My First Luckin Coffee Experience: From Online Ordering to Pickup – Fast and Convenient!
I had heard about Luckin Coffee for a long time, especially when its IPO and subsequent controversies made global headlines. Later, their marketing campaigns frequently appeared on social media, and the “Sauce-flavored Latte” (Moutai liquor + coffee) generated significant buzz. The combination of alcohol and coffee is nothing new—Irish coffee, which mixes whiskey with coffee, is a classic example. FamilyMart also previously launched a Baileys coffee, blending Baileys Irish Cream with coffee to create a distinctly adult flavor. This type of combination has a strong after-effect, and those who can’t handle alcohol well might get drunk easily.
Because of all this, I became quite interested in Luckin Coffee. After all, it once positioned itself as a competitor to Starbucks. Coffee is the core product of any coffee shop, so taste and price are crucial factors. So, during a trip to Dongguan, China, when I spotted a Luckin Coffee store, I decided to check it out with a friend and see what made it special.
I accessed Luckin Coffee’s mini-program on WeChat to place my order. Luckin Coffee only allows online ordering and payment—there’s no counter service for placing orders in-store. The physical store only serves as a production and pickup point, so their spaces don’t need to be large. Unlike Starbucks, which provides seating for customers, Luckin’s locations may have a few seats, but only for short waits—not for enjoying coffee inside. In simple terms, it’s essentially a takeaway shop, much like a bubble tea store—you pick up your drink and go.
Once you place an order online, you receive a pickup number, and you collect your drink when your number is called. There’s no real customer service—the staff are busy making drinks, and sometimes their tone and attitude are a bit impatient.
Luckin Coffee offers a weekly coupon that lets you buy a cup of coffee for 9.9 RMB. I’m not sure if they’ve changed the promotion or introduced new offers. Many customers take advantage of this deal and grab a cup every week.
My Thoughts on the Drinks
- Sweetness Level Adjustment: I highly recommend adjusting the sweetness level when ordering. Otherwise, you might question your life choices—their default sweetness is overwhelmingly high! Even when I selected "light sugar," it was still extremely sweet, so I can’t imagine how sugary the original version must be.
- Coconut Latte: One of their signature drinks. Even after adjusting the sweetness, it was still quite sweet. I had to drink water afterward, but the coffee aroma was still noticeable and drinkable. However, it became a bit overwhelming after a while.
- Americano: Personally, I didn’t like it at all—it made me feel uncomfortable after drinking. I definitely won’t order Luckin’s Americano again!
Final Verdict
Luckin Coffee isn’t particularly special. Its only real advantage is the price, which is lower than Starbucks. But is it delicious? Honestly, making coffee at home isn’t a bad alternative.
0 留言