Planning
- Accepts reservations
- Dinner reservations recommended
oChef » Mission Chinese Food – San Francisco
Mission Chinese Food - San Francisco
Photo from Mission Chinese Food
Mission Chinese Food at a glance
San Francisco Mission District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 69 of the guests
#1632 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#151 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
523
Reviews
67.7%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Creative dishes
- Fast service
- Unique ambiance
Frequently criticized
- High prices
- Inconsistent food
- Poor setting
The restaurant Mission Chinese Food in San Francisco’s vibrant Mission District is a Chinese restaurant that promises a trendy and casual dining experience. You’ll find yourself immersed in a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a memorable meal.
Whether you’re looking for dinner, lunch, or even late-night food, this spot has you covered with its diverse offerings.
Overview: Introducting Mission Chinese Food
Mission Chinese Food offers a distinctive take on Chinese cuisine, often praised for its bold and creative dishes. While many appreciate the unique flavors and fun ideas, some find the execution can be inconsistent, leading to overly salty or oily plates.
The dining experience is often enhanced by the prompt service and a lively, unique atmosphere. However, guests should be mindful that the overall value can be a point of contention, with some feeling the prices don’t always align with the experience.
Good
7
out of 10
523
Reviews
67.7%
Satisfaction
136
negative
33
neutral
354
positive
Mission Chinese Food earns a respectable 7 overall, indicating a generally good experience for many patrons. However, customer satisfaction sits at 67.7%, suggesting a mixed bag of opinions.
This slight divergence highlights that while the restaurant generally performs well, there’s a segment of diners who leave feeling less impressed. This assessment is drawn from a substantial 523 customer remarks.
Delving deeper, the Service (7.5) and Food (7.1) topics stand out positively, reflecting many positive remarks (354) about their efficiency and culinary innovation. The Ambience (6.9) also contributes to the positive sentiment.
Conversely, Value (3.6) significantly lags, with 136 negative comments frequently citing concerns about pricing and portion perception.
What people like
- Creative, flavorful dishes
- Prompt, friendly service
- Unique, cozy atmosphere
What people don't like
- High prices, poor value
- Inconsistent food quality
- Cramped, unkempt setting
If you’re seeking a dining experience that pushes culinary boundaries with bold flavors and a vibrant setting, Mission Chinese Food is certainly worth considering. The 7.3 recommendation score suggests many find it a worthwhile visit, especially for those who appreciate a unique take on Chinese cuisine.
However, be prepared for a potentially higher price point and understand that some dishes might not hit the mark for everyone. If you prioritize consistent value and a traditional, pristine environment, you might find aspects of the experience less appealing.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Mission Chinese Food
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
Diving into the food here, youll find a truly adventurous culinary journey. With a solid score of 7.1, many rave about the weird Chinese food and its unique twist, praising the innovative food and bold Sichuan peppercorn flavors. There are 251 positive remarks highlighting creative dishes like Kung Pao Pastrami and excellent vegan friendly options, making for a delicious and surprising meal.
However, customer satisfaction, at a more mixed 69.3%, points to some inconsistencies. Out of 88 negative comments, common complaints include dishes being salty or oily, and some finding certain items, like Mapo Tofu, tasteless or plain. ' It seems some experiences fall short of the high expectations set by the more inventive offerings.
Food
362
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
88
negative
23
neutral
251
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique, innovative flavors
- Bold Sichuan spice
- Generous portions offered
What people don't like
- Dishes often too salty
- Food can be oily
- Some dishes lack flavor
Often praised
- foodfood can get pretty spicy and numbing, which is solid
- dishesMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We're not hipsters, but we loved the fun ideas for dishes. While some dishes work better than others, when they do, they are addictively great.
- food qualityexcept the quality of the food which is why this is such a weird review
- flavorsfelt even and light despite the heavy flavors
- Chinese foodGood Chinese food with creative thoughts inside
- Kung Pao Pastramithe Kung Pao Pastrami and Sichuan Carbonara that take something traditionally
- Mongolian long beansour favorites with Mongolian long beans (special level was perfect)
- chicken wingsEspecially recommend the chicken wings. They are not crazy hot, but they pack a little punch!
