Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
oChef » Emperor’s Kitchen – San Francisco
Emperor's Kitchen - San Francisco
Photo from Emperor’s Kitchen
Emperor's Kitchen at a glance
San Francisco Civic Center
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#1122 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#79 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
181
Reviews
75.1%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Budget-friendly
- Large servings
- Welcoming team
Frequently criticized
- Service issues
- No seating
- Food concern
The restaurant, a casual Chinese eatery in San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood, offers a convenient spot for a quick bite. When you’re looking for authentic flavors, Emperor’s Kitchen provides a welcoming atmosphere where you can enjoy delicious meals.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch, dinner, or planning catering, this spot has you covered with its flexible dining options and easy service choices.
Overview: Introducting Emperor's Kitchen
Emperor’s Kitchen often delivers on its promise of satisfying Chinese fare, with many appreciating the healthy and delicious food options. Customers frequently highlight the generous portions and the overall excellent value for money.
However, experiences can vary, particularly concerning the service, which some found inconsistent. The current dining setup also means there’s no dine-in option, which might influence your visit.
Good
7.5
out of 10
181
Reviews
75.1%
Satisfaction
27
negative
18
neutral
136
positive
Emperor’s Kitchen generally earns a respectable 7.5 out of 10 for its overall performance, with a solid 75.1% customer satisfaction rate. This indicates a largely positive reception, supported by 136 positive remarks against 27 negative ones, out of 181 total customer observations.
The sentiment leans strongly favorable, suggesting a reliable experience for most patrons. Diving deeper, the Value (7.9) truly stands out, offering substantial meals at competitive prices.
The Food (7.7) also receives strong marks, with many praising its quality and variety. While the Ambience (6.9) is noted as decent, the Service (6.7) appears to be the area with the most room for improvement, occasionally drawing mixed feedback.
What people like
- Excellent Value
- Generous Portions
- Friendly Staff
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Service
- No Dine-in Option
- Occasional Food Concerns
Emperor’s Kitchen offers a compelling proposition for those seeking substantial, affordable Chinese fare. While the generous portions and overall value are clear draws, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service and the current lack of a dine-in option.
With a strong 8 for recommendation, this spot is worth considering if you prioritize budget-friendly, hearty meals for takeout. It’s a solid choice for a quick, satisfying bite, provided you manage expectations regarding the service and dining environment.
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 Emperor's Kitchen
Food (7.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, things are looking pretty good! With a solid score of 7.7 and customer satisfaction at 77.7%, many diners rave about the tasty food, fresh ingredients, and generous servings. Out of 103 total opinions, 80 were positive, praising the variety of options and super delicious dishes.
However, not everyone was completely thrilled. There were 12 negative opinions, with some concerns about the food quality and portion sizes. A few felt the food wasn't that good or even looked a bit gross, suggesting some inconsistencies in their offerings.
Food
103
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
12
negative
11
neutral
80
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Tasty, fresh food
- Generous food portions
- Super delicious dishes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Reduced portion sizes
- Food not good
Often praised
- foodChinese food is nice
- dim sumMy experience at this restaurant was for dim sum and Chinese food to go. I ordered a 3 entrée meal for 8 bucks, which I found to be a great deal.
- fried chickenMy other favorite special is fried chicken
- healthyI've been a customer since 2017. It's cheap, gourmet styled, and SUPER delicious, healthy, fast food. THANK YOU, EMPEROR'S KITCHEN!
- orange chickenbest orange chicken in the city hands down
- portionsThe portions were large
- sweet and sour porkI always get half fried rice with half chow mein or chow fun. Then, for the other entree, selections rotate between sweet and sour pork, general tso chicken, mushroom chicken, tofu eggplant, BBQ pork, and beef broccoli. Today, they had salt and pepper fried fish for the special.
- vegetablesThe vegetables were fresh
- 3 entree plateget urself a 3 entree plate of better food
- BBQ porkselections rotate between BBQ pork
Frequently criticized
- foodAfter so many years of trouble-free visits, it finally happened. Now I am scared of every bite. My experience was concerning due to an unexpected issue that has made me fearful of future dining.
- food qualitypassable as food but not at 2 bucks a bite
- chow meinor their chow mein
- egg rollsI don't like the egg rolls
- lemon and orange chickenThey used to have lemon and orange chicken all the time. No longer
- pork chop fried riceget a pork chop fried rice dinner
- portionMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. They have raised their prices and cut down their portion sizes. Given these changes, I would go somewhere else.
