Taiwanese Fried Chicken Spot (With Veggie Options) Opens In Former Baku Bakery

There’s a new Taiwanese fried chicken spot on 86th Street, and it’s located in the storefront that once housed our neighborhood’s beloved Baku Bakery.

OFC Chicken V held its soft opened at 1972 86th Street this week. It’s orange-apron clad employees were spotted handing out chicken and hotdog samples to shoppers at the 86th Street Festival Sunday.

But despite the fact that OFC — which stands for Oriental Fried Chicken (not to be confused with another Chinese OFC) — specializes in chicken, it boasts an extensive menu of vegetarian finger foods like oyster mushrooms, gluten, bean curd, salty cabbage, cauliflower, layered tofu, and eggplant.

For the uninitiated, the OFC’s meat menu contains many familiar-looking, deep fried foods that you might find at an American fast food joint, such as pop corn chicken, wings, and mini hot dogs. However some unexpected bird organs can be also found there, crispy chicken heart, crispy chicken gizzard, and duck neck among them.

Finally, OFC has a fun-looking seafood menu, including salty squid leg, spicy fish tofu, fried lobster balls, octopus balls, and crispy prawn, as well as a lengthy tea selection.

Though there are some large entrees to be had, like OFC’s fried chicken cutlet or “crazy jumbo squid,” a main appeal of this cuisine appears to be the small bite-sized portions. Plus, the plethora of meaty, seafood, and veggie options make OFC a rare eatery that works for a group of people with wide ranging dietary preferences.

As for its predecessor Baku? As we’ve reported, the Russian pastry shop moved to Sheepshead Bay last year after 21 years in Bensonhurst.

OFC Chicken will hold its grand opening on June 19, offering specials on all it’s finger lickin’ snack. We’ll be there and let you all know if these adorable treats are as yummy as they look.