Choose Chinese buffets for Christmas, New Year

Xiao Long Bao ($7.95)

The Mandalay invites guests to experience exquisite Chinese cuisine during the holidays within its roomy downtown Honolulu restaurant.

Linda Chan, who co-owns the Alakea Street eatery with her husband, Larry, shares that The Mandalay will be holding special Christmas Day and New Year’s Day brunch and dinner buffets.

The Dec. 25 Christmas Day and Jan. 1 New Year’s Day Dim Sum Brunch Buffets will have sittings at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The prices are $28.99 for adults, $23.99 for seniors age 60 and over, and $17.99 for children ages 3 to 12. These brunch buffets feature a variety of Hong Kong style Dim Sum. For example, just a few of the multitude of dim sum items that will be offered are Pork Hash, Taro Cake, Shrimp with Nori Roll and Vegetarian Spring Roll. It will also feature Steamed and Baked Char Siu Buns, Mochi Rice in Lotus Leaf, Tripe with Ginger Sauce and more.

The elegant interior of The Mandalay dining room

Among the soups and salads on the brunch buffet are Egg Drop Soup, Chinese Chicken Salad, Tofu with Watercress Salad and others. The stir-fried entrees include Char Siu Gon Lo Mein, Beef Broccoli, Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables, Salt & Pepper Shrimp, and other delectable delights. For a sweet ending, choose desserts like Egg Custard Tarts, Almond Tofu, Tapioca in Coconut Milk, Sweet Cream Bun or Red Bean Gin Dui, among others.

Peking Duck with Buns, part of the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Dinner Buffet. File photos

Those choosing to partake in their holiday feast later in the day can indulge in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Dinner Buffet at The Mandalay, with sittings at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Prices for the Dinner Buffet are $32.99 for adults, $27.99 for seniors age 60 and over, and $18.99 for children ages 3 to 12. This mouthwatering meal will provide diners with Roasted Pig, Peking Duck with Buns, Prime Rib and Shrimp Cocktail. This buffet also features soups and salads like Egg Flower Soup, Chinese Chicken Salad, Pasta Salad, stir-fries like Sauteed Eggplant, and desserts like Haupia Gelatin Cake and many more to snack on.

Chan also explains that one of the customer favorite dim sum items served daily — not just around the holidays — is the Xiao Long Bao ($7.95).

Served in an order of five pieces, these dumplings are filled with minced up meat and hot soup broth and cooked in steamer baskets.