Family owned small business serving authentic Thai food. Casual atmosphere with no frills made by Chicago for Chicago. BYOB
Food was hands down delicious. Menu was short which was nice. Got the papaya salad, pork belly, curry fried rice and pad siew. All were very flavorful and satisfying. We all highly enjoyed the pork belly - very crispy and delicious.
It is a bit of a hole in the wall. The ambiance feels like Asian street food style- hand made signs, murals, self serve water and utensils. We bussed our own table after the meal in the gray bins like some cafes.
It's just one server/cashier and one chef so depending on how busy things are you may have to wait a bit. It was BYOB (we noticed from another table).
We went for a Friday dinner and there was only chef working so everything was a bit slow. However, the food was phenomenal. The som tum was authentic: not too sweet like other spots I have tried. It was refreshingly tart and fragrant from the kumquat. The larb gai was also excellent with all the flavors very well-balanced. Pad kee mao had a great char and the delectable smoky wok hei. The texture of the noodles definitely elevated this dish: thin yet possessing such a satisfying chew.
This place is amazing - it's cozy and small but we did not wait long to be seated and get served. Be warned, there's a heavy aura of spices in the air - my GF was crying half the time we were here because there's so much pepper in the air. However, the food was good. Their Pork Belly was good but in my opinion a little overrated - I didn't feel like it was the star of the show, their fried rice on the other hand was amazing. Their curry fried rice had so much flavor in every bite and the next time I come back I will be getting that. The lady that served and seated us was very kind too, we had a good time here. Would come back
It's a hybrid service restaurant, which is awesome. You grab your own utensils and cups and water. Later, the server comes to take your order. It's dope, I didn't think I would like this set up but I did.
The food is beyond delicious, it's incredibly fresh and seasoned so well. I highly recommend you check it out.
The best dish here is Grandma’s pork belly. It had a really crisp and well seasoned breading.
Everything else was good too, but not mind blowing. I wouldn’t order the laksa again.
The service was a little slow too for how not busy it was. At least the food was prepared super fresh.
The woman that greeted us was extremely friendly. It felt like she was really invested in making sure everyone enjoyed their experience. They have most of the typical Thai dishes, and a few interesting options I've not heard of before. The food is fantastic, full of fresh bright flavors. The pork belly wasn't my favorite, but everything else was 10/10.
Terrible service waited for an hour and a half for two unseasoned bowls of fried vegetables and rice. Indifferent waiter plus when asked for Sriracha sauce was given a two year old expired container.
Overall, there are way better options in Chicago to go have some really good service and Thai food.
My favorite Thai food in Chicago and arguably the best I've had outside of Chiang Mai. Fresh, flavorful, and consistently delicious. Their Grandma's Pork Belly is on another level, 10 out of 10. If you're ever in the neighborhood, run, don't walk to this cozy spot!
Comfort food at its finest. Magic every time.
my absolute favorite thai spot for takeout! taste and service is always top notch. highly recommend the krapow gai and papaya salad!
Terrible service waited for an hour and a half for two unseasoned bowls of fried vegetables and rice. Indifferent waiter plus when asked for Sriracha sauce was given a two year old expired container.
Overall, there are way better options in Chicago to go have some really good service and Thai food.
By far the best Thai food I’ve ever eaten in the US!!!
So good and great hospitality
I didn’t dine in. The vibe here seems cool. But I loved the food. I will be back. Also I think the prices are fair. Not cheap. Not expensive.
The woman that greeted us was extremely friendly. It felt like she was really invested in making sure everyone enjoyed their experience. They have most of the typical Thai dishes, and a few interesting options I've not heard of before. The food is fantastic, full of fresh bright flavors. The pork belly wasn't my favorite, but everything else was 10/10.
We went for a Friday dinner and there was only chef working so everything was a bit slow. However, the food was phenomenal. The som tum was authentic: not too sweet like other spots I have tried. It was refreshingly tart and fragrant from the kumquat. The larb gai was also excellent with all the flavors very well-balanced. Pad kee mao had a great char and the delectable smoky wok hei. The texture of the noodles definitely elevated this dish: thin yet possessing such a satisfying chew.
