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oChef » Taisan Huakee – San Francisco
Taisan Huakee - San Francisco
Photo from Taisan Huakee
Taisan Huakee at a glance
San Francisco Richmond District
- 🍽️ Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 30 of the guests
#1167 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#139 Restaurant out of 254 in San Francisco
Good
7.5 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
168
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Great value
Frequently criticized
- Inconsistent service
- Poor ambiance
The restaurant Taisan Huakee is a welcoming spot in San Francisco’s Richmond District, offering a casual atmosphere perfect for any meal. You can enjoy a delightful selection of small plates, ideal for sharing or savoring on your own.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed lunch or a cozy dinner, this restaurant provides a comfortable setting for you and your companions.
Overview: Introducting Taisan Huakee
Taisan Huakee offers a culinary experience centered around comforting, delicious food that many find flavorful and complex. Diners often appreciate the reasonable prices and the overall homey feel of the place.
However, some experiences suggest the service can be inconsistent, and the ambiance might not always meet expectations, with occasional remarks about the interior. It seems to be a spot where the food often speaks for itself.
Good
7.5
out of 10
168
Reviews
78.6%
Satisfaction
27
negative
9
neutral
132
positive
Taisan Huakee earns a solid Restaurant Score of 7.5, reflecting a generally positive dining experience. This aligns well with a Customer Satisfaction rate of 78.6%, indicating that most patrons leave content.
These assessments are drawn from 168 customer opinions, with a clear majority of 132 positive remarks against 27 negative ones. The culinary offerings stand out, with Food scoring a strong (7.9), praised for its depth and taste.
Value also impresses, achieving an excellent (8.4), suggesting that the pricing is a significant draw. While Service (6.6) is generally seen as average, and Ambience (6.1) is considered acceptable, these areas present a more mixed picture compared to the food and value.
What people like
- Flavorful, complex food
- Excellent value
- Comfortable, homey feel
What people don't like
- Inconsistent service
- Subpar interior
- Some food quality issues
If your priority is genuinely tasty, comforting food at a reasonable price, Taisan Huakee is certainly worth considering. It delivers on its culinary promise, making it a good choice for a casual meal where the flavors take center stage.
However, manage your expectations regarding the overall dining environment and service consistency. With a Recommendation Score of 8, it’s clear many find it a worthwhile visit, especially if you’re prepared for a more no-frills experience focused on the plate.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Taisan Huakee
Food (7.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 100% of the guests
Overall, the food here is a definite highlight, scoring a solid 7.9 and boasting a strong 83% customer satisfaction. Guests frequently rave about the delicious and authentic flavors, especially praising the clay pot rice, Ma Po tofu, and duck. Many appreciate the generous portions and the delightful crispy rice at the bottom of the pots, making for a truly satisfying meal.
However, out of 112 comments, a small number (15) did mention some concerns. A few experiences cited tough beef, dry rice, or oily rice, and some found the yellow eel to be lacking flavor. While these instances are few, they suggest occasional inconsistencies in certain dishes.
Food
112
Reviews
83%
Satisfaction
15
negative
4
neutral
93
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious clay pots
- Outstanding Ma Po Tofu
- Crispy rice bottom
What people don't like
- Tough beef
- Oily rice
- Flavorless yellow eel
Often praised
- foodFoodbis basic confort food. All delicious
- FoodFood:4
- Mapo TofuThe Mapo Tofu is out of this world - spicy, cilantro-y, tangy, and savory.
- clay pot riceclay pot rice is so reasonably priced and crackly at the edges.
- clay potsI really enjoyed their clay pots
- Taishan styleI definitely like the current Taishan style better.
- crispy riceSuper yum crispy rice at the bottom of the clay pot is a must
- deliciouseverything was so flavorful, complex, and delicious
- delicious foodimpressed with the delicious food that I ate
- duckspare ribs & Chinese sausage claypot rice, duck, and mapo tofu. Everything was tasty!
Frequently criticized
- riceIt would be even better if the rice is less soggy with oil
- Taishan style ricedon’t know how to authentically cook taishan style rice
- beeftough, old beef
- beerBut actually it doesn’t have.
- dishes in lotus leavesthe dishes in the lotus leaves were lacking some flavor and sauce
- foodOur food was not good -- tough, old beef
- meatThe meat tastes like red wine and was inedible
- pieces of chickenMy experience at this restaurant was a great lunch stop. The Chow mein was very flavorful, though it did not have many pieces of chicken in it. The service was rated a 4 out of 5, and the food also received a 4 out of 5.
