Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Golden Kim Tar – San Francisco
Golden Kim Tar - San Francisco
Photo from Golden Kim Tar
Golden Kim Tar at a glance
San Francisco Civic Center
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 57 of the guests
#1382 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#111 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
280
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Generous portions
- Great value
- Good service
Frequently criticized
- Poor location
- Hygiene concerns
- Rude staff
The restaurant Golden Kim Tar invites you to experience authentic Chinese cuisine right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Civic Center neighborhood. You’ll discover a welcoming spot perfect for a quick bite or a leisurely meal.
Known for its exceptional Chinese dishes, this establishment also prides itself on offering a great tea selection, ensuring a delightful beverage to complement your dining experience. Whether you’re craving classic flavors or exploring new tastes, you’ll find something to savor here.
Overview: Introducting Golden Kim Tar
Golden Kim Tar generally impresses with its generous portions and flavorful dishes. Many appreciate the huge portions and the overall taste of the Chinese cuisine offered.
It’s a place where you can expect satisfying meals. While the service often receives praise for its attentiveness, the restaurant’s setting can be a point of contention.
Some find the façade uninviting, and the surrounding area might not appeal to everyone.
Good
7.3
out of 10
280
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
57
negative
13
neutral
210
positive
Golden Kim Tar earns a solid overall score of 7.3, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. Customer satisfaction stands at a respectable 75%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
The Food (7.3) is a strong point, frequently highlighted for its quality, and Service (7.4) also performs well, with many appreciating the attentive staff. These insights are drawn from 210 positive and 57 negative opinions.
The Value (8.2) truly stands out, with customers consistently noting the affordable prices and generous servings. However, the Ambience (6.1) presents a more mixed picture; while some find it comfortable, others express concerns about the location and cleanliness.
This comprehensive view comes from a total of 280 customer observations.
What people like
- Generous portions
- Affordable prices
- Cordial service
What people don't like
- Location concerns
- Cleanliness issues
- Rude staff
If you prioritize generous portions and good value in your Chinese dining, Golden Kim Tar is certainly worth considering. The 7.4 recommendation score suggests many find it a satisfying choice for a hearty meal without breaking the bank.
However, be mindful of the setting and potential inconsistencies in the dining room experience. If ambience and pristine conditions are paramount, you might find aspects disappointing.
For takeout or delivery, it often delivers on its promise of tasty, affordable food.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Golden Kim Tar
Food (7.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 94% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.3 and a customer satisfaction rate of 75.6%, it's clear many diners are leaving happy. Out of 168 customer remarks, a whopping 127 were positive, often praising the huge portions, fresh ingredients, and great taste across a diverse menu, including popular items like Kung Pao Chicken and Beef Chow Fun.
Consistency is also a frequently mentioned plus! However, not every dish is a winner, as 34 negative comments point out. Some found a lack of flavor in certain items, while others noted subpar meat quality or unappetizing dishes like vinegary hot and sour soup.
There were also mentions of limited flavor selections and issues with specific preparations, suggesting some areas could use a bit more attention to detail.
Food
168
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
34
negative
7
neutral
127
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Huge, ample portions
- Great taste, fresh
- Consistent food quality
What people don't like
- Subpar meat quality
- Lack of flavor
- Unappetizing dishes
Often praised
- foodMy experience with this restaurant was through delivery, and I was seriously so impressed. The portions were huge and the food was amazing. I tried the hot and sour soup, which was some of the best I've ever had, along with the wonton soup, orange chicken, and crispy beef.
- portionsMy experience with this restaurant was through delivery, and I was seriously so impressed. The portions were huge and the food was amazing. I tried the hot and sour soup, which was some of the best I've ever had, along with the wonton soup, orange chicken, and crispy beef.
- Chinese foodI'm glad they were able to weather the difficulties of the pandemic. I highly recommend this place to anyone craving good Chinese food.
- dishesEvery dish I have ordered here and every dish that has been suggested to me has been amazing
- portion sizeThe portion size, even for lunch, was generous
- Kung Pao chickenpiping hot dishes we tried and enjoyed were the Kung Pao chicken
- Mongolian beefThe Mongolian beef was tender, flavorful, and perfectly spiced.
- huge portionsMy experience at this dive-type restaurant was characterized by huge portions and low prices. The Chow Fun was very good, and the General Tao Chicken was also good.
- tasteThis restaurant is my easy chilly happy second kitchen. It's my taste of happy sweet treat. Whenever I bring my family to eat here, I give them 5 Stars thanks to the woman and man serving and the devoted chef.
- tasty foodample portions of tasty food
Frequently criticized
- chicken chow meinThe food wasn't nasty, but it was plain. Everything I ordered – the prawn fried rice, chicken chow mein, garlic noodles, wonton soup, and a few veggie egg rolls – lacked flavor. Considering it cost $59, I was hoping I could have said at least one of the items was good.
