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oChef » CHINA NORTH DUMPLING – San Francisco
CHINA NORTH DUMPLING - San Francisco
Photo from CHINA NORTH DUMPLING
CHINA NORTH DUMPLING at a glance
San Francisco Golden Gate Heights
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 28 of the guests
#933 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#58 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.7 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
296
Reviews
77.4%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Good value
- Clean setting
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent dumplings
- Service issues
- Hygiene concerns
The restaurant CHINA NORTH DUMPLING, nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Golden Gate Heights neighborhood, invites you to experience authentic Chinese cuisine. You’ll find a casual atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or enjoying a variety of small plates.
Whether you’re looking for a satisfying lunch or a delightful dinner, this spot offers a welcoming setting for your dining pleasure.
Overview: Introducting CHINA NORTH DUMPLING
CHINA NORTH DUMPLING appears to be a place where the culinary offerings often shine, with many finding the food to be flavorful and satisfying. Customers frequently highlight the generous portions and appreciate the price point, suggesting good value for what you receive.
It’s a spot that generally delivers on taste. However, experiences can be a bit uneven.
While some patrons commend the service, others have noted inconsistencies, particularly regarding speed and attentiveness. There are also mixed feelings about the dumplings themselves, with occasional comments on wrapper thickness or being over-steamed, alongside a concerning hygiene report.
Good
7.7
out of 10
296
Reviews
77.4%
Satisfaction
48
negative
19
neutral
229
positive
Overall, CHINA NORTH DUMPLING achieves a solid 7.7, indicating a generally positive dining experience. This is well-supported by a 77.4% customer satisfaction rate, suggesting that most visitors leave content.
With 296 customer remarks, including 229 positive observations against 48 negative ones, the sentiment leans favorably. Delving into specifics, the Food (8.0) is clearly a standout, frequently praised for its quality and generous portions.
The Ambience (7.0) also rates well, often described as clean and unpretentious. However, Service (6.9) hovers just below the ‘good’ threshold, indicating some room for improvement, while Value (6.3) is considered average, despite some positive comments on affordability.
What people like
- Delicious, generous food
- Reasonable pricing
- Clean, unpretentious setting
What people don't like
- Inconsistent dumpling quality
- Service inconsistencies
- Hygiene concerns
With a 7.8 recommendation score, CHINA NORTH DUMPLING generally offers a satisfying experience, particularly if you prioritize flavorful food and ample portions. It’s a place that often delivers on its culinary promises, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in service, and some patrons have noted issues with dumpling quality and cleanliness. If you’re seeking a straightforward meal with good value and can overlook minor service quirks, it could be worth a visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on CHINA NORTH DUMPLING
Food (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 99% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark, boasting a good score of 8 and a good customer satisfaction of 82.5%. Many patrons rave about the delicious dumplings , especially the handmade varieties, and the exquisite handmade noodles . The flavors are often described as amazing and authentic, with large portions ensuring a satisfying meal.
This positive sentiment is echoed in 179 favorable remarks. However, not every dish is a winner, as indicated by 25 critical comments. Some diners found issues with the noodle texture, describing them as tasteless or too soft, and occasionally, the dumpling wrappers were disappointing.
There were also mentions of sweet & sour chicken being overly sweet and concerns about overall food quality in a few instances. While generally positive, there's room for consistency.
Food
217
Reviews
82%
Satisfaction
25
negative
13
neutral
179
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious, juicy dumplings
- Authentic Northern flavors
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent noodle texture
- Thick dumpling wrappers
- Hygiene concerns
Often praised
- dumplingsdumplings here are almost the same as the dumplings my dad used to make, only more juicy
- foodMy experience at China North Dumpling 🥟 was excellent. For moderately priced, excellent Cantonese cuisine in the Outer Sunset, I highly recommend paying a visit. The food was outstanding, earning a perfect score, and the service was also top-notch.
