Mum Aroi — Restaurant in Bailey's Crossroads

My experiences at Mum Aroi, a Thai restaurant that positions itself as a purveyor of authentic Thai cuisine, have been characterized by a mixture of average culinary offerings coupled with concerns about cleanliness and ambiance. This comprehensive review aims to provide an in-depth assessment of various aspects of the dining experience, shedding light on both positive and negative facets.

Mum Aroi endeavors to transport patrons to the vibrant streets of Thailand through its menu, featuring a diverse array of Thai dishes. However, the execution falls within the realm of average. While the flavors attempt to capture the essence of Thai cuisine, the overall culinary experience lacks the depth and authenticity that would set it apart in a culinary landscape rich with Thai dining options. The menu, while comprehensive, fails to deliver dishes that leave a lasting impression on the discerning palate.

Ambiance is a critical element in any dining experience, and this is where Mum Aroi faces notable challenges. Your mention of the restaurant being "smelly" raises concerns about ventilation and overall air quality. Unpleasant odors can significantly detract from the dining ambiance, hindering patrons' ability to fully enjoy the flavors of the cuisine. Additionally, your observation that the restaurant is "not very clean" further exacerbates concerns about hygiene and cleanliness.

Cleanliness is a fundamental aspect that can shape patrons' perceptions of a dining establishment. Visible lapses in cleanliness not only impact the overall atmosphere but also raise questions about the restaurant's commitment to maintaining high standards. In a competitive culinary landscape, where patrons seek not only authentic flavors but also a pleasant dining environment, addressing cleanliness concerns is imperative.

It's essential to note that the success of a restaurant extends beyond the taste of the food. The ambiance, service, and cleanliness collectively contribute to the overall dining experience. In the case of Mum Aroi, addressing the concerns about cleanliness and ambiance would be crucial for the restaurant to enhance its appeal and provide a more satisfying experience for patrons.

In conclusion, Mum Aroi, while offering a menu of Thai cuisine, falls short in terms of both culinary excellence and cleanliness. The average culinary offerings, coupled with concerns about ambiance, create an overall impression that may leave diners seeking a more authentic and enjoyable Thai dining experience elsewhere. Addressing these issues promptly would be essential for Mum Aroi to improve its standing and deliver a more satisfying culinary journey...

We've heard great things about this long-standing Thai restaurant, which is a sister to Duangrat's, but with a more northern Thai flavor. We love northern Thai style and decided to check it out. Surprisingly on a Saturday at 7:30, when we walked in, there were only 3 other tables. Our server was super cheerful and nice throughout our entire meal. We checked into Yelp to receive a couple of complimentary Thai iced teas. I'm glad they were complimentary or I would have had to return them. Not sure if it was because they were free, but there was basically no tea. It tasted like sugar water diluted with some condensed milk. We tried a papaya salad and the stuffed lychees to start. The papaya salad was the typical and pretty good, but the stuffed lychees, which are supposed to be a signature here fell flat. It wasn't as flavorful as one would think it is. There's no sauce, and overall the dish was quite dry. The lychees seem like canned lychees, and were not very sweet and the pork stuffing was bland. On entrees, the boat noodle soup was ok but we expected a more beefy flavor. Thai Square still wins on this dish. The fried rice was very underwhelming, we left a lot of it to waste. We also ordered 2 fried flounders, one with the mild ginger sauce, one with the spicy sauce. These were quite good - the fish were fried well - crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Based on the size that day, they were $35 a pop (menu should be changed to "market price", currently lists $25). We asked for the sauces on the side to keep the fish crispy. We finished off the meal with a mango sticky rice at our server's suggestion. Nothing to write home about, but it wasn't bad. We would come back, but only order selectively - a papaya salad and...

Went recently due to craving reading the Pok Pok cookbook cover to cover. I was after that Kai Yaang, aromatic sausage, other things I'd not seen at the usual "rainbow curry" restaurants.

The Esan Grilled Chicken was exactly what I was looking for, but we were told it would be a 30 minute wait. It was close to closing time so I was very happy they'd accommodate our request.

So we started with a classic Som Taam (papaya Salad) which was refreshing, spicy, crunch.

Followed with that with the Esan Summer Sausage we'd been seeking: simply outstanding. A delightful snap and then a chew. Good porkiness lightened by the aromatics of lemongrass. This was the highlight of the evening.

When the Esan Chicken arrived, it was a serious disappointment. The meat was totally dried out, stringy, almost woody. There had been flavor there, but that was long gone. Perhaps it had been sitting under a heat lamp all service, it came much faster than the estimated 30 minutes. I'd like to give this another try, returning some time in the evening instead of at the end of their shift. It could be so much more.

We were treated very well by the friendly staff, so I'm willing to overlook the sad chicken this time -- and I'll definitely return for that sausage1

PS: We've subsequently made the dish at home, as Esan style Cornish Hen; it can be very very good when still moist...