Nong's Khao Man Gai (Downtown)

Nong’s Khao Man Gai serves up a comforting slice of Thai street food that hits all the right notes. The chicken & rice is tender and juicy, laid over fragrant, perfectly seasoned rice that carries the essence of rich chicken broth. The real star is the sauce—bold, garlicky, and tangy—tying the whole dish together with an authentic Thai kick. The pork & rice is equally impressive. The pork is flavorful with a melt-in-your-mouth texture, subtly sweet and savory, and pairs beautifully with the warm rice and refreshing cucumber garnish. Each dish offers a deliciously authentic Thai experience, true to what you’d expect from a humble food stall in Bangkok. The only heads-up? The portions are generous—great value, but perhaps a bit too large for the average Asian appetite to finish in one sitting. Still, it’s a minor trade-off for such satisfying comfort food. Nong’s knows what they’re doing, and they do it exceptionally well.

Nice little spot-very small. The chicken was really moist, but I didn’t quite get the hype. The food was fresh and simple, but the flavors were quite mild. I’ll probably come back and try it again since it has such a good reputation.

I grew up eating Khoa Man Gai. I’ve eaten it all my life. It’s familiar. It’s comforting. We have all grown up eating some form of chicken and rice. That combination exists in practically every culture. And eating Nong’s Khoa Man Gai brings back all the good memories and warm feelings with the familiar flavors and aromas I’m accustomed to.

Pay attention to this spot for catering!! Amazing food, plenty of everything, to go boxes and everything needed to make things special. We tried things at the restaurant first. Please order some of there tofu in yellow curry sauce. Not on the menu and only got catering. The curry is good enough to drink by itself. The set up was early, flawless and the staff was smiling and friendly. Their peanut sauce is the best I have had anywhere. They made our wedding easier, the leftovers went home with our families and I still dream of our next trip into Portland for another meal. The price was fair and they are worth sampling what they have to offer!!! One spot in Portland that has not changed in the ten years of going there. Love them!!!

Their menu is not a big one, however, every dish is made to order and comes out quickly. It's also very, very delicious.

The portion size was very worth it for the price! and the food was really good too. We got the Khao Man Ghai and the chicken peanut. Both had great sauces, the chicken was juicy and the rice was fragrant and delicious! Highly recommend!

Someone recommended this place to me during a conference, and it was such a good find! The pork rice bowl was flavorful, fresh, and really filling. I requested chicken skins to be added in, and it added a nice texture balance. The Thai green tea was also great!

I heard so many things about this place but I didn’t understand the hype. It was very basic especially for the price. If you can’t cook this is a great place to get a home cooked meal.

Found this gem watching You Tube videos on the Portland food scene. First thing I noticed was the award wall. Lots of good press for this restaurant. It wasn't too busy, we arrived around 1 pm on a Sunday. Small dining area, but we got seats. Seems like a number of regulars eat here. They know what to order and in a business like fashion, systematically go to work on their meal. Ordered the #2, Chicken & Rice Big Size and a side of Fried Chicken Skins to share. Dip the chicken into the sauce, add some rice...so good. The chicken was perfectly moist. I instantly regretted not ordering my own plate. Dip the Fried Chicken Skin into the sauce, unreal. I am not a liver guy, so did not try it. There's a best practice guide on the side of the napkin box on how to eat here. I totally ignored it.

This was a long time coming - I've heard a lot about this place but finally just got around to trying it. It's walk up service and the inside is small with limited seating but we were able to grab a seat on the bench. I ordered the regular portion of Khao Man Gai and it was exactly what I was expecting. Chicken and rice with soup and sauce but nothing fancy. The food was tasty and the chicken was tender, I'll give it that! I could see this being a good option if you're looking for a healthy meal but it'll cost you here.

This place was great! Open early, but not breakfast. I got the #1 with a side of peanut sauce and loved everything about it. Only downside is smallish portion size for the price. Chicken is cheap.

As someone visiting from LA, I wanted to be impressed but this was a very standard chicken over rice. The broth and rice also were just okay and did not have the super chicken-y flavor I am used to in this dish. When we recieved our orders, we noticed that my plate came with entirely dark meat and my friends plate came with white meat. It seems that was picked at random, I wish we knew ahead of time to specify that we wanted a mix (or one or the other). Sauces are self service, be sure to grab some ginger and chilis to enjoy with your meal.

