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oChef » Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle – San Francisco
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle - San Francisco
Photo from Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 17 of the guests
#1806 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#170 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
201
Reviews
63.2%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Food Quality
- Good Value
Frequently criticized
- Poor Service
- Cash Only
The restaurant Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle, a beloved Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District, offers you a truly authentic culinary journey. You’ll find a casual and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a quick bite or a relaxed meal with the family.
With options for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner, it’s a versatile spot where you can enjoy delicious food any time of day. It’s also known for being good for kids, making it a great family-friendly choice.
Overview: Introducting Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle offers a taste of tradition, with many appreciating its flavorful dishes, especially the wonton noodles and comforting congee. Guests often find the overall experience to be a good value, particularly for breakfast specials.
The atmosphere, recently updated, provides a cozy, non-fussy spot reminiscent of a classic Hong Kong eatery. However, visitors should be prepared for some potential drawbacks.
Service can sometimes be inconsistent, with reports of a less-than-attentive staff’s attitude or longer waits. The establishment is also known for being cash only, which requires a bit of planning, and parking can be a challenge.
Good
6.8
out of 10
201
Reviews
63.2%
Satisfaction
46
negative
28
neutral
127
positive
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle achieves a respectable Restaurant Score of 6.8, placing it in the average range overall. Customer feedback, gathered from 201 opinions with 127 positive and 46 negative remarks, indicates a Customer Satisfaction of 63.2%, suggesting a mixed experience for many.
While not universally praised, there’s a clear appreciation for certain aspects that contribute positively to the dining experience. The standout area is undoubtedly the Food (7.6), which customers frequently commend for its quality and flavor.
Value (6.5) also rates as average, with many finding the prices fair for what’s offered. However, the Ambience (5.7) and particularly the Service (4.9) fall into the average to slightly below-average category, indicating areas where the restaurant could enhance its guest experience.
What people like
- Excellent Food Quality
- Good Value
- Cozy Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Inconsistent Service
- Cash Only Payment
- Limited Seating
With a Recommendation Score of 7.3, Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle is a place worth considering if you prioritize flavorful, comforting food. It particularly shines for its traditional dishes and offers a generally good value for your meal.
If you’re seeking a straightforward, satisfying experience, it could be a solid choice. However, be mindful of the potential for inconsistent service and the cash-only policy.
If these aspects are deal-breakers for you, or if you’re looking for a more polished dining experience, you might want to adjust your expectations. For those who appreciate authentic flavors and don’t mind a no-frills setting, it’s certainly worth a visit.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle
Food (7.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 90% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this spot generally hits the mark with a good score of 7.6 and a solid 79.3% customer satisfaction. Out of 116 customer opinions, a whopping 92 rave about the delicious wontons, comforting porridge, and savory noodle soups, often paired with excellent Hong Kong milk tea. However, not everything is perfect, with 13 opinions pointing out some areas for improvement.
Concerns include inconsistent food quality, particularly with the noodles, and some finding the Chinese donuts greasy or the food a bit on the salty side.
Food
116
Reviews
79%
Satisfaction
13
negative
11
neutral
92
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Excellent wontons
- Tasty porridge
- Authentic HK flavors
What people don't like
- Inconsistent noodles
- Greasy donuts
- Salty food
Often praised
- wonton noodlesWonton noodles was good, wontons have lots of shrimps, noodles are chewy and just right
- foodthe food here is excellent
- porridgeporridge, HK tea and some rice noodles
- wontonMy experience at this restaurant was a mixed bag. The food was truly great, especially the wonton. However, I would have given them 5 stars if the customer service was provided in a more polite manner.
- curry fish ballsCurry fish balls have a little "crunchiness" to it that makes it very enjoyable
- jookThey have jook and won ton noodles.
