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Pakwan Restaurant

4.2 (567 reviews)
ModerateHalal, Indian, Pakistani
Closed • 10:30 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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Pakwan Restaurant Photos

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PAKWAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Pakwan Restaurant

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Reviews With Photos

Darci K.

I found Pakwan on a total fluke. They're located on the same side of the street but about a lockdown from a Whole Foods market in San Francisco. The original plan was to grab some lunch items at Whole Foods, but who doesn't want to try a new restaurant?! Walking into the restaurant, it's a little unclear if you order the counter and they bring you food or if you're seated and you order at the table. We quickly figured out that your order at the counter and then grab one of the tables and they will bring you your order. I found the restaurant to be unkept, and most of the tables that did not have customers sitting at them were super dirty. The tables hadn't been cleaned from the previous customer/customers. We had already ordered and it was that quick mental conversation of are we expected to clean the table so that we can dine there or what. Thankfully, a bus boy appeared, and he didn't seem overly eager to want to clean the table that we were standing at but instead wanted to clean one that someone was dining at. It was kind of odd. He took a couple of swipes at the table and it really just removed the food that someone had dropped all over the table. Just not a comforting feeling when you know that you'll be dining in that same spot. Our food came out fairly quickly, and I was super excited to have a good meal. We ordered the lunch special, which included a lentil/garbanzo, bean side, CTM ( chicken, tikka masala), rice, and naan. We ordered one mango lassi to share because we figured it was easier to try it, then order too much. You can always order more, right?! The mango lassi was very underwhelming. It locked through mango flavor, and that hint of tanginess. I just felt like I was drinking warm mango juice. I definitely have had better. With the lunch plate, we upgraded the naan to the cheese naan. I love carbs like anyone else does, but I found this to be basically bread that someone had put curry flavor in with a couple of cubes of cheese. So basically curry powdered bread. Yuck. The CTM, I found the chicken to be very sparse in terms of the portion size, and the chicken was very rubbery. It was overcooked, and I specifically had asked for little to no spice. Apparently that request was ignored. The lentil and garbanzo beans were tasty, but the garbanzo beans were undercooked, incredibly hard, and the flavor profile was really weird. It couldn't decide if it was supposed to be spicy, spicy, and salty, or something in between. The rice was OK. It had far too much fenugreek in it, and again the flavor profile, even combined with the CTM just was a little offputting. The guy behind the counter was fairly friendly, but it wasn't that warm and inviting friendliness. Is this a place I would go back to? No, not at all The one thing that I really enjoyed was the artwork on the walls.

Store front
Yasin A.

Pakwan never disappoints! I ordered the lamb biryani, beef curry, and garlic naan, and every single dish was outstanding. The lamb biryani was perfectly seasoned with fragrant spices, the beef curry was rich, tender, and packed with flavor, and the garlic naan came out hot, fresh, buttery, and was perfect for soaking up the curry. Everything tasted incredibly fresh, authentic, and made with care. The portions were generous, the food arrived quickly, and the restaurant was clean and welcoming. If you're looking for delicious Pakistani food in the Bay Area, this place is absolutely worth a visit. I'll definitely be coming back to try more of the menu!

Lesly M.

Lovee all items in here! Everything is always flavorful and comes out fresh. We love the lamb biryani and usual chicken tikka masala. Staff is kind and attentive. Place has lots of seating and is nearby other restaurants.

Anna N.

One of my go to spots for Pakistan cuisine! This time I decided to try their Tikka Masala wrap, it's basically a tikka masala wrapped in a nann. It's super filling and I wasn't able to finish, I tried heating it back up the next day and it wasn't as good :( I should've separated the tikka masala from the nann because the nann became really soggy. Their tandoori chicken always hits. I tried some of my friends palak paneer, super good as well!!

Samosa Chicken Briyani Chicken Briyani Garlic Naan
Falepau S.

Always great experience at Pakwan on Ocean St. SF. Our go to always would be their samosas, chicken biryani, seekh kebab, achar gosht, and chicken tikka masala. The samosas were easily some of the best we've had in the entire city--perfectly crisp and flavorful. The curries had a serious kick, especially the bhuna gosht, which was rich, bold, and properly spicy. Overall, really satisfying food and definitely worth coming back for.

Garlic Naan Lamb Briyani Chicken Tikka Masala
Candace R.

I've ordered from them occasionally over the last few years but this was my first dine in experience. My husband and I decided to split the lamb briyani and chicken tikka masala, with a side of naan. The interior was clean and pleasant. We grabbed a booth and our food was out after not too long. I forgot that I think the chicken tikka masala here is just fine. The amount of chicken you get for the price isn't a ton, and this plate specifically tasted very smokey, which is not a flavor profile I love. I'd never had lamb briyani and I really enjoyed it. The serving was huge and the lamb was plentiful and flavorful. The naan was solid. Overall I think you probably have to work your way around the menu, but I'd come back and try out different dishes.

