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Papa Noodle

4.5 (222 reviews)
ModerateChinese, Noodles
Closed • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Papa Noodle Takeout or Delivery

Papa Noodle Photos

PAPA NOODLE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Papa Noodle

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Sara K.

My work ordered papa noodle for us. I got the crispy tofu and wings. I've only walked by the restaurant so I can't fully express what the ambiance is but everytime we order from papa noodle the utensils come with toothpicks and hand wipes which is so nice! Overall, good flavor, they don't joke on their spices, and it's filling and I would recommend to try for lunch.

Inside
Alisa P.

It's a perfect spot for my lunch break catch ups with friends now. They have nice short menu and kiosk helps to make an order faster. The space is nice, not too crowded on Monday lunch time. There are a couple of tables outside too. Food comes pretty fast - my favorite is Chefs Americano beef noodles - delicious tender meat crispy from outside on top of perfectly cooked noodles with a crunch from carrots and freshness from cilantro. Amazing hearty bowl. Recommend it!

Shay M.

We stopped by this restaurant for lunch while visiting San Francisco and I liked the cute street market feel of the space. Upon entering, we encountered a touch screen to order and the process was easy and intuitive. I ordered a papa noodle and it was delivered to my seat by a server. The only issue within this is that I had to wave down the server because when he came out with my meal he went to a few tables before he found me. The food was tasty and seemed fresh. The complimentary candies as well as self serve condiments and water was a nice touch. This is a good lunch spot in the heart of the city.

Papa Noodle
Jasmine L.

One of my favorite lunch spots in FiDi! The noodles are so chewy and have a great QQ texture. Can't go wrong with the classic Papa Noodle. The service is quick and easy and there are complementary candies and dental floss to pick up when leaving.

Nina W.

This place is close to our hotel so we decided to try it. I got the dry noodle (with chicken) and my husband got the beef noodle soup. Both are really delicious and the meat is super tender. Food is super filling too. You order at the iPad and wait for your food. They have some tables outside so it makes this place dog friendly! Does get windy on the sidewalk so bundle up!

Jennifer Y.

I can't believe I waited this long to try this place! I didn't have high expectations going in, but the flavor and portion sizes really surprised me. It was relatively quiet for the weekend, so we were seated right away and the food arrived quickly. The portions were generous, packed with plenty of protein and veggies. We tried the papa noodle (which came with your choice of chicken or pork), and the thick noodles soaked up all that delicious sauce perfectly. The beef in the braised beef noodle soup was also very tender. We particularly enjoyed the Chinese sauerkraut as it added a great touch to the meal.

Braised Beef Noodle Soup
James L.

What a hidden gem... quality noodles that are convenient and quick, right in downtown SF. I was in town visiting for the weekend and looking for something quick and easy to get for dinner and was able to locate Papa Noodle a few blocks from my hotel. I got the braised beef noodle soup, which was rich and hearty and really hit the spot. I hope to come again and try more items.

free candy
Michelle Z.

Very tucked away spot in fidi but the service and ambiance was great! The space is very thoughtful and they have tons of nice touches like free candy for customers, a tv playing food videos, utensils and water (& hot water too!!) and takeout boxes laid out for easy grabbing, and also a cool pac man machine inside. My friend and I got the braised beef noodle soup which was around $19 but a pretty hefty portion. The soup was a bit too salty/spicy for me but the beef flavor was great and I liked the chewiness/flavor of the noodles. The pickles and bok choy were also yummy touches. I do wish the cilantro stems weren't included though as they were unpleasant to eat. Overall this was a comforting meal and a nice spot for a casual dinner if in the area!

Photo 1: Montage of images from Papa Noodle
Ed U.

I haven't worked in the office drone part of eastern SoMa in quite some time. In fact, the last time I was at this address was when I was a semi-regular at Lee's Deli. I still miss the chicken salad sandwich, but I recently happened upon this casual Chinese zhijiang-style noodle house. With an understandably hip vibe given the populace, it wasn't a traditional-looking spot, but the food tasted authentic. The menu consists primarily of five noodle dishes of which customers pick one and order to customize on one of two kiosks. Naturally I was slow it was my first time, and the youngsters behind me managed to control their heavy sighs since they were more focused on their phones. Since it was the namesake dish, I decided on the $16.88 Papa Noodle with Pork, which they delivered in less than ten minutes. It looked appetizing with all the fresh vegetables (bean sprouts, shredded carrot and cucumber, pickled cabbage) surrounding the pork sauce and topped with chopped scallion. For extra crunch, I had them add spicy peanuts for an extra dollar (Photo 8). The handmade noodles were hidden underneath. Once tossed together, the flavors were quite satisfying (Photo 7). A nice noodle find. FOOD - 4 stars...deliciously authentic noodles AMBIANCE - 4 stars...kinda hipster but not irritatingly so SERVICE - 4 stars...very minimal interaction but quite fast TOTAL - 4 stars...Papa's got a brand new noodle RELATED - Exploring the eastern side of SoMa? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/TVGnDwzpSY

