular influencer “Jiao Jiao” (@毒角SHOW), shared insights in an exclusive interview with iChongqing.

When asked about his motivation for establishing a café in LA that showcases Chinese cities, Jiao Jiao explained that he aimed to build more than just a coffee shop—he wanted to create a cultural bridge. In his view, coffee offers the perfect opportunity for people to sit down, converse, and experience something new. By launching a café integrated with a Chinese city exhibition, he hopes to offer Angelenos a taste of both coffee and Chinese culture in a fresh, contemporary style. He shared an example: one customer remarked, “Before, I only knew of Beijing or Shanghai, but now I really want to visit Chongqing after trying this drink.” That, Jiao Jiao noted, is precisely their mission—to turn a simple cup of coffee into a cultural passport and spark genuine curiosity about China.

As for why Chongqing—a southwestern Chinese municipality—was chosen as the first city to feature, Jiao Jiao described it as “the heartbeat of young China: spicy, bold, and full of energy.” Drawing inspiration from the city’s character, they crafted their first signature beverage: “Chongqing Bingfen + Liangxia Coffee.” This innovative drink reinterprets two local Chongqing summer treats—Bingfen (a plant seed-based jelly) and Liangxia (sweet rice jelly)—as a playful coffee topping. “It’s cold, refreshing, and fun,” Jiao Jiao said. “For American customers, it feels exotic yet approachable; for Chinese customers, it brings an instant wave of nostalgia.”

According to the plan, Nanjing will be featured next month. Jiao Jiao emphasized that city selection is based on cultural richness, unique flavors, or emotional significance. Over the course of a year, Unicorn Coffee plans to showcase 12 different Chinese cities. To foster a deeper connection with customers, the brand is inviting fans and the local community to participate in the decision-making process. People can vote online or in-store for the next city to be highlighted, ensuring that everyone feels part of this cultural journey.

With countless coffee shops throughout LA, what sets Unicorn Coffee apart, and how has the local community responded? Jiao Jiao provided a clear answer: the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Locals often enter with curiosity and leave surprised, commenting, “I never thought coffee could taste like this, but it really works!” Many customers enjoy taking photos with Chinese city-themed installations, and some American patrons have even tried pronouncing “Chongqing” in Chinese. For the Chinese community, the café has become a point of pride—a place where their heritage is celebrated in LA in such an engaging way.

Looking ahead, the LA branch is only the beginning. Unicorn Coffee has a broader vision: to build a global chain where people in cities like New York, London, Tokyo, or Paris can also experience Chinese urban culture through coffee. As Jiao Jiao underlined, “Each cup is like a passport—drink one coffee, travel to one Chinese city. That’s our future.”