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Brunch & Lunch · Asian-American Diner · NYC

Golden Diner Menu: NYC's Beloved Asian-American Brunch Spot

Full Golden Diner menu for NYC's beloved Asian-American brunch and lunch spot in Manhattan's Chinatown and Lower East Side. Chef Sam Yoo's acclaimed concept blends classic American diner food with East Asian flavors — scallion pancake egg sandwiches, silky congee, noodle soups, Japanese pancakes and Hong Kong milk tea. Below: what's on the menu, what makes it special, and everything you need to plan a visit.

Asian-American dinerNYC brunch & lunchLower East Side, ManhattanSam Yoo's acclaimed conceptVegetarian-friendly
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$

Signature items

Scallion Pancake Egg SandwichSignature
Congee (Classic)Brunch staple
Beef Noodle SoupFan favorite
Milk Bread French ToastWeekend pick
Hong Kong Milk TeaMust-order drink
Jump to: What to order Signature dishes Full menu About Golden Diner Plan your visit FAQ
What to order

The four things most people ask about the Golden Diner menu

Answered in one glance — best dish, vegetarian picks, comfort food and the must-try drink.

Must-order item
Scallion Pancake Egg Sandwich

The dish that defines Golden Diner — crispy layered scallion pancake with egg, American cheese and your choice of protein.

Best for vegetarians
Mushroom Congee or Veggie Scallion Pancake

Mushroom congee is fully vegan; the veggie scallion pancake egg sandwich is a satisfying meat-free alternative to the signature.

Best comfort food
Beef Noodle Soup or Classic Congee

Both are slow-cooked and deeply savory. The beef noodle soup is the richer choice; classic congee is lighter and more restorative.

Must-try drink
Hong Kong Milk Tea

Brewed strong, strained through a fine mesh sock, and finished with evaporated milk. A menu staple and the ideal pairing for the scallion pancake sandwich.

Signature spotlight

What makes Golden Diner's menu distinctive

Golden Diner is a short menu built around a clear idea: take the comfort and familiarity of the American diner and run it through the flavors, textures and traditions of East Asian cooking. These are the dishes that best express that vision.

Signature

Scallion Pancake Egg Sandwich

The dish Golden Diner is most famous for. Made fresh to order — ask your server about current protein options.

Seasonal

Soft Serve

Rotating seasonal flavors: taro, matcha, black sesame and others. Availability varies — ask your server.

Weekend pick

Milk Bread French Toast

Thick-cut Japanese milk bread soaked overnight and pan-fried. Topped with seasonal fruit and creme fraiche.

Limited

Mochi Donuts

Chewy mochi-style donuts with seasonal glaze flavors. Made in small batches — can sell out.

Year-round

Hong Kong Milk Tea

A permanent fixture and house staple. Strong tea pulled through a fine mesh sock with evaporated milk.

The must-order

Scallion Pancake Egg Sandwich

Crispy, layered scallion pancake folded around a soft egg omelette and melted American cheese. The single dish most responsible for Golden Diner's reputation. Available with bacon, sausage or as a veggie option.

Comfort food

Congee

Slow-cooked silky rice porridge served in several variations: classic, century egg and pork, chicken, and mushroom (vegan). One of the most calming dishes on the brunch menu.

Savory & warming

Beef Noodle Soup

Slow-braised beef in a rich, aromatic broth with hand-pulled noodles, bok choy and chili oil. A standout in the noodle soup section and the kind of bowl that defines a cold New York morning.

Sweet & pillowy

Milk Bread French Toast

Japanese milk bread sliced thick, soaked overnight and pan-fried to a golden crust. Served with seasonal fruit and creme fraiche. One of the most-photographed dishes at the restaurant.

The house drink

Hong Kong Milk Tea

Strong black tea brewed and pulled through a fine mesh sock (the classic cha chaan teng method), finished with evaporated milk. Silky, bold and the ideal companion for the egg sandwich.

Asian-American pastry

Egg Tarts

Hong Kong-style flaky pastry shells filled with smooth, lightly sweetened egg custard. Best eaten warm. One of the few desserts that feels as natural at breakfast as it does at the end of a meal.

Browse the menu

Jump to a category

All Golden Diner menu categories with item counts.

Egg Sandwiches4 itemsCongee & Rice Bowls4 itemsNoodle Soups3 itemsPancakes & French Toast3 itemsSides & Starters4 itemsDrinks & Coffee4 itemsDesserts3 items
The full menu

Every item on the Golden Diner menu

All categories listed below. Tags flag vegetarian and vegan items. The menu changes with the seasons — confirm current availability at goldendinernyc.com or in person.

About prices. Golden Diner does not publish a priced menu online. Prices are omitted here rather than estimated. For current pricing, visit goldendinernyc.com or check in person. Menu data reviewed May 2026.
About Golden Diner

Sam Yoo's Asian-American diner in the heart of NYC's Lower East Side

Golden Diner opened in 2019 in Manhattan's Chinatown and Lower East Side neighborhood, one of New York City's most historically layered and culinarily rich areas. Chef and owner Sam Yoo set out to create a neighborhood diner that felt genuinely of its place — drawing on the Asian immigrant communities, the classic New York diner tradition, and his own Korean-American background.

