In a city where a simple cold drink can set you back $20 and a restaurant meal often runs into the hundreds, a coalition of Hong Kong’s biggest fast-food chains and beloved traditional eateries has launched an unprecedented wave of $1 promotions, offering everything from McDonald’s milkshakes to whole roast goose at Cantonese banquet halls.
The promotions, which began rolling out in late June and continue through early August 2025, come as Hong Kong residents grapple with soaring living costs. Participating brands include McDonald’s, Café de Coral, and two well-known Chinese restaurant groups—Duo Cai Palace and Yat Hin House—alongside free giveaways from Vita,淳茶舍, and Dreyer’s.
McDonald’s: $1 Milkshakes Mark App Anniversary
To celebrate the first anniversary of its mobile app loyalty program, McDonald’s is offering a slate of deals. On July 6, app users gained early access to try the new “至尊漢堡” or “至尊脆雞堡” value meals and large value meals. Starting July 7, members can redeem a popular “滑嘟嘟” milkshake for just $1 plus 100 reward points. Additional app-exclusive coupons include discounts on combo meals, $11.5 taro pies, $12.5 blueberry sundaes, and milkshakes starting at $18.
Café de Coral: $1 Milk Tea or Red Bean Ice
The fast-food chain Café de Coral is offering its signature “一哥” Hong Kong-style milk tea for $1 through its Club 100 membership app. The promotion runs from now until August 2. Members simply open the app, navigate to the “優惠券放送” (Coupon Delivery) page, and claim a $1 hot milk tea or red bean ice coupon. The chain, known for brewing its tea leaves from Sri Lanka at 205°F to create a rich, classic Hong Kong tea base, typically sells these drinks for $15 or more. The offer is part of a four-week “搶賞要有” campaign that also includes buy-one-get-one deals on specialty drinks, weekly $10 cash vouchers, and an upgraded points redemption system.
Duo Cai Palace: $1 Abalone, Roast Goose, and Steamed Fish
The well-established Duo Cai Palace restaurant group is running a “$1 Classic Dishes” promotion during evening dinner service, starting daily at 5:30 PM. Diners can choose from four options:
- Braised abalone with mushroom and fish maw: $1 per person for tables of five or more; $28 per person for tables of two to four.
- Supreme roast goose: $1 for half a goose (tables of six to nine) or a whole goose (tables of ten or more); $28 per portion for smaller groups.
- Crispy roast chicken: $1 for a whole chicken (tables of five or more); $28 for half a chicken (tables of two to four).
- Steamed golden-edged tiger garoupa: $1 for a two-catty fish (tables of six or more); $28 for a one-catty fish (tables of two to five).
Additional deals include $9.9 roast suckling pig and $19.8 classic “dry-fried beef hor fun.”
Yat Hin House: $1 Roast Goose,文昌 Chicken, or Pearl Tail Grouper
The Yat Cuisine Group’s连锁 restaurant, Yat Hin House, is offering a three-choice evening dinner promotion. Diners with two or more guests can select one of the following for just $1: Supreme roast goose, Hainan文昌 chicken, or pearl tail grouper. The promotion is available Monday through Sunday during dinner service, though it cannot be combined with other set dinner deals. Guests must also order one regular-priced dish.
Free Giveaways Add to the Savings
Beyond the $1 deals, several brands are offering complimentary items. Vita is running a five-day pop-up challenge across Hong Kong, giving away free VLT lemon tea from a two-meter-tall pinball machine. 淳茶舍 has deployed a “Cold Brew Cooling Station” mobile truck for seven days, distributing free unsweetened tea drinks. And Dreyer’s is hosting a two-day pop-up at the Kai Tak Retail Arcade on July 8 and 9, handing out free pistachio chocolate and mint chocolate luxury ice cream cones.
How to Claim the Deals
- McDonald’s: App users need 100 points plus $1 starting July 7.
- Café de Coral: Club 100 members claim a coupon via the app, valid through August 2.
- Duo Cai Palace: Walk in during evening service (from 5:30 PM) with the required number of guests.
- Yat Hin House: Dine in with at least two people during dinner service; one regular-priced dish must be ordered.
Broader Impact
These promotions reflect a strategic response by Hong Kong’s food and beverage industry to persistent inflation and cautious consumer spending. By offering loss-leading items, chains hope to drive foot traffic and encourage additional purchases. For diners, the window to capitalize on these deals is narrow—most are limited-time offers with specific conditions. As living costs continue to climb, such aggressive discounting may become a more common tool for restaurants seeking to fill seats and maintain customer loyalty.