Hyperlocal Tokyo

The predecessor, "Gaithon TOKYO", opened in July 2014. Since then, the name has changed to "Khao Man Gai" and now "Shibuya Khao Man Gai", but for 10 years, it has been a specialty store serving Thai chicken rice, "Khao Man Gai", and the taste remains unchanged. "Khao Man Gai" is enjoyed with chicken, the broth used to boil the chicken, Thai rice cooked in the broth, and a dipping sauce called "Nam Jim" (here, a blend of Thai liquid fermented soybean paste, "Tao Chiao", and Thai soy sauce, "Siu Kao"). Despite its simple menu, it requires a lot of effort. In a way, if you skimp on the preparation, it will reflect in the taste. That's why even in Thailand, popular restaurants specialize in this single dish. This "Khao Man Gai" comes with "tender slices of chicken", "cilantro", and "green chili" as complimentary additions. Additionally, the large amount of chicken bones (with some meat attached) produced during the boiling process are available as "bone-in soup" for 50 yen, which is a welcome option. The Thai jasmine rice, "Khao Hom Mali", is always cooked slightly firm, and you can faintly taste the chicken flavor. While the "Man" part of "Khao Man Gai", which refers to the fat that envelops the rice, is slightly weaker, the regular size still costs 900 yen including tax. Adding the "bone-in soup" and "large rice" brings the total to 1000 yen, making it excellent value for money. I've been coming here for 10 years, and I'll continue to visit in the future.

For only ¥900, you get a Khao Man Gai lunch set with soup and unlimited coriander? I couldn't resist! Especially in Shibuya. The restaurant's interior is pink. Like the Ganesha statue at Wat Saman Rattanaram, Thai people seem to love pink. Anyway, it was delicious. I even went back for seconds on the coriander. Thank you for the meal!

Located on Meiji-dori, the street leading from Shibuya Station towards Ebisu, this shop stands out with its pink color scheme. Today, I ordered Khao Man Gai and added bone to the soup. The Khao Man Gai was remarkable for the deliciousness of the rice, even more so than the chicken. The rice was cooked perfectly. I added cilantro and green chilies to the soup. The bones had meat on them, and eating them is a highlight of this soup.

A unique Khao Man Gai specialty shop. The interior is designed to evoke the atmosphere of an Asian street food stall. It's simple, with cute pink chairs and accessories, creating a clean and inviting space. The clientele is predominantly female. The menu features only Khao Man Gai, priced at ¥900 for a regular portion. Additional options include a separately ordered salad and the ability to upgrade the set soup to bone broth. The bone broth is a flavorful, easy-to-drink salty soup. It's essentially the same soup that comes with the Khao Man Gai, but with added bone. While it's a bit messy to eat, there's a decent amount of edible meat, so the ¥50 upgrade might be worth it. The Khao Man Gai itself is simple, consisting of rice, chicken, and cucumber. It's topped with a ginger-infused sauce and features tender chicken breast. The jasmine rice is a perfect complement. The optional green chili peppers are quite spicy. There's also a free refill of cilantro, a welcome service for cilantro lovers. While not ideal for large groups, this unique Khao Man Gai specialty shop is a great option for a lunch date with a friend. The pink accents in the interior are sure to be a hit with girls. The location is close to the South Exit, but a bit far from the East Exit, which is a drawback.

Actually, it's the real deal. Khao Man Gai (chicken rice) is ¥900, bone-in soup change is +¥50. The bones are a bit like leftovers, but it's fun to nibble on the surrounding meat and cartilage. Plus, it's pretty tasty. It's a dish that's all about the nibbling, no matter how crude it may seem. The chicken is delicately juicy, perfectly cooked. The rice also has flavor, with distinct grains and a good texture. The sweet and spicy sauce is delicious, and the green chili adds a nice kick. The cilantro is free refills, so go wild! Finish it off with the remaining soup, sauce, and chili. The rice portion is generous, but the meat is a bit on the small side, so if you're going for the bone-in option, a double might be a better balance. The exterior is a bit plain, like a fast food joint, and it's a one-menu shop with a very bright interior. But, you can definitely feel the authentic Thai vibes here, this is the real deal.