Winner, winner, chicken dinner!…read more
I'm on a mission to try different Hainanese chicken spots around the city. You know me, when I see a near-perfect review rating, my curiosity has to kill the cat. Or chicken. So naturally, I had to see what this spot was all about!
This is a little hole-in-the-wall gem in Greenwich Village. The interior is pretty tight, with very limited seating: three tables for small groups and three stools by the window. Surprisingly, the tiny space was clean and well-kept. A lot of people seem to order takeout, but you can stay and eat since tables turn over quickly. They serve everything on paper plates with plastic utensils, but hey, you're not there for the fine dining experience.
True to its name, the menu's star dish is Khao Man Gai, Thailand's take on a classic comfort food: Hainanese chicken rice. Imagine tender cuts of chicken over fragrant rice, served with soup and a signature Thai sauce made with fermented soybean, ginger, chili, and vinegar. Unlike the milder sauces often served with Hainanese and Singaporean versions, the Thai sauce brings a more spicier, tangier kick. There are other key differences and similarities, but I won't get into those in this review. You can choose from three different preparations:
*Steamed (Khao Man Gai): Boneless chicken gently poached in ginger, cilantro, and garlic broth (gizzard and liver optional).
*Roasted: Chicken seasoned and marinated before being oven-roasted until golden brown.
*Fried: Chicken coated in batter and deep-fried until crispy.
Each order comes with daikon (Japanese white radish) soup, fresh cucumber slices, and sauce.
The menu also has a few other options, including chicken rice soup, spring rolls, Thai wings, boba teas, and coconut custard. Prices are reasonable, too. You can order at the counter or use the self-service kiosk. I couldn't decide between steamed or roasted, buuuut luckily, you're able to mix and match. So I got a half order of both (~$15). Service was quick AF. I got my food faster than I could say "chicken."
Now for my take...
*Steamed: SOOOO juicy and soft, with an almost silky texture and a very delicate flavor. It's not heavily seasoned. Simple, but delicious!
*Roasted: I LOVED the flavor of this! Tender, savory, and slightly sweet. I'm a sucker for that charred, caramelized goodness. I definitely prefer this over the steamed version!
*Daikon soup: Light and comforting, with a mild sweetness from the radish. The broth wasn't too salty or heavy, so it was a nice complement to the chicken.
*Rice: Perfectly cooked in chicken broth with garlic and ginger. I just wish the ginger flavor came through a little more strongly :( I tend to prefer the Singaporean version for that reason.
*Sauces: Honestly, these were some of my favorite parts of the meal. The sauces are where the magic happens... The sweet chili was nice and tangy, but OMG, the soybean chili ginger sauce!! It was next-level spicy and packed some serious heat. Loved how strong the ginger was. Those fiery chilies had my nose running. One of the most bold, flavorful sauces I've ever had. Thank goodness they gave me two tiny slices of cucumber to cool my mouth down LOLLL.
I was comfortably full by the end of the meal. Overall, I thought it was a great value for the price. Portions weren't too big or too small.
Man, I love checking these unassuming hole-in-the-wall spots off my foodie bucket list! They might not have much to look at, and the menus may be limited, but you can tell there's so much thought and care behind what they serve. Just good food made with love. That's what I'm all about! Can't wait to come back for my next chicken fix... cluck on!
P.S. How many times did I write "chicken" in this review?