Golden Ponds Chinese Restaurant Riverbank Drive, The Ponds, New South Wales 2769

"This pains me to review my local Chinese restaurant in a bad way, but the fried rice was so bad, I had to make a review, which might give you an indication of how bad this place can be on a bad day. I’m a local resident and honestly, I have given these guys so many chances to impress me, this was the last straw I’m afraid. Tucked into a nice upmarket shopping village in the ponds, once would expect quality product for prices asked. Don’t be fooled by the empty seats and empty tables every single day, there is a sad reason for this old wives tale “never eat in an empty restaurant” We ordered 4 large fried rice for a function we were holding at home. 3 portions for the party, 1 extra for quality control taste test before we serve our guests. A lovely little lady answered the phone to take my order, she was very sweet but could not tell me the price of 4 fried rice, price to be found out upon pick up on a cold august night. I arrive 20 mins later to collect my food. Not one table occupied in the whole place. Alarm bells sounding but the sweet lady at the front wishing me a great weekend with her bubbly personality gets me thinking why the reviews are so bad with such lovely people working there? I get home to taste test my rice. Wow. Instant metal aftertaste. Too much fish sauce or something? I notice there is just rice, ham (tiny cubes) and prawns. Where’s the peas, where’s the shallots? Where’s the sometimes carrots or soy sauce? My wife proceeds to spit her fork full out in disgust. I stand up for my local restaurant as if my mum had made it, but I choose to get eating too. Quickly I start to understand what my wife is saying, and I learn never to doubt her again. This is disgusting fried rice. I could have boiled some rice at home and had a better meal. Either their kids are cooking the meals, or they are purely trying to cook bad food to be shutdown. I don’t get it. But know this: This was the worst fried rice I have ever eaten in my life. Literally my dog would not eat this. My kids would cry if I tried to feed this to them. Instead of driving back asking for a refund of my $50, I just learn that it’s time to give up on my local Chinese restaurant for good. It’s a real shame. And I am so disappointed that you guys served me 4 x large fried rice in that quality, dog food would be nicer. Shame shame shame! Avoid this place until they get new owners or new cooks. You are a disgrace to our community."

"The worst fried rice I ever had so far.i ordered for chicken fried rice and its so tasteless just like plain rice . They just casually mixed an egg and rice with lil soya sauce ..tats it ..and they charged for it . I would highly suggest and request to follow some basic menu in preparing a dish ."

"I waited almost 35 minutes for a serving of fried rice. Pretty angry at how long it took. Got home to find out the rice only had a handful of prawns and only slightly more ham. Absolutely disgraceful. It tasted terrible, even my 4 year old wouldn't eat it. Avoid at all costs."

"What a disappointment, recommend by my daughter so we booked a table. The young ladies serving were at best uninterested in being there. We were the only 2 people in the place and we had to walk to the counter to place our order. Then when our entree came it looked like the prawn cutlets were from the local supermarket (at best) and the ham and chicken rolls were burn shells of batter. We didn’t risk eating anything, I asked the waitress if she expected us to eat the “food” but she didn’t understand my issue. So my advise is don’t go there, don’t buy food there and perhaps this nightmare at The Ponds will end."

"Worst food ever, you can simply boil the veg chicken and eat. Very bad food have tried thrice everything is very bad, you can have if you want bland boiled veg and meat. No flavour. Would never go again. Gave it 3 chances"