Sampan is probably my favorite spot in Philly for happy hour. The restaurant itself has such a cool atmosphere, with dimly lit seating, two bars inside, and a back graffiti bar that has a completely different vibe with a more open and lively feel. I come here for happy hour every now and then because the prices are really great, and both the food and drinks are delicious. We started with the specialty cocktail and the Thai Punch, and both were really good. They had fruity undertones, and the alcohol wasn't overpowering at all -- I could easily have a few of these. For food, we got a few orders of the kung pao chicken wings. They were perfectly crispy with a really flavorful glaze. The portion size was also very generous, especially for the happy hour price. These are a great example of Asian-style fried chicken wings done right. I definitely want to come back and try their full dinner menu since I've only been here for happy hour so far. Luckily, it's not too far from where I live in the city, so I'll definitely be back! read more

Sampan - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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TLDR: mediocre food and dessert. You will be rushed out and treated like a nuisance. Go if you deliberately want a short basic, salty meal and don't mind feeling rushed. The details: This place is WAY overrated online. It's amazing what a little publicity can do for a place... Honestly, I wish I had something good to say about it, but all I can say is that a couple of the dishes (mushroom shumai and salmon skewers) were just "okay". The fried items (spicy chicken bao, cauliflower) were greasy and tasted half burnt; they were clearly fried in old grease, which leaves burnt crumbs on the batter and also doesn't drain from the food as well. The short rib dumplings were salty and the meat was overcooked and mushy. Besides the poor quality food, I strongly disliked that (at a regular table with a dinner reservation) they asked for a card up front to "open a tab". Really?? That seems so weird and tacky. Very few people "dine and dash", so what would be the reason behind this? It felt especially "interesting" given the diversity of the patrons, if you get my drift. I've never been to a restaurant that does that, unless you're at the bar. Speaking of the bar...FYI They only honor the happy hour menu at the bar. The last thing I'll say is this isn't a place where you can eat comfortably and relax socially. They are literally at your table every 5-10 mins trying to get you out. It's sort of "tapas" style but they don't allow you to finish a bite before they bring the next item. We felt like we had to rush to taste everything before it got cold. To top it off, we ordered the $56pp meal thing and the dessert was 4 tiny, tiny finger-sized ice cream cones. They brought them out without warning, so they were melting right away...again, forcing us to eat or lose out. And of course the waitress brought the check out shortly thereafter. When I made it clear that we wouldn't be rushed out, she kindly gave us more water. I questioned her about rushing us, and she said they "run a high volume model". Lol doesn't every restaurant want high volume (I.e., more money)? But at the expense of service? I guess they found the sweet spot of mediocrity and profit that keeps the doors open. Maybe 10 mins later, the manager came over and picked up drink glasses and asked us how things went (another "hurry up") signal. It was truly bizarre. Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish telling him how terrible the food was because he had a nose bleed and had to run off, and didn't return right away. We just left because it was no longer worth staying around somewhere that made it uncomfortable for us to have a leisurely dinner. I definitely would never go again. I didn't take any food pics because none of it was appealing enough to make me take my camera out, and again, we had to eat fast. read more

Amazing Pan-Asian restaurant in Center City that specializes in small shareable bites. Every time I'm in Philly, I try something new here. Place is super trendy with an open concept kitchen and dark lighting. I might be getting old because I find myself wanting more lighting lol Service is spectacular and if it's your first time here they'll fully explain their menu and recommendations. This time our server explained the tasting course, but we decided to order a la carte. A refreshing Ming Mule came out first and it was just what I needed after being inside of a stadium on a 100 degree day. We also ordered an order of the pork bao which was so tasty. You can never go wrong with a pork belly appetizer and each order comes with two. The shrimp pad Thai had all the flavors you expect from a classic pad Thai but with their own twist. The Szechuan chicken was crispy and had sweet notes. Definitely two great picks. Opted out from dessert because we were so stuffed but they have a great ice cream cone option if you are in the mood. read more

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I was impressed with the service, ambiance, and spectacular food. I didn't have a bad dish. Also dined for happy hour for food and drinks. I was just hungry for sushi but didn't see it in under updated menu. Still worth it. I mostly ordered small bites and it's affordable. I didn't try any entrees but I'm sure they're spectacular. When I visit Philly again, this will have to be my number one eatery. It's elevated casual aesthetic. Wide range of interior/exterior seating. Perfect for dates, casual, and foodies. I highly recommend sampan. Also shout out to my server for the suggestions and welcoming demeanor. read more

