Luckin Coffee Malaysia Review 2026: The RM2.99 First Cup and App-First Coffee
Did you know? Luckin Coffee admitted faking around US$310 million in sales in 2020 and got kicked off Nasdaq, then rebuilt into the largest coffee chain in China with more than 30,000 stores by early 2026.
Updated July 2026 · Based on Luckin Coffee Malaysia app pricing, outlet counts, and public filings as of mid-2026
Luckin Coffee gives new members a first cup for RM2.99 through the app. Download the app through our link to claim it, then see the menu, deals, and how the referral reward works below.
Luckin Coffee
Claim your RM2.99 first cup
Download the Luckin Coffee app through the link and claim your new-user reward.
Download Luckin Coffee AppWhat is Luckin Coffee?
Luckin Coffee is a Chinese coffee chain built around app ordering and heavy discounting. You order and pay in the app, walk up to a small counter, and collect a cup. There is little seating and almost no cashier interaction. The model keeps rent and labour low, which is how the cups stay cheap.
In Malaysia the brand launched in January 2025 and grew past 100 outlets by mid-2026, concentrated in the Klang Valley and a handful of other cities. It runs here through a franchise: Global Aroma Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Hextar, holds the exclusive licence from Luckin Coffee Singapore. The physical footprint is still small next to ZUS or Starbucks, so for many Malaysians Luckin is app-and-mall-led rather than a cafe on every corner.
The draw for a Malaysian reader is price. A new user gets a first cup for RM2.99 through the app, signature drinks sit around RM12 to RM15 before discounts, and recurring app deals like Luckin Day bring two cups down to about RM12.99. This review covers the menu, the app, the referral reward, and an honest comparison against ZUS, Cotti, Starbucks and CHAGEE.
The Luckin Coffee story
Luckin Coffee was founded in 2017 in China and grew at a pace the coffee industry had not seen. It listed on Nasdaq in May 2019 and was opening thousands of stores by leaning on app coupons and delivery rather than premium cafe space.
In January 2020 the short-seller Muddy Waters circulated a report alleging inflated sales. In April 2020 Luckin admitted that staff had fabricated around US$310 million in transactions. Nasdaq delisted the shares in July 2020, top executives including the CEO and chairman departed, the company went through restructuring, and it later paid a US$180 million settlement to the SEC.
The turnaround is the surprising part. Under new management Luckin kept opening stores, kept prices low, and passed 10,000 outlets in mid-2023, overtaking Starbucks to become the largest coffee chain in China by store count. It opened its 30,000th store in early 2026 and now trades over-the-counter in the US while signalling interest in a Nasdaq relisting. The Southeast Asia push began with Singapore in 2023, followed by Malaysia in 2025.
Luckin Coffee timeline: key milestones
2017
Luckin Coffee founded in China
Launches with an app-first, discount-heavy model aimed at undercutting Starbucks on price and convenience.
May 2019
Nasdaq IPO
Lists in New York and uses the capital to open stores at high speed across China.
April 2020
Accounting fraud admitted
Company confirms staff fabricated roughly US$310 million in sales after a Muddy Waters short report; the CEO and chairman later leave.
July 2020
Delisted from Nasdaq
Shares are removed from Nasdaq; Luckin later agrees a US$180 million settlement with the SEC and restructures.
March 2023
Enters Singapore
First market outside China; grows to around 60 stores by early 2025 and uses Singapore as its Southeast Asia base.
June 2023
Overtakes Starbucks in China
Passes 10,000 stores and becomes the largest coffee chain in China by outlet count.
January 2025
Malaysia debut in Kuala Lumpur
Opens first outlets at Sunway Pyramid and Menara EcoWorld (BBCC) through franchise operator Global Aroma, a Hextar subsidiary.
February 2026
30,000th store opens
Reaches 30,000 outlets globally with a store in Shenzhen, cementing its scale lead over Starbucks in China.
Mid 2026
Passes 100 outlets in Malaysia
The Malaysia network crosses 100 stores, on the way to a stated target of about 200 by 2028.
How to get the Luckin Coffee app reward
- 1Open the referral link on your phone; it points you to the Luckin Coffee Malaysia app.
- 2Install the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and register with your Malaysian mobile number.
- 3As a new member you get a first-cup deal for RM2.99, shown in the app as a red angpao voucher that applies to your first qualifying drink.
- 4Place that first order at a Luckin outlet or for delivery and collect using the in-app pickup code.
