Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » NORTHERN CHINA – San Francisco
NORTHERN CHINA - San Francisco
Photo from NORTHERN CHINA
NORTHERN CHINA at a glance
San Francisco West SoMa
- 🍖 Barbecue Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $41–$50
mentioned by 78 of the guests
#581 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#6 Barbecue Restaurant out of 17 in San Francisco
Excellent
8.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
337
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious skewers
- Friendly service
- Inviting atmosphere
Frequently criticized
- Food safety
- Portion inconsistency
- Slow service
The restaurant NORTHERN CHINA BBQ, a popular Barbecue Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant West SoMa neighborhood, invites you to savor authentic flavors. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying delicious grilled dishes and small plates.
Whether you’re craving a hearty lunch or a satisfying dinner, this spot offers a genuine taste of barbecue, complemented by wine and beer.
Overview: Introducting NORTHERN CHINA
NORTHERN CHINA offers a generally positive dining experience, particularly noted for its flavorful dishes. Many appreciate the authentic Chinese BBQ and the variety of skewers available.
The atmosphere also contributes positively, with a cute decor and a comfortable setting. However, some diners have noted concerns regarding portion sizes, which can sometimes feel small despite the overall good value.
While the service is often friendly, there have been instances of slower food delivery, which can affect the dining pace.
Excellent
8.1
out of 10
337
Reviews
84%
Satisfaction
27
negative
27
neutral
283
positive
NORTHERN CHINA achieves a solid overall score of 8.1, indicating a generally good experience for most patrons. This is further supported by a strong 84% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting that the majority leave content.
These figures are drawn from a substantial 337 customer opinions, with 283 positive remarks outweighing 27 negative ones. Looking closer, the Food (8.4) stands out as a primary draw, with many praising its quality.
Ambience (8.6) also scores highly, contributing to a pleasant dining environment. While Service (7.3) and Value (7) are rated good, they show a bit more room for improvement compared to the top categories.
What people like
- Delicious skewers
- Friendly, quick service
- Inviting atmosphere
What people don't like
- Food safety concern
- Inconsistent portions
- Slow food delivery
If you’re seeking authentic Chinese BBQ, particularly skewers, NORTHERN CHINA is a worthwhile consideration. The inviting atmosphere and generally friendly service create a pleasant setting for a meal.
Just be mindful that portion sizes might vary, and some dishes could take a while to arrive. With a strong recommendation score of 8.3, this restaurant generally delivers a satisfying experience.
It’s a good option for those prioritizing flavorful food and a comfortable setting, provided you’re prepared for potential inconsistencies in portion size or service speed.
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Verdict: Our expert take on NORTHERN CHINA
Food (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food here, diners are generally thrilled! With a solid score of 8.4 and a fantastic 89% customer satisfaction, it's clear the kitchen is doing something right. Out of 228 total opinions, a whopping 203 rave about the delicious Chinese BBQ skewers, authentic seasonings, and the must-try iron pot beef, praising the quality and flavor.
However, a few of the 10 negative comments point to some areas for improvement. Some found the BBQ to be a bit over-flavored and over-cooked, and there were isolated concerns about MSG use and even a mention of plastic in fried rice. Portions were also occasionally described as tiny.
Food
228
Reviews
89%
Satisfaction
10
negative
15
neutral
203
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Chinese BBQ
- Delicious, varied skewers
- Perfectly seasoned meats
What people don't like
- Over-flavored, overcooked BBQ
- Plastic in fried rice
- Tiny portions
Often praised
- foodSpecifically, the duck tongue is not a good order to get here. Overall, the food is good, but not exceptional for the price.
- skewersMy experience at this restaurant was marked by high marks for the overall experience, particularly the food. The skewers were a standout, though the service was barebones, requiring ordering through your phone. I tried the lamb kidney, pig trotter, and bacon wrapped enoki.
- FoodI’ve been to Northern China BBQ a few times since it opened earlier this year, and it has not disappointed! It's my favorite Chinese skewer place in SF by a lot; I've been searching for one for the past 3 years!
- Chinese BBQMy experience at this restaurant was very positive! We were happy to find authentic Chinese BBQ in the city. The service was great, and while the prices were not cheap, we will definitely come back!
