Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » Begoni – San Francisco
Begoni - San Francisco
Photo from Begoni
Begoni at a glance
San Francisco Chinatown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $31–$40
mentioned by 131 of the guests
#1304 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#97 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
693
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food quality
- Attentive service
- Welcoming ambiance
Frequently criticized
- Mandatory tipping
- Unfriendly service
- Noisy environment
The restaurant Begoni is a delightful Chinese Restaurant nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s vibrant Chinatown. You’ll discover a truly authentic dining experience here, complete with a great tea selection that sets it apart.
Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a place to gather with friends, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere. It’s a perfect destination for exploring the rich culinary traditions of the neighborhood.
Overview: Introducting Begoni
Begoni offers a mixed experience, with many guests praising the Peking duck and generally reasonable prices . The atmosphere is often described as casual and welcoming, contributing to a pleasant dining environment.
However, some diners have encountered issues, including frozen dumplings and a noisy setting. Service can be a point of contention, with reports of staff being less than attentive and concerns over a mandatory tip policy.
Good
7.4
out of 10
693
Reviews
74%
Satisfaction
125
negative
55
neutral
513
positive
Begoni generally earns a solid reception, reflected in its Restaurant Score of 7.4 and Customer Satisfaction at 74% . These figures indicate a good overall experience for most patrons.
With 693 customer remarks, including 513 positive and 125 negative observations, there’s a clear lean towards favorable dining experiences. Diving deeper, Food (7.8) stands out as a strong point, frequently praised by diners.
Service (7.1) and Ambience (7.2) also contribute positively to the experience. However, Value (5) presents a more mixed picture, suggesting that while some find the pricing fair, others feel it could be improved.
What people like
- Exceptional food quality
- Attentive, kind service
- Welcoming, clean ambiance
What people don't like
- Mandatory tipping policy
- Unfriendly service encounters
- Noisy dining environment
Begoni earns a solid Recommendation Score of 7.7 , suggesting it’s a worthwhile stop for many. If you prioritize well-prepared dishes and a generally pleasant setting, you’ll likely find a satisfying experience here.
It’s a place that often delivers on its culinary promises. However, be mindful of potential service inconsistencies and the noted mandatory tipping policy.
While the food is often a highlight, some experiences point to variability. Consider Begoni for its strengths, but manage expectations regarding these specific areas.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Begoni
Food (7.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
When it comes to the food, youre in for a treat! With a solid score of 7.8 and customer satisfaction at 79.1%, its clear the culinary experience is generally good. Based on 431 reviews, with 341 positive remarks, many rave about the delicious dim sum, authentic Chinese food, and generous portions, often praised for being fresh and flavorful.
However, not every dish hits the mark, as indicated by 55 negative opinions. Some found specific items like xiaolongbao or sweet and sour chicken to be disappointing, with occasional complaints about bland food or inconsistent quality. While the overall quality is good, there are areas where the food could see improvement.
Food
431
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
55
negative
35
neutral
341
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious dim sum options
- Authentic Chinese flavors
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dish quality
- Some dishes bland
- Specific items disappoint
Often praised
- foodDespite having a reservation, we had to wait 30 minutes for our table, even though there were 3 tables free in the restaurant. The food was very good, but it lacked that certain something. We wanted to order dessert, but according to the service, they were all out.
- dim sumMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed hot, delicious dim sum for a reasonable price. The seating was comfortable, and the staff were friendly.
- Dim SumMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! We enjoyed some great Dim Sum and Chao fun. The owner and staff were incredibly friendly, and we had a good time overall.
- portionsEverything was yummy, though not out of this world. The portions were good, making it a great spot for dinner.
- FoodFood:4
- noodlesWe ordered a generous amount, including dumplings, egg rolls, pan-fried noodles, and stir-fried rice. We still dream of those noodles. Lol.
- Peking duckThe duck was perfect, moist, juicy, flavorful, and tender, and of course that skin.... that crispy, salty skin
- dumplingsThe shrimp dumplings were a hit too. While I would probably skip the Kung Pao next time, the seafood and dumplings are definitely worth it!
