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oChef » 台山风味Taishan – San Francisco
台山风味Taishan - San Francisco
Photo from 台山风味Taishan
台山风味Taishan at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 30 of the guests
#2208 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#252 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Average
5.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
141
Reviews
51.8%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Cuisine
- Private Dining
- Friendly Service
Frequently criticized
- Pricing Issues
- Service Reliability
- Cleanliness
The Chinese restaurant, 台山风味Taishan, offers you an authentic taste of home in the vibrant heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown. You’ll find 台山风味Taishan Restaurant（第二分店） is the perfect spot for a relaxed meal, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or dinner.
With its casual atmosphere, you can unwind and enjoy delicious food, making it a great choice for you and your companions.
Overview: Introducting 台山风味Taishan
台山风味Taishan offers a taste of authentic Chinese cuisine, with many appreciating the good food and the unique karaoke setup for private gatherings. Guests have noted generally friendly service, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.
However, the experience can be inconsistent, with some encountering significant issues like being ignored or facing concerns about dishonesty regarding pricing. There have also been mentions of food quality varying, and some finding the atmosphere less than ideal due to cleanliness issues.
Average
5.8
out of 10
141
Reviews
51.8%
Satisfaction
54
negative
14
neutral
73
positive
Overall, 台山风味Taishan receives an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 51.8%. This assessment is drawn from 141 customer remarks, comprising 73 positive and 54 negative observations.
It suggests that while many find aspects to appreciate, there are also notable areas needing attention. Digging deeper, the Food (6.4) and Ambience (6.4) generally hover in the average range, indicating a decent but not outstanding culinary experience and setting.
However, Service (5.5) also falls into the average category, and Value (3.1) is a clear concern, scoring poorly. This suggests that while the dishes might be acceptable, the overall experience, particularly regarding pricing and attentiveness, can be inconsistent.
What people like
- Authentic cuisine
- Private dining options
- Friendly service moments
What people don't like
- Inconsistent pricing
- Service reliability issues
- Cleanliness concerns
With a recommendation score of 5.9, 台山风味Taishan presents a mixed bag. While it offers some authentic dishes and unique private dining options, potential visitors should be aware of the reported inconsistencies in service and pricing.
If you’re seeking a specific culinary experience and are prepared for potential service quirks, it might be worth a visit. However, if consistent service and transparent pricing are top priorities, you might find other options more satisfying.
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Verdict: Our expert take on 台山风味Taishan
Food (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, theres a definite buzz, with 48 positive remarks among 82 total observations. Many diners found plenty to love, praising fried pork puff for being fresh and scrumptious, and highlighting authentic Taishan food and yellow eel clay pot rice as standouts. Dishes like tender fish and house-made noodles also earned high marks, contributing to a generally positive experience.
However, its not all sunshine, as 29 negative comments point to some areas needing attention. Concerns arose about smelly dishes, unfresh food, and items tasting frozen. Some found the pork dry, noodles overcooked, or dishes like fried green beans too oily, suggesting inconsistency in quality.
The overall score for food sits at an average 6.4, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 58.5%.
Food
82
Reviews
58%
Satisfaction
29
negative
5
neutral
48
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Taishan cuisine
- Delicious clay pot rice
- Fresh, scrumptious puffs
What people don't like
- Unfresh, frozen food
- Strong, off-putting smell
- Dry meat, overcooked noodles
Often praised
- foodMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good food and the friendly service. The prices were decent, and it offered a quiet atmosphere, making for a pleasant dining experience.
- FoodFood:4
- portionWe also had the Beef Bone Soup牛骨例湯, a Taishan signature dish. We ordered a medium portion, which was more than enough for two people. The soup contained beef bone, lotus ginseng, and ginger.
- Beef Bone SoupBeef Bone Soup牛骨例湯: Taishan signature dish
- Beef bone soupBeef bone soup - 4/5 good, not too special
- Chicken and tripe soupChicken and tripe soup - 5/5 Chicken is bone in. The tripe is fun to chew.
- Chinatown stapleChinatown staple!
- Fried green beansFried green beans油盐豆角: pretty good
- LettuceLettuce - 5/5 surprisingly delicious, lots of garlic
- Mongolian beefThis was the best beef I've had
Frequently criticized
- foodI thought the food would be better, but it disappointed me. The pork was dry, and the noodles were overcooked.
- food qualityTasted like they took the dog water out of the bowl, heated it up and threw noodles in it.
- BBQ duckThe BBQ duck was not fresh!
- Dim SumThis retaliation, especially for a simple rice cake dish when the restaurant was not busy, was unacceptable. The long wait time also suggests the Dim Sum is not freshly made but likely frozen, as it took an unreasonable amount of time to prepare a small order. This establishment seems to treat locals poorly, which can have consequences in SF Chinatown.
- Fried green beansThe food was good overall. We tried the Fried green beans油盐豆角, which were pretty good, though a bit salty on the bottom. We also had the Beef Bone Soup牛骨例湯, a Taishan signature dish.
