KhaosanRoad.com
#7 of 20 Thai dishes to die for · Rice · Thai-Chinese (Hainanese)

Khao Man Gai (Thai Chicken Rice) ข้าวมันไก่

Poached chicken over rice cooked in chicken fat and stock, with clear soup and a ginger, chilli and fermented-soybean sauce.

Spice:
🌶 Mild
Also spelled:
khao mun gai, hainanese chicken rice

What is Khao Man Gai?

Khao man gai came with Hainanese immigrants and became a Bangkok office-lunch staple. Rice is cooked in chicken stock and fat with garlic and pandan, then topped with silky poached chicken.

The sauce is what makes it Thai: fermented soybean (tao jiao), ginger, garlic, chilli and vinegar. A bowl of clear broth with winter melon comes on the side.

Pratunam’s two rivals — “pink” Go-Ang and “green” Kuang Heng — face each other on Phetchaburi Road and are worth eating back to back.

Regional versions

Khao man gai tod is the fried-chicken version; some shops offer both on one plate (“khao man gai pasom”).

How to order it

“Khao man gai pasom” = poached and fried. Add liver or blood cubes if you’re keen.

Watch: Khao Man Gai on YouTube

Embedded from the creators’ own channels (Mark Wiens, Pailin's Kitchen). View counts as of 14 Oct 2026.

Thai Style "Hainanese Chicken Rice" (Khao Man Gai ข้าวมันไก่) in Pratunam Mark Wiens · 132,122 views (as of 11 Oct 2026)
The Ultimate Thai Chicken Rice Recipe (วิธีทำข้าวมันไก่) & Street Food Documentary Mark Wiens · 1,260,618 views (as of 11 Oct 2026)
Hainanese Chicken Rice Recipe ข้าวมันไก่ (kao mun gai) - Hot Thai Kitchen! Pailin's Kitchen · 297,779 views (as of 11 Oct 2026)

Top 5 places not to miss for Khao Man Gai

Only places backed by the MICHELIN Guide, reputable food press or a creator who filmed there; each one shows its source. We list fewer rather than pad the list.

  1. 1. Go-Ang Kaomunkai Pratunam (“pink” chicken rice) Bib Gourmand
    Phetchaburi Road, Pratunam, Bangkok

    Bangkok’s most famous khao man gai since 1960, staff in pink shirts; Bib Gourmand from the first Bangkok guide.

    Source: Table Journey; THAIGOHAN Google Maps ↗
  2. 2. Kuang Heng (“green” chicken rice)
    Phetchaburi Road, Pratunam, Bangkok

    Go-Ang’s long-running rival across the road, known for a darker fermented-soybean sauce.

    Source: Best Dishes At Google Maps ↗
  3. 3. Boon Tong Kiat
    Thonglor, Bangkok

    Singapore-style chicken rice for a side-by-side comparison with the Thai version.

    Source: THAIGOHAN Google Maps ↗
  4. 4. Kiat Ocha ร้าน เกียรติโอชา
    Old City, Chiang Mai

    Chicken rice and satay institution.

    Source: Mark Wiens, “Chicken Rice and Thai Satay at Kiat Ocha” Google Maps ↗
  5. 5. Dan Chicken Rice (San Sai) Bib Gourmand
    San Sai, Chiang Mai

    Chicken-rice specialist; MICHELIN Bib Gourmand.

    Source: MICHELIN Guide, Chiang Mai Bib Gourmand Google Maps ↗

More by city: Bangkok food map · Chiang Mai food map