Chai Garam

About this board game

Chai Garam is a board game for 2–4 players with a play time of about 60 minutes, released in 2021. Players run chai tapris, or tea shops, competing to serve specific tea and snack orders to customers on a rainy day.

Each turn, players take one mandatory action. They can select up to three ingredients from the display, including tea leaves, additives, water, milk, and godown power cards, or serve cooked tea to customers in the grid on the central board and collect money.

Alongside the mandatory action, players can take several free actions. Cook tea, compete for goals to improve a shop’s star rating, attract customers to your own shop, or play a Chai Garam card to take a double action. Timing matters, because another player may steal customers and their orders away.

• Select ingredients and manage the resources available in the display.
• Cook tea and match orders from the central customer grid.
• Earn money for correctly served orders and improve your star rating through goals.
• Attract customers to your shop or use a Chai Garam card for a double action.

The game ends when a special evening customer triggers the conclusion of play or when any player achieves five stars. At the end, players compare the value of their money and stars.

In Chai Garam, successful shopkeepers must balance preparation, customer service, and competition. Serve the right chai and snacks on time, earn appreciation for correct orders, and build the most successful shop before the final customer arrives.