- Green beanGreen bean -2/5 too oily
- Peking duckPeking duck tasted bad
- Veggie Chow meinVeggie Chow mein is cup of soup noodles with one piece of broccoli
- chickenchicken lacked flavor
- chicken rice dishChicken rice dish came with too much rice and less chicken
If youre seeking authentic Taishan flavors and dont mind a bit of hit-or-miss, the food here could be a delightful discovery. Just be prepared for some dishes that might not live up to expectations, especially if freshness is your top priority.
Service (5.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 66% of the guests
Many diners have experienced positive interactions, with 13 positive remarks out of 27 total. Guests frequently praised the staff for being accommodating, welcoming, and providing great service that was often described as warm and efficient. Some appreciated the customer service for going the extra mile, like being open late.
This contributes to an average score of 5.5 for service. However, its not all smooth sailing, as 10 negative experiences highlight areas for improvement. Some guests reported service that was almost nil, long waiting times, and even dishonesty or retaliation.
This mixed bag of experiences results in a customer satisfaction of 48.1%, suggesting theres definitely room for improvement.
Service
27
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
10
negative
4
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Accommodating staff
- Friendly, efficient service
- Secured customer belongings
What people don't like
- Absent service
- Dishonest owner
- Long waiting times
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good food and the friendly service. The prices were decent, and it offered a quiet atmosphere, making for a pleasant dining experience.
- staffI also really appreciate the staff kept my wallet in a safe place
- ServiceService:4
- customer servicehappily sent me a photo.
- open lateMy experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the authentic food and appreciated that they are open late. However, the pictures of the menu online are outdated and miss many delicious items.
Frequently criticized
- attentionI’ve been ignored for over 45 minutes
- checkNo one brought a check
- dishonesty of the ownerMy experience at this restaurant was marred by the dishonesty of the owner/front desk cashier lady and implicitly mediocre/unfresh food. We arrived with limited parking time, and the lady promised our takeout order would be ready in 10 minutes.
- operating hoursWe have been wanting to try Taishan Cuisine, but we run on East Coast time, so it has been a struggle with their operating hours. Taishan Restaurant is a real treat.
- ownermentre ella mirava el mòbil
- retaliationDespite making it clear we were in a rush, she made us wait 16 minutes, forcing me to rush to my car to avoid a ticket. The situation worsened when she retaliated by refusing to hand over the order to my friend after a 20-minute wait, twice the promised time. This retaliation, especially for a simple rice cake dish when the restaurant was not busy, was unacceptable.
- serviceService is almost nil.
- staffthe entire staff came out and had dinner
- takeout orderMy experience at this restaurant was marred by the dishonesty of the owner/front desk cashier lady and implicitly mediocre/unfresh food. We arrived with limited parking time, and the lady promised our takeout order would be ready in 10 minutes. Despite making it clear we were in a rush, she made us wait 16 minutes, forcing me to rush to my car to avoid a ticket.
- waiting timemade us wait for 16 minutes
Service here is a bit of a gamble; you might encounter wonderfully accommodating staff or face frustrating waits and a lack of attention. If youre patient and the restaurant isnt busy, you might have a great experience, but be prepared for potential inconsistencies.
Ambience (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 38% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a 6.4 score, landing it squarely in the average range, with 60% customer satisfaction indicating a mixed bag of experiences. Many guests rave about the authentic Chinese restaurant feel and the family atmosphere, noting its quite outstanding. The availability of a "back room" with "automatic mahjong tables" and a "karaoke setup" also gets big thumbs up, making it a unique and enjoyable space for some, based on 9 positive remarks.
However, not all is perfect in paradise. A few diners, 3 to be exact, raised serious concerns, with one alarming mention of "mice running around" freely. This naturally leads to worries about "sanitary conditions, " which is a significant drawback.
Another minor point was the presence of the "owners child" causing some noise, detracting from an otherwise quiet atmosphere for some.
Ambience
15
Reviews
60%
Satisfaction
3
negative
3
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Chinese feel
- Outstanding family atmosphere
- Private karaoke rooms
What people don't like
- Mice running around
- Sanitary conditions poor
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- atmosphereI enjoyed the good food and the friendly service. The prices were decent, and it offered a quiet atmosphere, making for a pleasant dining experience.
- authentic Chinese restaurantAuthentic Chinese restaurant
- automatic mahjong tablesit has automatic mahjong tables
- back roomThey were kind enough to give us the back room
- family atmospherethe family atmosphere is outstanding
- karaoke setupThey were incredibly accommodating, providing us with the back room, which is usually reserved for larger parties and booked for 5 pm. This private space featured automatic mahjong tables and a huge karaoke setup. We enjoyed the eel claypot rice, hot boiling oil fish, and several other dishes.
Frequently criticized
- mice running aroundmice running around salvaging every trash freely.
- owner's childfill petit de la propietària no parava de cridar i llençar coses
- sanitary conditionsI can't imagine the restaurant will be very sanitary.
If you're looking for an authentic Chinese experience with unique entertainment like mahjong and karaoke in a private setting, this place could be a fun choice. However, be aware that some serious cleanliness issues have been reported, which might be a dealbreaker for those sensitive to sanitary conditions.