Kadahi chicken
Louisa D.

Pictures speak louder than words but I should add some words. Generous portion of chicken biryani - we went home with leftovers. Not pictured is the nihari. Also delicious. We used the gravy with the biryani rice for even more flavor and a chicken seekh kebab - delicious and was scarfed down but wish there were 2 pieces for the price of 4.99 but so minor... id get it again. Am going to happily go back.

Chicken Tikka Masala
Jasmin C.

Located across the street from Whole Foods. Simple menu but offers a great variety. Chicken briyani was MASSIVE, that dish alone could feed 4-5 people. My only complaint was there it was a bit dry and could use a tad more seasoning. Chicken tikki masala was tender, the sauce was the best part and perfect for dipping the naan in. They make their naan in-house so make sure to try the garlic naan! Qeema (ground beef) naan was okay, I would skip it and get the garlic naan instead. Samosa was crispy, filling was flavorful. The cashier was very nice and helped us pick popular items on the menu as it was our first time there. Utensils, napkins, plates/dishes, and water cups are all self service. Spacious seating area.

Regular Naan with Green sauce in bottle
Doug T.

Pakwan is our go to place for Indian food. We used to go all the way to 16th street before they opened up on Ocean Ave. Spacious restaurant with plenty of table seating. Order at the counter and get a number before seating. Self serve cutlery, napkins, water and cups at the dedicated counter at side of restaurant. Once your order is ready you pickup at the order counter. Order is freshly prepared and served quickly. Note to self... the dine in portions seem larger than take out. So if you have time eat in and take home leftovers. We always have leftovers. Containers and bags are self serve and free This last visit we had Samosa for appetizers, Nihari Beef curry, Eggplant Bartha, Lamb Saag Gosht and regular Naan. Samosas were great! Wife loves the eggplant dish we always get. First time getting the beef curry and I loved it. For sure will order again. We also often order the Lamb Biryani Rice which is super delish and huge portion. Don't order too many Naan to take home. They don't keep well and get hard after a day or two at home. Regular and Garlic Naan are good value but the other stuffed Naan not worth it since their dishes are so flavorful there is need to get stuffed Naan you don't taste. Get extra green sauce which cuts the heat a little and adds a herbal flavor to each bite

Carrie Z.

We come here a lot. Still great! Always a biryani. We have settled on chicken, as the thigh/leg pieces are super juicy. Lamb with spinach and spicy beef curries are good. The chicken tikka masala sauce is really smoky but good. I just wish it wasn't chicken breast. Also, we tried the cheese naan. It was great! The eggplant we also tried, but we didn't like it as much. Chana sal or saag paneer work better as veggie dishes.

Chicken Tikka Masala Plain Naan Samosa
Alysiana H.

Very yummy! Food came out really fast and the restaurant has good vibes inside. One of my fav Indian food places in the city

Steve U.

I love this Place Everything is always so flavorful & you can really taste all the spices they put into their dish. Flavors are very bold and aromatic. I love the smokey and earthy taste of the tandoori chicken. I love the rich and creamy sauce of the tikka masala, just one con is the chicken is slightly to dry. Their naans are so big which is rare, definitely can feed 2-3 people

Paneer Tikka Masala

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9 days ago

Regular customer. Delicious food. Well seasoned. Good portions. Good prices. Achar Ghost is delicious.

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7 months ago

Great food as always been coming to the one in the mission for over 20 years. Great pakistani food

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Pakwan Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Pakwan Restaurant

Will you be open on thanksgiving?

Yes we will be!

My friend told me about your fabulous lunch specials. Is there a menu for these Lunch Specials? If not, what are they?

Yes! Lunch specials are available Monday-Friday, 10:30am-4pm. They change on a everyday basis, so best thing to do would be call in.

What is the latest health score?

Hi Kavitha, San Francisco Health Department has changed its scoring system from a Pass to Fail… 

What is the "Halal" meat source?

Sudni Foods. We only use Crescent or a Tahir, Hand-Slaughtered Zabihah chicken. For meats,… 

Thank you for listing the gluten-free options on the menu! It looks like saag chicken is gluten free, but not saag paneer. Is that because paneer has gluten in it? Is it possible for any of the veggie curries to be gluten free?

Hi Rita, Majority of our products are gluten free. The paneer is occasionally outsourced to a third… 

What type of oil do you use in your cooking? I did get food from there last night, and it was good.

We use Soybean oil!

Is your naan vegan?

