If you know one chef's name from the last 15 years of food culture, there's a strong chance it's David Chang. Momofuku Noodle Bar, Momofuku Ko (two Michelin stars), Bad Saint, his Netflix show, his podcast, his cookbooks - Chang is arguably the most influential American chef of his generation. And until this summer, his fast-casual fried chicken concept Fuku has been a blank spot on the Palm Beach County food map.
That's about to change.
Fuku is opening its second standalone in Florida in West Palm Beach this summer, after its Coral Gables location opened in March 2026. And for anyone who's eaten the Original Spicy Chicken Sandwich, you already know why this is a real moment.
What Is Fuku?
Fuku is David Chang's fast-casual fried chicken concept. It launched in 2015 in New York and the pitch was simple: one legendary chicken sandwich, fries, soft serve, done. The original - a spicy habanero-brined chicken thigh with pickles on a Martin's potato roll - became a cult hit, and the brand expanded into arenas, stadiums, and a handful of standalones over the next decade.
Most Fuku locations live inside Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and arenas around the country. Standalone Fuku restaurants are rare. Florida has exactly one right now - Coral Gables. WPB will be the second.
Why This Matters for the 561
South Florida has a world-class dining scene, especially in Miami. But the gap between Miami and Palm Beach County has historically been real. A cult NYC brand opening its second Florida standalone in WPB - not Miami - is the kind of signal that the 561 is getting its due.
It also means Palm Beach County gets a chef-driven fast-casual option that doesn't currently exist here. Places like Shake Shack, Chick-fil-A, and local sandwich shops are great, but Fuku is specifically a chef-brand experience at fast-casual prices. That's a different category.
What to Order
When it opens, the menu will stay tight. The anchors are:
- The Original Spicy Chicken Sandwich - habanero-brined thigh, pickles, Martin's roll. The hero.
- The Fuku Fingers - same chicken, different format. Sauce options.
- Waffle Fries - classic.
- Soft Serve - Fuku locations usually have a rotating seasonal soft serve. Don't skip it.
- Milkshakes - vanilla, chocolate, whatever limited-time flavor they're running.
When It Opens
Fuku's team has confirmed a summer 2026 target for West Palm Beach. The specific address, opening date, and hours haven't been announced yet. Based on the brand's track record, expect a soft opening with limited hours first, then a full public launch a few weeks later.
What to Expect on Opening Week
Expect a line. Coral Gables had lines wrapping around the block on its first weekend. WPB will be the same - especially because WPB is a tighter food community and news travels fast. If you want to eat there in week one, go at odd hours: 2pm, or right at open.
And if you can't make it opening week, don't sweat it. Fuku is designed to be a regular sandwich, not a one-time pilgrimage. It'll still be there in week six.
But when it opens? It's genuinely worth the trip.
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