Delicious food and great atmosphere and service! I've frequent this restaurant for many years and it's been consistent, fun and tasty each and every time. And, there are many dining halls/areas so it feels familiar, but, different at the same time. I've never had a bad dish here and am thankful they've been going strong! read more

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Surprised the owner takes pride in claiming the dishes as his creations as the food is further below subpar than subzero temperatures. The aesthetic of restaurant couldn't be more contradictory to the food they serve. On the inside it's polished and service is great but to call this Chinese food... interesting. Won't be back read more

Spacious and lively ambiance. We reserved a big table for a party of 14 and we had a great experience here. I'm usually pretty skeptical with Chinese restaurants that look higher-end and a bit fusion-y but China live doesn't disappoint! My favorite dishes here were the Shanghai fat chow mein, Yangzhou fried rice, crispy skin pork belly cubes, charred Chinese broccoli and fried scallion bread. House wine was mid. Mapo tofu felt watered down to maybe suit the more general palates and small dishes like xlb and cucumber performed ok. The kungpao chicken was also mid. Some dishes were done much better than the others and I will be back !! read more

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Lunch with family, very enjoyable Had a few appetizers: Lettuce wraps were really good. The Veg dumplings were big and tasty. The cold cucumbers were also great low fat tasty option For mains we ordered, Green beans which were excellent and a Tofu dish. Very good service and good ambiance read more

China Live - Lettuce cup veg - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

What happened China Live? Having been here numerous times since their opening, I'd come to rely on CL for consistently providing next level fare to quench my hankering for Chinese food. And they did so in a way that I've often described as exceptional to others. But my dinner delivery order the other night was anything but exceptional... 1. SJB. The usual star of the show, these were not juicy (?!), with way too much meat (pork) filling. Typically this dish is ordered for the soup filling, so when that is missing, it's a big fail. 2. Firecracker chicken. This is a signature dish here, & I've never been so disappointed with it. First off, the chicken didn't taste as fresh and delectable as per usual, tasted like a downgrade. And being dry and lacking the flavor zing that it's known for only added insult to injury. 3. Vegetarian fried rice. This was about the only item that didn't entirely disappoint, but it was not noteworthy. 4. Garlic noodles. Ditto as the rice. 5. Basket of fried scallion bread. Even these were lackluster. Noted, perhaps not the best item for delivery, better fresh at the table. But it's fried bread. And we're less than 5 minutes away. The entire meal was not anywhere close to the usual level of excellence. If "hole-in-the-wall" Chinese food (which I'm not knocking) is what I wanted, I clearly would have ordered delivery from somewhere else. Since CL is as far from "hole-in-the-wall" Chinese food as you can get. Delivery is always packed well, that hasn't changed. But what was once a 4 star (or higher) meal was a 2.5 star one. The ambience of this restaurant is still stunning & extraordinary. Ambiance is easily 5 stars. 3 stars read more

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I saw the recent reviews claiming there was a change in quality but decided to give it a chance anyway. We only got a small amount of items but nothing unfortunately stood out. The shrimp and scallop dumplings were juicy and I enjoyed them. The Dan Dan noodles weren't what I expected, they were topped with carrots and beans and the noodles were thin and not very spicy. Overall, just an ok experience. read more

We love eating here, especially for group dinners. The service has been fantastic and the dishes please a variety of different tastes. read more

China Live - Green beans - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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5/5 China Live is a must-visit if you're in San Francisco. The food was outstanding from start to finish, with every dish tasting fresh and full of flavor. The menu has a great variety, so there's something for everyone, whether you're looking for classic favorites or something a little different. The atmosphere is lively and fun, and the open kitchen adds to the experience. Service was friendly and efficient, even with how busy the restaurant was. Overall, this was one of my favorite meals in San Francisco, and I'd definitely come back. read more

