Eim Khao Mun Kai Introduce
For discerning New York food lovers in search of a truly focused and authentic culinary experience, Eim Khao Mun Kai in Elmhurst, Queens, presents a compelling destination. This Thai restaurant is a unique, must-visit spot that deviates from the typical extensive Thai menu by specializing almost exclusively in one iconic dish: Khao Mun Kai, or Thai-style Hainanese Chicken Rice. This laser-like focus allows the kitchen to achieve a level of mastery that is immediately apparent upon tasting.
Known to locals as a "hidden gem" of Elmhurst, Eim Khao Mun Kai is celebrated for the remarkable quality of its core offering. The chicken is consistently praised for being tender and perfectly steamed, while the accompanying rice—the Steam Ginger Rice—is incredibly fragrant and flavorful, having been cooked in chicken broth and aromatics. The dish is masterfully brought together by its essential condiments, particularly the highly addictive ginger scallion sauce, which patrons often highlight as the "pulls the dish together" element. For those who appreciate simplicity done perfectly, Eim Khao Mun Kai offers a highly satisfying and authentic taste of Thai street food culture right here in New York City.
The atmosphere of the establishment is best described as casual and cozy. It is a small, intimate spot, making it a true neighborhood favorite where the focus is firmly on the food. The primary clientele includes locals and college students who appreciate the high quality-to-price ratio and the quick, delicious comfort food. It's an ideal setting for solo dining, a quick lunch, or a cozy, unpretentious dinner.
Eim Khao Mun Kai is located in the vibrant Queens neighborhood of Elmhurst at 81-32 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA. Broadway in Elmhurst is a bustling area known for its rich and diverse culinary offerings, making the restaurant easy to find for those familiar with the neighborhood. Elmhurst is a major hub in Queens, easily reachable via public transportation for New Yorkers across the boroughs.
For patrons arriving by car, the establishment relies on Paid street parking in the vicinity. As with many busy Queens commercial streets, finding an available spot may require patience, but the proximity to major avenues makes arrival straightforward. While specific accessibility features like a wheelchair entrance are not detailed in the provided information, the central location in a highly transited area of Elmhurst ensures high local visibility and ease of access for the general public, including nearby residents and college students.
Despite its specialized menu, Eim Khao Mun Kai provides a full suite of convenient service options essential for a popular New York eatery. This ensures that patrons can enjoy their exceptional Khao Mun Kai experience in the manner that best suits their busy schedules.
- Dine-in: Enjoy your meal in the small, cozy restaurant setting with efficient table service. It is noted to have a limited number of tables (only 3, according to one review), emphasizing an intimate dining feel.
- Takeout: Perfect for a quick, high-quality meal to enjoy at home or on the go.
- Delivery: Offering the convenience of authentic Thai Chicken Rice delivered directly to your location.
- Table Service: Provided to patrons dining in, with reviews noting the service is attentive and efficient despite the small size.
- Dining Options: Available for both Lunch and Dinner, catering to mid-day cravings and evening meals.
The true distinguishing features of Eim Khao Mun Kai lie in its specialization and the quality of its focused menu. The restraint shown in dedicating itself to one magnificent dish is a testament to confidence in their preparation method.
- Extreme Specialization: The primary menu item is the expertly executed Steamed Chicken (Khao Mun Kai). This focus on one dish guarantees a consistent, top-tier product that is rare in multi-cuisine restaurants.
- Exceptional Quality of Core Dish: The chicken is renowned for its tender texture, and the rice is highlighted as fragrant and delicious. Reviewers particularly praise the addictive nature of the accompanying ginger scallion sauce.
- Unique Accompaniments: Patrons can enhance their meal with optional extras like Liver ($5.50) and Gizzard ($5.50), which are also highly recommended and cooked to perfection, as well as Extra Chicken ($8.00) for heartier appetites.
- Comfort Food and Healthy Options: While undeniably comforting, the main dish (steamed chicken over rice with broth) is generally a balanced and Healthy option, offering a satisfying and quick meal.
- Cash-Only Policy: It is important for New York patrons to note that the establishment operates on a Cash-only basis for all payments, a common feature of small, high-value local eateries.
- Unique Beverage Selection: The drink menu features traditional Thai beverages like Thai Iced Tea, Thai Green Tea, and Chrysanthemum Tea, alongside fresh Coconut Juice, offering authentic pairings for the main course.
For New Yorkers planning a visit or looking to place a takeout or delivery order for the highly-rated Thai Chicken Rice, the contact details for Eim Khao Mun Kai are provided below. Remember the important detail regarding payment methods when planning your stop.
