Silence fell as the Dim Sum hit the table. All I could think was, “I need that dumpling.”
This is Golden Unicorn, a dim sum restaurant in Manhattan’s Chinatown. Golden Unicorn has been serving up dim sum in an elegant, banquet setting since 1989.
I dug into a delicate pork shu mai dumpling. How do they get the skin so thin and translucent?
Next came beautiful steamed buns shaped like little piggies. Inside a smooth, sweet custard.
Pigs symbolize prosperity and good luck in Chinese culture. And facing an incredible spread of dim sum, I was feeling pretty lucky myself.
The pace at Golden Unicorn is relentless. Just as we began to make inroads on one dish, another two hit the table.
Next: a delightfully greasy dumpling with a thick, doughy skin and a pork filling. I was going to just have one, but…
At one point, I knocked my chopsticks on the floor.
Within 2 seconds, a waitress appeared and took them. Another 3, and I had a fresh pair in my hands.
This is a level of service you normally only see at extremely expensive restaurants. But at Golden Unicorn, everyone is treated like a king.
Yet again, I turned the lazy Susan my way, trying not to do it so fast as to seem overeager. What is the proper speed?
I heaped lo mein on my plate, adding a healthy pile of fried rice alongside. Double or nothin!
The fried rice comes with delicious fresh peas. The noodles are springy, oily, and perfectly cooked.
And don’t forget dessert!
Tempting slices of melon appeared, alongside succulent grapes. Next were little sesame balls.
“Hmm, I wonder what these are. But I don’t really need dessert — I’ve already eaten so much!
Okay, maybe just one.
Oh my God, these are so good! What is this?
How about one more…
Eh, I can always eat less tomorrow. Let’s have a third….”
Somehow, I managed to cut myself off at three. Or at least, that’s the official story.
These delectable little balls are called jian dui. They are made of dough and stuffed with red bean paste or, like the ones I had, lotus seed paste. Then, they’re coated in sesame seeds and deep fried.
The result is a perfect combination of textures and flavors.
The outside is crispy and fragrant with toasted sesame seeds. The inside is soft and sweet.
If you haven’t had these little balls of wonder, you have to find some!
Golden Unicorn is open 7 days a week until 10 or 11pm, depending on the day. Stop in for Delicious Dim Sum in a homey, welcoming setting!
Many thanks to LAUNCH for putting on this Dim Sum Demo Day! I look forward to coming back again soon to see more great startups and eat more delicious dim sum!
What’s your favorite Chinese restaurant? Leave a comment and let us know!
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