- chow meintheir take on chow mein, with DUCK CONFIT! is an amazing addition
- green beansThe food was some of the best Chinese I've had in SF. I highly recommend the lamb dumplings, green beans, beef and broccoli, ribs, and duck chow mein. From the amazing food to the fun decor, this place is a must-go!
Frequently criticized
- foodI was excited to finally try this place, but my experience was just alright. While it had potential, the food was shockingly salty and oily, with no let-up in any dish, including the chow mein, eggplant, and cumin lamb. This was particularly disappointing considering the price.
- mapo tofumapo tofu and sichuan carbonara. It was completely inedible
- chickendon't recommend this place that much for their chicken
- Mapo TofuMapo Tofu was mediocre. It primarily tasted of salt and Sichuan peppercorn.
- Sichuan CarbonaraHighly recommend steering clear of the Sichuan Carbonara, tasted watery and bland overall and also had elements of soap??
- brisketbrisket was chewy and flavorless
- dishesMy experience at the restaurant involved ordering two dishes, which were pretty good but a little oily. Each dish was priced around $20+, making it feel overpriced.
- noodlesordered garlic fried chicken for pick up and noodles
- oilySome food will present as far too oily
- Chinese foodworst Chinese food I've ever tasted
If you're seeking an adventurous take on Chinese cuisine with unique flavors and creative dishes, this spot is definitely worth a try. Be prepared, however, for potential inconsistencies in seasoning, as some dishes might be overly salty or oily, and others occasionally bland.
Service (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.5 and customer satisfaction at a good 76.1%, many guests rave about the friendly staff, quick seating, and how fast their food arrives. Out of 67 opinions, a strong 51 were positive, often highlighting the welcoming atmosphere and attentive servers.
However, its not always perfect. There were 14 negative comments, with some experiences pointing to slow service, inattentive wait staff, or even rude servers. A few guests felt their requests were ignored, suggesting theres still a little room for improvement in consistency.
Service
67
Reviews
76%
Satisfaction
14
negative
2
neutral
51
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, welcoming staff
- Quick seating
- Fast food delivery
What people don't like
- Slow, inattentive staff
- Rude servers
- Ignored requests
Often praised
- serviceThe service is good. The waitress was friendly and super helpful.
- staffapathetic staff replaced with unpretentious servers
- ServiceService:5
- foodthe food comes super quickly
- serverThe restaurant was busy, but the food was great, the ambience was lovely, and the staff were excellent. A special shout out to the server for the night – see you ‘mate’!
- Danny BowienDon't be fooled by the signage, which is for a previous restaurant; it adds to the popup feel. Danny Bowien is great and should be encouraged!
- accommodate groups quicklyalways seem to accommodate my groups quickly
- disappointedI am never disappointed
- food arrived super quicklyfood also arrived super quickly
- food came out quickmy food came out really quick too
Frequently criticized
- serviceshe was annoyed about us telling her that they didn’t even care about our request
- waitressfire the waitress who thinks there are two kinds of wine - red and not red
- bald guy with glassesThe bald guy with glasses could have been nicer
- correctionThe restaurant charged my credit card twice. When I returned to correct this issue, they denied to do so.
- requestthey didn’t even care about our request
- serverTold the server but she didn't bother looking for it
- wait staffobserved the wait staff just chit chatting
- wait staff checkingwait staff checking on us after our food came out
Overall, the service here is quite good, making it a place worth trying if you value friendly staff and quick meal delivery. Just be aware that, like anywhere, there's a small chance of encountering an off day with slower or less attentive service.
Ambience (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 41% of the guests
The ambience here generally hits the mark, earning a 6.9 score, which is quite good! Many guests rave about the unique vibe, eclectic decor, and cosy ambience, often highlighting the 90s hip-hop and RnB music selection. With 47 positive remarks out of 70 total, its clear the atmosphere creates a fun and memorable experience for many.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 67.1%, indicating some areas for improvement. A few of the 17 negative comments point to concerns about the "decorations" needing a good dusting, issues with the "bathrooms, " and the "cramped spot" or "location" feeling a bit seedy. It seems the external demeanor doesnt always match the interior charm.
Ambience
70
Reviews
67%
Satisfaction
17
negative
6
neutral
47
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unique, fun vibe
- Eclectic decor
- Great music selection
What people don't like
- Cramped location
- Bathroom issues
- Decor needs dusting
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was positive. It's a small cozy restaurant with lots of good food choices and it's not too expensive. While it's not a traditional Chinese restaurant, I enjoyed it regardless.
