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oChef » Claypot House – San Francisco
Claypot House - San Francisco
Photo from Claypot House
Claypot House at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 54 of the guests
#1504 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#121 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
7.2 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
250
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Claypot rice
- Quick service
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Rodent issue
The restaurant Claypot House, a welcoming Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Richmond District, offers you a delightful dining experience. You’ll find a casual and quiet atmosphere perfect for enjoying authentic flavors.
With convenient service options including outdoor seating, dine-in, takeout, and delivery, you can savor their dishes however you prefer. Plus, its full wheelchair accessibility ensures a comfortable visit for everyone.
Overview: Introducting Claypot House
Claypot House offers a focused culinary experience, primarily excelling in its signature dishes. Many guests appreciate the fragrant and savory rice preparations, often highlighting generous portions.
The atmosphere is generally described as a straightforward, no frills vibe, suggesting a focus on the food itself rather than elaborate surroundings. While the core offerings are well-received, some aspects could use refinement.
There are mentions of inconsistent value, with a few guests feeling that certain items were overpriced. Additionally, the overall ambiance and parking situation have been noted as areas that might detract from the dining experience for some.
Good
7.2
out of 10
250
Reviews
72%
Satisfaction
44
negative
26
neutral
180
positive
Claypot House achieves a respectable overall score of 7.2, indicating a generally positive reception. This aligns well with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 72%, which falls into the ‘good’ category.
With 250 customer opinions, including 180 positive and 44 negative remarks, there’s a solid foundation for these assessments. Looking closer, the Food (7.5) and Service (7.6) topics both perform well, suggesting these are consistent strengths.
The Ambience (6.2) is considered average, while Value (4.4) is a weaker point, indicating that while the food and service are appreciated, the pricing or perceived worth isn’t always hitting the mark for everyone.
What people like
- Exceptional claypot rice
- Prompt, attentive service
- Clean facilities
What people don't like
- Inconsistent value
- Subpar ambiance
- Rodent presence
If you’re seeking a dedicated spot for well-prepared claypot dishes and efficient service, Claypot House is certainly worth considering. The strong Recommendation Score of 7.4 suggests that many diners leave feeling satisfied with their meal, especially if their primary focus is on the quality of the main dishes.
However, be mindful that the overall dining experience might be more functional than luxurious, and some menu items could feel a bit pricey. It’s a place to visit for the food, particularly the claypot rice, rather than for a lavish setting or exceptional value across the board.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Claypot House
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 96% of the guests
The food here generally hits the spot, earning a good score of 7.5 with customer satisfaction at a solid 75.9%. Based on 132 positive sentiments out of 174 total, diners rave about the authentic clay pots, especially the crispy flavorful rice and generous portion sizes, making it a fantastic spot for Taishan cuisine. However, not everything is perfect.
While many enjoy the variety, some found dishes to be a bit salty, and there were occasional concerns about meat quality or limited vegetarian options. A few experiences mentioned undercooked rice, suggesting some inconsistency in preparation among the 23 negative opinions.
Food
174
Reviews
75%
Satisfaction
23
negative
19
neutral
132
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Crispy clay pot rice
- Authentic Taishan cuisine
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Inconsistent meat quality
- Limited vegetarian options
- Dishes can be salty
Often praised
- foodThe food, service, and atmosphere were all rated a perfect 5
- clay pot riceone of the best clay pot rice restaurants
- claypot ricecraving claypot rice, which is various meat toppings
- soupThe soup would have a better balance in taste
- portionI had one of the best rice dumplings I've ever tasted in SF. The clay pot rice was also incredibly tasty and served in a great portion. I highly recommend this place!
- riceWhile I couldn't read the Chinese name, the restaurant lives up to its "king" character. I had the most fragrant and savory bowl of rice I've ever tasted. The eel and sausage pot was salty and paired perfectly with the rice.
