Planning
- Accepts reservations
oChef » Hong’s Kitchen – San Francisco
Hong's Kitchen - San Francisco
Photo from Hong’s Kitchen
Hong's Kitchen at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 13 of the guests
#1684 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#161 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.9 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
131
Reviews
67.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Good value
- Friendly service
Frequently criticized
- Rude service
- Dated decor
- Cash only
The restaurant, Hong’s Kitchen, is a Chinese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot perfect for a quick bite.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed dinner or a speedy lunch, this eatery offers a welcoming atmosphere. It’s an ideal choice for families, as it’s good for kids, and you can easily find free street parking nearby.
Overview: Introducting Hong's Kitchen
Hong’s Kitchen offers a taste of authentic home cooking, with many finding the food to be excellent and reminiscent of traditional Chinese cuisine. Guests often appreciate the friendly service from the owners and staff, especially when making special requests.
You can generally expect good value for your meal here. However, some experiences at Hong’s Kitchen point to inconsistent service, with reports of staff being less than welcoming.
The atmosphere is quite old school and utilitarian, which might not appeal to everyone, and there have been comments about cleanliness. Be prepared for potential waiting time during busy periods.
Good
6.9
out of 10
131
Reviews
67.2%
Satisfaction
29
negative
14
neutral
88
positive
Hong’s Kitchen holds a respectable overall score of 6.9, indicating a generally positive experience for many diners. Customer satisfaction sits at 67.2%, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive reception.
This assessment comes from 131 customer comments, with 88 positive remarks outweighing 29 negative ones. The Food (7.4) is a clear strength, often praised for its quality, and Value (7.5) also stands out as a strong point, making it an appealing choice for budget-conscious diners.
However, the experience isn’t uniformly stellar across all aspects. The Ambience (6.2) is considered average, reflecting its no-frills, old-school character.
Similarly, Service (6) also falls into the average category, with some guests reporting less than ideal interactions. While the culinary offerings and pricing are well-regarded, these other areas present opportunities for improvement, contributing to the mixed satisfaction levels.
What people like
- Authentic, excellent food
- Affordable, good value
- Friendly, accommodating service
What people don't like
- Unfriendly, rude service
- Dirty, dated decor
- Cash only policy
Hong’s Kitchen is a place to consider if you prioritize authentic, well-priced Chinese food over a polished dining experience. With a recommendation score of 7.3, it suggests many find it worthwhile.
If you’re seeking genuine flavors and good value, and are prepared for a no-frills setting, it could be a solid choice. However, be mindful of the potential for inconsistent service and the dated ambiance.
If a pristine environment or consistently warm interactions are crucial for you, this spot might disappoint. It’s best suited for those who appreciate a classic, unpretentious eatery with a focus on the food itself.
Similar Restaurants in San Francisco
- Chinese Restaurant
9
out of 10
out of 10
221
94.1%
- $$
- Richmond District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
285
95.4%
- $$
- Outer Richmond
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.9
out of 10
out of 10
286
93.7%
- $$
- Seacliff
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
269
91.4%
- $$
- Jordan Park
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
480
91.3%
- $$
- Transbay
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Chinese Restaurant
8.7
out of 10
out of 10
77
90.9%
- $$
- Sunset District
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Hong's Kitchen
Food (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a 7.4 score, indicating a good culinary experience. Customer satisfaction is also quite strong at 75.4%, showing most diners leave happy. With 52 positive remarks out of 69 total comments, many rave about the authentic home cooking, well-cooked dishes, and large portions, often noting the no MSG preparation.
However, its not all perfect. The 12 negative comments point to some concerns, with mentions of oily food, frozen ingredients in dishes like fried rice, and issues like gristle or bits of bone in meat. One particularly alarming report even cited finding a small piece of wire' in a dish.
Food
69
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
12
negative
5
neutral
52
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic home cooking
- Generous portions
- No MSG available
What people don't like
- Foreign object found
- Oily, bland dishes
- Frozen ingredients used
Often praised
- foodthe food can be excellent
- Chinese foodVery good Chinese food, better than in Chinatown!
- authentic home cookingMy experience at this restaurant was centered around authentic home cooking. What stood out was their willingness to accommodate special requests for dishes not on the menu, provided you make arrangements in advance.
- AuthenticExcellent and Authenic
- BYOBAlso byob!
- Chinese FoodThey serve the type of official City Chinese Food you really be missing
- Chow MeinChow mien is perfect
- Crab with rice cakesIf you take the time to order in advance, there are many great dishes available. I highly recommend the Crab with rice cakes, Fried Chicken stuffed with sticky rice, and Winter Mellon Soup – these are special dishes worth planning around. If you visit last minute, they offer some Cantonese dishes that are fine, but no better or worse than other old-school Chinese restaurants in SF.
- Egg Foo YoungEgg foo young is awesome
- FoodFood:5
Frequently criticized
- bits of boneremoving gristle and bits of bone after most bites.
