Editors’ note: An earlier version of this article prompted criticism by readers and we have since revised the article in response. We have discussed the concerns in further detail here.

The Starbucks on Waverly Place in Greenwich Village was all but empty at 8:30 on a recent Wednesday night, but across the street at Boba Guys, a bubble tea shop, the line was long.

A wave of first-time customers had just arrived at the front counter, uncertain of the drill and even more about bubble tea, which has had a niche following in the United States for some time.

An employee behind the counter guided the customers through their options, which were also explained on wall signs: Select a tea (classic milk, say, or jasmine milk or horchata), and pick a topping like tapioca balls (the bubbles, or “boba”), almond jelly or grass jelly (an Asian treat similar in texture to Jell-O).