BORO: Success comes from so much more than just great recipes. What do each of you bring to the duo that helps make it work? Mamu: Siwat came from a medical background before training at Thai restaurants to be a chef. He worked in an operating room for over eight years, so he has a great sense of work flow and attention to details that make the organization run smoothly. He also knows how to best utilize a person’s skill set, and he manages the staff very effectively. Alissa worked in marketing and sales for over a decade before the food business, so she mainly handles our vendor relations, special events and some of the social media content. There is so much going on simultaneously as we have the truck and the restaurant, but we also provide office catering services—so we just try to help each other as best as we can to get things done. BORO: What are some of the most unique dishes you hope people might branch out and try? Mamu: We love when people are open to trying new things and venturing out of their comfort zones when it comes to Thai food. We often have customers who have never had Thai food come in and become regulars. A lot of times during the week, we have “secret menu” items that we’d have for staff meal for the day, which we post on Instagram. If people are keen enough, they’ll ask. BORO: What do you think brings the draw to Astoria for such a wide variety of Thai cuisine? Mamu: Honestly, it was complete happenstance that we opened our shop in Astoria. The truck was getting fixed at a garage, which is across the street from the restaurant, and it was brought to our attention that the space would soon be vacant. We really love being in Astoria. Nearby neighborhoods like Elmhurst and Woodside have an enormous Thai demographic, and it is full of Thai eateries and markets. It was just a matter of time before Astoria started to get a taste of authentic Thai. Queens has always been the most culinarily diverse borough. BORO: What do you feel are some of Mamu’s greatest strengths? Mamu: The food we serve is something we’ve personally grown up eating. These are the same recipes that have been around in our family for a long time. It is our goal to be straight up, not fancy or fusion. There is always a time and place for that, but we want to provide delicious home-style Thai food. Our noodle truck definitely helped us spread that around the city quickly, and our little shop is an extension of that. 44 | BOROMAG.COM | SEPTEMBER 2015 FOOD & DRINK Yum Goon Chiang with sweet pork sausage and fresh mint Kua Gai rice noodles with chicken, egg, and garlic Moo Ping BBQ Pork Skewers 36-02 36th Ave., Astoria, NY 11106 718-707-0407 www.mamuthainoodle.com Mango with Sticky Rice Peek Gai Lao Dong
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