Named for Maple

Maple Thai Cuisine calls itself "a small-family business," and the name is personal. The restaurant is named after the owners' first daughter, Maple, and according to its About page it opened on April 15, 2023, which happens to be Maple's birthday. The restaurant's logo carries the idea through, setting a red maple leaf over the colours of the Thai flag.

It sits on 272 Street in Aldergrove, and in the few years since opening it has earned a 4.9-star Google rating.

From Busy Kitchens to Their Own

Owners Ken and Mol were born and raised in Thailand, and they spent more than ten years working in busy Thai restaurants in Canada before opening their own. Their stated goal is to serve "the best authentic Thai-taste" to their customers.

They also put weight on how the food is made. The restaurant says it makes sure its dishes are healthy and clean, "since they are made from our hearts."

What's on the Table

The restaurant's photo gallery is a good preview. It features khao soi chicken, the northern Thai curry noodle soup topped with crispy noodles; tom kha chicken, the creamy coconut soup; green curry chicken; pad Thai with prawns; fried rice; a basil fried rice lunch special; and mango sticky rice for dessert, along with a lineup of iced drinks.

In reviews, diners single out the pineapple red curry, tom kha, spring rolls, and mango sticky rice, and the lunch combo gets mentions too. Others recommend the pad Thai, green curry, and lettuce wraps, and several note generous portions. The menu is on the restaurant's website, where you can also order online.

A 4.9-Star Neighbourhood Spot

Maple Thai holds a 4.9-star Google rating across nearly 300 reviews. One reviewer noted that it is run by a Thai couple and that the chef is from Bangkok, and described a chicken and cashew lunch combo that came with a deep-fried wonton, a salad, and tom yum soup and "tasted like being back in Thailand." A first-time takeout customer said the order was ready exactly when promised and called it "the best Thai food I have ever ordered in BC." Another, who lives near Vancouver's Kingsway and said they had tried more than 30 Thai restaurants, now counts it in their top five. One more called it "a small homey place" and recommended the spring rolls, and several say staff are happy to suggest dishes.

The room is small and personal. The restaurant's own photos show a folding screen covered in framed pictures. Service comes up often in reviews. One visitor, stopping in after a day at a tulip festival, found the Thai iced milk tea a little sweet but wrote that the servers were so kind "you can tell they serve from the heart."

Visit

Maple Thai Cuisine is at 3084 272 Street in Aldergrove. Its website lists hours of 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8:45 p.m. Sunday, and it is closed Tuesdays.

Google's listing shows slightly earlier closing times, so call (604) 362-3166, email maple.thai.cuisine@gmail.com, or check the Maple Thai website before a special trip. Google's popular-times data shows weekday dinner, around 5 p.m., as the busiest stretch, especially on Wednesdays.