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oChef » Shanghai China – San Francisco
Shanghai China - San Francisco
Photo from Shanghai China
Shanghai China at a glance
San Francisco Hayes Valley
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 2 of the guests
#1763 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#176 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.8 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
121
Reviews
59.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Value
- Fast service
- Portions
Frequently criticized
- Food quality
- Parking
- Ambience
The restaurant, a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Hayes Valley, invites you to discover a taste of authentic Asian flavors. When you step into Shanghai China, you’re greeted by an atmosphere that promises a delightful dining experience, whether you’re stopping by for lunch or enjoying a leisurely meal with table service.
Overview: Introducting Shanghai China
Shanghai China offers a compelling proposition for those seeking a good meal without breaking the bank. Many appreciate the price point and the generous portions, often finding it to be a worth it experience.
The team here often provides fast service, making it a practical choice for a quick bite. However, the dining experience can be a mixed bag.
While some dishes are well-received, there are occasional concerns about food quality, with some finding items full of grease or even precooked frozen food. The parking situation is also a frequent challenge, and the overall atmosphere can feel a bit untidy.
Good
6.8
out of 10
121
Reviews
59.5%
Satisfaction
22
negative
27
neutral
72
positive
Overall, Shanghai China earns a respectable 6.8, placing it in the average category, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 59.5%. This assessment comes from 121 opinions, with 72 positive remarks balancing against 22 negative ones.
It suggests a place that delivers adequately, but perhaps not consistently for everyone. Diving deeper, Value (8) and Service (8) stand out as strong points, indicating that guests often feel they get a good deal and are well looked after.
However, Food (6.6) is more of an average experience, and Ambience (4.6) appears to be a notable area for improvement, often described as less appealing.
What people like
- Excellent value for money
- Fast, hospitable service
- Generous food portions
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Challenging parking
- Untidy atmosphere
With a recommendation score of 7.2, Shanghai China presents itself as a viable option, particularly if you prioritize affordability and quick service over a polished dining setting. It’s a place that can satisfy your craving for Chinese food without a significant investment.
If you’re seeking a casual, no-frills meal where value and speed are key, it’s worth considering. However, be prepared for potential inconsistencies in food quality and the practical challenges of parking and a less-than-pristine environment.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Shanghai China
Food (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
When it comes to the food, it seems like a bit of a mixed bag, landing an average score of 6.6 with 57.1% customer satisfaction. Out of 70 opinions, 40 were positive, praising dishes like the Chicken-vegetable dish and Hong Kong style noodles. Many appreciated the good flavor, generous portions, and that the food arrived hot and fresh.
However, 11 opinions pointed to some significant downsides. Concerns included dishes made from precooked frozen food, some meat still being frozen, and even a long hair cooked into the rice. Others found certain items, like the Chow Mein or Mapo Tofu, to be surprisingly greasy or lacking flavor.
Food
70
Reviews
57%
Satisfaction
11
negative
19
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fresh, hot food
- Generous portions
- Good flavor
What people don't like
- Frozen food
- Hair in food
- Greasy dishes
Often praised
- foodThis place is officially my spot. The food is amazeing and served steaming hot and fresh made to order. While parking is bad and there's a recovery center next door, these are minor issues for San Francisco.
- Chinese fooda diver range of Chinese food with different styles and dishes
- good foodMy experience at this restaurant was centered around the good food. However, I found it tough to dine here alone, as is common at many Chinese restaurants, unless you're content with lots of leftovers or ordering a single item entree.
- Chicken-vegetable dishrecommend the Chicken-vegetable dish
- Hong Kong style noodlesThe place has an old-school atmosphere with wood paneling and Formica tables, lacking modern decoration. I recommend the Chicken-vegetable dish or the Hong Kong style noodles with seafood. Parking can be a real challenge.
- Szechuan spicy fishSzechuan spicy fish 5/5
- amount of foodgreat for the amount of food you get
- ample riceThe portions were generous for the price of about $12. Both dishes came with ample rice and a fried egg roll. While the food isn't the absolute best I've had, it's definitely fine for the price.
- chicken dishesordered most of the chicken dishes and have not had any complaints
- chicken string beansi really liked the string beans dish too
Frequently criticized
- Chinese foodstraight up worst Chinese food I’ve ever had
- Chow FunChow mein and chow fun were horrible
- Chow MeinChow mein and chow fun were horrible
- full of greaseIt was full of grease.
- garlic eggplantHow the hell can you mess this up so bad? It was full of grease.