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My sister recommended this pan-Asian restaurant. We made reservations for dinner and were promptly taken to our table. The restaurant serves modern Asian small plates meant for sharing. We ordered the crispy chicken bao buns, crispy shrimp, general tso soup dumplings, wagyu beef, Korean bbq beef, and hamachi ceviche. We were a group of 3 so one thing that was nice was that our waiter added 1 additional skewer/bao bun for the meals instead of ordering 2 plates of them. Out of all the food we ordered the most delicious were the meats; the wagyu and Korean bbq beef. They were so tender and lightly seasoned because the beef quality itself was good. The Wagyu beef was paired with an apricot dip that was really good. The chilli crisp chicken bao was also good but didn't have much sauce, so it was on the dry side. It was supposed to have chilli so we expected it to be spicy but it was not. We all really liked the crispy shrimp--it was truly crispy. The sauce and the radish paired really nicely with the shrimp as well. The one meal we did not enjoy were the soup dumplings. When we got them they were dripping of raw dough and had no soup in them. The waiter was kind enough to replace them but we still didn't really enjoy them. I did not try the hamachi ceviche because I'm pregnant but it was also a favorite from the group. For dessert we had the mini ice cream cones. The waiter again added an extra one for us. The flavors were chocolate banana and mango. They were good, small bites. One of them melted so quickly and fell on the table and the waiter was really kind and got us a replacement. I did use the bathroom and absolutely hated it. It was unbelievably dark in there and there were weird sounds playing in there. I went in there to make sure I didn't have food in my teeth but couldn't even see. Super inaccessible, hopefully that's something that can be changed. The service overall was clearly excellent! I would recommend this place, especially if you come for the meats. It was surprisingly filling too. read more

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So busy on a Saturday night. We got there 15 minutes early for our reservation and had to wait to be seated for the people who were running late for their reservations. I did enough watching the food prep and seeing all the amazing dishes go by, so not a total loss . We decided on the chef tasting special. You get to pick a total of 7 dishes and given the ice cream cones with the flavors of the day. We started off with the general two soup dumplings. They were a little gummy and flavor was just fair. The pork bao bun was amazing! Crispy full of flavor and the bun was little, soft but held together. I could have eat dozen more of these they were that fabulous. The crab tacos were crispy and packed with crab meat but I felt the crab was a little watery and texture. The beef sticks were cooked perfectly and I added just a touch of hot sauce from the table and it took the flavor to another level. The duck came next and it was delicious - crispy crunchy skin with scallion and cucumbers which added another layer with the hoisin sauce and buns. The Brussels sprouts were out of this world. You have to try them to fully understand what I mean. The branzino fish was also very good. The small ice cream cones were a great touch to end the meal. The chocolate caramel flavor one was my favorite of the two. Serves was excellent - water glass was always filled. It's a shame that they have to ask for a credit card prior to ordering - guessing they have experienced too many people leaving without paying, unbelievable what people will do or try and get away with. read more

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Good location and great ambience. Definitely a place to try if you're in town for an extended amount of time, enjoyed the service and the fusion style of cuisine. The crispy chicken chili Boa was good. read more

Sampan - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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Our experience at Sampan was ok but not worth the price. The crispy shrimp, short rib dumplings and strawberry lemonade were outstanding! The char siu salmon and crab wonton tacos were good. There was a great amount of shrimp in the kimchi fried rice but the dish did not taste like kimchi. The branzino main was flavorless and the sauce was on the plate under the fish, so it didn't soak into the fish and you really had to scrape the plate to get any sauce in your bite. We did not have condiments on our table (which we felt the tuna rice cracker needed) even though other tables had little sriracha and soy sauce bottles. The waitress told us to order the kimchi fried rice with our mains so we did - but our mains came out 10 minutes after the rice and by then it was no longer warm. They require you to swipe your card before your meal, which she explained was because of dine and dashers. That was understandable but I've never been to a restaurant that does this and it sets an awkward tone. Bathrooms were dirty, however, overall ambiance was nice. read more

