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A forthcoming restaurant in Somerville’s Union Square will focus on a classic Thai dish. Hen Chicken Rice (styled as HEN chicken rice) will take over the former Red House Restaurant space at 24 Union Square, where it could open in November.
The restaurant’s menu draws upon the Thai dish khao man gai, which consists of boiled chicken with rice and various sauces or soup, according to Hen’s marketing manager, Annie Natnicha Suwimol. There will be four versions of the dish available, including boiled chicken thigh on either white or brown rice, a crispy deep-fried chicken, and a chicken salad. Each dish will come with a choice of sauce: either Thai chile, Hainan chile, sweet soy, or peanut.
Pong Kansab will serve as chef at Hen, having previously served at the Smoke Shop in Kendall Square, and other local establishments like Blue Ginger and Grill 23 & Bar, among others.
Hen will emphasize takeout and delivery, using eco-friendly and biodegradable containers, and there will be a handful of seats for dining inside the restaurant. With an aim to open in November, Hen will ultimately operate Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The restaurant joins a packed block of Union Square that’s also home to another chicken-focused spot, Machu Chicken, as well as Gracie’s Ice Cream, Masala Square, and Juliet around the corner. Keep apprised of Hen’s progress towards opening on Instagram.
• Hen Chicken Rice [Instagram]