I was looking for a simple chicken soup dish, and they had I was looking for! It was tasty, and not over seasoned. I also got the chicken and peanut rice dish and it was the perfect salt and sweet combo. Lastly I ordered their green Thai tea and that was quite tasteful! The service was great, and everyone was friendly. The restaurant itself was quiet, and calm. I really liked it overall and will return. Pricing wasn't crazy too. Recommend!

Bomb.com Thai fusion spot for date night! We luckily got seated in their enclosed patio out front & it was nice & warm inside. Everything was good but I especially enjoyed the paella dish & the service was incredible!

Located in Pearl District in Portland, this place didn't disappoint. Consistent every time. You order at the counter and find your own seat. I ordered the classic chicken rice dish and my friend got the peanut sauce dish, which had a lot of broccoli. I prefer the classic. The side dish soup is so comforting. Very popular among Chinese locals.

Someone recommended this place to me during a conference, and it was such a good find! The pork rice bowl was flavorful, fresh, and really filling. I requested chicken skins to be added in, and it added a nice texture balance. The Thai green tea was also great!

Amazing! Went for lunch on a Friday and had no wait, ordered at the counter and got a number for my chicken to be dropped off. The sauce is so good I had to buy 2 bottles since they were running a discount on it! Bus your own dishes. Parking street paid. Cute ambience very casual setting.

This place lives up to its hype. 10/10. I went for breakfast and the service was great and the food came out fast, considering how early we were there.

This lives up to the hype. Everyone hyped it up for me and this did not disappoint. I came here for a weekend and ended up eating here twice. I went to both locations. This place is so good and I love everything that I had. I like the green thai tea that was offered. Food came out fast, and like most Portland places, you clean up after yourself.

A friend told me to give Nong's Khao Man Gai a try when I visit Portland. I got their Chicken and Rice, which was oddly disappointing. The portions were very small with very little meat and rice. The chicken was tender and the sauces were good. But I have had better Chicken and Rice over in California.

The sauce here itself deserves all the credit. It makes the chicken so so good. This spot was packed around lunchtime when we visited, and their seating is first come first serve. We had to wait around 25-30 minutes for our food, but were able to snag a table inside while we were waiting. I got the chicken rice with dark and white meat mixed. It comes with a huge portion of chicken, rice, and soup. I wasn't too big a fan of the soup, but the rest was great. The rice was super fragrant and flavorful, and the chicken was good quality. Dipped in the sauce - it was perfect. I don't know how they made the sauce but I would get that all on its own. A good spot for a yummy and healthy lunch!

I came in with semi low expectations because I'm not a huge fan of khao man gai, I've had some good renditions, but it's not my favorite dish. I think the chicken is a bit bland and unexciting. The sauce here was really yummy and I felt pretty healthy eating broccoli, chicken and rice. The dish I got had all white meat, I kind of wish it was dark meat. If I were trying to eat healthier this is a place I would consider, but for a few day visit I kind of wish I chose a different place to try.

Love this wonderful quaint downtown location. The chicken and the sauce were as consistent and delicious as their flagship location. The food was of the highest quality, appreciated both the sweet tea and complimentary hot tea and the service was fast and comprehensive. Would definitely encourage any downtown residents and employees to check this place out :)

Really small menu but very good food. I got an extra side of peanut sauce and chicken skin and it was a heavenly lunch. They don't do a lot but they do it very well. My food was fresh and tasty, I will say I took off 1 star because the little restaurant was very stuffy and hot and the tables were small and uncomfortable. A very small restaurant, but the cooks were very efficient and the server was nice.

This place has great chicken with special sauce on rice and the meal comes with a bowl of soup. We enjoyed eating here and I like their pictures of what they serve on the wall. Make it easier for me to order the food.

I order thru uber both cold night this the best meal you can get. Simple comfort food and so tasty and satisfying.

