Accessibility
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oChef » Taishan Taste Dim Sum – San Francisco
Taishan Taste Dim Sum - San Francisco
Photo from Taishan Taste Dim Sum
Taishan Taste Dim Sum at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 25 of the guests
#2084 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#235 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
127
Reviews
58.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Fresh food
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Attentive service
Frequently criticized
- Billing issues
- Long waits
- Cleanliness
The restaurant, a delightful Chinese eatery, invites you to experience authentic flavors right in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. At Taishan Taste Dim Sum, you’ll discover a casual spot perfect for enjoying a wide array of small plates.
Whether you’re starting your day with breakfast, grabbing lunch, or settling in for dinner, this welcoming establishment offers a genuine taste of traditional dim sum culture.
Overview: Introducting Taishan Taste Dim Sum
Taishan Taste Dim Sum offers a pleasant dining experience, with many appreciating the fresh and hot dishes and the generally inviting atmosphere. Some diners have highlighted the attentive service from certain staff members, contributing to a comfortable visit.
However, the experience can be inconsistent, with concerns raised about waiting time and billing practices. A few customers found the value proposition less straightforward, suggesting a mixed bag when it comes to the overall dining journey.
Good
6.2
out of 10
127
Reviews
58.3%
Satisfaction
43
negative
10
neutral
74
positive
Overall, Taishan Taste Dim Sum registers an average score of 6.2, reflecting a generally acceptable experience. Customer satisfaction stands at 58.3%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
This assessment is drawn from 127 customer opinions, with 74 positive remarks balancing against 43 negative ones. The Ambience (8.4) clearly stands out as a strong point, creating a pleasant setting for meals.
The Food (6.5) is also quite well-received, though Service (5.3) and Value (4.8) appear to be areas where experiences vary more, suggesting room for improvement.
What people like
- Fresh, hot food
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Billing transparency
- Long wait times
- Cleanliness concerns
If you’re seeking a comfortable spot with generally good food, Taishan Taste Dim Sum could be a worthwhile visit. The inviting atmosphere and well-regarded dishes, particularly the claypot rice, often leave a positive impression.
However, be mindful of potential service inconsistencies and review your bill carefully regarding tipping. With a recommendation score of 6.5, it’s a place that offers solid aspects but also has areas that might disappoint some diners.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Taishan Taste Dim Sum
Food (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the food! With a score of 6.5 and customer satisfaction at 62.2%, the culinary experience here is a bit of a mixed bag, leaning towards average. Out of 74 total opinions, 46 were positive, highlighting delicious items like the Coriander Rice Noodles, Chinese sausage and eel clay pot, and the amazing Fried Rice balls, all praised for their great flavors and generous portions.
However, 21 negative opinions suggest theres room for improvement. Some found the vegetable options limited, the sweet green bean soup overly sweet, and certain dim sum items like rice noodle rolls and shrimp dumplings disappointing or even stale. A few even noted the use of instant noodles in some dishes, which wasn't a hit with everyone.
Food
74
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
21
negative
7
neutral
46
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Claypot dishes excellent
- Delicious dim sum
- Great flavors
What people don't like
- Limited veggie options
- Instant noodles used
- Some dim sum stale
Often praised
- foodThe food come out fresh and hot
- dim sumin addition to the usual dim sum and everything was great
- FoodFood:5
- BLACK SESAME Pudding👍BLACK SESAME Pudding
- Beef Brisket Lo meinBeef Brisket Lo mein is likewise delicious
- CLAYPOT Ricespecializes in single serving CLAYPOT Rice
- Chicken👍Chicken
- Chinese sausage and eel clay potgot the Chinese sausage and eel clay pot
- Claypot with ribs & sausage👍Claypot with ribs & sausage
- Coriander Rice NoodlesCoriander Rice Noodles were good
Frequently criticized
- foodI’ve never had dim sum THIS bad
- rice noodle rollsI can’t find meat in the rice noodle rolls and they taste plain.
- Chicken with Mushroom clay potMostly broken bones with tiny piece of meat attached to it
- Chinese foodworst Chinese food
- Wonton Noodle SoupSkip the Wonton Noodle Soup if ur a purist (I’m not a fan of instant ramen noodles)
- Yellow Eel ClaypotSkip the Yellow Eel Claypot if ur not a fan of eel looking like worms
- beef brisket soupcame with instant noodles not egg noodles
- chewed gumfound chewed GUM!!!! in one of them
- dim sumMy experience at this restaurant was the worst dim sum/Chinese food I've ever had. I would give it 0 stars if possible.
- dim sum restaurantIt was so inconvenient that customers had to add water to their own tea, and I even saw a male customer refilling hot water in a yellow pot at the front desk himself. This is not a real dim sum restaurant; most people seem to come here for clay pot rice. While you can pay by credit card, I advise caution with tipping, as it's not recommended.
If youre looking for solid claypot dishes, flavorful dim sum, and dont mind a few misses, this spot might be worth a try. Just be aware that some of the dim sum and noodle options might not live up to expectations, especially if you're particular about ingredients like instant noodles.
