Sandwiched between a bank drive thru, dry cleaner, and Muscle Maker Grill in a tiny strip mall in Jersey, you’ll find Thai Amarin, a hidden gem of Thai cuisine. Once you get past its blink-and-you’ll-miss-it humble storefront, you’ll be instantly transported into a warm and welcoming dining room that smells like sandalwood and jasmine. Check out what I ordered and what I thought, right here! (Warning: the pictures will leave you craving Thai- stat!)

Stop by Thai Amarin for lunch, and you’ll be in for a real treat. The menu is endless and the prices are almost a steal. My mom and I went twice in the span of three days. Yeah, it’s that good. The first time, I ordered my standard Pad Thai dish, the best way to judge a Thai restaurant. On our second tasting, here’s what we ended up with:

At lunch time, your meal comes with a complimentary Thai salad and cup of house soup (carrot+butternut squash):

Lunch special includes: Thai salad and House Soup

The salad is crisp and fresh with just enough peanut sauce to flavor but not overwhelm. The soup is a rich mix of flavors: carrot puree with butternut squash and ground black pepper. I have a feeling I will be craving this soup on a weekly basis when the colder weather rolls in. It would also make an amazing Thanksgiving dinner starter, come to think of it! (#planningahead)

Appetizer: Porpia Tod

These thai spring rolls are stuffed with bean thread noodles, cabbage, taro and carrot and come served with sweet chili sauce. They’re crispy, tasty, and gigantic- in terms of spring rolls!

Entree: Traditional Tofu Thai Fried Rice

I ordered the tofu fried rice. Boring? Maybe. But only in the sense that it’s not the most adventurous Thai choice. Still, it’s a total classic and was delicious in its own right. The veggies were crunchy, the tofu was grilled perfectly. And sometimes I need a day off from rich curries and starchy noodles.

Entree: Pad Puck Ruam Mit

My mom ordered the Pad Puk Ruam Mit, which consisted of tofu and mixed vegetables in a light brown sauce, served with brown rice on the side. She was impressed with the lightness of the sauce: not too heavy, but still flavorful. Colorful veggies decorated the plate: a vegetarian’s dream.

Overall, my mom and I are very impressed with Thai Amarin. We’re totally hooked on their food, atmosphere, and friendly staff- and we are happy to find a new lunch spot to add to our growing repertoire!

Thai Amarin is located at 201 Morris Avenue in Springfield, NJ.