- 5Once you are a member, share your own referral link under the Double the Fun program; when a friend signs up and completes their first order, you receive an RM2.99 reward drink.
Luckin Coffee promo codes and deals
Luckin runs almost all of its deals inside the app rather than through typed promo codes. The reliable ones for a Malaysian user are the new-member first cup and the recurring Luckin Day offer. Prices below are app prices and move with each campaign, so treat them as a guide.
| Offer | What you get | When |
|---|---|---|
| First cup RM2.99 | New members get one qualifying drink for RM2.99, shown as a red angpao voucher after you register in the app. | One-time, for new sign-ups (use the referral link to start). |
| 2 cups for RM12.99 | Luckin Day promotion: pick two qualifying drinks in the app and the bundle price applies automatically. | Recurring promo day (often midweek); check the app banner. |
| Double the Fun referral | Refer a friend; after they sign up and place a first order, you get an RM2.99 reward drink. | Ongoing while the program runs. |
| App coupons 30% to 50% off | Rotating in-app vouchers on selected drinks, the same discounting model Luckin uses worldwide. | Ongoing, varies by day and outlet. |
- Tip: The RM2.99 first cup is one-time per account, so start from the referral link to make sure the voucher lands.
- Tip: Vouchers usually apply to selected drinks only; check which cups qualify before you check out.
- Tip: Order-ahead in the app and collect at the counter to skip the queue during lunch peaks.
- Tip: Deals are app-only, so there is no walk-up register discount to ask for.
Luckin Coffee vs other coffee chains
For a Malaysian buyer the honest picture is that Luckin is cheap and app-driven but still thin on the ground, while ZUS has the outlets and Starbucks has the seating. Cotti plays the same low-price Chinese-chain game as Luckin, and CHAGEE sits in a different lane as a tea brand. Outlet counts below are approximate Malaysia figures for mid-2026.
| Feature | Luckin Coffee | ZUS Coffee | Starbucks | Cotti Coffee | CHAGEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | RM10 to RM15 (RM2.99 first cup) | RM9 to RM14 | RM15 to RM22 | RM10 to RM15 | RM12 to RM18 |
| Outlets MY | 100+ | around 800 | around 290 | dozens, small | 200+ |
| Category | App-first coffee | App-first coffee | Premium cafe | App-first coffee | Fresh milk tea |
| App/Loyalty | App-only deals, referral reward | ZUS app, points, referral code | Starbucks Rewards | Cotti app deals | CHAGEE app, referral |
| Best for | Cheap signature lattes near a mall | Cheapest everyday coffee, most outlets | Seating, third-place cafe | Bargain-hunting on coffee | Milk tea and Chinese tea |
Outlet counts and prices are approximate and based on 2025 to 2026 figures; chains expand and reprice constantly.
vs ZUS Coffee: ZUS wins on reach. With roughly 800 Malaysian outlets to Luckin's 100-plus, ZUS is the one you will actually find nearby, and its everyday prices are similar or lower. Luckin's edge is the signature coconut and velvet lattes and the RM2.99 first cup; if there is a Luckin near you, it is worth trying, but ZUS is the default for coverage.
vs Starbucks: Different products. Starbucks sells space, seating and a sit-down experience at RM15 to RM22 a cup. Luckin sells a cheap cup to grab and go, often at less than half the price after a voucher. Choose Starbucks to sit and work, Luckin to save.
vs Cotti Coffee: Cotti is Luckin's closest rival and uses the same playbook: app ordering, aggressive discounting, similar price band. Cotti's Malaysia footprint is smaller and patchier than Luckin's. On taste and deals they are close; go with whichever has an outlet you can reach.
vs CHAGEE: CHAGEE sits in the tea lane rather than coffee. It has 200-plus Malaysian outlets and leads on fresh milk tea. For coffee, Luckin fits; for a jasmine or oolong milk tea, CHAGEE is the pick.
Who drinks Luckin Coffee?
Value-focused coffee drinkers
If you buy coffee most days and care about the ringgit-per-cup, Luckin's app deals and RM2.99 first cup are among the cheapest ways to get a decent latte, provided there is an outlet near you.
Klang Valley mall-goers
Most Malaysian outlets sit in or near KL malls and office towers. If you pass one on a commute or lunch run, the order-ahead app makes it a quick grab.
App-comfortable users
Ordering is app-first with little counter service. People who are happy paying in an app and collecting by code will get the smoothest experience and all the discounts.