- hair cooked into ricelong, thick piece of hair cooked into my combination fried rice
- mapo tofumapo tofu, which wasn’t spicy and had a soupy brown sauce, and almost no flavor
- meat was still frozenthe meat was still frozen
- pork bunsthe pork buns we ordered were poorly done
- precooked frozen foodThey were obviously precooked frozen food
If you're looking for generous portions of hot, fresh Chinese food and know what to order, you might find some tasty options here. But be aware that some dishes can be a hit-or-miss, with a few serious quality control issues reported.
Service (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 60% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot truly shines! With a strong 8 score and a fantastic 80% customer satisfaction, guests frequently praise the speedy and personable service. Many appreciate the genuine hospitality and the attentive staff, with special shout-outs to owner Kenny for going the extra mile.
Based on 25 remarks, a significant 20 are glowing about the service, highlighting fast service, personable service, and hospitality. However, not every experience has been perfect. A couple of comments, just 2 out of 25, mentioned issues with service not being attentive.
There was also a specific instance regarding a refund that wasnt delivered as promised. While these are isolated incidents, they suggest theres always a little room for improvement, even with such high overall satisfaction.
Service
25
Reviews
80%
Satisfaction
2
negative
3
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fast, personable service
- Owner Kenny's hospitality
- Attentive staff
What people don't like
- Inattentive service
- Unresolved refund issues
Often praised
- serviceI find it to be a good lunch option. Although they are open until 9: 00 pm, I sometimes go at night, and the service is usually good. The location is convenient, right off Van Ness @ Mission St.
- attentionla atención es el mejor
- courtesygenuinely hospitable and courteous
- create a dishwill create a dish of your liking
- customer attitudecustomer is always right attitude
- deliveryit was on time and hot
- fastthey are fast
- fast serviceensure you receive fast, and personable service
- greetingThe owner truly goes out of his way to ensure you receive fast and personable service. You're always greeted with a smile and a 'customer is always right' attitude. It's a great neighborhood spot.
- hospitalitygenuinely hospitable and courteous
Frequently criticized
- refundcalled them back to get a refund and they said I could get a free order but never delivered it
- serviceService was not attentive
Overall, if youre looking for a place with genuinely good service, this spot is definitely worth trying. The staff is generally fast, friendly, and goes out of their way to make you feel welcome. While there are a few minor hiccups, they are rare and shouldnt deter you from enjoying a great experience.
Ambience (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 44% of the guests
When it comes to the vibe, this spot has a bit of a mixed bag, with an overall score of 4.6, which lands it squarely in the average category. Customer satisfaction, however, is quite low at just 20%, indicating a poor experience for many. Despite this, some folks appreciate it as a neighborhood spot and praise its cleanliness, especially for a quick lunch, based on 3 positive remarks out of 15 total observations.
On the flip side, there are quite a few points of contention, with 8 negative comments. Many found it tough to dine here alone and raised concerns about it not being sanitary or untidy. The inside is described as nothing too fancy, and parking is a recurring challenge, with some even mentioning a TV playing only Chinese news as a drawback.
Ambience
15
Reviews
20%
Satisfaction
8
negative
4
neutral
3
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Neighborhood spot
- Good for lunch
- Cleanliness
What people don't like
- Sanitation issues
- Parking difficulty
- Untidy interior
Often praised
- cleanlinessClean and fast for lunch
- neighborhood spotGreat neighbor
- placeMe,gusta lugar
Frequently criticized
- ParkingParking is a real challenge
- TV5-2 people. However, it was a bit boring because only Chinese news was playing on the TV the whole time. The Sweet and Sour Pork was sweeter than expected.
- crowdedcrowed and kind of untidy
- dine here aloneMy experience at this restaurant was centered around the good food. However, I found it tough to dine here alone, as is common at many Chinese restaurants, unless you're content with lots of leftovers or ordering a single item entree.
- insideThe inside is definitely nothing too fancy
- parkingThe food is amazeing and served steaming hot and fresh made to order. While parking is bad and there's a recovery center next door, these are minor issues for San Francisco. Bottom line, it's worth it.
- sanitaryThey are not sanitary at all
- untidycrowed and kind of untidy
If youre looking for a no-frills, quick bite in the neighborhood and dont mind potential cleanliness issues or a solo dining challenge, this place might work. However, be prepared for parking woes and a less-than-stellar atmosphere, especially if you're seeking comfort or a fancy experience.
Value (8 out of 10)
mentioned by 40% of the guests
When it comes to value, this spot really shines! With a solid score of 8 and customer satisfaction at a fantastic 81.8%, its clear most diners feel theyre getting a great deal. Many folks, 9 out of 11 comments to be exact, rave about the affordable price, great prices, and reasonable cost, often noting its definitely worth it, especially with the bonus of free fried rice or noodles on offer.
