Waited for table with a reservation there was a four top but they seat a heterosexual couple that came in after us.

I had dinner at Sampan with another couple on Friday night. We met them at the Graffiti Bar in the back and I really dug the vibe. I loved that it was psuedo outdoors, but had a great urban feel. We arrived to our table and it was a tight fit. I felt like it was a little crowded and could easily hear the conversations around me. I started off with a delicious champange/sangria cocktail. We ordered a carafe after our first ones amd drank them the rest of the evening. I ordered the Lobster and Shrimp Dumplings and my boyfriend ordered the "Philly Cheesesteak." I really enjoyed the dumplings and the miso broth wasn't tooo sweet which I really like. The cheesesteak was ok. I couldn't pinpoint the spice that was in there that I didn't care for, but everyone at the table really liked them, so maybe it's just my own personal preference. For my entree I ordered the Shrimp and Scallop (yes, I love seafood) and the bf ordered the filet. The seafood was cooked perfected and the sauce was light and tasty. The filet was cooked to a perfect medium. My only compaint was that it arrived 10 minutes after everyone elses food arrived. Our server was very informative, walked us through the menu and was helpful and great at giving us some recommendations. She was attentitive and kept my champagne glass full, which I always enjoy. Overall my experience was good. I would go back, but wouldn't mind sitting at a table that was a bit more intimate. read more

I went to Sampan for the first time on Thursday night, since I'd heard lots of buzz about it. First off, I want to make clear that if this review was about food alone, I would give it 4 stars. I loved the tapas style, and most dishes were exquisite (the edamame dumplings are a must, as is the beef and papaya salad, and the lamb satay is delightful). Two notable low-points were the fillet (which had an odd, almost bad, flavour to the meat, a sickly-sweet sauce and fries that tasted like the oil needed changing a week ago), and the chicken satay, which was delivered red and bloody in the middle the first time. I didn't have cocktails, so I can't comment on that, but the sake I had was delicious. So, why the 2-star rating? First, there's the noise. Like another reviewer noted, the music selection is all wrong, with a random mix of genres and jarring changes between them. On top of that, the music is played at such a high volume that I literally had to yell to have a conversation with my fellow diners...and we were at a tiny table for 3! To make matters worse, because there is nothing to absorb sound on the floor or walls, the chatter from other tables in deafening. The other issue I had was with one of the food servers, who delivered the majority of dishes to our table. Every single dish he placed on the table was described as "phenomenal" in a screeching voice that was like nails on a blackboard...and we had to endure this NINE TIMES! And it wasn't just us treated to this 'delight'; he was doing this at every table...completely unnecessary and extremely annoying. So, I'm sad to say I won't be going back to Sampan, which is a shame because I really did enjoy the food. However, if they could fix the noise issue (and get rid of that irritating food server) I'd be back in a heartbeat! read more

Our waiter was being a nosey man and a bit snarky. This may have been the reason he screwed up my order...he was too into trying to understand my purpose in Philly opposed to trying to understand why my stomach was growling and my face portrayed deep hunger. ANYWAY! So it took a while for me to warm up to him. I'm a people person but he was a little much. I realized he's either overly friendly or has a huge dream of being a cop and interrogating people all day. Or maybe I was just that hungry I wasn't into the small talk. Two margaritas in and I'm desperately waiting for the duck fried rice I ordered. The meal comes and what do you know I got me some BANGING FRIED RICE...less the duck. I brought this to our waiter's attention and he apologized. On top of apologizing he let me keep the incorrect fried rice to take home (which made an excellent hangover breakfast), as I waited for my duck to bust thru the doors. I love Asian fusion cuisines especially in dim lit places. IDK...something about fried rice with a candle in front of you while straining your eyes to read the menu, just gives me so much pleasure. I really liked the food here. I'm big on egg in my fried rice and here you have the option of how you'd like it to be cooked. The duck was tender too, not those rough pieces that you mistaken for roast pork. Waiter was a bit extra but outside of that the drinks and food was good and the price was reasonable for the area. The portions are hefty easily can do a 2 for 1 special (make two meals of it for one price) Oh!!! I LOVE the bathrooms here. Take your time and take a piss you'll get what I mean... read more