- sweet and sour chickenWe were very hungry upon arrival, and the server kindly refilled our free appetizers three times! For starters, we had fried calamari 🦑, and for our main entrees, we chose black pepper chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and Mongolian beef. I could only manage half of my meal and had leftovers for a later meal 😊.
- XLBXLB - the win for the skin but bamboo shoots & water chestnuts in the filling
- flavorsDamn, the flavors were just spot on
- menuTheir menu consists of appetizers, dumplings, entrees, noodles, noodle soups, fried rice and much more
- noodlesThe dumpling and noodle tastes so good
- portion sizesThe portion sizes were big and the food was very tasty!
- portionsMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious dishes served over rice 🍚 with generous portions and prices. Going before 5 PM on weekdays is especially a great deal!
- sesame chickenI love their sesame chicken - crispy, savory and sweet umami goodness!
Frequently criticized
- dumpling wrappersthe wrappers were thicker than I expected
- dumplingsI particularly enjoyed the Salt and pepper spareribs and the Spicy Eggplant; both were savory and crunchy delicious! However, surprisingly, the dumplings were over-steamed, resulting in "skins" that ruptured and ripped. This was a letdown for what I expected from their dumplings.
- Chinese northern foodfood to be fake Chinese northern food
- authentic Chinese dishesauthentic Chinese dishes as they may not be what you’d expect
- breadingMy experience at the restaurant was disappointing. The sweet & sour chicken was excessively sweet, and the breading was soggy. We sent it back, but were still charged for it.
- cockroach in soupFound a cockroach in their soup
- dishesTook 5-10 minutes for every dish to come
- dumpling wrapperThe dumpling wrapper is clearly not hand made
- food qualityFood quality is bad
- green onion pancakemore dough for green onion pancake
Overall, if you're seeking authentic Northern Chinese cuisine with generous portions and incredible dumplings and handmade noodles , this place is definitely worth a try. Just be mindful that some noodle dishes or sweet & sour chicken might not always hit the mark, but the high satisfaction suggests more hits than misses.
Service (6.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 43% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot often gets it right! With a pretty good score of 6.9 and 29 positive remarks out of 44 total comments, many customers highlight the friendly and efficient staff, often praising prompt service and quick delivery. It seems the team makes a real effort to be welcoming and helpful.
However, the experience isn't always seamless, leading to a mixed customer satisfaction of 65.9%. Some guests have faced frustratingly long waiting times, especially for dine-in customers when to-go orders seem to take priority. There are also mentions of slow service and uncomfortable situations regarding forced tips.
Service
44
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
13
negative
2
neutral
29
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly, efficient staff
- Prompt service
- Quick delivery
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- To-go orders priority
- Forced tips
Often praised
- servicealways consistently good quality and service
- staffThe staff was very nice
- ServiceService:5
- deliveryThey do free delivery within a 2 mile radius
- getting seatsI love their sesame chicken - crispy, savory, and sweet umami goodness! Never had a problem with getting seats or parking. They have a take-out special of 3 items for about $50, soup and white rice included!
- lady serving uslady serving us was kind enough to refill
- owner and staffowner and staff all have the familiar northern accent
- parkingNever had a problem with parking
- served promptlywere served promptly
- service speedservice was fast
Frequently criticized
- serviceService was terrible for a Chinese restaurant
- customers dining inrather than customers dining in
- force customers for tipsthese people force customers for tips
- handlingdisappointed with how they handled it
- ice waterasked for a ice water, never came out
- overall experienceOverall experience 3/10
- restaurant hoursnow closed on Wednesdays
- to go ordersseems like they’re more interested in to go orders
- waitthe wait is long
- wait timeYou will wait forever if they have to-go orders
If youre looking for generally friendly and efficient service, especially for delivery, this place could be a good bet. Just be prepared for potential longer waits if youre dining in, as to-go orders sometimes take precedence, and be aware of the tipping situation.
Ambience (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 26% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot generally hits a good note! Many patrons appreciate the overall atmosphere and the unpretentious setting, often highlighting the cleanliness of the dining room. Plus, finding street parking seems to be easier for some, which is always a bonus.