- specialsspecials shown on the door were an "old picture"
If youre looking for a place with generally tasty and fresh Chinese food, often with generous portions, its definitely worth a try. Just be aware that a few diners have noted occasional inconsistencies in food quality and portion sizes, so manage your expectations.
Service (6.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
Let's talk service! This place has a decent score of 6.7, but customer satisfaction is a bit more mixed at 62.9%. Many of the 22 positive comments, out of 35 total, highlight super fast service and friendly masked person interactions.
People appreciate the efficient staff and even their catering services, making it a good option for quick and pleasant encounters. On the flip side, there are 8 negative remarks that point to some bumps in the road. Some customers have unfortunately experienced rude service and frustrating waiting time.
These instances of poor customer service can certainly detract from the overall experience, suggesting inconsistency in staff interactions.
Service
35
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
8
negative
5
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Super fast service
- Friendly staff
- Efficient catering
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Long wait times
- Poor customer service
Often praised
- serviceEfficient, friendly service
- fastMy experience at the restaurant was good and fast. The food was healthy and simple, and my stomach said yes.
- cashiercashier the cooks are very friendly
- cateringthey cater!
- catering servicestake orders for catering
- cook and cashier womenThe cook and the 2 main cashier women are super friendly, patient, and nice
- cookscooks are very friendly and outgoing
- friendly masked personI found the food to be very good for the price. I also appreciated the service, especially the fact that the food is behind glass and served by a friendly masked person. This is a great find.
- little waitit's worth the little wait
- restaurantThey really are good.
Frequently criticized
- servicethe young service girl is very rude
- customer serviceWhen the food was finally prepared, the Chinese server was extremely rude, practically throwing my food and money back at me. This was a very poor customer service experience. I will not be returning for any so-called Chinese food from this establishment.
- dine-in optionThey don’t have a dine-in option
- rude serviceThe Chinese lady was so rude to me
- serverthe Chinese lady the server was very rude to me
- waiting timeStood in the restaurant 20 minutes waiting
If you're looking for quick service and friendly faces, especially for takeout or catering, this spot is often a good bet. Just be aware that some experiences can be inconsistent, so you might occasionally encounter a less-than-stellar interaction.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 20% of the guests
When it comes to the ambience, many customers really appreciate the overall atmosphere and vibes, with several noting the convenient location and clean environment. With 6 positive remarks out of 8 total, its clear people enjoy their surroundings, contributing to a solid 75% customer satisfaction and a good score of 6.9. However, its worth noting that the current situation regarding no seating area and dine-in options is a significant drawback for some.
Based on 2 negative comments, it seems the lack of on-site dining due to COVID is a point of concern, even with the generally positive sentiment.
Ambience
8
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
2
negative
0
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Positive atmosphere
- Convenient location
- Clean environment
What people don't like
- No seating available
Often praised
- atmosphereatmosphere:4
- environmentClean environment
- establishmentThis ESTABLISHMENT needs to be more recognized in SF
- locationThe location is convenient for me
- vibesI especially loved the General Tso's chicken, which was still super crispy even after sitting for a bit. I grabbed a plate for around $11 and enjoyed it in the Civic Center on a nice day, which offered great vibes!
Frequently criticized
- dine-inNo dine-in yet
- no seating areaNo seating area since COVID
If youre looking for a place with good vibes and a convenient spot to grab food for takeout, this could be a great choice. Just be aware that theres currently no dine-in option, so plan to enjoy your meal elsewhere.
Value (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 7.9 and a strong 80% customer satisfaction. Many patrons, representing 28 positive expressions out of 35 total, rave about the reasonable prices, finding it incredibly affordable and offering great value, especially for getting a filling meal under $10. Its often seen as a fantastic deal for the price. However, not everyone agrees, with 5 negative expressions noting concerns about the "price.
" Some customers have expressed disappointment over raised prices and reduced portion sizes, particularly with "medium containers, " leading them to feel that the value isnt what it once was or that it's not as good for the price you pay.
Value
35
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
5
negative
2
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable meals
- Great value
- Low cost
What people don't like
- Raised prices
- Cut portions
- Overpriced feeling
Often praised
- priceThe portions were large, and the service was friendly. I was able to get an entire 3-portion takeout container absolutely stuffed for less than $10, which is a fantastic deal.
