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oChef » Mongkok Dim Sum – San Francisco
Mongkok Dim Sum - San Francisco
Photo from Mongkok Dim Sum
Mongkok Dim Sum at a glance
San Francisco Sunset District
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 21 of the guests
#2052 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#223 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
248
Reviews
59.3%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Quality dim sum
- Affordable prices
- Quick service
Frequently criticized
- Rude staff
- Poor upkeep
- Crowded space
The restaurant Mongkok Dim Sum is a Chinese restaurant nestled in San Francisco’s vibrant Sunset District. You can discover a delightful array of small plates here, perfect for a quick bite.
This casual spot offers a genuine taste of traditional Chinese flavors, making it an ideal choice for a relaxed meal. Whether you’re starting your day or grabbing lunch, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere.
Overview: Introducting Mongkok Dim Sum
Mongkok Dim Sum offers a straightforward approach to its namesake cuisine, where the focus clearly leans towards the culinary experience. Many patrons appreciate the traditional dim sum offerings, finding them reminiscent of authentic flavors.
It’s a spot that seems to prioritize the plate over the polish, drawing in those who value a good meal. However, this emphasis means other aspects can feel secondary.
Some visitors have noted the less-than-ideal ambiance and occasional inconsistencies with service. While the food often hits the mark, be prepared for an experience that might be more about efficiency and flavor than comfort or attentive interaction.
Good
6.3
out of 10
248
Reviews
59.3%
Satisfaction
72
negative
29
neutral
147
positive
Mongkok Dim Sum holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3, placing it squarely in the average category, with Customer Satisfaction at 59.3%, indicating a mixed reception from its patrons. This assessment is drawn from 248 customer observations, with 147 positive and 72 negative remarks, suggesting a noticeable split in experiences.
Delving deeper, the Food scores well at (7), reflecting its primary strength. However, Service (4.7) and Ambience (4.8) both hover in the average range, suggesting areas for improvement.
The Value score of (6.8) is nearly good, indicating that many feel the pricing aligns reasonably with the quality of the offerings.
What people like
- Authentic dim sum selection
- Good value for money
- Efficient service
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service quality
- Lackluster ambiance
- Cleanliness concerns
If you’re seeking a quick, authentic dim sum fix without fuss, Mongkok Dim Sum could be a suitable choice. The Recommendation Score of 6.6 suggests it’s a place many find worthwhile for its core offering and reasonable pricing.
It’s best approached with the understanding that the experience is more about the food itself than the dining environment. Manage your expectations regarding service and atmosphere; this isn’t a spot for a leisurely, pampered meal.
For those prioritizing flavorful dim sum and good value above all else, it delivers, but if comfort and attentive service are high on your list, you might find it falls short.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Mongkok Dim Sum
Food (7 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, you're looking at a pretty solid experience, with a good score of 7 and customer satisfaction sitting at a healthy 71.7%. Based on 145 comments, with 104 positive remarks against just 30 negative ones, many folks rave about the delicious, authentic dim sum, especially the high quality stuff like Har Gow and Siu Mai, praising the great variety and selection available. However, not everything is perfect.
Some customers have reported issues with items being served cold or dry, and there are concerning mentions about food safety practices, like food sitting uncovered. A few also noted a decline in quality or shrinking portions, particularly with items like the pork meat bun.
Food
145
Reviews
71%
Satisfaction
30
negative
11
neutral
104
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic dim sum
- Wide variety available
- Great quality, flavor
What people don't like
- Food safety concerns
- Items served cold
- Shrinking meat portions
Often praised
- dim sumWhile the service was a little rude and the ambiance was less-than-wonderful, the food was fan-freaking-tastic! It truly made me harken back to the time when I lived here and used to go out for dim sum for breakfast. I miss this wonderful food!
- foodThe food is fan-freaking-tastic!
