Delicious food, friendly and fast service, clean restaurant that makes you feel like you're dining at home. We'll definitely be back to try other dishes from the menu. read more

Taishan Specialty - Xiao Long Bao (Pork Soup Dumlings) - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

While in Chinatown running an errand, we stopped by this hole-in-the wall spot for some claypot rice. Only one lady was handling the front of the house, and all the tables were occupied. Luckily, a table was freed up for us after 10 minutes of waiting. Taishan specialty's menu consists of dim sum, claypot rice, stir-fried dishes, soup and noodles, grilled dishes, porridge, skewers, and rice plates. However, we were focused on trying their claypot dishes. ***OUR PICKS*** QUAIL CLAYPOT RICE ~ flavorful quail meat, though it was broken and chopped down to small pieces, so there were lots of tiny bones. Regardless, it was tasty! 4/5 CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM CLAYPOT RICE ~ enjoyable rice and yummy chicken and mushrooms! Satisfied my craving for claypot rice! 5/5 PIG'S FEET WONTON NOODLE SOUP ~ meat was tender (especially the skin), wontons were good (though no shrimp), and noodles had good crisp texture and weren't soggy. 4/5 Everything was prepared and seasoned well. You could see each grain of rice, so you know there was just enough water. The bottom had a nice crunchy crust as expected and not burnt, but they didn't provide the usual soy sauce dressing that comes with claypot rice. In my opinion, it was fine without it, as the rice and meat were delicious as is. We've only tried a few dishes here, and thankfully, we chose some good ones. We'd come again to try other popular dishes, if we're in the neighborhood. read more

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This was my first time visiting this restaurant. I noticed a poster on the window advertising "All Dim Sum $5.80 from 3-9 PM daily," which seemed like a reasonable price for a sit-down spot compared to takeout dim sum. I ordered the Xiao Long Bao and Shrimp Dumplings. It appeared freshly cooked, as it took a while to get my order. The shrimp dumpling skin was a bit too sticky/doughy, while the Xiao Long Bao was just okay. For 2 orders of dim sum ($11.60 total), it's a reasonable dinner option. One thing I noticed--this is the first time I've seen tip suggestions on the receipt (16%, 18%, 22%), which felt a little unusual. Overall, a decent option if you're looking for affordable dim sum in a sit-down setting. read more

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This is literally on one border of Chinatown at the corner. I remember various restaurant iterations here, from a vegetarian place to pho. If my memory serves me, it might have even been a satellite of the old time Tong Kee Restaurant that was a well known legacy business. The name lends me to wonder whether it's also a satellite or part of a multi restaurant chain with similar names. Being on the block on a rainy Monday morning for an errand, I decided to get lunch before heading back to the office about 12:30 pm. There were 8 or 9 tables, the smaller ones with 1-2 diners on each one. The lady behind the counter gave me my choice from the remaining tables so I sat at the back corner 4-seat table. While walking to my table, I glanced at what other diners were eating which included rice plates and various stir fry dishes. A couple of tables had claypot rice so my focus was on trying that. After being given a teapot and cup (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&start=24&select=Lg_-CCCjHa73qcgFyoZGhg), I studied the menu. I enjoyed and was impressed by the teapot which had a metal strainer under the cover to strain the leaves. I started with the BBQ pork rice noddle roll (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=s2Z5EyNWyetSO26UKJ9RMg); there were three good sized rolls, served with the slightly sweet soy sauce on the side. The noodles wrapping was obviously house made and medium in thickness, making this a hearty and satisfying dish. The doced BBQ pork pieces were a mix of lean and fatty pieces. For my main meal, I tried the Taishan Claypot rice (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=Q4Y5bxWnZgKeIeo0DBZkkQ); after mixing it (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=P8CrxoQ7ORSDdheVxfY5dg), a mix of preserved pork slices, preserved duck pieces, and preserved Chinese sausage slices. I found the plating interesting with a non-traditional colored ceramic pot housing a small traditional brown clay pot, making this safer for the diner. The rice was smoking hot and the bottom rice were crispy and smoky. Though the duck piece I got was bony and mostly inedible, the plentiful sausage slices made up for that. I poured the provided sweet soy sauce as I ate so the rice didn't get too salty or soggy. I only ate half as I finished the noodle roll knowing that wouldn't keep for the next day. The dining room emptied by the time I finished except for a lady diner. We made smalltalk as I packed my food for home. The teapot was large so no refill was necessary and the lady was amicable and efficient in handling the dining room alone. Not sure how things are if the tables are full. Will return and perhaps try one of the other claypot rice options. read more

