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oChef » Tang Bar – San Francisco
Tang Bar - San Francisco
Photo from Tang Bar
Tang Bar at a glance
San Francisco Stonestown
- 🥡 Chinese Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 84 of the guests
#2056 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#224 Chinese Restaurant out of 276 in San Francisco
Good
6.3 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
447
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Delicious food
- Customizable meals
Frequently criticized
- Long waits
- Crowded space
The restaurant Tang Bar, a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco’s vibrant Stonestown neighborhood, offers a truly inviting experience. You’ll find a casual yet trendy atmosphere perfect for any meal.
With a focus on healthy options and organic dishes, you can enjoy delicious food that also feels good. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a relaxed dinner, Tang Bar provides a welcoming spot.
Overview: Introducting Tang Bar
Tang Bar offers a unique dining experience where the star is undoubtedly the food. Guests consistently praise the delicious, fresh ingredients and savory broth options, especially for their customizable hot pot and malatang.
The concept of building your own meal with bold flavors is a definite draw. However, be prepared for a bustling environment.
Many note significant wait times and a struggle to find seating in what can be a very crowded space. While the food shines, the overall experience can be impacted by these operational challenges and a service style that leans towards self-serve.
Good
6.3
out of 10
447
Reviews
55%
Satisfaction
142
negative
59
neutral
246
positive
Tang Bar holds an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3, placing it squarely in the average category. This is reflected in a Customer Satisfaction rate of 55%, indicating a mixed reception among diners.
These figures are drawn from a substantial 447 customer comments, with 246 positive remarks balancing against 142 negative ones. Delving deeper, the Food (7.1) stands out as a strong point, earning a good rating.
However, other aspects like Service (4.6), Value (5.3), and Ambience (5.9) all fall into the average range. This suggests that while the culinary offerings are generally well-received, the operational and environmental aspects could benefit from some attention to elevate the overall dining experience.
What people like
- Delicious, fresh food
- Customizable hot pot
- Savory broth options
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Crowded seating
- Can be pricey
If you prioritize excellent, customizable food and don’t mind a bustling, self-serve environment, Tang Bar is worth considering. The Recommendation Score of 7.1 suggests that despite some operational hurdles, many diners find the culinary experience compelling enough to recommend it.
However, if you’re seeking a quiet meal with attentive table service, or are on a strict budget, you might find the experience less satisfying. Plan your visit with potential waits and crowded conditions in mind, and be mindful of your selections to manage the final cost.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tang Bar
Food (7.1 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
The food here generally earns high marks, boasting a good score of 7.1 and a customer satisfaction rate of 70.6%. With 185 positive remarks out of 262 total, guests frequently rave about the incredible variety of fresh ingredients, from wagyu slices to diverse vegetables, and the deeply flavorful, customizable broths. The build-your-own-bowl concept, offering options like Just a Kick or Laksa bases, is a definite crowd-pleaser.
However, among the 50 negative comments, some diners occasionally reported issues like overcooked noodles or meat, and lukewarm food temperatures. A few also found certain broths, particularly the Sichuan, to be overly oily, and there were isolated mentions of tough octopus or rubber in food.
Food
262
Reviews
70%
Satisfaction
50
negative
27
neutral
185
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Wide ingredient variety
- Fresh, quality items
- Flavorful, custom broths
What people don't like
- Overcooked items
- Lukewarm food
- Oily broths
Often praised
- foodMy experience at this restaurant was a mix of delicious food and a rather stressful atmosphere. I keep thinking about the food I got here and would love to have that soup again. However, the restaurant is extremely popular and busy, leading to a lack of seating.
- ingredientsthe ingredients, from vegetables to meats, were all very fresh
- brothAll the broth options are super savory
- hot potThe selection of meats and vegetables was abundant and fresh. I highly recommend trying the hot pot at Tang Bar; it's a five-star experience that will leave your taste buds satisfied and your belly full. Don't miss out on this gem of Tang Bar!
- malatangindividual sized hotpot / malatang. So much better
- soupThe justification for the imposed tip was that they 'cooked the food for you, ' which felt unreasonable given the lack of actual service. On a positive note, the soup was delicious, and they provided ample utensils, napkins, and water through self-service. The convenient hand-washing basin near these items was also appreciated.
- soup basevery strong flavor soup base, good match with meat, tofu, noodle and veggie
- FoodFood:5
- MalatangMy experience at this Malatang restaurant was a mixed bag. The food itself was good, with a large vegetarian selection and a recommended dish of Laksa Malatang. However, the fast-casual setting can get crowded, and we experienced a wait of over half an hour for our food to be ready.
