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    Wang Wah

    3.9 (197 reviews)
    ModerateChinese
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Wang Wah Photos

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    WANG WAH ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - Wang Wah

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    Mapo Bean Curd (Mapo Tofu)
    Mike L.

    Okay, I have to admit - despite how I've tried dozens of different places around SF, I know that I've only managed to try a small fraction of the Chinese restaurants that The City has to offer. Especially when you consider how the vast majority of them are all located in the Richmond, Sunset, and Chinatown. However, with all due to respect to areas like the Mission and this stretch of Ocean Avenue that are also home to a large number of Chinese restaurants, why would I bother when there are so many good option so much closer to home? Of course, me saying this now might also be because I was so disappointed with Wang Wah... Squeezed between two other small businesses, it's insanely easy to miss Wang Wah if you aren't really looking for it (I almost missed it just walking by). I know I've used the tern on several occasions, but this place definitely ranks as a true "hole in the wall". Not only is the restaurant narrow, but it's not all that deep either. However, irregardless of the tiny confines though, the menu has a surprisingly solid selection to choose from - appetizers, noodle dishes, vegetarian options, fried rice...the list goes on. Really, based purely on variety, the menu here isn't all too shabby. -- MA PO BEAN CURD...$9.99 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=y_2mxfq18DksQIKrYfdGbQ) The sauce was a little darker than you might typically expect (it's more burgundy than red), and there wasn't a ton of it, but the flavors were good. What's more, I thought the dish had a nice level of heat to it. -- XO SAUCE STRING BEANS...$10.99 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=oRRfQJ088xsrnSU-JUt61A) This was fine, but there wasn't much to this either. The string beans seemed mostly fresh and I liked that they weren't overcooked. That said, this could've used more of the X.O. sauce to give it more punch -- BEEF STEW WITH BEAN CURD CLAY POT...$11.50 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=B_uEoMnUbq9LacXTsWaz_A) I was super hopeful for this one, but it just wasn't good. Mostly, both the beef and the bean curd were tough; the former was really chewy, lacking any fattiness/tenderness, while the latter was rubbery, as if it hadn't been soaked long enough. Plus, where was the clay pot? -- SALTED FISH WITH CHICKEN, BEAN CURD, AND EGGPLANT IN CLAY POT...$10.50 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=YDQovTh49HIs0hqkImAOug) The bean curd/tofu and chicken were fine and there was a decent amount of salted fish. That said, the eggplant was off-putting; not only was it a bit stringy and mealy, but, by the end of the meal, the dish had this weird, gray-ish tinge to it. Also, again...no clay pot. -- BRAISED EGGPLANT WITH BASIL...$9.99 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=7hAso0fOKdYhjkEN9CAX0Q) We doubled up on eggplant on accident, but it's a favorite of one of my friends. Compared to the "clay pot", the coloring on this one was normal, and it was fresh, but I thought it was a bit bland and needed more sauce. -- FRIED CHICKEN WINGS (8pcs)...$8 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=Z0ON_BCEFv9_FrWhpn8qQQ) The flavor was okay, as there was a good amount of jalapenos and it wasn't too salty, but the wings themselves were disappointing - most pieces weren't that meat, they were inconsistent in size, and a few pieces looked overcooked. -- PRAWNS WITH CRISPY WALNUT...$13 (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=4RBkSN8CNWdXRRbbxJHcmg) Not bad, but it's also hard to mess up walnut prawns (though, I've been to places that have...). The batter on them was a little thick (and weird), but the prawns were otherwise standard. The taste of the mayo was a little different, but not that unusual. Despite how the food didn't impress, the service here was actually pretty solid (dishes came out fast and the owner was decently friendly, though not overly so. In that regard, I get why some say it feels like you're going to your grandmother's house and is the only reason I might feel mildly bad for giving a low rating. Yet, based on what we ate, it was still an easy call. For those who live in the area and/or haven't tried a lot of Chinese restaurants, (I guess?) I can see why this is a popular spot. However, personally, I'd much rather go to one of my usual haunts that are both better and closer to where I live.

    Jack R.

    Overall, this place had friendly staff. I can tell it's family run, and they care about their frequent customers, but the food just wasn't that good in my opinion. Sweet and sour chicken was fatty and dry and had too much batter. The complimentary seaweed soup was so horrible, a lot of starch and just hard to drink. Homeless people kept coming in to keep warm, so it was uncomfortable seeing not one, not two, but three homeless men come in at different times asking for food or spare change. This of course isn't the restaurants fault but it makes dining in uncomfortable. Overall, the hard to find parking and below average food is why I won't be returning.

    So hot and staff is very friendly. Food is flavored perfect
    Roberta O.

