KHAO

About

KHAO is an eight-seat Thai counter in Jimbocho, a bookish Tokyo neighborhood better known for old paper and curry shops than for polished destination dining. The name means “white” in Thai, and the room has that same spare, focused quality: a small counter, a chef-led rhythm, and a course that treats Thai tradition with the precision of a Tokyo tasting menu.

The cooking is built around the meeting point between Japanese ingredients and Thai memory. Curry, or gaeng, is not treated as a casual bowl here but as a craft: freshly pressed coconut milk, hand-worked curry paste, heat, herbs and aroma layered into something clean, fragrant and modern. Tea pairing is part of the identity too, with Yunnan tea bringing a quiet bitterness and perfume against the spice. The result feels less like “Thai food in Tokyo” and more like a conversation between two food cultures at counter distance.

Plan for KHAO as a special dinner rather than a walk-in meal. It is reservation-only, dinner-focused, very small, and often hard to book; the current course sits in the special-occasion range around ¥15,000–¥20,000 before pairings and service. Cards and electronic money are accepted, a service charge applies, and guests are generally aged 12 and up. Mention allergies, spice concerns and dietary needs when booking, because the course is composed closely by the kitchen.

Highlights

• Refined, reservation-only eight-seat Thai counter in Jimbocho
• Japanese ingredients woven through Thai tradition and technique
• Gaeng / Thai curry craft, with freshly pressed coconut milk and handmade curry paste where featured
• Tea pairing with Yunnan tea; wine also available
• Special-occasion dinner range around ¥15,000–¥20,000 before pairings and service

What to order

• Chef-led Thai course — The core format; dishes change with the season and the kitchen’s sourcing.
• Gaeng / Thai curry — A useful signature lens for the kitchen’s coconut milk, curry paste and aromatic craft when featured.
• Tea pairing — Yunnan tea brings a fragrant counterpoint to spice and herbs.

Good to know

• About 1 minute from Jimbocho Station (Exit A4).
• Reservation-only, dinner-focused and very small — book well ahead.
• Special-occasion range around ¥15,000–¥20,000 before pairings and service.
• Cards and electronic money accepted; service charge applies; generally ages 12+.
• Share allergies, spice concerns and dietary needs when booking.

Recognition

Opening hours

Getting there

Frequently asked questions