Shrimp Cold Noodle (with Spicy Peanuts)
Alyson S.

Papa Noodle is a hidden gem in downtown San Francisco serving delicious food and fun vibes. The interior is decorated with Chinese memorabilia, vintage arcade games, and best of all (for us Chinese) a candy section with free candy from our childhood. There is loud music playing different genres from classic rock to Chinese rap and a huge TV screen playing YouTube videos. Staff are friendly and welcoming. You have to order with them first before grabbing a table. We came on a weekend during lunch time when it was packed and only waited about 10 minutes for a table to clear. The dishes are rich in ingredients and have so much depth of flavor. We had the Vegan Loma Noodle (fried tofu) and the Shrimp Cold Noodle with Spicy Peanuts. The handmade noodles are so chewy. The portions are quite large and very worth it for the price. I highly recommend everyone come support this business. I can't wait to go back and try their other dishes.

Super Tofu Tots (Vegan)
Serena P.

stopped by on a friday around 5. immediately took in the ambiance. the space was so carefully curated and each piece felt so intentional, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. there were 2 kiosks to order and we ordered the tofu tots and the vegan loma noodle. we sat down and there were lots of different seating options. they had 3 free to play games, a giant projector playing some travel food tv show, and a self serve station with candies, floss, and condiments. each table also had chili oil and extra spicy chili oil. the noodles were bouncy and flavorful and the tofu were some of the best i have had in sf!! service was quick and friendly! definitely will be back!

Inside
Lizzie S.

4.5 stars! I was very happy with Papa Noodle. I love zhajiang mien and not many places in SF make it. Papa Noodle does it well--my only gripe was I felt that the portion could've been bigger! I often take food home but here, I left a little and thought about taking it but then did not think the amount left warranted a takeout container. It's quick and many people do takeout here versus sitting down. It fills up during weekday lunch rushes, but the line moves quickly. I ordered Pork Papa Noodle and Walovi, which is Chinese herbal tea. It was cool and refreshing. The Papa Noodle had tender meat, not too fatty. It was very fragrant, as my old coworker who I dined with said. The noodles had good texture, consistency, and chewiness. I liked the amount of vegetables and meat they gave, as well as sides of vinegar and chili oil you could add. It's very clean inside and I love the decor and art. Very fun. Will be back!

Braised Beef Noodle Soup with thin rice noodles
Rita C.

This is such an amazing place! service was great and the place was very clean. At the front, they even provide mints and flossers for after the meal. what we got: beef noodle soup with thin rice noodles (10/10 yums): WOW. the rice noodles were really chewy even though they were thin. I was pretty impressed by the broth as well. The meat was super tender and fatty, which was definitely a plus! loma noodle (10/10 yums): this is the vegan option dry noodle! loved it as it wasn't too salty. there is an option to get it spicy or not spicy! super tofu tots (10/10 yums): must get appetizer to share! super crispy and flavored really well. Went great with the pickles on the side!

Tofu Tots

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Reviews are largely positive. People highlight the fresh, flavorful food, chewy noodles, friendly, fast service, and a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

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Coolest doggy! Haha. Thank you for the kind review! Nina.

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Thank you for the kind review! Jennifer.

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Thank you for the kind review! Chanson.

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Thank you for the kind review! Rose.

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We really appreciate your support and review! Namratha. Thank you!

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Ask the Community - Papa Noodle

Can you do non spicy noodles? Asking for the kids.

Dear Tina, our Vegan Loma Noodles are not spicy at all. We can also make Chicken Wings and Tofu Tots not spicy per request as well. Thank you for your support!

