Highlights
- Great tea selection
oChef » King Kee – San Francisco
King Kee - San Francisco
Photo from King Kee
King Kee at a glance
San Francisco Union Square
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 73 of the guests
#2022 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#219 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
373
Reviews
60.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious Chinese food
- Friendly staff
Frequently criticized
- Poor value
- Hidden charges
The restaurant King Kee is a Chinese restaurant located in San Francisco’s vibrant Union Square neighborhood. You’ll discover a cozy and casual spot perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed dinner.
A highlight you’ll appreciate is their great tea selection, offering a delightful complement to your meal. Whether you’re dining in, opting for takeout, or getting delivery, this spot offers a welcoming atmosphere.
Overview: Introducting King Kee
King Kee offers a mixed experience, with many guests praising its flavorful dishes, particularly the dumplings and wonton soup. The generally friendly service also contributes positively to many visits, making it a convenient stop for some.
However, not all experiences are consistent. Some diners have noted issues with food quality, describing certain items as bland or undercooked.
Additionally, aspects of the service and overall value have drawn criticism, suggesting areas for improvement.
Good
6.4
out of 10
373
Reviews
60.3%
Satisfaction
120
negative
28
neutral
225
positive
King Kee holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.4, indicating an average performance, with Customer Satisfaction at 60.3%, suggesting a mixed reception among diners. This reflects a place with notable strengths but also clear areas where it falls short for some.
Looking closer at the details from 373 customer opinions, with 225 positive and 120 negative, the Food (7.2) stands out as a strong point, often described as delicious and flavorful. The Ambience (6.3) is considered average, while Service (5.2) and especially Value (4.2) lag behind, indicating these aspects are less consistent or satisfactory for many patrons.
What people like
- Delicious Chinese dishes
- Flavorful dumplings
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Poor value perception
- Inconsistent service
- Hidden charges
King Kee presents itself as a decent option for those seeking flavorful Chinese cuisine, particularly its well-regarded dumplings and wonton soup. With a Recommendation Score of 6.4, it suggests a generally acceptable experience, especially if your priority is the food itself.
However, be mindful of potential inconsistencies in service and the overall value proposition, as these aspects have received notable criticism. While the food often satisfies, managing expectations regarding pricing and service attentiveness could lead to a more enjoyable visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on King Kee
Food (7.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 93% of the guests
Diners frequently praise the food, giving it a good score of 7.2. Out of 228 total feedback points, 158 positive comments highlight authentic Chinese cooking with amazing flavors. Many enjoyed Shanghai Dumplings, roast duck, and Chicken with explosive chilli pepper, often noting sizable portions and succulent, flavorful dishes that truly satisfy.
However, the culinary journey isnt always perfect, leading to a mixed customer satisfaction of 69.3%. Around 50 negative remarks mention bland food, MSG, or dishes being soggy and tasteless. Some also found tiny portions or a lack of vegetarian options', indicating a potential inconsistency in quality and offerings.
Food
228
Reviews
69%
Satisfaction
50
negative
20
neutral
158
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Chinese food
- Amazing, rich flavors
- Generous portion sizes
What people don't like
- Bland, tasteless food
- Mediocre food quality
- Tiny, insufficient portions
Often praised
- foodThe service was super friendly, and the food and drinks were affordable. Everything was DELICIOUS. It was conveniently located across the street from our hotel, making it a welcome stop after a long, fun day exploring Golden Gate Park, Little Russia, and Haight Ashbury.
- dumplingsI had a quick stop here for tea and dumplings. The dumplings were hot and delicious. My server was prompt and friendly and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere.
- wonton soupThe waitress was very nice, contributing to a pleasant atmosphere. I thoroughly enjoyed the dumplings and wonton soup, which were delicious. All of this was offered at a very reasonable price, making it a highlight of my stay.
- flavorThank you! Update: went here again, the flavor was great! Stars remain.
