We ordered: 1. Khao Man Kai Combo - fried & steamed chicken, fragrant rice cooked in chicken broth, garlic-ginger & chili-garlic dipping sauces, light broth 2. Moo Yaang - Grilled Pork, Jaew sauce 3. Chicken Curry Puff Excellent chicken dish. Chicken was tender, crispy batter on fried chicken was tasty. Rice, sauces, and broth were all flavorful. Chicken curry puff nailed texture and flavors. Grilled pork was a little dry. No issues with service. Cool Thai interior vibe. read more

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The service was nice and the food came out really fast. It's a small quiet restaurant that feels like a hole in the wall. The AI poster outside was the biggest red flag i wish i didn't go against based on a tiktok review - lesson learned! Unfortunately the high reviews left us very disappointed by what we got. I'm not sure how we walked out $90 poorer after lunch for 2 from here... The thai tea was alright but when the cup is 75% ice i finished it pretty quickly and it did absolutely nothing to wake me up, tasted and felt like it was made from a packet. The basil fried rice had like 2 small sad pieces of basil and the portion looked small but it was alright overall. No spice and they never asked what level we wanted, and i was scared to ask for any kind of sauce since they had a bunch of sauces listed for an additional $2? I feel like for a $20 plate (fried rice with shrimp), the sauce should be on the table or free like other places. The flavor was meh, good enough. And finally the shrimp shumai - these were actually decent sized pieces and if i hadn't ordered the app i probably would have still been hungry lol. Their famous dish is the chicken plate that my friend got and even they were disappointed- half the chicken was actually just batter that had fallen off the fried part and again bland. There are way better thai places out there. This was just very disappointing and felt like a bit of a ripoff. They also have a 3% credit card surcharge fyi. The table also had a review request which is probably where all the 5 star reviews are coming from. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - BASIL FRIED RICE Shrimp SHUMAI Khao Man Kai (STEAMED Chicken Rice) - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The service was so great, they were busy but still gave us great attention! I loved the desserts, the coconut pudding steamed cakes were a hit! I've never had them before, but it was not too sweet, which is what I love in a dessert. Also really enjoyed the tom yum it had a really nice kick! Ambience's very cozy and you can walk in Max. You have to wait around five minutes. They are known for their steamed and fried chicken called khao man Kai. I like the same version better but what I really enjoyed the chicken flavored rice. It was so flavorful and haven't had rice like that before read more

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Ambiance: The restaurant is tiny! There are a few tables inside, and can fit a max 4 person group. Any group that is bigger, I'd recommend calling ahead to make sure that they can accommodate a large party. Food: The food was great! The steamed chicken was so delicious and refreshing. The rice was very flavorful. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Khao Man Kai (Steamed Chicken Rice)* - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Small place, friendly staff, and good food. I had a classic pad khee mow, medium spice, and it was great! I'd say the spice was on the hotter side of medium, which was great for me but just a heads up for others who aren't super comfortable with spice. Was also on the drier side of some of the versions I've had of this dish (not swimming in sauce). It came out pretty quickly, and everyone else in the group enjoyed their meals. I recommend this place. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Pad Kee Mao - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Enjoyed our dinner at this neighborhood spot! It's a cute vibe, fun to come with friends or a casual date. We came here specifically for the chicken rice which was tasty but I feel like the chicken prices could have been a bit bigger. The chicken soup was delicious and probably my favorite part of that dish. We also got the chicken green curry which we liked actually even more than the chicken rice- the flavor profile was complex tasted authentic to curries I've had in Thailand. Prices were very reasonable and service was friendly! read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Green curry with chicken - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We tried this place out on a whim and it was delicious! We got the Pad See Ew with chicken and medium spice and were so happily surprised that the medium was adequately spicy! Authentic instead of catered toward American palettes. We also got the Khao Man Gai which was delightfully soft and served with flavorful rice. The ginger sauce was slightly sweet and tangy, super yummy and I ordered a side of their Jaew to try, and it paired super well with the steamed chicken. We also tried their Thai tea which was super yummy and creamy. The restaurant is quaint with limited seating so I wouldn't suggest it for any groups larger than 4, but the decor and settings made for a cute date night! Our server was on control of the entire front of house and managed multiple tables so well. He was extremely attentive, quick, and helpful with any and every question! read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Pad See Ew - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This place missed the mark for me unfortunately. We got the green curry and fried rice entrees and I didn't really love either. Nice service and atmosphere though read more

