The second branch of the viral Pakistani tea brand “Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan” has officially opened in Tooting, South London. Founded by two brothers, Asif Khaliq and Yousuf Khaliq, the new café brings the popular brand into an area rich in Pakistani cultural heritage. This expansion follows the success of the first branch in East London, which opened two years ago, and signals the brand’s continuing growth with a third branch scheduled to open in West London after Ramadan.
Brothers Invest Over £250,000 to Promote Pakistani Culture
Asif and Yousuf Khaliq, originally from Karachi, have invested over £250,000 into the Café Chaiwala brand. The brothers, who also run several businesses in the South London area, including food shops and snooker clubs, emphasized that their investment is not just for profit. Their goal is to contribute to the promotion of Pakistani culture and branding, with Café Chaiwala Arshad Khan serving as an ideal representation. Arshad Khan, who gained international fame as an internet sensation, has become a brand ambassador for Pakistan, and the Khaliq brothers wanted to bring his popular chai and street food to the thriving Asian community in Tooting.
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The Tooting branch features extensive branding of Arshad Khan, with a large mural of him displayed prominently on the main street, visible to thousands of daily passersby. Inside, the café is adorned with Pakistani chai and truck art, creating an immersive cultural experience. The café also includes a mini library of Urdu books, providing an authentic space for tea lovers to sip chai while reading, a traditional pastime for many in Pakistan. Café Chaiwala serves a variety of Pakistani chais and street food, including parathas, tikkas, aaloo kebabs, biscuits, and lassi, offering a full cultural experience beyond just tea.
Arshad Khan’s Journey from Chaiwala to Global Icon
Arshad Khan’s rise to fame is nothing short of extraordinary. Just nine years ago, he was a 16-year-old chaiwala (tea seller) working at a roadside stall in Islamabad, with little hope for a prosperous future. However, his life changed dramatically in October 2016 when photographer Javeria Ali posted a candid picture of him on Instagram with the caption “Hot Tea.” His striking blue eyes and serious expression captured the attention of social media, and overnight, Arshad Khan became a global sensation. His newfound fame led to magazine covers, television appearances, and a massive following, making him a symbol of the modern Pakistani street tea culture.
While many entrepreneurs have opened chai cafés inspired by Khan’s viral story, the Khaliq brothers believe that many of them did not properly credit the man who made chai culture popular. Arshad Khan’s unexpected rise from a humble tea seller to a global figure has sparked a wave of Pakistani street tea establishments, but the Khaliq brothers have set out to maintain the authenticity of the original brand. Khan’s success, they say, not only brought global attention to Pakistani chai but also made him a recognizable figure that resonates with people around the world.