Sampan is such a great Asian fusion restaurant located in very nice area on the city. The tapas were fantastic, and even though it was quite pricey for the size of the portions, it did not make me like the food any less. Specifically, I really liked the lamb satay which was very tender and savory. My friend and I both agreed that the edamame dumplings and the crispy rock shrimp were our favorite from the night; both possessing a very savory, and distinct taste. The Peking duck and pork bao bun were subpar but worth trying. I wasn't a big fan of the crab wonton tacos, but that's just out of preference. Definitely check this place out if you're looking to try something new. The decor is also a plus. read more

PROS: Good service, giant portions CONS: Expensive tasting menu What's unfortunate is that the food, although quite good, was not amazing, especially for the hefty price attached to the tasting menu. It's difficult not to draw comparisons between Sampan and Buddakan, when the cuisine, style, and prices are so similar. The edamame dumplings and fried rice dishes are way better (more delicate and well-composed) at Buddakan. The pad thai dish was overrated. I'm also not quite sure I enjoy the imposed rule of having to order all the same dishes at a table to make the kitchen's job easier. read more

Edamame dumplings 10/10 General tsos dumpling 10/10 Crab wonton taco 10/10 Xo beef fried rice 10/10 Overall, great experience. It was a burst of flavors for the palette. We will definitely be back! read more

I couldn't believe Yelp had this listed at 3.5 stars, so I felt compelled to write my own review since they definitely deserve more. After going to many dinners and happy hours here, we decided to have our rehearsal dinner here. (Note to brides: this is a perfect place if you are having a large rehearsal dinner--our guests loved it). Our guests couldn't stop gushing about the food and ambiance. They were very easy to work with (although the management staff turned over with alarming frequently--I think it's been pretty secure since May though). All in all, Sampan is WONDERFUL! The food is delish, the decor is super-modern, and the waitstaff is solid. But arguably the best part is the off-the-menu Scorpion Bowl. It's essentially grown-up jungle juice in a fishbowl with a bunch of straws. Plan on making friends ;-) read more

Unbelievable happy hour. Fantastic quick service despite the fact that it was crowded. The food is indescribable. Indescribably good. Pretty loud at happy hour, but who cares. You're eating. Best restaurant experience in a long time. read more

Sampan - Happy hour - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Went directly to Graffiti Bar...after a whiskey sour, 1/2 bottle of wine, and 2 beers (just getting the night started). Was able to sit at bar. 24oz Lager was $8. Holy shit! Wife ordered some fancy drink. I don't remember. It was expensive as well. I liked the idea. Crowd was mixed. Some were snooty. Some just wanted to chug 24oz beers (not me). The alley leading to the outside bar is unsettling. It had been raining, so the gutter above the alleyway entrance was dripping water. Some boards were covering puddles at the entrance. I'd go back. I guess. read more

I've been here maybe a half dozen times now over the past three years, but just recently went again and thought that it was finally time to write a review. This place has good food, great drinks, and a pretty "hip" (read: young & loudish) atmosphere. I'm normally opposed to places with "hip" atmospheres, but this place is great because the quality of the food is in no way compromised. So, let's talk food. The edamame dumplings are a must-try. They are creamy and soft, and have a nice balance of flavors. The broth that they come is delicately balanced, and I guarantee that this will be a crowd favorite. The pork bao buns are also very delicious. Depending on your perspective, they're either overpriced or right on the money. These are "upscale" pork bao buns - think Momofuku with a bit more of a sweet note. Nice amount of meat on the inside. The only thing I could say negatively about this is that I think it could be slightly improved with a bit of pickled veggies to give it a bit more acid to cut through the sweetness. The crispy spicy shrimp is okay. I think they went a bit too heavy on the batter, and I think the sauce could be improved by giving it a bit more of a kick. I prefer the similar item at Morimotos. They have some pickled radish here that I personally thoroughly enjoyed however. The pan fried lamb was very delicious. The cumin was very strong, but quite enjoyable. We ordered this along side the duck fried rice, and I thought that both were generously portioned and very delicious. I have also tried a few other items in my previously trips. The menu is often rotating so many of these might not be currently available but may be in the future. The pork belly satay is on point and probably my favorite of the satays that they offer. The kimchi fried rice is solid and works well as a side dish to your main course. The szechuan chicken was probably my least favorite item I've tried here - it kinda just tastes like standard Asian stir fry sauce. The lemongrass scallops are great - but as with scallops at any restaurant, the portion was small. Finally, for dessert, I have ordered the strawberry-basil panna cotta. I thought that this was absolutely delicious. I think they actually could have opted for a slightly smaller serving size. I prefer the raspberry panna cotta from Buddakan, but the straweberry-basil at Sampan was quite enjoyable. read more