- Chinese sausageChinese sausage, seafood, pork and chicken with a special rice
- FoodFood:5
- Taishan claypot riceTaishan claypot rice, very traditional in many ways
- clay potsTheir clay pots have the crispy flavorful rice
Frequently criticized
- clay pot$18 clay pot : meat and lots of rice
- BeerBeer $8
- Chinese sausagethe Chinese sausage could be better
- abaloneUpon getting home, we discovered only two tiny pieces of sea cucumber in a serving meant for three people. We also received only 4 canned abalone, with more chicken and mushroom than anything else. To add to the disappointment, we were overcharged on every single item: the rice by $10, the soup by $6, and the veggie by $3 compared to the online menu prices.
- beef dishthe beef dish... wasn't exactly my favorite
- brisketbrisket was 70 percent fat
- burnt riceWish more of the rice was burnt.
- chicken and mushroomUpon getting home, we discovered only two tiny pieces of sea cucumber in a serving meant for three people. We also received only 4 canned abalone, with more chicken and mushroom than anything else. To add to the disappointment, we were overcharged on every single item: the rice by $10, the soup by $6, and the veggie by $3 compared to the online menu prices.
- chicken soupThe meat quality was not very good. I ordered a chicken soup, and it was not recommended.
- clay pot cooking methodsigns of clay pot cooking method
If you're craving authentic clay pot rice with generous portions, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some dishes might lean salty, and vegetarian options are limited, so choose your order wisely for the best experience.
Service (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
The service here generally shines, earning a good score of 7.6 and a good customer satisfaction rate of 83.3%. With 30 positive remarks out of 36, diners frequently praise the staff for being attentive and quick, ensuring food comes out quick and there's often no waiting. It seems the team truly makes an effort!
However, not all experiences are perfect, with 5 negative comments. A few customers mentioned issues with the owner regarding honesty and integrity, including an incident where staff were arguing about a service dog and yelling. These isolated incidents suggest some areas for improvement in handling specific situations.
Service
36
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
5
negative
1
neutral
30
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive, quick staff
- Fast food delivery
- No waiting time
What people don't like
- Owner integrity issues
- Service dog incident
- Owner yelling
Often praised
- serviceThe food, service, and atmosphere were all rated a perfect 5
- ServiceService is quick considering they make their pots fresh
- staffI had a late lunch with friends, and the room was quiet, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout our meal. It was my first time trying claypot cooking.
- service staffservice staffs are attentive
- Food comes out quickGood comes out quick
- attentivethe waiter was attentive
- business survived Covidtheir business “survived” Covid
- caringThe claypot rice was flavorful and comfortable. The woman I was with was caring and cheerful. This might be the only claypot place in SF.
- cheerfulThe claypot rice was flavorful and comfortable. The woman I was with was caring and cheerful. This might be the only claypot place in SF.
- dining inBetter to dine in.
Frequently criticized
- ownercompletely refused to admit, to look at it
- honesty and integrityThis place is the opposite of honesty and integrity
- service dogstaff were arguing about me having a services dog
- staffstaff were arguing about me having a services dog
If you're looking for generally quick and attentive service, this spot is definitely worth a try. While there are a few isolated concerns about owner interactions, the vast majority of experiences highlight a positive and efficient team.
Ambience (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 35% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, many guests appreciate the easy parking and a generally quiet room, contributing to a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere. Out of 28 total comments, 13 positive remarks highlight a nice, no-frills vibe and even a clean bathroom, suggesting a decent experience for many. However, the ambience gets a 6.2 score, landing it in the average range, and customer satisfaction sits at a 46.4% mixed bag.
Some found parking difficult, seating tight between tables, and were put off by paper plates and cups. A few even noted a lack of overall ambiance, with 9 negative opinions including one concerning mention of a rat.
