WEST MEETS EAST
GOLDEN BOWL DELIVERS WESTERN STYLE CHINESE CUISINE.
Have you ever wondered what British-style Chinese cuisine tastes like? Of course, probably not. But, if you’re wondering now, the good news is that you can try it without having to fly to Heathrow — or put on some pants and leave your house for that matter too. That’s because Golden Bowl Western Style Chinese delivers British favourites of Chinese dishes to your Bangkok address. The Chinese in me definitely got curious about the English version of the food of my ancestors.
Aromatic duck pancakes (B295) are pre-wrapped so you can just chomp them down the way a rabbit does with a carrot. The soft wrap envelopes shredded duck along with some crisp veggies. If you find the idea of eating scallion stick too pungent, the tasty sauce inside can counterbalance that zing.
The long and slender noodles in Chicken chow mein (B160) leaves the most lasting impression in my book. The noodle threads are thin yet have some bite to them while the other components are stir-fried to perfection. The veggies retain their crispness while the lean chicken isn’t cooked until it becomes dry.
Egg fried rice (B60) looks deceptively simple but it’s done so right. The grains of rice don’t lump up together and are individually fluffy. And just like any good fried rice, each spoonful offers a good mix of texture and flavours.
Kung pao Beef (B195) packs some punch. The thin pieces of beef are surprisingly flavourful while the sauce leaves your palate with a mildly spicy aftertaste. Personally, I would have liked it better, had the beef come with a fatty layer. British style chicken curry (B175) is mild and aromatic but ultimately scored the lowest among the dishes I tried.
British John Campbell, who owns Golden Bowl, has hired a Thai chef with years of experience working in Chinese restaurants in England in order to keep the food authentically “British-Chinese”. After noticing a void in the British and Irish expat communities who missed the taste of Chinese food back home, he decided to fill it.
There are probably about 50 shades of Chinese cuisine in the world now and this particular take by Golden Bowl isn’t shabby at all, especially considering the reasonable pricing. If you’re a Brit or an Irish expat, consider this if you’re feeling homesick. For the locals, there are definitely differences to the Chinese dishes you have had, but if you like Chinese food to begin with, then you may also dig what Golden Bowl offers.