With a score of 7, the ambience is rated as good, though customer satisfaction sits at a more mixed 59.1% based on 22 pieces of feedback, with 13 positive comments. However, its not all smooth sailing. Some guests have noted that the restaurant can be quite compact, leading to lines, and parking can be a bit tricky for others.
A few comments also raised concerns about the health score, which was mentioned as being on the lower side. These points suggest theres a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the overall experience, despite the generally positive feel.
Ambience
22
Reviews
59%
Satisfaction
5
negative
4
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Unpretentious setting
- Clean dining room
- Good atmosphere
What people don't like
- Difficult parking
- Long lines
- Low health score
Often praised
- atmosphereAtmosphere:4
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- Easier street parkingEasier street parking
- cleanlinessIt was very clean
- dining roomdining room was clean
- settingMy partner and I have been coming here for over 10 years, enjoying the great food in an unpretentious setting. The food quality is consistently excellent, earning a perfect score.
- small family businessesKeep small family businesses going
- street parkingeasier to find street parking
- unpretentious settinggood food served in unpretentious setting
Frequently criticized
- parkingParking space:Somewhat difficult to find parking
- health inspectiontried to claim that they passed the health inspection
- health scorehealth score is only 77 which is very low
- linesI've been visiting this restaurant since it first opened, and it's my go-to when I crave a different style of Chinese food or happen to be in the area. The restaurant is quite compact, so lines can build up. It has a two-sided interior with a walkway down the middle.
If youre looking for a clean, unpretentious spot with a good atmosphere and dont mind potentially navigating some lines or tricky parking, this place could be a solid choice. Just be aware that while the general vibe is good, some practical aspects like parking and potential wait times might temper your experience.
Value (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot seems to offer a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.3. Many customers appreciate the reasonable prices, especially for their take-out special, which offers 3 items for around $50. With 8 positive remarks out of 13 total customer opinions, its clear that many feel the price per person is super worth it for delicious, authentic food in an unpretentious setting. However, customer satisfaction sits at a mixed 61.5%, indicating some areas for improvement.
A few of the 5 negative comments highlight frustrations with paid street parking being tough to find, and some diners were unexpectedly charged or noticed menu items went up by $1. There was even a mention of an owner initially reluctant to return a bill, which certainly doesnt help the value perception.
Value
13
Reviews
61%
Satisfaction
5
negative
0
neutral
8
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Great take-out special
- Modest prices
What people don't like
- Difficult street parking
- Unexpected charges
- Menu prices increased
Often praised
- priceAnd with the price, you just can't beat it
- pricesVery modest prices for delicious authentic
- Reasonable pricesMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found the food to be tasty and the portions to be large, especially considering the reasonable prices. Finding parking was also easier than in most city restaurant districts, with paid street parking available before 6 pm and free parking after.
- price per personmoderately priced excellent Cantonese cuisine
- reasonable pricesunpretentious setting at reasonable prices
- take-out specialThey have a take-out special of 3 items for about $50! Super worth it.
Frequently criticized
- charged for itwas still charged for it
- menu itemsall menu items went up $1
- paid street parkingPaid street parking here is tough.
- parking spaceDifficult to find parking
- return the billowner first did not want to return the bill
If you're looking for a good deal, especially with their take-out special and reasonable prices, this place could be a solid choice. Just be prepared for potential parking challenges and keep an eye on your bill, as some have noted unexpected charges or price increases.
How are the prices at CHINA NORTH DUMPLING?
You’re looking at roughly 23 per person – reported by 28 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.
Most guests find themselves spending between 11 – 30 $, with the largest cluster of prices right around the average, showing a pretty consistent experience.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 28 reviews.
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 mid-range option without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about CHINA NORTH DUMPLING
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
9
Authentic Chinese Food Worth the Wait
I've been visiting this restaurant since it first opened, and it's my go-to when I crave a different style of Chinese food or happen to be in the area. The restaurant is quite compact, so lines can build up. It has a two-sided interior with a walkway down the middle.
