California-based Thai chain comes to Bellevue

Fast-casual Thai chain Rooster & Rice recently opened its first Washington location in downtown Bellevue.

Located inside the residential Soma Towers, the establishment is part of a growing food community that already includes La Ma Tou Hot Pot, Xiao Chi Jie, and Toasted, the Bellevue Downtown Network noted.

Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area by restaurateurs Bryan Lew and Tommy Chaoren, the chain currently operates across California and Oregon. In 2019, the partners joined Aroi Hospitality Group in the hopes of growing the brand. It’s since successfully expanded into Houston. The Bellevue restaurant marks the chain’s first foray into Washington.

Lew and Chaoren designed the concept to provide clean, simple, and takeout-friendly Asian dining. With only seven dishes, the menu is built around khao mun gai, a Thai comfort meal made of poached chicken and rice, usually served with a side of chicken broth and a sauce.

Rooster & Rice also offers riceless and vegetarian options, as well as khao tom gai, which is a Thai chicken porridge made with poached egg, ginger, and chicken skin. The menu additionally boasts a collection of à-la-carte add-ons, including broth by the cup or quart, fried chicken skins, veggies, extra chicken, and a variety of bottled beverages.