- decorI highly recommend the lamb dumplings, green beans, beef and broccoli, ribs, and duck chow mein. From the amazing food to the fun decor, this place is a must-go!
- 90s hip-hop and RnBplay really good 90s hip-hop and RnB
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Fun environmentFun environment.
- accessibilityI had the thrice cooked bacon and rice, which was absolutely delicious. It's a good time to visit now that the hype's died down a bit, making it more accessible with less pressure for expectations to disappoint. Overall, I had a fantastic meal.
- ambienceambience was lovely
- ceiling decorationslook up at the ceiling decorations!
- cosy ambienceVery cosy ambience
- dragons hangingI'm into the "low key" vibes and really liked this spot; it's a great go-to. The cool red lighting and two huge dragons hanging from the ceiling created a unique atmosphere. A plus is that every time I've gone here they play really good 90s hip-hop and RnB.
Frequently criticized
- ambiancewarm lantern bulbs replaced with harsh blue light
- atmospherethis would be a 4.5/5 easily
- parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- areaWhile the creativity and passion behind the dishes were wonderful, the overall experience was marred by the location and atmosphere. The restaurant is situated in a cramped spot within an already cramped and seedy area, which detracted from the enjoyment. I wish the chef could showcase their talent in a nicer setting, as the current environment is not charming and feels like a fast-food establishment in every aspect except food quality.
- bathroom adventureBathroom adventure as you travel
- bathroomslos baños están al fondo, debes atravesar la cocina
- cockroachsaw a cockroach that crawled on top of the table
- decorla decoración del lugar podrÃa mejorar
- decorationsHowever, the place could use a good dusting. All the decorations and things hanging from the ceiling and walls might be due for a spring cleaning soon.
- digsjust wish we could see it located in nicer digs
If you're looking for a place with a truly unique and fun atmosphere, especially if you appreciate eclectic decor and good music, this spot is worth checking out. Just be prepared that the exterior and some practical aspects like the bathrooms or location might not be as polished as the interior vibe.
Value (3.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 16% of the guests
When it comes to value, some diners found the experience surprisingly positive, noting that while it might be a bit of a splurge, the quality made it worth it for the good price and generous portions. Despite an overall customer satisfaction of just 20.8%, a few folks appreciated the solid food choices and reasonable pricing, making their visit enjoyable. However, the majority of feedback, with 17 negative remarks out of 24 total, points to significant concerns.
Many felt the restaurant was overpriced and offered bad value, leading to comments like pay a lot for small portions or even a waste of money. The overall score for value sits at a poor 3.6, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the pricing.
Value
24
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
17
negative
2
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good price
- Worth the splurge
- Generous portions
What people don't like
- Often overpriced
- Questionable value
- Waste of money
Often praised
- good priceWe visited as a group of five and ordered many dishes across the menu to share. Overall, this was a solid destination for non-Americanized Chinese food at a good price.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was positive. It's a small cozy restaurant with lots of good food choices and it's not too expensive. While it's not a traditional Chinese restaurant, I enjoyed it regardless.
- pricesThe restaurant offers solid Szechuan spice, with food that can get pretty spicy and numbing, which I found to be solid. The prices are very reasonable and the portions are large. We visited as a group of five and ordered many dishes across the menu to share.
- splurgeWhile a bit pricey, my experience at the restaurant was worth the splurge. The Kung Pao Pastrami and Salt Cod Fried Rice were absolute must-haves.
- worth itA plus is that every time I've gone here they play really good 90s hip-hop and RnB. The food is a bit pricey, but I feel like it's worth it for the family style dishes and the quality of the food – everything tasted great. More than half the time I've gone, my food came out really quick too.
Frequently criticized
- priceEverything I ordered was way over salted and simply not good. On top of it all, it's pretty expensive. You're better off going to the Richmond/Sunset/Clement area to get real & delicious Chinese food at half the price.
- 20 dollars20 dollars to literally get just a bucket of tofu
- PricePricey but the food is amazing
- bad valueIt's also bad value
- charged 30$charged 30$
- credit cardrestaurant charged my credit card twice
- pay a lotpay a lot for rice
- pricesvery high prices
- tipdidn't leave a tip
- total pricetotal price was over 50$
If youre looking for a budget-friendly meal, this might not be your best bet, as many find the value questionable. However, if you prioritize quality and dont mind a potential splurge for good food, some customers felt it was worth it. Just be prepared for potentially higher prices.
