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House of Nanking
Bold flavors, timeless tradition—San Francisco's legendary Chinese comfort food since 1988.
5(5 reviews)
chinese
$$
Bold flavors, timeless tradition—San Francisco's legendary Chinese comfort food since 1988.
House of Nanking is a beloved San Francisco institution serving authentic, bold Chinese cuisine in a fast-paced, welcoming atmosphere. Located in the heart of the city, we specialize in wok-fired dishes like crispy pork belly buns, sesame chicken, and flavorful fried rice, all crafted with decades of expertise. Our attentive staff ensures a memorable dining experience, whether you're a local regular or a first-time visitor seeking classic comfort food with a rich legacy.
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Enjoy classic dishes like mobu fish, five-spice fish, and sesame chicken in a cozy, historic setting.
Let our experienced chefs guide your meal with personalized, flavorful selections based on fresh ingredients.
Fast, efficient service for both in-house meals and convenient takeaway options.
Perfect for gatherings with generous portions and a menu full of shareable, comforting favorites.
Open daily with a full menu featuring rice soups, noodles, and signature entrees for any time of day.
House of Nanking absolutely lived up to the hype. We ordered the mobu fish, five-spice fish, rice soup, tofu bao bun, cold sesame noodles, and apple prawn—and every single dish was exceptional. The flavors were an explosion in the best possible way: bold, layered, and perfectly balanced. The rice soup was hands down the standout—number one. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be that incredible, but it was unbelievably delicious and comforting, with so much depth. Second place goes to the cold sesame noodles, rich, nutty, and perfectly balanced. Third was the mobu fish, followed by the five-spice fish, and then the apple prawn, which rounded everything out beautifully. The blend of flavors across all the dishes was exquisite—nothing felt one-note or overdone. The staff were very kind and efficient, and while everything is fast-paced and there’s often a line, they move people through quickly and smoothly. Truly one of those meals where you leave thinking about it long after—absolutely worth it.
Beautiful restaurant! The servers were very kind and the tasty food was served quickly. I wasn’t able to take much pictures because the food was soooo appealing. First off, the pork belly bun was cooked to perfection and the soup which we ordered had really smooth and fragrant broth. The dumplings which came after were tasty. The porky belly and sesame chicken were absolutely heavenly! The pork ribs were fried and seasoned to perfection also. Lastly, the fried rice really lived up to our expectations. Highly recommended and would definitely come back!
House of Nanking is a true San Francisco classic. The food was excellent—full of bold, comforting flavors that clearly come from decades of experience in the kitchen. Every dish felt thoughtfully prepared and well balanced. Blosome tea and deep fried pork rib was excellent and the fried rice! The service was great as well: attentive, friendly, and efficient without feeling rushed. Even though the restaurant itself isn’t very large, it more than makes up for it with its rich history and character. You can really feel the legacy of this place the moment you walk in. Overall, House of Nanking delivers outstanding food, warm service, and a timeless atmosphere that makes it well worth the visit.
Amazing American-style Chinese food! The honey crispy beef was insane. The cubed beef was so tender and rich- it paired perfectly with the acidity of the garlic bok choy. Absolutely delicious, though the portion of meat was a bit small in comparison to the veggies. The crispy pork belly bun was incredible, too. I’d love to do the chef’s recommendations one day but it felt like overkill for a single diner on a Wednesday morning. I went right when they opened at 11am but they were still setting things up. I came back around 11:30 and was seated immediately. There were only a few other customers so I wasn’t rushed at all. Go during the week day if you can! It’s worth it!
★★★★★ 5-Star Review – House of Nanking, San Francisco, CA House of Nanking in San Francisco continues to live up to its legendary reputation. The flavors are bold, the portions are generous, and the service is fast even when the place is packed. The chow mein, fried rice, and sesame chicken were outstanding — fresh, perfectly seasoned, and cooked with that classic wok-fired taste you can’t find just anywhere. The sesame chicken was especially impressive: crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a balanced sauce that wasn’t overly sweet. The chow mein and fried rice were both loaded with flavor and had that authentic texture that tells you they’re doing it right. If you’re in San Francisco and want real, memorable Chinese comfort food, House of Nanking is absolutely worth the stop. Highly recommended.
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