Coconut and velvet latte fans
The coconut latte and Hokkaido-style velvet latte are the signatures worth coming for. If sweeter, milk-forward coffee is your thing, this is the menu to explore.
Not ideal for sit-down cafe seekers
Outlets are compact grab-and-go formats with limited seating. If you want a place to sit and work for hours, Starbucks or a local cafe suits better.
The Luckin Coffee app and loyalty
App-first ordering
You browse, order and pay in the Luckin Coffee Malaysia app, then collect at the counter using a pickup code. There is little to no cashier interaction, which keeps the queue moving.
Deals live in the app
The RM2.99 first cup, Luckin Day bundles and rotating 30 to 50 percent vouchers all sit inside the app. Walk-up orders miss most of these, so the app is where the value is.
Referral built in
The Double the Fun referral lets you share a link; when a friend signs up and orders, you get an RM2.99 reward drink. New users should start from a referral link to secure the welcome voucher.
Order-ahead and delivery
You can order ahead for pickup to skip peak queues, and delivery is available in covered areas, which extends Luckin's reach beyond its small store count.
What to order at Luckin Coffee
1. Signature Coconut Latte (iced)
around RM13.90The drink Luckin is known for. Espresso with coconut milk, smooth and lightly sweet. Start here if it is your first visit.
2. First cup for RM2.99
RM2.99, best valueThe best entry deal in Malaysian coffee right now. Register through a referral link and put a signature latte on the RM2.99 voucher.
3. Luckin Velvet Latte
around RM12.90Creamy, milk-forward latte using Hokkaido-style milk. A good pick if you find the coconut latte too sweet.
4. 2 cups on Luckin Day
around RM12.99, best valueWhen the Luckin Day banner is up, two qualifying drinks for about RM12.99 is the cheapest way to treat a friend.
Pros and cons of Luckin Coffee
Pros
- Very cheap after app deals, with a RM2.99 first cup and frequent bundle offers
- Strong signature drinks, especially the coconut latte and velvet latte
- Fast app ordering with order-ahead pickup and delivery in covered areas
- Prices well below Starbucks for a comparable milk latte
- Referral reward is easy: share a link, get an RM2.99 drink when a friend orders
Cons
- Still-growing Malaysia footprint (100-plus outlets), mostly in the Klang Valley
- Grab-and-go format with limited seating, so it suits a quick collection more than a long sit-down
- Nearly all discounts are app-only, so walk-up buyers pay more
- Menu leans sweet and milk-heavy, less suited to black-coffee purists
- The brand still carries the shadow of its 2020 accounting fraud, even after the turnaround
Tips for the best Luckin Coffee experience
Start from a referral link
Registering through the referral link makes sure the RM2.99 welcome voucher lands on your account before your first order.
Put the voucher on a signature drink
The RM2.99 first cup applies to qualifying drinks, so spend it on a coconut or velvet latte rather than a plain americano to get the most value.
Watch the app banner for Luckin Day
The 2-cups bundle is not always on. Check the app home banner before ordering so you catch the cheapest days.
Order ahead at lunch
KL outlets get busy at midday. Place the order in the app a few minutes early and collect by code to skip the wait.
Frequently asked questions
Is Luckin Coffee available in Malaysia?▼
How much does Luckin Coffee cost in Malaysia?▼
How do I get the RM2.99 first cup?▼
Does Luckin Coffee have a promo code?▼
How does the Luckin referral reward work?▼
What is Luckin Coffee's best drink?▼
Is Luckin Coffee the same company involved in the 2020 fraud?▼
Luckin or ZUS: which is better in Malaysia?▼
Final verdict: 4.2/5
Luckin Coffee is a strong-value pick for Malaysians who like sweet, milk-forward lattes and are happy ordering through an app. The coconut and velvet lattes are genuinely good, the RM2.99 first cup is the best entry deal in local coffee right now, and recurring app promotions keep the running cost low. On price and product it earns its place.
The catch is coverage. With 100-plus outlets concentrated in the Klang Valley, most Malaysians still will not have one nearby, and the grab-and-go format is built for quick collection rather than sitting down. ZUS still wins on reach and Starbucks on seating. If a Luckin is on your route, register through a referral link, spend the RM2.99 voucher on a signature latte, and judge it from there. For everyday coverage, keep ZUS as your fallback.
Disclosure: this page contains a referral link. We may receive benefits when you sign up through it. This does not affect our review; all opinions are based on real usage.