- preserved meat clay pot riceThe preserved meat is too fat and the rice is oily
- shrimp4 small boiled shrimp
If you're looking for flavorful, authentic Chinese food, especially their highly-praised clay pot dishes and Ma Po tofu, this place is definitely worth a visit. While a few minor issues like tough meat or oily rice have been noted, the overwhelming positive feedback suggests a delicious experience awaits.
Service (6.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 57% of the guests
For service, theres a lot to like! With 18 positive observations out of 28, many guests praised the "attentive" and "nicest service, " often mentioning the friendly "staff" and "owners wife. Some even noted surprisingly fast service.
The customer satisfaction sits at a 64.3%, which is a mixed bag, and the service score is an 6.6, placing it in the average range. However, it's not all smooth sailing. There were 7 negative comments, with some describing the service as terrible or very slow.
A few felt rushed by the waitress to pay, and others pointed out a potential language" barrier, noting that staff don't always speak English well. It seems that while some experiences are great, others hit a few bumps.
Service
28
Reviews
64%
Satisfaction
7
negative
3
neutral
18
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Attentive staff
- Friendly owner's wife
- Fast service
What people don't like
- Slow service
- Language barrier
- Rushed payment
Often praised
- serviceThe service is kind and sweet and it seems to be staffed by a family
- ServiceService:4
- Google TranslateGoogle translate helped
- attentivethey are very attentive
- businessTheir business is better than 5 months ago.
- nicest serviceThe nicest service
- owner's wifeThe owner’s wife is friendly
- service during breakif you call ahead and ask they will serve you
- staffmore than a person serving each
- waiting timeIt took around 15mins for the clay pots ready to be served, which was fast
Frequently criticized
- serviceThe service that’s terrible
- Englishthey don’t speak English well
- familythis family is unable to handle the increased volume.
- licenseThey don’t have license yet.
- waitressThe waitress kept hurrying me to pay
So, should you go? If youre looking for generally friendly and sometimes fast service, especially if you call ahead, it could be a good bet. Just be prepared for potential language hiccups or slower moments if theyre busy, which might disappoint if you're in a rush.
Ambience (6.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 33% of the guests
When it comes to the atmosphere, many guests find this spot quite inviting, often describing it as comfortable and homey. People appreciate the quiet atmosphere that makes conversation easy, especially when its not too busy. Its seen as a low-key place, contributing to a relaxed, family-run feel.
With 10 positive observations out of 16 total, customer satisfaction for the ambience is at 62.5%. On the flip side, the ambience does have its critics. Some find the space quite small, noting it does not have good ambiance, and a few even described the interior as disgusting.
The overall score for ambience is 6.1, placing it in the average range. This suggests that while some enjoy the relaxed vibe, others feel there's definite room for improvement, as highlighted in 4 negative remarks.
Ambience
16
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
4
negative
2
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Comfortable, homey feel
- Quiet, easy conversation
- Low-key atmosphere
What people don't like
- Small space
- Disappointing interior
Often praised
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:4
- comfortableIt felt very comfortable and homey
- emptyIt was kind of empty, underrated imo!!
- family-runfamily-run, low-key place
- homeyIt felt very comfortable and homey
- low-key placefamily-run, low-key place
- noise levelQuiet, easy to talk
- tablesI visited for a late lunch and found plenty of tables available. The restaurant had a TV showing a Chinese cooking show, contributing to a quiet atmosphere where conversation was easy.
Frequently criticized
- good ambianceIf you're looking for delicious food, this is the place. The only downside is that it is small and does not have good ambiance. This is my honest and unbiased review!
- interiorthis places interior was disgusting
- smallIf you're looking for delicious food, this is the place. The only downside is that it is small and does not have good ambiance. This is my honest and unbiased review!
- utensilsmost of the utensils they give you are dirty
If youre looking for a quiet, comfortable, and unassuming spot where the focus isnt on flashy decor, you might enjoy the relaxed vibe here. However, if a modern, spacious, and visually polished interior is a priority, you might find the ambience a bit of a mixed bag, so set your expectations accordingly.
Value (8.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 37% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this place truly shines! With a good score of 8.4 and an excellent customer satisfaction rating of 91.7%, its clear guests feel theyre getting a fantastic deal. Out of 12 comments, 11 rave about the "price, " "value, " and how "reasonably priced" everything is, often noting its underpriced for the quality.
However, its not entirely perfect, as one comment did mention the "price" in a less favorable light. This particular guest felt a specific dish wasnt worth the cost due to its quality and quantity. It's a minor point amidst a sea of praise, but worth noting for a balanced view.
