Best minced chicken lettuce cups of my life. I even splurge and pay the extra $2 for all white meat. My favorite thing about the dish is that it's good hot, cold, with lettuce, with duck sauce, without ... it might become a problem. Everything is good here never ordered anything i didn't l like. Sesame Balls are yummy balls. read more

We ordered from Big Lantern via DoorDash tonight. We live out of town and are vegan,* and Big lantern had a ton of delicious options *we did not confirm vegan vs vegetarian on all items. The only item we did not love was the tofu vegetarian roll. We really enjoyed the vegetable turnip bun, chive dumpling with meatless "chicken," vegetable chow fun, basil tofu, and garlic eggplant. Also, arrived sooner than expected. Overall, we applaud them for delicious diet friendly options. read more

Yes Great Authentically delicious Freshly prepared Best I have tasted is California! read more

I have been going to Big Lantern since the early 2000s. It's changed hands a few times, even took some of the new owners some time to find their footing in making the food the way that I remembered and love. But, they always find their stride and make yummy food again. Big Lantern is my go to when I need a good meal, dim sum, lunch with friends, a date night, dinner before a movie at the Roxie, or just some comfort food (I need some meatless chicken chow mein right now! Waaah!!). They serve dim sum all day and have a lot of delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes. The prices are affordable too. Can't beat that! read more

I really like this authentic Chinese restaurant in my neighborhood. My waitress was super friendly and kind the last time I was here. I love their congee/jook; it warms the soul. They have a huge menu selection with a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. If you are looking for solid that won't cost a fortune, this is the spot! read more

Tried Big Lantern recently for the first time in awhile (it was a takeout regular when I lived super-close. I went with a friend who follows a vegan diet, and Big Lantern has a very impressive menu for both vegan and meat-inclusive diets. The veg dim sum combo, and meatless garlic chicken with broccoli were both delicious, and loved the healthy portion size of broccoli. Have since tried the meatless orange chicken, that's also super flavorful. Definitely a new go-to! read more

10 stars! These folks have awesome friendly customer service, great affordable high quality food and they love their customers! We came here for my brothers birthday, and then I just stopped in tonight, and I'm glad I did! Flavorful and delicious, I'll be back!;) Sorry no photos the food eats quickly, lol! read more

If you want to eat your Chinese food with 90's hip hop made by mustached, tatted guys, served to you by a nose ringed woman wearing acid washed, mom jeans ironically this place is not for you. If you want tasty, freshly cooked, unpretentious American Chinese food with pockets of authenticity...this is the place to go to and order from. They are pleasant without cloying. Never had a bad meal here. read more

Good, no frills Chinese food in the Mission. They're open late which is nice since most places close super early now. Quality food, good portions, fast service. read more

First bad review I've ever made for a resto, but diners need to be aware. Had the WORST food poisoning from this spot. Ordered a few dumplings, chicken mu shoo and bok choy. Only ate the dumplings, threw the rest away. Immediately after eating the dumplings I became sick, body aches, fever. Thought it was covid and got tested, negative. Had a feeling it was the food from here. After reading the other reviews it seems like this place is known for low quality food. I get a miss here or there, but when you have numerous customers complain it becomes a health hazard. Granted I did get takeout so it might've been ok in the resto, but either way, put some care into your output... read more

Been here 3 times whenever I wanted to show some vegetarian friends what authentic dim sum and Chinese looks like in SF. This place has possibly the best vegetarian menu of any Chinese restaurant I've been to. The dim sum is amazing, other dishes are great as well. Highly recommend! read more

This spot is old style friendly , great people , great food , love the walnuts , I think it's the best walnut shrimp I ever had ! read more

Big Lantern - Walnut pawn - Dim Sum Near Me - San Francisco, California

Vegetarian dim sum heaven! I really appreciated how many options they had for vegetarians and all of them were absolutely delicious. Fast and friendly service and reasonably priced. Will definitely be back! read more

Don't know what all the negative reviews are about this place, probably from all the people that moved here ten years ago and ruined the city. Anyways, I digress, I've ordered from here multiple times and have yet to be disappointed. The veggies are always cooked to perfection, not too soggy, nor undercooked. The meat is super tender, not too fatty, and the chicken doesn't have that day old/precooked flavor you get from some places. While it is a bit pricey (due to the previously mentioned people) its worth the price for me. Protip, call the restaurant directly and you will save 10-20 dollars on yelp or door dashes "service" fees. read more

i'm here right now and it's actually ridiculous i ordered an hour and half ago and walk in to see that they haven't even made my order yet. I specifically ordered ahead because online it said there would be a wait. Actually ridiculously bad service - i have never bothered to write a yelp review but this actually made me write it read more

Highly impressed with this place! Finding quality vegan options at a Chinese restaurant is rare but this place blew my mind. We ordered sesame meatless chicken which I think is a must try. I couldn't believe how accurate the texture was, even for a delivery order. I would give it a shot for anyone vegan or vegetarian! read more

