Golden Unicorn

Steamed Piglet Bun

Golden Unicorn is a traditional Cantonese-style dim sum banquet hall. Originally opened in 1989, its current owner, Johnny Liu, purchased it in 2005. He first started working in the restaurant industry when he immigrated to the US in the 1990s. He saw an opportunity to succeed through hard work and went from working and operating restaurants to managing them. Chinatown was a place where he knew immigrants could succeed, as they could network and thrive with limited use of English and hard technical skills. After purchasing Golden Unicorn, he overhauled it and kept it thriving even through the pandemic.

When looking closely at the Golden Unicorn logo, it doesn’t look like a typical unicorn. It has scales, horns, and other dragon-like features. It’s actually a Qilin, a legendary creature in Chinese mythology. They are thought to be symbols of good fortune, prosperity, and longevity (all-important in the restaurant business). In modern times, they have been depicted as unicorns, and the direct translation from Chinese is “unicorn.” 

Some of the most popular dishes at Golden Unicorn include the shrimp dim sum, from shrimp rice rolls to shrimp dumplings. They are currently working on revamping the restaurant with renovations, new menu offerings, and collaborations with community organizers and sponsors. Stop by Golden Unicorn for a tasty meal with family and friends!

📍 Golden Unicorn
18 E Broadway, New York, NY 10002