I made 5pm reservations for Sampan on a whim on Saturday for my boyfriend and I - when we got there I realized why that was the only time. The place was PACKED as early as 5pm. The atmosphere is really hip inside - kind of dark but with really wonderful lighting and artwork. The bathroom I went into played random clips from movies through the speakers which was kind of weird. It's the kind of place I would like to come get a cocktail and a small plate before a night out. My boyfriend and I ordered a variety of things - here there are ranked with the top being the best and the bottom being the least: Kale & Calamari Salad - delicious and huge! Loved the beer battered calamari and we didn't even use the dressing. I would definitely come back just for this dish. Korean Fried Chicken - great portion for the price and damn tasty XO Scallops - not a whole lot for the price (even for scallops) but flavorful and delicious Shrimp Dumpling - not really flavorful just heavily drizzled in garlic chili oil Pork Bao Bun - also not very flavorful Crab Wonton Taco - It tasted more like tuna salad in a wonton taco and for the price it is really not worth it. Loved the wonton part but I would skip this entirely. The service was FANTASTIC and friendly given the free flow way of the kitchen - everything came out fresh and plates were cleared at a great place. The bottom half of that list was generally bland but I would definitely come back to try a few of the other items that I wish I had tried instead and for another Kale & Calamari salad. It was $98 for 2 people without alcohol. read more

After going to their Graffiti Bar in the back, I needed to check out the full fledge restaurant out front. Let me tell you this place is classy as hell, and you have to take your lady or man here. Definitely come during happy hour to get your money's worth! Their prices are reasonable for both drinks and apps. The apps are small enough that two people can go in on the $30 set (plus you get drinks!) Their menu is similar to the bars, so if you like the back bar, then you'll like this! I highly recommend the Brussels Sprouts, Crab Rangoon, and the Beef Dumplings. This place is PACKED during peak hours, so you'll have a wait in between food, but nothing too bad! I cannot stress to you THAT YOU MUST GO HERE IF YOU GET THE CHANCE. Treat yourself to a bougie night! read more

I had dinner at Sampan relatively late on a Wednesday night. I was immediately impressed with the decor- it has an air of class without the pretension. You have to be prepared for the format before you dine. It is expected that you order a multitude of items for the table to share. Each dish is small in comparison to conventional restaurants. Every employee I encountered was very friendly and accommodating. The only negative thing I have to say about Sampan is in regards to the online menu. It needs to be updated as the menu changes. I was all set to order the lobster rolls but I could not find them on the physical menu! read more

Sampan is obviously amazing so I'll just give some suggestions. Reservations are the way to go if you don't want to wait forever. This place seems to be constantly swamped. My friend and I ordered 7 things which was definitely a little too much food for two (very hungry) girls. Highlights: the pork bao, Korean bbq satay, edamame dumplings, salt and pepper seafood. All amazing. I didn't have one bad dish, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the Szechuan chicken. It was just ok. For drinks I did the Kantoi Road which was good if you like spicy drinks. My only complaint about this place (and Double Knot) is the size of the cocktails...super small and weak. read more

1 star for customer service. The young lady that was running the hostess stand (around 4 p.m 8/4) had a NASTY attitude. Im used to sitting in and the system they had for dining in seemed chaotic. Not sure why people that work in customer service mix their personal feelings with professional but....... I didn't appreciate her attitude towards us and her shit talking under her mask to her 3 co workers that ended up coming out while we were waiting for our takeout. I'm not stupid nor deaf, I heard and waited for them all to look over because that's what you do when you're talking shit about someone, you look right over to the person. *they obviously don't know how to be discrete*. She wasn't informative at all which she should have been considering all rules have changed as far as dining in/out. I genuinely didn't appreciate her and her nasty attitude especially when I'm come here like it's my second home. Very disappointed read more