I ordered a large soup send me a small. A large soup is $9.50. Really in happy with the portion. I had to go buy a canned soup

My new go-to for Chinese delivery in the Mission! We ordered veggie egg rolls, beef chow neon and sesame chicken and everything was absolutely delicious! I only gave 4 stars because they forgot to include our sodas. Will definitely order again! read more

Yummy! I ordered the hot and sour soup, string beans with fried tofu, ma po tofu, and potstickers. All were delicious--they did forget rice though, which is especially sad since I ordered two and was really looking forward to it with the ma po. The food was nicely spicy but not overwhelming, and I ordered "mild" when it was an option. read more

So good every single time!!! They have a separate menu that's entirely vegan and it's really just the yummiest food around. Big Lantern has been my go to for years. The mandarin meatless chick'n is particularly sublime. read more

I want to give them 4 stars but they don't deserve it. They fell short of expectations, serving mostly uninspired vegetarian dishes consisting of putting mock meets in dishes where they don't belong. I highly recommend the tofu skin rolls and turnip cakes. Do not recommend the black bean veggie fish, green onion pancake, and veggie siu mai. Oh and double check everything! They made us the black bean fish dish with REAL fish even though we made it very clear that we're vegetarians. And they didn't bring us the veggie chicken pastry, so we don't know if it's good or not. read more

I simply love coming here whenever I'm in SF near the mission - it's usually never crowded and the food always hits. Dim sum never fails (pork buns are my fav) and they have vegetarian options. Good spot for a group of 4-6 after a show at the Roxie or Victoria - BARTable! read more

Big Lantern - Dim Sum Near Me - San Francisco, California

I've been coming here on and off for about a decade, so yeah I'm a fan. It's a great place to grab appetizers in the Mission when you're hitting one of the dive bars, or to go sit down with your gal for dinner. Kat and I recently visited and it was just what the doctor ordered! I'm a fan of the 'paper wrapped chicken', 'pot stickers', the 'crab puffs', and the 'mongolian beef'. We also enjoyed the 'pork buns'. Prices are reasonable. Parking can be tough in the neighborhood, just a warning not their fault....... I will happily be back for more! read more

Big Lantern - Kat sez...."Bring on the Dim Sum!" - Dim Sum Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sooo delicious!! The noodle chicken dish was my favorite! Definitely will order again.

very mid all around im sorry. we got the numbing noodles, fried rice and onion pancake. it was all very bland

In our neighborhood we get bombarded with take out restaurant flyers/menus every week, but on one windy, cold and foggy night in San Francisco (like every other night) we were craving Chinese food and took a chance on Big Lantern (whose flyer was actually rubber banded to our neighbor's doorknob). I can honestly say that the food has been hot and delicious, and they are always quick to deliver. It's been nice to have a Chinese take-out restaurant that is reliable. 1. Sesame Cold Noodle Salad - double yum 2. Snow Peas and Lily Bud with Prawn (never knew what Lily Bud were, but double yum too) 3. Kung Pao Chicken (we've tried some pretty scary KPC in our time, but this is pretty darned good) 4. Salmon w/ Asparagus (pleasantly surprised how good it is, and we didn't even mind the smell that happens after one eats Asparagus) I do have to admit we live fairly close (Mission/Dolores Park/Market Street area), and we still haven't actually been to the restaurant, but will continue to make this our Chinese take-out of choice. MA read more

I'd expect a Chinese place to serve Chinese food. This is just deep fried crap. I don't know what else to say, I'd expect to get what I paid for but I just lost out on money and now I'm starving. read more

Big Lantern - This is not a wonton - Dim Sum Near Me - San Francisco, California

The boy was hungry and his co-workers were here, enter Yelp Mobile directions which allowed us to find the place. Walking in and reading 'Dim Sum', my heart soared. You only need look at my Dim Sum list to know, I ADORE the stuff. Right away I ordered pork buns, as per usuality. Then went with a sizzling rice soup and an order of foil wrapped chicken. The boy got a sweet and sour pork dish and chow mein. Two words? Too spiced. Not spicy, spiced. My soup didn't bother me at first, but slowly I started to notice that it was more salty than I have ever, EVER found sizzling rice soup to be. For those of you who do not partake, SRS is usually quite bland and subtle, the strongest flavor being the chicken within the broth. This was so spiced up I literally could not finish it. But then add in some of the most over flavored foil wrapped chicken I think I have ever tasted, and Chow mein that we could barely touch (I actually choked at one point from the overwhelming flavor) and you have yourself one very disappointed Meg. The sweet and sour pork was fair. I mean, it's quite hard to mess up sweet and sour pork, and the porn buns were good but small. Two stars. Because I don't care how big your lantern is honey, you got some damn small buns. read more

I've been eating at this place since the Mid-90s. It's my number 1 "comfort food" spot. The food is tasty, they're open late and the staff are very friendly. Where else can you get dim sum all day? Great meatless selection for vegetarians and vegans too! read more

