MenuPages

The food here is too spicy and too greasy. The employees are rude and rush you to finish your food. For curious tourists only.

I loved this restuarant when it was just the one main dining room. Peter, the owner cooked in the front window and greeted you as you entered. The food was superb! I've been back a couple of times and it seems like everything tastes the same. The meat in the crackling beef was the shaved kind you find in not very good take out restaurants and was very tough. The Shrimp wontons used to taste like they were hand made. Nanking got a lot of publicity years ago which may have forced them to cut back on authenticity to better handle the crowds. Reminded me of restaurants that made a sauce from scratch per order,but when they became busier had to save time by making the sauces all at once. The teas are wonderful! Missing the old Nanking....

We went there last week and it was just after the lunch run and was really hyped after reading the reviews. We were able to just walk in as there was plenty of room. The meal was really just OK and as previous post have stated, they pour peanut butter into a pot with chili pepper mix and use extensively. We received our main dish after hot & sour soup and five minutes later the rice came. Will try somewhere else next time.

Many remember the famous character from Seinfeld and for those who do you may also recall how he had lines out the door. So why did people line up to be abused? Plain and simply.. the soup. Something similar could be said for House of Nanking. This is no frills dining with 5 star food. The place is small, drinks served in plastic cups and there is a good chance your order will be taken by one of the owners who has no time for indecisive customers. If you are having trouble deciding, let them select for you.(and if you tell them it is your first time, they will) If you are someone who has trouble letting others make your choice here are a few tips to go by. All meals are served with white rice, if you order fried rice be prepared to make it an entree, this is not the stuff you get at a take out joint filled with frozen veggie medley. All dishes are served family style so unless there are 10 people at your table there really is no reason to double up on dishes. Be prepared to share the wealth. The food is simply put, fantastic. The lack luster atmosphere will not mater once you start eating. There mu shu is incredible. If you order multiple dishes, try balancing out your meats (they may chastise your decision should you order three beef dishes for example) My personal favorites are the Pork Cutlets, skillet cooked with a basil glaze and served with onions and either atop fresh spinach or string beans (depending what was fresh that day) the sesame chicken, pretty standard but serving it with sliced yams makes the dish a true treat and a great meal for the less adventurous. I generally finish it off with the mu shu beef. The server will take the time to wrap by hand one for each person at the table. My first time in San Fran I spent 3 days asking doormen, concierge Police and pedestrians, "What is the best Chinese food in San Francisco" and almost every single one said, "House of Nanking" Ever since I dont set foot in San Fran without making sure I dine there at least once per visit.

You must not have eaten Chinese Food before. Due to long lines and great reviews, we decided to give it a try. We tried this once and never again. Just moved out here from NY. We live smack in SF Chinatown and we are Chinese. All the dishes taste the same. The sauce is the same for the pork,beef,seafood dishes. We tried to order something but was offered something else. Each table had the same recommendations. Every time someone orders, they offer the same dish.

There's a reason why people stand outside of this place to eat. It's killer Chinese food. Try it.

Great food, the service is poor and the atmosphere is not great either. But I believe this was the best Chinese food I have ever had; plain and simple!