How are the prices at Mission Chinese Food?
You’re looking at roughly 36 per person – reported by 69 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While many guests spend between 21 – 40 $, the prices do spread out, offering a mix of options from more budget-friendly plates to a few premium choices.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 69 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. It offers a good balance for a mid-range dining experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mission Chinese Food
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
7
Interesting Twist on Chinese Food
My experience at this restaurant was interesting. It's a strange place with a twist on classic Chinese food, which was definitely different. However, overall, the food was tasty.
We tried the fried garlic rice, cold noodle with peanut sauce, hot & sour soup, pork belly, and fried lamb dumplings. My personal favorite was the pork belly, though its presentation was unusual, served with watery pineapple. While I'm not sure if I'll return, it was a nice experience and we enjoyed the meal.
- strange place5
- twist on classic Chinese food5
- tasty7
- strange presentation3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
7
Good Chinese Food, Decor Needs Work
My experience at this restaurant was with good Chinese food. The food itself was rated a 5 out of 5. However, the decor of the place could be improved.
The bathrooms are located at the back and require traversing through the kitchen to reach them. The atmosphere was rated a 5, and the service was also rated a 5. It was a quiet place, making it easy to talk.
Parking was noted as difficult to find.
- Chinese food10
- atmosphere10
- service10
- decor3
- bathrooms2
- parking space3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
2
Terrible food, but got a refund
My experience at this restaurant was largely negative due to the food quality. I ordered the broccoli beef brisket, which was disappointingly soupy with an excessive amount of poorly cut broccoli. The brisket itself was chewy and flavorless.
The kung pao pastrami was also problematic, being too salty to eat, and the peanuts still had their skins on. We did contact the restaurant and received a refund, which was appreciated. It's possible that receiving the food close to closing time influenced the quality, but the overall experience with the food was poor.
- refund8
- broccoli beef brisket2
- broccoli2
- brisket2
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
10
Absolutely Incredible Classics!
My experience at this restaurant was nothing short of incredible and mind-numbing. The food was a classic of the classics. I highly recommend getting the salted cod fried rice, the wings, and the chow mein.
Even the veggies were addictive, like crack!
- salted cod fried rice10
- wings10
- chow mein10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Sad decline from fantastic to inedible
I am so sad! When I first tried this spot about seven years ago, it was fantastic! I wanted to revisit it and got takeout today, ordering the mapo tofu and sichuan carbonara.
It was completely inedible 😞. I love spicy Sichuan food, but this was NOT that. It was numbing but also tasteless, watery, and plain.
I have no idea what happened to this spot, but I won’t be ordering again.
- mapo tofu2
- sichuan carbonara2
- tasteless1
What Mission Chinese Food offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
- College students
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Late-night food
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Vegetarian options
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What service options and accessibility features does Mission Chinese Food offer?
At Mission Chinese Food, you can enjoy convenient service options including dine-in, takeout, and delivery. The restaurant is also wheelchair accessible, featuring a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating to ensure comfort for all guests.
What kind of dining experience and offerings can you expect at Mission Chinese Food?
You can expect a cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere at Mission Chinese Food. They offer a diverse menu with small plates, vegetarian options, and a selection of wine, beer, and cocktails. It’s a great spot for lunch, dinner, or even late-night food.
What is the overall customer sentiment regarding Mission Chinese Food?
Mission Chinese Food has an overall score of **7**, indicating a generally good experience. However, customer satisfaction is at **67.7%**, suggesting a mixed reception. While **Service** (7.5), **Food** (7.1), and **Ambience** (6.9) are well-regarded, **Value** (3.6) is a significant concern for many.
What are the standout positive aspects of the dining experience?
Customers frequently praise the restaurant for its creative and flavorful dishes, often highlighting the unique culinary approach. The service is also noted for being prompt and friendly, contributing to a positive visit.
Are there any common drawbacks or areas for improvement at the restaurant?
Yes, several customers express concerns about the high prices, feeling that the value for money can be poor. There are also mentions of inconsistent food quality, with some dishes being overly salty or oily, and the ambiance can sometimes feel cramped or unkempt.