- milk teaWe also had milk tea and coffe milk tea (鴛鴦)
- rice noodlesporridge, HK tea and some rice noodles
- wonton noodleSo it's definitely thumbs up for the wonton noodle
- wontonsyummy wontons
Frequently criticized
- foodSupermarket food is better than what they serve here
- noodlesthe noodles is hard, need to cook more time
- Chinese donutChinese donut is greasy.
- dishessell out of some dishes
- donutsdonuts weren't freshly made, tasted like it came from frozen
- fish rice rollI am pretty positive it's the fish rice roll
- food qualityvery disappointed with the food quality
- noodleNoodle and steam roll were bad!
- steam rollNoodle and steam roll were bad!
- 炸兩they already sold out: 炸兩
If youre craving authentic Cantonese comfort food, especially wontons and congee, this place is definitely worth a visit. Just be mindful that some noodle dishes or fried items might not always hit the mark, but overall, its a solid choice.
Service (4.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, some diners have experienced a real treat! Many praise the fast service and the staff for being nice and warm-hearted, even mentioning a smiling cleaning lady. With 11 positive remarks out of 33 total, theres certainly a bright side to the service here, contributing to an overall score of 4.9.
However, the picture isnt entirely rosy. A significant number of guests, 17 to be exact, have pointed out issues like long wait times, slow service, and even a staffs attitude that left much to be desired from the waitress. This mixed feedback results in a customer satisfaction of just 33.3%, indicating theres definitely room for improvement.
Service
33
Reviews
33%
Satisfaction
17
negative
5
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast service
- Friendly staff
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Slow service
- Rude staff
Often praised
- serviceMy girlfriend's parents have been coming to this restaurant for years and years, which makes it seem like a very special place. My experience was excellent; the noodle soup with beef flank was extremely tasty, and the service was friendly.
- staffThe food is delicious—noodle soups and congees that have a light yet deeply savory taste; dumplings bursting with flavor. What really makes this place special is the warm-hearted staff! It’s a non-fussy spot that feels very cozy.
- StaffStaff is busy but always acclimated when we needed an extra utensils or water
- cleaning ladyonly one lady always smile, ,she is a clean up lady
- fast serviceFast service
- patienceWell worth the patience
- service speedclean, fast, no frills
- table turnsaverage table turns in about 30 minutes
Frequently criticized
- serviceServices with an attitude (unfriendly: no smile, no greeting owner)
- customer servicecustomer service in a more polite manner
- festival daydon't go in the festival day such as Thanksgiving Day today
- long queuereason to make a long queue!
- long waitthe long wait is not worth it
- staff's attitudethe staff's attitude is incredibly subpar
- to-go foodOrdered togo food, first being told to wait 15 minutes
- waitso expect to for await. There were people who ordered to go
- wait 15 minutestold to wait 15 minutes but turn out over 30 minutes
- waiting time for menuWaited for 10 minutes to have a menu
If youre looking for quick service and friendly staff, you might get lucky, but be prepared for potential long wait times and inconsistent service, especially during busy periods. Its a bit of a gamble, so consider going during off-peak hours if you want to avoid disappointment.
Ambience (5.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 48% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot offers a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 5.7 putting it squarely in the average range. Many appreciate its breath of fresh air feel, especially with outdoor seating available, and some find it a special place with a modern feel after recent clean-ups. Its often described as a "cozy" and "small Chinese cafe" that evokes a "Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng" atmosphere, based on 10 positive observations.
However, customer satisfaction sits at a rather mixed 43.5%, reflecting some notable downsides. Parking, particularly "street parking, " is frequently tricky, and some found the place a "hole in the wall" thats quite small or tiny. Concerns about the restroom and even a rat running around were also mentioned among the 9 negative comments, suggesting there's definitely room for improvement.
Ambience
23
Reviews
43%
Satisfaction
9
negative
4
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Modern, clean feel
- Cozy, special spot
- Authentic HK vibe
What people don't like
- Rat running around
- Tricky parking
- Small, tiny space
Often praised
- Hong Kong Cha Chaan Tengfelt like a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng in 1980
- atmosphereservice and atmosphere good
- breath of fresh airIt also felt good knowing the money is going to a small business. Amongst the millionaires bacon and fancy gentrified brunches, this place was definitely a good breath of fresh air. I would definitely return!
