It sure has been a hot summer so far. One way to beat the heat is with cool, refreshing dishes, such as Golden Cold Noodle ($6.50) at Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant in Chinatown (which, thankfully, also has air conditioning).
Inspired by the season’s sweltering weather, this new dish was created by manager Gary Lam and will be available for a limited time. It consists of egg noodles, char siu, bean sprouts, green onion and shredded lettuce, and is served with a tasty soy vinaigrette sauce.
“I personally am a fan of cold noodle dishes, and it’s been so hot recently that I thought everyone needs a break, especially coming in from the hot sun,” explains Lam. “It just refreshes them. It’s not very heavy like your typical noodle dish with sauces piled on. It will be available for the summer, but depending on how it goes, I might keep it longer.”
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- Golden Cold Noodle ($6.50)
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- House Special Chow Mein ($6.95)
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- Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings ($6.95)
Family owned and operated, Golden Palace opened in 2001 and serves traditional Hong Kong-style Chinese cuisine with a hint of local flavors. The landmark eatery also offers dim sum from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily, and there often is a line of customers waiting outside bright and early. Owners Howard and Virginia Lam also operate neighboring Hoong Wun Market, which allows them quick and easy access to the freshest ingredients, including seafood, meat and vegetables.
According to Gary, Golden Palace’s extensive menu has stayed the same since the beginning, however, his dad enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and introduces new dishes every now and then. After all, Howard was a dim sum chef for many years in Hong Kong before moving to Hawaii in the early 1970s to work as a chef. Later, he opened a Chinese restaurant in Pearl City in the 1980s before giving it up to open the market in Chinatown.
“He always wanted to open another restaurant and when the opportunity came up, he jumped on it,” recalls Gary, whose brother Sherman also serves as manager in the family business. “It’s in his genes.”
Among the popular dishes Gary recommends are Salt and Pepper Chicken Wings ($6.95), which he notes is good for sharing, and House Special Chow Mein ($6.95), featuring a little bit of everything — shrimp, squid, fish, scallops, boneless chicken, vegetables and shiitake mushrooms.
Located at 111 N. King St. near Bank of Hawaii, Golden Palace also offers catering (including its dim sum menu) and a private room upstairs for up to 450 people. Parking is available behind the restaurant.
Golden Palace Seafood Restaurant
111 N. King St., Chinatown
521-8268
Daily, 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Honolulu, HI 96817
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