Hong Kong fast-food giant Café de Coral has ignited a midday frenzy with a surprise four-day promotion, slashing its beloved chicken drumsticks to an unprecedented HK$12 each while offering a daring “ice-and-fire” combo that pairs a sizzling drumstick with three cups of Häagen-Dazs ice cream for just HK$40. The flash sale runs from September 7 to September 10, 2026, during the afternoon tea时段 from 2:30 PM daily, at participating outlets across the city.
For years, Café de Coral’s drumsticks have reigned as the undisputed king of the tea-time menu—a crispy, golden indulgence or a deeply savoury soy-sauce staple that draws queues of office workers and students alike. This week, the chain has sliced the regular single-drumstick price by more than half, offering customers the choice between the crispy fried version—with its shatteringly crunchy skin—or the soy-braised classic, renowned for its rich, umami-packed glaze. Each drumstick is a generous portion, making the HK$12 price tag a genuine bargain in a city where a fast-food snack often costs three times as much.
But the real showstopper is the HK$40 combo meal: one drumstick of either style, accompanied by three individual cups of Häagen-Dazs ice cream. This “ice-and-fire” pairing—hot, savoury chicken followed by cold, creamy vanilla, strawberry, or chocolate—is a sensory gamble that has already sparked heated debate on local food forums. “It’s an absurdly good deal,” noted a regular patron on the “New Café de Coral Discussion Group.” “You’re basically getting the ice cream for free, plus a discount on the chicken. I’m going to stock up.”
To round out the indulgence, the chain is also offering a HK$9.9 giant grape & oolong tea—a refreshing, fruit-infused iced beverage designed to cut through the fried chicken’s richness. The drink alone is a steal in a market where bubble teas often start at HK$25.
Background and Industry Context
This aggressive pricing comes amid intensifying competition in Hong Kong’s quick-service restaurant sector. Chains like Fairwood, Yoshinoya, and a wave of affordable Japanese barbecue outlets have been rolling out deep discounts to lure cost-conscious diners. Café de Coral’s drumstick promotion appears to be a targeted attempt to reclaim afternoon tea traffic, a meal period that has seen declining footfall since the pandemic shifted work-from-home patterns.
The decision to bundle premium Häagen-Dazs also signals a strategic push to elevate perceived value. Analysts note that offering a globally recognised brand like Häagen-Dazs as a free incentive creates a “halo effect,” making the entire meal feel like a luxury bargain. Previous Café de Coral promotions—such as the HK$59 winter melon pot with tofu rice and the “buy HK$400 gift card, get HK$400 coupon” deal—have proven that such flash sales can drive both store traffic and social media buzz.
What This Means for Diners
- Timing is everything: The offer is strictly limited to the 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM tea-time window. Early birds and latecomers will miss out.
- No minimum spend: The HK$12 drumstick is available as a standalone item—no need to purchase a set meal.
- Stock may run out: Popular outlets in business districts, such as those in Central and Causeway Bay, may sell out quickly. Smaller shops in residential areas might have better availability.
- Dietary note: The soy-sauce drumstick contains wheat-based soy sauce; those with gluten sensitivities should opt for the fried version.
Looking Ahead
Café de Coral has not confirmed whether this flash sale will be extended or repeated, but the company’s recent pattern—frequent, short-burst promotions—suggests that similar deals may appear monthly. For now, drumstick devotees have just four days to pounce. In a city where a humble chicken leg can spark a stampede, the HK$12 price point is less a sale and more a culinary declaration: Café de Coral is betting big on nostalgia, value, and a little bit of frozen heaven to bring the crowds back.
Related Deals to Explore
- Fairwood’s HK$38 braised beef brisket rice, available weekdays until 3 PM.
- Yoshinoya’s HK$29 beef bowl with free miso soup, offered during off-peak hours.
- Häagen-Dazs’ own “Buy 3 Get 1 Free” promotion running concurrently at select retail stores.
All images and data courtesy of Café de Coral and the Café de Coral Discussion Group.