So ! So much flavor! Was out of town, starving and decided to take a chance... got the crispy gai, loved it and the sauces. Got the Hainan and the sweet chili sauce. Incredible! read more

A solid, cheap chicken and rice place in a hard neighborhood, Gai chicken and rice delivers on its promise: chicken and rice. Their crispy Gai is the best option, particularly paired with the Thai soy sauce. Their service used to be better; I wish they'd get rid of the ordering kiosk, but I suppose it frees up more staff to work in the kitchen since most of their orders come from DoorDash drivers rather than people ordering in-person. read more

3.5 Stars This is a great spot for a quick, tasty meal that doesn't feel too bad for you. We split the Original Gai Chicken Rice ($17) - you can pick your base, protein, and a sauce amongst lots of sauce choices. The chicken rice is a must - it's so delicious. The chicken didn't seem like the highest quality but that's fine. Order at counter, get number, and pick it up when they call your number. There is a decent amount of seating inside. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Original Gai ($17) - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Located in a very sketchy part of town, their menu isnt accurate either and is different between their touch screen and displayed menu. Staff dont seem knowledgeable or aware about their menu offerings. Food is not bad but environment leaves more to be desired. read more

I passed by this spot regularly on our way back from Mission Bay, or the latest, doggy ER (in da Mission). Located on Market and 6th street, Gai Chicken Rice shines like a diamond (Hello RiRi!) in this shady part of the City. Honestly, nobody bothers you if you are chill and mind your own business. Everybody is just trying to live. My advice: Don't sleep on this spot. Their chicken rice is phenomenal! And the ginger onion sauce is mind-blowing. Juicy, scrumptious, tasty, delicious! The soup that came with is also good. I honestly loved everything from them. Scared to go, but also tempted? They are available via delivery apps. Located on corner of Market and 6th Street. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Lean Gai with 1/2 rice, 1/2 salad +2.00, Hainan Ginger/onion sauce. - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I recently picked up dinner from Gai Chicken Rice and got their classic original gai which includes chicken rice, dark meat chicken and I opted for the OG hainanese ginger and onion sauce. I thought the chicken was good but could have been more tender and I didn't like how fatty some pieces of skin were. The rice and chicken soup were great though, super flavorful and the rice was amazing just by itself. It's a nice quick meal and I'd get pick up or delivery again. Just be warned that it's at the cross-section of Market and 6th street which is not the best area in SF. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

A friend recommended me this place when I am running errands in SoMA, according to my friend they do pretty decent Hainan chicken rice. When I arrived at the restaurant I noticed it's outside looked a little rundown and the interior of the store is also not very tidy. But I decided still to give it a chance and ordered the Hainan chicken bento. There was one person at the counter and one person preparing the food, their speed is quick and that is good. The bento box is a little pricy ($19+) for the amount of food inside, but I guess that is the SF tax. the chicken is pretty tender but the bento has only 3.5 piece of leg meat plus 3 slices of cucumber. read more

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Chicken was crispy and tender, rice was flavourful. I liked both the hoi an sauce (sweet chili) and the hainanese sauce (ginger and scallions). Generous portion size and the soup included was a great addition. Vietnamese iced coffee was a bit too sweet for my taste but the mango jasmine iced tea was delicious. Cashier was very kind and service was fast. -1 star because there were some flies flying around. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Mango Jasmine Iced Tea, Vietnamese Ice Coffee - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've ordered from Gai Chicken Rice through DoorDash several times, and they hit the mark every time. If you're craving a good Hainan chicken rice, this is the spot. I usually go for the Mixed Gai, which is the perfect way to get the best of both worlds with dark and white meat. I'm usually wary of white meat being dry, but here it is tender & juicy. The Crispy Gai is also a must try, I loove crispy chicken and the coating is perfectly golden and crunchy while the chicken inside stays juicy. The rice is so fragrant & flavorful, you can tell it's been cooked in chicken fat and broth, giving it that rich, savory depth. Don't skip the Hainan ginger scallion sauce. It's absolutely mandatory to pair with the chicken. Highly recommend this spot for a consistent, comforting meal! read more

I got the crispy chicken and rice dish and the chicken was perfectly cooked! I could've just ordered the chicken and been very happy! Everything I got was great and flavorful! The soup which comes with the dish was an added bonus! I also added broccoli for an extra 3 dollars- it was cooked in a flavorful broth. I definitely would order again! read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

Delicious and healthy food at a reasonable price. I like that you can order on a kiosk and the staff were friendly. The establishment is small but I went on a weekday late afternoon and there was plenty of seating. The only downside is that the general area outside had unpleasant people but that is not the fault of the business. read more

