With busy, bustling days like we experience at university, it is imperative to get out and treat yourself to a good lunch and get away from the work. Coming from a family where Asian food was abundant, I had longed to find good Asian food in Durham – something that wasn’t franchised or inauthentic.
Golden Pearl was that. Located next to the bus station of North Road, the Asian convenience store is fused with a small-scale restaurant that embodies the efficiency and comfort of any Asian restaurant I have been in. Their kitchen is separated from the rest of the restaurant by the cashier desk and you can see the Thai cooks working away just behind where you order.
The food is primarily Thai cuisine – think Pad Thai and curries – with some hints of Chines like a barbecue pork bun or dumplings. The food is incredible. This has been the first place in Durham where I have felt like I am eating real Asian food, untouched by the need to amend the food in light of Western tastes.
Often, when deciding where to have lunch, my boyfriend and I inevitably settle on Golden Pearl. Neither of us like heavy lunches and are rarely in the mood for the sandwiches one founds around Durham in the various coffee shops – frankly there isn’t much variety to choose from. Golden Pearl is a nice departure from what Durham is used to and if anyone seeks a delicious, tasty but light lunch – Golden Pearl is definitely the place.
The best thing is that it serves as a store too! You can get all your Asian snack cravings taken care of.
Image and Media Sources
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