China Live - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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China Live is not a restaurant. It is a full-contact sensory experience disguised as a dining room in San Francisco's Chinatown-adjacent maze of culinary chaos--and somehow, against all laws of kitchen physics, it works. From the moment we sat down, it felt like we'd entered a high-design food theater where Cantonese tradition, modern swagger, and just a hint of beautiful overconfidence collide. We came hungry. We left slightly emotional. Let's talk about the opening act: crab spring rolls--crispy, golden, audibly crunchy little cylinders of joy. The kind of bite that makes you pause mid-chew just to respect the engineering. Then the salt and pepper crab arrived, and honestly, the table went quiet. This is the kind of dish that doesn't ask for attention--it commands it. Crackling spice, sweet crab meat, and that addictive "just one more bite" seasoning that turns into "why is this plate suddenly empty?" The Hong Kong-style noodles were pure comfort--wok-charred, glossy, perfectly tangled in that savory sauce that tastes like late-night decisions and better mornings. The siu mai? Classic, unapologetic dim sum energy. No gimmicks. Just pure dumpling discipline. You don't overthink it--you just keep eating until someone else at the table notices they've stopped getting their share. And then... dessert. This is where China Live stops behaving like a restaurant and starts acting like it's trying to win an award for "most audacious ending to a meal in North America." The sesame ice cream was already a win--nutty, creamy, quietly perfect. But the real plot twist was the Peking duck fat caramel corn. Yes. Duck fat. Caramel. Popcorn. It sounds like something invented during a late-night chef bet that got out of hand--and thank god it did. It's sweet, savory, rich, slightly dangerous, and completely impossible to stop eating. By the end, we weren't just full--we were converted. China Live doesn't just serve dishes; it stacks them like a greatest hits album of Chinese flavors, turns the volume up, and dares you to keep up. Would absolutely go back. Would absolutely over-order again. Would absolutely need a long walk afterward to recover from the sheer ambition of it all. read more

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My partner and I visited China Live during San Francisco Restaurant Week, and it was one of the best dining experiences we've had in a while. We were able to secure a reservation and were seated immediately upon arrival. I definitely recommend making a reservation because the restaurant was absolutely packed--and for good reason. To start, we ordered the Char Siu BBQ Pork and the Dongbei dish, both of which were delicious and packed with flavor. For our main courses, we shared the Wok-Seared Filet Mignon Steak and the Singapore Nonya-Style Spicy Chicken. Both dishes were outstanding, and the portions were surprisingly generous. We definitely felt like we got our money's worth. An added bonus was that the entrees came with green beans and rice, which rounded out the meal nicely. By the time we finished our mains, we were completely full, but since it was Restaurant Week, dessert was included. We ended the meal with the Matcha Lava Cake and matcha ice cream, which was the perfect sweet finish to an already fantastic dinner. The restaurant itself was clean and inviting. We were seated right in front of the kitchen, and it was actually really entertaining to watch the back-of-house team in action while waiting for our food. The service was excellent as well and our host was amazing, attentive, and made us feel well taken care of throughout the evening. I highly recommend China Live and would absolutely return, even when it's not Restaurant Week. read more

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Nice big venue and accept reservation for big 20+ group. Serving Chinese traditional food with some flares. Since this a group lunch so my phone camera is sleeping We ordered Peking duck, but the duck is roasted, and everything prep so you don't need to assemble. Would prefer the bao instead of the wrap. Order all four bento boxes so we can taste them all. Short ribs is the winner followed by the Mapo tofu. Others tried the curry and shrimp green papaya salad. They are ok. Also tried the most famous dumpling, and kungpao firecrackers chicken. Not over the top. Again, food is too salty for my taste but goes well with white rice. Service is good and adequate. Not bad for a big group lunch. read more

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This restaurant was crowded! Recommend by our friends. I found the food to be less than average. The dumplings and Peking duck were wrapped in a hard covering, I did not like this. It was not a traditional wonton/ dumping wrapping. The firecracker chicken was not hot and the chicken was just slivers of chicken probably cut through a machine, very odd. We shared everything, not my favorite. I would not go again. read more

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Total 3.5 Stars Service was good, but it should be with a mandatory 20% tip and 5% service fee. Food was several hits, and more misses. +Crispy Pork belly cubes were delicious and ample for two people +Kurobuta Bbq pork was the star of the night-- good texture, not greasy, and interesting pairing w/ the hot mustard. -Charred broccoli had a unique flavor but it's mainly burnt charcoal -Dan Dan noodle was too sweet for my taste, maybe it's the regional difference I just don't understand -Kelly's Carrot cake is a no. Very generic and dense. The owner's wife (Kelly) is not a pastry chef and it shows. It came out ice cold, but I don't think it would have improved it much. While I think the two good dishes we're worth it, $162 for two ppl didn't seem worth it. I would be on the fence going back here again. Ambiance seemed modern and clean. read more