- appetizersfollowed immediately by one of the appetizers
- shrimp dumplingsThe shrimp dumplings were particularly standout
Frequently criticized
- foodThe pot stickers were great, but unfortunately, the other dishes, including the noodles, chicken, and beef and broccoli, were all very below average. The food reminded me of Panda Express, which is not what I expect when dining in Chinatown. : / On a positive note, the atmosphere was great, and the service was friendly.
- dumplingsMy experience at this restaurant was quite disappointing. We were served dumplings that were still frozen on the inside. When I brought this to their attention, the next batch we received was overcooked and sticky.
- beefChicken, beef, shrimp dumplings, even rice were barely edible
- chickenthe other dishes (...chicken... were all very below average
- duckWe ordered two soups and half a duck for two people. The soup was okay, nothing more, but what a disappointment for the duck: full of bones and cartilage, and very, very little meat. It was insulting, and we told the manager.
- fried riceTo make matters worse, they still charged us for both servings. For a table of two, the bill came to $75, which felt excessive, especially considering the fried rice was worse than Panda Express and priced at $20.
- soup dumplingsthe soup dumplings came in little aluminum tins that the dumplings stuck to the bottom of
- Chinese foodthe worst Chinese food I have ever had
- Kung Paoskip the Kung Pao next time
- Peking duckPeking duck was served with bones
Overall, if you're craving authentic Chinese food, especially dim sum, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that while many dishes are fantastic, a few might not live up to the high standard set by the rest of the menu.
Service (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 76% of the guests
When it comes to service, guests frequently highlight the friendly staff and fast service, often noting the attentive waitstaff and quick food delivery. With 98 positive remarks out of 143 total, it's clear many had a delightful dining experience. The service scores a 7.1, which is good, and customer satisfaction sits at 68.5%, showing a generally positive but somewhat mixed reception.
On the flip side, 34 negative comments point to areas needing attention. Some guests reported rude waitresses or felt ignored, with instances of slow service and dismissive staff attitude. Concerns about staff dishonesty or demanding tips also surfaced, indicating that while many are happy, there are definite inconsistencies that lead to the 68.5% customer satisfaction.
Service
143
Reviews
68%
Satisfaction
34
negative
11
neutral
98
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive service
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Felt ignored
Often praised
- serviceWe were hunting for a good spot in Chinatown and this restaurant was our pick. The atmosphere was relaxed and the place was clean, with good service. A helpful feature is the order sheet, which allows for clarity on your order.
- ServiceService:5
- staffThe pricing felt reasonable, though it could lean towards being a little pricey depending on my financial situation. Overall, it's a nice space with kind staff. I've dined here with friends and by myself, and the staff were consistently good.
- serverthe server found us halfway down the block to return my daughter's sweatshirt
- serversI forgot to get a picture of any of the food, but everything was great. The service was amazing, and the servers were very attentive. The dumplings, the house chow mein, and all the dumplings D15 and D18 were amazing.
- server EthanOur server Ethan was answering all questions very well.
- waitressThe waitress is attentive and efficient
- LadyLady was good too. Very friendly.
- ServersServers were very pleasant
- capkeeping the cap that we left the previous day
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service from the staff was disappointing
- waitressThe restaurant setting was fantastic, and I enjoyed the more contemporary atmosphere. However, I didn't appreciate that the waitress told me the amount of food I ordered was way more than was needed for a party of 5. To make it more egregious, the price of each dish was not exactly considered cheap for Chinatown.
- staffstaff wasn‘t really friendly
- managerThe soup was okay, nothing more, but what a disappointment for the duck: full of bones and cartilage, and very, very little meat. It was insulting, and we told the manager. Paying over $70 and leaving the table still hungry is not what we expected.
- attitudetheir attitude came off as dismissive
- cancel parts of orderstaff outright refused even though some things had not been cooked
- closing timeavevano fretta di chiudere
- communicate with the servercould not communicate with the server
- customer safetytips is more important than the safety of the customer
- dishonesty of staffthe dishonesty of the staff is appalling
If you're looking for generally good and often fast service with friendly staff, this place is usually a solid bet. Just be prepared that, like any busy spot, there might be occasional inconsistencies in attentiveness or attitude that could affect your experience.
Ambience (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to ambience, this spot generally hits the mark, scoring a 7.2, which is quite good, and customer satisfaction is also strong at 70.4%. Many guests rave about the overall atmosphere, often describing it as a calming, chill environment thats also clean and boasts a modern setting. With 57 positive opinions out of 81, it seems most folks enjoy the vibe.