- FoodFood:1
- Hot and Sour soupHot and Sour soup was bland
- Korean menuit's also in Korean, good luck if you don't know it
- Kung Pao chickenKung Pao chicken was predominantly sauce with very few ingredients
- Sichuan mala shrimpSichuan mala shrimp was particularly unappetizing
- beef sizzlerI had a beef sizzler but the beef wasn't very good
- bok choythere’s no bochoy lot s of onion
- broccoli beefThe broccoli beef smelled bad and tasted horrible
- chow meinthere’s no bochoy lot s of onion and not even 5lb in the tray
If you're looking for generous portions and generally tasty Chinese food, this place is a solid bet. Just be mindful that some dishes might lack flavor or have inconsistent quality, so choose wisely to ensure a satisfying meal.
Service (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
It seems the service here generally hits the mark, with a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at 74.5%, both indicating a good experience for many. Based on 55 total opinions, with 41 positive comments, guests frequently praise the friendly and attentive staff, quick delivery, and the kind, passionate owners who make them welcome. Many appreciate the fast service, whether dining in or getting takeout, often highlighting the excellent customer service.
However, not everyone has had such a smooth experience, with 13 negative pieces of feedback. Some customers have encountered rude staff or hurried counter persons, leading to feelings of being rushed or even racially profiled. There have also been complaints about slow ordering processes and poor communication, such as calls being abruptly ended.
Service
55
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
13
negative
1
neutral
41
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Kind owners
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow ordering
- Poor communication
Often praised
- serviceThe food was amazing, and the portion sizes were great. I received outstanding service throughout my dine-in dinner. This quiet restaurant offers some of the best food I've had in years.
- staffThe staff are beyond awesome.
- deliveryMy experience with this restaurant was exceptional. I had the best Chinese food I’ve ever tasted, and the delivery was quick and free. While their egg roll is more of a fusion spring roll in my opinion, it was still delicious.
- ownerI love the owner he's great
- ownersthe owners are kind, down to earth and passionate
- HelloMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I was greeted with a big "Hello" upon walking through the door, which made me feel good. The food was great, and the portion size, even for lunch, was generous.
- boss and chefthe boss and chef kindly helped us
- cooksyou can hear the cook(s) cutting and cooking your food
- cordial servicecordial service
- customer servicethe customer service amazing
Frequently criticized
- serviceService was not great
- SaturdayUnfortunately they don’t know on Saturday
- ServiceService:1
- cardasking me if the card i was using was mine for sure
- counter personrude, hurried counter person
- customer serviceonly one person in charge of customer service
- hung upand hung up in my face.
- ladythe lady who always has her hair in a pony tail kinda racially profiled me
- passport officescrew the passport office
- rude peoplevery rude people.... Not good people.
Overall, you can generally expect good service here, with many finding the staff friendly and efficient. While there are occasional reports of rudeness or slow ordering, the positive experiences heavily outweigh the negatives. It's likely a good bet if you value quick and cordial service.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with an average score of 6.1 and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 53.8%. Many guests appreciate the awesome atmosphere, describing it as a comfortable place with a great location downtown and an unpretentious environment. With 14 positive remarks out of 26 total, it seems many find it a warm, friendly, and well-decorated spot for a meal.
However, not all experiences are as rosy, with 8 negative remarks highlighting some serious concerns. Some patrons reported seeing a mouse and discovering past health violations. The restaurant's location in the Tenderloin district is a frequent point of contention, with some finding the façade uninviting and the area quite run down, which can detract from the overall experience.
Ambience
26
Reviews
53%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Awesome atmosphere
- Comfortable setting
- Convenient location
What people don't like
- Mouse sighting
- Health concerns
- Challenging neighborhood
Often praised
- atmosphereAmazing fast thoughtful service also
- awesomeawesome 💯 😎
- closeit's good and close
- comfortable placefairly comfortable place to eat
- fine and courteous establishmentMy kind friends own this fine and courteous establishment. Come and eat to your heart's content!
- great locationGreat location downtown
- lightingLight r little bit romantic.hohohohoho
- locationan ideal location for a quick work lunch
- place insidethe place inside is very well decorated
- quiet restaurantThis quiet resturaunt
Frequently criticized
- TenderloinIts in the Tenderloin
- areaThe area this is located in isn't the best and quite run down
- façadethe façade is a bit uninviting
- health violationsHowever, the situation quickly turned unpleasant when we saw a MOUSE on the curtain. Upon looking into their health inspection records, I discovered they had been closed before for health violations. Due to these serious concerns, I will not be returning.
- locationThe location is awful
- mousesaw a MOUSE on the curtain
- placethe place is not the cleanest
- tenderloin districtIt is located in the tenderloin district, so be prepared.
If youre looking for a comfortable, unpretentious spot with a good internal vibe and dont mind a potentially challenging neighborhood, it might be worth a try. However, be aware of the serious cleanliness concerns and the less-than-ideal surroundings that could impact your visit.
