Arvin restaurant — Restaurant in Maine Township

It sounds like Arvin restaurant is more popular for takeout, so I was worried about needing to dine in, but there were actually a lot of tables available - though they are pretty narrowly spaced. That said, we had the place all to ourselves at about 5pm on a Friday. Things seemed to be clean and tidy and the A/C was running, which is good, because everything is served to you piping hot.

I ordered one type of dumpling (the traditional beef dumpling) and my husband ordered another (the flat kind of beef dumpling). This was a mistake, because each platter that arrived at our table could have easily fed like 6 people. So, think family style when you come here! That said, both types of dumpling were really good, though my husband and I each wound up preferring each other's pick.

The traditional dumpling kind of reminded us of small panzerotti, but filled with with beef and soup broth. The flat dumpling kind of reminded me of a thicker savory crepe. It was filled with a thin beef patty, and no broth. The sauces suggested to us were ketchup, a distinct kind of soy sauce containing "lovage," and sriracha. We tried all three. The ketchup surprisingly paired well with both dumplings - really a lot better than you'd expect. Don't stick up your nose - give it a try!

Traditionally, you'd eat this food with your hands, but they offered us a fork and knife. This was good, since everything was too hot to touch. They explained that the high heat is good for your heart.

I was curious about their iteration of "milk tea." This was unlike any other kind of milk tea around. I have heard about this kind of thing on travel programs before. It is more savory, like soup broth. To imagine the flavor, start with a mug of piping hot water. Add a few diner creamers to it. Finally, top it with a generous helping of table salt, and stir. That is essentially the flavor. I am glad I ordered it once just to demystify it.

We packed up two boxes of dumplings to go and share with different family members. Forearmed with this knowledge about the portion sizes, I would come back again. Indeed, I immediately thought that this might be a good choice for small house parties. Instead of ordering a plate of sandwiches or a pizza, you could order some of these dumplings for something different and feed a lot of people in...

11/18/23 - I finally got to try this place on a Saturday night around 6:45 pm. They close at 8 pm. We got the place to ourselves since every customer that came in, got take out. I also took a bunch of pictures since it was difficult trying to find the menu with English translations online. Service was fantastic, it was family owned and they were extremely nice. Prices were on the cheaper side. You get a humongous portion of food by the way, so I recommend using the leftovers as your meal for work the next 2-3 days.

-milk tea 5/5 - very hot. It’s not your typical milk tea. This version is more like a saltier broth that you drink on a cold day. $1 per person and they give you a lot. -huushuur - traditional Mongolian homestyle fried beef dumplings 5/5 - this is probably my favorite dish. Be careful when eating because it is extremely hot when you bite into it. Hold it upright so that the juice doesn’t fall out, it’s very flavorful when you eat it all together. -buuz - traditional steamed dumplings 5/5 - these will look different than the dumplings everyone is accustomed to. In the picture, you’ll see they are folded differently. Meat inside is very delectable and succulent. -sharsan ovchuu - fried brisket meat with vegetables and steamed flatbread 5/5 - i recommend eating the meat with the fat, it gives it more flavor. You got potatoes and carrots with it. You tear the flatbread in pieces to eat it with everything else. -tavan tsuliin shol - sheep offal soup 5/5 - this is intestines so if you’re squeamish then skip. If you’re adventurous, this is one of the best soups I’ve ever had. They have blood sausage in it and it tasted very good with the broth. Normally I hate blood sausage after having it in Puerto Rico and Spain, but I love this version.

Btw ignore the previous 1 star reviews. Plenty of space to sit and eat. They give you a menu to look at. If they can’t provide a legit reason for the 1 star then it’s fake.

This place is on my list of restaurants to try out. However, I’m giving them a 1/5 because they were closed when I got there. I went during their open hours. They had a sign in the window but I wished they notified people on their social media. I’ll update my review on my second attempt of...

Visiting Arvin, a cozy Mongolian cafe, turned out to be a heartwarming adventure. Their Suttei Tsai, a traditional Mongolian salted milk tea, was a standout experience. This unique blend of savory and comforting flavors was not just a drink; it was a delightful journey in every sip, offering a taste of Mongolia's rich culinary heritage.

The menu at Arvin brought to life the essence of Mongolia, with each dish showcasing a passion for authentic flavors and fresh ingredients. The ambiance of the cafe added to its charm, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that felt like a little piece of Mongolia. The welcoming staff made the dining experience even more pleasant, ensuring a memorable meal from start to finish.

In short, Arvin is a must-visit for those keen on exploring new and exciting culinary horizons. The Suttei Tsai alone is worth the trip, offering a glimpse into the unique tastes of Mongolia, while the rest of the menu promises a flavorful adventure that's sure...