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    Orchids Cafe

    4.2 (247 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    Business Info

    ORCHIDS CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Orchids Cafe

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    inside
    Jeff H.

    Another good meal at Orchids Cafe. No wait on a Sunday at noon. Since the restaurant was slow, I chatted with Kevin, the owner. He is a nice guy and grew up in SF just like. He remembered me from my last visit and gave me another free lemon ice tea. I'm not used to receiving free drinks and therefore tipped accordingly. My curry pork chop spaghetti $18 tasted good. It was a lot of food. Good times.

    hot cup of ling cha (honey lemon tea) on a cold SF day - bliss.
    Michael Y.

    These are legit, giant pork chop steaks grilled to perfection in the classic, HK-style fashion on a bed of tomato sauce and egg fried rice. It was perfect with a warm cup of ling cha (honey lemon tea) on a chilly, foggy, and rainy SF day. The salted egg calamari was also a unique treat that I have never seen anywhere else and was good - large slabs of meat! This was a taste of the O.G. HK style cafe right here in the heart of SF! They were not skimping with the portions and were very generous! First thought was that I would spread the word to family and friends who would enjoy this authentic taste. They take credit card and Apple Pay! They even had the sports games on tv - basketball, football, you name it. There was plenty of room too in this spacious restaurant also with clean, spacious bathrooms - a godsend. It is also nicely situated right across from City College CCSF and right across from Whole Foods, so it is perfect for walking and checking out the local businesses. They do have a student discount on weekdays! Parking is a bit tight as you may need to just park a bit farther.

    Hand Shredded Chicken with Hainanese Rice
    Alisa B.

    Their Hand Shredded Chicken with Hainanese Rice is probably the most popular menu item! I can see why! Tender chilled chicken with very tasty rice, steamed cabbage, and ginger sauce. My only gripe was the saltiness... Shanghai Soup Dumplings were decent! Lots of soup. The pork filling was just average. The Pork Dumplings With Yellow Chives were better in my opinion! Juicy seasoned pork and the wrapper was a good texture. Definitely come here for a hearty meal and big portions! A hidden gem in the area. The owner was really kind and gave us complimentary Hong Kong Lemon Tea too!

    Winnie K.

    Amazing restaurant! Loved the vibe and service. The food was absolutely amazing. We ordered the Thai style minced pork with rice. The jasmine rice was cooked right on point and the minced pork was seasoned with right amount of spices and chilies. definitely recommend for people who love spicy and Thai style! The pork chop over spaghetti was also delicious with decent amount of cheese and yummy tomato sauce. The taste is decent and very HK style. Will recommend this place to anyone who wants great Hong Kong or Cantonese style food!

    Lynn V.

    Stumbled across this hidden gem randomly and it was a hit! We had a large party of 10 and they accommodated us wonderfully on a walk in basis. This family owned business really strives for excellent customer service and treated us so well. The owner was very attentive to our kids table and went above and beyond to make sure their needs were met. He even brought us extra beverages on the house. Food portions were huge and generous. I had their shredded hainan chicken, scallion pancake, and HK milk tea. All were delicious! My father in law had the beef tomato dish and that looked really good too! Highly recommend for some solid HK eats

    Millie K.

    This is a perfect spot for HK Milk Tea and HK style cafe food. We dropped by often on weekend for lunch. The interior was comfortable and service was fast and attentive. Milk Tea 5/5 Beef and Runny Egg Chow Fun 4/5 (slightly too salty) Baked meat spaghetti 5/5 Chicken wings and fries 4/5 Mapo tofu over rice 5/5 (nice and spicy) This is becoming our weekend go to lunch spot when we crave some HK style cafe food.

    Honey Lemon Tea
    Christina L.

    Awesome Hong Kong restaurant (Cha Chan Teng), the food has some much flavor! The menu has a lot of variety, from baked dishes, rice plates, and noodles. The baked dish($17/$18 for meat, $21 for fish/seafood) takes about 15 minutes which is pretty quick for baked dish, the pork pieces were large and tender. The tomato sauce is not too acidic, tastes great and cheesy flavor. My favorite dish was the XO sauce stir fry spaghetti with seafood ($21), great peppery flavor, and quality seafood items. The restaurant can get busy, but the restaurant is really clean. Overall, great variety of items that taste super fresh and like a home cook meal.

