Warming up to wintertime dishes

Even though our Mainland friends might laugh at this: it gets cold in Hawaii! As the air conditioner turns off and the socks come on, the soups and casseroles that have waited all summer are finally here.

Gary Lam, manager of Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant, is happy to share the warmth with you. He’s hand-picked four dishes, both classics and originals, guaranteed to bring about a cozy meal.

Shredded Pork with Preserved Cabbage and Rice Noodle in Soup ($6.25), truly a wintertime dish, is the first on the list. The steaming bowl of clear pork-based broth, thin noodles, strips of meat and shiitake mushrooms gets a punch of flavor from fermented cabbage. Traditionally, the preparation for the vegetable starts in summer for use in winter dishes. Golden Palace ages its cabbage for at least a month to create its tangy, complex flavors. “It’s slightly spicy, but not a ‘kimchee’ spicy,” says Lam.

Next up is Curry Shrimp Vermicelli Casserole ($9.95). Shrimp, shredded bell pepper, onion and rice noodles are cooked together and spiced with a Chinese-style curry sauce. “Chinese curry is lighter,” Lam explains. “You have that curry aroma, but it’s a much lighter taste.” The mix of ingredients is then placed into a metal pot and cooked over the fire again. “This helps the vermicelli absorb more of the flavor,” explains Lam.

Ever the favorite, Golden Palace’s Salt and Pepper Shrimp ($8.95) delivers, with tender shrimp that burst with flavor. The restaurant uses its own special blend of seasonings, which gives the dish a unique taste. “The portions of the spices that go into it, is what makes the difference. We have it down to a science,” says Lam. ” Our chefs have quite a few years under their belts.”

Steamed Tofu in Soy Sauce ($5.95) puts a pleasant twist on a dish usually served cold. “It’s a healthier option, especially for the vegetarians,” says Lam. The soft tofu topped with green onions and flavored with a cooked, seasoned soy sauce is melt-in-your-mouth good.

Enjoy these comforting dishes and more throughout the winter season, as the eatery will keep its normal business hours. As a bonus, Golden Palace’s 500-person banquet hall has everything you need for holiday merry-making. Just be sure to make reservations in advance.

Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant

111 N. King St., Honolulu
521-8268
Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.