Following the success of its first two locations in Little Havana and Florida International University, Kung Fu Chicken, an Asian-style chicken concept rooted in authentic Asian street food traditions, will debut in Miami Beach this March. Founded by partners Chef Yu Bi and Dr. Tingjun Lei, the husband-and-wife duo behind popular restaurants 107 Taste and Cajun Boil, the brand has earned a loyal following for its crispy, 24-hour marinated chicken, tapioca starch breading and signature sauces.
Located at 1502 Washington Ave., the 1,600-square-foot restaurant (its largest yet) will offer seating for 40 guests in a bright space designed for both dine-in and takeout. The interior pairs clean white walls with bold pink accents and custom tile work, including a pink “KUNG FU” feature wall, and a mural of JoJo, the brand’s playful mascot.
“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. “We put a lot of care into how we prepare everything, from the way we season and cook the chicken to how we incorporate flavors together. We can’t wait for everyone to experience it for themselves!”
Kung Fu Chicken was created with a clear mission: to bring authentic chicken inspired by the street food cultures of China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand to the Miami market. Drawing from those traditions, the concept centers on dishes prepared using traditional techniques and carefully sourced ingredients. The chicken follows a deliberate preparation process, beginning with a 24-hour marinade in a proprietary spice blend by Chef Yu Bi. It is then coated in a distinctive tapioca starch breading and fried to achieve a crisp exterior while remaining juicy inside. Sauces and seasonings are applied after cooking to preserve crunch, a common technique used in Asian night markets.
“I grew up watching my grandmother cook, turning simple ingredients into something meaningful for our entire family,” said Chef Yu Bi, who grew up in Sichuan, China. “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.”
The menu highlights a range of dishes inspired by different regions across Asia. Best sellers include the Classic Chicken Sandwich ($9.99), crispy chicken marinated to perfection in a signature spice mix with fresh Asian coleslaw and tangy pickles on a butter-toasted brioche bun, and the Lava Sandwich ($10.99), featuring panko-crusted chicken stuffed with mozzarella and sweet corn on a butter-toasted brioche bun, inspired by Japanese comfort sandwiches. Another fan favorite is the Signature Chicken Wrap ($8.99), which pairs the chicken with fresh vegetables in a soft tortilla. Many of these items are also available as combo meals, paired with sides such as Corn Cheese or Chicken Gyoza for a complete, flavorful experience.
Making its menu debut is the Master Chicken Steak ($8.49), a large panko-crusted chicken cutlet traditionally sold only at night markets in China. The oversized cutlet, which is meant to be shared or sliced, is pounded thin, fried until crisp, and served hot. Guests can also try the new house-made Radish Kimchi, a tangy, fermented side made with crunchy radish, chili, garlic and fresh scallions that is both refreshing and spicy.
Additional offerings include the Crispy Fingers ($7.99), lightly breaded chicken tenders served with sauce on the side, allowing guests to customize each bite, an experience inspired by East Asian street snacks seasoned to order; the Soft Egg Sandwich ($9.49), layering fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, melted American cheese and Kung Fu Sauce on a buttery brioche bun, inspired by Asian breakfast meals; and the Big Kick Leg ($5.99), a slow-braised then fried chicken leg quarter infused with savory aromatics.
Sauces play a central role in the Kung Fu Chicken experience, including options such as Sweet Sriracha, a sweet-forward chili sauce inspired by Thai and Chinese street food; the house-made Kung Fu Sauce, a creamy, umami-driven blend rooted in Chinese-American kitchen traditions; Honey Garlic, a comforting sauce common in East Asian homestyle cooking; and Szechuan Ma La Powder, a dry spice blend delivering the signature numbing, tingly heat of Sichuan peppercorns.
The menu rounds out with tropical smoothies inspired by Southeast Asia and modern East Asian cafés. Options include the Mango Coconut Smoothie ($6.99), made with diced mango, mango jelly, crystal boba and coconut cream, and the Strawberry Coconut Smoothie ($6.99), featuring diced strawberries, strawberry jelly, crystal boba and coconut cream.
Kung Fu Chicken is located at 1502 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, FL 33139. It will be open Monday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays. For more information, visit eatkungfuchicken.com or follow @eatkungfuchicken.