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There are so many of these restaurants popping up in Chinatown. I usually never eat out for Chinese food, but I stopped by here for lunch with my aunt who recommended it. The service is a little slow, but the food is amazing. We got the Taishan claypot rice and a beef rice noodle roll. Both were so tasty. The claypot rice was so fragrant and done well. I love a good charred rice on the bottom of the pot. The beef rice noodle roll was so smooth as well. I believe they make it in house. The flavor of the sauce was amazing - ask for more. I would come back for either dishes and to try other things. read more

Taishan Specialty - Taishan Claypot Rice - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

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They had $5.80 dim sum hours from 3pm-9pm daily. Cozy cafe on the corner of Stockton and Vallejo. Served is very attentive. Food came out quickly. read more

Taishan Specialty - Menu for dim sum special. - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

The standout dish here is definitely the Claypot Rice. The Wonton Rice Noodles are also quite decent, but the rest of the menu is fairly average--for instance, the Kung Pao Chicken and the Pig Trotter Wonton Noodles didn't really leave an impression. On the bright side, the staff is very welcoming; they'll engage in some light conversation, offer recommendations, or even share a few local stories. The restrooms are kept clean, which is always a plus. We arrived a bit late--around 7:30 PM--so the place wasn't crowded, with only a few tables occupied. read more

Everyday, the food of Chinatown tests me more and more... Ended up eating here with a large group of local Cathay Post members after the Italian Heritage Parade - unfortunately the other Toisan place they liked was blocked off and busy due to the crowds from the parade & Blue Angels air show. This place was definitely empty for a reason... We took up half of the tables of the restaurant and it took over an hour for any of us to get our food. All our food came out randomly and lots of our dishes were missed & forgotten, which ended up taking more time for us to get our meals. The food was incredibly disappointing, especially when I ordered all their Toisan-specialty noodles & beef clay pots. All dishes were a good portion size but unfortunately so, so bland across the board. They seemed very understaffed and dismissed us when we would ask for napkins or plates - we ended up just getting up and grabbing our own utensils and refilling our own waters and teas behind the counter. I understand it was a chaotic day but also the restaurant was empty before we got there. Unfortunately would never come back here again. read more

Taishan Specialty - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

Wandered in here on a Sunday afternoon and ordered Won Ton Soup. Here is the recipe: BIGGEST on water BIG on noodles Big on bland greens tiny on won ton tiniest on taste The tea was hot and good. read more

Taishan Specialty - Big bowl small flavor - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

It was thanksgiving night (10pm) and my friend and I just roadtrip all the way to San francisco and I was craving bbq pork buns. We were just walking around and found this place and THE BUNS WERE SO DELICIOUS. As we waited the even gave us water which was very generous. Will be going back every time I'm in SF. I think of these back at home. read more

Taishan Specialty - Bbq pork buns - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

First time having Taishan Claypot rice and it was delicious. It was cooked in the oil of pork belly and chinese sausages. The cilantro also added a good taste. I also ordered shrimp and cilantro rice noodle rolls. The shrimp pieces were small but adequate and the rice rolls were well-done. Service was adequate, but they forgot the egg that we requested. The ambiance is very casual. read more

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We tried the Pork Ribs and Taishan clay pot. The Taishan clay pot included cured duck leg, Chinese sausages and cured Chinese pork belly. I thought there were a good variety of different meats in this dish to try, they have similar tastes because they are all cured, but still with its own uniqueness. This clay pot includes all of the classic cured meats that are usually in clay pot rice. But there was a kind of sour sauce in it, maybe ponzu or some citrus soy sauce that didn't exactly suit the taste, but not overpowering or that noticeable. I liked the pork ribs clay pot, the pork ribs were very flavorful. But a bit heavy because it was fatty, but I thought it went well with rice. Thought it was nicely priced for the portion sizes, sad that the rice on the bottom of the pot didn't form to be scorched rice though, it would've been a nice bonus. read more

