oChef » Empero Taste – San Francisco » Empero Taste – San Francisco – Reviews

Empero Taste - Reviews

4052 Balboa St, 94121 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
358

Reviews

83.5%

Satisfaction

36

negative

23

neutral

299

positive

What people say about Empero Taste

Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Moderate (16–30 min.)
Francis N.
Review date: 10/26/2025
8
Great Food, But Bathrooms Need Attention
If you’re seeking a Chinese restaurant with both flavor and generous portions, Empero Taste is a must-visit. Most dishes I’ve tried were packed with balanced seasoning that reminded me of Hong Kong. The House Special Pan Fried Noodles, Pepper Pork Spareribs, and Salted Fish and Chicken Fried Rice are my favorites. Portions are huge—you’ll get your money’s worth and likely leave with a takeout box. The staff were polite but seemed slightly overwhelmed, so we had to wait longer than expected for refills and the check. Nothing terrible, just not as smooth as the food deserved. The only real downside? The BATHROOMS! While functional, they were not clean— foul smell, and the floors were dirty. Both the restroom and washing area would greatly benefit from more regular and thorough cleaning, or maybe a renovation? Overall, Empero Taste serves up outstanding food and generous portions that make it worth the visit. With a little attention to restroom upkeep, it could easily become a five-star experience. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
  • balanced seasoning9
  • House Special Pan Fried Noodles9
  • Pepper Pork Spareribs9
  • wait time4
  • restroom cleanliness2
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Family Dinner
Group Type
  • Family
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Esteban
Review date: 10/25/2025
9
Fantastic food for family events!
My experience at this restaurant has been fantastic, especially for celebrating family events over several years. The food is excellent, earning a perfect score. While it's always crowded, the atmosphere is enjoyable, rated at 4. I highly recommend this place.
  • food10
  • atmosphere8
  • service8
Price per Person
  • $61–$70
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Peter C.
Review date: 09/09/2025
1
Diarrhea after lunch, won't return
I had lunch here and experienced diarrhea shortly after. I'm unsure if the issue was with their food or utensils. It's surprising given the decent reviews. I will not be returning.
  • food1
  • utensils1
Visit Type
  • Family Dinner
Group Type
  • Family
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
D J.
Review date: 09/03/2025
9
Great Food, Family Style Dining
My experience at Empero Taste was centered around the food, which was impressive in both quality and quantity. It's best to visit as a group to enjoy a more varied selection of dishes. They offer a special set menu that can be customized for party size and add-ons. I observed families with multiple generations enjoying dinners family-style. Notable dishes include the Live fish, a specialty that can be enjoyed in three ways, and the pork chops, which are a hit with a huge portion size.
  • food quality9
  • food quantity9
  • varied selection8
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Family Dinner
Group Type
  • Large Group
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Rajni L.
Review date: 08/04/2025
9
Huge Portions, Great Value!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was good, and the portion sizes were absolutely hugeee! It's a great place for family style dinners. We had a group of 11, and it was perfect. We got a lot of food for a really good price. The atmosphere and service were both rated a 5 out of 5, and there was no wait time. They also have a large vegetarian selection and are highly recommended for vegetarians.
  • food7
  • portion sizes10
  • family style dinners9
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Julius D. R.
Review date: 06/19/2025
9
Fast, Friendly, and Affordable Dining Experience
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The food was served very fast and was freshly cooked. The servers were very nice and made me feel truly at home. I also found the prices of the food to be very reasonable. I will definitely recommend this place to my friends.
  • food9
  • servers10
  • prices9
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Special Occasion
Group Type
  • Family
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Noise Level
  • Loud
Emma Y.
Review date: 05/24/2025
9
Authentic Cantonese Food for Every Occasion
This is my go-to place for special occasions like my parents' birthdays, family gatherings, and when friends visit from out of town. The Cantonese food is very authentic. I love the noise level from different tables, as it indicates the real Canton culture.
  • Cantonese food9
  • noise level8
Price per Person
  • $81–$90
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Service Type
  • Takeout
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Virginia C.
Review date: 05/23/2025
8
Consistently Good Food, Plan Ahead
My experience at this restaurant was centered around their consistently good food. It's best to plan ahead and opt for take out, as the restaurant is always busy. While the food quality is excellent, the busyness suggests planning is key for a smooth experience.
  • food10
  • take out7
  • busy6
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Dinner
Terry C.
Review date: 05/19/2025
8
Tasty Chinese with a Few Caveats
My experience at Empero Taste in San Francisco was largely positive, offering a great spot for tasty Chinese food. Many dishes truly hit the mark, with favorites like the Salt and Pepper Pork Chops, Honey Walnut Prawns, Lobster Noodle, Fried Calamari/Crabs, and French Style Pork Spareribs being packed with flavor and cooked just right. Overall, it's a solid option for a delicious and satisfying meal. However, it's worth noting that the flounder might not be the best pick for a consistently great meal, so it's advisable to skip that particular dish.
  • tasty Chinese food9
  • Salt and Pepper Pork Chops10
  • Honey Walnut Prawns10
  • flounder3
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Casual Outing
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Large Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Loud
Jaymar S.
Review date: 05/11/2025
7
Delicious Chinese Food, Busy Atmosphere
This is a popular place for families or groups, so I recommend making reservations. They have a huge selection of delicious Chinese dishes. It gets really loud during busy times. Parking can be difficult to find on the street.
  • Chinese dishes9
  • busy times4
  • street parking3

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