- bold flavorsIf you're a fan of bold flavors and customizable dishes
Frequently criticized
- noodlesthe noodles inside there are still a lot of water left that means it doesn’t cook well
- foodway over piling their bowls
- meatThe only solution offered was to drain the soup and return the ingredients to their original bases. This resulted in my friends' ingredients becoming too spicy for them, and my vegetables became wilted and my meat too chewy due to the double boiling. This also significantly extended our wait time by an additional 20 to 25 minutes.
- octopusI found the food to be great. Although the octopus was a little tough, everything else was perfect. This is definitely a nice place to try.
- Roma lettuceI order spinach, Roma lettuce,glass noodles and enoki,when I open I didn’t see!
- allergic reactionthird I had a mild allergic reaction
- bowl of noodles$35-65 for a bowl of noodles
- bowl temperatureThe bowl came out lukewarm, so not hot like I'm used to.
- brothordered a broth I thought was slight hot but it was too spicy and extremely salty
- chickenI had chicken
If you're after a highly customizable meal with a vast selection of fresh ingredients and flavorful broths, this spot is a strong contender. Just be aware that some experiences point to occasional inconsistencies in cooking or food temperature, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Service (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 58% of the guests
When it comes to service, theres a bit of a mixed bag here. Some customers really appreciate the Chipotle-style setup, praising the friendly staff and quick service that often means no wait at all. Out of 78 total comments, 20 were positive, highlighting a smooth process.
While the overall score for service is an average 4.6, it seems some experiences are genuinely efficient and pleasant. However, the service experience isnt always smooth sailing. With 46 negative comments, many customers report frustratingly long lines and significant wait times, sometimes up to 45 minutes.
Issues like order mistakes and even mentions of poor management contribute to a less-than-ideal experience, reflected in a poor 25.6% customer satisfaction rate. Its clear theres room for improvement in consistency.
Service
78
Reviews
25%
Satisfaction
46
negative
12
neutral
20
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Quick service
- Efficient process
What people don't like
- Long wait times
- Order mistakes
- Poor management
Often praised
- serviceThe service was super friendly
- Chipotle-stylemore a Chipotle style where employees are building your bowl
- ServiceService:5
- Togo containersLuckily, you can always get Togo containers
- allergiesasked if I had allergies so I would assume they would cook yours separately
- friendly staffWith friendly staff guiding you through the process
- lunchSaturday lunch was quick even though busy
- orders on the screenshow the orders on the screen with an expected time
- plastic soup containersMake sure to bring a plastic bag from home, otherwise, they will charge you 25 cents for a bag. They do offer free plastic soup containers, though.
- quick serviceand quick service to get your custom creation boiling
Frequently criticized
- wait timewait even longer for our food, up to about another 20 to 25 minutes
- waitIt's a great place, but you should arrive with time because it's always crowded and there's a wait of around 25 minutes. You get to choose what you want in your dish (meat, vegetables, noodles, etc.).
- lineLine formed 30ppl and not moving.
- serviceWhile the portions appear large due to the bowls used, the actual quantity of food received is about one-third of what you'd expect elsewhere for the price. The service was virtually non-existent, yet an 18% tip was automatically added, requiring careful attention at checkout to adjust. Despite any tip amount, customers are expected to bring their own food to a table they must first wipe clean.
- Uber EatsUber will NOT resolve it for you
- UberEatsnot worth ordering from UberEats because they tend to add bunch of potatoes and glass noodles
- bring own foodcustomers are expected to bring their own food
- cashiernew cashier slowest cashier ever!
- close timeMy experience at this restaurant was frustrating because they do not follow their posted hours and close way before the posted close time. This made it impossible to visit when I intended to.
- foodthe food takes a while
So, should you go? If you catch them at a good time, you might enjoy quick, friendly service. But be prepared for potentially long waits and a self-service model, especially during peak hours, which could make for a frustrating visit.
Ambience (5.9 out of 10)
mentioned by 51% of the guests
The ambience here is quite the mixed bag, with a score of 5.9 indicating an average experience and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 45.9%. Based on 61 comments, with 28 positive remarks, many appreciate the casual and relaxed atmosphere. Guests often find the dining area cozy, enjoying the nice interior and decor, and frequently praise the cleanliness.
However, the experience isn't always smooth sailing. A significant 27 negative comments highlight challenges with seating, often finding it crowded and noisy. Many struggle to find a seat, noting limited individual tables and sometimes a messy environment, especially during busy times.
Ambience
61
Reviews
45%
Satisfaction
27
negative
6
neutral
28
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Cozy, relaxed atmosphere
- Clean interior
- Nice decor
What people don't like
- Limited seating
- Can be crowded
- Often noisy
Often praised
- atmosphereMy experience at the restaurant was great, with a great atmosphere. Everything was clean and fresh.
- cozy atmosphereMy experience at this restaurant was interesting, especially because I could make my own soup. There was a big choice of ingredients, contributing to a cozy atmosphere. The presence of a table with a fountain also added to the unique ambiance.