Solid spot for chicken rice, which I hit twice in 24 hours during my last trip to PDX. The standard chicken rice was one of the better versions I have had in the US with the chicken cooked perfectly (even for white meat) and served with an addictive sauce. I came back after clubbing the next morning and tried the soup version, and while it was decent, I would still go for the chicken rice next time. The place is small and spartan but just perfect for grabbing a quick meal.

I visited this restaurant on a recent trip to Portland and I'm so glad! The restaurant is really small, just a few booths and one long table in the middle of the room. You order your food from the counter, and seats are first come first serve. At the end of your meal, you bus your own table. Chicken & rice - We ordered the regular size but this dish comes with a lot of chicken. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the hot soup is a great complement! I also really love the chilis they give as a side dish. Pro tip - There's a menu item to get peanut chicken, but we just ordered a side of peanut sauce! Pork & rice - I almost want to say that I like the pork more than the chicken. It's tender and juicy and has a really great, rich flavor. Must try! All in all, would def recommend to anyone in Portland!

One of my most-visit spots whenever I am in town is Nong's. In previous trips I have only gone to the other location, but my most recent trip, I was staying in Downtown Portland, only a few blocks away. The location is definitely more convenient if you don't have a car. I went on a Sunday around 1:30pm and it was pretty full inside. I was just happy because they hadn't sold out of the chicken skins yet, and I know they're usually limited. So I ordered my chicken rice plate with chicken skin and enjoyed the heck out of it. From the soup to the sauce, the delicious rice and of course the tender chicken, it was just as good as I remembered.

Apologies for lack of pictures of the food itself, but I really enjoyed this restaurant! For the amount paid (large plate) they gave so much chicken! The whole meal felt very healthy, and even though I stuffed myself to the brim, I was still able to hike afterward! The restaurant gave nice warm tea, and the service was good. The interior had a friendly feel to it. I would definitely come here often for a nice substantial meal.

Delicious food! Absolutely loved the Chicken & Rice (Khao Man Gai) and the person at the register let us do half dark meat and half white meat. The broth is so soothing and the ginger sauce on the side is so bright and fresh! Also the addition of cilantro and cucumber is perfect.

Super simple yet crave worthy dishes-- not sure how she does it but the peanut chicken is the perfect blend of mild yet savory flavors that satisfied my rainy night in. Also got the squash soup which was good for the soul. The portion for the peanut chicken was enough to split between two people. I'd love to have tried the mango sticky rice next time!

I got spring rolls and the basic chicken/rice dish. It was perfect for a rainy day and relatively affordable. The shop was clean and service was quick. I always stop by when I'm back in Portland.

Nong's is an absolute visit whenever in Portland. We stopped in after spending the morning in Washington Park, and it was the perfect lunch. Interior is pretty small and cramped, but the flow of people was pretty steady, and we were able to get a seat at the center bar table. We got one of the regular khao man gai, and one of the large orders, which comes with a small side of chicken livers. The broth is always so warm, savory, and subtly flavored. The chicken is tender and juicy, and the combination of chicken + rice + sauce is delicious. We were able to even take some leftovers back with us, and enjoyed it all the way in California :)

This was such a serendipitous find! Super cute spot with limited seating but enough to get the job done. Loved the tender poached chicken, the spicy ginger sauce, and the light yet flavorful broth!!!! It warmed up my soul after walking through the rainy streets, looking for a late lunch!!!! A bit steep on the price, but the quality is definitely worth the splurge for a good meal. I've already recommended this spot to a friend who is visiting town next month, and I know I will be dreaming about this meal and all the things that made me feel.

The service is always very friendly and quick! I was able to get their fried chicken skins (these sell out fast!) I ordered the #1 and it was delicious and a very hearty meal. I asked for chili on the side and I appreciate the different chilis they give you! The winter melon soup is always a great side and I love that it's included. My other favorite dish is the chicken & rice soup, perfect for rainy days in Portland.

No frills, super simple menu with self seating! The cashier was super friendly and brought out my food for me which was ready in less than ten minutes. I got the classic khao man gai (mixed dark and white meat) which comes with peanut sauce and soup and hot chili sauce on the side. I also got a side of fried chicken skin which was not as crispy as I thought they would be but still a delightful little snack. I was quite full even though I got the small size. The chicken and rice was perfectly cooked and definitely hit the spot!! The peanut sauce is a little bit spicy and a must to be poured over the rice. I also loved the soup and thought it was so comforting and flavorful. If I'm ever back in Portland, I would definitely try the pork and rice next time!