- fried riceThe fried rice used frozen ingredients and was oily
- frozen ingredientsThe fried rice used frozen ingredients and was oily
- gristleConstantly removing gristle and bits of bone
- oilyThe fried rice used frozen ingredients and was oily
- peppers, onions and pineapplethe veggies (peppers, onions and pineapple) were slightly rubbery
- porkchopNo care was taken to trim my porkchop.
- preserved egg & pork porridgeThe preserved egg & pork porridge was completely bland.
- salt and pepper porkThe salt and pepper pork wasn't crispy and was bland
- shrimp riceI don't recommend the shrimp rice (the shrimps are small)
If you're seeking genuine, hearty Chinese comfort food with generous servings and the option for special requests, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some dishes might be a bit oily or inconsistent, and there have been rare but serious quality control issues.
Service (6 out of 10)
mentioned by 69% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6 with a mixed customer satisfaction of 57.7%. Many appreciate the effort to prepare it for you like your mom would and the willingness to make special requests or even special order dishes. Folks often praise the fast, friendly service and the very friendly owners, noting that some staff, like Susie, are super nice.
These positive experiences are highlighted in 15 of the 26 total opinions. However, there are definitely some bumps in the road. Several customers have encountered an unfriendly or rude lady at the front, with some mentioning a level of distaste she shows or a general indifferent service.
Waiting time can also be an issue, with reports of over an hour for food. These concerns about staff attitude and customer service skills are reflected in 10 negative opinions.
Service
26
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
10
negative
1
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast, friendly service
- Accommodates special requests
- Friendly owners
What people don't like
- Unfriendly staff
- Long waiting times
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- Servicethe waiter was looking at the two of us and asking if more people were coming. lol, he explained to us
- special requestsmake dishes not on menu if you make special requests
- Susielet Susie guide you
- Wait timeNo wait
- convenienceyou have to choose 2 of cost, taste, and convenience
- fast, friendly servicefast, friendly service
- front ladyMy experience at this restaurant was that of a great classic standard spot. The front lady is always super nice, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. While it's nothing fancy, the bbq pork chow mein was a highlight.
- order in advanceorder in advance there are many great dishes
- ownersVery friendly owners
- prepare it for youprepare it for you like your mom would
Frequently criticized
- serviceThis ain’t the type of place you visit for ambiance and service.
- Asian ladyThe Asian lady working at the front hates her job
- EnglishI find myself drooling when I think of all their good dishes. Be aware that English is limited.
- customer service skillsShe lack customer service skills, period
- distaste she showsthe level of distaste she shows towards others outside her own race
- lady that served methe lady that served me was as unfriendly as I've ever experienced
- staffVery rude lady's always laughing at customers
- waiting timeWe waited over an hour for our food
- womanThe woman couldn't care less.
If you're looking for a place that goes the extra mile for special requests and offers friendly service from some, you might be pleased. But be prepared for potentially long waits and a chance of encountering less-than-stellar customer service from others.
Ambience (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a certain charm, scoring an average 6.2 for ambience. Many folks appreciate its old school feel, often described as a classic standard spot thats "just for us" locals. With 11 positive remarks out of 21 total, guests often highlight the "quiet" atmosphere and convenient "parking options, " making it a comfortable place for the "whole family" to gather.
However, the customer satisfaction for ambience is a bit of a "mixed bag" at 52.4%. Some opinions point out that the "decor" is "definitely old school and a little dirty, " leading to a "zero atmosphere" for those seeking a more modern or pristine setting. With 5 negative comments, its clear this isn't the place for white glove attention or a polished ambiance.
Ambience
21
Reviews
52%
Satisfaction
5
negative
5
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Old-school, local charm
- Quiet, comfortable dining
- Convenient street parking
What people don't like
- Dated, dirty decor
- Zero modern ambiance
- Perceived uncleanliness
Often praised
- AtmosphereA great place to find when the weather was terrible and cold very late at night.
- Parking optionsFree street parking
- classic standard spotGreat classic standard spot
- enter the dragonprepared to enter the dragon
- just for usit was just for us
- localsthe place was full of locals
- old schoolan old school way of dining
- quietQuiet no frills restaurant
- see more of usMy experience at this restaurant was like stepping back in time to an old school way of dining. It felt like it was just for us, offering a chance to see more of us. This is how we eat for real, with no pretenses.
- tablesa few booths and a few larger round tables that can easily seat 8 people comfortably
Frequently criticized
- decorThe decor is definitely old school and a little dirty
- ambianceThis ain’t the type of place you visit for ambiance and service.
- atmosphereZero atmosphere.
- cleanlinessDO NOT GO HERE THEY ARE DIRTY
If youre looking for a no-frills, classic local spot with an old-school vibe and dont mind a less-than-pristine decor, this place could be for you. However, if a modern, sparkling ambiance and white glove attention are high on your list, you might find the atmosphere disappointing.
Value (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
Youll be happy to hear that the value here is generally quite good, scoring a 7.5! Many customers, making up 10 positive comments, frequently highlight the "prices, " "cost, " and overall "good value, " often describing the food as "affordable. " While customer satisfaction sits at a 66.7%, indicating a mixed experience, opinions like "cheap food prices" and "reasonable price" show your wallet will likely leave happy.
