Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine

Food—Chinese, with Taiwanese specialties
Drink—Tea, sodas
Location—Just south of downtown Champaign
Average price for an entree—$10
Atmosphere—Very bright and open, almost cafeteria-like
Service—Helpful
Patio seating—No
Vegetarian-friendly—Yes
Child-friendly—Yes
Reservations—Accepted

This review has been a long time in coming. The reason for that is that I really found it difficult to get my head around this place. For one thing, the menu is simply overwhelming (there must be hundreds of dishes listed on it). You take a look at its many pages and your head starts spinning. For another, the majority of the dishes are not the ones you'll see on most Chinese-restaurant menus around C-U (e.g., clams in black-bean sauce, Taiwan crispy salt chicken, lamb with spicy satay sauce, stir-fried snow pea leaves, etc., etc., etc.).

Here's a shot of the menu that's posted on the wall near the entrance. If you read Chinese, this is the menu for you. If not, this menu has been translated and is available in English in printed form at the counter.

I've eaten at GH now many times. The first few times I went, it was so busy you couldn't believe it. The ordering line was practically out the door. People were everywhere, and the kitchen was having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

Now that the restaurant has been open for about 5 months, things are running much more smoothly. It's still a very busy place, but I haven't experienced the sometimes lengthy waits that I did at first.

Some people have told me that they were put off by the ordering system. I hear you. What happens is that you go up to the counter and grab a number on a stand to identify your table, a menu, a pad, and a pen. You pick a table, peruse the menu, and decide what you want. Then you write your table number and the names of the dishes and their numbers on the pad. You take the pad back to the counter, place your order with the counter person (this will most likely be a woman named Tina, who will be very happy to explain what various dishes are like), and pay. (GH has this wacky system where they can only take one credit/debit card per table, so if you're going with a group and you want to pay separately, I recommend taking cash. That way each person can pay for his or her own meal.) You then return to your table and wait for your meal to come to you.

The ordering/paying system takes some getting used to, but after several visits, and especially after the crush of people had died down somewhat, I found it to be no big deal. You just kind of have to find a way to make it work for you.

And it's worth it. I haven't been knocked out by every single dish I've had here, but they've all been tasty. And the dishes I've found to be favorites are REALLY DELICIOUS. Let's look at some of them, shall we?

First of all, there's the crispy tofu ($9.99), which everyone who's been to any of the restaurants that the family who owns this place has run in the past will say you must not miss. I concur.

I also recommend a dish I had the last time I visited GH; it's called Fish Fillet w/Hot Bean Sauce on the menu ($13.50). 

Also a must are the Salt & Pepper Shiitake mushrooms ($11.99). Yes, those are crispy slices of jalapeno peppers in the mix. So delicious. And here I'll say that I don't think this dish is listed on the English menu; most of the menu items on the Chinese menu that's posted on the wall have been translated, but it seems that not all of them were. So if you don't see this on the menu, just ask for it at the counter.

The fried chicken with basil is another standout. Crispy pieces of boneless chicken and crunchy basil, not to be missed.

If you like clams, do try the tender Clams in Black Bean Sauce ($14.99). I've had Singapore Clams as well, and they were also great, but you have to like spicy food if you order those.

And speaking of shellfish, the Prawns with XO Sauce was fabulous, too (at $17.50, this is the priciest dish I've had at GH). I had never heard of XO sauce before eating at this restaurant. Look at the nice thick slices of garlic in there. Wow.

If you're a lover of duck, try Fire Duck ($14.99). It sounds like it would be spicy, but I don't remember it being so, just crispy outside and tender inside and in a light and delectable sauce. You can see it at the bottom left of the photo above.

Lastly, I must tell you about the pork buns ($14.99). This dish may also be one that didn't make it onto the English menu, but if it appeals to you at all, please ask for it right away. You get a steamer full of tender buns that open in the middle. You also get a plate of slices of pork belly and one filled with cilantro, crushed peanuts, and house-pickled vegetables. Open a bun, lay on a slice of pork, the herb, some peanuts, and some veggies, and there you have it—Chinese tacos!

Yes, the food here is pricey. Furthermore, it really seems best suited for large-ish groups, because portions are big and if you go with a group you can order a bunch of dishes, enjoy the variety, and split the cost. Thus, if you go on your own or with, say, just one other person, be prepared to take a lot of food home.

That said, I'm going to throw something else at you: In addition to the very large menu, there is also a small printed menu that lists dishes familiar to people who aren't used to the more authentic Chinese preparations. Dishes like sweet and sour chicken, beef with broccoli, and so on. If I remember correctly, you can choose small or large sizes of those dishes, making them good for one or two people. Here's a shot of one such dish; this was beef with mushrooms.

And here's the aforementioned sweet and sour chicken. I don't know if you can tell, but these entrees are served on smaller plates; the prices are lower, accordingly.

You can have as much hot tea as you want for free when you eat at GH (you get it yourself from large pots at the back of the dining room). And of course plenty of steamed rice comes with most dishes (excepting the noodle ones). There are not wait-people, per se; as I noted, you place your order at the counter, but then someone will bring out plates, napkins, chopsticks, and fortune cookies and will deliver your food. You can either clear your own table or you can pay a small charge to have it cleared for you.

Golden Harbor Authentic Chinese Cuisine
505 South Neil Street (in Royal Plaza)
Champaign, IL
217-398-8988
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 4:30 to 9:00 p.m. (8:30 on Sundays). The restaurant is closed on Mondays.