FRYBABY — Restaurant in Portland

I was excited to try Fry Baby, because I like Korean fried chicken and the reviews are so good but it was kind of underwhelming for me personally. The service was great, but the food was lacking. I’ll go over the food, service, & location in my review.

FOOD: I got the Spicy Gochujang Wings, the Cucumber salad, and the Kimchi Mac & Cheese. The flavor of the wings wasn’t my favorite compared to a similar Spicy Korean wing I’ve had from a different shop in Beaverton. The spice level of Frybaby’s wings was less pronounced (& more tolerable for people who can’t handle spice). I would say it’s mildly spicy. I will note that I like boneless wings so Frybaby only having Bone-In wings could have been a factor in my not enjoying them as much. The cucumber salad was less flavorful and more crunchy than other Korean and Asian places I’ve had cucumbers at. (I know they’re supposed to be crunchy to an extent but it felt like a cucumber that had just been peeled and sauce was thrown on top of it and served.) I feel like perhaps they weren’t marinated enough, I prefer to have the sauce soak into the cucumbers a bit to catch the flavor. With that being said I’m also not Korean and I can’t be certain that my past experiences or cucumber salad are authentic to what it should actually be like. The Kimchi Mac & Cheese was also underwhelming for me in terms of flavor. It felt lacking. The price point was $17 for wings and a side I believe and an additional $6 for another side which turned out to $23. I ended up paying $25 total with tip. I feel like $6 for a side is a bit much, but at the same time, I know that restaurant owners usually aren’t making a lot, so maybe it is a fair price and I’m just not used to it.

SERVICE: The workers/employees were nice! The food did take a bit to get out, my friend had already finished their food by the time mine was ready (I ordered wings and they got a bowl from a different cart). When they gave me the food it came with some gloves which I appreciated since wings are a messy food, a towellete, and a napkin. I think more than one napkin would’ve been nice since it is super messy. I was happy with them including those though. Overall the service was good and I was pleased with it.

LOCATION: I visited on a Friday night, and it was hard to find street parking. We had to drive around a bit and walk a couple blocks but that makes sense for the day and time we were going. We were able to find seating on the other end of the cart pod that only has two carts and a couple picnic tables. The seating areas and most of the cart pods are under a covered area outside which is nice for if it rains! There are heaters in one part of the covered area where most of the cart pods are stationed but they weren’t turned on when I was there (it was around 7 and a bit chilly, but I assume they turn them on later at night). They’re also connected to a bar and I think maybe a cafe which is inside a building and has a bathroom. The building looked nice and interesting and I’d like to go back to try some drinks. It’s a cool little cart pod with a diverse range of foods to try. Overall I’d go back but probably...

Let me start with what we ordered. We ordered 2 bags. The first was 3 Soy Garlic wings (SGW) and Garlic Butter Rice. The second was 3 Snow Cheese wings (SCW) and Korean Curry Gravy and Mashed Potatoes. The young lady that waited on us was great! She was able to make recommendations, answer questions, and describe the food. This is important when you are eating somewhere for the 1st time. Because of that, we went outside the box and ordered the SCW. These were oddly delicious and easily the best part of the meal. They don't really have a cheesy taste, but have a savory 1st bite that changes to some faintly sweet backnotes. It's almost like a sticky wing. Crispy, hot, and worth going back for. The SGW was a disappointment. There is a Korean fried chicken chain that has SGWs, and that is the taste I've come to expect. It was a weaker taste and didn't have the crisp of the SCWs. Maybe the sauce was too heavy or sat on the wing too long? I'm only guessing. My brother loved the rice. I thoroughly enjoyed the potatoes, while there was gravy on them. The potatoes were real mashed potatoes. I would have happily given up som3 potato room for more of that gravy. We had some fries from another food truck and used them as scoops because the gravy was a star in its own right. I washed it all down with a Korean Plum soda that was refreshing and hit the spot. Overall, if I come back to Portland, I would come here again for the SCW...

After seeing this spot on YouTube, I had to give it a try—and it absolutely delivered!

The chicken sandwich was fantastic. The glossy, buttery bun was perfectly soft, complementing the juicy, tender patty. The greens added a fresh, crisp bite, balancing the richness of the meat. The flavors were well-seasoned, and every bite was satisfying. It had that perfect blend of savory and fresh, making it a burger worth coming back for.

Wings: These were the real showstoppers. Perfectly crispy on the outside and coated in a rich, flavorful sauce with just the right amount of heat. The black and white sesame seeds added a nice touch of texture. The sauce was tangy, sweet, and spicy—an absolute flavor bomb. Snow cheese Powdered Wings: Surprisingly addictive! The dry coating had a bold, garlicky-cheesy flavor that melted in your mouth. The wings were tender and juicy on the inside, with a perfect crispy exterior. Paired with the fresh greens, they were a total hit.

✅ Overall Verdict • Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Packed with bold, delicious flavors.) • Presentation: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Rustic and appetizing.) • Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Generous portions and great quality.)

I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for flavorful, well-executed comfort food. The spicy wings alone are worth the trip, and the burger is the perfect complement. This spot is definitely a...