Service (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 79% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres definitely some good news! Many guests praised the attentive and sweet servers, with special shout-outs for the Roasting Chef and the nice owner. Folks appreciated feeling well-cared for, noting that the service was often top-notch, friendly, and even fast.
Overall, the score for service sits at an average 5.3, with a mixed 44.4% customer satisfaction. However, its not all smooth sailing. Many found the wait time quite long for ordering and food, with some describing the service as spotty or terrible.
Concerns about an alleged dishonest place due to automatic tipping practices were also raised. Plus, hygiene issues, specifically regarding food prep gloves, contributed to the 13 negative remarks among the 27 total pieces of feedback.
Service
27
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
12
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, sweet staff
- Impressive Roasting Chef
- Friendly, fast service
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Automatic high tipping
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- serviceThe service too was friendly and fast
- ServiceService:5
- Roasting ChefImpressed with the Roasting Chef 👨🍳
- attentivevery attentive to make sure my group’s every need was met
- lady who waited on usThe lady who waited on us very nice
- ownerThe owner is so nice
- serverI love the server because she is so sweet and attentive
- waiting timewait 20 min so that he can roast a fresh 🦆
- worth the waitOn my second visit, I had the same clay pot with pork dumplings, and it was equally delicious. Both times, the food was legit Chinese food, and it was absolutely worth the wait. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Frequently criticized
- serviceplease take care of your service
- add water to teaadd water to the tea yourself
- customer refill hot waterman customer refill the hot water
- dishonest placeFurthermore, they overcharge customers, as they already included a 25% or more tip in the total bill price without asking, yet still suggested giving more tips at the bottom of the check. You should look at your receipt carefully; it's a dishonest place. I strongly advise against coming here!
- food prep gloveswalks into the bathroom with his food prep gloves on
- food took a very long timeThe wonton noodles were essentially cheap instant noodles. Despite the place not being busy, the food took a very long time to arrive. Would I go back?
- guy who prepared the foodThe guy who prepared the food, she noticed, walks into the bathroom
- same gloves onWith the same gloves on!
- wait timeit's a long wait - 30 minutes
- waiting time for foodanother 30 minutes to get the food
Service here is a real mixed bag. While you might encounter some truly attentive staff and impressive chefs, be prepared for potentially long waits and inconsistent service, along with some concerning practices. If youre patient and lucky, youll have a great experience, but it's a gamble.
Ambience (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot really shines! With a strong score of 8.4 and a customer satisfaction rate of 81.8%, its clear most diners find the ambience to be good. Many appreciate the overall "atmosphere, " describing it as a "nice quiet time" or a "quiet place, " and even a "hidden spot" with "authenticity.
" These positive sentiments come from 9 out of 11 total opinions, highlighting a generally pleasant experience. However, its not entirely without a hitch. One opinion, out of 11, did raise a concern about cleanliness, stating that The place is not clean at all.
While this is a single negative point, it's worth noting if you prioritize spotless surroundings.
Ambience
11
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Pleasant atmosphere
- Quiet place
- Authentic vibe
What people don't like
- Lacking cleanliness
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- atmospherethe atmosphere was very pleasant
- authenticityVery authentic and what a treat!
- hidden spotglad I chose this hidden spot
- quiet placelooking for a nice quiet place
- quiet timeNice quiet time to eat
- restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic. I can highly recommend this small and cozy restaurant in Chinatown. The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was very pleasant.
Frequently criticized
- cleanlinessThe place is not clean at all
If youre seeking a pleasant, quiet, and authentic atmosphere, this place seems like a solid bet. Just be aware that one customer found the cleanliness lacking, so manage your expectations on that front. Overall, its likely a good choice for a relaxed dining experience.
Value (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 42% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners appreciate the affordable prices here, often finding it a great deal for the quality. With 7 positive remarks out of 15 total, guests frequently mention the low price and how very reasonably priced items are. While the overall score sits at an average 4.8, the initial price point is a definite draw.
However, the value proposition becomes a mixed bag, reflected in a mixed 46.7% customer satisfaction. There are 8 negative comments, primarily concerning mandatory tip practices and automatic tips being added to bills. Some feel they overcharge customers by including significant tips without asking, even going so far as to suggest to give more tips afterwards, which can feel dishonest.
Value
15
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
8
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable prices
- Good value
What people don't like
- Mandatory tips
- Automatic tips
- Overcharge customers
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious dim sum for a reasonable price. The food was brought out in waves, which was a great way to keep the table full and ensure a continuous dining experience.
- affordableVery affordable for the quality of food
- low pricefor a low price
- very reasonably pricedVery reasonably priced too
Frequently criticized
- accidental tippingaccidentally tipped twice
- automatic 15% tip addedautomatic 15% tip added (a fee for eating in it said!)
