Golden Ocean, A Neighbourhood Favourite Dimsum: A Micro-Chowdown Report (Vancouver)

[fmed]

Golden Ocean is a long-standing neighborhood dim sum restaurant deep in the heart of Kerrisdale in Vancouver's West side. It serves up solid dim sum fare that is of uniformly good quality all around: the kitchen is equally adept at steamed, baked, deep-fried and pan-fried items.

The dim sum here isn't of "destination" quality like at some places in town, but it is an excellent neighbourhood joint that excels in one thing: Consistency.

During this Chowdown, we talked about how Chinese restaurants in particular follow a familiar trajectory: new places explode onto the scene full of quality, hype and vigour, but within a year, the quality takes a nose-dive. Our previous dim sum Chowdown target - Rainflower in Richmond is a prime example of a restaurant that has followed this arc. Golden Ocean (seemingly oblivious to this competitive marketplace) has been delivering the dim sum of good quality with consistency for many years.

The dim sum here is classic (read 'conservative'), and well executed. A few items of of note: I liked the Shrimp balls covered with Almonds, the Chinese Donut wrapped in Rice Roll, and their deep fried Tofu Skin roll. The rest of the meal tasted clean, fresh and bright.

The couple of missteps: the Har Gow-like Shrimp Dumpling's skin was a tad overcooked and had a bit of a mushiness to the texture. The other item which used the same skin, though, was great. The other was the pale Baked "Pineapple" Pork Bun which I would have preferred to have a more golden hue. The filling was very good, though a bit on the sweet side.

I can see why this place stays in business.

NB: There is wheelchair access at a ramp around the back. Then access the restaurant (which is on the second floor) by elevator.

Pics http://picasaweb.google.ca/gustibus.m...

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Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant
2046 W 41st, Vancouver, BC V6M1Y8, CA

[bdachow]

Thanks for the great review fmed. Have always enjoyed Golden Ocean as it's just around the corner from my parents place so it's conveniently located. Plus the discount for arriving before 11(?) is nice.

Only thing is for some reason, I always come out of there ridiculously thirsty even after consuming pots and pots of tea. I wonder if it's an MSG thing perhaps?!?!?

[fmed]

Hi bdachow,

I didn't experience the MSG thirst. It could be what we ordered didn't use much. I notice that saucey dishes like spare ribs, chicken feet, and similar are often the culprits for me. We didn't have any of those.

[bdachow]

Hmmm...that's a very interesting observation about the sauces. I'll have to give it a test run the next time I'm around. Thanks for the insight!!!

[grayelf]

We've been going to Golden Ocean for years (dim sum only though, didn't love the dinner offerings), partly because it is so close to my parents but mostly because of the consistency. I'm coming to realize that I LIKE to have the favourites or standards or traditional items as they are variously described, as well as the opportunity to try the odd new item. GO offers that in spades.

And the discount is nice (20% off your total if you are seated before 11 am).

This was the first time I've been on a non-holiday weekday and I was surprised to see the room pretty much full by the time we were halfway through. I guess there are a lot of others who appreciate the strong track record here :-).

Side note: the resto below GO has changed hands and is now call the New Chonqing. Fmed asked where the chef was and the reply was Szechuan province, which bodes well. English was a bit spotty but it would appear they will have a takeout menu soon. A quick perusal of the hard copy looked promising... may send the parentals on a rekky :-).

[waver]

I like this place too, tried it out a couple times after I read about it here some time back. Interestingly, it is also packed at lunch time during the week which is pretty impressive given that there's nothing much visible from street level. Their only week point is that they don't have garish jello desserts for the little guy who seems to expect this for dim sum - high standards, eh?

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Golden Ocean Seafood Restaurant
2046W 41st Ave W, Vancouver, BC V6M1Y8, CA

[fmed]

They do have garish looking sesame mochi balls...check out forum regular bouchonfor2's Picasa album: http://picasaweb.google.ca/bouchonfor...

Those green mochi balls look like it might interest the little guy ("dinosaur eggs", perhaps?)

[waver]

Those are indeed some nasty looking food item. Might just fit the bill. I tried the coconut gelatin dessert which I always quite like, but it was obviously too tame.

[ck1234]

Did I ever love those almond covered shrimp balls!!! Thank you grayelf for knowing to order them. That was the highlight of the dim sums to me.

[starlady]

ME too!

[bdachow]

Grayelf, there's a strong contingent of retirees in the area (including my family) and the 20% discount before 11am is a very strong incentive for them, along with the consistent quality. And of course, it's conveniently located for transit users (can take the 41 or the Arbutus lines). I have a great aunt that travels over from Chinatown.

If I remember correctly, the family unit is a huge fan of a bitter melon item but I will have to confirm if it is or I'm just having delusional fantasies of bitter melon after being deprived for so long. But I remember there's one particular item that we always order as they don't always have it.

[grayelf]

We were talking about whether it might be worth it to come later (after the discount) to get a different selection of items -- I've always gone early to avoid the waits which can occur even with a reservation. Maybe that would be when the bitter melon (or the crazy jello!) comes out on its own. I usually end up ordering a couple of items "a la carte" in addition to grabbing stuff "off the carts" based on what has come out previously -- they seem to mix it up so going later might not make any difference. Glad y'all like the almond dudes!

[grayelf]

Just thought I'd mention a unique (at least to me) dim sum item we had at Golden Ocean on Sunday: durian turnovers! It took four staff members and a couple of fellow patrons to translate what awaited us inside these tender pastry morsels -- I really do love the pastry here -- but there it was, in all its orangey glory. I've never been able to eat durian but this was good, hot and creamy without that overpowering smell or taste. Recommended if you get a chance...

[waver]

Small aside: Grayelf, did you or your family ever try out the New Chongqing downstairs?

[grayelf]

Not yet, though we were talking about it on Sunday... may give it a whirl when the parentals return from NZ.

FWIW I did read on a different site that it is not as authentic as some might like but that it is good especially if you are in the neighbourhood.