P Thai's Khao Man Gai

Editor's note: P Thai's has moved to a new, bigger location. We'll update this review when we've had a chance to visit.

Prior to P Thai’s, our favorite way to snack during a shopping trip was to head to Costco and grab as many free samples without getting caught, while debating whether or not to purchase a seven-pound tub of Nutella. These days, we’ve grown up a little, and so have our grocery store dining options. Located inside the Hong Kong Supermarket near 183 and Ohlen, P Thai’s Khao Man Gai is the first spot in Austin completely dedicated to khao man gai, the classic Southeast Asian poached chicken and rice dish. It’s a labor-intensive dish, and P Thai’s doesn’t take any shortcuts, resulting in the best version in the city. 

From the chef behind Thai Kun, a fancy sit-down spot with cocktails and servers, P Thai’s is a much simpler operation. It’s essentially a small stand in the back of a quiet grocery store, but with labor-intensive, Thai regional specialties that probably have been cooking before your morning alarm went off. Over the course of a few hours, chicken is prepped, poached, cooled, hung to dry, and probably whispered positive words of affirmation in order to bring about the most tender meat possible.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

The end result is a small menu that features just a poached version of the khao man gai, as well as a fried version. Both get served with a side of steaming chicken broth for sipping between bites. There’s also a version with pork belly, plus the occasional daily special. But chicken is the star of the show here, both in the savory rice cooked in broth and in the tender, aromatic meat that blankets it all. If the menu were any bigger, other dishes would just end up feeling neglected. 

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Unlike other grocery store dining experiences, P Thai’s isn’t set in a food court—it’s more of a permanent kiosk in the store itself, sharing an aisle with beans, broths, and pre-packed soup bases, all with labels of ingredients that make for some great casual reading while your meal is prepared. But before you even have a chance to look up the differences between galangal and ginger, plastic red trays of food arrive in minutes, and you can grab a stool in the small, communal seating area. This isn’t a place to sit and hang out for an afternoon. But it’s a great place to stop in for a quick lunch or dinner, leave, and start planning your next visit. On the way out, maybe you can find some crackers or bread to help you get through that giant tub of Nutella. 

Food Rundown

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Khao Man Gai

The classic, and the dish you should probably be ordering if this is your first time here. The meat is soft, tender, and a bit aromatic, but the star of the show is the rice that’s been cooked in chicken fat until it’s incredibly savory. This one comes with a spicy fermented bean and ginger dipping sauce that pairs well with the meat.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Khao Man Gai Tod

Similar to the classic, this version pairs the same savory rice with fried chicken, served warm but not hot. It’s crispy, and the meat pairs great with the sweet chili sauce that’s served on the side.

photo credit: Richard Casteel

Khao Man Gai Combo

If you have as much trouble deciding between the two main options, just get the combo. It’s a smaller serving of both meat options, served with the same rice. And it comes with both dipping sauces so you can see how they work if you switch up pairings (spoiler: they both work very well).

photo credit: Richard Casteel

P Thai's Fried Pork Belly

We’re not even sure if it’s possible for pork belly to come out dry. Unsurprisingly, P Thai’s is incredibly moist, with a thin and crispy outer layer that adds a bit of texture to each bite. It’s great, but it’s not why you’re here. Get this if you’re not a big fan of chicken, or just need a little extra food, otherwise you’ll be missing out on the tender poultry and chicken fat rice that make P Thai’s worth the detour.