I think they have the best happy hour food menu in Philly to be honest Favorites: edamame dumplings, pork banh mi, kimchi fried rice and short rib chow fun Would come back everyday if I could because the prices are unbelievable for the quality and value of the food you're getting also have dined here for dinner for a friend's birthday and although a bit pricey- the quality of the food was worth it! read more

We came on the last day of Restaurant Week, and it was a great ending, for sure. Since it was a Wednesday night, we were able to get a table right away without having made any reservations. The menu included 2 small plate selections, 1 from satay (hot), 1 from satay (cold), 1 from meat, 1 from seafood, 1 from sides, and 2 small ice cream cones. Some of the meal highlights: 1. shrimp and lobster dumplings - very good filling with shrimp, lobster, and cilantro but the miso broth was definitely too salty 2. hamachi ceviche - fantastic with the perfect balance of truffle, soy, and panko, served in a soup spoon 3. braised lamb ribs - my favorite! remarkably tender, flavorful, and juicy 4. lamb meatballs - flavorful and juicy, with the perfect amount of seasoning served on skewers over greens; another must-try 5. grilled strip steak - not that great and very tough and sinewy. I actually enjoyed the spicy roasted cauliflower that it was served over more than the meat 6. seared sea scallops - huge, juicy and perfectly seared with a crispy top and juicy interior. This was the highlight of the night, I would say. 7. shrimp pad thai - the shrimp were huge and the pad thai was more flavorful than the version that I would receive from a Thai restaurant. Plus the fried tofu was a great addition. The portion was also very generous. 8. froot loop and chocolate coconut ice cream - highly recommend the chocolate coconut. Really wish that it was a more ubiquitous flavor in your standard supermarkets now... Service was great, and the ambiance was fantastic, as always. And if you order the Chef's Menu, you will literally eat yourselves into a coma, especially if you order the very meat-heavy dishes. We were very stuffed but it was delicious. read more

I am literally eating with one hand and typing this review with the other, so I'll make this brief. What you've read is true! The edamame dumplings are so creamy and delicious! The General Tso's soup dumplings--good LORD! The chicken bao buns were the only miss. After I ordered, I noticed that a woman at the other end of the bar had eaten everything but her buns. I now know why. The thick bun PLUS the breading on the chicken just makes it kind of a clunky and rather bland single note---the complete opposite of the delicate and crazily flavorful dumplings. The crab wonton tacos were not as magical as the dumplings, but there were tasty and had a spicy kick (and I'm generally not a spicy fan). And the more i ate, the more I liked them. You may feel a need to over-order bc the portions are so small. I did and shouldn't have. The two orders of dumplings along with the tacos were more than enough! If the stars align in my favor, I'll be back tomorrow! read more

Amber was awesome. Service was fantastic! Food was so good. I'm just not a fan of the flowing kitchen. My friend loved the pork bao buns and I loved the wings and papaya salad. Our fried rice came out last which was disappointing since we were pretty full by then and I would have liked to eat the rice with some of the other dishes. read more

I love this place. Shhh. Don't tell anyone. If you tell people, I won't be able to meander in on a Saturday night without a reservation. If this changes in the near future, I will blame you. I'm not a big seafood or fan of asian food - but this Asian Fusion in delicious. The crispy crab tacos are my absolute favorite. read more

We went to Sampan for happy hour the other night. Sat at one of the outside tables (FYI they are working on a "secret" off street courtyard with an all-weather covering). Outside was very pleasant. Good people-watching without the fumes of SEPTA buses or crazy traffic. The music is also a nice touch. Our waiter was incredibly friendly and helpful - pointing out a few things he liked on the menu. He also laughed at when we pointed out that PBR on the menu has an MP for price (FYI - it's $3). If you enjoy being stared at by envious passerbys, get the Scorpion Bowl. A massive fishbowl filled with a sangria-like concoction, served with speared fruit & crazy straws, this drink is ridiculously awesome. At $24 it may seem steep, but it serves up to 4 people. This was the only drink we ordered for the 2 of us and it was a buzz-inducing bowl of deliciousness. For sustenance, we enjoyed the pork banh mi (the tangy aioli really makes this good), and the "Philly Cheesesteak" (short rib, sriacha ketchup, sharp provolone). The Cheesesteak was definitely our favorite. I can't speak for the rest of the menu & it looks like some people had a few disappointing visits - but we really enjoyed it and plan to come back....even if only for the Scorpion Bowl. read more

