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    Hot Wok Bistro

    4.2 (771 reviews)
    ModerateChinese
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

    Order Hot Wok Bistro Takeout or Delivery

    Hot Wok Bistro Photos

    Business Info

    HOT WOK BISTRO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Hot Wok Bistro

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    Nitasha P.

    I ordered a chicken soy broccoli dish through DoorDash, but when it arrived, the meat didn't look or taste like chicken. The texture was also off and didn't resemble chicken at all as it was noticeably different. It was even brighter in color than typical chicken, which made it more concerning. I tried a piece just to be sure, but something didn't seem right, and honestly it made me hesitant to eat any more.

    Orange Main Dish
    Harish J.

    This was my second time at Hot Wok. I got the Orange main dish this time. The menu says it's supposed to be spicy but I don't think it has that much heat. Good flavors and reasonably priced. The price does get busy but service is efficient. Lots of street parking around.

    Broccoli Beef
    Jill R.

    Why does my family crave Chinese Food on Monday night when many are closed? We found Hot Wok to be open with delivery! Food arrived fast and HOT! Probably the dear delivery I've experienced in a long while for condition of food on arrival to table was 10/10. The prawn sauce was not as sweet as I've had before and maybe this is a good thing since I don't need more sugar. The coating did peel away from the shrimp which was new but maybe since we didn't eat right out of the fryer was the cause. The pork dish was rich and delicious with tons of flavor. The broccoli beef was the only dish slightly lacking in flavor. I missed the garlicky sauce but the broccoli was done to perfection. Thank you Hot Wok Bistro for such a nice dinner and we will absolutely be back to try your other offerings.

    Hot & Sour Soup
    Michael S.

    My boss from work turned me on to this place - he comes by here pretty much every time he stays near SFO. Total hole-in-the-wall restaurant but the food is shockingly good. They do a strong takeout business but we usually eat in at one of the dozen or so tables inside. I love their hot and sour soup, and even just the simple Sezchuan-style Tofu and Vegetables on my last visit was killer. Parking can be tricky but the residential streets just west of the restaurant usually have some availability if there isn't a space right around the restaurant. Wonderful food.

    Chow mein in the wok!
    Angela F.

    Hot wok bistro Dan Mateo is the best!! Cute, intimate location with incredible owners and staff serving fresh dishes, quickly so whether you are dining in or taking to go, it is hot! It was sad that San Carlos closed but Mama Joyce deserved to retire after feeding us for so many years. San Mateo Hot Wok Bistro is alive and well. Come on in!!

    Christine D.

    The food was served hot and delicious. Server was great and friendly. We got seated right away in the front area of the restaurant. The place is nice, clean and bright.

    The front of the restaurant.
    Matt C.

    The food is very good here. It was exactly how I remembered it... from the last time. The staff here is super friendly and helpful!!! My mom and my best friend went with me. We had such a great time and the staff had us cracking up! The food was so tasty! We were all very happy. Definitely somewhere I will go again.

    Mongolian Beef Lunch
    Elber V.

    Ok so I was hungry and wanted some Chinese but didn't want to drive in traffic so I was able to find this place tucked away nearby and decided to try it out. I walked and the lovely front of house staff were friendly and quick! My food came out in less than 5 minutes and felt really quick which was very convenient. I got home and the food was very delicious, still hot and fresh. This was a very wonderful experience and will be back very welcoming ambiance!

    Cashew Chicken Lunch
    Michael I.

    I received a warm welcome from the owner of the restaurant. I had an awesome conversation talking about music with him. The other staff were really nice and friendly. They would always welcome new guests coming in through the door immediately. My meal came out very quick after placing my order. I got their Cashew Chicken plate during their lunch special and hands down it was delicious. The environment is very peaceful during the afternoon. I would recommend this place to anyone who craves tasty Chinese cuisines. 10/10

    Wonton Soup
    Erich L.

    Excellent Chinese food just a few minutes away from the downtown. They have a small menu but they have the California Chinese food classics. You can see them making the pot stickers by hand. Very nice people in a casual restaurant. They have a few seats inside it's probably better for takeout .