Ambience
28
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
9
negative
6
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Easy street parking
- Quiet room
- Nice vibe
What people don't like
- Rat sighting
- Difficult parking
- Tight seating
Often praised
- atmosphereThe food, service, and atmosphere were all rated a perfect 5
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- bathroomThe bathroom was clean
- comfortableFlavorful and comfortable.
- easy parkingEasy parking in front of restaurant is also a plus
- free street parkingFree street parking
- roomthe room was quiet
- vibenice no frills vibe
Frequently criticized
- Parking in the areaParking in the area is rough
- ambianceThe eel was a new experience for us, and we would definitely order it again. The one-star deduction is due to the dish being slightly salty and the lack of ambiance. Service is quick, considering they prepare the pots fresh, with an approximate 15-minute wait time after ordering.
- ambienceshort in the ambience dept
- difficult to find parkingDifficult to find parking
- fly zapperignore the fly zapper all is good
- paper plates and cupsThey use paper plates and cups!
- rat on tablesDuring my last weekend visit to the restaurant, I encountered a rat running on the tables. Due to this unsettling experience, I did not eat anything.
- remodelmay need to remodel
- tight between the tablescan be a bit tight between the tables
If you're looking for a place with easy parking and a generally quiet setting, you might find the ambience acceptable. However, be prepared for potentially tight seating and a casual feel that might not impress everyone, especially given some concerning cleanliness remarks.
Value (4.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 17% of the guests
Based on 12 opinions, some diners found the value here to be quite good, with 5 positive remarks. Many appreciated that prices weren't too expensive, often describing them as very reasonable or even a real bargain. Guests also noted that while prices might have adjusted, they remained fair, especially considering the huge portion sizes for the cost.
However, the value aspect is a bit of a mixed bag, with 7 negative remarks and a customer satisfaction of 41.7%. Some guests felt overcharged, noting discrepancies with online menu prices. Others found certain items, like drinks, to have robust prices, making the overall experience feel a little pricey.
The score for value sits at an average 4.4.
Value
12
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
7
negative
0
neutral
5
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Real bargain
- Huge portions
What people don't like
- Overcharging issues
- Menu price discrepancies
- Robust prices
Often praised
- priceWhile not as good as in Hong Kong, it's probably the closest clay pot experience available here in the states. The portion sizes were huge, and the meal was under $25.
- PricesPrices went up but not out of line
- bargaina real bargain 22.99
- expensivewasn’t too expensive
Frequently criticized
- priceLittle bit pricey tho 40$
- online menu pricescomparing to the price on the online menu
- riceovercharged us on every single item: the rice by $10
- robust pricesMy experience at the restaurant was marked by large portions, but also robust prices. For example, a beer cost $8.
- soupWe also received only 4 canned abalone, with more chicken and mushroom than anything else. To add to the disappointment, we were overcharged on every single item: the rice by $10, the soup by $6, and the veggie by $3 compared to the online menu prices. This establishment lacks honesty and integrity.
- veggieWe also received only 4 canned abalone, with more chicken and mushroom than anything else. To add to the disappointment, we were overcharged on every single item: the rice by $10, the soup by $6, and the veggie by $3 compared to the online menu prices. This establishment lacks honesty and integrity.
The value here can be a bit of a gamble. You might find a great bargain with generous portions, but be wary of potential overcharges or higher-than-expected prices, especially compared to online menus. It's worth checking current prices carefully before ordering.
How are the prices at Claypot House?
You’re looking at roughly 29 per person – reported by 54 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.
Looking at what people actually spend, most guests find themselves right in this sweet spot. While some spend a little less or opt for a splurge, the majority of diners are enjoying meals firmly within the $21–$30 range.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 54 reviews.
How does this restaurant’s value stack up against similar spots in San Francisco?
Considering its a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels quite fair. It offers a good balance, allowing for a quality meal without breaking the bank, especially given the citys usual price points.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Claypot House
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Solo Dinner
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Moderate
6
Traditional Claypot Rice with Mixed Results
My experience at this restaurant was centered around their Taishan claypot rice, which they offer in a very traditional style. For the most part, the food was good, though there were a couple of misses. My advice is to stick to the regular menu's claypot rice, and you'll generally be quite happy with your meal.
