Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
oChef » Shanghai House – San Francisco
Shanghai House - San Francisco
Photo from Shanghai House
Shanghai House at a glance
San Francisco Outer Richmond
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 20 of the guests
#2132 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#238 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
379
Reviews
52.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic food
- Great dumplings
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Slow service
- Cash only
- Long waits
The restaurant Shanghai House is a delightful Chinese Restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Outer Richmond neighborhood. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for enjoying a relaxed meal.
Whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner, you can savor a variety of small plates designed for sharing and exploring authentic flavors. It’s a welcoming spot where you can dine-in or grab convenient takeout, making it a versatile choice for any occasion.
Overview: Introducting Shanghai House
Shanghai House offers a culinary experience that often evokes strong positive feelings, particularly for its authentic flavors. Many appreciate the warm welcome from the owner and staff, contributing to a generally pleasant interaction.
However, diners should be prepared for potential inconsistencies in the overall dining flow and some practical considerations regarding payment. The general atmosphere also receives mixed feedback, with some finding it quite basic.
Good
6.1
out of 10
379
Reviews
52.5%
Satisfaction
136
negative
44
neutral
199
positive
Shanghai House registers a Restaurant Score of 6.1, placing it in the average range, with Customer Satisfaction at a mixed 52.5%. This assessment is drawn from 379 customer remarks, comprising 199 positive observations and 136 negative ones, indicating a notable divide in experiences.
Delving into specifics, Food stands out with a strong (7.2), reflecting its primary appeal. However, Ambience (5.3) and Value (5) hover around average, suggesting areas for improvement.
The Service (3.7) score indicates it is a significant challenge, often falling short of expectations.
What people like
- Authentic Shanghai flavors
- Excellent dumplings
- Friendly owner
What people don't like
- Slow, poor service
- Cash-only policy
- Long wait times
Shanghai House presents a clear case of culinary strength paired with operational challenges. If your priority is genuinely flavorful food that resonates with traditional tastes, this establishment is likely to satisfy.
However, be mindful of the service pace and payment methods. With a Recommendation Score of 6.5, it’s a place worth considering if you manage expectations regarding efficiency and convenience.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Shanghai House
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 95% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.2 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 70.5%, many diners rave about the delicious and authentic dishes. Favorites like XLB, Dried Chicken Wings, and Sheng Jian Bao are frequently praised, contributing to 170 positive remarks out of 241 total opinions.
However, not every dish is a winner, as 56 comments point out some areas for improvement. Some found items like chou mien noodles or certain pan-fried dumplings to be disappointing, lacking flavor or having an undesirable texture. A few experiences mentioned issues with blandness or overly oily preparations, suggesting inconsistency in execution.
Food
241
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
56
negative
15
neutral
170
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious authentic dishes
- Amazing XLB
- Incredible chicken wings
What people don't like
- Some dishes bland
- Oily preparations
- Inconsistent quality
Often praised
- foodAlthough it's quite far from San Francisco and the decor could be improved, this is honestly the best Shanghai restaurant in town. My parents are from Shanghai, and when I first came here for food, I almost cried because the food tasted so much like home! The xiaolongbaos are amazing and fresh, and the owner actually speaks Shanghainese.
- dumplingsTheir dumplings and fried chicken are top notch
- XLBPeople rave about the XLB here, but I actually liked the goose more
- chicken wingstry to go back for more chicken wings 😋
- fried dumplingsI would also try the fried dumplings, and the tea smoked duck
- sheng jian baosheng jian bao a couple of times & the meat held together a lot better
- soup" If you're unsure of what you want, you'll likely have a similar experience. Regarding the food, we tried the shrimps, and the soup was pretty good. However, I wasn't able to try the rice; instead, we received chou mien noodles, which were not really good.
- soup dumplingssoup dumplings that will keep you coming back
- steamed dumplingsMy experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. I really enjoyed the wonton soup and steamed dumplings; they were delicious. However, it's important to note that the restaurant is cash only, which can be inconvenient.
- vegetarian gooseMy experience at this restaurant was primarily positive, focusing on the food. I found the soup dumplings, vegetarian goose, Shantung style fried chicken wings, soybean milk, and lions' head casserole to be favorites. It's important to note that the restaurant is cash only.
Frequently criticized
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. We waited 50 minutes with no food arriving. There was a lot of screaming in the kitchen between the waitress and chef, which was attributed to a supposed "plumbing problem.
- food tastethe food taste below average
- pan fried dumplingsthe pan fried dumplings which you see in most people’s reviews/photos
- tan tan noodlesterrible tan tan noodles (more like a soup, oddly with shrimp)
- 1st dishwait time over 30 min to get the 1st dish
- Dan Dan NoodlesDan Dan Noodles looked good but we're very soggy
- Shanghai sauteed noodleit is not Shanghai cooking style
- XLBA little disappointed of the XLB
- XLB skinXLB skin is too saggy
- batterThe batter of the wings is too hard
If you're looking for authentic Shanghai cuisine, especially their highly-rated XLB and chicken wings, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might not live up to the same high standard, so stick to the popular recommendations for the best experience.
