Today we’d like to introduce you to Tipa.
Hi Tipa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My husband (Leng) and I are from Thailand, and we love cooking and eating Thai food. In Thailand, Chicken Rice (Khao Man Gai) is a hugely popular street food that we adore, but it’s hard to find here. We wanted to share this comforting, affordable, and delicious meal with everyone, so we decided to make it ourselves for everyone to try.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not a smooth road! Opening any restaurant is a challenge. Fortunately, we brought some experience from our other Thai restaurant, Mae Ornnit in Annandale, which helped a lot. However, shifting to a takeout-only model here at Ah Leng Chicken and Rice meant we had a whole new learning curve. Plus, being located inside Lotte Plaza, our biggest hurdle right now is brand awareness. We’re working hard on marketing to get our name out there and invite everyone to come try our chicken rice.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ah Leng Chicken and Rice?
Our Business & Specialization
“We are Ah Leng Chicken and Rice, a specialized takeout spot located inside Lotte Plaza in Chantilly, VA. We specialize in authentic Thai Chicken Rice (Khao Man Gai). Our menu is intentionally small because we believe in quality over quantity, ensuring every dish truly represents genuine Thai flavors.”
What Sets Us Apart
“In Thailand, Chicken Rice is a staple comfort food, but here, it’s rare to find a restaurant that focuses strictly on it. What makes us unique is our meticulous process. We craft our rice using real chicken fat and a blend of Thai herbs to achieve a rich, fragrant flavor. Paired with our homemade signature sauce, it creates an incredible harmony of tastes that you won’t find anywhere else.”
Brand Pride & What Readers Should Know
“Brand-wise, we are incredibly proud of creating a concept that makes authentic Thai comfort food accessible, affordable, and high-quality. We’ve paired our passion for cooking with a distinct, memorable branding that resonates with our customers. We want your readers to know that at Ah Leng, they aren’t just getting a quick takeout meal—they are getting a carefully crafted, heartwarming taste of Thailand.”
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Ah Leng Chicken and Rice is a two-person team—just my husband and myself. We complement each other perfectly: he designed our entire brand identity, logo, and storefront, while I managed the culinary side, creating and refining our recipes. We constantly collaborate to elevate our business.
Beyond the two of us, our biggest advocates are our customers. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who gave our restaurant a chance and continues to support us. They play the biggest role in our success.
Pricing:
- Thai chicken rice $11.9
- Crispy chicken rice $12.5
- Combo chicken rice $14.5
- Spicy lime chicken rice $13.5
- Crispy Chicken with green curry $14.5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ahleng.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahleng.chickenandrice?igsh=MnV0dDJoandqOHlp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BMmKoyRos/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/nQeq0jAtIK