    Baked Fish in Cream Sauce Over Rice Salted Egg Yolk with Fried Calamari
    Lynne E.

    I'm glad to see this spot has not changed over the years. I came here once with my cousin and I decided to come back as I was craving this particular dish. It definitely did not disappoint. The server was very nice and gave me this yummy spicy sauce when I asked for chili. A nice cozy spot for a solo lunch or break from studying as it's right by City College. Definitely try this place out. It will not disappoint you!

    Salted Egg Yolk with Chicken Soft Bones
    C. Z.

    We came by for a lunch to try their baked rice. One of my favorite items was the salted egg yolk fried chicken cartilage, a dish I haven't seen elsewhere. The HK milk tea was very tasty. The baked rice with fish came in a pretty generous portion and was very garlicky and tasty. The owner(?) was super nice and attentive. He noticed my son watching the tv and changed it from basketball to a kids movie. Would definitely come back here again and try more things!

    Salt and Pepper Pork Chop with Rice
    Crystal N.

    Stopped in around 5pm on a Saturday and found a nice quiet and clean spot to rest. Since it was warm out, the server/owner gifted us some delicious lemon iced tea! I got the salt and pepper pork chops and they were delicious. The batter and crisp on it is perfect. It's a tiny bit spicier than you'd expect but that's iced tea helps soothe you. The only reason I didn't finish my plate was because I was tired and ready to go home- otherwise I would have licked the plate clean. Before we left, we were also gifted two cups of the HK milk tea, which is also incredible. Highly recommend everything I ate, and very interested in trying the rest of their menu!

    Shenebuss 2.

    Came in on Christmas day with an appetite, did not disappoint & surpassed all expectations! Inviting atmosphere and great food (ordered the beef brisket curry dish). Service was also exceptional, would recommend and will be back.

    Menu
    Jolens V.

    The food is great I love the Salt and Pepper Pork Chops. Very crunchy and not oily.The Hainese Chicken with the Ginger Oil was really good. The Salted Egg Chicken Wings were really crunchy. I love the new taste of the salted egg twist. The iced coffee is smooth and creamy. Kevin the cashier was amazing he was serving a lot of people all at once but still managed to make conversations with patrons. The restaurant is very clean and organized. I would recommend this restaurant specially if you are looking for something that is different and delicious.

    Inside
    Timothy N.

    I've always passed by Orchids Cafe and wonder what it was like. We'll I finally had the opportunity to try it and it was fantastic. I ordered a backed chicken steak with tomato sauce and rice and it was perfect. The chicken was tender, the tomato sauce was umami and flavorful, the cheese was melty, and the rice was perfectly fluffy. The portion was also very generous. I actually took my leftovers to-go for a second meal. The service was great. During my visit I was attended by Kevin who was really friendly and attentive. So far my first impression has been great and I'm genuinely surprised this spot isn't more busy. Needless to say, I'll be coming back again to try more.

    Stewed Pork Belly With Veggie

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    18 hours ago

    Just to be honest this place is super good ok orchids but the chicken wing is big and it has a lot of blood but it s good

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    Page 1 of 7

    Orchids Cafe Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Orchids Cafe

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    San Tung

    San Tung

    4.1
    (8.8k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $$

    ordered: wings, green beans, black bean noodles, bok choy, honey walnut shrimp, and shrimp fried…read morerice. highlights: literally everything. im not a big fried rice but they put something in it that had me spinning the lazy susan often to get another spoonful. The black bean noodles and wings are always a hit (hot and fresh). service: they were fast at first and then getting the bill took a bit but you just have to flag them down. misc: we came in around 2pm on sat with a group of 15 and got seated really fast! maybe it was luck haha. they also have two bathrooms in the back. parking can be tough but i don't usually have to walk more than 10-15 mins.

