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    Chef Hunan

    4.2 (79 reviews)
    InexpensiveCantonese
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:30 pm

    Chef Hunan Photos

    Business Info

    CHEF HUNAN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Passed the crowd yay
    Crisy G.

    Our first time back after 2 years of not eating here,,, cuz of bff at this route been working n caring for his mom during his off days,, n this restaurant has changed ownership...I took Lyft n finally met up with him,, I went in n ordered.. sweet n sour pork, lamb clay pot, house chow mein , n braised vegetables tofu,, as the dishes came out,, I am very blind of not see the tofu dish right n mistake for clay pot dish,,, ;( ,,, the noodles was just ok,, lamb clay pot was lots of water chestnuts n ginger n the taste was off for me.. tofu veggies the veggies was over cooked n taste yuck.. the good tasty was only sweet n sour pork,, must be new cooks,,, I had it box home lamb n tofu to bring home n toss in trash ... hmmmm disappointed... its not enough wok chi in the dishes... I'm not thinking about coming anytime soon ....

    Family style meal
    Janis Z.

    My Chinese food spot growing up!! Love chef hunan, delicious food will always be expected here.

    Menu
    meL Z.

    Great deal if you are in the area for some Chinese food. Portion size is also good. Usually come for take out but they have dining area.

    Menu, 1 of 2 (CASH ONLY!)
    Cherylynn N.

    There's nothing "hot", "instagrammable", or "trendy" about Chef Hunan... Well, other the piping hot food coming out of the kitchen. There's only been 9 reviews posted in 3+ years for Chef Hunan but they're still here in the city so that says a lot, than most "new new" restos that barely make it a year. Chef Hunan has been serving the local Excelsior community for 2+ decades. They're open for takeout and indoor dining only. No delivery and no outdoor dining. M E N U Extensive menu of Cantonese and American-Chinese dishes (not really a hunan resto as the name may indicate). Most dishes are $11-$12. Lunch specials served everyday from 11 am - 3 pm: $8.25 - $12.25. Complimentary hot tea for dine-in. CASH ONLY. F O O D * 椒鹽雞翼 Salt & Pepper Fried Chicken Wings (10 pc - $12): https://tinyurl.com/2b4e34ud Hot, crispy, and salty. The flats were a tad overdone but still tender. They're not Capital wings but they'll do without having to trek to Chinatown. * 豆腐牛腩煲 Braised Beef Stew & Tofu Claypot ($13.80): https://tinyurl.com/2nr6bfhu Served bubbly hot, the flavorful stew was very home-y and comforting especially paired with a bowl of steamed rice. The tofu was the star....crisp and meltingly soft. The beef stew (rough flank) was on the chewy side but manageable. * 清炒菜遠 Stir-Fried Tender Green: Yu Choy ($11): https://tinyurl.com/3tp56cz3 Simply prepared, the yu choy was blanched then stir-fried with garlic. It was overdone since it lost its crispness but otherwise fine. Gotta have your greens in a Cantonese meal. S E R V I C E All business and prompt with just one chef and one server. The phone kept ringing during lunchtime so great to see they're busy with takeout orders. A M B I A N C E Old-skool but clean with 10-11 tables. P A R K I N G Very challenging street parking so more of a neighborhood spot. Overall, if you live in the south side of the city and looking for humble Cantonese fare that serves up generous portions while being easy on the wallet, give Chef Hunan a try!

    Beef wonton soup, beef with brocolli over rice, pot stickers
    Daphne W.

    CASH ONLY I love this place when you dine in the portions are even bigger and the price is really good for all the food we got. Potstickers were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. I would come back here again and again.

    Beef with Tofu
    Jan R.

    Food 4/5 Service 5/5 Ambiance 4/5 Convenience 5/5 Looking for something quick, affordable and good? Look no further. Chef Hunan on Mission always delivers. One thing though is that they're cash only. Make sure you at least have a $20 if you're going out for a quick lunch. I like that this place although a little dark looks and actually is clean unlike other similar Chinese restaurants in the area. I recommend their salted pork chops and any lunch special. Bang for your buck for sure! And have I mentioned the portions are huge?

    Braised tofu and vegetables
    Arlene C.

    Didn't feel like meat, so I got braised Tofu & Vegetables and Eggplant w/salted fish clay pot. Braised tofu vegetable was laden with lots of garlic. The tofu was crispy on the outside and creamy soft on the inside. Eggplant had nice big slices of ginger. There was plenty of salted fish, but not enough to raise the blood pressure! I need to try the Gnow Nam next time. Remember to bring cash, as it's CASH ONLY!!!

    Eggplant garlic - 3 stars. Mostly sour in flavor. Eggplant soft in texture. We asked for this non-spicy. Thu lunch 2020-01-09
    Ziyan C.