Unfortunately it is not. We do occasionally offer Roti, which is dairy free.

Do you offer a buffet dinner option?

Unfortunately we do not. Our Hayward branch offers a Sunday lunch buffet with over 25 selection of items!

They state that they're a Pakistani Indian restaurant. How is that different from an Indian restaurant?

Hi Kev, Good question. In reality, the foundation of Pakistani and Indian food is very much the… 

Is the same as Pakwan restaurant in Fremont?

Yes! All the Pakwan’s are the same family chain.

What hours do you offer lunch special?

10:30am-4pm. Monday through Friday!

Will you be open on Christmas Day?

Yes we will!

Do you cater?

Hi Sabina! Yes we do! We cater for all events. Best thing is to give a call into the restaurant and… 

Is this a chain restaurant? Are there other restaurants in SF or bay area?

Hi Anna, This is a family chain. There are a total of five Pakwan’s in the Bay Area.

Is the food actually halal? I know it says on the yelp page but I just wanted to confirm

Hi Eva, Yes! All the Pakwan’s in the Bay Area are 100% Zabihah Halal. Not only do we advertise them… 

How's the parking situation around this area during evening hours?

Parking can be difficult. Many of our customers choose to park in the City College Parking Lot, pay the $5 parking, and walk down the steps. We advise everyone NOT to park at Whole Foods.

Do you get free refill for chai?

Yes!

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Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant

4.8(345 reviews)
4.8 mi•SoMa
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If you're looking for authentic Pakistani & Indian food that tastes exactly like home, this place…read moreis an absolute MASHALLAH. This is not just a restauran - it is an experience filled with hospitality and the comforting feeling of being with family. Mr. Waqar & Mrs. Rabia are most humble people you will ever meet. From the moment you walk in, they welcome you with such sincerity and affection that you instantly feel at home. Mrs. Rabia has a remarkable way of making every guest feel special. She treats everyone with the same care & love a mother would show her own children. The food is outstanding, with generous portions and authentic flavors that transport you straight back to Pakistan/India. For breakfast lovers, the Halwa Puri with cholay is among the best I have had (available any time of the day, 7 days a week, is a huge bonus. The homemade parathas remind me of my mother's cooking, my absolute favorite & something I crave regularly. Chicken Biryani with Shami Kabab bring back memories of home with every bite. The Chapli Kabab paired with fresh paratha is simply irresistible-I can never get enough of it. The Beef Haleem is rich, authentic, & prepared exactly the way it should be. The Lamb Shank served with biryani rice is another exceptional dish that showcases the quality and authenticity of their cooking. Our first visit was only a month ago & since then we have already returned around 10 times. That alone speaks volumes. If you want delicious food, authentic flavors, generous portions, and hospitality that makes you feel like family, this place is a must-visit. Highly recommended.

This is more like 3.5 star…read more Was at an event near by, found this place on yelp and decided to try it out. There was maybe one other customer when we reached and I guess that helped with getting the food quicker. I think , most of their curries / entrees are pre made . They also mentioned that they use frozen naans ( probably the ones sold at Indian stores ) but make the parathas fresh. Which was true. It came out piping hot and it's huge in size. We decided to get 2 different combos , so as to try more options. Got Paneer tikka masala, chana masala, palak paneer and daal makhani. The Daal makhani was not as creamy / buttery as it's supposed to be. All tasted decent , and on the milder side I would say. I feel all of them could have used a little more salt. It's reasonably priced . They also had back patio kind of area, which would be nice on a warm day.

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Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant - Comfortable indoor dining for family and friends.

Comfortable indoor dining for family and friends.

Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant - Lamb Shank with Bone -- slow-cooked, tender lamb served with flavorful Pakistani spices at MashaAllah Halal Food in San Francisco.

Lamb Shank with Bone -- slow-cooked, tender lamb served with flavorful Pakistani spices at MashaAllah Halal Food in San Francisco.

Mashaallah Halal Pakistani Food Restaurant - Outdoor patio seating at MashaAllah Halal Food in San Francisco.

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Outdoor patio seating at MashaAllah Halal Food in San Francisco.

Chutney - Chicken Tikka Masala Curry and white rice. My favorite!

Chutney

3.7(1.4k reviews)
4.9 mi•Tenderloin
•$$

This was my first time ordering here and I liked what I got…read more I ordered the chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, and white rice. I forgot to mention the spice level for the curry in my DoorDash order, but it turned out that it was a gentle heat and I enjoyed it. The curry was flavorful and I liked that it was on the creamier side. It went so well with the rice. There were about six pieces of chicken, which is enough for me. I know that this curry is one of the more affordable options on that block, so I think the amount was good for the price listed on DoorDash. It's probably a much better deal if you order in person. The garlic naan is huge and one piece can be good for two people... maybe four people if they want a quarter. But I don't think I a quarter is enough lol. I ate the whole thing. Though I love curries with rice, I think I'll just get the naan next time since it's so big. Since I got this to go, I can't comment on the ambiance. My order was placed around 4pm and I got it within 20mins. I'd order from here again to try another entree or biryani.