China Live was one of the highlights of our trip! The restaurant has a lively, bustling atmosphere that makes the whole dining experience feel exciting. Even though it was very busy, the servers were attentive, friendly, and genuinely kind. When our food was delayed a bit, our server surprised us with an extra tasting, which was such a thoughtful gesture and really showed their commitment to great service. The food was absolutely amazing--every dish was packed with flavor, and the portions were generous for the price. We shared everything, which was the perfect way to experience a variety of dishes. Be sure to leave time to browse the fun marketplace built into the restaurant, featuring cookbooks, specialty food products, and beautiful dishes. It's a unique touch that adds to the experience. The restaurant is large with plenty of seating, but it's incredibly popular, so I definitely recommend making reservations. A fantastic meal from start to finish--we can't wait to come back! read more

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I came here in a group of about 17 people, and let me just say I was impressed by the restaurant's ability to accommodate us. Although I do wish they had a large round table with a lazy susan, which would've made it easier to share dishes, it was still a good setup overall. Once we were seated, I quickly took charge of deciding what and how much to order with some input from my friends of course. Everyone loved the food, which made me happy. In my opinion, having tried a lot of Chinese food, it was not the best by any means but a solid choice for a large group because there was a good variety of options, and nothing tasted bad. Next time though I would shy away from some of the protein dishes like filet mignon cubes and kung pao chicken if sharing family style with a large group. Those dishes were small with only about a bite per person, and I barely saw them go by, I had to verify with others at my table that we for sure received everything we ordered. At the end of the meal, we received the cheque, and I noticed we were charged for 3 orders of xlb and 2 extra orders of char siu pork bao that we did not receive because they ran out. My friend and I went to find our waiter to inquire if she could remove those items and provide a corrected receipt. We needn't have worried. She apologized and gave us the correct receipt on the spot and we were able to check out promptly, which saved the night. read more

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China Live is a restaurant and marketplace offering Chinese cuisine in a refined setting at the edge of San Francisco's Chinatown. To start, we had the Chrysanthemum Ten Ingredient Salad, a refreshing mixture of chopped lettuce, carrots, bean sprouts, radicchio, spinach, green beans, cilantro, and chrysanthemum flowers, all tossed in a plum vinaigrette. The Betelnut Minced Chicken Lettuce Cups came with a salty, saucy mixture of minced chicken and chopped crunchy vegetables, along with lettuce leaves for making wraps. The Dongbei Vegetarian Pot Stickers were fried dumplings made with a thick dough wrapping a hearty mixture of chopped vegetables and bean curd; and the Shanghai XLB with Kurobuta Pork were delicate steamed soup dumplings served with ginger vinegar. Moving on to the mains, my favorite dish was the House Famous Kung Pao Firecracker Chicken, made of lightly breaded dark meat chicken chunks stir-fried with chopped peppers, scallions, and dried red chilies in a mildly spicy sauce. The Chengdu Pock Mark Ma's Mapo Tofu was a stew of soft tofu cubes in a spicy sauce flavored with pickled vegetables and fermented black beans, topped with ground Sichuan peppercorn for a light numbing spice. The Yangzhou Fried Rice was made with scrambled egg, scallions, BBQ pork, and sweet baby shrimp; and the Sichuan Blistered Green Beans were flavored with a mixture of Yunnan olive, pickled radish, salted plum, and mushroom & toon paste. Finally, an unexpected highlight was their creative desserts--the Matcha Lava Cake was a dark chocolate cake with a molten matcha filling; and Cindy's Pineapple Walnut Spice Carrot Cake was a sweet carrot cake mixed with pineapple and walnut, topped with a cream cheese frosting. Overall, the dishes here were tasty though not outstanding, and though the service and atmosphere were both nice, the menu prices were high for the food. read more

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"Chinese food tries to engage the mind, not just the palate." - Nicole Mones First review of 2026! I was in town for a business presentation and they took us out for a fun night of eating and dumpling making :-) This restaurant is lovely and lively inside with multiple rooms in multiple levels. Our group was upstairs and we were eating family style. I sucked at the making dumpling part...big fat hands and everything ;-) I posted a video and how it's supposed to be. The food was solid...dumplings, steak, Peking duck, salad, fried rice, a few desserts and other apps. They didn't have the Ken Wright Pinot listed on the menu but the Oregon Pinot they did have was solid. Service was fast and efficient. Recommended when in S.F. Chinatown read more

