Inside the former Jabby’s Pizza on Perkins Road, an Asian-inspired franchise just opened its doors.
Tsaôcaa soft opened on Monday at 3627 Perkins Road with a grand opening scheduled on Friday, Oct. 2. Headquartered in New York City, the franchise was founded in 2018 and has grown to about 80 locations nationwide, two of which are in New Orleans and Chalmette.
Manager Sally Li said the menu is mostly Korean and Taiwanese-inspired, featuring a wide range of bubble teas and a selection of savory dishes such as the chicken sandwich, Korean fried chicken and fries.
Manager Sally Li poses with a box of boneless chicken at Tsaocaa on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos
Javier Gallegos
“It’s much more lighter of a batter than the standard American batters,” Li said about the fried chicken. “It’s marinated overnight.”
The chicken comes with a choice of 10 or 20 pieces and is available bone-in or boneless in six flavors of dry rubs and dipping sauces, including golden crispy, classic soy garlic, cheesy crispy, secret sweet n’ spicy, secret hot n’ spicy and honey garlic. The chicken sandwich and fried chicken are available to order a la carte or as entrees with a choice of waffle fries or thin-cut crispy fries.
Another bite is the takoyaki, served as a ball-shape filled with a variety of fare such as cabbage, vegetables or octopus. It’s then drizzled with a sweet brown sauce, Japanese mayonnaise and topped with fish flakes, Li said.
A bubble waffle pictured with Strawberry Matcha Mochi and Brown Sugar Bubble Tea at Tsaocaa on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos
Javier Gallegos
“Takoyaki, I would say, is like an Asian version of a hush puppy,” Li said.
The drink menu is extensive, with eventually 100 drinks to roll out over the next month or so. For the soft opening, the menu features options of milk tea, coconut water, fruit tea slush, classic fruit tea and coffee.
The house specials currently highlight four drinks like the jasmine green milk tea made with brown sugar amber bubbles. Li enjoys a classic boba, so her personal favorite is the jasmine milk tea with tapioca bubbles.
The interior of Tsaocaa pictured on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Staff photos by Javier Gallegos
Javier Gallegos
For a sweet bite, try the classic egg waffles, which can be filled with dessert red beans or boba.
Tsaôcaa takes its name from two Chinese words, “pilgrimage” and “tea.” Inside, customers order at the counter and can sit at two- or four-top tables and a countertop bar. The outside patio area, decked with string lights, has several more tables with umbrellas.
Tsaocaa, 3637 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge
Currently open daily 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. but may change in the future.
Dining and Cooking