Sweets as Good as Gold

Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant has been known for its elaborate outer decor featuring giant red pillars, lanterns and golden dragons, which symbolize wealth and prosperity in Chinese culture.

In addition to the noble ornamentation, the establishment serves up amazing Chinese food, including dim sum.

While Chinese restaurants are known for savory dishes, Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant is also home to an assortment of desserts that are perfect for sharing.

Custard Tart ($1.98 for three pieces) features a flaky crust and custard that is made fresh daily.

Manager Gary Lam explains that the crust is always flaky without being dry, which is something all crust aficionados can appreciate.

A Chinese favorite, Jin Dui ($1.98 for three pieces) also is on the menu. For those who might not be familiar with this traditional dessert, it’s also known as fried sesame balls with black sugar.

“It’s your typical jin dui,” says Lam. “Our chefs have it down to a science with all their experience.

“The outer layer stays really light, but crunchy, without being extremely oily,” he explains.

New on the menu is Mochi Dumplings in Tapioca ($3 for a bowl), which Lam decided to serve for the Chinese Moon Festival.

“During Moon Festival, your entire family gets together and sits down to have a nice dinner, like a family reunion,” he says. “The mochi balls represent union because the mochi is sticky and round.”

This dessert is also the remedy for the hot and humid weather we’ve been experiencing.

“It’s a nice refreshing dessert to have, especially on those hot afternoons,” Lam explains.

Each dessert is served family-style, which means everyone is allowed a taste — in true Chinese style.

The next time you’re perusing around Chinatown and make your way toward King Street, be sure to stop by Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant for dim sum (starts at 7 a.m. daily) or Chinese food, followed by sweet treats to top off your meal.

Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant

111 N. King St., Honolulu
521-8268
7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Dim sum starts at 7 a.m.