- fun99 a pound. It is very fun, and especially good if you like spicy! It is often difficult to find a seat, and may take a long time to prepare during rush times.
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- TV screennice tv screen to catch the eta
- atmosphere and interior designvery nice atmosphere and interior design
- casual and relaxed atmosphereThe self-serve concept truly allows diners to have complete control over their meal from start to finish, including the cleanup. It fosters a casual and relaxed atmosphere where everyone can create their own customized dishes. This DIY approach ensures that each person gets exactly what they want, which is great for those with specific tastes or dietary preferences.
- cleanlinessEverything was clean and fresh
- communal tablesat least there are communal tables
- cozy nookfound a cozy nook to eat at and it felt secluded and nice
Frequently criticized
- seatingThe reviewer suggests using the wait time for activities like shopping, grabbing boba, or even grocery shopping, noting that sometimes their dish wasn't ready even after visiting several stores and getting boba. Seating can also be limited, with communal seats being scarce when busy. There are many choices, and the reviewer has only tried the soup-based options.
- Parking spaceSomewhat difficult to find parking
- atmospheredoeant have enough seating to accomodate
- clean tableThe service was virtually non-existent, yet an 18% tip was automatically added, requiring careful attention at checkout to adjust. Despite any tip amount, customers are expected to bring their own food to a table they must first wipe clean. This extends to moving and cleaning highchairs for children and clearing the table before leaving.
- crowdedIt's a great place, but you should arrive with time because it's always crowded and there's a wait of around 25 minutes. You get to choose what you want in your dish (meat, vegetables, noodles, etc.).
- find a seatIt is very fun, and especially good if you like spicy! It is often difficult to find a seat, and may take a long time to prepare during rush times.
- individual tablesthe competition for those individual tables can get competitive
- insanely busyThis place is usually insanely busy so it can be hard to find a place to sit
- limited seatsThere are limited seats
- locationsthey need to expand locations
If youre looking for a casual, cozy spot and dont mind a bit of a hunt for a seat, you might enjoy the vibe. However, if you prefer guaranteed seating and a quiet, spacious dining experience, you might find it disappointing, especially during peak hours.
Value (5.3 out of 10)
mentioned by 46% of the guests
When it comes to value, many customers appreciate the pay by weight system, finding it allows for a fair priced meal that can be worth the price if youre strategic. Some even noted good price performance, especially when focusing on specific ingredients. With 13 positive remarks out of 46 total customer comments, theres a definite upside to how you can manage your meals cost.
However, the pay by the weight format also leads to a lot of concern, with many finding it pricey and expensive, often resulting in over priced bowls. This is reflected in an average score of 5.3 and a rather poor 28.3% customer satisfaction. With 19 negative comments, its clear that surprises and high costs are a common issue, especially when you weigh with the bowl and don't watch your selections.
Value
46
Reviews
28%
Satisfaction
19
negative
14
neutral
13
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Control bowl weight
- Fair price possible
- Good price performance
What people don't like
- Can get expensive
- Weight surprises
- Overpriced bowls
Often praised
- priceThe price ended up being reasonable since I shared
- bowlit only cost me $17 for my bowl
- bowl priceUsually, my bowls are around $20 or so, and it fulls me up pretty well
- fair pricedThe pricing is fair
- good price performancegood price performance too
- pay by weightYou pay by weight
- timeMy only minor critique is that some of the soups, like the pickled vegetable broth, and stir-fry sauces can be a bit salty, so it's wise to use caution. Generally, if you don't mind standing in line for the all-you-can-eat bar and a potential 15-minute wait for your soup or noodles, it's definitely worth the time. I'd plan for a meal duration of about 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes.
- valuevalue is pretty good if you go meat-heavy
- weigh halfwayLiked that you could weigh half way to check how much you’re at
- weight of uncooked ingredientspay for the weight of uncooked ingredients
Frequently criticized
- priceYou get to choose what you want in your dish (meat, vegetables, noodles, etc.). I recommend not using too many noodles because they weigh it and it can feel too expensive. It's definitely delicious, healthy, and I think it's worth the price.
- expensiveexpensive and not worth to eat.
- priceyeven if it is a bit pricey
- selectionsIf the line appears long, I do not recommend coming here. Additionally, it's advisable to be conservative with your selections. I observed people overfilling their bowls, resulting in charges ranging from $35-65 for a single bowl of noodles.
- Over pricedOver priced
- choicescustomers need to be careful on how much they choose otherwise it gets out of hand, I e. very expensive
- costed by weightslightly overpriced, especially when it's costed by weight
- expensive stuffyou can rack up a lot of expensive stuff that is cheap material
- pay by the weight formatthe “pay by the weight” format can cause surprises
- plastic bagI highly recommend taking the broth home to use again to recoup some of the money. Make sure to bring a plastic bag from home, otherwise, they will charge you 25 cents for a bag. They do offer free plastic soup containers, though.