Value
12
Reviews
91%
Satisfaction
1
negative
0
neutral
11
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Great value
- Reasonable prices
- Quality for price
What people don't like
- Not worth price
Often praised
- priceThe price is really good for the quality of the food
- pricesI highly recommend getting the five-spice duck. I highly recommend people visit this place, especially since the prices are very reasonable.
- clay pot ricePrice of the clay pot rice is very competitive
- price modest and fairmake their price modest and fair
- reasonably pricedvery reasonably priced.
- underpricedI think they are very underpriced compared to some other claypot restaurants
- valuea great value
Frequently criticized
- priceMy order of "sweet & sour shrimp" was essentially a carton of old-tasting rice with only four small boiled shrimp and some chunks of chewy white fish. It was definitely not worth the price.
If youre looking for a restaurant where your wallet will be happy, this spot is definitely worth checking out. While one specific dish might have disappointed on value, the overwhelming consensus is that youll find fantastic quality for very reasonable prices here. It's a great choice for budget-conscious diners.
How are the prices at Taisan Huakee?
You’re looking at roughly 19 per person – reported by 30 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While most folks spend in that sweet spot, we do see a good number opting for dishes in the $21–$30 range, and even a few going for something a bit more premium. So, there’s a nice mix, but the heart of the menu is definitely in that mid-tier.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 30 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in San Francisco.
For a Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It offers good value for that mid-range experience, with options for different budgets.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Taisan Huakee
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
7
Great Value, Except for the Eel
My experience at the restaurant was largely positive, especially considering the price. The food was awesome for the value. However, the yellow eel was clearly frozen and had almost no flavor.
Everything else was awesome though.
- food8
- price9
- yellow eel2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Small Group
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
9
Perfectly Prepared Food, Great Service
My experience at this restaurant was excellent. We specifically requested no added salt and MSG due to a high blood pressure condition, and the food came out perfect. We enjoyed two clay pots: the 5-spice spareribs and a seafood dish featuring shrimp and fish filet pieces.
The crispness of the rice was perfect, and the jasmine rice was wonderfully fragrant. I particularly liked the bitter melon with beef. While the yu choy in soup was just okay and not something I would reorder, I plan to return and explore other dishes.
- food10
- clay pots8
- 5-spice spareribs8
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Excellent Lamb and Crispy Clay Pots
I visited for a late lunch and found plenty of tables available. The restaurant had a TV showing a Chinese cooking show, contributing to a quiet atmosphere where conversation was easy. The service was fast.
I was impressed by the clay pots, which had a very nice crisp to all the edges. The rice we ordered was well flavored. While the spare ribs were standard, the lamb was really good.
It felt like there was definitely more than one person serving each of us.
- tables7
- TV5
- service8
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
9
Hidden Gem for Claypot Rice!
This is a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant that passerby might miss. This Taishan establishment serves great claypot rice and other Cantonese staples. I highly recommend getting the five-spice duck.
I highly recommend people visit this place, especially since the prices are very reasonable.
- claypot rice9
- five-spice duck10
- prices9
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
8
Flavorful Clay Pot Dishes, Worth a Try!
My experience at this restaurant was quite positive, especially with the clay pot dishes, which were very flavorful. While the dishes served in lotus leaves lacked some flavor and sauce, the veggies were cooked to perfection. The reviewer's favorite is #3.
Overall, it's definitely worth a try!
- clay pot dishes9
- veggies10
- dishes in lotus leaves4
What Taisan Huakee offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Small plates
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Table service
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Delivery
- Dine-in
Parking
- Usually somewhat difficult to find a space
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
Is Taisan Huakee restaurant accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Yes, Taisan Huakee in San Francisco offers a wheelchair accessible entrance, seating, and restroom, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests. You can dine with ease knowing these amenities are available.
What dining options and services does Taisan Huakee restaurant provide?
Taisan Huakee offers flexible dining with options for lunch and dinner, complete with table service. You can also plan ahead as the restaurant accepts reservations, making it easy to secure your spot for a pleasant meal.
What is the overall rating for Taisan Huakee?
Taisan Huakee has a Restaurant Score of 7.5, indicating a good overall experience. Its Food scores 7.9, Value 8.4, Service 6.6, and Ambience 6.1.
What kind of food can I expect at Taisan Huakee?
You can expect flavorful, complex, and comforting dishes, with highlights often including clay pot rice and Mapo Tofu, known for their taste and crispy rice elements.
How is the service and ambiance at Taisan Huakee?
Service can be a mixed bag, sometimes described as kind and attentive, but occasionally inconsistent. The ambiance is generally homey and low-key, though some find the interior to be small or lacking.