- Chinese foodBest Chinese food I've ever eaten, so tasty
- Mongolian BeefMongolian Beef and it was Delicious
- dishesdishes I've had have been full of flavor
- beef chow funI had the beef chow fun. Not an easy dish to make well.
- duckI strongly recommend the duck it is succulent
- noodlesasked for the noodles to be cooked extra soft
Frequently criticized
- foodthe food was super expensive, and for what we got it was lackluster
- pork dumplingswe had pork dumplings, one of which was seriously under cooked
- Chicken fried riceChicken fried rice was horrible taste like cigarette ashes
- Combination Chow MeinThe Combination Chow Mein had a slightly funky smell and wasn't very seasoned.
- Egg Flower/Drop soupThe Egg Flower/Drop soup had no flavor what so ever.
- King Pao ChickenKing Pao Chicken was very mild and sour
- MSGKlumpen von MSG (!)
- Sweet child chickenSweet child chicken is horrible too no flavored all blend not sweet and shower at all
- barbecue porkDry barbecue pork
- beef broccoliMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing. For $15, I received a container of beef broccoli that was barely full. To make matters worse, it didn't come with rice, which I had to purchase separately.
If you're craving authentic Chinese flavors and generous portions, especially with dishes like roast duck or spicy chicken, this spot could be a real winner. Just be aware that some experiences report blandness or small servings, so it might be a bit of a hit-or-miss culinary adventure.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, it's a bit of a toss-up here, with a score of 5.2 indicating an average performance. Customer satisfaction sits at 46.8%, suggesting a truly mixed bag of experiences among guests. Many appreciated the friendly service, attentive staff, and fast service, often singling out a sweet waitress or server for making their visit enjoyable, as noted in 37 positive comments.
On the flip side, 39 negative comments reveal significant frustrations. Issues frequently revolved around perceived rudeness, slow service, a generally bad attitude from some staff, and a notable lack of management availability to address concerns, which clearly left a sour taste for others, based on a total of 79 customer remarks.
Service
79
Reviews
46%
Satisfaction
39
negative
3
neutral
37
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Attentive servers
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Slow service
- Poor management
Often praised
- serviceMy experience at the restaurant was great, especially after landing for a work trip. I ordered the Cashew chicken and soup dumplings, and the food was great and came out quickly. It was just what we needed.
- waitressThe waitress was very kind and patient.
- serverThe dumplings were hot and delicious. My server was prompt and friendly and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere.
- staffThe staff were lovely and very attentive
- CandanceI finally found a really good Chinese place in Union Square. Candance was really friendly and polite. The food is amazing!
- Friendly serviceFriendly service
- Good serviceGood service
- ServiceService was great
- chopsticksquickly swapped that out for chopsticks
- conveniencesuper convenient
Frequently criticized
- serviceService nur umsatzorient, sehr hektisch und nicht auf die Gäste konzentriert.
- waitressthe waitress came and asked if we were done, almost like she wanted to hurry
- staffI asked if I could order noodles and substitute the meat for egg. I was told no, that they wouldn't prepare a different dish. At most, they could remove the meat from the dish, but it would still be prepared with meat.
- DeliveryDon't get delivered food from here
- ServiceI called and was told that everyone has different taste
- attitude of the waitstaffThe attitude of the waitstaff is incredibly poor and rude
- availabilityNever there when you want to order
- businesscompletely open to business but they don’t want anybody coming in
- cursing meshop received my call cursing me and hung up
- customer requestsMy experience at the restaurant was quite negative. The service was the worst, as they didn't seem to care much about customer requests. Additionally, a 15% tip was automatically added to the bill without any prior notice, which felt like a hidden charge.
If youre considering a visit, be aware that service can be a gamble. While some guests rave about friendly and efficient interactions, others have faced frustratingly rude or slow experiences. It might be worth a try if youre feeling lucky, but don't expect consistently stellar service.