If youre mindful of your selections and the weight, you can craft a reasonably priced meal here. However, be warned: its easy for costs to spiral, making it feel quite expensive. Go in with a plan to avoid sticker shock, or you might find the value disappointing.
How are the prices at Tang Bar?
You’re looking at roughly 27 per person – reported by 84 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.
Most guests tend to spend in the 11 – 30 $ sweet spot, with a few venturing into higher-end options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 84 reviews.
A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels pretty fair for a Chinese restaurant in San Francisco. It offers a solid mid-range experience without breaking the bank, which is always a win in our book!
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tang Bar
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
9
Favorite Hot Pot Spot in SF!
This is hands down one of my favorite hot pot spots in SF! While it can be a bit pricey, I definitely recommend trying it when you can. It's almost always busy, but the wait in line goes by fast.
There can be a bit of a wait for your selected broth after choosing your ingredients, so you may have to check up on your order every now and then, especially when it gets really busy.
- hot pot9
- wait in line8
- wait for broth6
- pricey4
Price per Person
- $21–$30
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
8
Great Variety, Cozy Nook for Catching Up
I visited this restaurant with my brother and boyfriend, and we shared dishes. The variety of food was impressive, offering noodles, meats, and vegetables. Sharing made the price reasonable.
I particularly enjoyed the laksa soup and the sweet potato noodles and tofu, which were great ingredients. However, one must be careful not to accumulate expensive items made from cheaper materials. Unfortunately, they ran out of the tomyum soup by 3 pm.
The self-service aspect means you get your own items. Overall, it was a pleasant stop during our shopping trip, and we found a cozy nook that felt secluded and nice for catching up with friends.
- variety of food9
- price8
- laksa soup8
- expensive stuff4
- tomyum soup3
- self service5
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Regular Visit
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
8
Consistent and Good Food at Tang Bar
I've been to Tang Bar quite often, and it's always consistent. The food is excellent, earning a perfect 5/5. While the staff can be helpful, you might need to be patient with communication.
The atmosphere is also rated highly at 5/5. Parking can be somewhat difficult to find, but the free parking lot is a plus. For lunch, the price per person is between $10–20, and there was no wait.
- food10
- staff6
- atmosphere10
- parking space3
Price per Person
- $31–$40
Visit Type
- Casual Outing
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Nice Atmosphere, Busy but Worth It
My experience at Stonestown was generally nice. While the restaurant can be quite busy, making the eating atmosphere challenging at times, this is not the fault of the establishment. The food was rated a 5, and the service also received a 5.
The atmosphere itself was rated a 5. Parking can be somewhat difficult to find, but free parking is available in the lot.
- eating atmosphere6
- food10
- service10
- Parking space3
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Moderate (16–30 min.)
Noise Level
- Loud
6
Mixed Feelings: Good Taste, Wrong Order
My experience was a bit of a mixed bag. While the food tasted good, there was an issue with the order. I received kelp and a vegetable, which I specifically did not want as I hate kelp and don't eat vegetables.
The restaurant offered to remake the order, but the long line meant the cooking time would be too extensive. Despite the order mix-up, the food itself was enjoyable.
- food taste7
- kelp and a vegetable2
- hate kelp1
- don't eat vegetables1
What Tang Bar offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Tourists
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- Checks
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Offerings
- Healthy options
- Salad bar
- Small plates
- Organic dishes
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- No-contact delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
FAQs
What dining and service options does Tang Bar offer?
At Tang Bar, you can enjoy flexible dining with options like dine-in, takeout, and delivery, including no-contact delivery. They serve lunch, dinner, and also provide catering services. Seating is available for your comfort.
Does Tang Bar provide parking and accessibility features?
Yes, Tang Bar offers a free parking lot, usually with plenty of space. The restaurant is fully accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance, parking lot, seating, and restroom for your convenience.
How is Tang Bar generally rated by customers?
Tang Bar has an overall Restaurant Score of 6.3 and a Customer Satisfaction of 55%. While the Food (7.1) is rated good, Service (4.6), Value (5.3), and Ambience (5.9) are considered average.
What makes the food at Tang Bar a positive experience?
Customers frequently praise the delicious, fresh ingredients and the savory broth options. The customizable hot pot and malatang, allowing diners to create their own meals with bold flavors, are particularly well-received.
What are some common challenges diners face at Tang Bar?
Many customers report long wait times, especially during busy periods. Finding seating can also be difficult due to crowded conditions, and the “pay by weight” system means the meal can become pricey if not careful with selections.