I honestly don't have a review on the food at all, I wish I did but I'm unable to comment. We are from Sacramento, so San Francisco is a day trip thing for us. Our options were dwindling the later it was getting. (I'm in the restaurant industry & won't show up 5 minutes before close or anything like that). So we traveled outside our walking ability and familiarity to get there at a decent hour. The hours clearly said on multiple sites that they closed at 11. We grabbed a $25 Uber & got there at 10:10. Where we were told it was only take out. Almost an hour before closing time. My person experienced in the industry & this is nothing I've ever encountered, enforced, nothing I would ever let my employees do. Because we are out of town we didn't have like a place to eat, car wasn't with us. It was honestly disgraceful. Thank god it lead us to this Amazing cheesesteak shop store down the street or I would have been raving mad about the $50 Uber. read more

Hopefully my foods on the way two hours ago because I just got off the phone with them and they're apparently closed ( telling me to contact their 3rd party company ) eat 24 to find out what happened to my order, then was hung up on after being very calm over the phone. Why would I contact somebody you have under contract to find my order ? Not chill ... read more

Consistently good go-to Chinese in the neighborhood, especially if I want dim sum without going to the avenues. Clean, friendly service in a comfortable dining room. Dim sum is made to order! read more

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They have veggie dim sum They have veggie dim sum and this is unique to the Bay Area. What more can I tell you? The food is good and I specifically asked for uncooked dim sum so I could steam it when I got home as it was quarantine and there was no indoor dining. It was perfect. read more

Decent food with great store hours. I got to the restaurant at 11:40 and they gladly accommodated my last minute orders. I stumbled upon this place after craving some late night munchies. I ordered Beef Satay Chow Fun and Fried Onion Pancakes, two relatively satisfying dishes. The Beef Satay Chow Fun (dry) was definitely good! I wasn't a fan of the vegetables, but it wasn't too bad! This is definitely a 4/5 dish! Plus, the portions were huge for one person. The Fried Onion Pancakes (appetizer) was okay. It had a strong flour-ly taste which... to a certain extent...is not exactly a tasteful dish. I wish it had more green onions and tasted less like batter. But hey! At least it was warm, crispy, and definitely delicious at a near midnight time. Oh, and please skip the dipping sauce. It didn't complement too well. I was disappointed our water cups didn't get refilled, but hey! Its a Chinese restaurant after all, so I can't complain too much. If I'm ever craving Chinese food, Big Lantern will definitely be on my list of considerations! read more

This is my go to Sunday night Chinese fix, I tend to stick with the same dishes. They have great ma po tofu and garlic chicken. Their seafood dishes are good too with great shrimp. read more

I ordered a couple of lunch special plates and the soup that was served was so disgusting my whole family was in agreement that it taste like water and liquid smoke (not kidding). I have to say I was happy with the chow mein, but I'm still in search for a Chinese food place that's gonna have me running back time and time again. Still haven't found that place... read more

I've gotten take-out from this restaurant several times, and I just won't do it anymore! The food is extra greasy, the flavors are really weak (swallowed up by the oiliness, I think), and once they charged us $21 for two large containers of plain white rice!! For comparison's sake, that same amount of rice is $8 from Mission Chinese! And one time, they forgot to include the rice I'd already paid for in their delivery, but because it was the end of their night, the delivery guy just told me there was nothing he could do at that time of night! Basically, I had to first cook my own rice at home, and my food was ice cold by the time my homemade rice was ready. I get that this isn't a fancy place, that Big Lantern doesn't exist to offer high-quality grub, but I DO think that for the price, it's at best painfully mediocre, and there are many other Chinese restaurants in this town that do a much better job. This restaurant is officially on my nope list! read more

Got delivery. I had the salt and pepper porkchop and dim sum platter. Freakin delicious and everything I expect from American Chinese food. Will need to order a few more times to give you something super duper useful. That's all I have for now. Ughhhh, so yummy!!! read more

Garlic chicken is amazing, and delivery is quick. Hot and sour soup is also great. Worth it!

Haters gon' hate but Big Lantern is the bee's knees. Who doesn't want greasy salty fried goodness at all hours of the night?! Hello garlic fried rice, send over general tso's chicken, save me some beef chow fun, don't hog the honey walnut shrimp, the green beans are my main source of fiber, and I'll eat anything eggplant. Q1: Is it authentic Chinese you ask? Is anything authentic Chinese after decades of exposure to Twinkies, bagel bites, Costco rotisserie chicken, and late night comedy specials on HBO?! Maybe I'm projecting a bit here but seems to me the real question is why is any restaurant named for something you'd buy in the outdoor garden section at Lowe's is being judged for its genealogy? Q2: Is Big Lantern perfect? Is Brad Pitt even perfect?! Ok yes, Big Lantern has made me wait over 70 minutes for a 2 mile delivery, yes Big Lantern has hung up on me a couple times. But you know what? It was worth it and I relish the day when Brad returns my calls so I can compare. Please bring the dimsum combo when you come over Brad. read more