May be my favorite Thai place in Chicago. Hidden gem!
Food was hands down delicious. Menu was short which was nice. Got the papaya salad, pork belly, curry fried rice and pad siew. All were very flavorful and satisfying. We all highly enjoyed the pork belly - very crispy and delicious.
It is a bit of a hole in the wall. The ambiance feels like Asian street food style- hand made signs, murals, self serve water and utensils. We bussed our own table after the meal in the gray bins like some cafes.
It's just one server/cashier and one chef so depending on how busy things are you may have to wait a bit. It was BYOB (we noticed from another table).
It's a hybrid service restaurant, which is awesome. You grab your own utensils and cups and water. Later, the server comes to take your order. It's dope, I didn't think I would like this set up but I did.
The food is beyond delicious, it's incredibly fresh and seasoned so well. I highly recommend you check it out.
Wanted to like this place but had been meaning to let them know the pork is over fried and greasy. Bad attitude too.
No one answers the phone when you call and when you finally do the person there at 3:40 PM on a Saturday has a total attitude and starts yelling at you.
A better solution would be to turn the phone off the hook or to not answer with and Im obnoxious attitude, but it seems that’s the way they want to operate. There’s also voicemail in 2024.
You just cost yourself a lot of customers.
Food taste excellent. ( Pad si ew and pork belly) Sticky rice served in a dollar store sandwich baggie mildly unappetizing to say the least. Prices were far from cheap. Triple the amount of sauce for the pork belly , add quantity to the pad sei ew and I have 0 problem spending 40 for one meal but it needs to be worth it. I would've been ecstatic at 20 , content at 30, but woefully disappointed for 40 bucks especially for that portion size. Likely won't be back but their special sounded very tasty
The food is beyond amazing !
A million times worth the wait. Sit down, relax and you will not regret it. Everything is made fresh and the owner cooks all the dishes himself!
High quality Thai food. Limited menu (no pad Thai) but that doesn't detract from the offerings. Grandma's pork belly is different from your typical pork belly dish. The pork belly is cut into bitter sized pieces and deep fried. Served with the jaew sauce is really delicious. My wife loves coming for the papaya salad and Thai fried rice. The pad siew is also really well prepared here.
IT IS THE BEST TRUST ME
We liked the pork belly, the crab fried rice, and the sticky rice dessert. The restaurant was getting crowded and we had to wait quite some time for the dishes to come, but once the first dish arrived, the rest arrived fairly quickly.
The food was great, very different from other American Thai places I have gone. If you order spicy it is actually very spicy. I got the Tod mun pla and the nam khao Tod and they were both good. The nam khao tod had an interesting fermented flavor that may not be for every palate. I have heard the pork belly is good here as well.
so good
Tucked away from the usual hustle, this gem of a Thai restaurant deserves a standing ovation for its authenticity. A Michelin bib gourmand winner, it flaunts its culinary prowess in a delightfully off-the-beaten-path locale. The star of the show? The shrimp pad kee mao - an absolute flavor explosion that will leave your taste buds doing a happy dance. And just when you think it couldn't get any better, don't forget to wrap up your culinary journey with the mango sticky rice dessert – a sweet finale that lingers like a delicious daydream. This place isn't just a dining experience; it's a passport to Thai gastronomic bliss! 🌶️🍤🥭
Best Thai in the city!
Very unique Thai food. You can't get the usual green curry chicken, etc. here but what you do get is absolutely scrumptious. Take a chance and order anything on their small menu. We had the Krapow Gai (ground chicken) which was our favorite. The green papaya salad and the pork belly with accompanying sauce were both delicious. We did notice Thai people eating here so that's a great sign that the food is authentic. I peeked into the kitchen on the way out. It's just one elderly lady and a younger helper. That explains the somewhat slow service -- everything is cooked fresh from scratch and is served piping hot. The decor/ambience is very humble and there are about 6-7 tables. We went on a Saturday night and could have our choice of tables.
We traveled here from Berwyn because I was tired of the overly oily and sweetened Thai food in Berwyn, Oak Park and Forest Park. The food here was the best Thai food I've had in the Chicagoland area in a while. Small menu, but both dishes we got were tasty and light. I'll be back.