- automatic tipsadd automatic tips
- included tipsalready included 25% or more tips in your total bill price without asking
- mandatory tippre-charge a mandatory tip
- over-tipbe careful not to over-tip, no recommended
- overcharge customersI encountered the worse wonton and beef brisket I have ever had in my life. Furthermore, they overcharge customers, as they already included a 25% or more tip in the total bill price without asking, yet still suggested giving more tips at the bottom of the check. You should look at your receipt carefully; it's a dishonest place.
- suggest to give more tipsstill suggest you to give more tips at the bottom of the check
If you're looking for an affordable meal, this spot might catch your eye with its reasonable prices. However, be sure to scrutinize your bill carefully, as automatic and mandatory tips are a frequent concern that can impact the final value.
How are the prices at Taishan Taste Dim Sum?
You’re looking at roughly 21 per person – reported by 25 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Interestingly, while the average lands in the $21–$30 range, a good chunk of diners actually spend a bit less, often in the $11–$20 range. This shows a nice spread of options, from more budget-friendly choices to slightly higher-end dishes.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 25 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
We think the pricing feels quite fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, offering good value whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a more substantial meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Taishan Taste Dim Sum
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Delicious Food, Great Owner!
I'm not sure why the rating is so low, but the food here is really good! My friends and I ordered three different meals, and they were all delicious. The owner is incredibly nice and even provided us with spicy sauces.
I highly recommend checking this place out! I had the steamed rice with dried duck, and it was fantastic.
- food9
- meals9
- owner10
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Food, Sweet Service, Quiet Atmosphere
I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. It provided a nice quiet time to enjoy my meal and tea, perfect for when the kids are at school or even with them. I particularly enjoyed the family style meals.
The portions were really good for the price, making it a great value. The server was incredibly sweet and attentive, and the food arrived fresh and hot. I loved all the flavors, from the soup to the rice plates, and the dim sum was also really good.
If you're looking for a nice quiet place to enjoy a hot, good meal for a low price, this is definitely your spot!
- quiet time9
- family style meals8
- portions8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Long (31+ min.)
2
Disappointing Chicken with Mushroom Clay Pot
My first and last time here. I ordered the "Chicken with Mushroom" clay pot and was very disappointed. It was mostly broken bones with tiny pieces of meat attached, requiring constant attention to avoid dental damage or choking.
Additionally, the wait time was long, 30 minutes from 1: 00 PM to 1: 30 PM, even though the restaurant wasn't crowded.
- Chicken with Mushroom clay pot2
- wait time3
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
1
Terrible Dim Sum and Sneaky Billing
My experience at this restaurant was the worst dim sum/Chinese food I've ever had. I would give it 0 stars if possible. The service was terrible and the food was sub-par.
They also have a sneaky practice of pre-charging a mandatory tip to the bill without any prior notice on the menu or within the restaurant. This was particularly frustrating as it was just for two people, and I ended up accidentally tipping twice, which really ticked me off given the subpar service.
- dim sum1
- Chinese food1
- service1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Hygiene Concerns Ruin Otherwise Good Meal
YOU WILL WANT TO READ THIS! The food I found quite good. The lady who waited on us was very nice.
The reason for the bad review I think will speak for itself. Almost finished with our meal and my wife gets a not so good look on her face and I noticed she stops eating. The guy who prepared the food, she noticed, walks into the bathroom with his food prep gloves on.
This she watches carefully. He then comes back out after doing his business…. With the same gloves on!
He goes back to the food service area. Because of this, I’d highly suggest avoiding this place. Also, when paying by card they have an automatic 15% tip added (a fee for eating in it said!).
Crazy!
- food8
- lady who waited on us8
- guy who prepared the food1
- food prep gloves1
- same gloves on1
What Taishan Taste Dim Sum offers
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Lunch
Service Options
- Drive-through
- Takeout
- Curbside pickup
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and accessibility features does Taishan Taste Dim Sum offer?
At Taishan Taste Dim Sum, you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert with table service. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, ensuring a comfortable visit for all guests. You’ll also find free street parking available.
Can I get takeout or delivery from Taishan Taste Dim Sum, and what's the atmosphere like?
Yes, Taishan Taste Dim Sum provides convenient service options including drive-through, takeout, curbside pickup, and delivery. If you prefer to dine in, you’ll find a casual and welcoming atmosphere that’s also good for kids.
How does Taishan Taste Dim Sum rate overall?
Taishan Taste Dim Sum has an overall score of 6.2 out of 10. Its Ambience scores highest at 8.4, followed by Food at 6.5. Service is rated 5.3, and Value is 4.8.
What do customers enjoy most about Taishan Taste Dim Sum?
Customers frequently praise the fresh and hot food, especially the dim sum and claypot rice. The pleasant and authentic atmosphere is also a highlight, with some noting friendly and attentive service.
Are there any common complaints about Taishan Taste Dim Sum?
Some customers have reported issues with service, including long wait times and concerns about hygiene. There are also notable complaints regarding billing practices, specifically automatic and potentially misleading tipping charges.