Farewell to Golden Key: Panda Pavilion's Dumplings Are Simply Much Tastier

Golden Key will always hold a place in my heart. My parents held my college graduation lunch there. My sibs and I threw them a 25th anniversary party there. We surprised a friend with a 30th birthday party there. All three events were wonderful and I've enjoyed their food for as long as I can remember.

But as Saucy noted in his March post, something terrible has happened to their dumplings as of late. Way too doughy and, even worse, way too wet. For me, the dumplings are the highlight of the Chinese food meal. So this was a serious problem.


After we received those wet dumplings for the second time in row, we decided to test a few other local spots: China Inn and China Wok. The food was average at best and the dumplings were better than the wet ones, but nothing to write home about.

But now we've found our new Chinese food jam. After a brief dieting hiatus from the cuisine, we decided to let loose a tad this weekend and give the Panda Pavilion a try. Peppery, crisp-but-not-greasy egg rolls. Lo Mein with a distinctly smoky flavor and an abundance of beef. A thick, flavorful sauce with actual spiciness (which is rarely the case, even though the menu marks it as spicy) covered the General Tso's chicken. The pork in the soup wontons was tender - none of the gristle you often find.

Last, but certainly not least, the steamed dumplings were delicious. A generous portion of pork covered by a delicate layering of dough.

Two small cons: no delivery and they don't put your soy, mustard and duck sauces in the bag for you - you have to remember to grab them on the way out. But those minor details won't be enough to keep us away.

I'm sorry, Golden Key. If you ever get it together with those dumplings, give us a call.

Panda Pavilion
1119 Pawlings Rd
Eagleville, PA  19403
(610) 666-1688
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