Ezankaya - Chicago's Hidden Thai Gem 🌿
Couldn't sleep due to work anxiety, so here I am writing this post at midnight... It all started when I visited Chicago's annual Thai Festival last week. I was craving real mango sticky rice (the festival version had cold, hardened rice 😩). As a pandan fanatic, I spotted pandan custard bread and immediately rushed to their stall! They seemed to specialize in grilled meats + sticky rice, so I tried their fried pork—SO GOOD! A quick Google search revealed they had a brick-and-mortar spot with solid reviews, so I had to visit. At first glance, their menu feels fusion-y (sushi?!), and we struggled to find "authentic" dishes. BUT—their Thai offerings did NOT disappoint (we tried several, all hits!). The staff and crowd were mostly Thai—like stepping into a Thai drama, complete with sweet grandmas chatting away. 🎭👵 🔥 Must-Order Dishes Fried Pork: Sweet-salty, crispy, loaded with fried garlic. I’ve ordered it twice—that good! Sticky Rice: Served in bamboo tubes—instantly teleports you to Thailand. Spicy Lime Squid Salad: Zesty, refreshing, perfect for summer. Mango Sticky Rice: Pandan-infused green rice, served warm with just-sweet-enough coconut cream and ripe, juicy mango. Finally a version that doesn’t suck! 🥤 Drink Highlights Pink Milk: Not as "unique" as hyped—just sweet milk. Coconut Avocado Shake: UNEXPECTEDLY AMAZING. Fresh coconut + creamy avocado = chef’s kiss. Will try DIY’ing this at home! 📍 1320 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL 60660 Verdict: Worth the trek to Rogers Park! Flavors are legit, portions generous, and vibes super homey. Just wish it were closer to downtown... #ChicagoThai #HiddenGems #ThaiFoodie #Ezankaya #NoMoreFakeMangoStickyRice #ChicagoEats #AuthenticFlavors