Easily the most authentic-tasting Thai I’ve had in Chicago. No frills, just great cooking.
This place is amazing - it's cozy and small but we did not wait long to be seated and get served. Be warned, there's a heavy aura of spices in the air - my GF was crying half the time we were here because there's so much pepper in the air. However, the food was good. Their Pork Belly was good but in my opinion a little overrated - I didn't feel like it was the star of the show, their fried rice on the other hand was amazing. Their curry fried rice had so much flavor in every bite and the next time I come back I will be getting that. The lady that served and seated us was very kind too, we had a good time here. Would come back
my favorite thai place EVER!! the grandma’s pork belly with the jaew sauce would be my death row meal. everyone i’ve taken here has fallen in love with the place.
After reading reviews I was very excited to check this place out. I was underwhelmed by the food. I was with a vegetarian so we didn’t try any of the meat dishes, so perhaps that’s where the magic is. If I lived in Chicago I would go back to try other dishes. It had a cool vibe!
Amazing Pad Kee Mao and Crab Fried Rice
The food is so delicious! I really like the pad kee mao with tofu. Best Thai food in Chicago and the owner is very sweet. Prices are reasonable. Will be coming here a lot 😋😋😋
most authentic it can get.
Fantastic. Not expensive. Authentic. Not greasy. Not too salty. Spicy. Would come again and again.
I think I've eaten everything on the menu at this point. It's so good. The owner always remembers me when I visit, and even gave me a bottle of free wine.
Everything is super good and tasty. High quality Thai food for good price. Was accommodating for large group if you place order ahead of time. Service very nice. Highly recommend.
-som tum papaya salad - refreshing, crunchy, sweet
-Larb gai - herbaceous, spicy, flavorful
-Fried rice - smokey, done right, big portion
-pork belly - crispy, not oily, specialty dish
-Mango sticky rice - sweet and savory
Delicious food, great service, actually spicy -- love it!
Simply superb. My lexicon for Thai food isn’t vast but this I what I imagine “authentic” Thai food to be like. Just go. They’re great.
Best Thai food in Chicago. Don’t come here looking for pad Thai though.
Authentic Thai foods, not easy to find in the US.
This place slaps
Extremely authentic Thai food. Service was a bit slow but the food is worth the wait. Definitely recommend the pork belly!
Wow- what a great unassuming Thai restaurant in the heart of Pilsen! The food was amazing, service is attentive, and they have takeout/delivery. I’m going to be back soon and highly recommend here for a taste of Thai. We got the Thai fried rice, Pad Kee Mao (with shrimp, so delicious) and Pork belly with JAEW dipping sauce
The best dish here is Grandma’s pork belly. It had a really crisp and well seasoned breading.
Everything else was good too, but not mind blowing. I wouldn’t order the laksa again.
The service was a little slow too for how not busy it was. At least the food was prepared super fresh.
Some of the best food I’ve had in Chicago. Absolutely loved it. Incredible flavor. Awesome atmosphere. My only regret was not ordering 2 pork belly plates. Great service. Highly recommend if you’re looking for quality. 10/10
It is the best Thai food I have ever had in my life and I have had a lot of Thai food. If your reading this review wondering if you should eat here the answer is yes.
Very authentic thai food, would recommend. Minus 2 stars for nickel and diming customers: there is no need to charge $1 for a small container of fish sauce and chillies, a condiment that is staple in Thailand.
Haven’t had Nam Tok Muu this good in years! Will be back!
My favorite Thai place in town! Everything we order was so good, and the mango sticky rice was the best I have ever had!
This Thai food is so amazing. I usually go to Spoon Thai on the North side but this is an amazing spot for the South side. Their menu is on the smaller side, which is great because they've really perfected their dishes and if you're like me and you can't decide when presented with too many options, this spot is for you. Super authentic, extremely tasty, and reasonably priced food. You won't regret it.
My home away from home. I absolutely love this place. We have felt so welcomed since the first time we came. The food is on another level of flavor. I had my first ever Tom ka soup from here and it literally makes my body melt. The blend of flavors is so unique and hits the spot every time. The krapow gai is unbelievable too especially paired with the crab fried rice. The Thai basil really shines through. I miss living in the city and being able to have this every month but now I savor every moment I get to come here.
