Fuku+ is the new, big brother fried chicken incarnation from Momofuku’s David Chang, a companion piece to his Lower East Side’s fried chicken sammie wonderland, Fuku.

If we were to compare Fuku and Fuku+ to 80’s pop starlets, Fuku is “I Think We’re Alone Now’s” Tiffany (one hit wonder) and Fuku+ is Debbie Gibson (much bigger star, many more hits. In fact, one song currently won’t stop raping my brain. Yes, Deb, I just can’t shake your love, either.)

Where was I?

Fuku is located in the little perch above midtown’s Má Pêche (another David Chang classic). You enter thought the Má Pêche entrance (which is the Milk dessert shop) and patiently get in line, which starts in front of the large Má Pêche sign.

You’ll be confused about which eatery the line is for. You’ll ask the dude in front of you, he won’t know either. The guy in front of the dude is on his phone, so you don’t ask him. So, you decided to ask the hostess who confirm, yes, that long line is for Fuku+.

And it’s going to be a 25-35 minute wait.

Just like Fuku, Fuku+ is (mostly) standing room only, but offers a few more communal spaces to scarf your food.

The walk in menu offers a smaller version of the enormous Fried Chicken sandwich, that made the original Fuku infamous. They also offer really tasty, dark meat fried chicken bites with a spicy green dipping sauce.

Some other menu notables are the Mission Cantina spicy Fuku Fingers (spicy fried chicken strips), the Sichuan Pork Flatbread (a very small Asian pizza) and some frightening looking salt and pepper shrimp. Whole shrimp. Take note.

My focus today was the off-the-menu, Juicy Lucy burger. In addition to the cheese on top, there is also cheese inside the patty. The bun is soft and simple and there’s some onion compote.

Here’s why I love the F out of this burger:

It’s simple. Meat, cheese, a little onion and a simple, soft bun. No bullshit ingredients. No toppings, piled mile high. No pretentious brioche bun which often reminds me of biting into a sofa. The meat is also cooked perfectly. Not too rare. Actually, not pink at all.

I prefer my burgers fast food style. Well done. Sorry if that offends anyone. Actually, I’m not sorry.

The setting is casual, the food is decently priced (the Fuku Fingers and Flatbread are both a few dollars more than they should be) but the fuku bites are only $6 bucks and the burger is only $8. Both are totally worth it.

The white meat Fuku Fingers are a sizeable portion (they became a whole other meal, the following day) and are nice and spicy (perhaps missing just a touch of the flavor of the dark meat fuku bites) and the flatbread was demure but packed a flavor punch.

Fuku+ only takes reservations if you’re going to partake of one of two dining packages. The first (Fuku XL – $25 per person) offers a similar menu to the original Fuku, featuring that massive chicken sandwich and the second (Fuku XXL – $400 set price) also includes things like Slow Roasted Pork Butt and Fried Short Ribs. Good for 4-8 hungry ass peeps.

In my opinion, however, both options are unnecessary. Come to the original Fuku to get your chicken sandwich on, and then come to Fuku+ for your chicken bites/tenders and that lovely, perfect, sexy off-the-menu Juicy Lucy. Have your friend order the flatbread and make him/her share with you (keep this in mind, when choosing said friend).

Chambers Hotel
15 W 56 St
New York, NY 10019
Midtown West
Fuku+ Website

Fuku Bites with JD Sauce – $6

Juicy Lucy – Off the menu cheeseburger – $8

Mission Chinese Fuku Fingers – $16

Sichuan Pork Flatbread – $15