    The dry fried chicken wings were on my top 10 things to try in SF when I moved here, so of course…read morewe had to order them, along with the black bean noodles. San Tung was one of the only busy spots on Irving Street during a weekday lunch hour, which felt like a promising sign. We were seated pretty quickly at a large round table across from two other diners, which was totally fine. And after looking around at everyone's tables, it was clear that these two dishes were the most popular items. Since this was my first time trying the dry fried chicken wings, I was surprised that they came out coated in a thick, sticky sauce--so not necessarily "dry" in the way I expected. Flavor-wise, they leaned more sweet than savory. I think this dish would be a big hit for people who enjoy sweet and sour or kung pao-style chicken, which isn't usually my personal preference. My husband definitely enjoyed them though, so I can see why they have such a loyal following. The black bean noodles were warm and comforting, with a nice homey feel. The sauce had good flavor, although I thought it leaned a little bland and wasn't quite as thick or rich in texture as I personally prefer. Overall, San Tung was a fun spot to finally try, especially given how much hype surrounds those wings. I'd definitely come back with a bigger group of friends so we could order more dishes and get a better feel for the menu, but I probably wouldn't come back on my own for anything in particular.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Garlic string beans
    Garlic string beans
    Chicken wings

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    Chicken wings
    Four Kings 四大天王

    Four Kings 四大天王

    4.2
    (452 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

    Four Kings is a truly unique dining experience with a fun, lively atmosphere that feels like a Hong…read moreKong-style yakitori bar with a modern twist. We started with the escargot and milk bread, which was incredibly garlicky in the best way. The escargot itself had an almost mushroom-like texture, with subtle Asian influences, though it also reminded us of classic American garlic butter. Regardless, it was delicious and a great way to start the meal. The kumquat highball was probably our favorite drink of the night--refreshing, balanced, and full of bright citrus flavor. The oolong tea was good, although we've had better elsewhere. The Xinjiang lamb skewer was an interesting interpretation, almost like a flavorful meatball rather than a traditional skewer, but it worked well. Our favorite dish was the claypot rice with Chinese sausage and bacon. Every bite was packed with incredible flavor, and the combination of smoky, savory, and crispy textures made it an absolute standout. The special of the day, fried sole with fermented mustard greens, was also memorable. The fish itself was excellent, but the dish had two distinct personalities. The side coated in the sauce had deep, savory flavors that felt unmistakably Asian, while the top with the mustard greens had a surprisingly Western character--we even thought we detected dill. It was an unusual contrast, but an interesting one. The dessert was also an interesting take on the mango pudding - strawberry sorbet was a nice addition with the mango pudding with almond flakes and real strawberries. Overall, Four Kings delivers creative, memorable food in a vibrant setting. It's the kind of restaurant that takes familiar flavors in unexpected directions, and we're already looking forward to seeing what they come up with next.

    Getting a reservation here is nearly impossible so we decided to line up an hour before opening and…read moreended up first in the walk-in queue. Once they opened the doors we were seated immediately so the strategy paid off. The menu looked incredible across the board so we went in and tried almost everything. We ordered a ton for 2 people and had a lot to bring home. Here's the breakdown: Order these: Squab Liver Skewers: Rich and packed with flavor, a great way to start. I dont even like liver, but this was good! Typhoon Shelter Soft Shell Crab: Really well executed, would order again without hesitation. Salt and Pepper Tiger Prawns: Simple but done perfectly. Singaporean Chili Crab with Fried Milkbread: Delicious but one note here. The bread is a bit much and doesn't add a ton to the dish. This would be even better served over noodles to soak up all that chili crab sauce. HK Black Pepper Steak: So juicy and flavorful. One of the standouts of the night. XO Escargot with Milkbread: Another winner. Beef Chow Fun Noodles: Genuinely the best chow fun I've ever had. Do not skip this one. Mapo Spaghetti with Beef: A fun and unexpected combination that really works. Salt and pepper squid skewers: Packed with protein. Super flavorful! Yuzu Sake: The perfect drink pairing for this menu. Skip these: Chong Qing Fried Hawt Rabbit and Peruvian Chicken Fried Rice were the two misses of the night. Save your stomach space for everything else. The flavors here are exceptional and the service matched it perfectly. Will absolutely be back and already trying to figure out how to snag a reservation next time!