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Four Kings 四大天王 - sichuan cabbage

Four Kings 四大天王

4.2(481 reviews)
0.5 mi•Chinatown
•$$$

Amazing service! I…read morecame as a party of 2 at 5:20 (just before opening) on a Saturday night and we were the last party to be seated as the first round of walk-ins! We got seated right by the window, so lovely! The ambiance is so nice and the decor is so cozy and cool. We got the free peanuts and cucumber salad first- so flavorful and a nice way to whet our appetite. The scallop vermicelli was SO buttery and flavorful. I wanted another order!! The claypot rice came steaming hot and full of meats! Get something to cut it with! The black bean clams were delicious but a tad salty so it's nice to have with the claypot, or even an order of veggies and plain rice! We ended our meal with shaved ice that was layered with black bean, custard, and boba! So refreshing and a perfect end! I would come back 10000%

Five of us dined here to celebrate a birthday. According to the one who managed to get the…read morereservation, it's quite popular and the reservation is one of the coveted ones in SF. Anyway, having tried it, I can say it was good, but not so good that I'd expend that much energy to secure the reservation. Have to say, service was really great. Servers were attentive without being overbearing, which is always welcome. We ordered several dishes and dined, as they suggested, family style. To start, we were given two complimentary dishes, the roasted peanuts and the smashed cucumbers; both were nice appetizers. We ordered the Chiu Chow green beans, the Mongolian beef noodles, the claypot rice with lop cheung and bacon, the salt 'n peppa prawns, and the whole fried petrale sole, the last two being on the day's "specials" board. The winning dish was definitely the green beans. All the food was good, but seemed to be a bit overly salted and highly spiced. The piece of beef I had from the Mongolian beef noodles was tender, but one of my friends thought her piece was a bit tough and too chewy; we all thought the beef could have been cut into smaller or thinner pieces. We also shared two desserts since it was a birthday celebration (there are only three options offered). We had the red bean shaved ice and the mango pudding. Both were good (not "oh, boy, yummy" good, but good). Nice to try. The price wasn't outrageous ($200 including tax and tip), but I think this will be a "been there, done that" experience for me unless a friend absolutely wants to go again.

Photos
Four Kings 四大天王 - View of kitchen

View of kitchen

Four Kings 四大天王 - Creamy potato salad with tofu dressing

Creamy potato salad with tofu dressing

Four Kings 四大天王 - Sichuan cabbage (@joeynht)

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Sichuan cabbage (@joeynht)

Palette Tea House

Palette Tea House

4.1(2k reviews)
1.8 mi•Russian Hill, Fisherman's Wharf
•$$$
Locally owned & operated
Speaks Mandarin

The food was delicious and the service was great. We had the Duck, Pork Bao, Lobster dumplings and…read morechicken dumplings. Their Oolong tea is amazing. Our waiter was great at explaining the menu, and was great at accommodating our toddler.

Is there a law that says food can't taste THIS good without some sort of warning label? You know,…read moresomething along the lines of: "WARNING: Excessive deliciousness may cause your brain to go into shock from an overload of endorphins." No? Well, there SHOULD be one at this restaurant! We stopped by for some Sunday dim sum, and DAMN! Did this place knock it out of the park! First off, the ambiance was AMAZING! Sitting outside next to the ocean with that cool coastal breeze rolling through on a beautiful Sunday afternoon? Chef's kiss! Honestly, the weather alone was already setting us up for a great experience before the excellent service. But the food? Oh, it took things to a whole different level! Steamed Dumplings (XLB): 100/10!!! The flavors were absolutely SPOT ON! The skin was incredibly thin and delicate, making every bite a perfect balance of juicy filling and soft wrapper. Just the right thickness to soak up a little dipping sauce without overpowering the dumpling itself. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! The Rest of the Dim Sum: Everything pictured below absolutely delivered! Not a single disappointing dish in the bunch. Black Swan Taro Puff: Now THIS was probably the most interesting dish I had during the entire meal! The texture was unlike anything else we ordered, but the filling? DIVINE! The combination of century egg and chicken created this incredible explosion of savory flavors. It's one of those combinations you wouldn't necessarily expect to work so beautifully together, but somehow, it just DOES! Every bite was a little adventure. Absolutely loved the creativity behind this one! Peking Duck: Let's just say a picture is worth a thousand words. 10/10. NO NOTES! Final Thoughts: Between the incredible food, beautiful oceanfront ambiance, and that perfect Sunday afternoon breeze, this was easily one of the highlights of our trip. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared, and the flavors were just phenomenal. I genuinely cannot wait to return to San Francisco, even if it's just for another meal here! And seriously, someone needs to look into that warning label. This level of deliciousness should come with a disclaimer!