China Live - The upstairs bar area - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Smart service. Food, dim sum menu somewhat constrained but food portions were good and dishes were very tasty. The Chinese greens were billed as "burnt" which they were, making their taste unpleasant. The atmosphere was polished, with lots of stuff for sale. Seating at large tables encouraged diners to join other groups. The restaurant atmosphere itself was very disappointing as it seemed to have a Millennial condo style rather than any sense of the Orient. read more

Fun lunch while running errands in Chinatown. Huge space with spacious tables and a variety of seating options. Definitely a fun option for a social get-together. Food was fun; some interesting fusion twists. Came early for nearly first seating and service was really slow, though. The only bummer, but kind of a low note to have to flag down help more than once for the same request, a couple different times. read more

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Came here at 9pm on a Saturday. I would definitely recommend a reservation as the restaurant was busy until 9:30 last seating. It's a great restaurant for large groups but be warned it's incredibly loud. The appetizers were way better than the mains. The pork wontons in spicy sauce and the pan fried pork buns were incredible. I also enjoyed the kumquat duck pockets! We paired these with their ginger vinegar as well. The mains were very mediocre. Almost every main was way too salty. We tried the galbi (almost inedible), the Hong Kong noodles and the map tofu. The later 2 were alright but I'd rather come for a drink and apps. The service was alright. It was quite obvious that they were rushing and I felt a little bit like a burden on our server every time we asked for something. Overall would come back just for the incredible apps! read more

Our family had an absolutely wonderful experience at China Live! From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was energetic, welcoming, and full of life. The restaurant itself is massive and beautifully designed--it almost feels like you're walking through a museum, with incredible artifacts and decor everywhere you look. The music was fun and had something for everyone, which added to the vibrant ambiance. The service was outstanding. Every server and employee we interacted with was genuinely kind, attentive, and welcoming. Our dishes came out incredibly fast, one after another, and everything was served fresh and piping hot. Most importantly, the food was fantastic. Every single dish was packed with flavor--not one plate disappointed. You can tell a lot of care goes into the preparation because every bite was delicious and perfectly seasoned. My only disappointment was the Miso-Glazed Pan-Roasted Smoked Chilean Sea Bass with Sweet & Sour Cucumbers. The fish was absolutely delicious, but the portion size was only enough for one person, especially considering it's one of the more expensive items on the menu. Offering a larger portion or a family-style serving option would make this exceptional dish even better. Overall, my family and I had a beautiful evening, and we truly enjoyed every part of our visit. We can't wait to come back for another dinner night at China Live! read more

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Good spot for a special occasion - we ended up here on Valentine's Day, so it was really crowded and had several events happening in the various parts of this space. This review is for the main dining hall - but apparently they have many more areas to check out. They stay true to their name by having live kitchens spread across the dining hall, intermingled with Asian inspired souvenirs and books that you can buy from within the dining hall. The service was impeccable - and the staff is super friendly. They do add a 20% tip plus a 5% mandatory staff health fee to every bill. So the 25% overage does guarantee good service, and they delivered, but I found it a bit excessive. So points cut for that. Food is fusion - with an interesting twist to Chinese and American Chinese staples. We enjoyed every thing we ordered - though a little more on the sugary/salty side of Chinese cuisine. We are in China town - so it's possible to get more authentic fare just down the street, but they won't come with the ambience. Worth a repeat visit, to try out the different parts of the restaurant and their interesting cocktail and drinks menu. read more

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Really great atmosphere and customer service. We showed up with a family of 9 just 30 minutes before closing, around 8:30 PM, and they still welcomed us without making us feel rushed, which I really appreciated. The restaurant was still very busy at that hour, and I can see why. The space is beautiful, spacious, and has a really nice vibe. I also loved that they have a small market inside where you can shop for ingredients and other items. Their dim sum selection is extensive, and there are lots of great sharing dishes, making this a perfect spot for family dinners. The only reason I'm not giving a higher rating is because I was a little disappointed with the Peking duck. The duck itself was juicy and delicious, but it was served with sesame pockets instead of the traditional crepes or soft buns. The sesame pockets were quite dry and doughy, and I felt they took away from the overall dish. I would have much preferred the crepes or baos. Other than that, it was a great experience overall. Great service, beautiful atmosphere, and plenty of delicious options for groups and families. read more

