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Hunan House - Reviews
826 Washington St, 94108 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
503
Reviews
61.2%
Satisfaction
169
negative
26
neutral
308
positive
What people say about Hunan House
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Visit Type
Group Type
Group Size
Service Type
Meal Type
Wait Time
Noise Level
Price per Person
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Delicious Chinese Food, Quick Service!
While the cleanliness wasn't perfect, I was looking for some good Chinese food, and that's exactly what I got! The food was delicious and the service was quick.
- Chinese food10
- food10
- service10
- cleanliness4
Price per Person
- $71–$80
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Moderate
3
Disappointing Lunch Experience
I visited this restaurant on a Saturday, expecting a reasonable meal as a Japanese blog post suggested it was a spot frequented by locals. However, arriving on a weekend meant I couldn't order from the lunch menu, resulting in a more expensive meal than anticipated. This is not the kind of place to visit alone on a weekend.
I ordered the fried chili shrimp and shrimp fried rice, which cost $45. A 15% service charge was included, so I didn't leave a tip, but the receipt still had a line for tipping, which was a bit irritating, likely a default setting. The fried rice was seasoned lightly, intended to be eaten with other dishes rather than on its own, which might feel insufficient for some as there are no condiments on the table.
The shrimp in the fried rice were cooked wonderfully, offering a pleasant, plump texture. I mistakenly ordered the fried chili shrimp instead of the chili shrimp. It's a luxurious dish that uses a large amount of chili peppers just to flavor the batter, but it wasn't particularly delicious.
The shrimp were large enough, but lacked the plumpness. Despite many oily dishes, they generously served a large teapot of tea for free. The tea's flavor was quite subtle, tasting like inexpensive tea, but it was the type that doesn't interfere with the meal and actually enhances it.
There is WiFi available, so I asked the staff for the password. There's a power outlet under the table, but it doesn't seem to supply power.
- shrimp fried rice6
- shrimp8
- tea7
- fried chili shrimp3
- lunch menu3
- service charge4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Authentic Hunan Flavors in SF
I wandered into this restaurant after looking at the menu in the window while exploring Chinatown. It passed so many of my personal vibe checks for a Chinese spot. The timing was perfect, as it was employee mealtime and I could hear them chatting.
The moment they noticed I spoke Mandarin, ordering was swift, and they instantly served tea. The worn dishes and utensils added to the authentic feel of a shop that's strongly "been around. " And the flavors, oh the flavors!
It was a true "Ratatouille moment, " as I haven't had a good Hunan place in quite a bit. Oh yeah, and of course, the prices (by SF standards, of course). This is definitely one of the spots on my SF wanders map now.
- flavors10
- Hunan place9
- prices8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Decent Soup with Generous Portions
My experience at the restaurant involved receiving my sweet corn chicken soup. The restaurant offers great portions. Unfortunately, they added cilantro, which I had to remove.
Despite this, the soup itself was decent.
- sweet corn chicken soup6
- great portions8
- cilantro3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Authentic Chinatown Gem with Great Value
My experience at this restaurant in Chinatown was fantastic. It's a typical Chinese establishment where the food is delicious and the portions are very generous. I appreciated that it's not overly touristy, which contributes to an excellent quality-to-price ratio.
The menu features clear and accurate photos of the dishes, making it easy to choose.
- food9
- portions9
- quality-price ratio10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Authentic Hunan & American Chinese Gem
My go-to spot for legit Chinese food with good prices and excellent food! I've been many times with family and friends, and they can accommodate groups of all sizes. FOOD: This is a Hunan restaurant, specializing in the region's signature numbing spicy dishes.
While many options have that distinct tingling sensation, it's not overwhelmingly hot. For those who prefer milder flavors, there are plenty of delicious non-spicy items available. They also offer a vegetarian menu with a decent selection of veggie and tofu options, and some dishes can be customized.
It's worth noting that some vegetables in the 'vegetable section' might be stir-fried with meat for flavor, so it's best to check before ordering. ORDERING: Having a Chinese-speaking friend can make ordering smoother, especially with dietary restrictions. However, the menu is extensive, featuring great translations and clear photos, making it manageable for non-Chinese speakers.
I encourage trying something new beyond your usual choices. The food is served family style and is meant to be shared. They also have menu sets in the back tailored to different flavor profiles, like sweeter American Chinese or authentic Hunan dishes, which is helpful if you're hesitant to order.
They even recommend the number of dishes based on group size. SERVICE/ATMOSPHERE: The service is straightforward and efficient – you can call over staff when needed for things like water or utensils. The atmosphere is standard, with typical booths and tables, which is exactly what I prefer – no fuss.
QUALITY/VALUE: For a group of 8, we had 3 appetizers and 8 family-style dishes, including rice, several beers, and tip. The total was roughly $35 per person, and everyone was incredibly full with leftovers. This feels like a steal in the current San Francisco dining scene.
This is my favorite type of old-school Chinese place. They offer fantastic regional Hunan food and great American Chinese options. I'm so happy they exist to provide such great food at a great price.
Please give it a try!
- good prices9
- excellent food10
- groups of all sizes9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Terrible Experience, Never Again
My experience at this restaurant was overwhelmingly negative. The service was exceptionally bad, with the waiter appearing visibly upset when we returned a seaweed salad that was not good due to too many spices. The beef dish was also not tasty for my child.
We were not even served water for our group of five. Adding to the poor experience, the kitchen looked terrible, and my son felt unwell after the meal. Unfortunately, the tip was already included in the bill.
I will never go back there again.
- service1
- Seaweed salad2
- spices2
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Food was good, service charge was a surprise
My experience at the restaurant was mixed. The food was good, receiving a score of 5 out of 5. However, I was unhappy with the mandatory 15% service charge that was automatically included in the bill.
I believe this amount should be optional and left to the customer's discretion.
- food10
- service charge2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Great Food and Service, Mind the Kitchen Closing
My experience at this restaurant was marked by great food and service. The food received a perfect score, as did the service. The atmosphere was also highly rated at 5.
However, it's important to note that the kitchen closes around 9: 30 PM, which is before the restaurant's official closing time of 11 PM. If you are turned away, please be respectful to the staff.
- food10
- service10
- atmosphere10
- kitchen closes4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Great Value Chinese in SF
Considering San Francisco's prices, this Chinese restaurant offers great value. The Mapo Tofu had a cilantro aroma that might be polarizing, but I loved it. The meat, similar to LA galbi, had a unique fried preparation I've never encountered before, and it was delicious.
I was very curious about how it was fried. The Xiao Long Bao were relatively standard. Service was dine-in.
- Mapo Tofu9
- LA galbi-like meat9
- Xiao Long Bao6
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