- Address: 81-32 Broadway, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA
- Phone: (718) 424-7156 (Mobile Phone: +1 718-424-7156)
- Payment Method: Cash-only
Eim Khao Mun Kai is absolutely worth choosing for any New Yorker who values culinary focus and perfection over vast variety. You choose this restaurant specifically for the best possible version of Thai-style Hainanese Chicken Rice (Khao Mun Kai) that you can find in the city, making it a specialized destination dining experience. The reviews consistently confirm that the dedicated, narrow menu is the restaurant's biggest strength, allowing them to perfect every element of their signature dish—from the moist, tender chicken to the fragrant, ginger-infused rice.
For an authentic and satisfying meal, locals highly recommend ordering the combo (if available, or simply building your meal with extras) to include the chicken meat and the liver, which is noted to be "cooked to perfection." Ordering a side of Extra Chicken ($8.00) or Gizzard ($5.50) is also a popular recommendation to maximize the experience. This is the ultimate destination for those seeking genuine Asian comfort food that provides excellent value for the price, and for those who appreciate the efficiency and simplicity of a small, expertly run operation. It is the ideal stop for a quick, healthy, and consistently delicious meal in Elmhurst, a true staple for college students and local residents alike.
Eim Khao Mun Kai Food & drink
Mains
- Steamed Chicken
Steamed boneless chicken thigh with ginger rice, liver, gizzard, daikon radish, scallion soup, cucumber, and cilantro
Extra
- Soup With Daikon
Ginger spicy sauce and ginger sauce
- Steam Ginger Rice $4.99
- Spicy Sauce
- Extra Chicken $8.00
- Gizzard $5.50
- Liver $5.50
- Chicken Rice Soup $14.00
- Whole Steam Chicken $28.00
- Half Steam Chicken $15.50
Drinks
- Thai Iced Tea $4.75
- Thai Green Tea $4.75
- Coconut Juice $4.99
- Thai Iced Coffee $4.75
- Soda
- Chrysanthemum Tea $4.75
- Water $2.00
- Lemon Iced Tea $4.75
- Lemonade $4.75
Eim Khao Mun Kai Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
Crowd
- College students
- Locals
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Cash-only
Parking
- Paid street parking
Eim Khao Mun Kai Photos










Eim Khao Mun Kai Location
Eim Khao Mun Kai Reviews
chicken ricecashsteamed chickenchicken and ricegizzardlivertaxginger riceginger scallion sauceradish soup
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1A hidden gem of Elmhurst, only popped in because a certain place had a 45min wait.One of the better Hiananese Chicken Rice places I've been, and if taking into account price to taste/quality ratio I'd have to give this place 5 stars.Recommend getting the combo for the chicken meat and the liver, so good. The ginger scallion sauce pulls the dish together.There isn't much else on offer here, just the small menu that they focus on. Which is how it should be.We also got extra chicken, photo shows the portion for 3 with $7 of extra chicken.
June 04 · JohnThis place literally has one thing on the menu: Hainanese Chicken Rice, and they do it amazingly. You could smell how fragrant the food is the moment you walk in. The chicken is tender, the liver cooked to perfection (so much so that we ordered an extra serve), and the ginger scallion sauce addictive. It's a very small place with only 3 tables but service is still attentive and efficient.
June 04 · Irene YapProbably one of the best Hainan chicken and chicken rice I’ve had in the U.S. The ginger scallion sauce is a must, and if you can handle some heat, definitely try the chili sauce—especially when mixed with raw garlic! The place is small and cramped, so don’t expect to fit comfortably if you’re in a group larger than three.
May 19 · N CHOUThe food is fresh, clean, and delicious! I’m usually nervous about finding hair or dirt in meals, but here everything well-prepared. The flavors are clean, the combos are satisfying, and the prices are really fair !
September 18 · Tzu Yun KaoI'm conflicted about this place. On one hand, I love hainese chicken, and that is the only thing they serve, and they do it well, meaning it's authentic. On the other hand, the portions are small, and the price is high for this neighborhood, and the chicken are bland and flavorless until you add the various condiment and sauce that they provide.There's no secret recipe. It's just broiled or steamed chicken, cooked to perfection, meaning it's cooked just right, not too raw, and not too overcooked. The taste comes from the added sauce. It's really a very, very simple dish but over glorified by many other reviewers. The chicken soup is really tasty.If you want to try something authentic and feel like you are transported to Thailand, then this place is worth a try. Otherwise, some of you might be disappointed.I'll be back, but only very occasionally.
June 07 · John Zhou
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