Golden Palace — Restaurant in Oklahoma City

I eat at Golden Palace frequently because I like the Vietnamese food there. I have always like buffets because of the variety on offer and I learned to like that from a Vietnamese friend who when I would go to his house, his family would always have several dishes and all of these different condiments essentially and at Golden Palace, I get to have that experience every time. They typically have 6 different soup bases such as your classic beef pho base, as well as a crab and tomato, and my favorite, the curry chicken with potatoes. They then have all the raw noodles, veg, and condiments to make your soup how you like it. They also grill these wonderful little slider sized meat patties, as well as pieces of marinated pork chop that go great with a bowl of broke rice, which they keep in a rice cooker at the head of the buffet. I like mine with fried onions and nuoc mam cham ladled over. Also, pay attention to the signs on top of the buffet. They have dishes that they make to order, such as the Banh Xeo. This is a coconut milk based crepe that they fill with meat and veggies. Made to order and outstanding! I get a few items from the Chinese side, particularly the paper chicken, the green beans, broccoli from the broccoli beef, and their crab Rangoon rolls are excellent if you catch them just out of the frier. They have decent egg fu young on the buffet too, so I often get a piece with the brown gravy. There is also a Mongolian grill on the far end of the buffet, but I never mess with it. It's just not my thing. I see a lot of people in line over there though, so it must be good. The other thing that I really like about Golden Palace is the number of Asian people that eat there. They tend to be picky about their own food and tend to cook it at home. So, if they will go out to eat what they can cook for themselves, that's saying something. Overall, it's that variety of dishes that I like and while if I'm being honest, the place could use an overall freshening up with new carpet and what not, as long as I don't see bugs and the place stays at least where it is now, you will continue to see me in there a couple of times a week. I really like to go on the week end when they have this "pudding" that I really like. I don't know the Vietnamese name for it, but it's a sweet dish made from coconut and probably pandan judging from the green color, as well as chunks of taro, and they ladle sweet coconut cream over it. So good! There is another one that is kind of thin, similar to soup, but it's got big chunks of banana in a coconut milk broth with pieces of coconut and tapioca pearls. It's also very nice. If you see me, stop by and say hi. I'm always down to meet...

So, I’ve been going to Golden Palace for over 30 years. The original location was off of NW 50th and Shartel, and then they opened this location (on Meridian and 15th). Honestly, this is one of the only buffets I enjoy.

I love that I can choose what I want in my Pho Soup 🍲 (I eat low carb, so going to a traditional Pho restaurant is nearly pointless) and the broth is always amazing! Typically, I stick with the Pho bar and Mongolian BBQ, as eating low carb can be difficult when eating out. *Check out my list of restaurants with healthy food options *

In lieu of noodles, I use bean sprouts in both my Pho and Mongolian BBQ. It is an amazing substitute and very filling!

The restaurant has a very friendly staff and there have only been two instances (in 30 years at both locations) that’s I’ve questioned the cleanliness. This is why I have only 4 stars.

The food is fresh, and I don’t get that bloated feeling afterwards. I tend to only pick one or the other of my main dishes, then if I’m feeling feisty I get a small bowl of their lo-mein with either garlic chicken or beef broccoli, and an egg roll ☺️.

For dessert, there are many of the traditional Oklahoma Chinese buffet options, including fresh fruit. That’s how I end my meal!

My children love the soft-serve ice cream and toppings to make it “fancy”! I’m not an ice cream fan, but it’s more of the generic soft-serve and not very velvety. If you know, you know.

Price wise, it’s moderately priced. It’s not cheap but not expensive either. Considering if I were to go to a Pho restaurant, I’d likely spend just as much or more.

We last visited on Sunday, March 19th around 5PM and, as expected, it was busy but they kept the line full!

Another thing I’d like to mention is that if you enjoy shellfish, there seems to be a variety! I’m not big on shellfish, so I don’t eat it but they have “buckets” of crawfish 🦞, mussels, and shrimp. I believe they have soft shell crab, but I could be mistaken.

They do have clean restrooms, but they need some cosmetic work and updates.

Again, every staff member from host, waitstaff, line attendants to checkout are great!

During COVID, they began providing gloves to wear when guests used the line utensils to avoid unnecessary germ contamination. They also have hand sanitizer stations placed around the building.

Like I said, one of my favorite buffets in Oklahoma!

Next time, I’ll take a photo of mine and my 7-year-olds Pho and share our experience with more visuals!

Thanks...

Update: January 2018 Unless you love your Mongolian BBQ drowned in Soy Sauce, get something else, the cooks need either: English lessons to know what 'NO Soy Sauce means' Signs that you can pick --- 1 for NO Soy Sauce --- 2 for Soy Sauce Several times I have just walked away after the Mongolian chef drowned my dish in Soy sauce. Still good service from the staff --- minus the Mongolian Chef. Update: Since posting my review, the service has changed dramatically, apparently other customers have had the same experience and management has apparently taken some steps to correct the issues.... Very much improved service, and the Mongolian section has also improved, there is now more selection than before with vegetables and other.. Much much better.. Changing my rating. Today, I ate there the last time, not because we are moving but because of the 'Soup Nazis' on the Vietnamese side. Today was the last straw for me to put up with their 'You are bothering me attitude' ... Talk about no customer service... One lady was rude for no reason actually yelling at me... No more.. We have been going to this place for over a decade, wait staff is generally very friendly and food is decent for a buffet. I don't care for the Mongolian since it is rather bland, Taste of China and Fuz have a much better menu, but no...