What does being Malaysian taste like?

For many of us, it is the nostalgic sweetness of gula melaka, the comfort of familiar local flavours, the laughter shared over a cup of coffee, and the colourful folklore passed down from one generation to the next.

This Merdeka season, Luckin Coffee Malaysia is bringing these familiar elements together in a fun and meaningful patriotic collaboration with Kisah Bawah Tanah, Malaysia’s first adult animation series by Animasia Studio.

The collaboration, themed “Rasa Kita, Cerita Kita”, celebrates Malaysian pride and identity through two things Malaysians know and love — local flavours and local stories.

Cerita Kita: Where Malaysian Folklore Gets a Fun Twist

Forget everything you thought you knew about Malaysian ghosts!

Kisah Bawah Tanah takes the country’s rich supernatural folklore and gives it a fresh, comedic spin. Iconic legendary characters including Pontianak, Pocong, Hantu Raya and Penanggal are no longer simply frightening figures hiding in the shadows. Instead, they find themselves navigating hilarious and relatable everyday Malaysian situations.

The homegrown series has been in development for more than 10 years and has already made its mark regionally. After premiering on Astro Malaysia, the series has begun its regional rollout, starting in Thailand on the Boom channel.

For Luckin Coffee Malaysia, the collaboration is a natural fit — both celebrating Malaysian creativity, local talent and stories that connect generations.

“Kisah Bawah Tanah was born from a deep love for Malaysian lore, especially those unforgettable tales so many of us grew up with. Beyond its creative storytelling, what truly resonated with us is the local talent and heart behind it, mirroring our commitment as a brand proudly operated entirely by Malaysians. This made Kisah Bawah Tanah the ideal partner to champion local pride during this patriotic month,” said Dr. Jeff Lim Chee Lip, Chief Executive Officer of Luckin Coffee Malaysia.

He added that seeing the beloved characters step into Luckin Coffee stores was deeply rewarding, with hopes that the collaboration would bring customers a warm smile and a nostalgic moment over a cup of coffee that feels uniquely Malaysian.

Meanwhile, Hendra Wardi, Co-Creator of Kisah Bawah Tanah, shared that the team originally wanted to show the world just how cool Malaysian folklore could be.

“To see our characters jumping off the screen and into Luckin Coffee stores across the country is an absolute dream come true!” he said, adding that partnering with a global brand that shares the same commitment to celebrating local talent made this year’s Merdeka especially meaningful.

Four Stories, Four Malaysian Values

The collaboration goes beyond colourful characters and coffee cups.

As part of “Rasa Kita, Cerita Kita”, Luckin Coffee and Kisah Bawah Tanah have created four special mini-episodes inspired by four core Malaysian values — spirit, soul, resilience and harmony.

Featuring fan-favourite characters including Sam, Zack, Ina, Tok Mart, Vincent and Pocing, the mini-series brings them together as they face challenges, find solutions and celebrate the importance of togetherness.

The four episodes will be released across Luckin Coffee Malaysia’s social media platforms throughout the campaign, offering fans another entertaining way to experience Malaysian stories through a contemporary lens.

Rasa Kita: Gula Melaka Takes Centre Stage

Of course, no Malaysian celebration would be complete without a taste of home.

Starting 14 August 2026, Luckin Coffee will roll out its seasonal patriotic campaign nationwide, introducing a rotating selection of localised creations throughout August and September.

The first chapter puts one of Malaysia’s most beloved ingredients firmly in the spotlight — gula melaka.

Gula Melaka Shakerato

Freshly shaken and served ice-cold, the Gula Melaka Shakerato combines a foamy espresso crown with a smooth coconut base and rich layers of decadent gula melaka.

It is creamy, aromatic and unmistakably Malaysian — essentially a refreshing coffee with a nostalgic local twist.

Gula Melaka Latte

For something a little more comforting, the Gula Melaka Latte brings together dark roast espresso and smoky palm sugar for a balanced cup with a subtly sweet finish.

It is the kind of everyday coffee that feels familiar from the very first sip.

And this is only the beginning. Luckin Coffee will unveil two additional surprise seasonal flavour series in the coming weeks, keeping the local-flavour journey going throughout the Merdeka season.

Take the Story Home

Fans who want more than just a cup of coffee can also bring a little piece of Kisah Bawah Tanah home.

A limited-edition merchandise collection will feature the series’ playful characters in a fun spooky-chic aesthetic. The lineup includes puffy stickers, umbrellas and plushie tote bags, giving fans plenty of ways to carry their favourite Malaysian folklore characters wherever they go.

The merchandise will be available at all Luckin Coffee stores nationwide and through the Luckin Coffee mobile app from 14 August 2026, while stocks last.

A Merdeka Celebration That Tastes Like Home

At its heart, “Rasa Kita, Cerita Kita” is more than a seasonal coffee campaign.

It is a celebration of the flavours, stories, humour and creativity that make Malaysia uniquely Malaysian.

From gula melaka in your coffee to familiar ghost stories retold with a cheeky Malaysian sense of humour, the collaboration reminds us that our heritage does not always have to be serious or traditional. Sometimes, it can simply be something that makes us laugh, brings back childhood memories and makes us feel proud of where we come from.

This Merdeka, perhaps the best stories are the ones we share — and the best flavours are the ones that remind us of home.

The “Rasa Kita, Cerita Kita” campaign begins nationwide on 14 August 2026. For the latest seasonal menu announcements, mini-episode releases and limited-edition merchandise drops, visit your nearest Luckin Coffee outlet or follow Luckin Coffee Malaysia on its official social media channels.

Rasa Kita. Cerita Kita. Malaysia Kita.