PJ Khao Man Gai — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

I went to this place with my family, during opening, and was served the chicken rice set. Being that this is chicken rice, all components of the dish shall be assessed.

The rice: The rice is the main star of the show, just by smelling the rice I knew it had plenty of flavor, it truly brings out the flavor of chicken while complimenting it with other mellow flavors like onions and ginger to add balance and complexity.

The chicken: chicken is prepped two ways, one as a deep fried cutlet and another is boiled. I quite like the boiled chicken as it is very tender and succulent. The cutlet was as crispy as a chicken katsu you’d get at a Japanese restaurant. While it is certainly nice, I’m not so sure if it’s really necessary for the dish. As I think the chicken is supposed to compliment the fragrant rice, in which the boiled chicken does perfectly, while the deep fried was more of a stand alone.

The pickles: a playful twist and a nice change to bean sprouts, providing some freshness and natural crunch to the dish. My only suggestion is to lighten the dressing abit, as I feel like you can appreciate the natural flavor and crunch of the vegetables when not so wet.

The sauces: both sauces pair nicely with the chicken. Might be a tad bit spicy, but it pairs well. Especially for the fried cutlet as it gives moisture. But my suggestion to further enhance the flavor is to make the sauce for the boiled chicken lighter. Either by making it less thick or adding some acidic contrast, like grated ginger. As sauces should always compliment, never overpower.

The soup: flavors were good, can really taste the chicken. While a slightly more complex broth (maybe add some vegetables to the broth) will be appreciated.

Now let’s get on to the other stuff.

Service: I don’t have a definite answer in regards to the service. As it is their opening day, and service was abit hectic. I would like to visit again to see how service is once settled down.

Atmosphere: good for casual dining. But might get abit hot sometime.

Menu: While simplicity is recommended for these types of restaurants, being a chicken rice shop, I think it is recommend to have the option to buy whole chickens, and individual plates of rice. As I think families with kids or elders will appreciate it, and it would be pretty awkward for a kid to have a whole set to his/her own.

OVERALL… Being a chicken rice shop will always mean being compared with other places, it’s just how comfort food goes. Khao Man Gai certainly gives customers a unique take on a classic comfort food. BUT, I worry it might not thrive due to its location, as I’m not sure if people will travel all the way for some chicken rice, as there are also other places that serves some pretty good...

I was based in Thailand with my Thai family since 2006, very particular of Thai cuisine outside of Thailand, nothing can fool me, because I hunt for ingredients and cook as well, was in international branded 5 stars hotel. Knew about this restaurant from YouTube, happy to see that this very first ever Thai chicken rice SHOP opened here in Malaysia. The Q is very fast, acceptable and not that scary. The restaurant look cozy and clean, service is fast and prompt, the foods, especially both steam & fried chicken, rice (good quality of rice served) and 3 types of sauce are look good and presentable but the taste are not strong, power or kaw enough ไม่แซบเลย, some seasoning is not enough or missing. You need to make all the sauces by yourself ต้องทำเองเลย and not from ready made bottles from supermarket. Friend, you are almost there and with lots of good responses and customers but need to improve it and same or compatible with the one in real Thailand. Pity the Malaysian who had not try or no chance to try the real or good one in Thailand. If I just close my both eyes and simply walk in to any chicken rice stall or restaurant in Bangkok, Hatyai or Betong, they will be definitely better than you. Luckily majority of Malaysian are just a simple eater and don’t care much. If you can see Thai walk into your restaurant to dine everyday without fail, it means you had make it. I knew you sell it at affordable price but it doesn’t mean that you can simply do it. The sweetness of coffee and tea is acceptable. Suggest to closed at 8pm for dinner and serve Thai beers, even your restaurant is halal but I don’t think Muslim dare to come to dine here, except you get some staff with wearing of tudung. I hope on my next visit to your restaurant in next year, it will be more improved, I just want you to be make it and success, good luck,...

Went on a Sunday morning, arrived around 10.30am and there's already a slight queue as the place was already fully occupied. There was no signage or indication of different lines for dine-in VS takeaway. Actually for takeaway, Do NOT join the queue, credit thanks to a lady behind me who asked one of the waiters if there's a different protocol for takeaways; head into shop where you see Food Panda sign, indicate to staff you want to takeaway. He/she will print out a QR code for you to scan and submit via online order. The webpage will indicate (after refreshing page) whether order is ready for collection. For me it took ~15mins, bring your QR code slip again to front counter to pay and collect your food& drinks. It is quite narrow inside and with waiters carrying hot soup and food to table, can be haphazard. Entry into shop also narrow due to queue and tables being occupied, will be hard for wheelchair or baby stroller to fit in during peak hours. Food is as expected, fried chicken is crispy and well-seasoned, reminds me of Shihlin fried chicken. For RM 11.90 I'd say it's fairly priced for the portion. Comes with soup. I also like the rice which was cooked with the chicken essence and some planta? It's not some Michelin gourmet but for the price point and taste it's good enough for me. The accompanying soup is too salty and peppery MSG that I don't like. Even the radish was not soft enough, rather fibrous. Not sure why the overhype though, probably the social media influencers are doing a good job promoting this place? Come on a weekday and it will not be...