However, its not all serene, as 19 opinions point to some areas needing attention. The main concern seems to be noise, with several mentions of it being noisy or having a high noise level. There are also a few comments about cleanliness, specifically regarding the bathroom being dingy or dirty, and some spiderwebs noted.
Ambience
81
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
19
negative
5
neutral
57
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Calm, inviting atmosphere
- Clean and spacious
- Modern setting
What people don't like
- Noisy environment
- Dirty bathroom
- Cleanliness issues
Often praised
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was equally impressive
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- ambianceThe waitress was attentive and efficient, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable dining experience. The restaurant is clean and well-maintained, with a casual and welcoming ambiance, though the lighting fixtures were slightly dusty. Considering the quality and quantity of food, the prices are very reasonable.
- cleanWe were hunting for a good spot in Chinatown and this restaurant was our pick. The atmosphere was relaxed and the place was clean, with good service. A helpful feature is the order sheet, which allows for clarity on your order.
- ambienceReally love the ambience
- PlacePlace was buzzing and super authentic
- art piecesThe soup dumplings were nothing special. The space was filled with many different art pieces, and the bathroom was well maintained. Our server wasn't super attentive but got the job done.
- bar seatingseated at the bar, which turned out to be a cool and unique experience
- bathroomThe soup dumplings were nothing special. The space was filled with many different art pieces, and the bathroom was well maintained. Our server wasn't super attentive but got the job done.
- calming, chill environmentCalming, chill environment
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe atmosphere was rated 2/5
- bathroomMy kid can't wait to come back! I gave 3 stars for atmosphere only because the bathroom was out of toilet paper and was dirty.
- noiseMy drawback was the noise!
- TV volumethe tv volume on, which makes me crazy
- cleanlinessthe design and the cleanliness of the restaurant
- designthe design and the cleanliness of the restaurant
- experienceNot a great experience
- lighting fixturesother than slightly dust lighting fixtures
- noise levelNoise level:Very loud, hard to hear
- noisyIt’s a little noisy during lunch hour
If youre looking for a generally pleasant and modern dining atmosphere, youll likely be pleased. Just be prepared that it can get a bit loud, and you might want to check the bathroom before you settle in.
Value (5 out of 10)
mentioned by 24% of the guests
When it comes to value, it's a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction at a mixed 44.7% and an average 5 score. However, 17 positive opinions celebrate reasonable prices, especially for the lunch menu, and many found it to be a great deal, offering good value for money. On the flip side, an equal number of 17 negative comments express concern over the value.
Some felt the price was too high for the quantity and quality, with mentions of paying over $70 and issues with mandatory 18% tips, urging guests to scrutinize their bill carefully.
Value
38
Reviews
44%
Satisfaction
17
negative
4
neutral
17
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Affordable lunch menu
- Great deals
What people don't like
- High cost for quantity
- Mandatory tips
- Billing concerns
Often praised
- pricesThe restaurant is clean and well-maintained, with a casual and welcoming ambiance, though the lighting fixtures were slightly dusty. Considering the quality and quantity of food, the prices are very reasonable. Expect to spend around $40-50 per person if you're having one drink with your meal.
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was a delightful way to end a night in Chinatown. I found it to be a great spot for more affordable dim sum. The BBQ pork buns were exceptionally fluffy and velvety, truly the best I'd ever had.
- dealDefinitely a great deal
- lunch menuAs a tourist, I found this place and was able to dive into the culinary diversity. A small tip: go at lunchtime and benefit from the cheaper lunch menu. The food was excellent (5/5) and the service was outstanding (5/5).
- pricingThe pricing was reasonable
Frequently criticized
- price20 dollars for fried rice is crazy
- tipdue giorni dopo la mancia addebitata SENZA autorizzazione
- 18% tipthe owner even insists on an 18% tip!
- TippingTipping should be optional, as indicated on the credit card receipt, not mandatory!
- billBE CAUTIOUS WITH YOUR BILL!!!
- chargedwe were still charged
- charged usthey still charged us
- paying over $70It was insulting, and we told the manager. Paying over $70 and leaving the table still hungry is not what we expected.
