Gin Khao

About Gin Khao

Gin Khao brings modern Thai cuisine to Singapore, blending authentic street-food roots with contemporary recipes tailored for local palates. Conceived by a culinary team inspired by regional discoveries across Thailand, the restaurant focuses on contrasting flavor profiles—balancing sweet, sour, and fiery chili notes using traditional herbs and fresh produce. The kitchen is particularly recognized for introducing Singapore's first Watermelon Fried Rice alongside a varied assortment of classic soups, wok-fried noodles, curries, and seafood mains. With a relaxed, casual dining atmosphere, Gin Khao welcomes groups, families, and professionals seeking honest Thai dishes made for communal sharing.

Gin Khao: Contemporary Thai Flavors and Singapore's Iconic Watermelon Fried Rice

Thai cuisine has long held a cherished spot on Singapore's dining landscape, celebrated for its bold interplay of fiery heat, fragrant herbs, and sharp tang. Yet while standard street-food staples are readily available across the island, Gin Khao set out with a distinct mission: to elevate traditional recipes with inventive touches while honoring the balance of flavors central to Thai culinary tradition. The restaurant's culinary team developed its menu following exploratory trips throughout Thailand, sourcing regional inspiration and experimenting with both conventional herbs and novel ingredients to create dishes finely attuned to local tastes.

At the core of the kitchen's philosophy is an understanding that a memorable meal relies on contrasting elements. A typical Thai spread harmonizes varying textures and tastes, pairing soothing soups with rich curries, crisp salads with smoky grilled meats, and aromatic wok dishes with fragrant rice. By emphasizing visual presentation alongside fresh ingredients, Gin Khao crafts a feast that appeals to the senses before the first bite.

The Story of Watermelon Fried Rice

Among the kitchen's creations, none has garnered more attention than Khao Phat Dtaeng Moe—the signature Watermelon Fried Rice. During a recipe-gathering journey through secluded eateries in Thailand, Gin Khao's culinary team encountered a rare, dry-style regional dish combining rice and watermelon. Intrigued by the unusual pairing, they returned to the kitchen to adapt the concept for Singaporean diners.

The team adjusted the technique to incorporate high-heat wok cooking, delivering the coveted aroma of wok hei that defines excellent Southeast Asian fried rice. Combined with a proprietary house-concocted sauce, sweet watermelon notes, and savory seasonings, the dish offers a unique contrast of savory depth and fruity refreshment. Served inside a carved watermelon bowl sized for two diners, it has become the restaurant's defining centerpiece.

Claypots, Curries, and Street Classics

Beyond its famous fried rice, Gin Khao's expansive menu reflects the breadth of Thailand's culinary culture. Seafood plays a major role across the offerings. Diners frequently look to the Kang Ob Woon Sen, a comforting dish of juicy crayfish braised alongside glass noodles in a claypot with crushed garlic and cracked black pepper. Another perennial favorite is the pan-seared squid coated in a rich, runny salted egg sauce, creating a creamy coating over crisp seafood.

For classic broth and curry lovers, the kitchen simmers Kaeng Khiew Wan—a vibrant jade green curry loaded with either chicken or mixed seafood—alongside hearty bowls of Tom Kha Gai in thick coconut milk broth and piquant bowls of Tom Yum Talay. Small bites like Gai Tod Tom Yum (deep-fried wings dusted in spicy tom yum aromatics), Tom Yum Spam Fries, and freshly fried prawn spring rolls provide crunchy preludes to a communal feast.

A Culture of Communal Dining

In Thai dining culture, food serves as a unifying centerpiece. Dishes are placed in the center of the table so everyone can share across sweet, sour, salty, and spicy notes throughout the meal. Gin Khao mirrors this social tradition, providing a relaxed, casual environment where groups can gather over varied plates. Whether visiting for a quick plate of Pad Thai with river prawns or sitting down for an elaborate multi-course meal of grilled mackerel, claypot crayfish, and refreshing green papaya salad, the restaurant offers an approachable and flavorful exploration of modern Thai cooking.

Signature items

• Khao Phat Dtaeng Moe
• Kang Ob Woon Sen
• Stir-Fried Squid with Runny Salted Egg
• Gai Tod TOM YUM
• Phat THAI Kung
• Kaeng Khiew Wan Talay

Menu

Salad

• Larb Moo — Warm minced pork salad tossed with fresh mint
• Yum Neua Yang — Grilled slices of ribeye beef steak tossed in spicy Thai dressing
• Yum Woon Sen Pla Muek Yang — Glass noodle salad served with grilled squid
• Yum Woon Sen Talay — Glass noodle salad tossed with mixed seafood
• Som Tam — Signature green papaya salad with tangy Thai seasoning
• Yum Mamuang — Traditional Thai green mango salad
• Plah Talay — Spicy mixed seafood salad

Noodles

• Phat THAI Talay — Street-style wok-fried noodles with sweet, sour, and nutty flavors and seafood
• Phat THAI Kung — Wok-fried pad Thai noodles served with fresh river prawns
• Phat THAI Neua — Wok-fried pad Thai noodles with tender beef slices
• Phat Woon Sen Talay — Wok-fried glass noodles with mixed seafood
• Guay Tiew TOM YUM — Noodles with mixed seafood served in rich tom yum broth
• Phat See Ewe — Wok-fried wide flat rice noodles with sliced beef
• Kung Ob Woon Sen — Fresh prawns simmered with glass noodles in Thai garlic and pepper sauce
• Kang Ob Woon Sen — Juicy crayfish simmered with glass noodles in claypot over high heat