- cleaned upThis establishment is small to medium sized. In recent years, they have had a renovation to a more modern feel and have cleaned up the restaurant. They offer two menus: a lunch special with three sets at a fixed to varied price, and a standard paged menu.
- cleanlinessclean, fast, no frills
- modern feelThis establishment is small to medium sized. In recent years, they have had a renovation to a more modern feel and have cleaned up the restaurant. They offer two menus: a lunch special with three sets at a fixed to varied price, and a standard paged menu.
- outdoor seatinga place outside where you can sit and consume the take out food
- small Chinese cafegreat small Chinese cafe style restaurant
- special placeIt seems like a very special place
- spotnon-fussy spot that feels very cozy
Frequently criticized
- ParkingLike other reviews, it is cash only, so I had to go get cash at the Wells Fargo across the street. Parking is a little tricky on Irving. I visited with a friend who studied abroad in Hong Kong and wanted to recreate a similar experience; she also spoke Cantonese, so I relied mostly on her.
- TVTV is usually on some crazy channel
- hole in the wallThe place is a total hole in the wall
- placeMy experience at this restaurant was incredibly disappointing. I can honestly say it's the worst place I have ever been to in SF. It actually takes effort to find a place worse than this.
- rat running aroundRat running around !
- restroomThere's only one restroom so all it takes is one person to create a Disneyland line
- smallOnly thing is that it's pretty small.
- street parkingI will definitely come back! A heads-up: it's cash only and street parking can be challenging.
- tiny placepeoples gathered to eat in a tiny place
If youre seeking a casual, no-frills spot with an authentic, cozy vibe and dont mind potential parking challenges or a small space, this could be a unique experience. However, if cleanliness and spaciousness are top priorities, you might want to consider other options.
Value (6.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 50% of the guests
When it comes to value, its an interesting picture. While the overall score sits at an average 6.5 and customer satisfaction is a mixed 48.3%, many still found it worth it. Theres a definite appreciation for cheap eats and amazing prices, with several folks noting things were fairly priced or an inexpensive price.
The breakfast specials and meals under $40 were often highlighted as great deals, contributing to 14 positive remarks out of 29 total. However, not everyone was convinced, with 7 negative remarks. Some felt the price was too expensive for what you get & quality, and a recurring dealbreaker was the CASH ONLY policy, which many found inconvenient.
A few also simply described it as pricey, suggesting that the value didn't always align with expectations.
Value
29
Reviews
48%
Satisfaction
7
negative
8
neutral
14
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great deals
- Fairly priced
- Worth the price
What people don't like
- Cash only
- Can be pricey
- Quality-price mismatch
Often praised
- priceabout 11.00 plus tips
- PricesI believe their specialty is the homemade wonton, which are amazing. Prices aren't too bad. The only downside I would say is that their service can sometimes be sluggish.
- billour bill came down to ~$23.00 and we ordered congee, sides and drinks
- breakfast specialsbreakfast specials are a great deal
- cheap eatsoffers cheap eats
- fairly pricedEverything is fairly priced.
- inexpensive pricefor an inexpensive price
- pricesThe prices are amazing
- small business00, and we ordered congee, sides, and drinks. It also felt good knowing the money is going to a small business. Amongst the millionaires bacon and fancy gentrified brunches, this place was definitely a good breath of fresh air.
- under $40for under $40 including tip
Frequently criticized
- cash onlyit's cash only, which is important to note
- CASH ONLYFurthermore, the price was too expensive for what you get in terms of quality. A significant issue was that it's CASH ONLY. To top it off, I saw a rat running around, which is a major concern for cleanliness.