A very cozy place for lunch and dinner. The chicken and rice was absolutely delicious, with the rice being so soft and smooth and savory on the tongue. The liver was chewy in a good way. I was also thrilled to try the bittermelon soup. The server was very nice. I also appreciated that the door was open for cool ventilation. Especially since we're still in a Covid-19 pandemic in fall 2024, it's appreciated for safe communal eating.

Chicken Rice? Always a yes for me! Ordered the chicken and rice and the chicken peanut. The price for each dish was not bad at all for the portion that you get. The place is really simple and only serves a handful of dishes but are all hits just as if you were going to In N Out! Food and service is quick and easy. Lunch looks to get a little crazy and this location is not big so plan accordingly! Tip for you crazy sauce people like me, mix the ginger sauce with the peanut sauce and you got yourself one sweet and savory dish. The ginger sauce was so good that I bought two bottles for home!

Gluten free review: Let me tell you about Nongs Cafe! I had their number one with dark meat, juicy and tasty, with skin that's *chef's kiss*. It comes with a delicious soup. Now, the sauce - packed with flavor, but alas, I couldn't have it due to my pepper predicament (only black pepper for me) there's chili sauce in it, yum. I snuck a taste though - it's like a flavor explosion, ginger, and chilis partying in there! I wish I could join! They also have fried chicken skin that's gluten free! As a nutritionist, I know that this is packed full of collagen and structural protein. Sipped on some delicious hot tea while I waited. The hot tea was even yummy. They knew their gluten-free stuff, which was a relief. And the seating feels like a little street type market. They were pretty fast. Loved it so much, I snagged two more meals for the fam bam dinner. Nongs Cafe, you've won me over! I'll definitely be back for more food adventures! Thank you for answering all my gluten-free questions. Thanks for being amazing and delicious.

Coming back to Portland for vacation, Nong's Khao Man Gai was on my list as one of the places I needed to try. They have two locations and this one happened to be in walkable distance. The restaurant isn't too big but there are a few tables for patrons to dine inside. We were greeted by a friendly staff member who nicely explained their menu and which items were popular. We decided to order the Khao Man Gai which comes with either white, dark, or a mix of both white & dark meat, a side of soup, and of course their popular dipping sauces. This dish did not disappoint! The chicken was tender and flavorful and the rice was perfectly cooked (not mushy)! I wished we would have gotten an order to go! Definitely a location worth trying. Their menu is not extensive but that's what makes the place amazing given they put a lot of effort to perfect what they make!

This was delicious. I was looking for something not too expensive, not too heavy, and this spot really ticked off all the boxes. I've been to the location on the east side but it was nice to have something downtown. It was a small location, but easy to order and unlimited hot tea. Service was great, excited to go back!

Shared a large plate with my friend since she likes liver, I really enjoyed the soup and chicken! The chicken was so soft and the sauce went so well with it. Loved how we could add our own amounts of spice. The soup was warm and not very greasy! They also have self-serve complimentary tea and water.

I've known Nong's for 10 years and the food is good. I think the portions are okay, but I I am inclined to say that $15 for it is a little steep for it. I'm torn because I really like this business.

Ordered via the website for my husband and myself and when I got there they didn't have my order. Instead of writing it on a ticket the person taking orders took my phone after asking to look at the name and handed my phone to the staff in the kitchen! After I twice reminded him that my bitter melon "soup" was supposed to be quart size and reminding that I ordered peanut sauce, he checked the bag twice so I thought it was right. Got home and my 16oz container of pickles was not in the bag. The prices are outrageous. They charge an extra $5 to upgrade to a quart of the bitter melon "soup" and between two quarts there were a total of five cubes of bitter melon. The rest was just broth, and it was quite plain. They charge $15 for 16 oz of pickles. Maybe they were heavenly and life changing, I wouldn't know since I didn't get mine. A $17 order of chicken and rice was barely bigger than my fist, and came wrapped in butcher paper. I understand not giving utensils unless they're asked for but I've never been to a restaurant that didn't even give containers to eat out of. The chicken and rice were nothing special, and the sauce - which did not come with the food, had to be ordered separately - was the only flavorful thing. Even the peanut sauce was the taste and nearly the texture of plain old peanut butter. The place itself is as unimpressive as the food... tiny, cramped, and dingy. I honestly don't know how so many people rave about this place. I will NOT be back.

