Thai Jasmine Bellingham MA 02019-2406 | Thai Restaurant

nexus976

12 Reviews
+31

June 15, 2009

2.0 star rating

+1 0

1 Votes

Middling quality for a once very good restaurant

Originally I had given this restaurant 4 stars noting the decent Pad Thai and a delicious Drunken Noodle as reasons to visit.

Unfortunately, Thai Jasmine’s food quality has taken a downturn as of late. Reviewing the restaurant now, I must adjust my rating. Over the past 5 visits in a span of several months, the Pad Thai has been really dry and the Drunken Noodle, while tasty, needs more sauce and moisture. The portions have also gotten smaller. This may be a sign of fiscal times but its noticeable and not appreciated.

I have tried giving the restaurant the benefit of the doubt, but these things happen. What makes it even more noticeable is that another Thai restaurant (Vohn’s Restaurant) has now been open across the street from them, and are currently making superior food.

Heres hoping that Thai Jasmine returns to its glory days.

Link to this review

Add a Comment

September 9, 2008

4.0 star rating

+3 0

3 Votes

Thai Jasmine - Authentic Thai deep in southern Mass.

When Thai Jasmine opened a couple years ago or so, I was elated. Im a big fan of Thai food and was finding it hard to satisfy my craving for authentic Thai in northern, RI.

I went to to Thai Jasmine soon after it opened, and upon meeting and speaking with the owners, discovered that they had moved their business from Boston to see what they could do in southern, MA. When I tasted their food, I knew they were the real deal. Authentic, savory, sweet, spicy Thai flavors of Fish sauce, tamarind, chili powder and sugar were popping all over the place. The smells and tastes were intoxicating and I was ecstatic.

Unfortunately, the cooking has seemed a bit off at Thai Jasmine since the earliest days when everything was absolutely right on. If I was to base the review on those earlier days I would give Thai Jasmine five stars. But as of right now, I can whole heartedly give them four. This is not to say that it is bad. Its simply that the flavors and textures (noodles in Pad Thai are sometimes dry and soggy) are not as fantastic as they were when they first opened up.

(For detailed food reviews please see below)- From the appetizers (Chicken Satay to crispy delicious scallion pancake with its accompanying sweet ginger sauce) to the entrees (Chicken Pad Thai and perfect Drunken Noodle), Thai Jasmine, with its distinct southeast asian flavors and freshness, is as authentic Thai as you’re going to find anywhere in northern,RI or southern, MA

In terms of service, they are very friendly although you may find yourself waiting for your take out or dine in order longer than you had hoped. Most of the time, the wait is definitely worth it.

If you are looking for good, authentic Thai food and flavors in the southern MA or northern RI viciinty, then Thai Jasmine is a must taste.

Dishes I tried:

Appetizers

3.0 star rating

I find the appetizers to be Thai Jasmines weakest point. Its not that they are no good, its simply that Ive had better.

The appetizer combo is a nice way to taste the different selections like Chicken satay (chicken skewers with Thai seasoning that are ok, nothing special), chicken wings (in a Thai place? Still delicious with a great sweet sauce) and crispy spring rolls, but its nothing too special and you probably have had better.

The Tom-Yum soup here is dissapointing. Its the equivalent of a chinese hot and sour soup, but I find nothing appetizing about it since the sour aspect outweighs everything else in its favor. Needs better balance.

The Nime Chow (fresh Vietnamese style rice wrapper spring rolls) are also an example of aspects that used to be better. When Thai Jasmine opened, the Nime Chow were smaller with less lettuce, bigger shrimp and a nicer rice noodle wrapper. Now, the wrapper is somewhat thicker, there is too much lettuce (often not fresh) and too much rice noodle and very thin shrimp. Ive stopped ordering them.

The Scallion pancake is what brings the apps up from a two star to a three star. Nothing extravagant about them, just a thin crusty flour pancake with scallions and a tasty ginger dipping sauce. Recommended.

Entrees - Pad Thai and Drunken noodle

4.0 star rating

Again, the Chicken Pad Thai when Thai Jasmine opened was exquisite and much better than what they offer now. It appears they are now using either a different kind of sauce that is less impactful than the old one used to be. I cannot taste the Chili, Tamarind, Fish Sauce, Sugar flavors as much as before. The noodles are often lacking texture. Three stars for the Chicken Pad Thai.

The Drunken Noodle dish on the other hand IS perfection. Wide rice noodles in a very spicy, almost cinnamon looking dark, sweet and powerful savory sauce. Broccoli, Carrots and hot basil along with whatever meat you choose (I use chicken). This dish represents all of the wonderful complex and exotic flavors you come to expect in Thai food. Along with the appropriate heat you expect from southeast Asian cuisine in general. A winner and highly recommended Five Star dish!