    Photos
    View of kitchen
    View of kitchen
    Sichuan cabbage
    Sichuan cabbage
    Fish fragrant eggplant

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    Fish fragrant eggplant
    Palette Tea House

    Palette Tea House

    4.1
    (2k reviews)
    6.0 mi
    $$$
    Locally owned & operated
    Speaks Mandarin

    Palette Tea House in San Francisco is always a pleasure to work with and visit for dining with my…read morefamily. I recently had the opportunity to work with their team again for a wedding at Fort Mason, and I've also DJed a wedding reception at their San Francisco location. Both experiences were excellent. I've DJed hundreds of Chinese style banquet wedding receptions and the staff at Palette Tea House are always on point with their food and service. Their staff is friendly, professional, and very easy to work with, which makes a big difference as a vendor in the wedding industry. They consistently provide great service, a welcoming atmosphere, and amazing food. I've also eaten at this location a couple of times with my family, and the food has always been really good! Their dim sum is especially good! Whether you're dining in or hosting a special event like a wedding reception, Palette Tea House does an amazing job everytime. I definitely highly recommend them!

    Next-level, elevated dim sum experience! From the moment we walked in, we were blown away by the…read morebeautiful ambiance, vibrant colors, and stylish décor. Every detail created such a warm and inviting atmosphere. The food was absolutely exceptional. Every dish was beautifully presented, fresh, flavorful, and unlike any dim sum we've had before. You can truly tell the chefs take great pride in every plate. A special thank you to our server, Henry, who made our experience even better. He was incredibly professional, friendly, attentive, and extremely knowledgeable about gluten-free options, which gave our family complete confidence dining there. As someone with multiple food sensitivities and a husband with celiac disease, that level of care means everything to us. If you're looking for an elevated dim sum experience with outstanding food, impeccable service, and a gorgeous atmosphere, this is the place. Highly recommend, and we can't wait to return!

    Photos
    Palette Tea House
    Palette Tea House
    Palette Tea House

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    Hon's Wun-Tun House

    Hon's Wun-Tun House

    4.1
    (687 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$

    Delicious Cantonese food my Cantonese family enjoyed! We came around 4:30 pm on a Sunday and joined…read morethe waitlist as they were pretty busy but only waited about 10 mins to be seated. Interior is pretty spacious and modern with a good amount of tables. We shared 4 dishes among 4 people and were full. Service was pretty quick. Portions are good though prices are on the higher end. -Wonton noodle soup (4.5/5): delicious! savory and juicy wontons, thin and chewy noodles, light and comforting broth -Seafood pan fried noodle (5/5): so good, one of the best pan fried noodles I've had! The sauce was nicely savory without being too salty or bland. Came with a variety of seafood -Salt & pepper pork spareribs (3.5/5): nicely seasoned and crispy though the spareribs were either too bony or fatty so there wasn't much meat

    Came here to try the wonton noodles but everything was delicious! Added ourselves to the waitlist…read morefor an early dinner on Sunday around 4:30PM and they were pretty busy, though we only waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Ordered 4 dishes for 4 people and we were satisfied. Portions and prices are decent, service was good and they checked on us often Wonton noodle soup (4.5/5): wontons were plump and fresh, noodles were soft and thin. Broth was tasty, light and clear Seafood pan fried noodle (5/5): one of the best pan fried noodles I've ever had! Perfectly savory, neither bland nor salty, and lots of seafood! Salt and pepper pork spare ribs (3.5/5): nicely seasoned, but the spare ribs were either too bony or fatty so there wasn't much actual meat

    Photos
    Interior, there's more seating behind that partition.
    Interior, there's more seating behind that partition.
    Braised Tofu + Seafood in Clay Pot
    Braised Tofu + Seafood in Clay Pot
    E3 柱侯牛腩雲吞麵 Beef Brisket Wonton Noodle Soup | $14.95

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    E3 柱侯牛腩雲吞麵 Beef Brisket Wonton Noodle Soup | $14.95

    Orchids Cafe - chinese - Updated July 2026

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