    Beef Chow Mein
    Crissy L.

    Great and quick service. The food is good, you must start with the pot stickers! My favorite by far. We love their beef chow mein it's very flavorful. I posted a picture of the salt & pepper chicken, but it was too salty and it wasn't our typical S&P chicken that I'm used to from other restaurants. The honey walnut prawns is good too. The place is loud as there is constant pick up orders. Good business!

    Orange scallop

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    17 days ago

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    21 days ago

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    3 months ago

    I usually really enjoy their food, but we went there a week ago and the food was not great. Do they have a new cook/chef?

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    3 months ago

    $39 takeout for Sweet and Sour Pork and Honey Walnut Shrimp. Save your $$$ and try some place else.

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    1 year ago

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    3 months ago

    Supper dupper good! Great service and great ambiance. Definitely coming back for more!

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    7 months ago

    We love Hot Wok! Delicious food and great service! The chow main is a family favorite and it's perfect for take out. Highly recommend!

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    10 months ago

    The Food, service, and the environment was great! I had the Chicken Chowmain which was amazing! Definitely coming back again!

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    Page 1 of 20

    Hot Wok Bistro Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Hot Wok Bistro

    Is this restaurant good for large groups of 70+ people?

    No. Even if you rent/reserve the back room, it won’t hold 30 people.

    I use to come to your restaurant to buy large containers of the dressing u guys use on your Chinese chicken salad. I now live in Arizona and would like to be able to purchase the dressing again. Is it possible you could tell me where you guys buy it?

    I would call to see if it's a in house made dressing and if they would be willing to ship it it's so delicious

    View All 4 Questions

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    Dynasty BBQ

    4.5(361 reviews)
    3.2 mi
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    Most authentic chinese skewer restaurant in the bay area! I called ahead for a reservation and they…read moreanswered in CHINESE by default, thats how authentic this restaurant is. They have skewers of intestine, tripes, skins, and of course your typical pork/chicken/lamb/beef. No matter what you like, you'll definitely find something that suits your taste! They also have amazing non-skewer dishes like duck blood glass noodle, eggplant, etc. All the dishes are a hit. Would avoid the quail as it was a bit dry, the beef skin was also a miss. Favorite is the pork and lamb skewers!! Love the chinese-style seasoning. Expect to spend 30+/person to be full, each skewer is around 2-3 dollars. Ambiance is a fancy chinese restaurant vibe.

    Came here with a group of five for an early dinner on a Saturday afternoon (4PM). There was plenty…read moreof space inside since it was a winky meal time, and there was no wait. It was quiet when we first arrived, but it gradually filled with more people and chatter. Parking was easy; I was lucky to find street parking right in front of the restaurant. The interior is cute and themed like China in olden times. I liked how the food was served on long platters with little candles underneath to keep everything warm, which made sharing easy. Two of my friends were trying Chinese skewers for the first time. We ordered everything through a QR code, and the system was straightforward. The menu being visual online helped made ordering easier. The food came out in good timing. The staff was helpful whenever we had questions about what certain items were. Water refills were easy to flag down. The cucumber salad was a huge portion and so refreshing. We wish the cold potato salad was a bit softer (it was crunchy). We didn't find anything too spicy. For the skewers, everything was juicy and well-seasoned. The flavoring was great. My personal favorites were the beef and lamb sticks which were tender. We also tried items like gristle, gizzard, and gluten (yum!) We ended up spending a little over $30 per person after tax and tip. Overall, this was a fun group meal and I'm glad it was a good introduction for my friends who hadn't tried this style of skewers before. I'd recommend it!

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    Ox 9 Lanzhou Handpulled Noodles - Features on SF Chronicles- The one of a kind authentic hand-pulled noodles in the Bay.