- pricetoo expensive for what you get & quality
- priceyseemed pricey
So, if youre hunting for specific cheap eats or breakfast specials and are prepared for a CASH ONLY situation, you might find some good value here. However, if you prioritize a higher quality-to-price ratio or prefer flexible payment options, you might find it a bit pricey' and inconvenient.
How are the prices at Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle?
You’re looking at roughly 22 per person – reported by 17 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.
While the average is 22, it’s interesting to see that most guests actually spend a bit less, with a good chunk of prices clustering around the $11–$20 range. A few higher-end experiences seem to pull the average up.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 17 reviews.
See how this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
Considering its a Chinese Restaurant, and the average spend, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers a good mid-range option, especially if youre looking for value that’s a step above the cheapest eats.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Great Staff, Salty Food
My experience at this restaurant was positive, primarily due to the staff who were incredibly nice. The place itself is small, and while the food was on the salty side, it was still a great small Chinese cafe-style restaurant.
- staff10
- small Chinese cafe7
- food4
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
Worst place, supermarket food is better
My experience at this restaurant was incredibly disappointing. I can honestly say it's the worst place I have ever been to in SF. It actually takes effort to find a place worse than this.
The food served here is so poor that supermarket food is better. I was particularly disappointed because this place is fairly well rated.
- place1
- food1
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Authentic Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng Experience
My experience at the restaurant felt like stepping back into a Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng in 1980. Although I was tempted to skip the won ton noodles, I ultimately decided on the B combo with won ton (shrimp dumplings) noodles and Cha siu rice noodles, accompanied by a hot Ovaltine. I loved it and will definitely return to try their Congee or Macaroni dish.
- Hong Kong Cha Chaan Teng9
- B combo with won ton noodles9
- Cha siu rice noodles9
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
3
Disappointing Food Quality
I was very disappointed with the food quality. You can tell from the pictures I took. Perhaps only their soup noodles and porridge are good, but I didn’t try them.
- soup noodles6
- porridge6
- food quality2
Price per Person
- $41–$50
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Breakfast
9
Authentic Hole-in-the-Wall Congee Gem
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic, despite its unassuming appearance. It's one of the best congee spots in the city. I highly recommend the Shiitake mushroom & chicken congee, as well as the fish fillet and lettuce with ginger & green onions.
Their Hong Kong milk tea is also excellent. While the place is a total hole in the wall, don't be discouraged; it's absolutely worth the visit because everything they make is authentic and incredibly tasty. The service was A++!
Be aware that it's cash only, but there's a Wells Fargo ATM across the street. A minor warning: the TV is usually on channels like Fox or Newsmax.
- congee spots9
- Shiitake mushroom & chicken10
- fish fillet and lettuce with ginger & green onions10
- hole in the wall3
- cash only4
- TV3
What Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Payments
- Cash-only
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Coffee
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Table service
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What kind of dining experience does Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle offer?
At Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle, you can expect a casual and inviting atmosphere perfect for any meal. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, a leisurely breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner, you’ll find comfortable seating and table service available. It’s a great spot for a relaxed dining experience.
Is Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle suitable for families and accessible to all?
Yes, Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle is very family-friendly, offering high chairs and a welcoming environment for kids. Additionally, the restaurant ensures accessibility for everyone with a wheelchair accessible entrance and seating, making it a comfortable choice for all guests.
How does Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle rate overall?
Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle has a Restaurant Score of 6.8. Its Food (7.6) is highly regarded, while Value (6.5) and Ambience (5.7) are average. Service (4.9) is an area that could see improvement.
What are the standout dishes at Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle?
Customers frequently praise the wonton noodles for their chewy texture and generous shrimp filling. The congee and curry fish balls are also often highlighted as flavorful options.
What should I know before visiting Ming Tai Wun-Tun Noodle?
It’s important to note that the restaurant is cash only, so plan accordingly. Some guests have also experienced inconsistent service and found the seating area to be quite small.