This all started so well. Hostess and server were very friendly. Enjoyed a glass of wine in the graffiti bar out back. We were seated quickly, got the menu rundown, and ordered the recommended mix of plates. Favorites were the kobe satay, hamachi ceviche, edamame dumplings -- all were delicious. Unfortunately, the peking duck was disappointingly tiny for what was framed and priced as an "entree" (in this environment), the shrimp fried rice was bland, and the apple crumb dessert was a hot soupy mess. Dishes came out quickly, but after the duck, the service got a little more uneven and infrequent. The chef graciously sent out replacements for the dessert, but by then everything had taken almost two hours and we were running late for a show. To be fair, they did try to make the experience right, but that gap in the service had a domino effect. This was on a weeknight and we were nearly alone when seated, but a few other tables cycled through full meals by the time of our dessert debacle. I'd go back for happy hour tapas and stick with the satay selections, but I'd pass on another full dinner/dessert visit, especially before a show. read more

Yes New York I cheated on you, I went to Philly and I liked it! SamPan is where its at. Kitchen Bar is where its at. What the heck is kitchen bar right? I wondered the same thing. Well, you sit at a bar/counter that surrounds the kitchen. You literally get to look in at all the chefs doing their thing. You see how the food is prepared and plated...cool beans. Food was great too. Shrimp, dumplings, filet, chicken it all was good. Bathroom is neat instead of hearing the restaurants music they play classic movie quotes. "I'm a cop you idiot!....."Bueller, Bueller, Bueller"? I am a fan. read more

HAPPY HOUR REVIEW This place is a great deal for happy hour! We stopped in with only about 25 minutes left of happy hour on Friday night. The hostess found us some seats at the bar in front of the open kitchen. Happy hour beer/drink specials for $4 and food specials ranging from $2 to $4. And these are NOT stingy portions. For $30, the 2 of us each got a drink plus: two kobe beef sliders, a BIG bowl of kimchee fried rice, a full sized pork belly bahn mi, mushroom dumplings and Cantonese spring rolls (2 small rolls per order). We were FULL afterwards. The happy hour deals and the atmosphere & service are great. Oh, but the bathroom is a trippy experience. I walked in & noticed they weren't playing the same music as they were in the dining room. Then I realized it wasn't music, but movie clips (weird). Movie clips of ONLY Morgan Freeman's voice (FUCKING WEIRD) - I recognized 'Seven' & 'Shawshank Redemption'. This leads me to wonder, do they ONLY play clips of Morgan Freeman's voice in the bathrooms? If so, why? So many questions. read more

FOOD WAS GREAT!! I really liked everything I tried, especially the edamame dumplings. Delicious! Most of my table of six loved their food as well! The three stars comes because of our very inattentive, annoyed server: Elizabeth. Came on a Tuesday night with a reservation for six and it was pretty busy! We were a group of people of color and there weren't many other minorities in the joint. Maybe that's why our waitress was so insanely rude to us but friendly, patient, and accommodating with her other tables in close proximity. Please note the rest of the employees were fantastic. They were accommodating and apologetic on a mistake with one of our guest's allergies and took extra care of us. The other servers and water fillers made conversation and were nothing but pleasant. It got to the point where we dreaded Elizabeth coming back. She made us feel afraid to ask questions about the menu or even order anything because everything annoyed her. Wish I could say dessert was great too but I sadly cannot because the waitress, when asked to explain the "Vanilla starburst" ice cream flavor, stated simply: "It's vanilla... with starburst." Then she rolled her eyes. That was the end for us. A friend who really wanted those adorable ice cream cones opted not to have dessert because of this comment. Sampan, you're great and your staff is awesome. This one bad apple won't spoil the bunch, but please treat your minority patrons better. We are trying new foods because we want to explore - be patient, please. read more

