Jesse Boy Korean Fried Chicken and Cauliflower, coming to Fresno's River Park shopping center later this year, features Korean-inspired fried chicken and cauliflower with ponzu sauce, seasonal agua frescas and horchata bread pudding. Photos courtesy of Jesse Boy

Hollywood’s Jesse Boy is bringing its Korean-inspired fried chicken — and fried cauliflower — to Fresno’s River Park shopping center, offering a fast-casual menu built for meat eaters and vegans alike.

The concept, known for crispy Korean-style fried dishes glazed in a sweet and tangy ponzu sauce, will open its second location by the end of the third quarter across from BarrelHouse Brewing. The original Jesse Boy opened in Hollywood eight years ago.

Co-owners Jesse Choe, Jonathan Choe, Ajay Hira and Kevin Kleinberg established the 1,800-square-foot River Park location, which goes the extra mile to prevent cross-contamination — a detail central to the restaurant’s identity, Hira said.

“We wanted to create a place where everyone can eat together,” Hira said. “We use dedicated fryers for the cauliflower and fries. Even the sugar that we use is vegan.”

The menu includes Korean fried chicken, wings or tenders and fried cauliflower, each glazed with a choice of original or spicy ponzu sauce and served with shoestring french fries, jasmine rice or sesame salad.  Bowls and sandwiches are also served — though Hira noted the buns contain egg and are not vegan. Fresh seasonal agua frescas, including a popular lemon-lime flavor, and a horchata bread pudding will round out the menu.

The menu was designed by chef Jesse Choe, who trained at the Michelin-starred Patina restaurant at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. Choe drew inspiration from his mother’s Korean fried chicken recipe.

The four partners — brothers Jesse and Jonathan Choe and friends Hira and Kleinberg — started as vendors at the Encino farmers market in 2017 before opening their Hollywood restaurant in 2018. 

Though the team was born and raised in Los Angeles and Seattle, Fresno is also home. The group has owned and operated the Yogurtland franchise at River Park for 15 years.

With the new location, the owners said they plan to engage with the local community through collaborations with local artists and event organizers. Valley Children’s Hospital is one of their biggest community partners.

“We always try to find ways to give back and show our thanks,” Hira said. “We’re hoping to partner up with nonprofits and other organizations that give back to the community, because if it wasn’t for the community we wouldn’t be where we are today.”