Service (3.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 64% of the guests
When it comes to service, there are a few bright spots, with some customers loving the dedicated highlight>owners and friendly highlight>hostess, and appreciating when the highlight>staff goes the extra mile for special requests. However, with a score of just 3.7 and customer satisfaction at a low 17.4%, it's clear these positive experiences are unfortunately not the norm. Overall, the service aspect seems to be a significant challenge, with 59 negative remarks compared to only 15 positive ones out of 86 total comments.
Many found the service highlight>unprofessional, citing highlight>long wait times, highlight>rude service, and even a highlight>grumpy waitress. It appears that while the food might be a draw, the service often leaves much to be desired.
Service
86
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
59
negative
12
neutral
15
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Owners are loved
- Hostess is friendly
- Staff goes extra mile
What people don't like
- Service is rude
- Long wait times
- Unprofessional staff
Often praised
- ownerThe lady owner is very friendly and hard working.
- serviceMy experience at this restaurant was centered around their sheng jian bao, which were very tasty and served with quick service. While I enjoyed the dish, I believe there's an opportunity for improvement.
- ServiceYou MUST order the XLB dumplings, XLB fried dumplings, dry fried chicken wings, and the green onion pancake. The food is exceptional, and the atmosphere and service are top-notch, both rated a perfect 5. It's a place I highly recommend for a wonderful dining experience.
- Shanghainesethey actually speak Shanghainese so you know they're legit
- hostessThe hostess was super friendly
- items not on the menuasked for items that weren't on the menu here, and they totally delivered.
- ownersWe LOVE the owners to death
- regular customersMany regular customers
- restaurant workersRestaurant workers are human beings and not robots
- staffthe staff is nice and welcoming
Frequently criticized
- serviceYou aren't coming here for service or atmosphere. It is alllllllll about the best wings in the city and the fried dumplings and soup dumplings that will keep you coming back again and again.
- bad serviceplace with great food/ bad service
- ownerThe owner, also the waiter, seemed very unhappy with our coming
- serverthe woman serving tables however ignored us for plenty long
- waitHowever, the service was poor and slow. Be prepared to wait a while for your food unless you are the only one in there. The recommended dish was Dumplings.
- wait timewait time over 30 min to get the 1st dish
- waiting timeignored me for 20 minutes. Then she says it will be 45 minutes.
- Asian customersstrictly enforce this rule, especially with Asian customers
- accept a credit cardshe tells me that she did not accept a credit card
- attentionthe worst attention I've had in a restaurant
If you prioritize quick, friendly service, this might not be your spot. However, if you're willing to overlook potential service hiccups and long waits for what many describe as exceptional food, it could still be worth a visit.
Ambience (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 25% of the guests
When it comes to the overall vibe, this spot lands in the average zone with a score of 5.3. Many guests appreciate the general atmosphere, describing it as a clean, well-ventilated space, and some even highlight the convenience of easy parking. Based on 8 positive comments, it seems a calm and peaceful dining experience is often found here.
However, customer satisfaction for the ambience is quite poor at just 28.6%, indicating significant room for improvement. With 11 negative reports, common concerns include difficult parking options and plain decor. Some diners also mentioned a smoky interior and even screaming in the kitchen, which certainly detracts from the overall experience.
Ambience
28
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
11
negative
9
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Calm atmosphere
- Clean interior
- Easy parking
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Plain decor
- Smoky interior
Often praised
- atmosphereCalm, quiet atmosphere. I like having a peaceful meal here
- Atmosphereatmosphere are top-notch
- Chinese restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was wonderful. It's a comfy and small Chinese restaurant located in San Francisco. The prices are reasonable, and the food is excellent.
- door diningthere back too in door dinning
- easy parkingEasy parking
- restaurantThe restaurant is well-ventilated, and clean.
Frequently criticized
- decorThe exterior is a *bit* too thick but not awfully so. The service is decent and the decor is non-existent. The trek to get out to the Outer Richmond is worth it.
- atmosphereYou aren't coming here for service or atmosphere. It is alllllllll about the best wings in the city and the fried dumplings and soup dumplings that will keep you coming back again and again.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:2
- Parking optionsParking options:Paid street parking
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- screaming in the kitchenHeard a lot of screaming in the kitchen
- smokythe restaurant got very smoky
- tablesthe rest is dirty maybe from previous customer
If a quiet, clean spot is your priority and you dont mind potentially plain decor or a parking hunt, this place could be okay. Just dont expect a dazzling atmosphere, as many find it quite ordinary.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, some guests found the 5 score to be somewhat average, with 6 positive remarks out of 24 total. Many appreciated the prices and felt they got their moneys worth, noting affordable price options and even calling it the best value in the area. They were satisfied with what they paid.