The service was rated 4 and the atmosphere was also rated 4. It's worth noting that while there are limited vegetarian options, the restaurant does have clearly labeled vegetarian dishes. For vegetarians, I would not recommend it.
The price per person is $20–30. It works for kids, but you need to beware of hot clay pots. Parking in the area is rough and it's difficult to find parking, though there is free street parking available.
The noise level is moderate. The wheelchair accessibility is decent, but it can be a bit tight between tables deeper in the indoor dining area.
- Taishan claypot rice7
- food7
- regular menu's claypot rice8
- limited vegetarian options3
- hot clay pots4
- Parking in the area3
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Authentic Clay Pot and Steam Chicken
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic. It's our go-to place for clay pot dishes, which are very good and incredibly authentic. We also tried their steam chicken, and it was out of this world.
- clay pot9
- steam chicken10
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
9
Deliciously seasoned rice, generous portions
My experience at the restaurant was great! I enjoyed the well seasoned rice which came with generous toppings and a delightful crispy bottom. One pot was more than enough for two people.
- well seasoned rice9
- generous toppings9
- crispy bottom8
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Family
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Authentic Claypot and Herbal Soups
My experience at this restaurant was nostalgic and authentic! It truly satisfied my craving for claypot dishes and I will definitely return for their traditional canto herbal soups. The menu offered many soups reminiscent of those my mom used to make while I was growing up.
On a Thursday night, the atmosphere was pretty quiet, with many Chinese elders enjoying their dinner, which is always a great sign of food quality. We thoroughly enjoyed the yellow eel and Chinese sausage pot and the sausage, duck, preserved meats, and fish fillet pot. One claypot was notably crispier than the other, featuring more of that delicious rice crust.
The restaurant generously provided complimentary soups, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I suspect there might be a secret menu or an option to order sautéed veggie greens upon request, as some tables around us had them, though they weren't listed on the menu. The restaurant also had a tempting selection of traditional Chinese desserts, but we were too full to indulge.
Overall, it's a good spot!
- claypot dishes9
- canto herbal soups9
- food quality8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Scrumptious Buffet Oasis in West Portal
My experience at this restaurant was a delightful surprise during a last-minute visit with a dear friend. We opted for the buffet, and I found the savory variety to be absolutely scrumptious. It was unexpectedly quiet, with only four other guests, which meant Anita and I had the place almost to ourselves.
This led to no waiting and a very welcoming atmosphere for repeats. The atmosphere was clearly a highlight, rated a 5, and the food was also highly appreciated, earning a 4.
- savory variety9
- buffet8
- no waiting10
What Claypot House 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
- Beer
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
- Usually plenty of parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Quiet
FAQs
What accessibility and parking options are available at Claypot House?
At Claypot House, you’ll find excellent accessibility with a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom. Parking is also convenient, offering free street parking, paid street parking, and usually plenty of spots available for your visit.
What kind of dining experience can you expect at Claypot House, and is it family-friendly?
You can expect a casual and quiet dining experience at Claypot House, perfect for lunch or dinner with table service. It’s also very family-friendly, offering high chairs and being a good choice for kids to enjoy a meal out.
How does Claypot House generally perform?
Claypot House holds a 7.2 overall score, with Food (7.5) and Service (7.6) being strong points. Ambience (6.2) is average, while Value (4.4) is a weaker area.
What do customers appreciate most about the food at Claypot House?
Many customers praise the clay pot rice for its flavor and generous portions, often describing it as fragrant and savory.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Claypot House?
Some diners have noted issues with value, citing instances of overcharging or robust prices. Additionally, the ambiance has been described as lacking, with mentions of paper plates and parking difficulties, and in one instance, a rodent sighting.