- lamb skewersexcellent lamb skewers. Perfectly cook, not overly salty, right balance of lean vs fat.
- Chicken Skin SkewerMy favorite is the Chicken Skin Skewer
- Lamb SkewerDelicious skewers, I really liked Lamb Skewer
- Smashed CucumberMy experience at this restaurant was centered around incredible Northern Chinese BBQ. I ordered a variety of dishes, including Smashed Cucumber, Pancake Beef Roll, Chicken Skin, Chicken Heart, Chicken Gristle, Pork Ribs, Lamb Skewer, Duck Tongue, String Bean Tofu Skin, Chives, Cilantro wrapped with Tofu Skin, and the Spicy Fish Pot. The ratings provided (*Very Good, **Great, ***Transcendent) highlight the exceptional quality of the food.
- beef skewerThe service was great, and while the prices were not cheap, we will definitely come back! We highly recommend trying the lamb skewer, beef skewer, chicken gizzard skewer, chicken heart skewer, duck blood noodle soup, and beancurd enoki skewer.
- beef skewersgrilled eggplant and beef skewers are must-tries — smoky, tender, and packed with flavor
Frequently criticized
- BBQFOOD 3 🌟 Every dish is carefully cooked. BBQ is bit over flavored and over cooked. Their 🌺 Sweet and Spicy Seaweed is to die for.
- MSGload of MSG in the food
- duck tongueDuck tongue is not a good order
- food qualityimprove their food quality and reduce their use of MSG
- grilled eggplantit was overly greasy and garlicky and hard to eat.
- plastic in fried ricethe plastic in the fried rice was a major issue
- portionswow the portions are tiny
- qualityquality or quantity was not worth the price
- quantityquality or quantity was not worth the price
- skewersquality or quantity was not worth the price
If you're craving authentic Chinese BBQ with a wide variety of delicious skewers, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might be a bit heavy on the seasoning, and portions can sometimes be on the smaller side.
Service (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 65% of the guests
The service here generally hits the mark, scoring a 7.3, which is pretty good! With 38 positive remarks out of 55 total, many customers rave about the friendly staff and how food came out fast. Plus, the convenience of being able to order with your phone and have it brought out to you is a definite plus for many.
However, it's a bit of a mixed bag with customer satisfaction at 69.1%. There are 10 negative comments, with some experiences pointing to a rude male employee and frustrations over a slow kitchen leading to waiting time. It seems consistency can be an issue, particularly with speed.
Service
55
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
10
negative
7
neutral
38
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast food delivery
- Easy phone ordering
What people don't like
- Rude employee
- Long waiting times
Often praised
- serviceOverall the service was fast enough and a solid 4 stars
- ServiceI’ve been to Northern China BBQ a few times since it opened earlier this year, and it has not disappointed! It's my favorite Chinese skewer place in SF by a lot; I've been searching for one for the past 3 years!
- staffThe staff is very accommodating and friendly.
- Friendly staffFriendly staff and great late-night vibes
- brought out to youit gets brought out to you
- closing timestay open till 11pm instead of the recent trend of restaurants closing ridiculously early
- everyoneeveryone was friendly
- familyIt's one of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. The family that runs it is quite nice. They offer delicious food and a large menu.
- foodserves the food very quick
- food came out fastthe food came out fast
Frequently criticized
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was marked by high marks for the overall experience, particularly the food. The skewers were a standout, though the service was barebones, requiring ordering through your phone. I tried the lamb kidney, pig trotter, and bacon wrapped enoki.
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was marked by delicious and authentic food. However, the food took a while to come out, especially on a Saturday night.
- kitchenslow kitchen
- male employeeA male employee was notably rude
- online PRstop playing it fast and loose on their online PR
- wait 50 minuteswe had to wait 50 minutes for the first item
- waiting timeMy experience at the restaurant was marred by a significant delay in receiving our food. We had been waiting for over 20 minutes and our dishes had still not been served.
If you value friendly interactions and quick food delivery, youll likely have a good experience, especially with the convenient phone ordering. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in speed or staff demeanor, which might disappoint if youre in a rush or expect flawless service.