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    4.3(702 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$
    Established in 2012
    Family-owned & operated

    Needed a lunch spot that wasn't a three hour wait (lol Whisper) - and this place seemed to call to…read moreus. Upon entering, I noticed that it is a sister restaurant to the Lazhou Noodles but before we could change our minds, the hostess sat us (lol). I went with the main beef noodle soup, and we also tried the dry noodles with spicy beef. I was expecting the food to be very similar to their sister restaurant - BUT the food here was so much better I was SO surprised. The broth tasted better, the noodles were higher quality, and the beef was also much more tender and had less gristle. it made me wonder if it was a fluke or if this location was just that much better as this restaurant was also much more crowded versus the other locations. I can't wait to come back and bring friends, and though San Mateo is parking is not as friendly, the food experience definitely makes up for it!

    One of our favorite go-to noodle houses whenever we are in the San Mateo area. It's not a huge…read moreplace but overall very clean. Noodles are hand pulled and made directly in front of you through a glass window where you can view your noodles being made. You can select from a variety of noodle textures and sizes. The noodle dishes are separated between soup and dry noodle versions. For the soups, recommend the Lanzhou hand pulled noodles soup or sichuan braised beef stew noodle soup. For the dry noodle, our favorite is the chilli oil noodles with wide noodles. For appetizers, the spicy wonton is really good. Their spicy sauce has just the right amount of kick and is mildly sweet. While they also serve dumplings, I kind of feel there are dumplings are just average --- stick with the noodles!

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    Ping’s Bistro - 椒麻脆贡菜Lettuce Stem Salad with Sichuan Peppers

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    4.1(110 reviews)
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    We made a reservation for a party of 9 and they gave us a private room which was nice since we were…read morecelebrating a birthday. You order on an iPad and the server will come in after to confirm the choices you ordered. If you like spicy mala food, this is the place to try! Everything we ordered was mild spicy since some people in our party couldn't handle spicy well and it was still kicking but with good flavor! Everything we ordered was honestly delicious. I can't remember the names, but definitely order the full fish soup, the fried rice and and the cauliflower with lotus root. The only downside is the servers mainly speak mandarin and super quick! But they do understand English and the iPad can be converted to English.

    Honestly, I never had high expectations for "Yunnan cuisine" in the U.S., but Ping's Bistro…read morecompletely proved me wrong--and I'm happily so. From the first visit, it was clear this isn't an "Americanized Chinese restaurant," but a place that truly understands Chinese cooking, technique, and flavor. What impressed me most were the mushroom dishes. Being able to enjoy mushrooms with such depth and complexity in the U.S. is already rare. The aroma isn't built from heavy seasoning, but from the ingredients themselves, fully brought out. The flavors are clean, natural, and incredibly fragrant--the kind that lingers and keeps you wanting more. It immediately brought back memories of authentic Yunnan flavors. Even more impressive were some of the seemingly ordinary stir-fried dishes. At first glance, they look simple, almost unassuming. One bite in, though, and you instantly understand what real wok hei is. That smoky, high-heat flavor can only come from a skilled chef using proper equipment and precise timing. It's not greasy or overpowering--just deeply aromatic and perfectly balanced. Simple, yet elevated. Overall, this is a restaurant that doesn't rely on gimmicks, fancy plating, or social-media hype. Everything is driven by pure technique and respect for ingredients. Each dish has a clear identity and leaves a lasting impression--not something you just photograph and forget, but something you actually remember. In the Bay Area, where Chinese restaurants are everywhere but truly great ones are rare, Ping's Bistro is a place I'd gladly return to again and again. If you're looking for something different, want to experience real wok hei, or simply appreciate honest, well-executed Chinese cooking, this spot is absolutely worth a dedicated visit.