I don't understand what the hype is.... it was just chicken and rice, comfort food for asian's growing up, but i didn't think it was anything too special. It was good, but i wouldn't crave that place. service was fast and was had a nice atmosphere, definitely could tell it was popular.

So good! I walk past this spot all the time and didn't go in because I thought they only serve chifken. A friend recently invited me and I was pleasantly surprised to try their tofu. Huge portions and complementary tea. Yum!

Simple and delicious food. Got the #2 and a green Thai iced tea. The chicken was juicy and delicious on a tasty bed of rice. The sauce is outta this world delicious. Even though it was 99 degrees outside the hot soup was so good. We got our food pretty quickly but it was so busy inside and really hot. Will definitely be back!

I stopped by Nons Kao Man Gai in the Pearl District in Portland after seeing it on multiple lists. I opted for #1, Kao Mang Gai. It was...decent...the portion was good and the chicken was nice but the dish lacked flavour even with the sauce. The bitter melon felt quite bitter rather than refreshing too. Overall, I'd give them 7.3/10

If you're looking for Nong's KMG, you're on the wrong side of the Willamette. Trust me.

The healthiest quick meal you can get. Service (5/5): The individual who took our order was super welcoming, friendly, and helpful - responding kindly to our questions despite us being indecisive. Following orders, we were seated (wherever we wanted and if there was space). Food came shortly after. Ambiance (4/5): The place is pretty tight. We visited on a super warm sunny day so outdoor seating was a pleasant experience, but if it were any rainier or colder, it would definitely be a squish-fest in the restaurant. Food (4/5): After a ton of back and forth on whether we wanted two #1 (Khao Man Gai - Chicken & Rice) or one #1 and one #3 (Chicken Peanut), we opted for the latter simply for the variation in dishes. I love the fact that you have the option to select dark, white, or a mixture of both types of meats - catering to a wider audience. We ended up ordering one dish with just white meat and one with a mixture. The white/breast meat was tender despite being the culprit to intense dryness if cooked improperly. I enjoyed the #1 mainly because of their killer sauce - it was a nice mouthful of tangy, spicy, and saltiness. The soup was solid but the flavor profile was not something I'm used to - I'm more used to subtle chicken broth but there was a unfamiliar (not in a bad way) taste in there. For the Chicken Peanut dish, I was a little disappointed our broccoli looked a little towards to browner, overcooked end but at least it wasn't the main part of the dish. The sauce was actually a curry peanut sauce which wasn't bad but I'd definitely go back for the Nong's sauce instead. It was a pleasant experience and if I find myself wanting something quick and relatively healthy, I'd make my way back to Nong's Khao Man Gai.

As someone with tastebuds this place is so incredibly gross.. i've tried 2 things off the menu years apart and they are STILL making terrible food. i'm not picky AT ALL with food and always try to finish even if i don't like it and this is seriously some unenjoyable food. i have 0 idea of why this place has the star rating it does maybe it's because im a POC that knows good food when i have it.

love the food here and we came back for the second time during our visit! The price is good for the portion of food. Service was quick and interior was clean! I can see myself being a regular if I live around here!

4.5/5 Great place to stop by for a chill lunch. Their chicken and rice makes for a simple yet comforting meal, and service is fast. Ginger sauce and broth are both excellent

GUYS, IF YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING ABOUT THIS PLACE, JUST GO!! Their chicken and rice is sooo delicious, especially the sauce they give you on the side. Such a simple plate of food yet it was SOO GOOOOOD!! Seating is limited and menu is limited but I highly recommend because they know what they're good at and it is consistent!!! Small, quaint space with quick service.

When I'm in town for a night, Nongs is on delivery to the hotel. It is so fire. I need it more than I need to breathe.

Food was awesome, simple and delicious. Made me feel like I'm in Thailand. Service was great as well. Ambiance just simple in and out type of place.