    Basic, inexpensive, no wait. I had a craving for Beef Chow Fun and this place satisfied me. Not all dishes were great but averages out to a 3-star place (also note "spicy" is more like "extremely mild"). Also, it's a 2-minute walk from our house so it's convenient. Otherwise no reason to go out of your way! THE FOOD: * Eggplant garlic - 3 stars * Garlic prawn - 2.5 stars * Beef chow fun - 3.5 stars * Wonton soup - 2.5 stars

    Beef chow fun, beef clay pot
    Emily W.

    I've had a lot of Chinese food in my lifetime, but Chef Hunan's is something else! I am literally writing this review as I eat because it is that good. I ordered the beef chow fun and they tasted better than anywhere else I've had. There was also tons of meat, and it was a large enough portion for two people! The chili sauce they had on the side made it even better. It had a good kick, whereas sometimes at other restaurants the spice is just weak. As for the beef clay pot - you MUST get it!! The tofu is so soft inside but the outside of it still holds it together well. It just melted in my mouth omg. And there's also huge chunks of beef - the kind you would find in beef noodle soup! There is so much of it. And also it has veggies which I love! The sauce is so delicious. Pair it with some rice and you've got yourself three meals. Both of these together were only $25! Such a good deal, and remember cash only. The staff was also super nice and let us sip on tea while we waited. Our food was ready in 5 minutes so we didn't wait long! I could've sat there for 10 more minutes the tea was so good I already had drank two tea cups! It was just us there and one person getting takeout so it was quiet besides the staff watching TV and commenting on it, but I really loved the vibe. COME SUPPORT THIS GREAT RESTAURANT!!! You will not regret!

    Sandra G.

    Other day me craving sweet n sour pork.. omg friends u all must come n order this.. the batter so lite n crunchy. Even with that sauce u still has the crunch.. party in my mouth.. worth every bite.. first time order pan fried house special noodles .. woooohoooo.. so fresh hot n tasty.. but most of the items in menu is so so good.. prices r reasonably good.. if I can I would come 3 times a week to eat here...

    Runny egg over chow fun

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    5 months ago

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    6 days ago

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    5 months ago

    Ordered Mongolian Beef lunch plate & it was good! Huge portions for the price & very flavorful. Quick service & cash only.

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    8 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    9 months ago

    Their lunch special is the best bang for your buck, I always get their fried rice. Great place and nice people, fast service. Cash only.

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    8 months ago

    Amazing customer service and even better food service. Definitely a must if you are looking for some Chinese food

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    3 years ago

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    9 months ago

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    2 years ago

    Good Chinese food. Cash only. Negative is no delivery available. Fresh and not too oily.

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    7 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Favorite Chinese spot around here, they're closed on Sunday now which is a bummer, cause I like to have Chinese food on Sunday

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 2

    Chef Hunan Reviews in Other Languages

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    Four Kings 四大天王

    Four Kings 四大天王

    4.2
    (456 reviews)
    5.1 mi
    $$$

    I saw online that this place is one of the most sought after reservations on Open Table. I tried my…read moreluck at getting a reservation and was pleasantly surprised when I was able to get a reservation! Reservations open 3 weeks in advanced at noon. Walk ins are also welcome. One note is that parking can be a bit challenging so get there a bit early. The inside is lively and filled me with so much nostalgia with the decor. The staff is really attentive and friendly. I also appreciate the free peanuts and cucumber salad that you get when you're seated. My boyfriend and I ordered a lot of food because we wanted to try so many things! The lamb skewer was super moist and had a nice flavor. The XO escargot with milkbread had a nice buttery, garlic taste. The milk bread was fluffy and when dipped in the sauce it tasted very rich. We also got the clay pot rice and it reminded me of when I had it in China. The rice was crispy at the bottom and well seasoned. My favorite dish of the night was the squab. It was cooked excellently and the skin was really crispy. The five spice powder on the side really brought out the flavor of the meat. The eggplant was cooked well and portion was good but it didn't stand out as much as the other dishes. Overall, I would visit this place again. It definitely lives up to the hype. The squab and and clay pot rice were the stand outs to me but all the other food was really tasty as well.