Ambience (8.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
The ambience at this spot truly stands out, with a good score of 8.6 and an excellent customer satisfaction rating of 90.3%! Guests frequently praise the music, atmosphere, and vibes, noting the cute decor and stylish feel that contributes to a wonderful overall experience. Its clear from 28 positive remarks that the setting is a major draw.
However, its not entirely without its quirks. Out of 31 total opinions, 2 negative ones mentioned specific issues like loud girls, which could occasionally disrupt the peace. While parking was also noted as a challenge, the in-restaurant atmosphere generally receives high marks, making it a vibrant place to be.
Ambience
31
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great music selection
- Lively, stylish vibe
- Spacious for groups
What people don't like
- Can get noisy
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere were also excellent
- AtmosphereI’ve been to Northern China BBQ a few times since it opened earlier this year, and it has not disappointed! It's my favorite Chinese skewer place in SF by a lot; I've been searching for one for the past 3 years!
- musicMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a nice quiet spot with chill Cantonese / mandarin music. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the dry pot and the tapas-style dishes.
- placeThe place is stylish and clean feeling inside.
- restaurantThe restaurant is spacious with plenty of seating, making it perfect for groups.
- decorMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! Everything was perfectly seasoned, and the good vibes and cute decor contributed to a wonderful atmosphere. The good prices made it even better.
- groupsFinally, a real shaokao (North/West China style roasted meat on skewers) place in SF. The food was great, perfect for groups. They also stay open till 11pm, which is a welcome change from the recent trend of restaurants closing ridiculously early.
- late-night vibesFriendly staff and great late-night vibes
- overall experienceHigh marks for overall experience
- spotMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a nice quiet spot with chill Cantonese / mandarin music. The food was absolutely delicious, especially the dry pot and the tapas-style dishes.
Frequently criticized
- loud girlsthere were these loud girls sitting across from me speaking Toisan.
- parkingI’m already looking forward to trying the mala xiang guo on my next visit. The only drawback is the parking—you have to park on the street, so finding a spot can be a bit challenging. Other than that, everything was fantastic, and I highly recommend it!
If youre looking for a lively spot with great music and a stylish, comfortable atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out. Its perfect for groups and late-night vibes, though be prepared for a potentially energetic crowd.
Value (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot earns a good 7 on the score, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 60.9%. Many guests appreciate the good prices, reasonable cost, and even the affordable beer and wine, with 14 positive comments highlighting these aspects. Youll often find praise for generous portion sizes, making it feel like a great deal.
However, out of 23 total comments, 5 opinions point to some concerns. Some diners found the portions surprisingly tiny for the price, leading to feelings of being pricey or that the overall value wasnt quite worth the cost. It seems the menu prices can be a point of contention for a few.
Value
23
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
5
negative
4
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good prices
- Generous portions
- Affordable drinks
What people don't like
- Tiny portions
- Can be pricey
- Value not worth
Often praised
- priceLook at my photos. LOCATION 5 🌟 conveniently near all the nightclubs on Folsom (@9th street 3 blocks away from COSTCO) PRICE & PORTIONS 5 🌟 Affordable, large portions, best BBQ and hot iron pot Chinese dishes in San Francisco. I ordered 8 people worth of food for $185 + $30 tip.
- pricesEverything was perfectly seasoned, and the good vibes and cute decor contributed to a wonderful atmosphere. The good prices made it even better. This place is truly a hidden gem that you don't want to miss out on!
- Price per personMy experience at this restaurant was great! It's a casual and affordable place offering delicious skewers. While the cumin lamb skewers are a must-try, their mushroom skewers are also very tasty.
- beer and wineThey have reasonably priced beer and wine.
- beer priceBeer is about $5 which is very fare
- bring your own beerIt is bring your own beer
- portion sizeLook at my photos. LOCATION 5 🌟 conveniently near all the nightclubs on Folsom (@9th street 3 blocks away from COSTCO) PRICE & PORTIONS 5 🌟 Affordable, large portions, best BBQ and hot iron pot Chinese dishes in San Francisco. I ordered 8 people worth of food for $185 + $30 tip.
