Authentic Hong Kong style Dim Sum at the Golden Unicorn in NYC, New York

Image of the Entrance of the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Our cousins, Jessica and Michael proposed us to go see The Hobbit with their entire family and to eat before in a Chinese restaurant offering soup dumplings. I have to admit that the only restaurant serving dumplings I knew, besides Joe Shanghai, closed, so I did not have any address to suggest. Fortunately, a co-worker from Michael proposed the Golden Unicorn.
image of the Inside of the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York

I was pretty excited to go there because I love Hong Kong style dumplings, where the staff pushes carts full of dumplings and propose them to you. If you order them, they will put a stamp on a piece of paper so they can keep track of what you eat for the check.
Image of the Dim Sum bill at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York

I had the chance to experience it in Hong Kong in the late 90's, for my first lunch there. I like the playfulness of it: they tell you what it is and you order it or not, not always knowing if the dish is what you expect or if you will even like it. Also, the food keeps coming and sometimes, even if you have a lot on the table, you may add a dish that you really like, ending up with too much food...
Image of Dim Sum at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York

So, here are the dishes we ordered:
Image of BBQ pork buns at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
BBQ Pork Buns
Image of Crystal shrimp dumplings at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Crystal Shrimp Dumplings
Image of Pork buns at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Pork Buns
Image of Pork ribs at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Pork Ribs

image of Pork shumai at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Pork Shumai
Image of Shrimp shumai at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Shrimp Shumai
Image of Spinach and shrimp dumplings at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Spinach and Shrimp Dumplings
Image of Steamed shrimp rolls at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Steamed Shrimp Rolls
Image of Fried sticky rice at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Fried Sticky Rice
Image of Fried sticky rice at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Sticky Rice
Image of Bean curd rolls at the Golden Unicorn in Chinatown NYC, New York
Bean curd rolls

My favorites were any dishes with shrimp, in particular the crystal shrimp dumplings and the steamed shrimp rolls. Sometimes, you are wondering where the shrimp are, but not there! Also, the BBQ pork buns were spectacular! The bun itself was so light and then in the middle, you discover this fantastic pork smothered in BBQ sauce. Last was the sticky rice either fried or cooked in banana leaf: it was so tasty and I love the texture!
My least favorites were the shrimp and spinach dumpling (the spinach overpowered the dish), the bean curd rolls (they had meat in it by the way and we thought they were vegetarian) and the pork ribs that did not look appetizing and were a bit tough.

I really enjoyed that lunch and we had a good time! The Golden Unicorn is definitely a great place for authentic dim sum!

Enjoy (I did)!

And remember: I Just Want To Eat!


Golden Unicorn on Urbanspoon