Gai Noi Menu 2026: Thai Street Food, Best Dishes & Location

Gai Noi serves Thai street food in Richmond, CA. The restaurant's name means 'little chicken' in Thai, and the menu centers on authentic Thai dishes including rotisserie and grilled chicken (Gai Yang), rice and noodle plates, aromatic curries, papaya salad (Som Tum), and classic Thai desserts like mango sticky rice. The kitchen emphasizes homemade sauces, fragrant Thai jasmine rice, and the bold, complex flavor profiles of Thai street cooking.

Gai Noi is located at 12200 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805. Hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM (lunch) and 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM (dinner). The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Dine-in, online ordering, DoorDash delivery, and catering are all available. Always confirm current hours by calling 510-593-2394 or checking gainoi.com before your visit.

Gai Noi falls in the $$ (moderate) price range, typical for a fast-casual Thai street food concept in the East Bay. Most entrees at comparable Thai street food restaurants in the Bay Area run $14–$22, with appetizers around $8–$14 and noodle or rice plates in the $15–$20 range. Prices are not published on gainoi.com — contact the restaurant directly or check their delivery profiles for current pricing.

Gai (ไก่) means 'chicken' in Thai, and noi (น้อย) means 'little' or 'small.' Together, Gai Noi translates roughly to 'little chicken.' The name reflects the restaurant's focus on Thai chicken dishes, most notably Gai Yang (Thai-style grilled or rotisserie chicken), which is a cornerstone of Isan and Northern Thai street food. Gai Yang is traditionally cooked over low coals and served with sticky rice and jaew, a smoky tamarind dipping sauce.

The standout dishes at Gai Noi are rooted in the restaurant's Thai street food identity. Top picks include:

• Gai Yang (Thai grilled/rotisserie chicken) — the signature dish; fragrant with lemongrass and fish sauce, served with sticky rice and smoky dipping sauce.
• Pad Thai — the classic tamarind-based stir-fried rice noodle dish.
• Som Tum (green papaya salad) — bright, crunchy, and fiery.
• Khao Soi — the rich Northern Thai coconut-curry noodle soup.
• Mango Sticky Rice — the essential Thai dessert finish.

First-time visitors are often advised to start with the Gai Yang plate, since it captures the restaurant's name and concept most directly.

Thai cuisine uses fresh chili, dried chili flakes, chili oil, and chili paste across most dishes — but heat is almost always adjustable at Thai restaurants. Mild dishes at Gai Noi include Massaman curry, yellow curry, Khao Man Gai, and coconut soups. Medium-heat dishes include Pad Thai, green curry, and Pad See Ew. Spicy dishes include Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles), larb, Tom Yum, and Som Tum papaya salad. Most items can be ordered mild, medium, or Thai-hot — ask your server to adjust the spice level when you order.

Yes. Thai cuisine is naturally accommodating for vegetarians, and Gai Noi offers several plant-based dishes. Most curry and noodle dishes can be prepared with tofu instead of meat. Purely vegetarian dishes include vegetable spring rolls, pineapple fried rice, jasmine rice, cucumber salad, mango sticky rice, Thai iced tea, lemongrass juice, and coconut-based desserts. Dishes that use fish sauce can usually be made vegan on request by substituting soy sauce — confirm with your server, as fish sauce appears in many Thai recipes.

Yes on both counts. Gai Noi offers delivery through DoorDash and has online ordering available through their website at gainoi.com. For catering, the restaurant provides catering services — contact them directly at info@gainoi.com or by phone at 510-593-2394 to discuss your event needs. Gai Noi's Thai street food format, especially the Gai Yang rotisserie chicken and rice platters, is well-suited to catering setups.