Nong’s Khao Man Gai is one of those places everyone in Portland recommends. Once I started learning a bit more about the owner Nong Poonsukwattana I realized what an incredible story she has! She moved here from Bangkok, Thailand in 2003 at the age of 23. With only $17 in her pocket she worked at different restaurants in Portland before starting her own food cart in 2009. She now has three locations – two food carts, one sit down restaurant! Plus she was on The Food Network’s Chopped – AND WON! #GirlBoss
After a month of living here in Portland I realized there was a location only one block from my place! I took Buffy along with me to try her famous Thai chicken and rice.
Like with most food carts it doesn’t look like much from the outside with its hand-painted signs and menus. You might even walk right past it on the street, but that would be a big mistake! With a 5-item menu all based around chicken and rice you can get a full and delicious meal for under $10. I wanted to try the Thai Iced Tea but they were sold out that day. Apparently it’s awesome!
I decided to try the classic chicken and rice. You are really getting the true thai food cart experience as they package their food in waxed paper!
Even Buffy wanted a bite!
So what makes this seemingly basic dish so special? Not only does Nong source the best ingredients and cook them to perfection, she has created her own sauce. It’s the sauce that takes this meal from simple to spectacular! It contains ginger, garlic, sugar, fermented soy beans and chile. Along with the chicken and rice you get a container of soup with chicken broth with winter melon. Delicious!
If you are ever in Portland you should definitely check out Nong’s Khao Man Gai! It was so yummy and I’ll surely be going back again soon. They also have vegetarian options with tofu and veggies!
*Things to note
- Cash only
- Locations: SW 10th and Alder Portland, OR 97205 (original location), 411 SW College St, Portland, OR 97201, 609 SE Ankeny St, Portland, OR 97214 (dine-in location)
Maria says
Oh looks so delicious!!! Yummy!
Megan Joy says
It was really delicious! Definitely give it a try if you ever come out to Portland : )
Tracy says
That pic of Buffy HAHAHAHAHAHA dying over here hahaha! I love her.
I LOVE Portland and all the food trucks OMG…I’d never cook at home LOL!! Looks so yummy! Have you been to Lardo yet? You gotta go dude.
Megan Joy says
Haha Buffy wanted a bite soooo bad. It smelled amazing : ) I haven’t been to Lardo yet but I just went to the website and it looks awesome!
Stephanie Lau says
*cue stomach grumbles*
I WATCHED THE CHOPPED EPISODE THAT SHE WON. holy cow her food looks sooooo amazing.
Megan Joy says
She was sooo good on Chopped! I saw she was brought back for the Chopped Champions episode, I think she made it to the final round! Oh man, the chicken and rice was soooo yummy : )
MizzJ says
Lucky you! You’re in food cart heaven! This looks so delicious and poor Buffy just sitting there drooling lol
Megan Joy says
Haha I know she looked so sad sitting there while I was eating such a delicious meal lol There are great food carts everywhere here, I don’t even know where to start!
Jackie says
When I think of Portland, I think of awesome food trucks! It looks like that was a seriously delicious meal! Simple is often the best kind of food, when it’s done the right way.
Jackie
Something About That
Megan Joy says
I totally agree! At first I was skeptical, I mean it’s just chicken and rice after all. But the sauce she makes is amazing and the rice and chicken are cooked perfectly. Definitely a new Portland food cart favourite!
Chelle says
I love posts like this because it gives me a chance to take a peek at places I may never get to see!
Megan Joy says
Yay! I wasn’t sure if people would be into these kind of posts about Portland but I am glad everyone seems to be enjoying it! I can’t wait to explore more and share about it : )