Khao Mok Gai – hidden in the midst of Khao San Road

Khao Mok Gai (ข้าวหมกไก่) is one of those dishes that can easily control you.
From the moment you develop the thought of eating it, you have a very narrow time-frame to search it out, find it, and eat it – that is, if you want to remain satisfied. For me, that window is about 2 – 3 hours.
Every now and then I’ll be sitting on the computer, happily working away when the inevitable feeling hits, and I know I need some quality Khao Mok Gai.
A great choice in Bangkok is Areesaa Lote Dee (อาอีซะฮ์ รสดี). Surprisingly, it’s located frighteningly close to Khao San road, the hood of backpacker central.
Rest assured, the food has not been poorly modified to accommodate to its setting, in fact this restaurant is tucked away, and unless you know it exists, you might walk past and never know.
To get there you sort of walk into damp alley way, reminiscent of a cave entrance. About 20 meters into the cave, the structure opens up into a cavern of Khao Mok Gai, a gym like room that is the home to some of Bangkok’s prized Muslim dishes.
Whenever I have a chance to dine on beef in Thailand, I either order it without thinking (because I’m excited to eat beef), or avoid it at all costs because I know the pork will be better.
If you are in the mood for beef, Areesaa Lote Dee (อาอีซะฮ์ รสดี) serves a plate of khao mok neua that is very special. The beef itself is stewed in a secret biryani sauce that tastes like it was blessed by a grandmother.
The rice is cooked so it doesn’t all stick together, yet each grain is individually glazed with just enough chicken stock.
The green-ish khao mok gai sauce is another Thai sauce to rave about. The slightly sour, herbaceous tinge, really adds to the rice and chicken to complete each and every bite.
Another dish that’s always appealing is the noodles in a thick curry sauce (kuay teow gaeng ก๋วยเตี๋ยวแกง). The curry sauce here is rich and nutty, with a wonderful garnishing toss of cilantro.
I’m also a big fan when it comes to Thai soups. I like most soups to reach their maximum flavor per bite potential, meaning soups should be sour, spicy, and exaggerated with whatever flavor intended.
With a couple extra spoons of chili flakes (prik bon), the Soup Neua (ซุปเนื้อ) was good, but I probably prefer the version at the Khao Mok Gai Siam (though it’s located far away).
Last time I went, I ordered a sample of the por pia sot (soft shelled spring rolls). The little rolls were decent, but overall the sauce that they were drenched in was a little too much like a pancake syrup – sweeter than a dessert.
If you enjoy khao mok gai, you won’t be disappointed with Areesaa Lote Dee อาอีซะฮ์ รสดี!
How to get there:
Areesaa Lote Dee อาอีซะฮ์ รสดี
178 Tanee Rd., Bangkok 10200
Tel. 0-2282-6378
Open: 9 am – 4 pm & 5 pm – 10 pm
อาอีซะฮ์ รสดี (Khao Mok Gai Khao near Khao San Road)
178 ถ.ตานี กทม. 10200
โทร. 0-2282-6378
เปิด-ปิด 9.00-16.00 น. และ 17.00-22.00 น.
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muktita
5 years ago
Always come here for my dose of beef. Let it be the khao mok, satay, and gaolao everything. Yummss!!
Kieron
6 years ago
We had no idea you had been here!! We come back every time we’re in Bangkok. They’ve always ran out of the beef biryani though!? Perhaps we have to go in the day as opposed to night?
Azizi
7 years ago
I went here the day I arrived in Bangkok during my solo trip last October. I stayed in Nappark hostel (a stone throw away) and the first halal food I found was this. I ate the beef biryani which taste sooooooo good, the beef satay which is really tender, the crunchy and delicious spring rolls and I washed everything down with the iced tea. Man, that’s the best 205 baht I ever spent on myself. Looking forward to discover halal food in Bangkok again! ????
Mark Wiens
7 years ago
Hey Azizi, great to hear you ate at this restaurant and enjoyed it!
Amey
8 years ago
i am from India working in Thailand last 3 years but yet not been to this soi I would be going thre this weekend to eat khao mok ki..
Mark, you should sometimes come to cHachoengsao province in bangpakong, we have small market here named burapa market, it have one shop of khao mok ki.. Real good khao mok ki.. I would say it is better than one I tried in sukhumvit.. I will try aareesaa lote dee this weekend.. Cheers man
Regards
Ameyy Lawande
Mark Wiens
8 years ago
Hi Ameyy, good to hear from you, thank you for the comment. Sounds good, I would love to visit Chaochoengsao! You might also try Yusup Pochana: https://www.eatingthaifood.com/2013/12/yusup-pochana-thai-muslim-food/
Josh
9 years ago
I’ve been going to this place for many years. The name is Aisa not Areesa, ie there is not ‘t’ in the name. Check the sign again.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Thanks Josh, I’ve been meaning to update it. I wrote this long ago before I could read Thai. I will update soon, thanks for the reminder.
Jon p
9 years ago
So grateful for this suggestion found the post by chance in the 3 days I spent in Bangkok this was my favorite meal. My friend and I ordered everything they had left. And they do run out of things before dinner.
