It is quite remarkable to find out that this place has been serving delicious Chinese cuisine since 1990. Sipping our dark oolong tea and waiting for our order to be cooked, our eyes drift toward the richly decorated room. The beautifully carved wooden panel is a majestic sight to behold and transforms the restaurant into something straight out of classic Shanghai, while thick green carpeting mutes the noise. Far from the typical Chinese restaurants with their bright lights, large tables with lazy susans and plastic table cloths; Golden Lotus provides us with an intimate and serene dining experience.
“Well, that will change if you come here on Sunday for our popular Sunday ‘Dim sum all you can eat’ special,” explains F&B Manager, I Nyoman Suasta. “However, you can also book one of our private areas,” he adds, pointing to the four rooms, separated from the rest by handsome tall wooden doors.
Our first course arrives, one of the most popular dishes on the menu, Diced Beef Saigon with garlic, spring onion and black pepper. “We don’t use MSG in our kitchen, so everything is healthy and fresh, ”says Nyoman. Immediately, we can see why this dish is popular. The beef is marinated perfectly and so tender that it is gone in no time. Next up is Pan Fried Prawns Szechuan Style, a sweet and sour creation that hits all the right notes after the previous taste of beef. Between fighting over diced beef and juicy prawns, we are waging a war with our chopsticks against a bowl of Chicken Fried Rice. It is lightly spiced and yet tasteful enough to stand alone.
An oolong sip pause later, desserts are lavishly presented. The Golden Lotus Chilled Mango Pudding is the perfect ending to the feast; not too sweet, light and chilled to perfection. My partner has opted for the Chilled Almond Bean Curd with Fruit Cocktail, a fruity and sweet concoction with a hint of almond aroma. We end the lunch feast, feeling extremely decadent, leaning on our slender and elegant Chinese chairs sighing with pleasure. Eve
Golden Lotus Chinese Restaurant @ Bali Dynasty Resort I Jl. Kartika, South Kuta I P +62 361 752 403 200
