Viral Asian Fried Chicken Spot to Open in Miami Beach

From FIU Favorite to Miami Beach

The restaurant was founded by husband-and-wife duo Chef Yu Bi and Dr. Tingjun Lei. They’re the owners behind 107 Taste (one of our Most Underrated Spots) and Cajun Boil. Since opening, it’s earned a loyal following for its crisp, flavor-packed chicken inspired by street food traditions across Asia.

Unlike classic fried chicken spots, Kung Fu Chicken draws on the night markets of China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. The chicken is marinated for 24 hours in a unique spice blend, then coated in tapioca starch before frying. To preserve that texture, sauces and seasonings are applied only after cooking, a technique commonly used in Asian street stalls.

Asian Street Food Meets Fried Chicken

Best sellers include the “Classic Chicken Sandwich” with Asian slaw and pickles on a butter-toasted brioche bun, and the “Lava Sandwich,” a cheese-stuffed, panko-crusted riff inspired by Japanese comfort sandwiches. Also gaining traction is the “Signature Chicken Wrap,” a portable option that leans closer to street snack territory.

For Miami Beach, the team will introduce new items like the “Master Chicken Steak,” an oversized, thin-pounded cutlet inspired by Chinese night markets, designed for sharing or slicing. Sides continue the theme, with radish kimchi, corn cheese, and chicken gyoza, alongside house sauces ranging from sweet sriracha and honey garlic to Szechuan ma la powder, a nod to chef Yu Bi’s Sichuan roots.

Drinks follow suit, with Southeast Asia-inspired smoothies featuring coconut, fruit jellies, and crystal boba. This gives the menu a slightly more modern, café-style edge than your typical fried chicken spot.

A Playful, Design-Forward Space

If the food leans street, the Miami Beach space leans playful. At 1,600 square feet, it’s the brand’s largest location so far, with seating for 40 and a bright, design-forward interior built for both dine-in and takeout. Expect clean white walls, bold pink accents, and a mural featuring JoJo, the brand’s mascot, anchoring a pink “KUNG FU” feature wall.

For the founders, Miami Beach has long been part of the plan. “Miami Beach has a special energy and sense of community that we’ve always admired,” chef Yu Bi says. “We put a lot of care into how we prepare everything, from seasoning to technique, and we’re excited to bring that here.”

Entering Miami’s Crowded Fried Chicken Scene

The expansion arrives at a moment when Miami’s fried chicken scene feels more crowded than ever. From Nashville’s Dave’s Hot Chicken to Korean double-fried spot Bonchon and chef-driven sandwich shops like the new Fuku in Coral Gables, crispy chicken has become one of Miami’s most popular categories. At the same time, Asian street food continues to gain traction locally, with more operators leaning into regional specificity and technique rather than broad pan-Asian menus.

That positioning may work in Kung Fu Chicken’s favor. Unlike some newer concepts built around viral moments, the brand has grown steadily and locally, first drawing students at FIU, then neighborhood regulars in Little Havana. The Miami Beach location feels less like a splashy debut and more like a natural next step for a concept that has already found its audience.