Eat like a local Thai in Manila
Taste the least known flavors of Thailand in this fast growing restaurant chain
Published Mar 17, 2023 03:39 pm
By Danah Guiterrez
A Thai restaurant that ditches the Pad Thai and Tom Yum on their menu? Now that piques a foodie’s interest. KhaoKhai has the guts to skip Thailand’s most popular dishes to go beyond what we’ve always known. The unique “Thai Chicken House”continues to introduce the authentic and unbeknown flavors of Northern Thai cuisine in the Philippines, and has recently unveiled its newest branch at 2/f Crossroads, Bonifacio Global City. First opened in Poblacion, Makati in 2019, Khao Khai has expanded into a portfolio of seven branches all through the course of the pandemic—the most challenging years in the restaurant industry, no less.
Owned and operated by Making Fine Group, the same F&B group behind Tiger Sugar, Gram Cafe & Pancakes, and Chunky Boss, its growth is being driven by the warm reception of the local dining crowd to some of the least known flavors of Thailand from Chiang Mai and Isan. Owner and founder DanielMabanta wanted to show a more accurate representation of how everyday Thais eat in their country, a culinary way of life he had come to deeply admire. The restaurant’s ambiance takes you to modern Thailand with a mix of quirky and industrial design—concrete couches, hanging ceiling lamps, and a beautifully placed indoor tree, with pops of color everywhere. The interiors are made interesting with their framed old school Thai movie illustration posters, and adorable brightly painted faux windows. It was hustling and bustling during my visit on a weekday, as the working crowd buzzed in the establishment during their lunch break.
Khao Khai’s superstar dishes are the gai yang, the charcoal spiced bird common in the Northeast, and giatod, inspired by fried chicken street cart vendors seen in the busy streets of Thailand. They are best paired with some of the crowd favorites from the menu—the classic sticky rice (which they encourage to eat by hand), the somtam (handcut) spicy green papaya salad (my personal favorite, it packs a punch!), or maybe a refreshing, icy glass of Chang beer or Thai milk tea. Now it’s time to talk about the taste. The signature Gai Tod fried chicken is battered and done carefully, ensuring the right moisture to achieve the perfect outside crisp and a surprisingly flavorful and juicy meat.
The Thai grilled chicken dish called Gai Yang is a popular street food in Isan, marinated for nearly half a day before grilling. Packed with flavors, it’s a perfect match with the stir-fried noodles and fried rice. The Chicken Krapow has a savory, umami, salty, and slightly sweet taste. It is also spicy with a fragrance of Khao Khai’s “Holy Basil.” The chicken cutlets are battered well to a crispy bite with a tender-juicy finish.
Khao Soi is a deliciously rich, creamy, slightly spicy yellow curry dish originating in Northern Thailand. This classic Northern Thai soup will satisfy your craving for a Thai curry dish combined with either chicken, seafood, or pork in a coconut curry broth with boiled and fried noodles, topped with herbs and bean sprouts. Yet the unsung heroes in Khao Khai may not be the food, but the sauces, many of which the restaurant makes from scratch. Sauces are fundamental to Thai cuisine, and a number of dishes served—most importantly the grilled and fried chicken—are paired with two important ones: the Nam Jim Jaew (fish sauce with herbs and spices, prepared at least eight hours before service) and Nam Jim Kai (homemade sweet chili sauce).
An array of sides and salad are set on the tables as diners enjoy many of Khao Khai’s delicacies, including Som Tam papaya salad and the saucy egg salad, allowing guests to appreciate the unique flavors of the northern parts of Thailand and, of course, the Mango Sticky Rice as a satisfyingly sweet way to end a good Thai meal. Khao Khai brings not just flavors but also the Thai street experience in every restaurant, evident with the visually appealing interiors and plating, plus the aromatic and fragrant smells of delicious Thai food that makes for a memorable dining.
It’s no wonder that Khao Khai has been a big hit in the Filipino dining scene, not only are its dishes authentic, novel, and delicious, its price points are very wallet-friendly, too. Khao Khai is located in six other branches in Poblacion, Makati; Del Monte Avenue, Quezon City; Mall of Asia; Santolan Town Plaza; SM Manila; and SM Fairview. Deliveries are available via Food Panda and Grab Food.