Idk why I've never heard of this spot but it was so delicious and affordable. Curry puffs were flavorful and the pastry was flakey - they were also so hot and fresh that I burned my tongue. The chicken and rice were also very flavorful and the ginger sauce added a nice spicy kick. Solid portion sizes and great service too. Only critique is that I wish the chicken was butchered a little better bc I got one bone and a chewy bit but nothing super concerning. I'd go back! read more

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I stopped by for lunch on a Saturday afternoon and had no trouble getting a table. Our table shared the chicken curry puffs, which we really enjoyed--they were warm, flavorful, and a great way to start the meal. I ordered the combo chicken plate, but unfortunately it was disappointing. I've had authentic Hainanese chicken rice before, and this version was lacking the accompanying soy sauce, and the rice itself wasn't as flavorful as it should have been. My friends ordered noodle dishes and requested medium spice, but they turned out to be very spicy. I'd recommend ordering low spice and adding hot sauce if needed. The staff were friendly and attentive. The restaurant is best suited for groups of four or fewer since it's quite small. The decor was also cute and inviting. read more

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OVERALL: - VERY INAUTHENTIC and seasoning is off. VERY BLAND, unbalanced, and almost inedible. many dishes are too salty or too sweet. spicy is non-existent - i think it's a store for people who have never had thai food before / don't know what it is - i would not go back or recommend this place to anyone who likes authentic thai food. disappointing, bc lake view does have good thai food - if you're looking in lakeview, i highly recommend Coo Thai over this option. much more authentic, flavorful, and actually spicy (if requested) PROS: - the rice in the chicken rice is good. the chicken is ok. Hainam Chicken Rice in Chinatown is better CONS: - the flavoring are all just very strange and inauthentic. they're either too bland or too sweet or too salty. if you ask for spicy, it's still not spicy - the cucumber appetizer was TOO SWEET - the soup that comes with the chicken rice is not the typical chicken soup paired with chicken rice. it tasted like mediocre beef bouillon - the crab rangoon was inedible. it was basically all cream cheese, and the fry was too soft. it was very soggy - the pad thai and pad see ewe are... not pad thai or pad see ewe lol. they tasted like no pad thai or pad see ewe i've ever had. very bland - there are no beef or pork options for the noodles. just chicken, shrimp, tofu - the mango sticky rice was SALTY... not sweet. very strange - extremely overpriced extra sauces read more

rst time visiting this place and I'll definitely be coming back. It's a small spot in Lincoln Park with a cozy, intimate feel. The service was amazing--very attentive, which may have been helped by the fact that it wasn't too busy. The menu is small, but every dish is packed with strong, flavorful notes that really stand out. Great ambiance, great service, and overall a really enjoyable experience. Highly recommend checking it out if you're in the area. read more

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The restaurant is small and cute! The staff were so friendly and respectful. I had the steamed chicken and rice. The chicken was decent, but the star of the show was definitely the broth!! It was so flavorful. I wish they gave a bigger portion of it. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Khao Man Kai (Steamed Chicken Rice)*chicken - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Tried this place out with friends for lunch and it was great!! So close to my place it will definitely become one of my regular spots. We got a couple dishes to share. We tried the pad thai with chicken, pan-fried gyoza and the crispy pork and rice. Everything we got was really good! I would order all three again for sure. We came on a Monday right at opening (11:30am) and it was pretty quiet. We were the only ones in the restaurant except for Door Dash coming in to grab orders. Everything seemed really clean and the server was friendly and took our orders quickly. The food also came out really fast which was great. Overall, definitely recommend this spot if you're looking for some Thai food! read more

