Nong’s Khao Man Gai

Nong’s lives up to the hype!
I got the chicken over rice (mix of light and dark meat), and extra sauce on the side.
This spot is interesting as there’s not a ton to say, which is kind of the point, and also the attraction. It is simply really well cooked chicken and rice. The quality of the ingredients shines through, as subtle flavors glide over your palate.
Chicken: very moist tender, and flavorful.
Rice: is perfectly cooked, does not stick together, and is not bland or over-​salted. Sauce: ginger-​soy sauce is a great addition and sets off the ingredients just right.
Soup: is kind of eh; I think it left something to be desired.
Presentation: is unique. I dig how you get your food wrapped in paper, which reminds me of getting meat from the butcher.
Price: This is the main reason for 4 stars as opposed to 5. $ 20 w/​o tip for two people from a foodcart? I know it’s organic chicken, but rice is practically free aside from prep time. A little pricey in my mind.

What a fantastic meal. I had the chicken and rice (spicy) along with a side of fried chicken skin. Wow. Everything was delicious and cooked perfectly. As others have said, the sauce is what makes it! I will definitely be back.

Delicious lunch snack! There are only two available dishes but they do them justice. One sauce had gluten in it which was easily avoided and provided a very convenient Celiac-​safe lunch while on Portland State campus!

The infamous chicken and rice of Portland. I decided to give this place another shot since EVERYONE kept raving about it.
In conclusion, the sauce is definitely what makes this place good. The chicken was tender, but the sauce was freakin delicious.
However, I think the price through me off a bit. $ 8.75 for a paper wrapped meal of simply rice and chicken and a tiny bowl of broth was not worth it IMO.
I might just buy the sauce and make it myself at home ;)

The best chicken dishes! Their chicken is the freshest most organic I’ve ever had in my life. Pure white meat, tender, flawless protein. I can’t even tell you how good it is. Must try!!!

That incredibly soothing smell of fresh rice, chicken, and ginger spice… YUM! It’s like healthy comfort food. I’ve been here so many times over the years, and always forget to give them high fives. Thanks for keeping me fed when I’m downtown for meetings!

Love love love Nong’s. I always get the mixed (dark/​white meat) chicken and rice with liver. So good! It is one of those places that is consistently great, and not too rich so I can eat it several times a week. It is my number one go to food cart near PSU. The soup that comes with the meal is delicious, the employees are friendly, and I never mind waiting for my food if I get there any time after noon as it is always busy.

I could eat Nong’s every day of my life and still feel like it’s some of the best food in Portland. Nong’s is my go to on campus bite to eat (affordable, fresh, just the right amount of spice) and I love that the folks who run the cart are just as great as the food.
It’s gotten to the point where they know my order (hell yeah, ain’t no shame) and I never mind the brief wait time to get some grub.
Nong’s is killin it. The perfect example of making really good and simple food really well.

I had a client recommend this food cart to me and I’m so glad she did! It seems really simple at first glance. Just chicken and rice, but once you add the sauce that’s when the magic happens! It is so delicious! My new favorite cart!

Flavorful, simple meal. The blonde lady at the counter was sweet and helpful. Agreed, the sauce is tasty and I dig the minimal packaging aspect. Will enjoy again.

Opening this package of white wrapped paper is like opening a present on Xmas for this Jew. Holy Mother of G-​d! The chicken is poached to succulent fall apart perfection. The rice is heartily brined in broth. And the second coming is the sauce — garlic, ginger, soy, fermented something secret, its unreal. Its $ 8 for a present and it is so filling, I seriously didn’t eat dinner.
This prove’s Mark Bittman’s theory of just cooking simply. Who would have thought, simple chicken and rice would make a Food Network star, a brick and mortar and press from the Guardian.

Stopped at Nong’s other location right by PSU. Same high standards, same great food, same simplicity. Just go there and try Khao Man Gai for yourself, I promise you will not regret it.

Yummy. Chicken. Rice. I always get the veggies (usually broccoli) and the soup. they even have gluten free sauce.

This is my new favorite food cart on the Portland State campus.
You should order either the chicken (mixed white/​dark meat) or the pork. Be sure to pick up a side of deep fried chicken skin as well. Since that actually covers about half the menu, I’ll jus let you know that your other options are pretty much veggies and tofu.
As for what to expect… well with the chicken dish, you will get you get a pile of amazingly tender meat, sitting on rice, and wrapped up in paper with some sauce on the side. You’ll also get a little bowl of soup which is a great palate cleanser for when you’re done eating. On the other hand, you could get the pork which will come in a ‘to-​go’ box rather than paper wrap and instead of soup, you’ll get some steamed veggies and an egg.
I don’t want to give a higher recommendation to either dish because each is fantastic, so you really should just eat here twice and try them both. Once again, don’t forget to get the fried chicken skin.

I am much more of a fan of Nong’s now that I’ve tried the peanut tofu dish :) Delicious peanut sauce, lots more veggies, love that the dish is lighter than traditional praram.

I like this place and the food tastes really good and fresh, however, it is too simple for me. It’s chicken and rice with some cilantro and Asian seasonings that taste like a ginger based soy type of flavor.
What I like about this place is that the succulent chicken tastes very fresh and of high quality meat. It’s a very simple dish and I can definitely eat this without hating myself afterwards. This is a very simple review, for a very simple meal. Chicken and rice.
My main concern about this place is that it the food was just too simple for me. I didn’t find it amazing and it seems like there’s a lot of hype behind this place. Is there something I’m missing?
Nong’s Khao Man Gai will keep me as a customer when I’m within area and feeling for a healthy meal :)

This place got an affirmative, «It tastes just like what my Grandma used to make!» from a friend.
It’s simple and absolutely delicious, also there’s something about the presentation of the chicken and rice wrapped in paper that I just love. We ordered the Basic chicken/​rice/​sauce combination with drinking broth. I was surprised that something so simple could be so flavorful.
It’s cheap. It’s delicious. It’s uniquely packaged. Get it.

One of my all time favorite food carts in Portland. They specialized in one dish Khao Man Gai. A Thai version of Hainanese chicken. The chicken is always juicy and tender carefully cooked to perfection. Of the many times I went I’ve yet to have an overcooked order.
Sauce is the best flavor of garlic, ginger and chilies I could pour it over everything and eat it everyday. Tastes freshly made and full of flavor.
My favorite part is the broth with the squash nothing completes a meal like this without tender squash in chicken broth.
One of the best food carts in Portland they also sell out fast everyday. Come early and prepare to be amazed.
Only con would be this is near PSU so it could be tough to find parking.

Dude. I inhale this food. The ginger sauce is freaking amazing. The chicken is awesome, tastes fresh & great flavor. We used them to cater our company party as well & they were amazing there for a huge group. I am sad to have moved away from this little gem, but plan to visit again soon. LOVE it.

Khao Man Gai = Chicken with Rice.
Don’t expect complexity. It’s chicken, rice, vegetables and drinking broth with yummy yummy sauce. It’s also exceptionally good.
This is one of the more expensive lunch options you’ll find at these food carts (the standard #1 is $ 7), but it’s worth it. Nong’s has developed the reputation that it has for a reason. They are very good at doing what they do.
I definitely recommend #1 if it is your first time. This is what they’re known for. On your 2^nd and 3^rd trips you can start exploring the menu a bit more (the peanut sauce is actually really great).
Nong’s is food cart food at its finest.