Chutney was overhyped to me by a friend of mine. Decided to give it a try but it was not worth it…read morewhen there are spots like Pakwan in the city with easier parking and not as bad of an area. Went there and there was a parking spot on the block of chutney but was held by an orange cone. We asked the restaurant there if we are allowed to park and they said they know nothing about it and to go ahead. So we moved the cone and parked then some lady took the cone and started mouthing off saying her friend was suppose to park there and she walked the cone to the other side. Then you see her friend come up with her car and idk what they were trying to do. Friend just kept going forward then reversing and repeating every few mins. Thought they were going to start drama with us or key the car once we left so we waited for a bit. Ended up just going into Chutney and sat at the window to keep an eye on the car. Same car was doing the same shenanigans going forward and reversing for some reason. Anyway, that was a long rant that had nothing to do with Chutney. Don't really have anything good to say. Gentleman that sat us down was nice. Gave us our menus and asked us to order at counter when we were ready. We ordered plain and paneer naan, tandoori chicken leg, chicken biryani, seekth kebab, chicken jal frazi, chicken tikki masala, chicken boti and the lamb chops. Best thing was the paneer naan. Cheese pull was insane and very flavorful. Very delightful when fresh hot. Chicken boti and lamb chops were extremely dry and overcooked. The lamb chops also was very salty and I'm usually more prone to saltiness. Chicken Jal Frazi was like a chicken curry with vegetables. This was probably the second best thing and went well with the naan. Chicken Biryani was kind of plain compared to somewhere like Pakwan and portion was pretty small compared to Pakwan. Tandoori leg wasn't as juicy as other places, it was also a bit dry. Seekth kebab was pretty firm but wasn't terrible. Their sauces (the green mint sauce and tamarind chutney) were a bit watery and not as flavorful as other restaurants I've tried. Price wise - they're not terrible. Most items were under $15 and below besides the lamb chops. But for some reason, the same guy that sat us down, ran the register and he charged us $1 more on every single item besides the sodas so we didn't even bother tipping. And when we tried to ask one of the servers for an extra spoon after he served our food, he just kept walking as if he didn't hear us. I won't complain about that too much because maybe he simply just didn't hear us. But don't expect too much service here. Our food took about 30-40 mins to arrive too. Others that sat down after us, got their food first so not sure what's the deal with that. Was worth a try but probably won't come back.

Photos
Chutney - Cockroach underneath table.

Cockroach underneath table.

Chutney - Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken

Chutney

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4.0(628 reviews)
4.9 mi•Tenderloin
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The first time I ever got high, I came here. It's a bit "daunting" since it is in the Tenderloin,…read morebut OH MY GOD. The food was delicious, their variety is very grand, staff is great, very good seating, and close to union square. 10/10 - sorry for the TMI lol.

A few friends and I were walking around downtown and wanted a snack. We thought of this spot for…read morewings. Can't say no when it comes to wings! We've tried Halal Wings Plus a few times before throughout the years and it was always a pretty solid choice. The neighborhood is a bit shady, so beware of your surroundings and watch where you're stepping, cuz you don't wanna be stepping on sh** or b@rf! The menu is above the cashier, so you just order and pay up front and get the receipt with your order number. They'll call the number out when it's ready. I think there's roughly 8-10 tables, if you decide to dine in. ***OUR PICKS*** We ordered 20 wings with 2 flavors. LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN WINGS ~ lots of pepper flavor but the lemon did not shine. And the chicken meat inside didn't seem marinated and tasted bland. It probably would be better if they added lemon juice after it was cooked or had given us some lemons to squeeze over the chicken before we dug in. 3.5/5 MANGO HABANERO CHICKEN WINGS ~ the sauce was spicy and tangy sweet, but it doesn't seem like they marinate their wings. It's only the sauce that gives the chicken flavor. 3.5/5 The wings aren't at all crispy. And flavor was ok and could have been better. But what was off-putting was the smell of the wings after we boxed it up and took it home! It had this gamey chicken smell as if it was old chicken. At least none of us got sick, but I'll think twice about revisiting.

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Halal Wings Plus - Menu

Menu

Halal Wings Plus - Slider w/ fries

Slider w/ fries

Halal Wings Plus

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Pakwan Restaurant - halal - Updated October 2026

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