Golden Lotus

Great tasting food. All the dishes we got were a pleasant surprise and terrific. It’s melt in your mouth stuff but obviously not the healthiest choice. Garlic ribs were killer and the pork belly sandwiches were great too. nice flavors. Finding parking for take-​out can suck but a great location otherwise on Congress.

As we drove into Portland, my boyfriend and I decided to stop for dinner after reading all the positive reviews and we are SO glad we did! The place is clean and modern. They offer generous portions at affordable prices. The waitress was very nice! I ordered the beef chow fun and he ordered chicken with vegetables (something not on the menu that they gladly made for us) and it was some of the best Chinese food we’ve ever had! The meat and vegetables were fresh and crisp. My bf chow fun was cooked just right and not too oily! Definitely will be back the next time were in town again!

I wasn’t impressed at all. I ordered here for the first time ever today because fortune garden is closed on Sunday’s and I’ve seen good reviews about the golden lotus. I ordered the spicy beef lo Mein lunch special for take out which includes two dumplings and comes to 9.99 $ exactly after tax and it was absolutely bland mushy and disappointing. What really irritates me is the fact that this dish at dinner hours excludes the dumplings and is 15.50 $+ tax! besides black pepper their was no taste at all and wasn’t spicy. The beef was over cooked and had a weird rubbery chewy texture making it very hard to chew especially with the mushy noodles. The broccoli and peas that comes with the dish looks like they just came from the freezer aisle in a grocery store. The dumplings were okay but they consisted of more dough than meat and were lacking flavor maybe because of how thick and doughy they are. When I went to pick up my order it was so dead literally a ghost town which made me feel super awkward but it was lunch and they only have a tiny amount of specials. The employees were polite enough but not super friendly or outgoing. Probably never returning here there are way better options for Chinese food that are reasonably priced and actually have flavor. I would of at least given them 2 – 3 stars if they weren’t so expensive and ridiculously over priced. Nothing on their menu is worth the price please this food was terrible if I actually sat down in the restaurant and ate the dinner portion I would ask for my money back I literally took a bite when I returned home and threw it away. From my experience I’ve learned its an overrated tourist trap.

Typical Americanized Chinese food here. They declare that they have authentic Honkong style food, but actually the food I ordered here are all Americanized and just taste fine. The Duck Bun is better than all other stuff I ordered. The fried dumplings are wrapped with extremely thick flour, and obviously those dumplings are frozen food from some local supermarket. It is kind of disappointed. I give it 2* instead of 1* because they did not have huge service issue while I visited.

I had the chkn po noodles… I think that’s the name of it. It had random vegetables, fruit, peanuts, egg noodles and a «spicy» sauce. What was most surprising there were barely any noodles in this noodle dish. The sauce also was not spicy and it was salty.
Also, they only had one dessert; fried ice cream. which seemed like it was fried then kept in the freezer for awhile… The outside was dry, hard and had a weird texture. The service was ok, small selections of wine.

We walked in to an empty dining room for lunch on a gorgeously warm winter day at noon. The staff was really friendly but the place was so quiet. No music, just Tarzan playing on network tv with the volume turned really low.
We’d heard that the dum sum was amazing so we ordered a char siu bun, spring rolls, a chow fun lunch special to share and a couple Mai Tais to wash it down.
First of all– Whoa! Those mai tais are not for the faint of heart. It nearly knocked me on my bum. Probably not what I needed so early in the day. Needless to say, I stopped at one drink. If you’re looking for a good buzz for less than $ 7, this is what you need.
The pork buns were ginormous! Seriously very large and filling, but I found it to be a little lacking. There was something odd about the texture. Maybe a bit dry and I found the pork to be too sweet. The spring roll was pretty basic, and tasty. By the time I finished the bun and roll I was stuffed. But I tried the chow fun and it was again pretty basic, except the beef. The beef was quite tender, cooked really well and super flavorful.
Overall, golden lotus isn’t bad, but not my favorite place in town. I think it’s the ambiance or lack thereof. Less Disney movies and more music please.