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Palette Tea House
Palette Tea House
Palette Tea House

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Harborview Restaurant & Bar - Dim sum much?

Harborview Restaurant & Bar

4.0(2k reviews)
0.6 mi•Financial District
•$$
Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

Classic Chinese food done very well. Overall, this place is busy and parking is hard to find even…read morewith two garages! But the effort is worth it. The food is delicious and on a high level. I even went 45 minutes out of my way just to go there. Just be aware that if you want the dim sum experience there is much more during lunch. FOOD: Wonderful. We had a wide variety of food. Honey BBQ Pork, Peking Roast Duck, Harborview Beef, Baked BBQ Bun, Xiao Long Bao, Kung Pao Chicken, and Garlic Honey Chicken. Honey BBQ Pork was surprisingly good! Loved it. Roast duck was exactly what a good Chinese restaurant should serve which is NOT a given. Baked BBQ Bun was excellent (not to be confused with cha siu bao which has a different texture and taste). Garlic Honey Chicken was terrific. Similar to orange chicken but a bit more sweet and a tiny bit less tangy. Not really garlicky at all. Kung Pao Chicken was good but not exceptional and the Harborview Beef was tasty but a lot like teriyaki beef jerky. I think it was way overcooked. SERVICE: Good portions and packaged really well. We did take out and they had it packaged and ready on time. Too bad they don't have it available downstairs so you have to either wait for the literal two person elevator or climb up and down the stairs. COST: A bit pricey but at least you get what you paid for. It's hard to find this high quality Chinese food so if you're lucky enough, go and try it. My favorite is still Begoni Bistro in Chinatown but this one is definitely worth it and I might change my mind if I get to try the lunch!

I came by for an early Tuesday dinner for 3. Although we didn't have a reservation, we were still…read moreable to be seated and quickly. The restaurant has a bit of a nicer / upscale ambiance (so wish I'd dressed nicer but alas). We ordered the bbq pork buns, Szechuan spicy sauce cold chicken, half roasted duck with wraps, braised tofu with vegetables, and these scallion spinach noodles. BBQ Pork Buns: I loved the bbq pork buns. The bun itself was kind of light and slightly sweet (reminded me of the pineapple buns at Mei Lai Wah in NYC), and the pork inside was tasty as well. Szechuan Spicy Sauce Cold Chicken: Then we got the cold chicken, which was not bad. The chicken itself was really tender but I do feel like the sauce wasn't anything special - it tasted very similar to store bought Lao Gan Ma, with only a very slight, imperceptible difference. Roasted Duck w/Wraps: These were quite solid - the skin was thin, crispy, with the fat largely removed. I was slightly expecting the thinner authentic wraps vs. the thicker bao buns but these were still good. Scallion Spinach Noodles: These were probably my least favorite. They were lacking in flavor (had to ask for some salt). With salt, it was maybe slightly better? The noodles have a scallion flavor that is just sooo light and subtle, it tastes plain. And so, if I came back, I'd definitely opt for a different noodle dish. Braised Tofu w/Vegetables: Lastly, we all unanimously enjoyed this dish. It was a generous portion of tofu, and the sauce was rich that was easily soaked up by the tofu and vegetables. There were a few shiitake mushrooms that soaked up the flavor amazingly that I wished there were more. However, it's pretty typical vs. other cheaper Chinese restaurants, so I don't know if there was anything necessarily standout about it if you've had this before. Still enjoyed it of course. Overall, we had a nice dinner that we were all pretty full from. That being said, our bill actually wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be especially for SF (came out to little bit less than $50 per person including the 18% service charge they put in). I think the food was quite good, but unless I'm explicitly wanting to go for the more upscale vibe, I'd probably opt for a cheaper more mom-and-pop Chinese restaurant as the food quality would likely be pretty similar.

Photos
Harborview Restaurant & Bar - Black Sesame Mochi with Grated Peanut

Black Sesame Mochi with Grated Peanut

Harborview Restaurant & Bar - Enjoy dining or Happy Hour on our spacious patio!

Enjoy dining or Happy Hour on our spacious patio!

Harborview Restaurant & Bar - Baked Coffee Lava Buns with Crunchy Sugar Crust

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Baked Coffee Lava Buns with Crunchy Sugar Crust

Papa Noodle - chinese - Updated October 2026

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