However, its not entirely unanimous. Just one comment out of the 11 total mentions hinted that the price might be on the bit expensive side. While this is a minor point, it's worth noting that not everyone finds it an absolute steal, though the overwhelming sentiment leans towards great value.
Value
11
Reviews
81%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
9
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Affordable, delicious food
- Great portion value
- Free side dish
What people don't like
- Slightly expensive price
Often praised
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was very positive. I found the Chinese food to be of good quality and at a very good price. Although it gets crowded at lunch time, they are efficient and always seem to find a seat.
- pricesA great deal is that for orders above $35, you can get a free fried rice or noodles dish if you ask for it. The service is fair, the prices are cheap (usually under $10 per person), and they are fast.
- costat a reasonable cost
- free fried rice or noodlesfree fried rice or noodles dish comes for free (but you have to ask for it)
- worth itits worth it
Frequently criticized
- priceThe price is okay, on the bit expensive side
If youre looking for a place where your money goes far, this restaurant is definitely worth checking out. Most diners agree youll get delicious food at a great price, making it a solid choice for an affordable meal, even if one person found it a tad pricey.
How are the prices at Shanghai China?
You’re looking at roughly 12 $ per person – reported by 2 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While our data is limited to just two recent reviews, it shows that reported prices span from the $1–$10 range to the $11–$20 range, indicating a bit of a spread rather than a tight cluster around one price point.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 2 reviews. Keep in mind, this data is limited but gives a good indication!
Comparing value for money at this restaurant against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Chinese Restaurant in San Francisco, we think this pricing feels quite fair. Its a good spot if youre looking for a reasonable meal without breaking the bank.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Shanghai China
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
3
Disappointing Pork Buns, Decent Stew
My experience at this small, random street restaurant was mixed. While the beef stew noodle was decent, the pork buns we ordered were poorly done. They were clearly precooked frozen food, and to our surprise, the meat was still frozen when served, even though the buns were warm.
We were perhaps expecting too much from a place like this.
- beef stew noodle6
- pork buns2
- precooked frozen food2
- meat was still frozen1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Good Food, Fast & Friendly Service
My experience at this restaurant was positive. I found the food to be good and the price to be affordable. The service was notably fast and friendly.
It's a good choice for the area if you're in the mood for a meal.
- food8
- price8
- service9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Amazing Food, Great Service, Reasonable Price!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! The service was both prompt and hospitable, making me feel very welcome. The food was absolutely amazing, and to top it off, it was at a reasonable cost.
I highly recommend checking this place out; your wallet and tastebuds will definitely thank you!
- service9
- food10
- cost8
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
7
Generous Portions, Bland TV
This is a typical Chinese restaurant. The food is a bit salty, but considering that American restaurant food is generally salty, it's not too bad. The portions are surprisingly large.
You might be taken aback if you order thinking it's for one person. It's safe to assume one dish serves about 1. 5-2 people.
However, it was a bit boring because only Chinese news was playing on the TV the whole time. The Sweet and Sour Pork was sweeter than expected. (But it’s not spicy!)
- food6
- portion size9
- Sweet and Sour Pork5
- TV3
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Reliable Chinese Food for Years
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently positive over the years. It offers delicious and inexpensive Chinese food. The service is clean and fast, making it a great option for lunch.
I highly recommend it for straightforward, no-frills Chinese cuisine.
- food9
- price9
- service8
What Shanghai China offers
Children
- Good for kids
Dining options
- Table service
- Lunch
Service Options
- Takeout
- Delivery
FAQs
Can you dine in and make reservations at Shanghai China Restaurant?
Yes, you can enjoy table service for lunch at Shanghai China Restaurant. The restaurant also conveniently accepts reservations, making it easy to plan your visit.
Does Shanghai China Restaurant offer takeout or delivery, and is it suitable for children?
Absolutely! Shanghai China Restaurant provides both takeout and delivery services for your convenience. It’s also considered a great spot for kids, making it a family-friendly dining choice.
How does Shanghai China generally perform?
Shanghai China holds an overall score of 6.8. It performs well in Value (8) and Service (8), but its Food (6.6) is average, and Ambience (4.6) is an area that could see improvement.
What do customers appreciate most about Shanghai China?
Many customers appreciate the excellent value, often noting the good price and generous amount of food. The fast service and hospitable greeting also receive positive remarks.
Are there any common concerns about dining at Shanghai China?
Some diners have experienced inconsistent food quality, with issues like dishes being full of grease or tasting like precooked frozen food. Parking is also frequently mentioned as a challenge, and the atmosphere can be untidy.