However, the customer satisfaction for value sits at a rather poor 25%, with 10 negative comments highlighting significant concerns. Many were frustrated by the cash only policy and unexpected charged amount or 15% gratuity. Some felt they were getting hosed and that the food was not worth the price, especially with an extra dollar charge' for cards.
Value
24
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
10
negative
8
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Decent prices
- Good money's worth
- Best value
What people don't like
- Cash-only policy
- Unexpected charges
- Not worth price
Often praised
- pricesthe prices to be decent
- affordable pricewith a affordable price
- best valuebest value in the area
- money's worthyou will get your money worth for the food
- pricefeeling incredibly satisfied for the low price
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyshe told us they accept cash only, no cards.
- 15% gratuitycharged 15 % gratuity automatically, strange
- cash only policyCash only. The place doesn't visibly advertise its cash-only policy
- charged amountI was charged $43.50
- extra dollar chargethey actually accept cards but one extra dollar must be charged.
- getting hosedgetting hosed on a Sunday afternoon
- owner pricesprices from the owner was alot higher
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. The food taste was below average and definitely not worth the price. Furthermore, the staff member was pretty rude to us and not very friendly at all.
While some find the prices decent, the overall value experience is quite mixed, leaning towards disappointing for many. Be prepared for a cash only policy and keep an eye out for unexpected charges like automatic gratuity or card fees, as these are major dealbreakers for a significant number of customers.
How are the prices at Shanghai House?
On average, you’ll spend around 27 per person, based on 20 guests. That places this Chinese Restaurant in the $21–$30 category, which is comfortably mid-range, perhaps a touch above. It’s interesting to note that while the average is 27, many diners (11 out of 20) actually spent less, in the $11–$20 range.
This suggests a good mix of options, from more budget-friendly to slightly higher-end experiences.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 20 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
We think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco. It seems to offer options that can suit different budgets, which is always a plus!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Shanghai House
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
10
A Long-Time Favorite for Delicious Chinese Food
I've been a loyal customer at Shanghai House for over 12 years and absolutely love it. My experience has consistently been fantastic. You MUST order the XLB dumplings, XLB fried dumplings, dry fried chicken wings, and the green onion pancake.
The food is exceptional, and the atmosphere and service are top-notch, both rated a perfect 5. It's a place I highly recommend for a wonderful dining experience.
- XLB dumplings10
- XLB fried dumplings10
- dry fried chicken wings10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
8
Top-notch dumplings, worth the wait
My experience at this restaurant was centered around their homemade dumplings, which were absolutely delicious. The fried chicken was also top notch. While the service takes a while, the quality of the food makes it worth the wait.
- homemade dumplings10
- dumplings10
- fried chicken10
- service4
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Closed when supposed to be open
Sad. This is the 2nd time this month I've attempted to eat here when it's supposed to be open, but it's closed. I called and was told they were not opening today.
☹️
- restaurant hours1
- opening hours1
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Quick Bites and Tasty Wings
My experience at the restaurant was quite positive. The food comes out quickly & hot. I've tried the sheng jian bao a couple of times, and I noticed the meat held together a lot better on my second visit.
I also loved the chicken wings. It's a cash only establishment, but there are plenty of ATMs on the street, so it wasn't an issue.
- food9
- sheng jian bao8
- chicken wings10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Atmosphere and Delicious Eggplant!
My experience at this restaurant was very positive. The atmosphere was lovely, and the place felt well-ventilated and clean. I particularly enjoyed the House Special Eggplant, which was really good.
The service and food were both rated a perfect 5, contributing to a great overall experience.
- atmosphere10
- restaurant9
- House Special Eggplant10
What Shanghai House offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Shanghai House in San Francisco?
At Shanghai House, you can enjoy a full range of dining experiences. They offer lunch and dinner service, complete with table service for a comfortable meal. Don’t forget to save room for dessert, as they have options to complete your culinary journey.
Is Shanghai House Restaurant accessible for all guests?
Yes, Shanghai House is committed to accessibility. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, ensuring easy access for everyone. Additionally, wheelchair accessible seating is available, making it a comfortable and inclusive dining spot for all patrons.
How does Shanghai House generally perform?
Shanghai House holds a **Restaurant Score** of **6.1** out of 10, with **Customer Satisfaction** at a mixed **52.5%**. Its **Food** (7.2) is a strong point, while **Ambience** (5.3) and **Value** (5) are average, and **Service** (3.7) needs attention.
What are the standout dishes at Shanghai House?
Customers frequently praise the authentic Shanghai flavors, particularly the **xiaolongbaos**, various **dumplings**, and **fried chicken wings**. Many find the food reminiscent of home cooking.
What should I know about the service and payment at Shanghai House?
While some find the **owner** and **staff** friendly, service can be slow, with reports of long **wait times**. It’s important to note that the restaurant primarily operates on a **cash-only** basis.