Mark Wiens
9 years ago
Hey Jon, glad you found this restaurant and enjoyed it!
Usman
10 years ago
Mark,
Just a suggestion, it would be nice if you did some new videos on Halal / Muslim food in Bangkok. I am over in the UK and like most people of my age and background love to travel and Thailand is big on the agenda. I personally will be headed over next year. I have looked around the web and am finding it little difficult to get more info where to find good halal Thai food (not just curry’s but actual Thai food) in Bangkok and the surrounding holiday resorts.
food for thought….
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Thanks for the suggestion Usman. I actually just finished up a freelance project eating at some of the best Halal restaurants in Bangkok for “Best of Halal” food guide app. So I got a couple videos and I’ll be posting more Halal Thai food articles right here soon. Thanks!
Usman
10 years ago
Excellent! look forward to the videos and look forward to finding them in Bangkok.
Danny
10 years ago
Hey Mark! I tried to find this place twice after our tour last year and I couldn’t find it! Luckily I did find some pretty fine Khao Mok Gai at the Railway markets..
The next time I can visit I hope you can show me where it is!
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Danny, good to hear from you. Sorry you weren’t able to find this place, it is a bit tricky as it’s down a small alley and sometimes blocked by clothes vendors. Next time for sure!
ean
10 years ago
Hi Mark i’ll be going there in abt 2 weeks time.. are all the food there halal certified?
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Ean, good to hear from you. I’m not entirely sure, but definitely ask them once you’re there.
LeeZ
10 years ago
Hi Mark,
I’m going back to Bangkok in September and will like to try this place. Since I always stay near Silom area, it would be quite a taxi ride in order to get to this area.
I will try to make it to this eatery and will comment on it if/when I have tried it.
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey LeeZ, good to hear from you. Let me know how you enjoy it!
paul kelly
10 years ago
Hi Mark,
Just ate there earlier, it was awesome, thank you very much.
I might go back in the next few days try some other dishes,
It was hard finding it, I was looking for the red sign but I didn’t even see it ,what with the stalls and the rain, but the google map is spot on,
I’m going to start some muay thai lessons tomorrow because of all the street food I’ve been eating, I’ve been hooked on street food ever since I did a delhi food tour 2 years ago.
here’s a link to the photoblog I’m doing while I’m here (http://asiaphotos2013.blogspot.com/) I’m here for another 6 weeks, so happy :)
Mark Wiens
10 years ago
Hey Paul, glad you found this place and liked it. It is kind of hidden, but well worth it! Thanks for sharing your blog!
Bjorn
11 years ago
Hi Mark,
Leaving for Bangkok in about a week, an will definately try this one as we’re staying pretty close.
Been to Bangkok several times before, but feel a lot braver when it comes to street food after watching your videos.
Thanks for all the great clips, and I wish you a Happy New Year.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Hey Bjorn, you’re welcome and glad to hear you’re coming to Bangkok soon. Have a great time eating!
Lara
11 years ago
Hi Mark, was looking for this place using google maps (and your food map as a guide). It seems we really need to keep our eyes open for the sign (I’m only relying on your photo). What other landmark should we look out for? Thanks!
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Hi Lara, it’s really very near the corner of Rambuttri, opposite side from the Swensens, but kind of hidden by street clothing vendors. You’ll see a lady making noodles in the front, and then look back to a darkish alley. The main part of the restaurant is right down that alley and it opens up into a nice dining area. Hope you can find it!
Lara
11 years ago
Thanks Mark! Yea, it’s really difficult to find the sign because of the clothing stalls covering the sidewalk, but I think I kinda found it (is it just past a 7-11?). Will keep our eyes peeled! Counting down to April. :-)
shahi esfelazi
11 years ago
I found the place when looking for halal food in khao son saw a the cresent and moon, went down the alley and tasted the most exotic biryani ever (for a malay muslim)! but I do not know the name place till now. There use to be an old lady manning the counter that reminded me of my late grandmother. I suppose she is the owner the place, she even spoke a smattering of malay, told me when she was younger she traveled to KL and Cameron Highlands. I am not too sure whether she is alive but God Bless, that old lady and my grandmother. Maybe the old lady’s name is Areesa.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Hello Shahi, that’s an awesome story. Great to hear you had a good experience here and also met the old grandmother. Thank you for sharing!
Lara
11 years ago
Will definitely try to look for this place.
Mark Wiens
11 years ago
Great Lara, let me know how you like it!
Chris Wotton
12 years ago
Made it here tonight – tried looking for it earlier in the day but very difficult to find with the street lined by market stalls. I ate at the tables out on the street rather than in the gym-like room, and not sure I would describe it as like a cave but rather just a regular little alley, but the khao mok gai was good! Thanks for the heads-up.
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Cool Chris! Great that you found it and enjoyed the khao mok gai there!
Heather in Lapland
12 years ago
wow, what an odd looking restaurant, but the food looks fabulous. Now you’ve got me hungry :)
Bangkok Foodies
12 years ago
I really hope people take the time and read the cave description and still want to try and find this place lol!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
Such a Bangkok attractive dining atmosphere!
Mark Wiens
12 years ago
What an attractive Bangkok dining atmosphere!