- Dim SumFor the price and value, I can't really beat it in terms of Dim Sum. Sure, there are better quality dim sum options if you're willing to pay 2x or 3x the price.
- Siu MaiHa gow and Siu Mai, and cha siu bao are my favorites
- baked char siu baoshumai, har gow, noodles, spare rib rice & baked char siu bao
- chicken feetenjoys the teahouse style chicken feet
- dim sumstypical selection of dim sums like har har, siu mei, pork bun, porridge
- food qualityfood quality is as good or better
- sesame ballssesame balls with red beans were stand outs
- Chinese breakfast fooddecent Chinese breakfast food. This place has it!
Frequently criticized
- dim sumbuying cold dim sum! Ugh. At least it was edible hot.
- foodThe food was sitting uncovered, unrefrigerated
- Siu maiMy experience at this restaurant offered some good deals, particularly the boxes of dim sum for six dollars. However, the Siu mai was disappointing; it wasn't juicy like the Siu mai from Chinatown. They sell four dumplings for $3.
- Har Gowdim sum place doesn’t have Har Gow
- amount of meatthe amount of meat has been shrinking to smaller size
- beef meatballsI ordered beef meatballs and threw up
- dropped foodputting dropped food back into the steamer
- dry and steamed foodmix dry and steamed food
- dumpling of your choiceThe price is right, and the wait is usually short. However, I would advise against coming too late, as they may have sold out of the dumpling of your choice.
- dumplingsOur dumplings were cold when they came out
If you're craving authentic dim sum with a wide variety, this spot is definitely worth a try, as many find the quality and flavor to be excellent. Just be mindful that some experiences mention cold items or potential food safety concerns, so it might be a hit-or-miss depending on your visit.
Service (4.7 out of 10)
mentioned by 54% of the guests
When it comes to service, many customers praise the staff and the ladies who work there, often describing them as very nice, helpful, and friendly. Reviewers frequently mention the fast and easy service, highlighting how efficient the team is, especially for quick take-out orders. Out of 50 total opinions, 16 positive remarks celebrate these speedy and pleasant interactions.
However, the service isn't always a smooth ride. With 25 negative remarks, some experiences describe terrible service, encountering rude staff, and even a grumpy lady with poor customer service skills. While the overall score for service sits at an average 4.7, customer satisfaction is quite low at just 32%, indicating a significant number of diners feel unwelcome or dissatisfied with their interactions.
Service
50
Reviews
32%
Satisfaction
25
negative
9
neutral
16
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Fast service
- Efficient team
What people don't like
- Rude staff
- Poor customer service
- Hard-selling tactics
Often praised
- take outMy experience was with outstanding take out. The dim sum selections were standard but delivered early and piping hot right up until lunchtime.
- Ladies who workLadies who work in the shop are very friendly
- ServiceService:4
- efficientThe dim sum was great, and the prices were excellent. The staff worked really hard and were very efficient, so we were in and out quickly. The restaurant also felt very COVID safe.
- fastIt was fast
- fast and easyFast and easy is good for me
- fasterit is much faster at other place
- ladies cooking and servingSuper nice ladies cooking and serving.
- lineThe line was shorter than the one across street
- long linesThere's always a long line
Frequently criticized
- serviceThis is the worst service I ever had in my life
- English menuwish they had the English available on the menu
- business ethicsthat is stupid and no business ethics
- cashiersthe old ladies are so rude
- cooksOne of the cooks was taking a break up front and was spitting out loud
- customer serviceThe food was good, but the service was a significant letdown. I encountered rude cashiers and experienced bad customer service. Specifically, I received cold sticky rice and was overcharged.
- customer service skillthis grumpy lady with 0 customer service skill
- customer service skillsone of the ladies in the front can use some customer service skills
- exchangeMy experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I received dried pork shu mai and was refused an exchange. The staff member became rude when I ordered by pieces.