- price of each dishprice of each dish was not exactly considered cheap
- quantity and qualitybeaucoup trop cher pour la quantité et la qualité
If you're looking for a good deal, especially at lunchtime, this spot might hit the mark. However, be mindful of the bill and potential mandatory tips, as some found the overall price-to-value ratio disappointing.
How are the prices at Begoni?
You’re looking at roughly 34 $ per person – reported by 131 diners. That puts it in the $31–$40 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average sits at 34 $, we see a nice spread in what people spend. Many guests find great value in the $21–$30 range, but there are also plenty who opt for more premium experiences in the $41–$50 bracket. It’s a mix!
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 131 reviews.
How this Chinese restaurant in San Francisco stacks up against similar spots when it comes to value for money.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. With options spanning from more budget-friendly to slightly more indulgent, it seems like they cater to a good range of preferences without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Begoni
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
8
Pleasant Dim Sum Experience Despite Crowds
We visited this restaurant on the second Friday of the month, coinciding with the Chinatown night market. The market itself was overwhelmingly crowded, so we sought a nearby dining option. This place was conveniently located and not too busy at the time.
We were seated quickly and found the establishment to be clean and a bit more upscale than a typical dim sum restaurant, yet the prices were reasonable. We particularly loved the calamari, pork and shrimp siu mai, and the xiao long bao. While other dishes weren't as highly favored, they were still very good.
Overall, the food was great, and the service was quick. Despite arriving just 50 minutes before closing, we didn't feel rushed to finish our meal.
- seated quickly9
- clean8
- prices8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Delicious fried squid and dim sum!
My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, especially concerning the food. The fried squid was incredibly delicious, and the dipping sauce was so good that I felt compelled to dip generously to fully appreciate its flavor. The shumai dim sum was also very tasty, as were the xiaolongbao.
The only minor drawback was the sticky rice with lotus seeds, which was a bit mushy and reminded me of Vietnamese bánh tét. Overall, the food quality was excellent, and the service and atmosphere were also rated highly.
- fried squid10
- dipping sauce10
- shumai dim sum9
- sticky rice4
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Large Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Local Gem in Chinatown
My experience at this restaurant was positive. It's one of the better restaurants in Chinatown for locals, offering consistent food. It's interesting to note that this place used to be a pool hall.
- food8
- restaurant8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Moderate
10
Amazing Chinese Food and Service!
My experience at this restaurant was awesome! I had what I believe is the best Chinese food I've ever tasted. The Schezuan fried chicken was a particular highlight.
Our servers were incredibly fast, kind, and attentive. I'm also very grateful they kept the cap that we left the previous day, allowing us to retrieve it! 🧢 God bless 🙏.
- Chinese food10
- Schezuan fried chicken10
- servers10
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Pleasant Chinatown Dining Experience
My first time dining in Chinatown was a pleasant experience. I enjoyed the Wonton soup, Peking Duck, and Steam Pork Buns, all of which were delicious. The servers were very pleasant, and the ambiance was comfortable and inviting.
- Wonton soup9
- Peking Duck9
- Steam Pork Buns9
What Begoni offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Coffee
- Beer
- Small plates
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Free street parking
- Paid parking garage
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Begoni Bistro accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Yes, Begoni Bistro is committed to providing an inclusive experience. You will find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom facilities, ensuring comfort and convenience for all visitors.
Does Begoni Bistro accept reservations, and what are the parking options?
Begoni Bistro does accept reservations, which can be helpful for planning your visit. Regarding parking, you might find street parking difficult, but there are free and paid street parking options, as well as a paid parking garage nearby.
What is the overall dining experience like at Begoni?
Begoni generally offers a good dining experience, with an overall score of 7.4 and 74% customer satisfaction. Food (7.8) is a strong point, complemented by good Service (7.1) and Ambience (7.2), though Value (5) is more average.
Does Begoni offer good value for money?
While some customers find Begoni’s prices reasonable, especially for the lunch menu, others express concerns about value, particularly regarding specific dish prices and a mandatory tipping policy.
What are some common complaints about Begoni?
Common complaints at Begoni include a noisy dining environment, occasional inconsistencies in food quality (like frozen dumplings or duck with bones), and issues with service, including an often-mentioned mandatory tipping policy.