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Popular spot that was packed when my girlfriends and I went to celebrate a bday on a Sat evening, for the chef's tasting menu. We were sat right by the kitchen, which was cool as we got to see their assembly line. (Deff reserve in advance and dont be more than 15 mins late for ur rezzy!) We tried the tuna rice crackers (one of my faves), cheesesteak bao, edamame dumplings, wagyu beef, kung pao chicken wing, NY strip steak, crispy walnut shrimp, kimchi fried rice, it was a ton of food. Deff filling. Service was great and all the food was incredible. Highly recommend. Great spot for a special occasion. Pro tip: Parking is tough in this area of the city so give yourself ample time to find. read more

Went for happy hour during the summer and luckily got a table pretty quickly! This place usually has a line to get in so having the extra tables during the summer really helped. We loved that they opened up the tables outdoors on the street, very cool to see people walking by on a nice summer day. The food was so tasty! As a vegetarian, I got the tofu tacos and the edamame dumplings from their happy hour menu. I do wish they had more vegetarian options (or options that could be made vegetarian) from their happy hour menu, but the things I got were pretty tasty. read more

Sampan - Tofu Taco, Edamame Dumpling - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Went with a large party to celebrate continue the celebration from the wedding the night before. Asian small plates for sharing. Everything we sampled was flavorful and wonderfully prepared. This place had a huge local following (always a good sign) the place was packed. Very fast and attentive service for the large size of our party. Edamame dumplings and shrimp fried rice were probably my two favorite but enjoyed all the other plates we shared as well. read more

The Kim chee fried rice is always a go-to. I usually omit the poached egg and have been able to get it with a scrambled egg instead. It comes with shrimp and it is definitely filling. It's not overwhelming with Kim chee, so that could be a miss for die-hard Kim chee lovers and great for people who aren't entirely sold on Kim chee. The service is amazing! Food is quick, waiters are quick and hospitable. 10/10! The ambiance is gorgeous, dimly lit and just a vibe overall. I love the colors inside that light up on the walls. I enjoy sitting at the bar in front of the kitchen. It's an experience! read more

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We decided to do the tasting menu where you get 7 selections. 1.We started our tasting with the crab wontons which was filled with crab but I was hoping for an Asian inspired sauce with it but it was a bit bland. 2. Cheesesteak bao buns- our second favorite of the night, it was accompanied by a pepper relish that was really good too. 3. General tso's soup dumpling- our absolute favorite. It's an explosion of flavor when you bite into the dumpling. We both loved these. 4. Salmon skewers- my husband loved , I don't love salmon. The sauce underneath was pretty good. I let him pick this course 5. Walnut shrimp - disappointing. We both expected it to be sweet since it mentions honey but it wasn't, it was boring. 6.brussel sprouts- I would have liked them cooked a tiny bit more but they had great flavor. 7. Short rib with noodles- the short rib is sooooo tender, I was so full by this course and only had a bite. Our dinner was finished with min ice cream cone with a sparkler to celebrate our anniversary. read more

Sampan - General Tso's soup dumpling - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Always a good time when visiting here. The food comes out fast, but is always fresh. The servers are always knowledgeable (especially for how much to order because you never want too much that you can't finish). It was pretty packed this evening, but they were able to accommodate our reservation earlier than planned, which was perfect. We were celebrating a friend's birthday and they gave us the mini cones with cute sparklers! A nice touch. The kimchi fried rice and the Korean bbq satay are always my favorites here. Must have those on every visit. Tried the general tso soup dumplings for the first time and they were delicious! Can't really go wrong with the options the offer here. read more

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Sampan has been around a while and it's easy to see why. We dined early and it was already starting to fill up on a Saturday afternoon. The restaurant is dimly lit and intimate without feeling cramped like some city establishments. Service was attentive and professional. The kitchen turns out the food quickly. We tried several plates and all were really tasty. Favorites include the tempura cauliflower, mushroom shumai and the edamame dumplings. read more