We came for the Shanghai Soup Dumplings (a Dim Sum rarity in Portland), but we will come back for the generous portions and the good food.
We started with Soup Dumplings — only 4 of them (little pockets of pork that create their own soup inside when they’re steamed), and Spinach Dumplings (veggie and gluten free).
The Bacon Fried Rice is gluten free, light and tasty. And a huge portion (twice the size of the other Chinese Restaurant that serves it up the street.
I had the General Tao’s Chicken. It was exclusively dark meat, and not terribly spicy, but it was good and, again, a large portion.
It’s quiet in here, for a Saturday night. But establishments in this location are often that way. I would definitely return.

The food is fantastic and hella fresh! I’m loving this! Family is very happy! Our orders were fast and well prepared. The staff was friendly. We have to say we are most impressed with Golden Lotus. My only critique would be revamp the menus both lunch and dinner to match the classy atmosphere and beautiful interior.

I went to this because the Empire chinese food was PACKED. I read a couple good reviews, saying not to worry about it being completely empty, the food was still great. Well id say the food was mediocre. I loved the lobster dumplings, but thats where the love left. We got the seafood fried rice, general tao’s chicken and some wanton soup and I wasn’t thrilled with the taste. General toas wasn’t too bad but the rest was «blahh».

This was a wonderful find! I can’t believe I’ve lived in Maine my entire life and didn’t try here!
I’ll be bringing my dad back to introduce him as I can’t stop my craving for more. I got the spicy beef lo mien but I need to try more, and I’m so so excited to do so. The service was great and everything was awesome.

I should start this by saying that Chinese food is not one of my favorite cuisines. Generally (American Chinese food) is too salty, too sweet, too oily, etc. BUT I enjoyed my meal here.
We came early on a Saturday night and the place was nearly empty. We had good service until the end, when the place filled out and there was still only one server.
We had the Siu Mai, Kung Pao chicken and a fried rice dish. Our friends got a side of green beans that were amazing. Nothing blew my mind, but it was tasty and the portions were generous. I’d go back.

Had pork buns, shumai, wonton soup and steamed spare ribs. Everything was outstanding. Lots of baby bok choi in soup with a very tasty broth. Service was good and price reasonable. Rivals empire.

Asian food in Maine is definitely on the rise. With places like Empire and Golden Lotus you can get the best of both worlds (Traditional and Trendy). Golden Lotus is more on the traditional side with your pork buns and char siu pork. I come here frequently with friends and it’s always a good idea to check out their special menu. It’s posted on a white board as you walk in. The char siu pork buns are delicious! And at $ 3.75 for a pair, it’s a steal. A good standby has been the bacon fried rice. Yes they have more standard fried rice, but I can’t seem to get enough of their bacon fried rice. It’s big enough to share and at $ 13, it can’t be beat. Another item that I love to get is their ma po tofu. It comes with or witout meat and is lined with delectable baby bok choy. Also, large enough to share. If you’re dining with friends, I suggest you eat family style so you can try a number of dishes without breaking the bank or your belt. The service is always great as well. They are attentive without being overbearing. They also have some great looking cocktails, but be sure to ask for the secret sheet with all of the drink descriptions. A couple of them aren’t listed on the customer menu! I’m a definite repeat customer and as long as they keep the pork buns cheap and the service great, I’ll continue to spread the word about delicious Asian food in Portland.

Here are my top 5 comments about the Golden Lotus in Portland Maine. Before listing them, I must mention I have been to this restaurant four times prior to today.
1. Big big kudos to this restaurant for trying to offer Authentic dim sum options in a town where nobody else is doing so
2. Although some might argue that 2 other establishments in town are, in fact offering dim sum options, I disagree primarily because of the cost factor being so reasonable at this restaurant and so much higher at the other two establishments
3. While their steamed pork buns are not as ethereal and amazing as those that I have had in dim sum parlors in New York City and in San Francisco, they are pretty damn close, homemade in house, and insanely reasonable at two large buns for $ 3.50
4. While the restaurants might seem sterile and uninviting from the outside, it is quite comfortable and well located
5. The Golden Lotus is really trying to stretch in this town. We need utilitarian quality Chinatown level Chinese food and this is the closest you’re going to get

Go here now! Seriously. Order the bacon fried rice and the pork buns. The rice was cooked perfectly and it was not greasy at all. The pork buns were piping hot and so light and fluffy. You will not be disappointed! You will be so full you will need to unbutton your jeans and still have enough for lunch the next day. Huge portions! While you’re at it order a scorpion bowl for one! Yes they have those! See picture below. Unless you’re with your hunny and want to get a scorpion bowl for 2! The drink menu is awesome. My friend asked what as in a particular drink and the waitress brought over the drink list which listed every ingredient in every drink! Included were drink concoctions that were not even on the menu. That’s right, super insider VIP access!
Our waitress was so sweet and nice to us the entire night. Service was a bit on the slow side. I think she was the only one in the restaurant waiting tables and bar service. She was very busy but did a great job all on her own. All in all I can’t wait to come back and try more!

