oChef » Lam Hoa Thuan – San Francisco » Lam Hoa Thuan – San Francisco – Reviews

Lam Hoa Thuan - Reviews

2337 Irving St, 94122 San Francisco
All reviews at a glance
290

Reviews

50.3%

Satisfaction

107

negative

37

neutral

146

positive

What people say about Lam Hoa Thuan

Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Solo Dinner
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Patrick K.
Review date: 09/14/2025
2
Disappointing Food and Poor Service
My experience at this restaurant was far from satisfactory. The food was not great, particularly the duck leg with noodles. There were way too many noodles, and they tasted store-bought, not fresh or hand-pulled. The broth was disappointing, tasting like chicken broth and MSG, and it even smelled old. The overall quality of the food was below average, especially considering the hype. I've had much better Cantonese/Vietnamese food elsewhere. The service was also poor. I had to repeatedly ask for basic necessities like extra napkins, small plates, tea refills, a box, and the check. It felt like the staff forgot about requests and I had to ask again. This lack of attentiveness suggests the restaurant doesn't value quality or customer service. To make matters worse, after I tipped $5, a waiter approached me outside to say it wasn't enough and wasn't 15%. This "entitled behavior" was disgusting; tips are earned, not demanded. I will not be returning and suggest giving your money to a more deserving business. Even the roast duck tasted better at Ranch 99. Parking on this street is also awful.
  • food2
  • duck leg with noodles2
  • noodles2
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Short (6–15 min.)
Noise Level
  • Loud
Pearl L.
Review date: 07/26/2025
3
Affordable but Gamey Pork
My experience at this restaurant was primarily driven by its affordability, and that's about all it offered. The crispy pork was extremely ‘gamey’. If your budget is tight, this place is alright. Otherwise, I would not return or recommend it. They were quite busy though.
  • budget is tight7
  • crispy pork2
  • return or recommend2
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
10kd
Review date: 07/26/2025
2
Cash Only and Unfresh Pork
Beware! This place is cash only! The roast pork and BBQ pork both have a porky meat smell, indicating they are not very fresh. I got the BBQ pork and roast pork plate, and the flavor just isn't authentic. I will not go back.
  • cash only2
  • roast pork2
  • BBQ pork2
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Noise Level
  • Moderate
Alzila
Review date: 07/25/2025
9
Authentic Hong Kong BBQ Gem
I've been a regular here for ages, especially when I'm in the area and craving some authentic Chinese barbecue. The moment you walk in, the inviting aroma of char from the counter and the chefs expertly slicing the meats fills the air. They are renowned for their roast duck, chicken, chau siu, and roast pork, among other specialties. The dine-in menu also features a variety of Chinese and Vietnamese dishes, with everything made to order, which is always a plus. I'm a patient person, so the wait is never an issue for me. The staff are consistently welcoming, well-trained, and understanding, ensuring a smooth experience on every visit. I truly believe this place offers some of the best Hong Kong style barbecue in the area. I highly recommend it to all Asian food enthusiasts, whether you're looking for a quick bite or eager to try something new. I'll definitely be returning to explore their other delicious offerings.
  • Chinese barbecue9
  • char aroma9
  • roast duck9
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Group Type
  • Family
Group Size
  • Solo
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
SF E.
Review date: 07/23/2025
6
Mixed Feelings on Lam Hoa Thuan
I hate to say it, but I feel like Lam Hoa Thuan's quality has gone a bit downhill. My grandparents used to take me here frequently when I was a kid, and I remember the food being pretty good. Some of the items we ordered were a bit disappointing. Aside from the Grilled Pork and Egg Roll Vermicelli being really good, the Pork Feet Special Rice Noodle was super bland. The pork feet had a very unpleasant smell and a lot of hair left on the skin that wasn't plucked out. It looked like it was just boiled in hot water with no flavor. The Beef Noodle Soup was all MSG. It didn't taste like your typical pho with the spices and deep flavors. Hard to explain, but I left the restaurant super thirsty from all the MSG in the soup. We also ordered a duck and BBQ pork to go, which were both decent. Nothing negative to say about the service. Street parking is available but might be a bit difficult during the weekend. Overall, I would come back but probably won't order the noodle soups. 07. 20. 2025 | Sunday @2: 15pm
  • Grilled Pork and Egg Roll Vermicelli9
  • duck6
  • bbq pork6
  • Pork Feet Special Rice Noodle2
  • pork feet1
  • Beef Noodle Soup3
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Salma D. L. O.
Review date: 06/16/2025
8
Delicious Food, Great Portions, Amazing Value!
My experience at this restaurant exceeded my expectations! The food was delicious, the portions were excellent, and it was incredibly cheap. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is because the bathroom was really dirty.
  • food10
  • portions9
  • price10
  • bathroom2
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Regular Visit
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Alex C.
Review date: 05/25/2025
1
Worst Service After 10 Years
My most recent visit was marked by the worst service I have ever experienced. Despite being a loyal customer for the past 10 years, this experience was so negative that I will never be coming back.
  • service1
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Group Type
  • Friends
Group Size
  • Small Group
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Wait Time
  • Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
  • Moderate
David C.
Review date: 05/01/2025
8
Typical Vietnamese with Great BBQ
My experience at this restaurant was that it offers typical Vietnamese food. However, what really stood out was their BBQ meat, which had people lining up to the sidewalk. The food received a score of 4, and the service and atmosphere were also rated at 4. We experienced no wait time and found plenty of paid street parking available. The noise level was moderate.
  • Vietnamese food7
  • BBQ meat9
  • food8
Price per Person
  • $21–$30
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Hong S.
Review date: 04/26/2025
9
Delicious Bun Bo Hue, Okay Duck
My experience at this restaurant was largely positive, primarily due to the exceptional Bun Bo Hue. It was the best I've ever had, making up for the roast duck, which was a bit too fatty and salty for my liking. I also thoroughly enjoyed the cold soy milk; it was so delicious! The overall food quality was rated a 5, and the atmosphere was also rated a 5, contributing to a very pleasant dining experience. The service received a rating of 3.
  • Bun Bo Hue10
  • cold soy milk9
  • Food10
  • roast duck3
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
ahkwai L.
Review date: 03/11/2025
3
Decent Meal, But Lacking
My experience at this restaurant was decent, not too shabby. The staff was alright, though not particularly friendly. I found the food to be lacking; I ordered the duck, and it was quite oily, cold, and salty. The egg noodles didn't compare to VH in Oakland, which I can understand given the lower prices. Overall, it was an acceptable meal, but I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon. Cash only!
  • staff5
  • lower prices6
  • acceptable meal5
  • food3
  • oily2
  • cold2

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