Khao Mok Gai, or Southern-Style Biriyani Chicken
from Hat Yai, Thailand
Khao Mok Gai, or Thai biriyani chicken and rice, is one of the most popular southern Thai street food dishes. Found in nearly every market in Thailand (not exclusively in the south), this Thai-Muslim street staple is a perfect balance of sweet and salty. Yellow curried rice is served with a juicy and crispy piece of Hat Yai fried chicken and topped with crunchy bits of deep-fried onion.
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| Khao Mok Gai - southern Thai-style yellow biriyani rice with fried chicken |
The main feature of the dish, and what makes it so special, is the unique yellow rice, which is cooked and steamed with all sorts of delicious herbs. The most important ingredient is turmeric, which gives the dish its iconic yellow color. Thai yellow curry is one of the least spicy Thai curries, and is distinctly sweet and herbal, with aromas of cardamom, garlic, and turmeric.
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| yellow curry biriyani chicken in Hat Yai, Thailand |
The rice is served from a huge pot of steaming biriyani, and is topped with crispy fried chicken right out of the fryer and dripping in oil. Southern Thai chicken is popularly known as the best and most delicious in all of Thailand. It gets its unique and aromatic flavor after marinating overnight in a unique blend of sauces, including just a dash of fish sauce for a special umami flavor.
The dish is not complete without a healthy sprinkle of crispy fried onions on top.
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| a street vendor sells fresh fried chicken in Hat Yai, Thailand |
Dietary Notes
☪️ Halal
Price
This is a cheap and popular street food dish, and can generally be found for around 50 THB per serving (about $1.50).
Where to find it
This dish can be found throughout southern Thailand. I bought this dish at the street market in Hat Yai City, Songkhla Province, Thailand. As it is one of the most popular southern Thai street food dishes, it can be found in nearly every market in Thailand, not just in the south.
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