    Veggie chow mein, so scrumptious, big portion and super hot, the hot sauce is also very spicy and made perfect. Friendly service. I would recommend this place.

    Beef Broccoli Prawns Egg Foo Young
    Aga O.

    Sunday family dinner, looking for something close by that's still open @8pm. Discovered Wang Wah via yelp and first time here ever! How can we have missed this place living around Ingleside/Excelsior district forever. The owner was serving us and mentioned they've been open since 1985. Your typical hole-in-the-wall mom&pop place that have many many regulars order togos or sitting down We ordered an array of American-tailored Chinese cuisine favorites. Beef w/ Broccoli Prawns Egg Foo Young Sizzling Rice Soup Prawns w/ lobster sauce Combo Chow mien Veggie egg rolls Fried Won Ton Chips Singaporean Noodles Orange Chicken All deliciously prepared, came out fast and pipping hot! We'll continue to keep coming back as we found a new-old favorite!

    Combination H. Sweet and sour chk, beef broccoli and chk fried rice for $10.75.
    R T.

    Little hole in the wall owned by family with the husband being the cook and his wife being the cashier and waitress. Ordered the combination H with sweet and sour chicken, beef broccoli and chicken friend rice for $11. This wasn't a buffet and they made the food per order. Great for a quick lunch late night Chinese food!

    Update - went back a week later at lunch time.  Sure enough... completely packed with Chinese men.  The "Real Deal Endorsement."
    Glenn M.

    Update here: https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/wang-wah-san-francisco-2?select=Lf20qZoa9h9xFCYEU554FQ&userid=ZYPHsVi3IlYmJg0r7BdiVg

    Jennifer C P.

    The food, the smell coming from the kitchen, even the way this place looks reminds me of my aunt's house where everyone got together. That was the place I would take my shoes off, wear someone's ugly sweater, drink some random soupy medicine stuff I'm forced to drink lest I die a premature and painful death before laying on the sofa with the "clink clink" sound of MJ tiles on the tables lulling me to sleep before waking to an abundance of lovingly cooked food on the dinner table. The meals I have had here transported me to that place. Certain types of home style cooking does that to me. Interestingly enough, this isn't my home, and these wonderful people aren't my family. My photographs speak to what I ordered. It was really affordable despite ordering ala carte instead of their inexpensive pre-set menus for groups of 2 or 4. This isn't a fancy restaurant by any means. The food will not resemble mass produced gross Panda Express or Westernized watered down weird versions of Chinese food. No, this restaurant does it the way it should be done. I like that. I like that a lot DON'T ORDER THE WON TON SOUP! It wasn't good, which makes me sad because the owner gave us an extra family sized bowl while we waited for the whole fried fish. I'm so happy I found this place. I am happy I got to enjoy a delicious dinner with my girls. I think we all need to find that one place that we can sit down and eat a fuss free meal that makes us feel ...like home. My initial visit was for family dinner. I visited several times after that to pick up lunch specials that are delicious and inexpensive! If you are in the neighborhood, stop by or phone your order in for pickup. Ah - one last important detail: NO MSG.

    shrimp chow mein
    Sandy L.

    Amazing hole in the wall Chinese restaurant. food was great, workers were sweet. This place gets a lot of togo orders but have a seat, doesn't have music playing in the back but hey enjoy it a little! stop by, show some love :)

    Sweet and Sour Chicken, Shrimp Fried Rice, egg roll and prawns

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    4 years ago

    Cheap and delicious, family-run restaurant. I wouldn't dine in but perfect for a takeaway.

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    6 years ago

    My go to for lunch special. So much food with variety. Can never finish in one sitting. They are so friendly, real mom and pop style.

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    3 years ago

    Great hole in the wall with great prices. They have amazing specials provided by hard workers.

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    3 years ago

    Service here was amazing! Such an awesome restaurant with amazing food. Ordered so much food and it came out so fast, definitely recommend.

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    Page 1 of 5

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    San Tung

    San Tung

    4.1
    (8.8k reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

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

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

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Garlic string beans
    Garlic string beans
    Chicken wings

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    Chicken wings
    Four Kings 四大天王

    Four Kings 四大天王

    4.2
    (452 reviews)
    5.6 mi
    $$$

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

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

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

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    Fish fragrant eggplant
    Palette Tea House

    Palette Tea House

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

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

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

    Photos
    Palette Tea House
    Palette Tea House
    Palette Tea House

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    Hon's Wun-Tun House

    Hon's Wun-Tun House

    4.1
    (688 reviews)
    5.7 mi
    $$

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

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

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

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

    Wang Wah - chinese - Updated July 2026

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