My husband and I were recommended this place by someone who doesn’t even live in the area, it’s that famous! And we weren’t disappointed, their Grandma’s pork belly is soooooo good!! We get takeout from here regularly now. Of the dishes we’ve tried, the shrimp fried rice was not as good, but we always always get Grandma’s pork belly. The pad see iew and other noodle dishes have always been bomb too. The prices rose recently but we think it’s still worth it.
Best Thai Food
I've ever had
We went there assuming that the food will be out of the world but it is so-so.
*Edit: after I posted the above mentioned review, the owner responded in an interesting manner, which shows the lack of humility.
Totally lived up to the high expectations I had of this place based on recommendationsa! Hope to dine in and try more of the menu asap. The spice level options met expectations perfectly too which is always a plus.
Authentic & real place! I love pork belly and mango sticky rice
Went here last night for the first time with a group of friends. Everything was delicious, especially the pork belly. I will be coming back for sure, it's well worth the drive from Skokie!
This place is fantastic.
Seriously. A real hole in the wall.
Probably the best Thai food in all of Chicago.. maybe even Illinois... Maybe even miles and miles from here.
I can't stop talking about how great this place was.
I found it randomly and have pretty much been a regular here. Their food is amazing, flavorful, and distinct. It's not your regular Thai place.
I definitely need to order more things here, but everything has been great so far.
The fried tofu was a treat. The grandma's pork belly was insane, I need the recipe. The thai fried rice is my favorite fried rice in the city. And the pad siew noodles with chicken or shrimp is delicious.
My girlfriend and I can't stop eating here and I hope this review helps you discover and eat here too.
Literally the worst Thai food I’ve ever had. And I feel like it’s hard to have terrible Thai food. I was looking forward to trying this place with all the great reviews, but I guess the day I ordered was the day the cook had quit. My delivery came in a plastic Mariano’s bag with a side of fruit snacks, (weird) but I let it go. The pad see ew was soooo dry. All the noodles were almost completely stuck together and there was no sauce. It was hard to even find the chicken, and the green leafy vegetable tasted like actual collard greens. I could barely taste a hint of that classic pad see ew flavor. The pad kee mao was nearly the same level of stickiness with only the slightest bit of movement. The flavor was slightly better and it had more chicken, but it was only good enough for a child to eat (who doesn’t know the difference). So disappointed.
Hole in the wall with amazing food.
Everything was delicious and the service was wonderful and friendly! Definitely one of the best Thai restaurants in Chicago!
The pork belly is really impressive.
The best Thai spot in Chicago. The food is always delicious and it's BYO too!
I am Thai, this is the best and most authentic Thai food I've ever had at a restaurant! I highly recommend.
Amazing unique food that stands out from a lot of the generic Americanized Thai cuisine you’ll find elsewhere. This local joint is a must try.
Food was great... Byod which saves on the cost and allows you to bring what you want. Very pleasant service!
No Tom Yum Souo at a Thai restaurant. Where they do this at??? The crab rice was just ok. Definitely can find better here in Chicago.
Best Thai food in the area!
Fantastic neighborhood Thai place. This is not what you would expect in a hood like this. This is not a typical Thai Restaurant that has the usual long list of coconut milk based curries. This looks more authentic food that Thai people eat.
What's great is that the Chef has decided to make things Vegetarian friendly by only adding Shrimp Paste and Fish Sauce in meat dishes, so that about the third of the menu is veg friendly.
The Fried Tofu appetizer was freshly made, airy and delicious. The Drunken Noodles were excellent, tasty and smelt of fresh Holy Basil. The mixed vegetables were fantastic. Lightly sauced but redolent of Wok Hei that points to a deft hand in the kitchen. All this at a reasonable price. If the vegetarian stuff is this good, I can only imagine how great the meat dishes are.
If you are in the hood, you should get here at least once a week. If you are coming over, come with a group so you can order a lot. If you come with 5or6 people, you can order the whole menu!!!
Anyway, I am glad to have such a wonderful vegetarian friendly Thai place closeby. As the Terminator said: I'll be back.
