I used to hate coffee.
Somewhere along the way, things slowly changed. It all started with those classic Nescafé sachets that I drank whenever I needed help staying awake at work. Even then, coffee was only an occasional thing.
One day, a good friend handed me a cup of mocha and told me, “You’ll love this.” She was right. The chocolate made the coffee taste much less intimidating, and for the first time, I actually enjoyed it.
Not long after, I met my partner. He’s a coffee lover, so naturally, he introduced me to flavours I probably wouldn’t have ordered on my own. Salted caramel soon joined mocha as one of my regular orders whenever we visited a café.
As the years went by, my taste in coffee continued to evolve, and these days, I’m much more open to exploring different flavours, as long as the coffee isn’t too bitter and there’s enough sweetness to balance it out.
Which brings me to the café I’ve been wanting to tell you about… Luckin Coffee.
I’d been meaning to try this café for quite a while. Eventually, I gave in. And honestly, I’m so glad I did.
✅ About Luckin Coffee
Founded in China in 2017, Luckin Coffee quickly gained popularity with its app-based ordering system, affordable prices, and wide variety of drinks. Instead of encouraging customers to spend hours inside the café, many of its outlets are designed with convenience in mind. You simply place your order through the Luckin Coffee app or a self-service kiosk, wait a few minutes, and collect your drink once it’s ready.
Today, Luckin Coffee has thousands of outlets across China and continues to expand internationally, including here in Malaysia. While coffee remains its biggest attraction, the menu goes far beyond your usual latte or cappuccino. From signature lattes and coconut coffee to fruit-infused americanos, frappes, teas, and non-coffee drinks, there’s something for almost every taste.
With so many unique drinks on the menu, there was only one thing left to do… see if they actually lived up to the hype.
✅ My First Visit to Luckin Coffee
My first visit was to the Tamarind Square outlet. Unlike most cafés, there wasn’t anyone standing behind the counter waiting to take orders.
Instead, everything is done digitally. You can either place your order through the Luckin Coffee app or use one of the self-service kiosks at the entrance. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to do, but the process turned out to be surprisingly simple.
- Browse the menu.
- Customise your drink if you’d like,
- Make your payment, and
- Wait for your order number to appear on the screen or receive a notification through the app when your drink is ready.
The waiting time wasn’t long, even with a steady stream of customers. Staff worked seamlessly behind the counter, keeping everything moving quickly and efficiently without the café ever feeling chaotic.
Although the café is quite compact with only a handful of tables, that’s clearly part of its concept. Rather than being the kind of place where you’d spend hours working on your laptop, Luckin Coffee is designed more as a grab-and-go café, making it perfect for anyone looking for a quality coffee without a long wait.
Since it was my first visit, I decided to play it safe and order something I knew I’d probably enjoy. Anything with sea salt or butter usually catches my attention, so after spending a few minutes looking through the menu, I settled on the Little Butter Latte.
✅ What’s on the Menu at Luckin Coffee?
One thing I immediately noticed was just how extensive the menu is. Here’s a quick look at what you can expect.
- Signature Lattes – Features some of Luckin Coffee’s best-selling drinks, including favourites like the Little Butter Latte and Coconut Latte.
- Barista Coffee – Classic coffee drinks for those who enjoy a traditional café experience.
- Luckin Black Coffee & Americanos – Perfect if you prefer your coffee bold, less sweet, and with a stronger coffee flavour.
- Fruity Americanos – Americanos infused with fruity flavours for a lighter, more refreshing twist on classic black coffee.
- Luckin Frappes – Blended iced drinks that are creamy, refreshing, and perfect if you’re craving something sweet.
- Coconut Series – Coffee paired with creamy coconut for a smooth and refreshing flavour.
- Tea Series – A selection of teas for those who aren’t in the mood for coffee.
- Oat Series – Coffee drinks made with oat milk, offering a creamier texture and a dairy-free alternative.
- Non-Coffee Drinks – For non-coffee drinkers, including chocolate-based beverages and other refreshing options.
Besides its drinks, Luckin Coffee also offers a small selection of cakes and pastries if you’re looking for something to enjoy alongside your coffee. They’re perfect for a quick breakfast, an afternoon snack, or simply satisfying a sweet craving.
✅ The Drinks I Tried
Since my first visit, I’ve been back a few times to work my way through the menu. While there are still plenty of drinks I want to try, these are the ones I’ve had so far.
- Little Butter Latte
This is my favourite drink at Luckin Coffee, whether it’s served hot or iced.
I absolutely love the buttery flavour. It gives the coffee a smooth, buttery richness without feeling heavy, and every sip is beautifully balanced. You can still taste the coffee, but it’s mellow enough that it never becomes too intense. The sweetness ties everything together, making it incredibly easy to drink.
- Cloud Latte
I’ll admit, the first sip surprised me. The thick foam on top had a distinct cheese flavour. On its own, I wasn’t completely convinced. After stirring everything together, the flavours blended much better and the drink became noticeably smoother.
While it isn’t my favourite on the menu, I’m glad I gave it a try.
- Coconut Velvet Latte
This was my first time trying coconut coffee, and I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect.
The coconut flavour is noticeable without being overpowering. It adds a subtle sweetness and a creamy, tropical touch that blends beautifully with it. Think of it more as a smooth, creamy coconut flavour that gives the drink a velvety texture while softening the bitterness of the coffee.
If you like your coffee on the sweeter side with a hint of coconut, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.
- Coconut Mocha
Being a mocha lover, I was excited to try this because it combines two flavours I usually enjoy. Unfortunately, this one wasn’t really for me.
Compared to the Coconut Velvet Latte, I found the coconut flavour a little too dominant. Personally, I love the rich, chocolatey taste of a classic mocha, but in this drink, I felt the coconut changed the overall flavour more than I expected. Instead of complementing the mocha, it took centre stage.
That doesn’t mean it’s a bad drink. It simply wasn’t my cup of coffee.
✅ Would I Recommend Luckin Coffee?
Absolutely.
After trying several drinks over the past few months, I can honestly see why Luckin Coffee has become one of my favourite places to grab coffee.
What I like most about Luckin Coffee is how approachable it feels. As someone who enjoys sweeter, smoother coffee, I never felt overwhelmed by the menu. There are plenty of classic options if that’s your thing, but there are also unique flavours that make every visit a little more exciting.
If it’s your first visit, I’d definitely recommend the Little Butter Latte. It’s still my favourite drink on the menu and the one I’d happily order again and again.
Of course, everyone has different taste preferences, and there are still plenty of drinks on the menu that I haven’t had the chance to try yet. Knowing me, I’ll probably be back to slowly work my way through the rest of them.
So, if you’ve been curious about Luckin Coffee like I was, I’d say go for it. You might just discover a new favourite drink, just as I did.
💡 Tips for Your First Visit to Luckin Coffee
- Download the app before you arrive if you want a quicker ordering experience.
- If you’re new to coffee, start with one of the Signature Lattes instead of a Black Coffee or Americano.
- Don’t be afraid to try the Coconut Series. It sounds unusual, but it’s surprisingly smooth.
- Most outlets have limited seating, so they’re better for a quick coffee break than working for hours.
- Keep an eye out for promotions, as Luckin Coffee often runs special deals through its app.
Until next time!
Love, Auri 🌻