The happy hour here is awesome- tons of delicious, cheap bites. For a mere $35 bucks for 2 people I was stuffed to the point where I could barely move. The chicken and pork dumpings were fantastic. The chicken one was like a huge chunk of general tsos chicken wrapped in a thick, doughy bun. The kobe beef slider (for 2 bucks!) was amazing, as was the kobe beef hot dog. The duck egg rolls...soooo good! The lobster and crab dumplings floating in a miso broth, was also good. Unfortunately, there were a few misses as well. The brussel sprouts with crunchy, puffy rice was SO SALTY. I immediately felt my blood pressure rising, my legs swelling up and I had to down 2 glasses of water from 1 bite. I think Sampan really has a salt issue. I came when they first opened, and the only thing I remembered then, was that the food was way too salty. The next miss was the kimchee fried rice. It was kind of bland and did not have enough kimchee or spice. There was also an egg over easy on top, which was great, but I didnt' appreciate how the server cuts it up for you and mixes the yoke in. I kind of wanted to do that myself at my own discretion. But, the huge bowl of fried rice was only 4 bucks! The original hostess that was there when I first walked in wasn't the friendliest and had a condescending air about her. I didn't realize that happy hour was only available at the bar or in their "kitchen dining' section. The hostess didn't bother explaning this and seated my friend and I all the way in the back of the restaurant, right next to the bathroom, when the entire place was empty. Luckily when we went back to the hostess satation to get a new seat for HH, the bitchy hostess was no where to be seen and we were seated by a super friendly server. I will definitely be back for happy hour, but I will avoiding the overly salty brussel sprouts! read more

It's not easy to add something new after 300 reviews, but here's my attempt: Happy Hours on Saturday always make me happy. This is a good one, particularly for the food. The dumplings are incredibly light, smooth, and I could bath in the broth. I was stunned that they could get the kobe sliders a perfect Pittsburgh rare, and the pork bao buns were quite tasty. The food comes out fast and in no particular order, but I enjoyed that. Note to the wise, do not leave here without trying the brussel sprouts. The drink specials are good, but they could use a little more variety on the HH cocktail menu. Atmosphere is unique and bold, but somehow maintains an intimate feel. We'll definitely be back to visit the sassy bartenders...quite the gaggle. read more

Lived up to the hype as an awesome place to meet up for happy hour. First of all, they have happy hour everyday. Every.Day. Which is awesome for people like me who can't get out to happy hour all that often. Also, the times were pretty good- 5pm to 7 pm. None of that 4 to 6 nonsense. And the drink/food selection is excellent. On my visit, I had a really delicious green tea margarita. Which sounded strange, but it was really great and perfect for a summer night. For our food options, my husband and I shared 3 or 4 small plates. At $3-$4 per plate, you can fill up on the cheap here. The one dish that stood out for me was the kim chee fried rice. For $4, it was a massive portion and really tasty. Other yelpers have mentioned bad service, but our server was excellent and made sure that we were taken care of all night. Other people have mentioned that happy hour was only at the bar, but we sat outside and it was no problem. We also mentioned to the hostess we were there for happy hour. This place gets jammed pack. We were there at the stroke of 5 and within a half an hour, all the tables were filled. Make sure to arrive early to get a seat! read more

OMG. This place has like 800 reviews so I wont say much as I can't imagine it hasn't been said already but the food is AMAZING. Mostly I'd like to gush about the brussel sprouts on the happy hour menu. AMAZING. Best sauce/seasoning on anything EVER. This is my favorite snack/veggie/appetizer and I could eat 2-3 bowls of it and its very inexpensive (~$5) with a very generous serving. GO to Sampan and order the brussel sprouts, you will not regret it. For more information, see the other 700-ish reviews ;) read more

I attended a corporate reception at Sampan which is a sister restaurant to Double Knot (also amazing per my review). Not only was the food just as good as DK, but they had an amazing drink menu and the staff was undeniably the best around. They constantly asked how we were and went above and beyond to accommodate any request we had. I would absolutely recommend this place for not only dinner but also events. read more