Portions are kid size yet the prices are ridiculous. Paid almost $9 for 5 pieces of chicken satay. Larb Gai salad had 3 pieces of lettuce and bunch of salty ground up chicken. First and last time ordering from this place. Paid $31 for a salad and chicken satay. All set.
Food was wonderful!! Service was prompt. Well worth the trip from the burbs for lunch.
The food here is so good. The people are super friendly and helpful. I'm definitely eating here again.
I tried out this place because it had really good reviews. I ordered the Thai styled fried rice with chicken. It really lacked any flavor. I would not order from here again.
This is my favorite restaurant in all the neighborhood, hands down. I never write reviews for anything but this place is my go to for take-out and I want other people to give them their business because the food is delicious and the owners are so kind. There are more vegetarian options they can make if you call them and ask, sometimes it's not on the menu for grubhub but I hope they add their veggie potstickers eventually.
It's immediately clear why this place was rated in the Michelin guide. This is Thai food done at a very high level with love and charm to spare!
Simple menu but as good as expected ! Curry is in the hidden menu which u have to book in advance. Extremely tasty ! Mango sweet rice is a must at the end ! Also high quality food ! Very friendly and cool lady boss. Highly recommended.
Wonderful lunch. The food was fantastic!
Great authentic, ethnic Thai food. Their belly dish is amazing! Crispy pork with complimentary sauce goes well together. Crab fried chicken and ice is so yum yum.
I love this place. LURRRRVVVV. First off, its family owned small biz, and the food is amazingly good. Very fresh light thai, not heavy syrupy. Recomend trying specials.
One of the best Thai spots in the city. Really authentic food. I had the crab fried rice, steak salad and fish cake. Absolutely delicious. Also, the people there were extremely friendly. Also, if you love spice, I’d highly recommend asking for Thai spicy option.
Awesome food!! There’s nothing I don’t like & phenomenal service.
This is easily one of my favorite places on the southside, the best thai food in the city. They work so hard to infuse flavor into every level of the dish, be it their papaya salad, which is crisp and fresh, yet savory. Their noodles are tender and never overcooked. The fishcakes are stunning, as are their chive dumplings. They always put extra things into my delivery packet and I appreciate it so much.
Love this place ❤ 💕 😍
Incredible - that spicy Pad Kee Mao w/ chicken was on point. I’m takin two next time 👌
My family and I were really looking forward to eating here and we were NOT disappointed. The owners are super cool and nice. The food is EXCELLENT! Very flavorful and satisfying. He even created a special dish for our 6 year old which she loved. We will be back and very soon.
Excellent service and food.
We ordered takeout last night from Ghin Khao Eat Rice and my 1st thought was, I have to tell people about this place!
Everything was incredibly delicious. I mean smiling with a full belly good.
This place is a gem.
I’m convinced that this is the best Thai food in Chicago. I’ve tried so many places and most (including the Infatuation’s recs) are mediocre - pretty good. But this place is consistently spectacular.
I’ve only ordered takeout because of covid, but every time the food is insanely delicious, fresh, and packed to the brim.
We’ve ordered from here at least 10 times and our go-tos are the pork belly and pad kee mao. Just those two are more than enough for 2 people. The pork belly is out of this world— shatteringly crispy with the most umami sauce, and the noodles are wonderfully richly seasoned and full of veggies and meat.
Can’t recommend this place enough!
Ordered takeout today for the first time and the food was flavorful and SUPERB! Super excited to have an authentic Thai restaurant so nearby. We got the fried rice, pad see ew and krapow gai and loved each dish. I ordered the krapow gai and requested medium level of spicy and while there was a kick, was not too overpowering. Most definitely will be back to try other dishes!
Mango sticky rice is so good! The peanut sauce with the satay and the chili sauce with the spring rolls are both amazing. Fried rice was good but a little plain. Overall very great food!
Food was out of this world. We loved the papaya salad and the shrimp dish (I forget what it was called, but t was shrimp with fresh herbs)- the egg rolls were the best we ever had, and the crab rice had real crab. Would absolutely recommend this place- incredibly good value for the quality, everything was made with care and there was an excellent balance of flavors. Thank you for such a wonderful meal!
