COCONUTS HOT SPOT — “Whatever you are, be a good one!” has never been proven so true. Even if you are a fried chicken, you too can strive to be the most delicious of them all. And that, the wise master said, will get you very far.
More than anything, Jae Kee has taught me that specialization is essential to stand out in Bangkok’s overcrowded gastronomic scene.
The restaurant is decades old, and though practically everything on its menu can be relied on for tastiness and quality, the name “Jae Kee” is renowned for one big thing: heavenly, tender-fried chicken.
“Polo Fried Chicken” has become the place’s nickname for, obviously, its special dish and also its location. Located on one side of an easily overlooked alley off Wireless Road called Soi Polo, new customers often have to track down this legendary establishment by GPS. (13.732298,100.546183. You’re welcome.)
As for its loyal regulars, this restaurant is a regular go-to destination.
Just a few breaths after turning into Soi Polo, you will see Jae Kee’s smoking kitchen to your left. It fumes daily from that side of the road. You can see the restaurant’s runner, waiters, waitresses and staff scurrying around carrying big, full plates of golden-brown chicken. Yes, that’s where all the magic happens. Just before that is an air-conditioned dining area across the road from the motorbike-taxi stand; just after is a restaurant parking area on the left. But usually it’s full, so driving may not be a good idea.
Be sure to never, ever miss Gai Todd Polo’s “Gai Todd” (fried Chicken) because that’s the whole reason we are here. [Half chicken THB100; whole chicken THB200] Here’s a couple things that have made this a signature dish:
First, it’s definitely the skin.
I know many people avoid eating the chicken skin because of its not-so-healthy fat content. I would beg you though to give this one a try. Go job a few strides in Lumpini Park later if it makes you feel better, but don’t skip this part! It’s the yummiest. It’s crisped to perfection and doesn’t taste as oily or as fatty as it looks.
Second, it’s how tender the meat feels in your mouth.
The spices must have been just right for such a tender bite of meat. The chicken is meaty, sweet and moist. Whereas you would normally accompany your fried chicken with your favorite sauce ‒ Sriracha, fish sauce, sweet chili sauce, or whatever ‒ save it for ordinary fried chicken meal elsewhere. Here, all you need is the what’s on the plate.
Warning: DO NOT brush aside those fried garlic flakes atop your dead bird. They are not for decoration. These flakes bring a flavorful salty taste and crispy texture to the chicken. As if the chicken wasn’t already heavenly enough, these flakes are the crack cocaine-addictive topping that will you turn you into the poster child for Jae Kee addicts. When eaten together with the chicken (of course with the skin intact), the experience is beyond words. All I can say is it brings back a lot of childhood memories. This is so Thai. Very authentic indeed.
Let’s just say, if you are here only for the chicken, it’s already worth it.
Most do order a lot of other dishes, most of which are spicy dishes of Isaan origin. Jae Kee also has fantastic som tam (papaya salad) for THB40, soup nawmai (spicy bamboo shoot soup) for THB60, kaw moo yang (grilled pork shoulder), and tub waan (spicy liver salad) for THB60, spicy tom yum soup THB90+.
Be sure to indicate how spicy you can take your food or you might be sweating your pants off half way through the meal. As I said, this place is very authentic.
And for someone who like coconut or pudding, their coconut pudding makes for a great dessert.
Apart from its chicken, one of the best things about Gai Todd Jae Kee is that it’s opens every day of the year. No holidays, ever.
It even delivers thanks to an arrangement with the nearby moto guys. Rates depend on distance.
FIND IT:
Jae Kee
137/1-2 Soi Polo, Wireless Road
02-252-2252
7am – 10pm, daily
