The perfect hangover dish from the country of never-ending parties, Thailand

Khao Mun Gai Tod or deep-fried chicken with oily rice is a variation of the traditional Thai dish Khao Mun Gai. In this version, the chicken is deep-fried instead of poached, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

The chicken is then served over a bed of oily rice, which is cooked with additional oil or chicken broth to give it a rich, buttery flavour. It’s often garnished with cucumbers, cilantro or green onions and served with a spicy chilli sauce on the side. It’s a popular street food dish and can be found in many Thai food stalls and restaurants.

Name and etymology

Common names in Thailand: Khao Mun Gai Tod or Khao Mun Kai Tod
Thai spelling: Xx
Western names: Thai-Style Deep-Fried Chicken with Oily Rice

The Thai name “Khao mun gai” means “Rice Oily Chicken”; “Khao”=rice, “Mun”=oily, “Gai”=chicken.

Ingredients

The main ingredients of Khao Mun Gai Tod, include:

• Chicken: Typically boneless and skinless, marinated with garlic, ginger and sometimes soy sauce
• Rice: Jasmine rice, cooked in chicken broth and oil
• Oil: for deep-frying the chicken and for cooking the rice
• Garlic or ginger: used to flavour the chicken and the rice
• Cucumber, Cilantro or green onions: used as a garnish
• Spicy chilli sauce: served on the side as a condiment

Some variations of the dish may also include additional seasonings such as soy sauce, fish sauce, sugar and pepper.

Taste

Deep Fried Chicken with oily rice, also known as Khao Mun Gai Tod, is a dish that combines the flavours of savoury, juicy deep-fried chicken with the richness of oily rice. The deep-fried chicken has a crispy and golden-brown exterior, while the meat inside is tender and juicy. The oily rice is cooked with additional oil, giving it a buttery and rich flavour.

The spicy chilli sauce on the side adds a touch of heat and a tangy flavour to the dish. Overall, the dish is a tasty combination of savoury, spicy, and slightly sweet flavours.

Where to buy Khao Mun Gai Tod

You can find Khao Mon Kai Tod in many street food stalls and food courts in Thai cities and towns, particularly in Bangkok. Additionally, you can also find it in Thai restaurants, both casual and fine-dining, around the world.

Is Khao Khao Mun Gai Tod healthy?

Khao Mun Gai Tod is high in calories and fat due to the deep-frying of the chicken and the use of oil in the rice. While it can be enjoyed as a treat or in moderation, it may not be the healthiest option for regular consumption.

It’s good to keep in mind that deep-fried foods are high in calories and saturated fats, which can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease when consumed in large amounts. However, for the same reasons they are great hangover food (or comfort food) enjoyed by many people all around Thailand.

How to make Khao Mun Gai (Recipe)

Here is a basic recipe for how to cook Deep Fried Chicken with Oily Rice, also known as Khao Mun Gai Tod:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 2 cups jasmine rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups oil for frying
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp grated ginger
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cups oil for cooking rice
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
• Spicy chilli sauce for serving

Directions:

1. Marinate the chicken in a mixture of garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for at least 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
3. In a separate pot, bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add the rice, 2 cups of oil, and stir well. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 18-20 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
4. To serve, place a scoop of the oily rice on a plate and top with the deep-fried chicken. Garnish with cilantro and green onions.
5. Serve with spicy chilli sauce on the side.

Note: To make this dish healthier, you can try baking or grilling the chicken instead of deep frying it, and reducing the amount of oil used in cooking the rice. Also, you can serve it with a side of vegetables to increase the nutrient density of the meal.

Keep in mind that this is just one version of the recipe and you can adapt it to your taste, different regions might have their variations of the recipe.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Khao Mun Gai Tod is a popular Thai street food that is known for its combination of savoury, spicy and slightly sweet flavours, and its crispy and juicy chicken. However, it’s high in calories and fat due to the deep frying and oily rice, thus it’s not recommended to have it regularly. Saying that it’s a great choice as a hangover dish while staying or travelling around Thailand.