- feel welcomeWe were even told to go to the grocery store across the street to purchase them ourselves. We did not feel welcome, and suspected this might have been due to us being Mandarin speakers rather than Cantonese. The terrible service was apparent from the start, and we are unsure what led to such an experience.
If youre looking for quick, efficient service and dont mind a potentially mixed bag of interactions, you might find it works for you. However, be prepared that customer service can be a real hit-or-miss, with some experiencing genuinely rude encounters. Its a gamble on whether youll get the friendly, fast service or a less pleasant experience.
Ambience (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 30% of the guests
Looking at the vibe, it seems some diners really appreciate the charm, calling it a cute place and a hidden gem, especially for a Dim Sum counter. With 6 positive remarks out of 21 total, some even highlighted it as COVID safe. While the ambience score is an average 4.8, indicating its not bad, the customer satisfaction is a stark contrast.
However, the overall customer satisfaction for ambience is a rather poor 28.6%, with 10 negative comments. Many found the ambiance less than wonderful, citing concerns about floors and general cleanliness in the indoor areas. Plus, difficult parking and a very busy atmosphere often left a poor impression, especially for those expecting a full service restaurant'.
Ambience
21
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
10
negative
5
neutral
6
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cute, hidden gem
- Dim Sum counter vibe
- COVID safe
What people don't like
- Dirty, greasy floors
- Difficult parking
- Very busy atmosphere
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- COVID safevery COVID safe
- Dim Sum counterI really enjoy the baked BBQ pork buns and the hot dog buns. It's a nice hole-in-the-wall Dim Sum counter.
- cute placeReally cute place
- great little restaurantthis great little restaurant
- hidden gemGreat little hidden gem
Frequently criticized
- ImpressionImpression is a hard thing to remove.
- ambiancethe ambiance is a little less-than-wonderful
- busyVery busy
- cleanlinessbut dirty!
- difficult parkingFor dessert, the sesame balls were great. However, be prepared for a very busy atmosphere, which means there's always a wait and difficult parking.
- floor tile groutsThe floor tile grouts are black
- floorsThe floors were greasy and wet
- full service restaurantexpecting a full service restaurant but it was tiny place
- indoor areasthe indoors don’t look like they clean the areas
- parkingparking sometimes is bad
So, if youre looking for a charming, casual Dim Sum counter and dont mind a bustling, potentially less-than-pristine environment with tricky parking, it might be worth a visit. But if a spotless, serene dining experience is what youre after, you might find the ambiance' disappointing.
Value (6.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to value, many diners find some real gems here! With 21 positive remarks out of 32 total, folks often praise the decently priced items and the bang for your buck. It seems you can find inexpensive options and even good deals that make your wallet happy.
The score for value is a 6.8, suggesting its quite decent, and customer satisfaction sits at a 65.6%, indicating a mixed but generally favorable view on pricing. However, its not all sunshine and savings. There are 7 negative comments, with some customers feeling overcharged or that prices are pricy and that the establishment might charge whatever they want.
While not a deal-breaker for everyone, it's clear that consistency in pricing could use some attention.
Value
32
Reviews
65%
Satisfaction
7
negative
4
neutral
21
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Decent pricing
- Great value
- Inexpensive options
What people don't like
- Overcharging concerns
- Getting pricy
- Inconsistent pricing
Often praised
- priceFor the price and value, can't really beat it
- pricesThe prices were good for the delicious food
- inexpensivequite inexpensive
- valueFor the price and value, can't really beat it
- $15I only spent $15 here
- PricesPrices are reasonable in the Sunset area
- bang for your buckbest bang for your buck this side of Golden Gate
- cheapIt's so good and so cheap!!!
- decently pricedare decently price
- discountsoffer discounts before they close
Frequently criticized
- charge whatever they wantthey just charge whatever they want
- four dumplingsfour dumplings for $3.20. more on the expensive side
- full pricethey of course charge full price, you ONLY get HALF!
- overchargedwas overcharged
- priceSo $2 for a small bun. It's crazy.