However, its not all smooth sailing. A couple of customers (2 out of 15 total remarks) brought up a significant point: the cash only policy. This can be a real pain if youre not prepared, and its the main negative cash only term mentioned.
Opinions like Cash only highlight the frustration, so definitely be aware of this.
Value
15
Reviews
66%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Great value
What people don't like
- Cash only policy
Often praised
- pricesfairly cheap prices for good quality food
- affordabilityDecent, affordable and I would both a)come back in a heartbeat
- affordableAnd affordable!
- affordable priceAffordable price
- costyou have to choose 2 of cost, taste, and convenience
- good valueGood Chinese and good value
- pricePrice was very reasonable as well
- price valueprice value very good
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyCash only, your credit card is unworthy here
If youre looking for an affordable meal and dont mind paying with cash, this place offers good value for your money. Just remember to hit the ATM beforehand, and you'll likely leave satisfied with the price.
How are the prices at Hong's Kitchen?
You’re looking at roughly 18 per person – reported by 13 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most folks spend in this sweet spot, though a few go a bit cheaper or splurge a little more.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 13 reviews.
See how this Chinese Restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good balance without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Hong's Kitchen
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Tourist Experience
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Amazing Value and Delicious Chow Mein
I remember this place well from one of my first outings to San Francisco with my boyfriend. We were initially ordering as if we were at Panda Express, and the waiter kindly explained that the portions were family-style, not individual, which we hadn't realized due to the incredibly low prices. We ended up with a HUGE plate of chicken chow mein, and we were completely stuffed for under $20.
It was amazing! This was a great place to find when the weather was terrible and cold, very late at night.
- chicken chow mein10
- prices10
- family style eating8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Authentic Home Cooking & Special Requests
My experience at this restaurant was centered around authentic home cooking. What stood out was their willingness to accommodate special requests for dishes not on the menu, provided you make arrangements in advance. The food quality was excellent, rated a 5 out of 5, and the service was also very good, receiving a 4 out of 4.
The atmosphere was rated a 3, with a moderate noise level. Parking was convenient with free street parking, and there was no wait time. The price per person was between $10–20.
- authentic home cooking10
- special requests9
- Food10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
5
Old School Chinese, Food Not What It Used To Be
This is an old school Chinese restaurant. I think the food used to be better here years ago. The prices now are not bad still, but you get what you pay for.
- food5
- prices6
- value5
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Authentic Chinese Food Gem
My experience at this restaurant was a delightful return to authentic Chinese food, the kind that's hard to find in less civilized places. I would come back in a heartbeat and recommend it to my most sophisticated acquaintances. They serve the type of official City Chinese Food that you really miss when stranded in a land without decent Chinese cuisine.
They just don’t do it like this in the middle of nowhere. This isn’t the type of place you visit for ambiance and service; decor and white glove attention is never on the menu in this particular genre for me. I got an order of beef and broccoli that was solid.
As Big Body Bes said, you have to see what their blades are hitting for when you visit a new barber. Beef and Broccoli is to Americanized Chinese food what the tapered or faded dark Caesar is to barbershops. If they mess that one up… they can’t be trusted.
But Hong and Co didn’t let me down. Last time I was here, a lively fellow who appeared unable to bathe daily asked to use the restroom and was adamantly refused. He said his Grandmother was Chinese, but anyone with vision could see he was lying comedically.
Can’t wait to come back, tbh.
- beef and broccoli9
- Chinese Food9
- affordability8
- ambiance3
- service3
- decor3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Great Classic Spot with Friendly Service
My experience at this restaurant was that of a great classic standard spot. The front lady is always super nice, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. While it's nothing fancy, the bbq pork chow mein was a highlight.
The overall experience was very positive, with high ratings for service, atmosphere, and food.
- bbq pork chow mein9
- front lady10
- classic standard spot8
What Hong's Kitchen offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Cash-only
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Can you make reservations at Hong's Kitchen?
Yes, Hong’s Kitchen accepts reservations, making it convenient for you to plan your visit. You can secure your table for dinner or lunch ahead of time.
What payment methods are accepted at Hong's Kitchen?
When dining at Hong’s Kitchen, please note that it is a cash-only establishment. Make sure to bring cash for your meal, whether you’re dining in or getting takeout.
What is the overall dining experience like at Hong's Kitchen?
Hong’s Kitchen has an overall score of 6.9, with customer satisfaction at 67.2%. The Food (7.4) and Value (7.5) are generally well-regarded, while Ambience (6.2) and Service (6) are considered average, reflecting a no-frills, classic spot.
Is Hong's Kitchen known for its authentic cuisine?
Yes, many customers praise Hong’s Kitchen for its authentic home cooking and traditional Chinese food, with some even noting its quality compared to other establishments. They are also willing to accommodate special requests if arranged in advance.
What should I know about the service and payment options?
Service can be a mixed bag; while some experience friendly service, others report less welcoming interactions and potential waiting time. It’s also important to note that Hong’s Kitchen operates on a cash only basis.