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A new Thai place with different Thai dishes than your typical pad see ew and pad thai! Really enjoyed the flavor and presentation of these dishes. We got the steamed chicken and a noodle dish. Not over drenched with sauce - most is on the side so you can determine how much you want. Felt like a healthy, hearty meal - big portions, enough to take home! Space is a little small though so not good for big groups, great for dates. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Khao Man Kai (Steamed Chicken Rice)* - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The Khao Man Kai (what they are famous for) was a new and delightful experience - flavorful steamed chicken (I asked them to skip the skin) on a bed of seasoned rice, with a delicious gingery sauce and a brothy broth to spoon over. I requested fresh Thai chillies on the side - it paired so well with the umami savoriness on the plate. Plus the dishware was beautiful! The dining area was cosy and intimate, and our server was amazing. Will definitely dine here again the next time I'm near the lake front. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Update! They added pad see ew to the menu and it was delicious! I will be going back!

My thai friend recommended this place to me and I got the fired chicken with rice. It was amazing. The soup was a nice balance and the suace really brought everything together. The sauce was tangy and really cut through the fried chicken. Overall, I would definitely be interested in trying more of their menu and coming back again. Our server was really attentive too. When looking at the seats it seems like a group of 4 is perfect. Any more would need some rearranging. read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Hat Yai Fried Chicken* - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really loved the Khao man Kai authentic Thai chicken. It was very flavorful and tender. Also curry pastry was so flaky and flavorful. I would recommend trying if you're looking for Thai restaurant with a slightly different menu options. read more

Let me just say that I LOVED their chicken broth. Like, it just came as a side with my main (Khao Man Kai Tod, which is basically just chicken katsu and rice). But the chicken broth on the side warmed my soul. It had such a rich flavor like I've never tasted before. The service was friendly but a little detached. The inside of the restaurant was quite cozy! I would come back just for the broth. Yes this sounds insane. I look forward to trying new dishes too! read more

Cute lil shop with excellent food. We got the khao man kai combo, pad thai and then our server recommended the awesome chicken curry puffs. Definitely want to come back and try their tom yum as well! read more

Kookkoo Thai in Chicago is an absolute gem! Their Pad Thai is hands-down the best I've had in the city--perfectly balanced, full of flavor, and cooked to perfection every time. And don't even get me started on their iced coffee... it's ridiculously good. Smooth, strong, and just the right amount of sweet--honestly the best around. The staff is warm and welcoming, the service is quick, and the whole experience is consistently excellent. If you love great Thai food (or just incredible iced coffee), Kookkoo Thai is a must-visit! read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Front desk area - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The newest food offering on Clark Street. This place's speciality is Thai Chicken rice cooked 3 ways. The inside of the restaurant is small but tastefully decorated. Lots of great items on the menu so I guess I'm going to have to go again to try their noodles which looked good too. To start we had the curry puffs and fried chicken. Both were delicious and crispy. The piece de resistance is most definitely the chicken rice. I tried the steamed version which came with a bowl of soup and your choice of dipping sauce. The rice was tasty and you could tell it was cooked with the stock of the chicken - so good (and you can order more as a side). The ginger garlic dipping sauce was slightly spicy but paired well with the chicken. If I think there is anything I would suggest is that $2 for a side of sriracha sauce is very steep especially when a lot of thai restaurants offer this condiment free when asked. Apart from that, I definitely recommend you give it a go. First week of opening and it was busy. Long may it last. read more

Amazing food! Super friendly staff! The soup was one of the best foods I've ever eaten!

