Eating out at ethnic restaurants and eateries will soon be easier on the wallet with the new ChowLuckCard app.
Food lovers can look forward to a host of exclusive deals and promotions offered by over a hundred eateries across the Auckland region.
The new app will go through a soft launch period from Saturday April 26, but it is expected to be fully functional by May 9.
There are two levels to the app, with “ChowLucky” being the free tier that anyone with an Apple or Android phone can download.
Then there is “ChowLuckyPlus” which is a paid tier where members can enjoy bigger specials and discounts.
On the Plus-tier Guangzhou Hotpot, a popular Chinese hot pot restaurant with branches in Newmarket and the CBD, will offer a 30% discount for the Plus members and 15% to the others.
Mr Hao, Lucky 8, Jungle 8, and Saigon Commune - a group of restaurants owned and operated by restaurateur Paul Wong and his team - are giving 15% off at the Plus level and 5% to the free users.
There will be about 50 pioneering partners at the start of the app, including Petaling Malaysian Restaurant, Hazy Tiger, Seoul Nights, Vie Vietnamese, Eden Noodles, Folds Patisserie, and Heritage Indian Restaurant, which will be offering app-specific deals.
Chow Luck Club director Bee Koh said the app was designed to get people out dining and trying different restaurants while supporting hospitality and local businesses.
“App users will be able to redeem one discount per month from each participating restaurant, so to enjoy the different deals, they will have to go to a different eatery each time,” Bee said.
“Or if they want to go back to the same restaurant for the deal, then they would have to return with another friend who has the app to redeem the discount.”
She said ChowLuckCard was also designed to get people exploring different food at different restaurants.
“For a start, app users will have about 100 redemption coupons available from about 50 restaurants and each of them could only be redeemed once in a calendar month,” Bee said.
“This means if they want to enjoy the discounts, ChowLuckCard members could go to different eateries each time.”
Bee said this goes with the Chow Luck Club’s belief that exploring different food would introduce people to new cultures, broaden culinary horizons and improve their overall appreciation and enjoyment of food.
“We don’t want a system where people would just stick to the same restaurant and go back there for the same food,” Bee said.
Treasure Kitchen, Auckland’s largest Malaysian restaurant, is offering 25% off its food menu from Mondays to Fridays for Plus members, while Biryaniwala is giving a 30% discount.
As part of its promotion, Khu Khu Eatery (Thai-inspired vegan restaurant) is offering a free mocktail with every main purchase and Plus members get a “buy one, get one” deal at Yuan Taste.
Eden Noodles Bar in Ponsonby is also giving a free mocktail with $30 spent and enjoy a Thai-style fried rice at At Bangkok for $14.95 (normal price $22.50).
Bee said with rising costs being an issue deterring many Aucklanders from dining out, she hopes these discounts and deals can “help to alleviate some of the constraints” and “get people out supporting our eateries again”.
Harry Cai, owner of Guangzhou Hot Pot, said business has been “tough” and hopes his involvement with ChowLuckCard could bring new diners to his two restaurants.
“In the current economic climate, many people are tightening the wallet, and there are also many others who are less willing to try something they may not be familiar with,” Cai said.
“I believe the 30% discount will be an incentive to both these groups to come and eat at Guangzhou Hot Pot, which will be perfect as the weather and evenings get cooler.”
Plus members will also enjoy special deals for lifestyle services, such as 50% off the Luxury Royal Wellbeing Massage package at Sanctuary Thai Spa and Massage’s three outlets in Birkenhead, Milford, Glenfield and The Massage Boutique.
Those who download the app by 15 May 2025 will also be in to win eight couple massages at these Sanctuary Thai Spa outlets.
To download ChowLuckCard on iOS: https://apps.apple.com/nz/app/chowluckcard/id6744236704
If you are a restaurant or hospitality business that is keen to partner with ChowLuckCard, email: bee@chowluckclub.com