Flavor (3.5/5): Not the best chicken and rice I've ever had but it got the job done. I liked that they had a lot of sauce options for both fried and poached chicken. Their fried chicken was crispy and wasn't dry. The rice was slightly seasoned. We tried their fries too which was flavorful due to all the sauces and toppings. Drinks were subpar. Instagram Worthy (3/5): Despite dining in here it was still packaged to go. Service (3/5): It's a self serve spot here for both restaurants operating under one roof. Food took a minute to make as they do get busy during dinner rush if you're attending a concert or show nearby. Takeaways: A decent place to go if you're in a pinch, just don't expect anything beyond average here. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Fast food Gai kra pow hits the spot--especially so on a busy downtown in SF, Saturday!

Ewe. This place was so so dirty and sticky. The water pitchers had grease clumps floating on the top. You're welcome, go somewhere else read more

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I ordered food to go and it was hot and ready for pickup when I arrived. Got the crispy chicken and it was still perfect and crispy when I got home 30 minutes later. Omg the special hainanese sauce with ginger and garlic was amazing - really made this dish chef's kiss! I'd return for the gai! read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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A no-frills, fast-casual place for chicken and rice as the name states -- and I enjoyed my crispy chicken and rice! As someone who loves Hainan chicken and rice dishes but doesn't usually go for fried foods, I found the crispy chicken to have a really good crunch, tender meat, and wasn't overly greasy. The condiments are a little dry but the chicken was the star. I came here with two friends after work on a regular weekday and it was empty. You order at the counter; there's no decor / it's a little rundown inside, but no fret. Good option if you're looking for something fast by 6th and Market! read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Crispy Gai - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

Came here before the Spiderverse concert. It was super easy to order and the food came out fast! Good: - The chicken and rice default dish was great and there was so much flavor in the simple ingredients - it's also a good portion size - Seating was tight but it was decently easy to grab a table and get set up. Bad: - The place is pretty dingy and casual, with no service and it's a seat-yourself type of situation Overall this place is a fun place to get a quick healthy bite! I enjoyed that it was overall good value and relatively inexpensive for a hearty portion. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Gai - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

Love this spot... food is delicious and comforting. The neighborhood can feel sketchy, but honestly it's fine, just have awareness of your surroundings. Service is fast and efficient! If you order during lunch time, you can get a free soda! I love it! read more

Went in on a Sunday afternoon prior to watching Wicked. It was a hot day and downfall, they have no fans or A/C but also, a hot day in sf is rare so it's ok. But we literally were sweating in our seats. Nice little walk from the Orpheum. I ordered the crispy gai on rice. It was delicious. It came with broth on the side and sweet chili sauce. The crisp on the chicken was amazing and the sauce was a perfect pairing. My girls ordered tenders with waffle fries. Everything was good and crispy. Nothing felt greasy. They left happy. My bestfriend ordered the original gai... I can't say too much on it but she definitely enjoyed it because she usually doesn't finish her meals and she finished this one. I don't know if I'd travel into the city for it but worth it if you work around the area or are passing through the area. Parking can be tricky if you're trying to eat in but bring a friend, have them drive around while you pick up the food. read more

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I ordered the salad with fried chicken and it was really bad the cucumbers was super bitter and i only had few pieces of lettuce but more of coleslaw. I am very disappointed by this. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

skimpy chicken portions in original gai, flavor is just fine. thai basil gai was a little more interesting. ordered online so can't speak to service nor ambiance but the person who handed me my order was nice. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I've been coming to this restaurant over the years and the quality is consistent. My favorite is the boiled chicken over rice with a side of the broth and the aromatic sauce comes with plenty of ginger and garlic.. great six street views from the window. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Very busy restaurant on the corner of Market and 6th St. right across the street from The Warfield and Golden Gare Theatre. My wife and I came in for a quick bite to eat before the Lea Solanga Concert at The Warfield. It was very busy on this Saturday as there was the Lea Solanga concert and the Shrek broadway show that night. There are some tables and as well as counter seating, but can get pretty crowded. You can order by phone or online ahead of time to avoid the crowd. They do get the food out to you pretty fast though. After you order you just wait for them to call your number. You get your food in disposable containers in a brown paper bag. If you eat there, it's self cleanup, so just toss your containers. I did not see anyone wiping down the tables while I was there, but all the table were taken or taken very fast as soon as someone leaves. The trash was overflowing while we were on our way out. As for the food, my wife got the Crispy Gai and a Mango Jasmine Iced Tea and I got the Mixed Gai and Mango Milk. Both meals came with a cup of simple chicken broth soup as well a a few piece of pickled cucumbers. The rice has a nice ginger flavor and small pieces of minced ginger. Both chicken dishes were delicious. The Mango Jasmine Iced Tea had a nice jasmine flavor, but my wife thought it lacked mango flavor. The Mango Milk was exactly that milk with some mango puree. Overall it's a great place for Hiananese Chicken as well as other offering. Location is convenient if you are heading to a show at The Warfield or Golden Gate Theatre. read more