Had a great experience at Sampan. Showed up late for our reservation and it would have been perfectly fair for them to turn us away, but they instead tried to seat us and told us we could order drinks at the bar while we waited, which we didn't mind at all. By the time we got our drinks, we were already seated. The ambiance is loud and bustling but I loved it. The food was delicious, we had the general tso dumplings, swordfish skewers, hamachi seviche, tuna rice cracker, and the lamb noodles. I'd recommend every one of them. I'd also recommend the dragon's flute cocktail or the hashi old fashioned for drinks. I'd absolutely come back to Sampan anytime! read more

Sampan - Hamachi Ceviche - Asian Fusion Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Sampan is my favorite Asian fusion restaurant in Philly. It has the taste of Buddhakhan but for a cheaper price! Some of my favorites include the edamame dumplings, brussel sprouts, and short ribs. The edamame dumplings are as classic Asian fusion and I really enjoy the earthiness of the peas in the dumpling. Their style of brussel sprouts is one of my favorites - unexpected tones and textures of cilantro, rice puffs, and fish sauce add a different and refreshing interpretation on sprouts. The short ribs is usually one of my go to dishes when introducing new friends to the restaurant. I love the robustness of the meat (reminiscent of Taiwanese 紅燒 cooking style). However during my latest visit (1/8/17) the meat was not as tender as usual. Hopefully the cook will be more consistent in future visits. The above three items could be filling enough for 2 people (the short ribs sit on a bed of lo mein noodles). Still, I would recommend ordering a side or rice or noodles to ensure a filling meal. Both the duck and kimchi fried rice are excellent options. Finally, the restaurant offers delightful house-made speciality ice creams for dessert! A perfectly whimsical way to end a satisfying meal :) Recommend this place for a solid dinner, date night, or hang out with friends if you're ever in the mood for great Asian fusion! read more

I think this one deserves five stars. But I will warn you, it's very easy to spend a lot of money, and pretty quickly. It has three $$$s so it's a fair warning right on the page. The bar Is awesome looking but I'm not muh of a drinker. I was more interested in the food. I went with a friend and we tried four small plates and the bill added up to be about fifty bucks. Which I thought was worth it an I would go again. The atmosphere is awesome. The staff was very nice which to be honest, and at the risk of sounding jaded, is to be expected at a brand new place. Because obviously everyone is trying it for the first time ever. So people were coming up to us left and right asking how everything is and welcoming us. It did seem very genuine though. It was fun to be there and meet everyone. We ate the edemame dumplings. Tuna sashimi. Chicken satay. And the shrimp wonton taco. All good. Seriously. It's a shame they were small plates. I wanted more of everything. I've always felt like I'm not a good food critic because I love food so much. I'm no proffessional. But everything was delicious to me there and I recommend it. Oh plus they brought us out a little ice cream on the house. Which was tasty. read more

What a gem! The decor and overall vibe of the restaurant was amazing- really vibrant and young! The best seats in the house are definitely those overlooking the kitchen. You get the chance to get a good look at the dishes and also get a bit of entertainment on the side (there are very few of these, so arrive early). If you are a student on a budget, do not fret! They offer a happy hour Mon-Fri 4:30-7pm that is extremely reasonable ($2 and $4 dishes!!!!) and provides you with the ability to sample some of their most popular appetizers (be advised that the happy hour menu isn't as extensive as their normal menu). You cannot leave without trying the crispy rock shrimp- succulent, well-seasoned, and fried to perfection! I also tried their korean BBQ beef satay (okay, but nothing to write home about); their pork bao buns (very delicious and highly recommended); and their cream filled donuts (so divine- not too sweet and made fresh to order!). The "Philly Cheese Steaks" looked amazing and were flying out of the kitchen. I'd recommend ordering those! If you are in the mood for a sexy, refreshing cocktail, you MUST try the drink infused with pineapple, vanilla, and basil - absolutely divine! The only criticism I have is regarding the slow and disorganized service. My table had to wait for quite a while before everyone received all of their appetizers and we were handed the wrong dishes from other tables 3 times. The servers were very apologetic and patient, but service could definitely be improved. I plan to come back many times in the future. Sampan is absolutely a top 10 Philly restaurant for me! read more