Soup & Curry

• TOM YUM Talay — Classic spicy and sour Thai soup with assorted seafood
• TOM YUM Kung — Spicy and sour Thai soup with fresh prawns
• TOM YUM Gai — Spicy and sour Thai soup with tender chicken
• Kaeng Khiew Wan Gai — Tender juicy chicken simmered in jade green curry broth
• Kaeng Khiew Wan Talay — Assorted seafood simmered in jade green curry broth
• Tom Kha Gai — Juicy chicken simmered in a rich, fragrant coconut milk broth

Gin Khao Rice

• Khao Nuea Phat — Stir-fried marinated spicy sliced beef served with rice, egg, and salad
• Khao Moo Phat Prik King — Rice served with pork stir-fried in Thai red curry paste
• Khao Gai Phat Gratien — Stir-fried pepper and garlic chicken served with fragrant rice
• Khao Moo Phat Krapow — Classic stir-fried minced pork with Thai basil leaves and rice
• Khao Phat Pak Boong — Stir-fried morning glory with fermented beancurd served over rice
• Khao Gai Jiew Kung — Thai-style prawn omelette served over warm white rice
• Khao Phat Supparod Talay — Classic pineapple fried rice tossed with mixed seafood
• Khao Phat Nam Leab — Fragrant black olive fried rice tossed with sliced beef
• Khao Phat Talay — Traditional Thai-style seafood fried rice
• Khao Kluk Kapi Talay — Aromatic fried rice seasoned with shrimp paste and seafood
• Khao Phat Kaneng Khiew Wan — Signature fragrant rice stir-fried with chicken in green curry paste
• Khao Phat Dtaeng Moe — Signature watermelon fried rice served in a carved watermelon bowl for two

Grills & Mains

• Phat Pak Bung Fai Daeng — Stir-fried morning glory stem with fermented beancurd and chilli padi
• Ka Nah Phat Pla — Stir-fried kai lan with oyster sauce and salted fish
• Phat Mangsawirat — Stir-fried assorted fresh vegetables
• Pla Cod Tod Nam Prik — Deep fried black cod topped with spicy Thai chilli sauce
• Pla Cod Neung — Steamed black cod with superior fish sauce
• Stir-Fried Squid with Runny Salted Egg — Pan-seared squids coated in savoury, creamy salted egg sauce
• Pla Muek Yang — Flame-grilled squid glazed in homemade Thai sweet sauce
• Grilled MACKERAL with Green Chilli Nahm Jim — Grilled Spanish mackerel topped with special spicy lime sauce
• Gai Yang Pattaya — Pattaya-style whole chicken leg grilled in Thai BBQ sauce
• Gai Phat Gratiem — Stir-fried chicken in signature pepper and garlic mixture
• Moo Yang — Thai-style marinated grilled pork belly
• Moo Phat Prik King — Pork belly stir-fried with rich Thai red curry
• Phat Neua — Stir-fried spicy sliced beef

Thai Street Delights

• Paw Pia Tod — Deep fried prawn spring rolls served with Thai sweet chilli sauce
• Gai Tod TOM YUM — Spicy marinated tom yum chicken wings deep fried to a golden perfection
• Tom Yum Spam Fries — Deep-fried luncheon meat strips seasoned with tom yum spices
• Tao Hu Tod — In-house rendition of deep-fried beancurd coated in aromatic Thai spices
• Pla Muek Tod — Squid layered with Thai beer batter, deep fried into a golden brown crisp
• Gai Tod HAD YAI — Deep fried chicken prepared in traditional Hat Yai style

Frequently asked questions

What is Gin Khao's signature dish?

Gin Khao is best known for its Watermelon Fried Rice (Khao Phat Dtaeng Moe), served in a watermelon bowl for two with a proprietary savory sauce and wok hei.

What style of food does Gin Khao serve?

The restaurant serves modern Thai cuisine, including traditional street delights, claypot noodles, grilled meats, curries, and wok-fried rice dishes tailored to local palates.

Are there vegetarian vegetable options available on the menu?

Yes, Gin Khao offers vegetarian vegetable selections including Phat Mangsawirat (stir-fried assorted vegetables) and Phat Pak Bung Fai Daeng (stir-fried morning glory).

Can dishes be shared family-style?

Yes, the dining concept is designed around traditional Thai communal dining, with soups, grills, and signature fried rice dishes meant to be shared in the center of the table.

Does Gin Khao offer promotions on fried rice?

Gin Khao features a 'Golden 45 Minutes' lunch promotion daily from 11:00am to 11:45am, offering 50% off the second fried rice.

Tips

• {"body":"The signature Khao Phat Dtaeng Moe comes served in a carved watermelon bowl portioned for two people, making it ideal for sharing.","title":"Order the Watermelon Fried Rice to Share"}
• {"body":"Drop in between 11:00am and 11:45am daily to take advantage of the 50% discount on your second order of fried rice.","title":"Catch the Golden 45 Minutes Lunch Deal"}
• {"body":"Balance heavier mains like the claypot crayfish or jade green curry with zesty starters such as Som Tam papaya salad or Gai Tod Tom Yum wings.","title":"Pair Rich Curries with Street Bites"}