CUCI Sandwich — Restaurant in East Rutherford

It looks like I'm going to be the black sheep with my review.

Cuci seems to receive a lot of love in reviews, and it's not hard to see why. In a food court filled with lots of old and familiar fast food brands, it stands out for its fried chicken novelty. Even while dropping by to peruse the menu, I noticed other small and intriguing things in their condiment area, like tiny cups of cumin-chili powder and packets of plastic gloves (for those eating fried chicken who don't want their fingers to smell like it hours later).

My husband and I decided to give their spicy fried chicken sandwich a go, expecting great things to come. And off the bat, there was lots to love. Cuci's sandwiches are offered on a bao-like bun instead of a traditional burger bun. It's thinner, slightly sweet, and has a crumbly crustiness that made me think of shortbread in the best of ways. Topped with black sesame seeds, this was an incredible carby receptacle for a fried chicken burger. There's also a beautiful slaw on the inside that made for a lovely accompaniment to the fried chicken patty. The patty itself was a looker - thick, hot, and well-battered...in fact, a little too much, which created this sandwich's downfall for me. A few mouthfuls in, we realized the chicken was so thin that we were only eating pieces of fried batter rather than actual meat.

My husband figured this might've been a kitchen error, so he brought it back to the counter and they agreed to make him a new one. About ten minutes later, we saw the same thing. A super thin slab of chicken meat covered in twice or thrice as much batter.

The flavors are banging, for sure, and sprinkling that magic cumin-chili powder on whatever meat we could find only accentuated the fun. But it was hard not to feel somewhat gypped by that poor meat to batter ratio, especially considering what you'd get with other fried chicken sandwiches in that price range within the...

Hidden Gem Alert: CUCI at American Dream Mall!

If you’re looking for a fresh, flavorful twist on the unique Chinese style sandwich, CUCI on the 3rd floor food court at American Dream Mall is an absolute must-try. This newly opened spot specializes in Chinese-style sandwiches that go way beyond your typical burger. The magic starts with their bread—freshly made Chinese-style pancakes that are crispy on the outside and soft inside, creating the perfect vehicle for their bold, savory fillings.

Their menu is packed with standout options like Fried Chicken, Spicy Fried Chicken, Rattan Pepper Chicken, Fried Fish Filet, and even the iconic Peking Duck. My personal favorite? The Pineapple Grilled Chicken—a juicy, tangy-sweet combo that’s totally crave-worthy. The Rattan Pepper Chicken is another unique offering with a numbing, spicy kick that’s hard to find elsewhere.

And don’t skip the New Orleans Chicken Wings—a wildly popular flavor in China that’s rare in the U.S. CUCI nails it with wings that are bursting with flavor. Their Whole Chicken is another highlight—golden, crispy skin with meat that’s tender and juicy inside. Truly delicious.

For under $14, you get a sandwich, drink, and your choice of French fries or wings. It’s a seriously great deal for the quality and portion size. The flavor, variety, and value CUCI offers make it a place I’ll definitely be returning to. Highly recommended for anyone craving something new, satisfying, and full of authentic...

Visited this new establishment with my friends today and was not disappointed!

I ordered the Spicy Chicken sandwich which was the perfect level of spice - I also added the seasoning packet which added a tasty layer to the flavors. Usually not a fan of mayo but the mayo in the sandwich was uniquely light and slightly sweet which was a good balance to the spiciness of the sandwich. My favorite part was the bun that brought the whole dish together.

The fries were really good - we added the seasoning packet as well!

I ordered a side of the cuci Orleans wings - I think the flavor was a bit muted since I ate it after the sandwich. The flavors could be stronger, and the sauce more “saucey”. I am curious to hear from the owner what the inspiration behind the “cuci orleans” items are - I am expecting a hybrid of classic New Orleans Cajun with a unique Asian twist. I will definitely come back to try it again!

Although the sandwich does not need sauce to pair, I think having the option of getting sides of different sauces would be a good addition - similar to how Chick-fil-A has their...