    I saw a random 9:15pm reservation for 2 available, so I snagged it, excited for this very hyped…read morerestaurant. Was it worth it? Honestly, I think I have to readjust my expectations for the SF food scene. If there were no wait/reservation, I would think of this as a very solid restaurant (hence the 4 stars). The beef chow fun is on par with ones I'd get in NYC Chinatown, and was actually not very overpriced. Our server was very sweet but only recommended things that my friend did not love (seafood/spicy food). I was excited for the spicy cabbage, hoping it'd be comparable to the addictive spicy cabbage at Uluh (NYC). I was disappointed. The popcorn chicken was a bit dry; I would not get it again. The mapo spaghetti had heat, but not much flavor, and it was okay for me - worth getting because it sounded intriguing, but fell short of my expectations, especially since I've made mapo udon, mapo ramen, and mapo pie at home that were better. The escargots with milk bread was definitely my favorite; sourcing escargot alone is a plus and it was very well-executed. The milk bread was fantastic, pillowy and soft. Our server was very nice and offered to move us to the cute window seats after we were already seated at the counter, which I really appreciated. However, would I spend energy trying to get a reservation here or waiting in line? Absolutely not. It makes me sad to think that this is the pinnacle of Cantonese food in this city full of Cantonese people, but I guess it makes me extra appreciate food in NYC.

    Photos
    View of kitchen
    View of kitchen
    Sichuan cabbage
    Sichuan cabbage
    Fish fragrant eggplant

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    Fish fragrant eggplant
    Kam Po Kitchen

    Kam Po Kitchen

    3.9
    (708 reviews)
    5.3 mi
    $

    Not fancy. No pearls. No Gucci. This is a place for the…read morefood. Auntie gets your order or you order chopped chicken or roast duck by the window kind of place. There's room to dine-in, but it will be a small space. But the food is very good and very affordable. All the classic HK style dishes that won't sacrifice flavor just because you're on a budget. No shame in that, man. Eat because it's a basic human need. Enjoy flavor while your taste buds can still thank you for it. I was grabbing some meals to-go. Walked in like a boss, ordered in my native tongue, and the output were some good meals that were shared. Ordered a fam favorite with their Mongolian Beef and also their Spicy Eggplant entrees. All was delicious as usual and pretty filling. This is a cash only spot, so bring your bills. They take orders in English, just annunciate your words or just point at the menu of what you want. They are friendly if you're friendly lol.

    Walk a little, save a lot. Kam Po is a long block up from Stockon to Powell on Broadway, and…read moredelivered a dining experience that was calmer and less expensive than most of the shops down below. I was craving noodle soup with duck, and Kam Po checked the boxes. When I saw it was $9 on the not very descriptive menu I figured it must be a small portion so I also ordered a pork stomach dish because I love offal. (By the way, the current menu is much shorter than what is shown on many Yelp photos.) The noodle soup serving was enormous, as it turned out, with a very generous amount of very meaty duck which I happily gnawed my way through. The broth was ok but improved with some chili oil and red vinegar on the table. There is also some cabbage in the broth and the noodles are Singapore-style vermicelli; next time I would see if I can substitute fun.The pork stomach (piggy equivalent of tripe, with a very different form factor) was tender and juicy and nicely complemented by some scallions, leeks and medallions of ginger in its stir-fry. No complex tastes or extra spices, just good HK-style BBQ.

    Photos
    Ambiance + Seating
    Ambiance + Seating
    Water pea shoots
    Water pea shoots
    Roast Pork

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    Roast Pork
    Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant

    Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant

    3.9
    (1.2k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$

    Very authentic! Amazing and friendly staff. The food is absolutely the best!…read moreMy husband, 17 year-old and 13 year-old and I enjoyed everything! Large portions and the price is right! Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomach but we're looking forward to having leftovers tomorrow!! A family friendly atmosphere!

    Delicious Cantonese food, my Cantonese family enjoyed it! Heads up, the restaurant is located on…read morethe second floor. We were a little lost at first then I remembered reading reviews about the location and found the staircase leading up to the entrance. We came on a Saturday around 6 pm and were seated right away. It's not that big inside so it got really busy as we ate. We shared 4 dishes among 4 people and were stuffed! Portions are pretty big and prices are surprisingly good! -House pan fried noodle (4.5/5): Delicious and crispy noodles with not an overwhelming amount of sauce, savory and came with lots of chicken and shrimp, did get kinda salty at the end -Chicken and salted fish fried rice (4/5): moist, flavorful, and not overly salty. Lots of chicken with a little salted fish, could've used more wok hei taste -Salt and pepper rock cod fillet (4/5): thick and moist pieces with a slight crisp, nicely seasoned and flavorful though a bit salty -Beef stew clay pot with bean curd & mushroom (3.5/5): beef was tender and moist, saucy but kinda plain so needed more flavor

    Photos
    Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant
    Mongolian Beef
    Mongolian Beef
    Egg Fried Rice

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    Egg Fried Rice
    Yongzi Ji Restaurant

    Yongzi Ji Restaurant

    4.5
    (61 reviews)
    3.2 mi

    Stopped by Yongzi Ji for an early Saturday breakfast right when they open at 11:30 am. The place…read morewas still quiet, so we were seated immediately. We ordered : - Braised beef wonton noodle soup : noodles had that perfect springy bite, the broth was light , well seasoned & comforting. The braised beef was melt in your mouth tender, and the wontons were fresh, plump, and juicy. Everything was on point. - Fish porridge : I appreciate that the congee is not too soupy/ watered down. It was hearty and fish was delicately cooked just right, not dry or rubbery like some places. - Curry fish balls with pork rind : Good side dish, nicely seasoned with a spicy kick which we loved. Parking was relatively easy, there's metered spots across the street. Service was fast & efficient, the aunty who served us was super friendly and on top of everything. The interior is clean and comfy with a chill, welcoming vibe. Definitely planning to return, especially for another bowl of that beef noodle soup!