Been anxiously waiting to try their impossible dumplings. Best impossible plant based meat creation by far! Savory well made perfect little dumplings in their special chili sauce. It's called the Sichuan "Working Hands"I literally crave it now! It was juicy on the inside and delicate on the outside. I can eat 100 of these things. There's nothing more satisfying than having plant based foods that has a kick ass flavor. Tried other dishes like the basket of fried scallion bread. Absolutely delicious! Ordered two of those baskets. The yu choi with roasted garlic and chinese broccoli were both so good with its authentic flavors. This noodle dish with curry lao made an imprint. One of the things that really impressed us besides the food was the customer service. Everyone was attentive, friendly, and just on point. The food is never enough to go back if the service isn't quali I'm definitely returning to share another meal with family around the holidays. Looking forward to seeing their facial expressions when they try the "Working Hands." China Live has been one of my favorite dining experiences in 2019. read more

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The food and service were top notch. The atmosphere was noisy, crowded, and modern. 3.5 stars We dined on the first floor in a room with a large party of 15 right behind us. I noticed that most of the other dining areas also had a similar setup with small tables surrounding large tables. They have even set up tables in their marketplace area, so you can eat nestled in between shelves of teapots, cook books, and other merchandise. Aside from the dining space, the food was very good. Try the crispy pork cubes. The Hong Kong noodles and the Green Beans were delicious. Our server was attentive, precise, and friendly. read more

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My two favorite dishes were the Dungeness crab hand rolls and the chow mein. The hand rolls were so good with both the mayonnaise and sweet sauce paired together. The chow mein isn't your typical thin-noodle dish but it's made with thick, chewy udon instead. The fried rice wasn't bad, but it leans more on the bland side. We came for a late lunch, and it wasn't that crowded. With it being not too crowded, service was fast and food came out quickly. I love how it offers an immersive dining experience where you can be seated by the open kitchen and watch the culinary magic happen. Seeing how SF is pretty tight in space, this restaurant is pretty spacious. read more

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We came to China Live right when they opened and were seated immediately, which was great. A spacious restaurant with many tables great for small and big parties alike. That said, service felt surprisingly slow considering there were only a handful of tables being served at the time. Once we placed our order, the food did come out quickly. Unfortunately, the experience was hit-or-miss. The highlights were definitely the Dungeness crab rolls and the shiu mai. The crab rolls were very crunchy with a clearly noticeable crab flavor, not oily at all, and paired with a great dipping sauce. The shiu mai was also really solid with a flavorful good ratio of filling. Everything else we ordered, however, fell flat and didn't meet expectations, especially given the reputation and pricing. The "most loved" minced pork plate was bland and it was very underwhelming for its name. The chicken dumplings were also bland and the chili oil didn't add to the meal. The XLB had little to no soup and the meat inside was also not great, lacking texture and flavor. While there were a couple of standout dishes, the rest of the meal didn't justify a return. Overall, some bright spots, but consistency and service need work. read more

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Came here to try out a new Chinese restaurant! And it did not disappoint! The ambiance was very nice- I loved all the decor on the walls and even the chairs, tables, and general layout were very aesthetically pleasing! Not totally traditionally Chinese, but definitely a beautiful restaurant to be in. The service was also very good! They were attentive and checked up on us periodically, offering to provide recommendations and to box up our food. The food, in my opinion, was amazing! It's again definitely not the most traditional but still delicious nonetheless. I loved the eggplant, the Yangzhou fried rice, the ribs, the wontons, and the mapo tofu. There was not a single dish that didn't taste at least a little nostalgic while also having a uniqueness to it! Everything was cooked very well! Overall, I would definitely come back again to try some new dishes and maybe even a drink! read more

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Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by my experience dining at this establishment. My partner and I came here for our anniversary dinner and expected a delicious meal and service at this pricepoint but unfortunately both the food and service let us down. Yes, the ambience, decor, and overall interior of this restaurant is modern and aesthetically pleasing but that might be the only thing going for it in my opinion. The service was almost nonexistent. The server who delivered our food was nice. She was quick to deliver our dishes and remove our finished plates, but our host disappeared after taking our order and only reappeared to deliver our check. He never came by to check on us or refill our water carafe. We thought he had clocked out of his shift since we didn't see him out on the floor like the other hosts that were serving the other tables around us. For the food, it wasn't bad, but we had expected better. Dungeness Crab & Shrimp Spring Handrolls, Dual Dipping Sauce: it was a nice, thin eggroll but you wouldn't be able to tell that there was crab inside as the texture resembled fish paste. "Peking Duck" with Kumquat Glaze, Traditional Condiments in 5 Sesame Pockets: duck was juicy and flavorful but the cucumbers made each bite soggy and the sesame pocket was like a thin, malleable cracker. Crispy-Skin Roasted Pork Belly Cubes, 'Siu Yuk": the skin was perfectly crisp and just the right amount of saltiness but the bottom 1/3 layer of meat was very dry and tough. Tamarind Laced Sweet & Sour Basil Glazed Baby Back Ribs: the basil really stands out in the sauce and the flavor was good but the outer layer of the meat was extremely overcooked and very tough to eat. read more