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One of my favorite lunch spots in The City for Hainanese chicken. They also do fried wings, which are juicy and delicious. Their lunch time combo selections (are wide!) with a Vietnamese iced coffee is my fave. You also get a side of chicken broth. I've had food catered from here before and the quality and taste is just as good/reliable in large orders. There is ample indoor seating, large windows, and quick lunch time service. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

Hate to do this but it needs to be known! Came here to have a nice chicken & rice meal before watch a show at Golden Gate Theatre across the street. Some lady knocked over a table & took a dump in the restaurant before storming out. When we realized & informed the cashier, they just said ok. A worker picked it up & disposed of it like a dog's then put the table back upright without really using any cleaning supplies that would help the smell go away. A couple sat there immediately after & had no idea but we just couldn't stomach it & left. I'm sure the food is normally good but this was a scarring experience. read more

Sorry, I know they have a high rating, but I very much was not a fan. The rice wasn't fully cooked, so was a bit crunchy. The chicken was apparently just boiled, and the skin was a bit slimy feeling. The "soup" was just a clear broth with very little flavor. Service was lovely, they were very nice and helpful in choosing a sauce. Also, the shop was clean. Update: Just want to reiterate that the service was really nice, and the message from the owner also very nice as well. I can see why many others enjoy their food from here. :) read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Original Gai - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Gai chicken salad. So many choices. Use the big TV thing to self order or order through cashier. Cashier. Hainan sauce was great. Onion and ginger were not chopped finely, but it was tasty. Mixed dark and white meat add $2 more. Add Tip. Total $23. The chicken pieces were plentiful. Choice of dressing on the side. Fried onions and peanuts sprinkled on top which added depth. A man was following this Asian couple inside and asked them something. He hung around the couple after they ordered. I am guessing he asked the couple to buy him dinner. He later sat down with his bags on one table and got his meal from the couple and sat at another table with his meal. The couple left with their food. That was a generous and lovely gesture from the couple. Were they intimidated to buy this guy a meal? 6th street is a rough street. Restaurant had so many gig workers coming in to pick up. They were non stop busy. Only 3 workers running this restaurant. The configuration of the tables were strange. A big long table in front prevents the customers in the back from exiting. Not for a quick exit. At least the tables were clean. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Leftover chicken salad - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

Service was so fast! I got the crispy gai without sauce. I'm not big on sauces. It was like a chicken katsu - crisp outside, velvet inside. Could not be any better! Hit the spot!!! I love the sitting options - stools or chairs. We opted for stools at a big table. Nice! read more

It's been awhile since I've been to the Warfield Theater in SF. I was a bit apprehensive due to the state of the area (Tenderloin!) as it's seen better days! With only 30 mins before the show, Gai Chicken Rice was a convenient dining option as it's located across from Golden Gate Theater and diagonal from the Warfield so plenty of people in the area right before the show. The Original Gai - Simple, poached chicken with fragrant rice and chicken broth is Asian comfort food. To someone not familiar or didn't grow up eating this they may think food is bland, food isn't hot (usually room temp), or "I don't get the hype". I love the simplicity of a perfectly cooked chicken with the ginger, scallion, oil side with the lightly flavored rice...yummy If you don't like poached chicken, other items offered: crispy chicken over rice, crispy chicken sandwich and wings. Place wasn't busy but after we placed our order, a group of 8-10 followed with plenty of pickup orders for delivery. Plenty of indoor seating available with a lovely view of Market/6th Street is almost a show in itself! (cringe). Bathroom is surprisingly clean as you must leave an ID or your phone to get a key for access. Street parking is limited and questionable. If you're in the area for a bit, park around the corner in the 6x6 Parking Garage on Stevenson behind IKEA. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Light dinner before the show - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place was totally awesome. Been reading their views on all the hype about this place so I had to come check it out. I ordered that five piece chicken wings with had like five spices on it. So much flavor and cooked to perfection. Business is clean, service with a smile. Would definitely come back again and try everything on the menu. Be sure to go next-door and grab a doughnut as those were amazing as well. read more