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First time back for dinner here in years and it did not disappoint. This time though they asked for a credit card at the beginning when we were seated, apparently they have had issues with people dining and dashing. The restaurant itself is still dark and cramped/crowded (hard to walk between tables, lots of people at the bar and waiting for the bathroom, there was a line out of the front door when we left with people waiting for tables). The service is attentive and the food came out quickly. We were done in less than an hour. They have a 7 course $56 per person tasting menu (you pick two small plates then one dish from each other category on the menu plus mini ice cream cones for dessert) but depending on how many dishes you want to try/people in your reservation, it can be more fun to just order a bunch of different items. For us it was about the same cost (a little cheaper) to do this rather than the 7 course menu. As a group of 4 we ordered the short rib dumplings, general tso's soup dumpling, dan dan dumplings (all of the dumplings are 5 per order and bite sized), chili chicken bao buns (2 orders as two buns come per order and they are fairly large), crab wonton tacos (3 come in an order, decently sized), the short rib lo mein entree, crispy duck entree and a side of broccoli. Everything was tasty, the only think I would not order again were the dan dan dumplings. The meat on the inside of the dumplings was a little dry and the overall flavor was a bit strange even though I love dan dan noodles. The other appetizers were very good though, the chicken in the bao buns was very deep fried and crunchy, reminded me of an Asian themed chick filet sandwich. The short rib dumplings were moist and had a good amount of short rib in them, the general tso's soup dumplings tasted like soup dumplings but did not have as much broth as regular soup dumplings. The crab wonton tacos are generous on the crab and quite enjoyable. The entrees were very good with the short rib lo mein perhaps being our favorite dish of the night (and we are not lo mein people). The short rib was cooked perfectly, came in nice big chunks and was bursting with flavor. It went very well with the sauce and noodles. The crispy duck is basically peking duck served with scallion bao buns instead of the traditional pancakes, hoisin sauce, cucumber etc. It was tasty, but I have had better peking duck elsewhere. Overall a really nice meal, we left feeling pretty satiated. Fun place to go with a larger group so you can try more dishes. I would go back. read more

I went here on a Sunday at 4pm with a reservation for a party of 6. We waited outside a bit bc it took awhile for the doors to open. We also couldn't be seated until everyone arrived. But, once we were all there, the server came right away! We decided on the Chef's Tasting, which was $56 pp and including 7 items. The entire table has to agree on those items. We got the general tso dumpling, shortrib dumplings, wonton tacos, fried rice, roasted branzino, crispy duck & Korean BBQ beef. Everything was delicious. The meal was topped off with 2 mini ice cream cones... Chocolate caramel and vanilla raspberry. Everything seemed perfectly portioned and timed. Service ran smoothly. They also take your credit card before hand, which I can definitely understand. My biggest complaint is the lighting inside. There is no reason for it to be that dark in the middle of the day. I had to use the light on my phone to see the menu. I also tried my best to use the chopsticks and not ask for a fork. But I tapped out at the fried rice. Apparently they have a really nice outside area as well. My oldest says it's "grounded" and talks about "the vibes." read more

This place is one of the more popular restaurants in the Center City area. It is always busy and crowded here no matter when you visit. I came here for happy hour and had a short wait to sit at the bar. The inside has these great designs which light up during your stay. It seems like a fun trendy place to visit and bring clients over. There is an open kitchen where you can watch the cooks make the food which is great to see. They are constantly making high class meals and bringing them out as fast as possible. The waitress was very friendly and guided me through the happy hour menu. I decided to order the Kimchi Fried Rice, Kobe Sliders, and the Thai Punch. These items are listed as sides on the menu but there is a decent amount of food. I was filled with the Kobe Sliders alone. The sliders were the highlight of the meal. They were delicious and packed with wonderful flavor. I would love to eat these every day if I could. The Thai Punch was delicious and washed down the meal. I had a great time here and would highly recommend it to anyone for a great meal at any time of day. read more

Sampan - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This is an extremely well known happy hour spot in Philly and though it's a great time, prices have definitely increased for it. Limited number of seats if you plan to come, come early or be prepared to wait. Favorite thing to get is the kimchi fried rice! I've also tried their tasting menu and would say it's not worth it and you're better off ordering a la carte for dinner. It sounds like you get a lot for the price but it's insanely smaller portions. Great friendly staff, inside is a candlelit ambiance. Also note they make you put a card down before you order. read more

Food: The Kobe beef was delicious, well balanced and perfectly cooked. The tuna was my favorite though, wonderful texture and flavor, slightly spicy but not too much. The Kim chee rice wasn't very good unfortunately. It lacked depth, umami, complexity and the heat was overpowering. Service: excellent, my waitress was attentive but not excessively. She paced everything perfectly! Ambiance: really cool and chic. It was a little loud but I was dining solo so I put in my headphones and that was perfect. The pricing was fairly reasonable and overall I enjoyed it. I'd visit again :) read more