Taishan Specialty - Taishan Clay Pot + Pork Ribs Clay Pot - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

I was at an event called, Craving Chinatown. It was hosted by the Chinese Youth Center. It was nicely organized. There was a variety of cafes, milk tea and restaurants to sample their dishes. I was planning on trying the Roasted Duck over Rice but I chose Taishan Specialty's Pork Ribs Claypot Rice. The rice wasn't dry but well steamed and the sauce was tasty. The pork rib was tender but a couple small bones in the large, tender meat. There was small sauce bath at the bottom of the container. That could explain how the rice was well steamed. The flavor was great. I haven't been to the restaurant but hopefully, they can maintain the soft steamed rice. I don't really like dry, crispy rice. read more

Your typical Chinese Chinese restaurant. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad thing. The service was direct. Very straight forward. The portions were skewed - two pieces of meat and a BOWL of rice. Did the meat taste good though - yes! The taste still there, wish I got more value. I ordered one claypot and one steamed pot. Highly recommend the chicken and mushroom and the soup! The soup was soo energizing and revitalizing, though the portion is tiny. I also ordered the beef steamed rice. I don't think beef should be steamed but why not give it a try? The environment - standard Chinatown small dine in. read more

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Great value, hospitable welcoming staff, and delicious food very ample in quantity! We got the congee which we loved the consistency of. Chicken was well seasoned. The garlic A Choy vegetable dish was also splendidly flavorful. Beef skewers had a juicy rich chewy texture. Highly recommend and we will be back! read more

Taishan Specialty - A choy vege dish, fried chicken , beef congee - Desserts Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My friend and I came here for lunch yesterday for the very first time. We assumed that the Chinese food here would be good because of the huge crowd of Chinatown locals already seated at the tables. My friend ordered the Preserved Pork Stir Fried Cauliflower and I ordered the Taishan Steamed Rice which came with pork and Chinese Sausage. The waitress was very nice and the free pitcher of tea was very good. I guess that since this place first opened for business sometime late last week and they hadn't yet perfected a way of serving a large crowd of people, I had to wait a fairly long time for my order. I was surprised that my dish didn't have as much meat as pictured in their menu. Then again, maybe that was due to the fact that they had just opened for business a few days ago and hadn't had enough ingredients to cook with. Since I live fairly close by to this restaurant and like to support my local neighborhood businesses, I will give this restaurant another try in a few weeks to see if things improve. read more

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I tried the dumpling and roasted chicken and both absolutely delicious ! The flavors were rich and everything was cooked perfectly . the price are very reasonable making it great value for the quality. read more

What a find. My second time here. Don't know why so many grumbling reviews. We had chicken wings, veggie rolls, stir fried vegetables with rice, wanton soup and stir fried lettuces with garlic, all of it magnificent. Our server, a lovely girl. Been to several Chinatown places, and I'd put this on top. read more

Went ~4 PM on saturday and the place was empty. Service was relatively fast. The tea was good, food was bad. Congee tasted like rice and water, the napa cabbage with garlic barely had any taste, so much rice roll for so little shrimp in the shrimp rice roll, we got a noodle dish and they had ramen as the noodles... Wouldn't ever come back. read more

Came in around 4:15pm on a Saturday. Service was super slow - waited about 35-40 minutes for food to come out. The servers just sat there watching TVB drama for a good 25 minutes until another group came in - that's when they finally got up to wash dishes and get food ready. I don't even understand why? Claypot rice does not take that long to cook. We got pork ribs claypot, and mushroom and chicken claypot - this one had bone-in which seemed unusual since it's usually made with tender chicken thigh. The claypot was pretty big, but nothing special. Would not come back again. read more

I ordered chicken and mushroom claypot. Rice is hard. And not really impress of taste.

no parking validation. slow service, rice is very hard, not fully cooked, quantity is less, but price still high. taste so-so.

Been here today order the Asian swamp eel claypot rice, the rice tastes amazing, will come back again!