The result is a menu that moves comfortably between worlds: scallion pancakes from Chinese bakery tradition meet American cheese and runny eggs; Japanese milk bread gets the French toast treatment; Cantonese congee anchors the savory section alongside beef noodle soups. It is food that is simultaneously familiar and surprising, and it quickly earned the restaurant national attention.

Golden Diner has been featured in The New York Times, Eater NY, Bon Appetit and numerous best-of-NYC lists. The restaurant is small and in high demand — plan ahead.

2019Opened
LESManhattan, NYC
$$Price range
BrunchService
Plan your visit

What to know before you go

Golden Diner is a small, popular restaurant in a neighborhood that sees heavy foot traffic on weekends. A little planning makes the experience much smoother.

The scallion pancake egg sandwich is essentially always the right order on your first visit. Pair it with a Hong Kong milk tea and, if you have room, a side of egg tarts. The congee is the move if you want something lighter or more restorative.

Hours and reservation policy can change. Always confirm at goldendinernyc.com before visiting.

  • First visit: Order the scallion pancake egg sandwich — it is the dish the restaurant is known for
  • Drink pairing: Hong Kong milk tea is the classic pairing with the egg sandwich
  • Vegetarian: Mushroom congee (vegan), veggie scallion pancake, matcha pancakes, spicy sesame noodles
  • Best comfort order: Beef noodle soup or classic congee — especially on cold days
  • Dessert: Egg tarts and seasonal soft serve are both worth saving room for
  • Arrival tip: The restaurant fills quickly on weekends — arrive early or check for reservations online
Dietary guide

Vegetarian, vegan and allergy-friendly options at Golden Diner

Vegetarian

Strong vegetarian selection

Veggie scallion pancake egg sandwich, matcha pancakes, Japanese fluffy pancakes, milk bread French toast, spicy sesame noodles, mushroom congee, plain scallion pancake, hash browns, egg tarts, mochi donuts and soft serve.

Vegan

Vegan options available

Mushroom congee and iced matcha latte are fully plant-based. Some other items can be modified — confirm with your server on the day, as recipes and ingredients can vary.

Allergens

Confirm allergens in person

Golden Diner is a small kitchen. If you have a serious food allergy — to gluten, eggs, dairy, soy, nuts or shellfish — speak to your server before ordering. Cross-contact is possible in a compact prep environment.

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Common questions

Golden Diner — frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the questions people most often ask about Golden Diner's menu, location, hours and reservations.

Where is Golden Diner located in NYC?

Golden Diner is located in Manhattan's Chinatown and Lower East Side neighborhood. It is a small, intimate space that fills up quickly — reservations or early arrival are recommended, especially on weekends. Check the official website at goldendinernyc.com for the current address, hours and any walk-in policies.

What is the scallion pancake egg sandwich at Golden Diner?

The scallion pancake egg sandwich is Golden Diner's most celebrated dish. A freshly made, crispy and layered scallion pancake is folded around a soft egg omelette, melted American cheese and your choice of protein (bacon, sausage or veggie). It is the dish most credited with putting Golden Diner on the NYC food map and the primary reason many visitors make the trip to the Lower East Side.

Is Golden Diner good for vegetarians?

Yes. Golden Diner has a strong selection of vegetarian-friendly options. Highlights include the veggie scallion pancake egg sandwich, mushroom congee (vegan), spicy sesame noodles, Japanese milk bread French toast, matcha pancakes, and all the pastry and dessert items. The menu has a notable plant-forward sensibility alongside its meat dishes.

What cuisine does Golden Diner serve?

Golden Diner is best described as Asian-American diner food. Chef Sam Yoo fuses classic American breakfast and diner traditions — egg sandwiches, pancakes, hash browns — with East and Southeast Asian flavors and techniques: scallion pancakes, congee, Hong Kong milk tea, Japanese milk bread, matcha, and Sichuan chili sauces. The result is a distinctly New York fusion brunch experience.

Who is Sam Yoo, the chef at Golden Diner?

Sam Yoo is the chef and owner of Golden Diner. Before opening Golden Diner, Yoo cooked at several acclaimed NYC restaurants. He opened Golden Diner in 2019 and it quickly became one of the most talked-about brunch spots in the city, featured in The New York Times, Eater NY, and other publications. The restaurant reflects his goal of creating approachable, delicious food that bridges the American diner tradition with his own Asian-American culinary identity.

Does Golden Diner take reservations?

Golden Diner's reservation and walk-in policy can change. The restaurant is a small space with high demand, particularly on weekend mornings. Check the official website at goldendinernyc.com or call ahead for current reservation availability. Arriving early on weekdays is often the most reliable strategy for walk-ins.

What are the hours for Golden Diner?

Golden Diner operates for brunch and lunch service, typically on weekend mornings and select weekdays. Hours can vary seasonally. Confirm current operating days and times directly at goldendinernyc.com before visiting.

What is congee and how does Golden Diner serve it?

Congee (also called jook or rice porridge) is a slow-cooked rice dish popular across East and Southeast Asia. The rice is simmered in a large amount of water or stock until it breaks down into a thick, creamy porridge. Golden Diner serves several congee variations — a classic plain version with scallions and ginger, a traditional century egg and pork congee, chicken congee, and a vegan mushroom congee. It is one of the menu's most comforting and satisfying options.

Is Golden Diner cash only?

Many small NYC diners operate cash-only or have a cash preference, but Golden Diner's payment policy may have changed. Confirm before visiting by checking goldendinernyc.com or calling the restaurant directly.

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