Sampan - Tuna Rice Cracker Kim Chee Fried Rice Kobe Beef - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Had a reservation at 5pm on a Saturday night with my husband, no wait for our table. Attentive, professional staff. Darker mood with nice changing colors on the walls. Food was phenomenal! Everything we had was delicious, very tasty. The general tso's soup dumplings were delicious. The pork bao buns were an explosion of flavor! We also shared a Kim Chee fried rice and Korean bbq beef satay. The rice texture was perfect and so flavorful with plenty of shrimp as well. For dessert we had the mini ice cream cones chocolate pecan and vanilla guava!!! I could have eaten 10! Definitely going back, excited to try other dishes!!! read more

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We came for happy hour and the food here was amazing! We tried a lot of different things and liked a lot of the items. For small dishes, we got the edamame dumplings and the dan dan dumplings. The presentation of the edamame dumplings was very pretty and we enjoyed this dish. The dan dan dumplings were on the spicy side and were just ok. I would just get the edamame ones and skip the dan dan one next time. We got a lot of the bun and wrap items. Of the items we tried, we really liked the pork bao, pork banh mi, and the kobe sliders. The pork bao was the favorite and I also really liked the pork banh mi. We also tried the kobe hot dog and crispy chicken bao - those were both not very flavorful and I'd skip those items. We also had the korean bbq beef satay. Each order is one skewer. This was very good. For the crispy items, we ordered the kung pao chicken wings but the kitchen missed it and we were so full that we just cancelled them. They look delicious though and I'd want to get them next time. For sides, I got the crispy brussels sprout. They were ok but the flavors just didn't go well together for me and I'd probably skip this next time. For drinks, we tried the ming mule and thai punch. Both were good. We went on a Monday and it was still very busy and a long wait for a table. I recommend making a reservation (if you can) when you want to come out here. Service is great and our server was spot on with recommendations - the items he recommended were good and the items we ordered without his recommendations are the items I'd pass on. read more

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This place is absolutely delicious. Came here on a random Friday night. The place was packed even for outdoor seating (with drizzling rainy weather outside). We sat outside since my friend had her dog, but the chairs are kind of uncomfortable since they are made of metal. Also some of the seats are too close to other parties and you can't move them since it is permanent fixtures. The waitress was prompt and really friendly. We got the Dan Dan dumplings, general tso soup dumplings, shrimp fried rice. The general tso soup dumplings and the shrimp fried rice are a must get. There is a lot of shrimp in the fried rice and I really like when they mix the egg in. There is this hot sauce bottle you can get that mixes perfectly in. The tso soup dumplings are so warm inside. There is a little bit of chicken mixed in with a delicious burst of soup. The Dan Dan dumplings are average. The peanuts were whole and roasted. The dumplings seemed like they were pan fried and contained pork. The tahini on it was an interesting twist. read more

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The food is why it has two stars but overall, I had such a bad experience at this place. I'm really not wanting to write bad reviews and it's very rare for me to actually get upset at service from a place. I understand every place has an on or off night, but this was just honestly rude by the three hostesses/manager. I had a reservation at 7 PM for one. I arrived at 6:55 to check in, they told me it would be a little bit of a wait to check in back in 10 minutes, at 7:15 i checked in and they said they still didn't have a table, at 7:30 i finally got sat after having to walk up again and they said they only had the bar available or outside (I initially had a confirmed reservation for one for a table inside). They also canceled my reservation on the Resy app after checking in and seeing that I was a party of one (in town for one night). I was in sat at the kitchen/chef table and bar. It took a minimum of 15 minutes to get someone to come to my table to take a drink order and this was after one waiter saw me pointed, and then another waiter finally came over. I ordered two appetizers and a main, specifically the Wagyu beef was iconic and the sauce was perfection. I also ordered a drink. It did not come ever. The waiter finally came back, I just asked for my check and asked them to take the drink off. They said sorry the drink has just been sitting at the bar and took it off the check. Overall genuinely bad service and I think it's a scam that they're canceling reservations after you check in and also getting sat 30 minutes after your reservation (with a not reserved table) and having to go up to the hostess twice to check on a reservation. At least two separate parties (of two people) walked in after me and my reservation time, heard they had no reservation, and got sat before me. read more