Ambience (6.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Alright, lets talk about the vibe! The ambience here gets an average score of 6.3, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 63.3%. Based on 30 customer observations, with 19 leaning positive, many found it a "cosy restaurant" with a "nice atmosphere" and even a "cute place.
" Guests appreciated the well-kept environment and some noted it was "wheelchair friendly, " making for an enjoyable dining experience. However, 9 negative comments point to some areas needing attention. Some found the atmosphere "uncomfortable, " citing issues like a "rusty metal smell" or "staff shouting" that disrupted the peace.
There were also mentions of the place feeling "cramped" or having issues with locked doors, which certainly doesnt set a great first impression.
Ambience
30
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
9
negative
2
neutral
19
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cosy atmosphere
- Well-kept place
- Wheelchair friendly
What people don't like
- Uncomfortable atmosphere
- Rusty metal smell
- Staff shouting
Often praised
- atmosphereThe dumplings were hot and delicious. My server was prompt and friendly and the restaurant had a nice atmosphere.
- placethe place is well kept, not rundown or neglected
- cosy restaurantMy experience at this restaurant was positive. It's a cosy restaurant with authentic Chinese cooking. The service was fine for our group of 3, and the price was reasonable.
- cute placeSuper cute place.
- dining experienceeating here was very enjoyable
- displayI would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a new place to try! Everything is well displayed, which makes it very easy.
- experiencemy first time eating there and I thought it was great
- locationVery close to citizenM hotel
- musicchanged the music to something she guessed I would enjoy
- small restauranta small restaurant
Frequently criticized
- atmosphereThe place was mostly closed or cramped with stuff
- ParkingHard to park in this area!
- ambienceAmbiente wie im Imbiss
- doorsI couldn't eat here because both doors were locked. There was a very small sign indicating to order from a provided phone number.
- restaurantsee a man sitting in there with about 75 seats nobody occupying the place
- rusty metal smellrusty metal smell from the table when I went into the resto that really disturbed me
- staff shoutingstaff shouting at each other over walkie talkies
- uncomfortable atmospheremade for a very uncomfortable atmosphere
If you're looking for a super consistent, perfectly serene dining environment, this might be a bit of a gamble. But if you appreciate a potentially cosy, well-kept spot and can overlook some occasional quirks like noise or a less-than-perfect entry, it could still be a pleasant experience.
Value (4.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 31% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot presents a bit of a mixed bag, with an average 4.2 score and customer satisfaction sitting at a poor 30.6%. Despite these numbers, 11 positive remarks among 36 total opinions praised the reasonable price and affordable food and drinks, with some even calling it a great price for the area. However, the 22 negative comments paint a clearer picture of dissatisfaction.
Many felt the prices were too high, especially with a mandatory 15% service charge or gratuity often added without clear notice. Concerns about portion size and additional water charges also made some feel it was overpriced and not worth the cost.
Value
36
Reviews
30%
Satisfaction
22
negative
3
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable pricing
- Affordable options
What people don't like
- Mandatory service charge
- Overpriced portions
- Hidden bill charges
Often praised
- pricegood asian food for a resonable price
- affordableaffordable especially being in Union Square.
- pricesMy experience at this restaurant was very rude from start to finish. Although the prices were right, the entire process was a disaster. From calling multiple times for a to-go order to picking it up and discovering bugs in the food, it was a horrible experience.
- reasonable pricevery reasonable price
- food and drinksAffordable food and drinks
- great pricesuch an affordable great price
Frequently criticized
- pricea bit expensive because price + tax + service charge + tips
- service chargeadded extra $40 service charge which wasn't mentioned on the menu
- 15% tip15% of top is automatic add in without notice
- 2 dishesnot worth 35 bucks for . 2 dishes
- billThe bill was further padded with charges for water.