Their menu is extensive, featuring appetizers, dumplings, entrees, noodles, noodle soups, fried rice, and more. Everything is authentic and made to order, which I appreciate, and I don't mind the wait as I'm a patient person. The portion sizes are generous; I often have leftovers to take home.
The service is excellent, with welcoming, well-trained, and understanding staff. I've never had an issue during any of my visits. You can dine in, order takeout, call ahead, or use a delivery app.
I highly recommend this place to all Chinese food lovers, those looking to try something new, or anyone in the area. I'll definitely be back to explore their other delicious options.
- authentic10
- made to order9
- portion sizes9
- lines4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Tasty Dumplings, Potential Changes
I've been here before, but I suspect there have been some changes. Nonetheless, the dumplings, which are their specialty, remain tasty and plentiful. The service was excellent, receiving a perfect score, and the food also scored a perfect 5.
The atmosphere was rated a 4. Wheelchair accessibility has been improved by removing a couple of tables. Parking can be somewhat difficult to find, with paid street parking available.
- dumplings10
- tasty10
- plentiful9
- parking4
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Generous Portions & Delicious Freebies!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I enjoyed delicious dishes served over rice 🍚 with generous portions and prices. Going before 5 PM on weekdays is especially a great deal!
They offer yummy free appetizers, like salt-roasted peanuts 🥜 and fermented chili cabbage 🌶️ 🥬, while you wait. We were very hungry upon arrival, and the server kindly refilled our free appetizers three times! For starters, we had fried calamari 🦑, and for our main entrees, we chose black pepper chicken, sweet and sour chicken, and Mongolian beef.
I could only manage half of my meal and had leftovers for a later meal 😊. We visited on a Tuesday afternoon, and the service was prompt as it wasn't busy at all.
- dishes served over rice9
- portions9
- prices9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
8
Tasty XLB and Sticky Rice Roll
My experience at the restaurant was primarily focused on the food. The XLB were a win for the skin, though the bamboo shoots & water chestnuts in the filling were a bit unexpected. The soup within the XLB was tasty.
The Sheng Jian Bao had a thick bao skin that was nicely pan-fried, and it contained a beef & carrot filling, which is not traditional. I particularly liked the Sticky Rice Roll. 👍 Overall, the food quality was rated a 5.
- XLB7
- tasty soup9
- Sheng Jian Bao7
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Dumplings are on point!
My experience at the restaurant was great, especially the dumplings. I liked them a lot more than many of the famous spots in SF. The food was rated a 5 out of 5.
- dumplings9
- food10
What CHINA NORTH DUMPLING offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Table service
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What are the parking options available at CHINA NORTH DUMPLING?
When you visit CHINA NORTH DUMPLING, you’ll find convenient parking solutions. There’s free street parking often available, and usually plenty of parking spaces nearby. Paid street parking options are also accessible, ensuring you can easily find a spot for your meal.
Is CHINA NORTH DUMPLING accessible and suitable for families with children?
Yes, CHINA NORTH DUMPLING is designed to be welcoming for everyone. You’ll find a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring comfort for all guests. Families will appreciate that it’s good for kids, with high chairs readily available for your little ones.
How does CHINA NORTH DUMPLING generally rate?
It holds a good overall score of 7.7, driven by strong Food (8.0) and a pleasant Ambience (7.0). Service (6.9) and Value (6.3) are more moderate.
What are the highlights of the food at CHINA NORTH DUMPLING?
Customers often praise the delicious flavors, generous portion sizes, and specific dishes like sesame chicken. However, some note inconsistencies with dumpling wrappers or over-steamed dumplings.
What should I know about the service and atmosphere?
The setting is generally clean and unpretentious, with some finding street parking easier than expected. Service can be prompt, but some experiences mention slow waits, issues with attentiveness, or concerns about hygiene.