KFC Debuts Japanese-Style Tangzhong Bagels for Breakfast, Starting at Just $23

Hong Kong, 7 September 2026 – KFC Hong Kong is shaking up the morning routine with the launch of its new “Ken! Wake Up” Q-bouncy Tangzhong Bagel Series, available from 7 September 2026. The fast-food giant has adopted the Japanese tangzhong technique—a hot-water roux method that locks in moisture—to create bagels with a uniquely soft, chewy, and springy texture. Three new flavours—egg salad, chicken with scrambled eggs, and cheese with home-style chicken fillet—will be offered during breakfast hours (before 11 a.m.) at most KFC outlets across Hong Kong and Macau. To sweeten the deal, a limited-time weekday promotion, the “Ken Deal,” will run until 20 September 2026, with selected bagel sets priced as low as $23.

A Fresh Spin on a Classic Shape

KFC is no stranger to innovation, but this marks a notable departure from its traditional fried-chicken-centric menu. The new bagel series uses the Japanese tangzhong method, where flour is mixed with boiling water at 100°C. This process gelatinises the starch, allowing the dough to retain significantly more moisture than conventional bagel recipes. The result, according to the company, is a bread that is not only tender but also pleasantly resilient—a texture often described as “Q-bouncy” in Asian culinary circles.

The three new offerings cater to a range of morning preferences. The Egg Salad Bagel features a fine, creamy egg filling for a light and satisfying start. The Chicken with Scrambled Eggs Bagel combines savoury chicken with soft, fluffy eggs, delivering a protein-rich punch. For those craving indulgence, the Cheese Home-Style Chicken Fillet Bagel layers crispy fried chicken with melted cheese, offering a salty, crunchy bite that fried chicken fans will appreciate.

Limited-Time “Ken Deal” Promotions

KFC is encouraging early birds to take advantage of specially priced breakfast sets. The “Ken Deal” promotions are available on weekdays (excluding public holidays) from opening time until 11 a.m.

  • 7 to 13 September 2026: Egg Salad Bagel with a hot drink for $23.
  • 14 to 20 September 2026: Cheese Home-Style Chicken Fillet Bagel with a hot drink for $29.

In addition, a standard “Ken Deal Egg Salad Bagel Set” is offered daily for $23, including an egg salad bagel and a hot American coffee. These deals apply to dine-in and takeaway orders only, and are not available via KFC’s delivery service, “Kuai Cui Song.”

Full Breakfast Menu and Pricing

For customers seeking a complete meal, KFC has introduced three official bagel sets:

  • K7 Egg Salad Bagel Set: $32 (includes egg salad bagel, crispy hash brown, and hot American coffee)
  • K8 Chicken with Scrambled Eggs Bagel Set: $33 (includes chicken and scrambled egg bagel, crispy hash brown, and hot American coffee)
  • K9 Cheese Home-Style Chicken Fillet Bagel Set: $38 (includes cheese chicken fillet bagel, crispy hash brown, and hot American coffee)

Beverages can be upgraded at an additional cost. Options include hot milk tea, hot American coffee, hot lemon tea, hot lemon water, hot honey green tea, or a medium soft drink.

For those who prefer a lighter option, single bagels are also available: egg salad bagel at $25, chicken with scrambled eggs bagel at $26, and cheese home-style chicken fillet bagel at $31 (dine-in or takeaway).

Where and When to Get Them

The new bagel series will be available at participating KFC restaurants across Hong Kong and Macau, with the exception of a few locations: AsiaWorld-Expo, Stanley Plaza, Festival Walk, Kai Tak, and South Horizons Centre (Ap Lei Chau). Service is limited to breakfast hours—before 11 a.m. daily. All prices and availability are subject to individual restaurant discretion.

A Broader Breakfast Battle

KFC’s move comes as Hong Kong’s quick-service restaurants increasingly compete for the morning crowd. With growing demand for affordable yet premium breakfast options, the introduction of tangzhong bagels signals a shift toward artisanal touches in fast food. By leveraging a Japanese technique commonly used in bread-making, KFC is positioning itself to attract not only loyal customers but also health-conscious and texture-focused diners.

Industry observers note that the $23 entry price is strategically aggressive, especially when compared to other fast-food breakfast sets. If the promotion proves successful, it could prompt competitors to innovate or lower prices in response.

What to Watch For

The “Ken! Wake Up” bagel series is available from 7 September 2026 onward, with the “Ken Deal” ending on 20 September 2026. Given the limited timeframe and the popularity of similar promotional items, early visits are recommended. As with all limited offers, terms and conditions apply, and KFC reserves the right to modify or withdraw promotions without prior notice.

For more details, customers can visit the official KFC Hong Kong website or check in-store notices. Those looking for other breakfast deals in Hong Kong may also want to explore recent offers from competitors such as Café de Coral and McDonald’s, which have introduced their own value sets in recent weeks.

Prices and availability are correct at the time of publication. Please confirm with individual outlets before purchase.

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