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    Ping’s Bistro
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    Little Shanghai Restaurant - Pan fried bao

    Little Shanghai Restaurant

    3.6(745 reviews)
    3.2 mi
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    If you are looking for a spot that carries the "Shanghai native" approved restaurant, this is one…read moreof it. I've visited many times, and the consistency of the authentic flavors keeps me coming back. The menu is a deep dive into Shanghainese classics. My personal recommendations: ​The Staples: You can't go wrong with the Xiao Long Bao, Stir-Fry Rice Cakes, and the Sweet Spare Ribs. The Spicy Pickled Stomach and the Small Shrimp are favorites of mine. Their Cold Noodles and Yellow Croaker are excellent representations of the cuisine. ​If you visit during the week, check out their lunch specials. ​Service & Timing The kitchen is generally quite efficient. While a few specific items might take a bit longer to prep, most dishes arrive at the table surprisingly fast. Just be prepared for a crowd--it gets very busy during the lunch rush! ​There is a small, limited parking lot behind the restaurant, but it fills up fast. ​If there is an event at the San Mateo Event Center, street parking becomes very challenging. Plan to arrive a few minutes early or visit on a non-event day to save yourself the headache. Whether you're a fan of traditional Shanghai comfort food or just looking for a solid Chinese lunch, this place is a must-visit. It's officially approved by my friends from Shanghai, which is the highest praise a restaurant can get!

    Little Shanghai Restaurant makes the best Shanghai style chow mein! This is also known as Shanghai…read morefried noodles at other places. I've ordered the noodles several times for take out and have eaten at the restaurant once. Having it fresh is the best, but sometimes take out is my only option. The dish is so flavorful with a generous amount of pork and veggies. You have to try the Shanghai fried pork buns! They're amazing, but definitely made to be enjoyed 'dine-in' or else you lose that crispy fried crust if you take them to-go. The meat inside is so juicy when they're fresh. As an appetizer, the pig's ear with five spice was my favorite. They also give you a small tray of peanuts if you dine-in. The restaurant itself is quite small but the tables are spaced out enough where you don't feel like you're right next to the other parties. The service is consistently sharp, and there is a genuine sense of gratitude for your business every time you walk through the door, even when I'm just picking up a to-go order. I definitely want to try more of their Shanghai Dim Sum the next time I stop by.

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    Tang Bar

    Tang Bar

    4.1(267 reviews)
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    Tang Bar is easily my favorite malatang spot in the Bay Area right now. I've tried quite a few…read moreplaces, and this one really stands out in terms of both quality and flavor. First off, the ingredients are noticeably fresh. The veggies are crisp, the meats taste clean, and everything looks well-maintained at the self-serve bar, which already sets a good impression before you even start cooking. There's also a great variety, so it's easy to customize your bowl exactly how you like it. I went with the Szechuan classic soup base, and it was honestly one of the most authentic versions I've had outside of China. The broth had a deep, rich flavor with that perfect balance of spice and the signature numbing Sichuan peppercorn kick. It wasn't just spicy for the sake of it--it had real depth and complexity. Another highlight is the value. If you spend over $20, you get free dessert, and they offer coconut milk sago and bingfen. Both are super refreshing and help cool things down after the heat from the malatang, which is a really nice touch. Overall, it's well worth the price for the quality you're getting. Great food, solid portions, and a satisfying experience every time. I'll definitely be coming back again in the future and would recommend it to anyone craving authentic malatang.

    popular malatang place with a sleek interior & fresh ingredients! the vibe here is more self-serve,…read moreas you pick your malatang ingredients, then grab your own water, utensils, and sauces. once you've given them your bowl to be cooked, you'll find a spot to sit and pick up the food when it's ready. it can get crowded here, so try to grab a table as soon as possible! a few things set this place apart for me - i like how fresh the ingredients look and the variety of soup and dry pot flavors. they have the standard malatang broths, but they also have a spice-free chicken broth, a pickled veggie broth, and four dry pot flavors. they also have no minimum weight limit so you can get a really cheap meal if you're a light eater or just not hungry! unfortunately, i do think their ingredient bar is set up kinda weird - it's a little strange that the veggies and other non-meat items come after the meat and seafood. it feels a little gross to me, but everything still looked clean? the food itself was quite good though. i got the chicken broth and i really enjoyed how savory and deep the flavor was. it wasn't too greasy or heavy either. the ingredients were all very fresh tasting and i always enjoy the customizability of malatang. solid spot with great ambiance for a lunch or dinner, especially for groups or individuals with diverse tastes/preferences!

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    Hot Wok Bistro - chinese - Updated May 2026

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