Khao Mun Gai, or "Chicken Fat Rice" with Boiled Chicken, Crispy Fried Chicken, and Dumplings in Bangkok, Thailand

Khao Mun Gai

by Hom Chum, Lat Phrao MRT Station, Bangkok, Thailand

There's something about khao mun gai that just makes it a comfort food. This classic Thai dish, which evolved from Hainanese chicken rice and is related to Singapore's national dish, is rich, filling, and flavorful despite the simplicity of its ingredients.

I visited a new restaurant in Bangkok, just outside of the MRT Lat Phrao Station, to try some delicious Chinese-Thai "chicken fat rice" served with flavorful boiled chicken, crispy fried chicken, and giao, or steamed shrimp dumplings.

khao mun gai, gai tod, and jiao in Bangkok, Thailand

Lunch began with a starter: giao, or Chinese-Thai steamed shrimp dumplings.

The soft, steamed wontons were stuffed with juicy and succulent whole shrimps and topped with a sprinkle of crispy deep-fried garlic. They were set atop a serving of steamed bok choy and served with a soy-based dipping sauce.

These dumplings were really good, but they were just the prelude to the main course: khao mun gai.

giao, or boiled shrimp dumplings served with bok choi and crispy fried garlic

Khao mun gai literally means "chicken fat rice." This beloved Thai dish is a simple yet flavorful meal consisting of poached chicken served over a pile of fragrant rice that has been cooked in chicken fat and chicken broth, giving it its signature rich, fatty, and savory taste.

Traditionally accompanied by a sweet, tangy, and spicy dipping sauce (nam jim khao mun gai) made with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and chili, this dish is popular as a quick street food meal.

The chicken was served in a plate of sauce made from soy and sesame oil and was served with sliced cucumbers. a cube of savory chicken blood (don't knock it 'till you've tried it!), and a sprig of cilantro.

Thai khao mun gai, or chicken fat rice

I also ordered a plate of khao tod, or fried chicken. Battered, fried, and thinly sliced, this juicy chicken meat has a rich and savory aroma. The chicken was marinated in a soy sauce-based sauce and was super tender and juicy with an crispy, crunchy, and savory exterior.

gai tod, or Thai fried chicken served with chicken fat rice

The meal was super filling, and I left feeling completely satisfied. 

Each chicken dish came with a huge heaping plate of chicken fat rice and a bowl of simple, salty, umami chicken broth.

Location

Hom Chum is located at 469 Ratchadaphisek Rd, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 just outside of Lat Phrao MRT Station's exit 4 (park and ride exit) and near the escalator to MRT Lat Phrao Yellow Line Monorail. Located in the same building is Pork Tom Yum Noodle, whose name is pretty self-explanatory!