Spring Rolls

by Aileen Zhang, VRG Intern

Located just past the university campus, those in Princeton, New Jersey are able to cross the Pacific Ocean and get a taste of Thailand’s offerings through the restaurant Amazing Thai. While not fully plant-based, the restaurant does provide extensive options for vegetarians and vegans alike. Vegan items range from different types of spring and summer rolls, dumplings, noodles, and even a basil mock duck made from sautéed eggplant.

Sesame Tofu

I’m a firm believer that the most “worth it” items to order at restaurants are anything fried because the results are just not the same in an at home kitchen. So, going into Amazing Thai I knew I had to get some form of spring rolls. I ended up going with the “Crispy Spring Rolls” which are vegan and came with a lime and mustard seed sauce that was sour in the best way possible. The spring rolls were jam packed with flavorful carrot, cabbage, vermicelli noodles, and basil that all balanced with each other and the crunchy rice-flour spring roll wrapper. Additionally, I ordered the sesame tofu as another vegan appetizer. The nutty sesame seed coating contrasts well with the soft, creaminess of the tofu inside, and the sweet chili dipping sauce compliments both elements especially with the occasional bites of the sauce’s peanuts.

Drunken Noodles

As for entrées, I ordered their number one pick of the drunken noodles. Despite its name, the dish actually does not contain any alcohol but is instead often eaten after a night of drinking to sober up because it’s so spicy and flavorful. To make it vegan, I chose tofu as my protein option. Also make sure to tell the staff–who were all very accommodating–to not include eggs and fish/oyster sauce. The chewiness of the wide rice noodles is addicting when combined with the kick of the spicy basil, the sautéed vegetables, and the yumminess of the sauce.

Overall, I recommend Amazing Thai for anyone in the Princeton region wanting to try out Southeast Asian cuisine. The ambiance of the restaurant is warm and inviting, and could be a good contender for a small get-together between friends and family.

For more info, see https://www.amazingthaiprinceton.com/

To find other veggie restaurants in the USA and Canada, go to https://www.vrg.org/restaurant/index.php