Sampan - Kitchen/bar table - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

i'm already a big fan of sampan's happy hour, but my first time for dinner did not disappoint! i came here for a first date, and this is a very solid date spot. it's dark, vibey, and the food is always solid. we shared the tuna rice cracker, the edamame dumpling, the pork bao, and the korean bbq beef. i was most excited to try the edamame dumpling -- i know it's a sampan classic, but i've never had it before. definitely a unique dish, i don't know if the edamame filling is my favorite, but a fun item to try. the pork baos (which are also on the happy hour menu) are a safe bet and delicious. my personal favorite was the korean bbq beef satay which was super flavorful and tender. looking back on it now, it seems like most of the items we ordered were available for happy hour as well... maybe i'm just a happy hour fan. i'm sure the other food is solid as well, sampan is always a reliable choice. our waitress was attentive and service was fast. we were impressed by how quickly the food came out. overall, a great spot! read more

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If you're Black, be prepared to be asked for your credit card before you're even allowed to order, so they can keep it on file. VERY RACIST ESTABLISHMENT! What made the situation even more disturbing was that the party sitting next to us, who happened to be white, was not asked to provide their card information before ordering. Shortly afterward, another Black couple arrived, and they were also asked to provide their card information before ordering. The inconsistency in how customers were being treated was extremely concerning and felt discriminatory. On top of that, the food was absolutely disgusting and not worth the experience. I would NOT recommend this establishment. The treatment we received was unacceptable, and I will not be returning. SERVER NAME WAS JAKE G. Food: 1/5 | Service: 1/5 | Atmosphere: 1/5 read more

Sat outside in the back of graffiti bar, fresh air, yummy alcoholic bowls, and delicious happy hour appetizers. Service was fast, efficient, and effective. Coming back very sooooon! Love the alleyway read more

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Modern Asian fusion place in center city Went here for happy hour with some friends and it was pretty busy. Service was pretty fast despite being seated outside. We ordered some of their happy hour apps which were ok not great but a decent snack for happy hour read more

Sampan - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From pork belly bao to crispy duck and delicate branzino, Sampan's tasting menu delivers big flavors without the big price tag. At $56, it's a great way to sample a variety of dishes in one sitting. The pork belly bao and Kung Pao chicken wings were highlights, while the crispy duck and branzino really stood out. The wagyu beef was just okay, but the overall value, service, and lively atmosphere made it a memorable night out. Definitely worth trying! read more

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10/10 every time! I've been here for a birthday, happy hour, sips, before an event and it's always a hit! I highly recommend the 7 course tasting menu if it's your first time. The portions are insane for the price and you get to try so many good dishes for your next visit (trust me there will be another after that). I will always order the kimchi fried rice! The short rib lo mein is actually calling me right now. So many amazing items and drinks. read more

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Soooo good!!! Possibly one of the best restaurants I've had in Philly. Every dish was genuinely delicious and everyone at my table agreed. We came for Restaurant Week and I've been excited to go back ever since. Service was great, very attentive and the vibe is super cool with dark lighting and nice decor. Seating is a bit tight, but totally worth it. read more

Arguably one of the best, if not the best, happy hours in the city. I have been going here for years! They have happy hour every day from 4 PM to 7 PM and you get some of the best food for very great prices! The ambience is always nice, energetic, and very lively! Definitely recommend getting there early since you are not able to do reservations ahead of time for the happy hour. I have always had a great experience with the staff and service here. Highly recommend! read more

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I really loved it here... our waitress Jaime was AMAZING. food was 10/10. However the bathroom experience was a 1/10. I felt like I was not in a nice dining restaurant but a frat party walking into the conditions of those restrooms. I didn't want to eat after. It's definitely something that needs to be monitored especially with the traffic of the restaurant, multiple had no toilet paper, water (or other stuff) on the floor. Just not something you want to see at the level of ambience Sampan is trying to achieve. read more

Super good food, lots of small plates. Really liked the truffle dumplings, kimchi fried rice, tacos etc the vegetarian tasting menu was a good price for the food read more