- affordablehands down affordable
- 3 entrée mealA 3 entrée meal for 8 bucks
- Chinese take-out valuebest Chinese take-out value around
- affordabilityreally affordable
- affordable meallooking for an affordable meal
- best dealsone of the best deals in the civic center
- cheapCheap, gourmet styled, and SUPER delicious
- cheap mealgreat if you are looking for a cheap meal
- cheaperbetter food for cheaper
Frequently criticized
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. They have raised their prices and cut down their portion sizes. Given these changes, I would go somewhere else.
- medium containersordering the medium containers to go it always seem like its much more expensive
If you're on the hunt for an affordable and satisfying meal, this place is definitely worth checking out, as many find it a great deal. Just be aware that a few recent experiences suggest prices might have shifted or portions adjusted, so manage your expectations accordingly.
How are the prices at Emperor's Kitchen?
You’re looking at roughly 12 per person – reported by 24 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.
What’s cool is that most diners actually spend around this average or even a bit less, showing prices cluster nicely around good value rather than spreading into premium territory.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. Its a solid choice if youre looking for good value without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Emperor's Kitchen
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
3
Scared after years of trouble-free visits
After so many years of trouble-free visits, it finally happened. Now I am scared of every bite. My experience was concerning due to an unexpected issue that has made me fearful of future dining.
While the food and atmosphere were previously rated highly (4/5), and there was no wait time, this incident has cast a shadow over my confidence in the restaurant. The service was also rated 4/5, but the recent experience has overshadowed these positive aspects.
- atmosphere7
- service7
- wait time10
- food2
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Takeout
6
Confusing Pricing for To-Go Orders
My experience at this restaurant was a bit confusing, especially regarding their to-go pricing. I usually avoid the combo plate and opt for medium containers. However, it often seems more expensive than if I were to calculate the cost per container.
The one time I brought this up, they immediately removed an item. I suspect they might size up the price based on the customer. Today, three medium containers at $4.
30 each, plus two potstickers, came to $23. 70. Perhaps my math is off, or the tax is quite high.
It's best to ask for a receipt if you're not getting the combo plate.
- combo plate6
- potstickers5
- receipt6
- medium containers3
- price3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
2
Price Increase, Portion Cut
My experience at this restaurant was disappointing. They have raised their prices and cut down their portion sizes. Given these changes, I would go somewhere else.
- price2
- portion2
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Fresh Dim Sum, Large Portions, No Seating
My experience at this restaurant was centered around the food. I found the food to be really good, with large combo portions. The dim sum was particularly noteworthy for being fresh.
However, it's important to note that there is no seating area available, a change implemented since COVID.
- food9
- large combo portions8
- dim sum9
- no seating area2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Great Value Chinese Takeout
My experience at this easy Chinese takeout place was fantastic. I found it to be a great value, really affordable, and super fast. The taste was good too.
I especially loved the General Tso's chicken, which was still super crispy even after sitting for a bit. I grabbed a plate for around $11 and enjoyed it in the Civic Center on a nice day, which offered great vibes!
- value10
- affordability10
- speed9
What Emperor's Kitchen offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Offerings
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options does Emperor's Kitchen offer?
Emperor’s Kitchen provides flexible dining options to suit your schedule. You can enjoy delicious meals for lunch and dinner, and they also offer catering services for your special events or gatherings.
Is Emperor's Kitchen accessible, and what service options are available?
Yes, Emperor’s Kitchen features a wheelchair accessible entrance for your convenience. For service, you have the choice of easy takeout or convenient delivery right to your door.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Emperor's Kitchen?
Emperor’s Kitchen holds a good overall score of **7.5** and a customer satisfaction of **75.1%**. Customers particularly appreciate the **Value** (7.9) and **Food** (7.7), though **Ambience** (6.9) and **Service** (6.7) receive slightly lower marks.
Is Emperor's Kitchen a good option for affordable meals?
Yes, many customers highlight Emperor’s Kitchen for its affordability and excellent value. Opinions frequently mention “cheap,” “affordable,” and “fantastic deal” for generous portions, making it a budget-friendly choice.
Does Emperor's Kitchen offer a dine-in experience?
Currently, Emperor’s Kitchen does not offer a dine-in option. Several opinions note “no seating area” and “no dine-in yet” since COVID, indicating it’s primarily a takeout establishment.