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Super great Chinese food! We ordered the wok fried egg noodles, chicken dumplings with chili broth, kung pao chicken, braised beef noodle soup, and the short ribs. Everything was great, and the spicy items still had great taste. Pretty loud ambiance inside, but very well decorated. One beware, there is an automatic 20% service fee + a 5% surcharge for employee health and welfare costs. For service that was "just fine" (it was busy on our night but did have to flag down our waiter multiple times) it feels pretty steep. Was visiting from another large metropolitan city and have rarely if ever seen automatic service fees this high for a small party in my major city. Still great food and worth a try, just beware and need to account for the fact that an extra 25% (a quarter of your total cost) is going to be added onto whatever you order. They still leave you room for additional tip on the final bill. read more

China Live - Menu, service charge - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

What an amazing restaurant! We were directed there from a local this evening. It is a Saturday night and we walked in without reservations. They were booked, but seated us immediately at the bar with our approval. Perfect! Loved sitting at the bar! Inna, our bartender server, was very friendly, helped us with the menu and provided us great service throughout. They give you large menus that I will upload here, and a pencil, and merely check off what you want. It is family style, so for 2 people, make sure you don't order too much! The Hong Kong Wok-Fried noodles with chicken was perfect! The Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Spring Handrolls were light, airy and crispy. The mild mayo style sauce and tangy sweet sauces were a beautiful compliment to the crunchiness. Large glass of Merlot for $15 and a Sierra Nevada Hazy for $8 a good price for a SF upscale dining experience. We will be back. They do add a mandatory service charge of a 20% tip and a 5% surcharge for employee health and welfare (whatever that is). Everything is reasonably priced. We had great service, so we threw another 5% on top. read more

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For an organization's event, I had the opportunity to try China Live with many of my friends, and I was not disappointed. The restaurant itself has different floors, some for the general public and some for private events I believe. Among the many dishes that I tried, these were my personal favorite: Braised Pork Belly Lotus Bun: This was my absolute favorite! I loved the seasoning of the pork belly along with the soft and warm lotus bun. Peking Duck with Kumquat Glaze, Traditional Condiments in Sesame Pockets: I loved the crispy outer bun, and there was delicious sauce that was inside that complemented the duck meat quite well. Miso-Glazed Pan-Roasted Smoked Chilean Sea Bass: The fish was well seasoned and tasted fresh! Hong Kong Wok-Fried Egg Noodles with Mushroom, Bok Choy & Chicken: I loved the crispiness of the noodles. Matcha Lava Cake: While the matcha taste was not as strong as I had hoped, the dessert was warm and not too sweet to tie up the whole meal. read more

China Live - Matcha Lava Cake - Chinese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Food: super disappointed, no taste, def. Not directed to true Chinese. What is this xiao long bao? Please go to shanghai to learn how to make true shao xiao bao, or go try out true places who can make some. Lettuce wraps. One of my favorite items elsewhere... this place tarnished my love for lettuce wraps. I can make it better... Braised pork bun. Now what is that? Like Uncle Roger would say. Haiiiii yyahhhhhh. Service: also disappointed, staff cannot keep up with requests Ambiance: cute, but too overcrowded, and crowd was a bite wild. I would not want to return to try food. Thank you owner for your feedback. I'm humbly and sincerely disappointed. Yes. I ate. But I had to go to in and out to curb my hunger afterwards read more

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Visited for dinner before a show and was able to get a nice table for 3. Inside is nicely decorated and even though it was bustling and there was decent space between tables which was nice. The server was incredibly helpful helping us decide what to drink and eat. Everything they recommended was amazing. The duck and spicy dumplings were my favorite closely followed by the cucumber salad which was very fresh. The cocktails and sake were also very good. Will absolutely visit again. read more