I walk by this restaurant several times a week and had no idea that it would be the best food I ate all week (maybe month)! It looks like an unassuming store front, but the dim sum that comes out of this place is like magic.
I came by around 8pm on a Tuesday so the place was empty, so I am curious as to how much traffic this place gets during peak dinner hours.
My friend and I both got the pork buns. They’re pretty large and fluffy and filled with pork that’s seasoned to perfection. I could’ve gotten two orders of that and been perfectly sated but I also got the bacon fried rice. I had never seen bacon fried rice before but I love bacon and I love fried rice so why not? The serving portion was huge. If you’re out with a friend this can be easily shared and fill the both of you. It was so super good that the next day my coworkers were jealous of my leftovers.
The drink menu had a good variety of drinks plus some fun virgin cocktails.
I’ll be back for more pork buns!

How have I not been here! Please practice the foodie stop, drop, and roll.
1. Stop what your doing.
2. Drop your plans and get here immediately.
3. Roll away after dinner here with a full and happy belly!!!
Honestly, I was put off when we first came here. It was EMPTY and the staff were watching tv and kibitzing. They were SUPER FRIENDLY and I decided to put my feelings of unease aside. Throughout the meal, our server checked on us regularly and was friendly but not oversolicitous.
The pork buns were AMAZING; huge and perfectly steamed!!! There was a perfect bun to filling ratio and the pork was delicious!!! I also got the special, which included crab rangoons, beef teriyaki, and chicken fingers. I was trying to play it safe, because I hadn’t been there before. I do wish I had gotten more dim sum. This was okay, but pretty standard.
Regarding the price, I definitely did not find it expensive compared to other Portland prices. More than Chinatown in NYC, but pretty reasonable compared to Empire or similar Asian places. I spent about 20 with tip, but I didn’t drink.
The place was actually VERY clean and well kept. It was dust free.
I will definitely be back!!!

Overpriced but the food is pretty decent. Regular entrees you find in traditional Cantonese run, Chinese American restaurants and dim sum joints are marked up 2 – 4 dollars, give or take. 2 egg rolls are 6 dollars guys. Atmosphere was fantastic (love the loungey feel!) but I gripe about places that think upscale décor lends itself to pricier food.
That being said, I love Chinese restaurants run by actual Canto people because we’re the only ones who seem to understand what wok hay is (it means it tastes real good.) Beef with string beans was fantastic, tons of beautiful, fresh string beans perfectly cooked and plenty of tender beef. The Singapore mei fun was ok (would have preferred char siu pork over the «ham» bits). Plenty of baby shrimp though. I also appreciate that they streamlined the menu unlike the average run of the mill dirty Chinese restaurant with 100 different options.

I AM SO STARVING! But I do not know what I am supposed to eat. Well, as a Chinese, I probably just end up in a Chinese restaurant in Portland.
Although I went to Portland in that weird west bound, this place actually surprised me. This east Portland was boring, and full of dead sense and disorderedness caused by … I am not sure, but I dislike here.
Location: located in downtown Portland, Golden Lotus is right next to a Maine International trading place. If you are not looking for this place, you probably missed it. Well, at least, I did. Thanks to my brilliant mother, we finally found this place. The interior deisgn is nothing Chinese, but more americanized. A full-​size bar, and greeted from Cantonese owner, we were placed to sit. It was memorial day, and 4 pm, no one is there but everything is in order.
Food: had the duck noodles for my dad. The duck is okay, bland and nothing fancy. Bok Choy in oyster sauce is okay, maybe bit too salty. Sesame chicken is not fresh but taste like real american-​chines dish.
Service: the owner is really nice and talked with us for while. I felt like they were really passionate for what they are doing and what they are aiming for in distributing chinese cuisine. I love their effort.
Overall: a solid 3.5 star.

We requested spicy and we got really flavor full yummy seafood. Service was excellent. Will definitely visit the next time time I’m in Maine.