Value (8.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot truly shines with a 8.2 score, indicating a good experience, and an excellent 90.3% customer satisfaction. Many guests rave about the affordable prices, reasonable price, and how cheap the meals are, often noting a good amount for the price. Based on 28 positive remarks out of 31 total, youre getting a lot of bang for your buck here.
However, a couple of comments, just 2 out of 31, touched on concerns regarding the cost of certain items not matching expectations, or issues with the bill. While these are isolated incidents, its worth keeping an eye on the overall value for your specific order.
Value
31
Reviews
90%
Satisfaction
2
negative
1
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Generous portions
- Excellent value
What people don't like
- Poor item value
- Billing discrepancies
Often praised
- priceMy coworker and I ordered the Mongolian Beef over steam rice 🍚. The food was really tasty 😋, and the price was damn good! We paid $23.
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was excellent. The Chinese food was outstanding, with great prices and generous portions. It's conveniently located near the civic center.
- PricesPrices are fair and worth every penny
- affordableFast, affordable and quality
- affordable pricesI particularly enjoyed the sizzling eggplant and kung pao fish, which were delicious. The restaurant has a great location downtown, an unpretentious environment, and very affordable prices.
- budgetreally great place to order food if you're in a budget
- cheapIt's cheap here
- good amount for the priceIt looked like it was good amount for the price
- inexpensive pricesWhile the façade is a bit uninviting, this place serves tasty, large plates of food at inexpensive prices. It's a true hidden gem in SF!
- low pricesMy experience at this dive-type restaurant was characterized by huge portions and low prices. The Chow Fun was very good, and the General Tao Chicken was also good.
Frequently criticized
- billbill was 37$ , bank told me they tried to charge my card 45
- costcosting $59 I was hoping I could have said at least one of the items was good
If you're looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most diners find the portions generous and the prices incredibly fair, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious foodies. Just double-check your bill, as there were a couple of isolated mentions of discrepancies.
How are the prices at Golden Kim Tar?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 57 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average hovers around 22, it’s interesting to see that many guests actually spend less, often in the $11–$20 range. This suggests a nice mix of budget-friendly bites and some slightly more premium options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 57 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a good range, so you can choose to keep it casual and affordable or go for something a bit more special.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Golden Kim Tar
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Delivery
Meal Type
- Dinner
10
Amazing Chinese Food Delivery!
My experience with this restaurant was through delivery, and I was seriously so impressed. The portions were huge and the food was amazing. I tried the hot and sour soup, which was some of the best I've ever had, along with the wonton soup, orange chicken, and crispy beef.
I highly recommend this place!
- portions9
- food10
- hot and sour soup10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Authentic Asian Takeout!
We ordered take out for a quick meal. As an Asian, I have to say the food is authentic! It was fast, affordable, and the quality matched the price.
I will order again.
- food10
- take out9
- fast9
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Dinner
2
Chow Mein Disappointment
I purchased a tray of chow mein and specifically asked if bok choy could be added. Upon arriving home, I discovered there was no bok choy, but a lot of onion instead. The tray also seemed to contain less than 5lb of food.
The service was not good 😌.
- chow mein2
- bok choy1
- onion2
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Delicious Food and Excellent Service
My experience at Golden Kim Tar was absolutely wonderful. The food was incredibly delicious, and every dish I tried, as well as those suggested, was amazing. The service was equally excellent.
I highly recommend Golden Kim Tar.
- food10
- service10
- dishes10
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
2
Disappointing Dinner, Proceed with Caution
I was disappointed with my dinner, as it did not match what was advertised. The Sichuan mala shrimp was particularly unappetizing; the shrimp were unpeeled and lacked freshness. Additionally, the Kung Pao chicken was predominantly sauce with very few ingredients.
To top it off, there was no rice included with the order. I recommend that others proceed with caution when ordering from this restaurant.
- Sichuan mala shrimp2
- shrimp2
- Kung Pao chicken3
What Golden Kim Tar offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Catering
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options are available at Golden Kim Tar?
At Golden Kim Tar, you’ll find a variety of dining options to suit your plans. You can enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner with table service and comfortable seating. They also offer catering services for your events, and you can always stop by for a delicious dessert. It’s a versatile spot for any meal.
Is Golden Kim Tar suitable for families and accessible to everyone?
Yes, Golden Kim Tar is designed to be family-friendly and accessible. You’ll find it’s good for kids, with high chairs available for the little ones. For accessibility, the restaurant features a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Golden Kim Tar?
Golden Kim Tar holds an overall score of 7.3, with customer satisfaction at 75%. Customers particularly appreciate the Value (8.2), Service (7.4), and Food (7.3), though Ambience (6.1) receives a more mixed reception.
What do customers enjoy most about the food at Golden Kim Tar?
Many customers praise the generous portions and the overall taste of the Chinese dishes, noting items like the hot and sour soup and Mongolian beef as particularly good.
Are there any common concerns about Golden Kim Tar?
Some customers have raised concerns about the restaurant’s location and cleanliness, with mentions of an uninviting façade and occasional issues like mice. Service can also be inconsistent.