Luckin Coffee – Is It Worth Your Hard-Earned Money

Bee

Here’s a referral code for a S$0.99 cup of Luckin coffee: http://iyyds.co/wJR4fGga

 

I am an avid coffee drinker. I do enjoy a nice cuppa, but more importantly, whenever I need a mental boost, I need a cup of coffee. Over the years, to facilitate my caffeine intake, I trained myself to be as flexible as possible when it comes to my coffee. I drink the full range of coffees, from instant to local Nanyang to Americano, any coffee that is available to purchase in Singapore.

 

I feel that Luckin Coffee is somewhere in between our local Asian coffees and Western brewed or espresso coffee. Like almost all the chain coffeehouses, it is modelled after Starbucks with its espresso-style coffee. A little background, nowadays if you go to the majority of coffeehouses, your coffee comes with a single or double shot espresso (with option to add more if you want). Before Starbucks, this was not the case. Starbucks popularized the espresso-style coffee from Italy. The majority of the coffee served before Starbucks was brewed coffee.

 

Back to Luckin, their signature cold-pressed raw coconut milk is slightly sweet, but tastes extremely milky. Very different tasting from our Santan. This option is suitable for vegans or people with lactose intolerance. Their coffee is rich, strong, and not sour. I have to say, their choice of beans is fantastic. Coffee beans that are strong, generally come off too bitter or sour. To strike a balance of a taste that is universal, strong enough, yet not too bitter or sour is extremely difficult.

 

I think the major winning point of Luckin coffee is its operating model. They only focus on coffee (and some tea), with virtually no food (except a few super small pre-packed cakes). I think this helps their staff to focus on preparing a good cup of coffee. Their staff do not need to do any coffee art, wash dishes, do cashiering etc. I think this ensures their staff focuses on their coffee making skills, after all practice makes perfect.

 

And on a side note, I heard from people working in the industry, Luckin Coffee pays better than average, and sends their staff for training. This is definitely something we stan in an employer. F&B is already a physically taxing industry, I can’t stand those employers that take advantage of local staff and underpay them. Based on the information listed on job sites, Luckin Coffee pays their part timers $13 an hour, whereas Starbucks pays their part timers $9.60 (no shade to Starbucks, it will always have a special place in my heart, maybe because of the sheer amount of money I spent with them over the years). After the recent rise of cost of goods, I started to have a shift in mindset. I want my hard earned money to go to establishments that pay their staff well, they are after all our brothers and sisters in Singapore. We are all in this together crazy expensive land together, trying to survive and build our lives.

 

But their app is not perfect, it keeps logging me out. I think it is not fully stabilized yet, and they are iterating their offerings, like their recently launched member card. So far I have not experienced any problem when ordering through the app. But I am always skeptical about these mobile ordering systems, it is quick and efficient. But once in a rare while, it may double charge you (happened to me on McDonalds mobile ordering!).

 

They have quite a few branches in Singapore, so if you pass by them next time, give their coffee a try! And let me know what you think!

 

Btw, if you want, you can use my referral code: http://iyyds.co/wJR4fGga

 

The referral code gives you and me each a coupon for $0.99 drink (any drink on the menu). But if you sign up via the app (which you need if you want to order), you will also get the coupon for $0.99 drink. So I don’t really think it is going to be much difference for you reading this, I think. Unless you want to treat me to $0.99 coffee 😂.