Sampan - Tofu Taco - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From the moment we walked into Sampan, the energy and ambiance were absolutely spot on--modern, lively, and welcoming. What truly elevated our evening, though, was Isabella, our server. She was attentive without being overbearing, incredibly knowledgeable about the menu, and made the entire experience seamless and enjoyable. Her warmth and professionalism stood out from the start. We went with the seven-course tasting menu, and every dish was a standout--thoughtfully composed, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. From bold, creative flavors to perfectly balanced textures, each course was a culinary delight. If you're thinking of dining at Sampan, do it--and if you can, request Isabella. She truly made a great night even better. Highly recommended! read more

The food here is a 10/10. My favorite fried rice and crab Rangoon I've ever had! Service is super quick and the ambiance is gorgeous. I've eaten both at the graffiti bar as well as the main resteraunt, and while they are very different vibes, I love them both! read more

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I've been here many times since my last review and it remains very popular, lively and a fun spot to grab food/drinks. Came here most recently with a big group of coworkers. Our waiter was extremely kind and accommodating. They can easily add an extra piece or two to any dish! We decided to order a ton of dishes to share family style. We ordered the chili crisp chicken bao, edamame dumpling, mushroom Shumai, crispy Brussels sprouts, Kim chee fried rice, Szechuan chicken stir fry, beef short rib and the tempura ice cream. Everything we ordered was a 10/10! Our entire group was impressed with each dish and I did not hear any complaints. My favorite were the bao buns, edamame dumpling and beef short rib. The short rib was so tender your fork immediately pulls it apart just by gently touching it. The dessert was simple yet delicious and what we all needed! Great dinner spot and fun vibes! read more

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food was good, but service sucked. Took a while once sitting down to get our drinks. My napkin was dirty then we didn't have silverware and portions are so small and expensive. Also why so dark in there? Can hardly see where you are walking and hard to see menu. Would not recommend. Also , not right to ask us to hold a charge of 20.00 before eating. read more

This was my first culinary experience with bao bun and pan Asian cuisine, and this sexy vibey cocktail lounge exceeded my expectations. The happy hour had a fantastic selection for a great price, not to mention the small plates were overflowing with simple yet divine flavors. We devoured 3 at a time and continued to order more! The short rib bao buns with shallot and mint simply melted in your mouth. The vegetarian mushroom spring rolls with a citrus lime sauce were next level. Our bartender was patient and accommodating when I picked his brain about different concoctions. Can't wait for my next visit! read more

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My friend snagged a last minute Saturday night reservation. Everyone had already dined at Sampan but me. We arrived and they told us it would be a 1-hour wait for our table . So we opted to sit at the chef's counter. It was loud and challenging to hear each other, but we made it work. We opted for the tasting menu, which was a great deal for $55pp. To drink, I got the Bangkok Bloom. It was sweet with a hint of bitterness at the end. Not my favorite, but not bad. The food: we chose the tuna rice cracker and the short rib dumplings for smalls. The tuna rice cracker was good, but not my favorite one in the city. It actually had me wishing I could go get the other ones, haha. The short rib dumplings were delectable. We all ouuu'd with our first bite. The short rib was well seasoned and tender. We got the wagyu beef for the satay, which was tender and well seasoned. The dipping sauce added a nice light sweet flavor as well. We got the crispy shrimp for the cold+hot, which was tasty with a nice crunch. The mix of yuzu and the aioli left it very flavorful. We got the crispy duck for our meat. Again, very tender, very flavorful and did not have a strong gamey flavor, which was great. The bao with hoisin sauce was chef's kiss, though I did not want to prepare little bao buns for each bite, so I went rogue and just ate duck as well. We got the salmon for our fish. This was my least favorite. I loved the sambal, ginger, and scallion that topped the salmon, but the salmon was cooked too long and was drier than I like. Finally, we got the kim chee fried rice, which was lightly seasoned but very good. The little shrimp added a pop of flavor that I enjoyed. We opted to add brussel sprouts (because we needed a vegetable) and they did not disappoint. Cooked well so not crunchy and had a nice char. The puff rice added a different texture to each bite, which I enjoyed. Lastly, I loved the mini cones. Specifically the marshmallow one was so good. The chocolate cinnamon toast crunch was good as well with a more dark chocolate flavor, and it was creative. *Overall, I would come back to sample more of the menu. My friends were quick to snag a bite, so I didn't get pictures of everything. read more

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