- pricesit used to be less expensive. ..now it is more
- pricyit's getting pricy
If youre looking for a good deal, you might find some real value here, especially with their inexpensive options. However, be mindful that some customers have felt prices can be inconsistent or a bit high, so its a bit of a mixed bag. Its worth a try if youre on the hunt for a bargain, but keep an eye on the bill.
How are the prices at Mongkok Dim Sum?
You’re looking at roughly 16 per person – reported by 21 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
Most diners tend to spend in the 1 – 20 $ range, showing prices cluster nicely around this average. There are a few higher-priced options for those looking for something a bit more premium, too.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 21 reviews.
This chart compares the value for money of this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing feels pretty fair for a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco. It offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Mongkok Dim Sum
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Cash needed for dim sum variety
You will need cash and a lot of it because of how many varieties of dimsum they offer. The food received a score of 4 out of 5, while service and atmosphere were rated lower at 3 and 2 respectively.
- cash5
- varieties of dimsum8
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Group Size
- Solo
Service Type
- Takeout
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Reliable Dim Sum in Sunset District
When I'm in the Sunset District in San Francisco, I like to pick up some bao at Mongkok Dim Sum before I go home. They were busier a few years ago, but the line is much shorter now compared to a few years ago after a competitor opened in the area. Their dim sum is still good, and the service is pretty much the same as before.
Fast and easy is good for me. I’ll still stop by next time I’m in the area.
- bao7
- dim sum7
- service7
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
9
Mongjok Dim Sum: Bay Area Dim Sum Rival
My experience at Mongjok Dim Sum was excellent. The food quality is as good as, or even better than, some of the other Dim Sum restaurants I've tried around the Bay Area. It's a place that truly rivals established favorites.
- food quality9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Takeout
1
Terrible Experience, Avoid This Place
My experience at this restaurant was extremely negative. I received dried pork shu mai and was refused an exchange. The staff member became rude when I ordered by pieces.
They also seem to dislike providing utensils and often mix dry and steamed food in one container. I witnessed them putting dropped food back into the steamer to sell to unsuspecting customers. I will not be returning.
- pork shu mai1
- exchange1
- staff member1
Price per Person
- $1–$10
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Great Food, Tight Space
My experience at this restaurant was marked by great quality food and reasonable prices. The atmosphere was a bit tight, but this is understandable as it's usually busy. Overall, it's a great place to stop for a bite to eat or a meal to take home.
- food quality9
- prices8
- atmosphere6
What Mongkok Dim Sum offers
Offerings
- Small plates
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Lunch
- Breakfast
Service Options
- Dine-in
- Takeout
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid street parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What can you expect to eat at Mongkok Dim Sum?
At Mongkok Dim Sum, you can enjoy a variety of Chinese dishes, specializing in small plates. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for a quick bite to satisfy your cravings. You’ll find options suitable for both breakfast and lunch.
What are the dining and service options at Mongkok Dim Sum?
You can dine-in or opt for convenient takeout at Mongkok Dim Sum. The atmosphere is casual, providing a relaxed setting for your meal. Parking is also convenient, with both free and paid street parking available for you.
What is the overall customer sentiment for Mongkok Dim Sum?
Mongkok Dim Sum has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3 and a Customer Satisfaction of 59.3%. While the Food (7) is generally well-regarded, Service (4.7) and Ambience (4.8) receive average scores, indicating a mixed but generally acceptable experience.
What are the standout food items at Mongkok Dim Sum?
Customers frequently praise the traditional dim sum, with specific mentions of items like Siu Mai, baked char siu bao, and chicken feet. The sesame balls with red beans are also noted as a highlight.
What should I expect regarding the dining experience and service?
Expect a casual, often busy atmosphere, which some describe as a ‘hole-in-the-wall’ or ‘cute place.’ While some find the service efficient and friendly, others report rude staff and inconsistent customer service, so be prepared for a no-frills interaction.