Papa's Korean Chicken Restaurant - Clayton

Tucked right on the corner of North Road and Clayton Road, just a short stroll north from Monash Medical Centre and Clayton Station, Papa’s Korean Chicken Restaurant sits in the heart of one of Clayton’s busiest, tastiest strips. If you know the area, you’ll know this stretch well — it’s packed with everything from Taiwanese bubble tea joints to Hong Kong-style cafés and Korean eateries that keep both locals and students happily fed.

On any given day, you’ll spot groups of students from Monash University drifting down these streets, looking for something hot, comforting, and affordable to refuel after lectures or on the way home. Papa’s Korean Chicken Restaurant seems to fit that bill perfectly.

Highlights	Papa’s Korean Chicken in Clayton serves up tasty fried chicken, hearty ramen, and homely vibes — a local gem for comforting Korean eats at student-friendly prices.
Cost	$22 for Fried Chicken (either boneless or with bones) $7 for Chips $17 for Jajang Ramen
Location	172 Clayton Road, Clayton VIC 3168

First Impressions

Our craving that day was simple — crispy, sticky, delicious Korean fried chicken. We considered heading over to Springvale for its bustling Korean scene, but a quick search led us to Papa’s in Clayton instead. Its location right at a busy corner means parking can be a headache — there’s only parallel parking along the main road, which fills up quickly, especially in the evenings. We got lucky that night, managing to snag a spot and a table without a booking, but it’s worth keeping in mind that on weekends or busy nights, you might want to plan ahead or park further away and walk.

Inside, Papa’s is exactly what you’d expect from a no-fuss Korean chicken joint: simple, cosy, a touch rustic. The vibe is casual, welcoming, and very local — the kind of spot where you sit down, scan the QR code at your table to order, and help yourself to water and hot sweet corn tea while you wait for your fried feast to arrive.

The Meal

We kept it classic for our first visit. We ordered the Sweet Soy Garlic Fried Chicken (Boneless) for $22 — arguably the star of the show — with a side of chips ($7) and a Jajang Ramen ($17) to round it out. For anyone unfamiliar, Jajang Ramen is a riff on the Korean-Chinese classic Jajangmyeon — chewy noodles swimming in a rich, dark black bean sauce. It’s a hearty, savoury companion to the crunch and zing of fried chicken.

When the food arrived, the table filled quickly: generous portions of golden fried chicken, steaming hot ramen, and a bowl of fries dusted in seaweed seasoning that made them just a little more addictive than your standard hot chips. The chicken was everything you’d hope for: crisp on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and coated in a sticky-sweet soy garlic glaze that hit all the right notes. True to Korean fried chicken tradition, it came with tangy pickled radish cubes and a fresh handful of shredded cabbage — perfect for cutting through the richness.

The ramen held its own, too. The noodles were perfectly chewy, the sauce thick and earthy, coating each strand generously. It’s not fancy — but that’s not why you come here. Papa’s delivers warm, simple Korean comfort food, just as you’d hope.

A Local Gem With Personality

One thing you’ll notice as you settle in is the reminder written on the restaurant’s walls: a polite note asking customers to be patient with the chefs due to their limited English. It’s a small touch that tells you exactly what this place is about — run by hardworking locals doing their best to serve up delicious food in a second language and a second home. It also explains the ordering system: the QR code menu helps bridge any communication gaps and keeps the vibe smooth and fuss-free.

While Papa’s doesn’t pretend to be fancy, it makes up for it with small gestures. At the end of our meal, the chefs surprised us with a simple but thoughtful treat — fresh mandarins, offered on the house as a way to close out the meal. It’s a sweet, homey touch that leaves you smiling on your way out the door.

Who’s Papa’s For?

Papa’s Korean Chicken Restaurant is the definition of a neighbourhood gem. It’s not fine dining and it doesn’t need to be. It’s perfect for students wanting a hearty dinner after a long day, for locals looking for an affordable fried chicken fix, or for families who just want to share a pile of crispy goodness on a casual night out.

The food is tasty, the portions satisfying, and the prices reasonable. It’s the kind of place you come back to when you want a quick, reliable Korean meal without the frills or the fuss — and when you want to be reminded that the best food experiences are often about comfort, not perfection.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for Korean fried chicken that hits the spot, Papa’s is well worth checking out. It might not have the polish of a big franchise chain, but it more than makes up for it with warm service, satisfying flavours, and the genuine feeling that you’re supporting a hard-working local business.

Our advice? If you’re around Clayton and craving crispy chicken, keep Papa’s on your list. Just plan ahead for the parking and bring your appetite — you’ll want to try more than one thing on the menu. And if you’re lucky, you might even leave with a few mandarins for dessert.

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