The bird is the word at South Brisbane eatery Naked Wings
Nothing gets our engine running quite like the sight of a basket of saucy freshly cooked chicken wings. Usually when we park our caboose in front of this heavenly sight, we’ve already cleared our schedule so as to fully embrace the ensuing glassy-eyed contentment, where we bask in a greasy post-feast afterglow. That experience isn’t for everyone, though – not all eaters consider making a mess (and having to fight the food-nap urge) as a good time. If you’re after an experience that’s a little lighter and cleaner, we think you’ll like Naked Wings. This new South Brisbane chicken joint specialises in lighter, crispier chicken – the kind that won’t leave you comatose and have you calling it a day straight after lunch.
South Korean expat Collin Kim is all about guilt-free dining. Formerly a franchiser of Berryme frozen yoghurt, the budding foodie entrepreneur helped build the operation across Brisbane, which focused on giving diners an experience that is a notch healthier than what was readily available elsewhere. Collin’s new concept – Naked Wings – is a cheerful chicken joint that pairs South Korean techniques with American-inspired aesthetics. Perched on Melbourne Street on the border between South Brisbane and West End, the space boasts a casual and laid-back vibe, with indoor and outdoor seating available for intimate pairings and groups. When it comes to the name, Naked here refers to the cooking method (no nudity here, sorry), which is based around a marinating and shallow-frying process that leaves the wings crispy, but not oily. As with any fried-chicken shop, the bird is the word – Naked Wings sources its chook ethically and locally, meaning that you’re in for a primo experience that aims to keep you feeling light as a feather.
That being said, there’s nothing to stop you from feasting until you’re veritably flightless – Naked Wings’ menu scales to give you the exact amount of food you’re craving, or the precise portions for you and a group. The wings come as classic bone-in or boneless varieties, with servings increasing from ten to 15 and then 20 pieces. Once you’ve selected your amount, it’s time to pick your flavour. There are 15 to choose from, ranging from the scorching buffalo extra and the punchy chipotle to the tangy lemon pepper and smoky barbecue. If you fancy, Collin has also put together a couple of Korean-style options to try, including snow onion and cheddar-cheese dusted varieties. No matter your choice, you can avoid mess by equipping the handy finger protectors (but feel free to keep hands bare for the finger-licking joy). Fleshing out the menu is a couple of fried-chicken burgers and sides, with loaded fries, pickles and a giant onion ring (yes, it’s seriously large) offering plenty of options for filling the gaps. As for drinks, Naked Wings is currently BYO friendly while it waits for liquor license approval, after which it will be selling craft beer and sangria jugs – the perfect tipple for washing down your feed.
Naked Wings is open now! For opening hours and contact details, flap on over to the Stumble Guide.
The Stumble Guide is our comprehensive Brisbane dining guide with more than 2400 places to eat, drink, shop and play.