    Came here with my boyfriend and it was a great chill date spot!…read more Good: - The value of the family dinner is insane - we got the Hong Kong style and it came with like 5 different dishes - I liked the eggroll, very crispy and came with a super tasty sauce - The fried rice was really good - We ended up with so much food we had another meal to bring home - and for less than $20 each! - Service was incredibly fast and also they were very nice Bad: - It's a bit hectic inside since it gets busy! Overall, it was such a good deal and the staff were really efficient and nice and would come back!

    Photos
    Yongzi Ji Restaurant
    Yongzi Ji Restaurant
    Yongzi Ji Restaurant

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    HK Lounge Bistro

    HK Lounge Bistro

    4.2
    (305 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    Excellent dim sum spot!! Yes, it's definitely pricey, but everything from the food to the service…read moreand ambiance was fantastic. We ordered 8 items and everything was top quality, but my favorites were: - Ribeye XO "Dan Dan" mein with sesame sauce - Berkshire pork Shanghai soup dumplings (XLB) - Crispy shrimp & meat tofu skin roll It's a small restaurant and was super busy when we went around 11:40am on a Sunday, but luckily we were seated immediately when we walked in. Service was very friendly and efficient. Our server also helped refill our teapot with hot water when we finished the first pot. I really enjoyed the meal here and will definitely be back to try the dinner menu next time!

    I was able to get a walk-in table for dinner on a Sunday evening. The restaurant is pretty small,…read moreand the service was great. I will say, the restaurant felt a bit... drab. There was no music playing and it felt like everyone was whispering at their tables because it felt weird to talk at a normal volume. The interior design also does not match the quality/price of the food - I really think this place could use a redesign and new paint job... Anyway, the food overall was good, but definitely on the pricey side. We got two items off the seasonal menu - a spicy shrimp wonton starter, and the country fried rice. The wontons were good, but not spicy, and the fried rice was really good. It definitely could have used some chili oil on top, but was still good as it was served. The food also came out pretty quickly and was a great temperature. We also got the spicy string beans. They were alright, but not much better than any other dim sum restaurant's. Our total after tax & tip was about $100 for two people, with just two starters, one main dish, and a single beer. This definitely feels high for the quality/quantity of the food, but the great service helps makes up for this. I would say if this place got a redesign and lowered the prices a bit, it would be booked up every day.

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    HK Lounge Bistro
    Rib eye chow fun (best chow fun ever?) possibly. so delicious
    Rib eye chow fun (best chow fun ever?) possibly. so delicious
    Shanghai dumpling

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    Shanghai dumpling
    Good Mong Kok Bakery

    Good Mong Kok Bakery

    4.1
    (3.9k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $

    Was craving to go Dim Sum in Chinatown and landed on Good Mong Kok Bakery and was extremely…read moresatisfied. We came on a Monday at around 1pm, and there was about a 15 person line, but by the time we left it almost doubled that. We did come while the World Cup was happening, so I'm assuming a large chunk of that were tourists. We got the Pork Siu Mai, Shrimp Dumpling and Sesame Balls, and they're as good as I've had at restaurants, maybe even better! I definitely recommend the sesame balls, they were the perfect sweet treat! We were also hoping to get pot stickers but were told they were all out. Be patient and be ready to wait. Expect no frills, cheap eats and good food. Luckily, they accept apple pay as a good portion of places in Chinatown are cash only. Will definitely be back if I'm in the area!

    Pretty good. I'm not really a connoisseur of dim sum, but we generally liked what we ordered. The…read moresigns highlighting the top menu items was so helpful. Service was efficient, which was great because the line in this takeout dive was LONG. I think there was a language barrier between myself and the person taking our order, or maybe I just wasn't listening fast enough, but we got through it and I think I got what I asked for. More than enough food to feed a family of 6 for less than $30, and we took it to Washington Square to eat in the park.

    Photos
    Good Mong Kok Bakery
    Baked Char siu bun and Seasame balls
    Baked Char siu bun and Seasame balls
    Scallion bun

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    Scallion bun

    Chef Hunan - cantonese - Updated July 2026

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