Kung Fu Chicken’s Crispy Chicken Finds a New Home in South Beach
- Jan 28
- 3 min read
Miami Beach is about to get a serious crunch upgrade. This March, Kung Fu Chicken, the cult-favorite Asian-style chicken spot that’s already won fans in Little Havana and at FIU, is opening its largest location yet right in the heart of South Beach. Located at 1502 Washington Ave., the new outpost promises more space, more flavor and plenty of reasons to make crispy chicken your next go-to meal on the beach.
Photo Credit: Kung Fu Chicken
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Chef Yu Bi and Dr. Tingjun Lei, the team behind popular local concepts 107 Taste and Cajun Boil, Kung Fu Chicken was created with a simple but thoughtful mission: bring the bold, authentic flavors of Asian street food to Miami. And it shows in every bite.
A New South Beach Address
The new Miami Beach location spans 1,600 square feet and seats about 40 guests, making it the brand’s biggest space to date. Inside, expect a bright, playful atmosphere that blends clean white walls with bold pink accents, custom tilework, and a cheeky pink “KUNG FU” feature wall. You’ll also spot JoJo, the brand’s lovable mascot, keeping watch over the space.
It’s designed for both dine-in and takeout, perfect for a casual lunch, laid-back dinner or grabbing something before a night out.
“Miami Beach has a special energy and sense of community that we’ve always admired, so we’re excited to bring our style of crispy chicken and Asian street food to the neighborhood,” said Chef Yu Bi.
Photo Credit: Kung Fu Chicken
Tradition You Can Taste
At the heart of the concept is a 24-hour marinated chicken, seasoned with a proprietary spice blend developed by Chef Yu Bi, who grew up in Sichuan, China. The chicken is coated in a tapioca starch breading—not flour—then fried until golden and crisp. Sauces and seasonings are added after cooking, a technique commonly used in Asian night markets to preserve crunch and texture.
“I grew up watching my grandmother cook, turning simple ingredients into something meaningful for our entire family,” said Chef Yu Bi. “That’s where I learned that food should be treated with care and shared with intention. At Kung Fu Chicken, we’ve taken that same approach, and I hope every guest can feel that same sense of comfort and connection when they try our food.”
Photo Credit: Kung Fu Chicken
A Look at the Lineup
Kung Fu Chicken’s menu pulls inspiration from China, Japan, Korea and Thailand, blending comfort with authentic seasoning. Fan favorites include the Classic Chicken Sandwich, featuring crispy marinated chicken topped with fresh Asian coleslaw and tangy pickles on a butter-toasted brioche bun; the Lava Sandwich, a Japanese comfort–inspired option with a panko-crusted chicken cutlet stuffed with mozzarella and sweet corn; and the Signature Chicken Wrap, a lighter but still satisfying choice that pairs crispy chicken with fresh vegetables wrapped in a soft tortilla.
Many menu items are also available as combo meals, paired with craveable sides like Corn Cheese or Chicken Gyoza for a complete, flavor-packed experience.
Photo Credit: Kung Fu Chicken
New Dishes You’ll Want to Try First
Making its debut in Miami Beach is the Master Chicken Steak, an oversized, panko-crusted chicken cutlet traditionally sold at night markets in China. It’s pounded thin, fried until ultra-crispy and meant to be sliced and shared (or not—we won’t judge).
Also new: house-made Radish Kimchi, a tangy, fermented side made with crunchy radish, chili, garlic and scallions that adds the perfect punch of heat and freshness.
Other standout bites include:
Crispy Fingers with sauces on the side, inspired by street snacks seasoned to order
Soft Egg Sandwich with fluffy eggs, bacon, American cheese, and Kung Fu Sauce
Big Kick Leg, a slow-braised then fried chicken leg infused with savory aromatics
Sauces Are Kind of a Big Deal Here
Sauces are central to the Kung Fu Chicken experience, with options that range from comforting to fiery:
Sweet Sriracha – sweet-forward with a gentle kick
Kung Fu Sauce – creamy, umami-rich and house-made
Honey Garlic – cozy and familiar
Szechuan Ma La Powder – numbing, tingly heat courtesy of Sichuan peppercorns
Photo Credit: Kung Fu Chicken
Don’t Skip the Smoothies
The menu is rounded out with tropical smoothies inspired by Southeast Asia and modern East Asian cafés. Standout options include the Mango Coconut Smoothie, made with diced mango, mango jelly, crystal boba and coconut cream, and the Strawberry Coconut Smoothie, which blends diced strawberries, strawberry jelly, crystal boba and coconut cream for a refreshing, lightly indulgent finish that pairs well with the menu’s savory dishes.
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or lingering over a combo meal, Kung Fu Chicken’s South Beach opening brings global flavor and thoughtful technique together under one roof.