- reasonable priceI enjoyed a variety of dishes, including the cucumber salad, fried manitou, scallion pancake, and skewers of beef, pork, and squid. All of these were tasty and offered at a reasonable price. The atmosphere was also a highlight, contributing to a very enjoyable dinner.
Frequently criticized
- menu pricesMy other big gripe is the menu prices
- pricequality or quantity was not worth the price
- price per personHowever, the portions were surprisingly tiny. We spent almost $50 per person and still left feeling hungry, which was quite a letdown. The service and atmosphere were excellent, both receiving a perfect 5 out of 5.
- pricesput a strict reign on their prices
- priceyA bit pricey
If youre looking for good prices on certain items and appreciate generous portions, this place could be a solid choice. Just be mindful that some find the portions small for the cost, so choose wisely to ensure you feel youre getting your money's worth.
How are the prices at NORTHERN CHINA?
You’re looking at roughly 43 $ per person – reported by 78 diners. That puts it in the $41–$50 category. For a Barbecue Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Looking at what people actually spend, we see a good mix. While many guests spend around the $41–$50 mark, a significant number also enjoy options in the $21–$30 range. This suggests there’s a bit of something for everyone, from more casual bites to a fuller experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 78 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Barbecue Restaurant, especially in San Francisco. You’re getting a solid mid-range experience with options to suit different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about NORTHERN CHINA
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Long wait for dishes
My experience at the restaurant was marred by a significant delay in receiving our food. We had been waiting for over 20 minutes and our dishes had still not been served.
- waiting time2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Delicious Food, Great Family Restaurant
I absolutely love this place! It's one of the best restaurants in the neighborhood. The family that runs it is quite nice.
They offer delicious food and a large menu. I will definitely be back!
- food10
- menu9
- family9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
SO SO YUMMYYY! Hit the Spot!
My experience at this restaurant was SO SO YUMMYYY! This hit the spot 😍😩. We actually came here after another meal that we weren’t satisfied with.
The best were the Chicken skewers and Taiwanese sausage skewers. The seaweed salad was also excellent. Next time we’ll come for a proper meal and get some much more!
- Chicken skewers10
- Taiwanese sausage skewers10
- seaweed salad9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Skewers: Quality vs. Price Disappointing
My experience at the restaurant involved trying some skewers. Unfortunately, I felt that the quality and quantity of the skewers were not worth the price. On a positive note, I did appreciate the convenience of ordering via phone, and how the items were promptly brought to the table.
- order with your phone8
- brought out to you8
- skewers3
- quality3
- quantity3
Price per Person
- $51–$60
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Thin Sliced Beef Iron Pot!
My experience at the restaurant was fantastic, primarily due to the food. The thin sliced beef iron pot was an absolute must-order and incredibly delicious. The overall food quality was rated a 5 out of 5, and the atmosphere was also quite enjoyable, scoring a 4.
The service was equally good, also receiving a 4. It was a great dinner experience.
- thin sliced beef iron pot10
- food quality10
- atmosphere8
What NORTHERN CHINA offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit NORTHERN CHINA BBQ?
When you visit NORTHERN CHINA BBQ, you’ll find convenient parking options. There is free street parking available, and usually plenty of parking spots to choose from. Paid street parking is also an option if you prefer.
Can you dine in at NORTHERN CHINA BBQ, and is it accessible for everyone?
Yes, you can enjoy dine-in service at NORTHERN CHINA BBQ for both lunch and dinner. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating to ensure comfort for all guests.
What is the overall verdict for NORTHERN CHINA?
NORTHERN CHINA generally offers a good dining experience, with an overall score of **8.1** and **84%** customer satisfaction. Its **Food** (8.4) and **Ambience** (8.6) are highly rated, while **Service** (7.3) and **Value** (7) are also considered good.
What are the standout dishes at NORTHERN CHINA?
Customers frequently praise the **skewers**, particularly the lamb and beef varieties, as well as the authentic Chinese BBQ. Many find the dishes flavorful and well-prepared.
Are there any common issues to be aware of when dining at NORTHERN CHINA?
Some customers have noted concerns regarding inconsistent portion sizes and occasional slow food delivery. There was also a specific mention of a food safety issue involving plastic in fried rice.