Absolutely delicious food. Nothing more to say! Completely delicious. Today our server said they are expanding the menu soon which is also exciting! The crispy pork is divine, and the bowl of tom yum soup was so full of flavor! Portion sizes are very reasonably sized, so if you come starving, I would order an appetizer, but the prices are very reasonable for the quantity of food, so it totally makes up for it! read more

This is a specialty food establishment dedicated to serving authentic Khao Man Gai, Thailand's beloved version of Hainanese chicken rice. I had their rice and it was excellent. The staff and service are kookeriffic. read more

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Really helpful service + eager. Great ambiance. Food is good too, had Tom Yun and Gyoza.

There were pieces of fatty chicken in their "special dish" and was a small portion. Not worth the price for what they charge.

Great experience here! We started out with the pan fried gyoza which were crispy and juicy. The pad Thai was very flavorful and gluten free. The Khao Man Kai was also top notch. Although the chicken could have used more flavor, the ginger sauce, broth and rice more than made up for it. The staff is also amazing and attentive. Recommend this place to anyone in the neighborhood read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Khao Man Kai (Steamed Chicken Rice)* - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What can I say? The food here was amazing. The wide noodle dish with chicken and bell peppers and onions that I had was delicious, and I got the medium heat, which was perfect. I actually want to try the Thai heat. My partner got their fried chicken dish, and the lemongrass soup was delicious. The chicken was fried so light and airy and had a very good crunch. The Thai tea with just the topping on dessert. I will definitely be back. The service here was amazing, and it is such a lovely place to sit and just enjoy really good food. read more

Great food. Pad Thai great. Crispy chicken also really good, very friendly staff and quick service

Ordered the pad Thai and pad see ew and they were both delicious. Very flavorful. I did 2.5/5 spicy and it had some kick to it

We were very excited that a thai restaurant was opening very close to our condo. We went there for lunch and found that they have a Very limited menu with mainly chicken and some pork dishes. You had to ask for making a dish vegetarian. While Some of the flavors were good, the quantity of food for the price was abysmal. To give you an idea, the quantity of rice was greater than the curry amount!! In my opinion That's a bit stingy. It turns out they are a BYOB but their policy is weird-$2 per glass and no more than 1 bottle for 2 people! I guess they don't want people to sit and drink too much. read more

Super authentic and delicious ate it for lunch and it was so good I almost went back for dinner

My initial visit to this new joint was quite promising, my online takeout order was perfectly prepared nicely, packaged, and ready as I walked into the place... I tried the fried chicken rice option and added extra Chinese broccoli and Sprouts... Everything seemed very fresh and homestyle and the broth that the rice is cooked in and served as a side excellent. The coconut pudding dessert came in cute little ceramic cups. They didn't seem disposable and eminently reusable as wasabi soy cups so I will. read more

I ordered pickup on Saturday night to try out the new neighborhood spot. They were very busy and the food took longer than it said, but the worker was very apologetic. They specialize in Khao Man Gai which I learned is a comfort food in Thailand. It was SO good and flavorful. It's very simple; rice, chicken, a soup, and a sauce. But something about it was addicting I finished it all. I'm excited to go back and was excited to see them busy! read more

Kook Kook Khao Man Kai - Thai Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

i've never tried thai before so i was really excited to see this place open up so close to home! i wasn't able to stay and sit inside for a meal, but i did get a to-go order and everything i got was really good! i got an order of the gyoza and the chicken fried rice, i read up on the menu and since i can't have anything spicy i figured they were safe options. they were both delicious! the gyozas were crispy and really juicy on the inside, and though the fried rice looked fairly plain it was very flavorful! slightly sweet and lots of onion flavors in it. unfortunately, i didn't get the name of the man that helped me at the counter, but he was nice and very patient since i needed a bit of time to see the menu. the inside of the place looked nice and relaxing, so i'm hoping that i'll be able to stop in again soon to try more things! read more

I ordered the steam chicken rice but the chicken was very bland and rice was soggy, to the point of being a little mushy. Adding to it, I personally find the price point be a bit too high for the amount of food and quality. Please reflect on the quality of your food, very disappointed. read more

The menu is small but makes sense. Service was great! Happy to have this place in the neighborhood