If there’s one thing I love, it’s pancakes. Fluffy, buttery, golden-brown perfection stacked high on a plate—it’s the perfect breakfast! And when I heard that people in New York City were waiting in line for hours just to get a taste of the pancakes at Golden Diner, I had to know why. What makes these pancakes so special? And more importantly, how can I get them without braving an hours-long wait (or more)?
Chef Alex Trim (@chefalextrim) shared his method for making a shortcut at-home version of these amazing pancakes, and I have to give them a try! But first, why do people wait for hours to try the pancakes at Golden Diner?
Related: The New Viral Way to Make the Best-Ever Pancakes, According to a Chef
😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter 🍳🍔
@jacksdiningroom Best pancakes in the country? 📍Golden Diner, NYC #nyc #pancakes #nycpancakes #breakfast #brunch #nycbrunch #wings #koreanwings #goldendiner #pancake #nycbreakfast
♬ original sound – Jack’s Dining Room
The Golden Diner Phenomenon
Golden Diner, a cozy neighborhood spot in Manhattan’s Chinatown, is known for taking classic diner fare and giving it an elevated, creative twist. Chef Sam Yoo, the mastermind behind this gem, has made a name for himself by blending nostalgic flavors with unexpected influences, often inspired by Asian-American cuisine. But out of all the dishes on the menu, the pancakes are what truly steal the show.
Why? Because they are thick, fluffy, and almost cake-like, with a slightly crisp exterior and a soft, tender interior. They aren’t your average diner flapjacks. These giant yeasted pancakes are baked in a pan rather than on a griddle, giving them a texture that is nothing short of magical. Topped with honey butter and next-level maple syrup, they’ve become a must-try for breakfast lovers like me—no matter the time of day!
Related: The IHOP-Approved Secret Ingredient for Tender, Fluffy Omelets
@chefalextrim Golden Diner Pancakes 1/3 cup melted butter 3 cups buttermilk 1/2 cup milk 3 whole eggs 3 cups AP 3Tbsp Sugar 3tsp Baking Powder 1.5tsp Baking Soda -Mix wet -Mix dry -Mix wet into dry -Pour 16oz into a preheated and buttered non-stick skillet -Bake at 400f for 8-10 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean For the honey butter: 8oz salted butter 4Tbsp honey Stove: @subzeroandwolf Apron: @hedleyandbennett Mixing Bowl: @mauviel.1830.usa @mauviel.1830 #food #foodie #foodies #recipe #recipes #receta #comida #cocina #cooking #cookingvideo #cookingvideos #pancake #pancakes #breakfast #brunch #brunching #brunchgoals #chef #privatechef #chefalextrim #finedining #foodporn #luxury #elegant #delicious
♬ Clair de lune/Debussy – もつ
Chef Alex Trim’s Shortcut Golden Diner Pancakes
Luckily, if you can’t make it to NYC, Chef Alex Trim has shared a shortcut recipe inspired by these famous pancakes. And let me tell you, this one is worth the effort. Here’s how to make them at home (you can get the full recipe on his TikTok video).
To make them, you’ll need melted butter, buttermilk, milk, eggs, all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda.
Mix the wet ingredients (melted butter, buttermilk, milk and eggs) in one bowl. Mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda) in another bowl. Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stirring until just mixed—don’t overmix!
Pour the batter into a preheated and buttered non-stick skillet. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
For the Honey Butter, you’ll need salted butter (softened) and honey. Mix these together until smooth and spreadable. Serve generously on top of your pancakes.
Chef Alex flips the pancakes out of the skillet onto a wire rack to cool for a minute before stacking them on top of one another. He then tops them with some butter, a little fresh lemon zest and the honey butter.
These pancakes are rich and flavorful, and they have that perfect balance of crisp edges and a tender center. If you love pancakes as much as I do, this is the recipe to try.
Related: The Best Way to Slice a Bagel, According to Ina Garten
How to Make the Real-Deal Golden Diner Pancakes, According to Golden Diner Chef-Owner Sam Yoo
If you have a little more time or are dedicated to creating the most authentic version of the Golden Diner pancakes, Bon Appétit did a detailed tutorial with Golden Diner chef-owner Sam Yoo.
In the video, Yoo walks you through the process step-by-step, including how to make the yeasted pancake batter, the perfectly fluffy tempered maple butter, the honey and maple syrup drizzle that’s spiked with soy sauce, and the perfectly fresh yet slightly jammy berry compote. He tops the finished stack with a generous amount of lemon zest.
Even if you don’t make the real-deal recipe, it’s worth watching the video to see just how much detail, love and care goes into making this next-level breakfast. And if you ever find yourself in NYC with a free morning, maybe—just maybe—you’ll want to brave the line at Golden Diner to taste the real thing!
Up Next:
Related: I Made the Viral Breakfast Dump Cake and It’s the Perfect Quick & Easy Weekend Recipe