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Very fun, trendy restaurant with excellent and friendly service and very good dishes with the exception of the Korean-style short ribs which were way too tough. Definitely worth checking out! read more

ChinaLIVE - San Francisco Super hip, this spot delivers not just on atmosphere (very much NYC Soho vibes) but on food as well. Sheng Jian Bao (SJB) - pan-fried pork buns: Delicious. The thick exterior gives way to a juicy, piping-hot pork filling. The balance here is spot on - crispy, rich, and satisfying. I limited myself to one just to save room, but easily could've had more. Singapore Chicken Wings: Great even without the chili topping. I usually prefer plain wings with a lineup of dipping sauces, but these would actually benefit from being tossed in the sauce beforehand. That said, the wings themselves are flavorful enough to stand on their own. Bonus points for a strong flats-to-drums ratio (big flats fan here). The chili topping isn't spicy but adds some nice flavor. Niangao New Year Cake with Lap Cheong & House XO Sauce: a bit of a love-hate moment. When I think "niangao," I don't immediately go to Korean tteokguk - and being from Chinese bloodline parents, both born and raised in South Korea, I'm used to Chinese/Korean foods. But when I'm in a place with "China" in the name, my brain doesn't drift to tteokguk when I see Niangao on the menu. Nostalgia and naming conventions aside, I really enjoyed this dish. The flavor was excellent, and the chewiness of the rice cakes was just right. I almost finished the entire plate myself. Thank goodness for the insane hills to walk after this meal! Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup: The most underwhelming dish of the night, though still decent. It lacked that deeper, signature flavor to push it into standout territory. Could've used more pickled greens and overall intensity, and the beef wasn't quite as tender as expected. Overall, I'd definitely come back and would recommend it to anyone in San Francisco. Reservations are a good idea, and going earlier can help you get in and out more smoothly. Also worth noting: a great hot tea selection and a full bar are available for those interested. read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner with a pretty large group, and it was such a fun dining experience. This spot definitely leans on the boujee side, with a more modern and upscale take on Chinese food that's a bit Americanized. But honestly, the food was really good. Atmosphere The space is beautiful and lively, with that trendy open-kitchen setup. It's perfect for a group dinner or a special occasion. We had a big party, but the staff handled everything smoothly and the service was great. It's not your typical mom-and-pop dim sum spot, but it still feels warm and welcoming. Experience I can't remember every single dish we ordered, but everything that came out was solid. The portions are smaller but work perfectly for sharing if you order a variety like we did. Every dish was flavorful, well-seasoned, and clearly made with care. Final Thoughts For context, I'm Chinese and grew up eating at a lot of traditional Chinese restaurants, and this place did not disappoint. It's more modern and fusion-style, but it's done really well. Great choice for groups, celebrations, or if you're in the mood for Chinese food with a bit of a twist. read more

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I haven't been out and about in SF for awhile. We took our Waymo over here and went to the bar for some drinks. The bartenders were so awesome and friendly. There is definitely a large selection of whiskeys to try. After a few rounds of drinks- we checked in the front for a dinner. We were seated after a 20min wait. Our server/waiter Mike was awesome. We ordered many dishes that were delicious. I would have to say the XLB soup dumplings were really good. We also got crab which we all enjoyed. The Singapore noodles was a bit bland but the vibe here was awesome. I would come here again!!! read more

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China Live is good going with friends, as we did, so you can try different plates. I don't also remember the name of the dishes we shared and nothing was particularly excellent. They made so many dishes that something is good something is not. I remember the stir fried noodles with chicken and the eggplants that were very good. The papaya salad was terrible! I didn't try the buns because of the pork and they were ok. Service was good! The restaurant itself is nice and big but maybe a little bit overcrowded even though it was Wednesday night. read more

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Great venue for large group dinners! We had a group of 16 for a birthday, and the service handled it well - they seem well equipped for all the groups and drinks/food flowing around the tables. The restaurant is big, lively, and upbeat. Our host ordered for the table and did a great job - my favorite dishes were the impossible Sichuan working hands dumplings, the Kung Pao Firecracker Tofu, and the Sichuan green beans. All the noodles were yummy but less memorable (good vehicles for the other dishes). There's a lot of dim sum all stars in the city, but China Live is a great, modern, lively (lol) option good for big celebrations! read more