On the scale of chicken & rice dishes, Gai is on the upper end for fast casual options. Rooster & Rice is my main basis of comparison which I got in both San Francisco and Irvine. Gai's lean chicken & rice dish is savoury but not overly salty, which I appreciate. I noticed this especially with the soup, which was a clear, delightful broth with spring onions. Rooster's soup, in contrast, tastes like straight up chicken stock from a carton with an extra pound of salt added. I can't even eat it because it's too salty. Rooster's chicken also caused me to have a reaction where I experienced indigestion and slight difficulty breathing after eating their chicken. I didn't have any issues with the meal from Gai's so their preparation must be better, as the food seems safer. This was a great takeout option and I'd order here again. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Lean Gai - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

Ordered delivery through Uber eats promotions, got both the lean gai and noodle gai. - Lean gai chicken breast pieces were dry, the gai rice was delicious though. The soup that came with the lean gai was the same chicken broth in the noodle gai - fairly oily unfortunately. The scallion sauce was decent, but also very oily. - The chicken pieces in the noodle soup were also a bit oily with a good amount of skin, the noodles themselves were hard, tasted store brought over freshly made. Packaging was great! Rooster and rice is still my top hainan chicken in the city - they tasted more fresh, healthy, chicken pieces (including breast) are more moist, and their sauce is to die for. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Gai Noodle Soup - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

GAI Chicken & Rice - Authentic, Comforting Singaporean Flavors If you love chicken rice, GAI is a fantastic spot for a hearty, comforting meal. The portions are massive, the chicken is tender and flavorful, and the sauces bring everything together beautifully. Original GAI Chicken (Poached Chicken) - This is the classic-style poached chicken, incredibly moist, tender, and super healthy. It comes with fluffy, aromatic rice, refreshing cucumber, and a clear broth on the side that's light yet flavorful. Fried Chicken (Thigh Meat) - If you want extra crunch, this is the one to get! The fried chicken thigh was crispy and juicy, with the batter adding a delicious, slightly spicy kick. It paired so well with the rice and sauces. A bit too fried if I might add, had to peel some of the fried material off. The Sauces Were Amazing - The sweet Chili Sauce had the perfect amount of heat, while the Hainan Sauce (Hainanese ginger scallion sauce) was fragrant, garlicky, and packed with umami. Both took the dish to the next level! Each Dish Comes with Soup - The broth was simple but soothing and well-seasoned, a great addition to round out the meal. We also got an extra serving of chicken, and it was totally worth it--the quality was fantastic, and we left feeling more than satisfied. Must-try: Fried Chicken & Hainan Sauce Perfect for: A filling, comforting meal, Singaporean food lovers, and big appetites Absolutely recommend this place--it's one of the best chicken rice spots in SF! Fast service as well read more

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I ate their chicken Cesar salad and it was amazing . thank you Gustavo for the service at grand central and 45

We stopped by for a quick lunch before a show at the Orpheum. Service was pretty quick. Order in front, pick it up, everything is self serve. Friendly watchout - bathroom wasn't in service when we went last week. The food: I wasn't quite sure what to stack this chicken up against. It had decent flavor and was tender, but it just wasn't as tasty as other chicken dishes I've had - Hainanese chicken or the Chinese relative Empress Chicken. It came with a boat load of flavored rice. The fried chicken wings - tiny little drums and flats - sweet with a tiny kick. Reasonably crunchy and not dry. Served with the same massive amount of rice - kind of a weird combo All in all, it was was a fine eating experience but nothing wowed us. read more

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Came by Gai Chicken Rice for a quick small bite before the Emotional Oranges concert at the Warfield. I ended up ordering the original gai. This included chicken rice, hainan ginger/onion, and chicken soup. In Mar'23, cost $12.95, which was pretty reasonable. Good, quick meal. Friendly staff. Street parking only. A bit of seating inside. read more

I ordered Uber Eats from this place. The order came in a timely manner. The food was still hot when I got it. The chicken was boneless, juicy, and lean, which I really liked. The rice was also flavorful. However, the pickled cucumbers lacked flavor. The soup was kind of a salty side for me. read more

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I ordered the Family Gai for 5 people for $80+ tax. The same price for 5 individual orders. Except: This time the rice was just not impressive at all. It was cold, hard, lumpy, not hearty like what it should be. You get 1 sauce per order. I prefer Hainan chicken places that give you 2 sauces each entree. The sauce makes the entire meal. I've had better HN chicken rice. This one didn't hit the spot this time. read more

Gai Chicken Rice - Family Gai (5x) - Thai Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'm from Singapore and was really wanted something authentic. This is a rather small place and has a very small menu. Hainanese chicken rice to pretty authentic and the rice is spot on. Lack the original chili sauce, otherwise good food. read more

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This place does not get the hype it deserves. Their original gai dish is amazing, and I wish they had a chain in SoCal!