- gratuityDuring checkout, we paid separately. As the waitress returned our signed checks, she told my friend, "you know this isn’t including gratuity. " My friend, put in an uncomfortable spot, couldn't respond, especially since we had just been discussing our financial struggles.
- mandatory 15% service chargethey enforce a mandatory 15% service charge, which is unacceptable
- portion sizecostly in relation to the quantity of the portions
- pricesThe prices are high
- recommended tips amountanother section for recommended tips amount
If youre looking for an affordable meal, you might find a good deal here, but be prepared for potential hidden fees. Its worth checking your bill carefully, as many found the overall value diminished by unexpected charges.
How are the prices at King Kee?
You’re looking at roughly 26 per person – reported by 73 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
When we peek at what people actually spend, most diners are indeed landing in that $21–$30 sweet spot, with a good number also enjoying options in the $11–$20 range. There are a few who splurge a bit more, showing a nice mix of choices available.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 73 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good balance, catering to different budgets while maintaining a solid mid-range core.
Customer Reviews: what people think about King Kee
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
1
Terrible Experience, No Receipt
My experience at this restaurant was really bad. They were not even able to give me a receipt. The food, service, and atmosphere all received a score of 1.
- receipt1
- food1
- service1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
10
Best Scallion Pancake Ever!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best scallion pancake I’ve ever tasted. The wonton vegetable soup and beef chow fun were also delicious.
The service was fast and friendly, making for a great meal.
- scallion pancake10
- wonton vegetable soup9
- beef chow fun9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Noise Level
- Quiet
10
Perfect Meal, Can't Wait to Return!
My experience at this restaurant was perfect! The style here is truly unique and something others try to imitate but never get right. We are already looking forward to our next visit.
The Sweet and Sour chicken was cooked to perfection, and the sweet & sour sauce was equally flawless. The Sizzling beef platter and the BBQ pork fried rice completed the meal with incredibly amazing flavors. Thank you for a wonderful dining experience!
- Sweet and Sour chicken10
- sweet & sour sauce10
- Sizzling beef platter9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Good Asian Food, Friendly Service
My experience at this restaurant was positive. I enjoyed the good Asian food for a reasonable price. I ordered the chicken broccoli, and it was good.
The service was friendly and fast. I would come back again.
- Asian food8
- chicken broccoli7
- service9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Dine-in
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Hidden Gem with Authentic Cuisine!
My experience at this restaurant was truly wonderful. It's a hidden gem in San Francisco, offering authentic cuisine that was absolutely delicious. The portions were sizable, ensuring great value.
The service and hospitality were great, making the overall dining experience very enjoyable. I'll definitely be back!
- authentic cuisine10
- sizable portions9
- service and hospitality10
What King Kee offers
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Healthy options
- Wine
- Beer
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Table service
- Lunch
- Dessert
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Parking
- Free street parking
Atmosphere
- Cozy
- Casual
FAQs
Is King Kee accessible and what are the parking options?
Yes, King Kee offers wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable visit for everyone. You’ll also find the convenience of free street parking nearby, making your trip to this Union Square Chinese restaurant hassle-free.
What kind of dining experience and offerings can you expect at King Kee?
At King Kee, you can enjoy a cozy and casual dining experience perfect for lunch or dinner, with table service available. They offer a variety of options including small plates, healthy choices, and a bar onsite with wine and beer, alongside their great tea selection.
What are the standout dishes at King Kee?
Many guests frequently praise the delicious dumplings and wonton soup for their flavor and quality. Other Chinese dishes are also often noted for being tasty and full of flavor.
How is King Kee generally rated by customers?
King Kee has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.4, with Customer Satisfaction at 60.3%. While Food (7.2) is a strong point, Ambience (6.3) is average, and Service (5.2) and Value (4.2) are areas where experiences can be less consistent.
Are there any common concerns about dining at King Kee?
Some customers have expressed concerns regarding the overall value, citing high prices and unexpected charges. Service can also be inconsistent, with some experiences described as less attentive or even rude.