Authentic, friendly, amazing food
Everything here is incredible. Highly recommended.
I just picked up their monthly special, Khao Soi Gai, and I can honestly say it is one the best I've ever had. But beyond that, this menu is incredible. My two faves are probably the krapow gai, and pad kana with oyster sauce AND chili garlic. If you are looking for great northern Thai flavors and a restaurant with heart, this place is a must!
Come to support small family owned and operated business and stay for the amazing Michelin star rated food. I recommend the grandma's pork belly, the spicy yet sweet dipping sauce that comes with it, is an amazing combination of flavors. The Mango sticky rice is just the right amount of sweetness to top off the spicy savory flavors of the entrees. It is a pair of siblings that run the entire business; taking orders, cooking and packing food for take out. Even with the small team service is always amazing and food is ready in a flash!
This place is incredible! The food is very high-quality and seems very authentic. The menu is a bit weird if you've never been there before, but once I figured out how to order I loved it. (Tip: plates are independent of each other, so if you want meat and vegetables and rice, for example, you have to order them separately). This place is definitely worth checking out! Also BYOB.
Unassuming authentic Thai restaurant. Always have specials and have never had a let down with anything I've ever ordered. Pork belly dish is Great!!!
My son, who knows the chef, took me for lunch and I was blown away.
The crab fried rice, noodle vegetable salad and the spring rolls were really delicious. However, the deep fried pork belly was out of this world. If you want a real authentic Thai treat, you have to experiece this place.
Great food and delicious test good service
Delicious!
I suggest ordering the whole menu
Nice staff. The food was pretty good and authentic, not Americanized. Only bummer was that we waited 45 minutes to get our food after we ordered.
Great food, great service!
A lot of buzz for their chicken and pork, but great stop for vegetarians! Had a flavor yellow curry rice with tofu and the sticky rice w/ mango was incredible!!
Simply incredible
This unassuming Thai restaurant is a well-kept secret.
Ghin Khao is an interesting Thai place and one that I highly recommend.
What is good here?
The pork belly, in the words of Chris Rock, I suspect they added crack to the dish. Simple and delicious
The random salad with sour sausage is amazing. It hit the sweet spot for me, but my friends find it too exotic. It feels like the laab I had in Thailand
Crab fried rice was aromatic with lumps of can meat (rice was wetter then I liked)
Also their dishes can be SPICCYYY
Nice tiny family run place. Can't wait to return.
Delicious food and great service!
Random location Haha but it is truly a hidden gem. Authentic. Good spice! Small menu plus daily special. Everything done really well. Be patient. One man show sometimes. It's worth it.
Thank you!
Fresh!
Muy rico
Amazing Thai food ! Highly recommend this place to explore northern Thai cuisine.
ed ta acceptable
Food is great but expensive. All in my photos was $30.00. for Thai food, there are much cheaper options and equally delicious food.
Absolutely delish... thai food like never before...
Luckily just found this little place. The pork belly is delicious. Vegetable fried rice is nicely balanced. We will be back.
Absolutely Delicious Food, good service and unique interior design, I loved it!
If you have not been here before there’s is something wrong w you ! An exquisite hidden gem highly recommended
- 9 photos
- 200 reviews
- 4.7 Health Rating
- Contact: +1 773-565-4487
- Website: http://ghinkhaochicago.com/
- Location: 2128 W Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608, United States
- Map: 41.852293599999996, -87.6795132
- Thai restaurant
- Meal delivery
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 4–9 PM
- Thursday: 4–9 PM
- Friday: 4–9 PM
- Saturday: 4–9 PM
- Sunday: Closed
- Delivery: Available
- Takeaway: Available
- Dine-in: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Solo dining: Available
- Wheelchair-accessible car park: Available
- Comfort food: Available
- Healthy options: Available
- Quick bite: Available
- Small plates: Available
- Vegetarian options: Available
- Lunch: Available
- Dinner: Available
- Dessert: Available
- Toilet: Available
- Casual: Available
- Cosy: Available
- Trendy: Available
- Tourists: Available
- Accepts reservations: Available
- Credit cards: Available
- NFC mobile payments: Available
- Good for kids: Available