This resto is proof there’s more to Thai food than just Pad Thai.
Khao Khai, known for its authentic Thai dishes, has finally opened a branch in Quezon City. The original restaurant is located in the hip neighborhood of Poblacion, Makati. It’s a must-try for those craving flavorful, unique dishes.
When you think of Thai food, we’re sure that Pad Thai is the first dish that comes to mind. But as the many offerings at Khao Khai prove, there’s more to Thai cuisine than noodles.Â
Dishes to try
Since this is a Pad Thai-free zone, this is a good place to visit if you’re curious about Thai cuisine. Believe it or not, it’s kind of similar to Filipino food. You have to watch out if you have a low tolerance for spicy things.
One of their best-sellers is the Gai Tod, Bangkok’s “street-cart” style fried chicken that’s best paired with Khao Niew (sticky rice) and Som Tam (papaya salad) for dessert. Gai Tod is also sprinkled with fried garlic bits. It’ll fill your hungry tummy!
Their Victory Wings (named after Bangkok’s Victory Monument) is a must-try if you love chicken wings. The umami-packed wings are tossed in fish sauce and other Asian spices.
We’ve warned you about their spicy dishes, but don’t fret–they’re actually tolerable, even for those who aren’t a fan of spicy food. Also, they serve Thai milk tea to quench your thirst!
Another best-selling chicken dish is the Pad Kra Pao. Khao Khai deviated a bit from the original recipe. They use crispy fried chicken nuggets that are stir-fried with basil, chili, and garlic. The perfectly cooked sunny-side-up egg will also lessen the dish’s spiciness.
Try their dry pork curry with egg if you’ve had enough of our chicken recommendations. This dish originates from Southern Thailand, and Khao Khai nailed the recipe.
Their pork belly is a personal favorite because even without their unique sauce, the taste fills your mouth instantly with just one bite. This is best paired with some booze!
The story of Khao Khai
Daniel Mabanta, founder and owner of Khao Khai, grew up in a family of restaurateurs. That gave him a greater appreciation of food in general. He got the idea to bring Thai cuisine to Manila after visiting Chiang Mai. He wanted to make it so that Filipinos won’t have to go abroad to know what authentic Thai street foods taste like.Â
This restaurant doesn’t serve Pad Thai, Tom Yum, and the like because Daniel wants to expose Filipinos to Thai dishes that they don’t usually get to try. Khao Khai focuses on serving chicken and other dishes eaten daily by Thai people.
You can now visit their Quezon City branch located in Del Monte corner Biak na Bato. If you don’t feel like dining out, they’re available via Grab, Foodpanda, and khaokhai.pickup.ph.Â
Follow their Instagram for freebies and other information.
Featured Image Daniella Sison
