In Berlin, there are so many Vietnamese restaurants. It’s easy to lose track. In the past seven years, I went to about five of them, including a vegan one that doesn’t exist anymore even though it was excellent. Most Vietnamese places have an open approach, meaning they offer Sushi as well, and other Asian treats.
There is one place of this kind that sticks out. To me, “Golden Choice” does live up to its name. It may be unremarkable from the outside and located on one of Berlin’s ugliest traffic arteries, namely Greifswalder Strasse, but the arguments for going there easily outweigh those tiny issues.
Guests who enter this restaurant, which is a family endeavor, will notice a modest interior with plain, wooden chairs, tables and benches. On some of the walls, the place has ornaments that seem to be made of plants. Well, if they are dummies, they are well-made. A glance at the counter on the way to the table will show guests what to expect, depending on what they intend to order. Behind a window, cooled Sashimi is waiting to be consumed.
Lemon Sauce
On their website, the owners mention the variety they offer as well as “new taste experiences”. They are animating people to “try our tasty dishes, carefully prepared using fresh ingredients!” Guess what: That’s exactly what I’ve been doing for five years now.
The kind waitress seems to be part of the family of owners. Especially when she is on duty, guests can expect a polite and friendly service. She will bring the most important item to the table: The menu that makes your mouth water. Tender meat dishes, salads with Vietnamese lemon sauce, glass or rice noodles, summer rolls with nut sauce or all kinds of Sushi, including fried variants: Everything they offer is too good to be legal.
What they call “Sushi Bowl” (see main photo at the top) does not contain any Sushi. It combines rice noodles with green salad leaves, edible seaweed, the most tender salmon ever, eggs and lemon sauce. Holy cow! I would kill for this dish, if I had to. Every single time I go there, this is what I order. My partner Patricia loves the vegan version of this bowl.
Out of all restaurants I know in Berlin (and I’m talking about affordable ones), this is the place I want to be at. My “Sushi Bowl” appears in my dreams. Let’s end this review here. I need to go. Guess where I’m heading.
