Fuku's Chicken Sandwich Did Not Disappoint
It's the best sandwich in the world, but it might not be the best sandwich on this menu
At first glance, you might think fried chicken wouldn’t fly in a city where people get legitimately excited to tell you about their celery cleanse. But you don’t support a thriving $45-a-class fitness studio industry by eating vegetables. Which means somebody, somewhere, is definitely dripping hot honey on their Alo pants when nobody else is looking.
That, at least, must be the logic of David Chang, who’s giving Fuku another go in Miami. Fuku - Take Two is on Miracle Mile, walking distance from not one but five Pilates studios*, an Orangetheory, and a LEGACY fit. The James Beard-award winning chef’s chicken sandwich comes to Coral Gables with more hype than a transfer portal quarterback. But we’re pleased to report that this funky Asian fried chicken spot is actually pretty great, and probably the year’s best new way to negate your workout.
* - six if you count Solidcore.
Is Fuku’s fried chicken sandwich really any better than, I dunno, Hillstone?
Don’t you ever insult David Chang like that. I don’t even know David Chang, but I’m pretty sure he’s offended. Yes, the sandwich is far superior to most chicken sandwiches. First, Fuku uses chicken breast, not vile, cheap, slimy chicken thigh, already surpassing most “chef-driven” chicken sandwiches I’ve tried. Second, it’s brined in habanero which gives the meat a nice kick, but not a full-on capsaicin beatdown. Third, the sauces - sweet and spicy, honey mustard, miso scallion ranch, and Fuku mayo - are all Chang’s original creations, and don’t taste like they fell off the back of the Sysco truck.
What to eat and drink: The OG Sando is Fuku’s claim to fame, topped with special Fuku mayo and pickles. The brine lets this sandwich shine on its own, and like trying a cheese pie in a pizza place, it passes the “how good are you without crazy toppings” test. That said, the sweet and spicy sando is significantly better, covered in a sauce that doesn’t kill you with sugar and brings a cool crunch with pickled daikon. The most innovative thing on the menu is the chicken smash burger – a spiced chicken patty smashed into grilled onions and covered with cheese.
The spicy cucumber salad is the perfect side to cut through the fried stuff. On the beverage, the yuzu lemonade and coconut lime slushie are both refreshing, with citrus that counters the grease nicely. Fuku could tone down the sugar a couple notches and these would be even better.
The space: Is an eye-catching blend of anime-inspired pop art, with nods to Miami. As required by any new restaurant license in 2026, old-school hip-hop is on the stereo, but, like, less-obvious East Coast stuff and not Life After Death and Doggystyle on repeat. There’s a wall of souvenir sauces and Milk Bar cookies, and a photo booth if you want to practice your peace signs. Check out the “Are You Choking?” posters lining the tops of the walls. They’re the kind of well-thought-out parodies you’d find somewhere like Meow Wolf.
Don’t Miss: The chicken smashburger. It replaces the usual smashburger flavor profile of “cholesterol” with actual spice. Kudos, Fuku.
Expect to spend: $15 or less per person. In this economy, that’s tough to beat.
How’s the parking: Miracle Mile is a crapshoot. If you can’t find street parking right away, park in the city garages on Andalusia. The $15 central valet is never worth it.
@fuku // 135 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables
Can’t wait to try. Thanks for the heads up.