Forget Pallet Town and Professor Oak, for KFC just became every trainer’s new starting point—with Pokémon takeovers at all outlets coming with cool new Pokémon merch and a fiery new Nanban Zinger to kickstart your journey!
From 19 August to 29 September 2026, all 71 KFC outlets here will offer an immersive Pokémon-themed experience, with five outlets even getting a full Pokémon-type makeover: KFC NEX (Water), JEM (Fire), Kallang (Electric), Compass One (Ghost), and Jurong Point (Grass).
The new item headlining the Japanese-themed seasonal menu is the Japanese Nanban Zinger (from $7.50), glazed with soy sauce and topped with a Japanese-style tartar sauce.
This Japanese-inspired twist on KFC’s classic Zinger features a crispy chicken thigh fillet coated in a sweet and tangy Nanban sauce. Compared to the regular Zinger, this felt like a step up, with the glaze adding an extra layer of flavour. Finished with shredded cabbage and chunky Japanese-style tartar sauce in toasted brioche buns, the burger delivered a satisfying mix of savoury, creamy, and tangy flavours.
Another must-try is the Japanese Nanban Chicken Bites (from $6.90).
These bite-sized fried chicken thigh pieces are coated in the same sweet and tangy Nanban sauce, then served with chunky Japanese-style egg tartar sauce for dipping.
Alternatively, carb up with the Japanese Nanban Loaded Fries ($5.95), swapping out the chicken for fries!
Round up the experience with the Sweet Potato Balls (from $3.95), which first appeared on the menu in 2021.
These purple and golden orbs are crispy on the outside and chewy within, with a sweet potato filling hidden inside.
KFC-exclusive Pokémon merch will also be available at almost all outlets, which will certainly be flying off the shelves at record speed. Be quick, and you’ll beat the scalpers to it!
The Pokemon Reversible Everyday Blind Pouch flips inside-out from a Poké Ball to reveal one of four Pokémon—Pikachu, Eevee, Snorlax, or Mew.
It is available at $14.95 with each purchase of KFC’s Japanese Nanban Zinger or Chicken Bites Box.
The humble Poke Ball Bucket may look simplistic, but it can store a wide variety of objects, ranging from fried chicken to Pokémon figurines! You can purchase a Poke Ball Bucket at $12.95 with each purchase of a 5-piece Chicken Bucket.
I find the novelty of these KFC Gaming Chopsticks rather questionable, but they’re cute nonetheless!
Available in Pikachu and Gengar designs, these supposedly assist in munching on fries during your gaming sesh, and can be bought for $15.95 on food delivery platforms from 9 September 2026 with a purchase of any Japanese Nanban Zinger or Chicken Bites order.
Now, for the pièce de résistance: the limited-stock Pokémon Evolution Jacket blends everyday streetwear with a stunning print of the Charizard evolution line. Pokemon TCG collectors know the immense value and popularity of Charizard, and this jacket is not remiss of that!
You can buy it for $99, with each dine-in or takeaway purchase of a Japanese Nanban Zinger or Chicken Bites Box. It is only available at five stores: Kallang, Jurong Point, Bedok Town Square, Causeway Point, and SCAPE, and is limited to one item purchase per person.
Lastly, the Pikachu Car Neck Pillow is exclusive to drive-thru and extended hour stores, and you can get a set of 2 at $32.95 with each purchase of the Nanban Zinger or Chicken Bites Box.
Pokémon gamers will definitely not want to miss out on the various events happening at KFC. From 19 August to 29 September 2026, all 71 KFC outlets here will turn into PokeStops and Gyms for Pokémon Go players to spin and battle at.
If you’re a card gamer like me, or just simply curious about the biggest trading card game in the world, KFC is hosting over 200 free Pokémon TCG tutorial sessions across five outlets from 12 September to 20 September 2026, and participants can walk away with a playmat, voucher, and their own 60-card battle deck.
Young trainers can even catch Pikachu in the flesh (or fluff?) at a meet-and-greet on 29 August 2026, happening at KFC Jurong Point, SCAPE, and Kallang!
Check out our Instagram Reel for the full scoop.
For more fast food drops, you might be interested in McDonald’s Samurai Burger, which has made a comeback for a limited time. In other food news, Chin Mee Chin has opened at NEX with a new menu!
Website | Full list of outlets
KFC is halal-certified.
Photos taken by Nathania Tay and edited by Chan Zi Xuan.
This was a media drop from KFC Singapore.
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