Value (3.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
While the overall picture for value isn't great, a few customers did find some positives, with 3 positive remarks out of 17 total. Some mentioned that certain prices were decent, even highlighting an excellent price for specific items. However, this topic generally struggles, reflected in a poor score of just 3.1 and customer satisfaction sitting at a low 17.6%.
Unfortunately, the majority of feedback, with 12 negative opinions, points to significant concerns regarding value. Many customers reported encountering a menu with inflated prices and even two menus for different customer groups, leading to accusations of the restaurant being unethical. The mandatory minimum tip policy also raised eyebrows, making the overall experience feel quite expensive.
Value
17
Reviews
17%
Satisfaction
12
negative
2
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
What people don't like
- Inflated prices
- Mandatory tipping
- Unethical pricing practices
Often praised
- priceexcellent price
- pricesThe prices were decent
Frequently criticized
- different prices3 different prices for the same food item.
- even higherthe QR code is even higher.
- expensiveisn’t overly expensive
- higher priceThe printed menu is a higher price by at least $1
- mandatory minimum tipmandatory minimum tip is 15% for lunch and 18% for dinner.
- menu with inflated pricesHowever, a significant concern arose regarding the pricing. It appears that non-Chinese customers are given a menu with inflated prices. We brought this to the attention of the manager, and her reaction was telling; she seemed taken aback but did not deny the practice.
- pricethe one I'm posting, is double the price
- pricing policyThis practice is disappointing
- suggested tippingit has suggested tipping with the minimum of 15%.
- tipping is mandatorytipping is mandatory.
If you're looking for fair and transparent pricing, this might not be the place for you. The widespread reports of inflated prices, mandatory tipping, and even different menus for different customers are serious red flags. Proceed with extreme caution, as the value proposition here seems highly questionable.
How are the prices at 台山风味Taishan?
You’re looking at roughly 24 per person – reported by 30 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.
While there’s a bit of a spread, the majority of diners tend to spend right in this $21–$30 range, showing a clear sweet spot for pricing.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 30 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value for money stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Chinese Restaurant in this range. It offers a good balance, so you know what to expect without any surprises.
Customer Reviews: what people think about 台山风味Taishan
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Great Food, Outdated Menu Photos
My experience at this restaurant was great! I enjoyed the authentic food and appreciated that they are open late. However, the pictures of the menu online are outdated and miss many delicious items.
I've included updated menu pictures to help others discover more of their offerings.
- authentic food9
- open late8
- menu pictures4
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Moderate
9
Savior for Late-Night Cravings!
I was struck with the feeling of hunger late at night, and this place was my savior! I just wanted a snack, so I ordered the fried pork puff. For $6, I received 3 scrumptious puffs that were made fresh, taking about 5 minutes.
They were sooo yummy – a perfect amount of crispiness and chewiness, lightly sweet, with sufficiently salty pork inside. Although I'm not familiar with Chinese food, I can confidently say this will now be my go-to place for a late-night snack!
- fried pork puff10
- fresh9
- price8
Visit Type
- Business Meeting
Group Type
- Colleagues
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Delicious dumplings and exceptional service!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, primarily due to the delicious dumplings. I was on a business trip and completely forgot to take my receipt. Hours later, I called back hoping to get it, and they happily sent me a photo of it.
I am very appreciative of their outstanding customer service.
- dumplings9
- service10
- customer service10
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
1
Frozen Food and Mice Infestation
My experience at this restaurant was quite unpleasant. The food tasted frozen and was not enjoyable at all. Adding to the dismay, I observed mice running around freely in the alley used for the prep kitchen and emergency exit in the inner room.
This made me question the overall sanitary conditions of the restaurant.
- food2
- mice running around1
- sanitary conditions2
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Good Food, Friendly Service, Quiet Atmosphere
My experience at the restaurant was very positive. I enjoyed the good food and the friendly service. The prices were decent, and it offered a quiet atmosphere, making for a pleasant dining experience.
- food8
- service8
- prices7
What 台山风味Taishan offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is 台山风味Taishan Restaurant accessible for all guests?
Yes, you’ll find that 台山风味Taishan Restaurant in San Francisco’s Chinatown is committed to accessibility. It features a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for everyone.
What dining and service options are available at 台山风味Taishan Restaurant?
At 台山风味Taishan Restaurant, you can enjoy lunch or dinner with table service. For your convenience, they also offer no-contact delivery, takeout, and standard delivery, providing flexible ways to savor their Chinese cuisine.
What is the overall customer sentiment and rating for 台山风味Taishan?
台山风味Taishan holds an average restaurant score of 5.8 out of 10, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 51.8%. While Food (6.4) and Ambience (6.4) are considered average, Service (5.5) is also average, and Value (3.1) scores poorly.
What positive aspects do customers highlight about 台山风味Taishan?
Customers often appreciate the authentic Chinese cuisine and the unique private dining options, including automatic mahjong tables and karaoke setups. Some also mention friendly service experiences.
What are the main concerns or dealbreakers at 台山风味Taishan?
Key concerns include inconsistent pricing practices, such as inflated menus for some customers and mandatory tipping. Service reliability issues, like being ignored or encountering dishonesty, and cleanliness concerns have also been noted.