I love trying new restaurants shortly after they open. A few years back I did that with Sampan and I've been a loyal customer and never disappointed ever since. Just the atmosphere itself sets the mood for a good time, back-lit wall mural, open kitchen, which I love and something a little quirky, the bathrooms, they pipe in sound of like movie clips or something which is really kind of fun. It's a great place for a dinner date, good to chill with small close group of friends, great for happy hour, esp out back in the Graffiti Bar, which is just that; a kind of indoor/outside space where the walls are covered with graffiti like a train in NYC during the early 90's, it's great. Before I even get to the food I have to shout out the fish bowl drink, you have to try it. I've seen people do it with 4 people, personally I think that's a little, well a lot gross, 2 people works, however prepare to need a cab home. For the menu, I haven't had anything that hasn't been good. The menu does change periodically so you could go and come back and then your favorite is no longer available, happened to me but you'll live and find something new. It's Asian Fusion done well. I like the Shrimp & Lobster Dumplings, Koren BBQ Beef Satay, Kim Chee Fried Rice and the Sea Bass. Can't wait to go back. Actually it's been awhile, I need to get back soon. read more

I always love Sampan. I've been there maybe a dozen times and I'm never disappointed. The menu doesn't change very much, and for a seasonal eater like me, that might seem like a detriment. However, the menu is so solid that I'm happy for them to keep on delicious staples like kimchi fried rice and edamame dumplings forever. The happy hour is one of the best deals in the city, particularly for food. The deal is even better during sips, bc of the drink specials. The chef's tasting menu is also always good, but it's generally a lot of food - more than I need, so consider it if you're super hungry, but otherwise you might want to skip it. It's particularly great for groups, and actually you get 9 courses for the tasting menu instead of 7 if you're with a group larger than 6. Service is very good. I wouldn't say that it's anything extraordinary, but it's never bad. Basically you might be surprised that you can almost always find a table here last minute, but it's seriously one of my favorite MS restaurants. read more

Finally got over to Sampan. Good to see another restaurant opening in that area. Start out with cool cross woody architectural detail thing which I actually watched them doing while sitting at Vintage. Anyway, the layout is kind of cool with backlit purple walls on either side. They have some "outdoor" seating, which is like a lot of Philly outdoor seating, as in, it's you on the sidewalk while peoples' butts pass you by and dogs are restrained by their owners from eating your dinner. Or if you are threading your way in Rittenhouse trying to get thru the RougeDevonParc, you may get bitten by a small dog in a purse, or accidentally step on someone's big glasses... Back to Sampan, we were seated quickly, super-friendly host people, and a nice laid back server. For drinks, I had the Spicy Pomegranate Margarita, which was basically like a not too sweet margarita with a kick. It was good. They serve mostly "small plates" (don't call them tapas!) and "big plates," which are about 1 inch bigger than small plates, but $5 more expensive. For food, rabbit dumplings (too salty), Korean BBQ satay (yummy), tuna tar tar (yummy, but weird presentation, like a big bowl with a pile of tuna and stuff at the bottom), and their version of Pad Thai ("big plate"), which was okay. Bottom line, reasonably cool atmosphere, friendly staff, overpriced decent food (heavy on the salt - beware all you congestive heart failure people!) with small portions. For the two of us, it was about $80 and we left hungry and really thirsty for water. read more

Was here on Friday night. The service was good, except I had to continuously request refills on my water. I drank a lot of water as the tapas and drinks were overpriced and undersized. You need at least 3-5 tapas per person and 3-5 drinks bc the portion is so small. The drink is either a lot of ice or 1/4 glass of wine. The tapas are tiny. You MUST eat before you come here. If you come hungry, you will leave hungry. We made a pit stop at Wawa on my way home. Waste of $300. read more

Definitely great, new-age feel with a young crowd. I would say a bit loud for a first date. The happy hour is great! You can only order apps at the bar if you are seated. Check ahead of time for reservations! Loved that the food came out so quickly! My cousins and I ordered: Pork Bao Bun - really yum, but standard Chicken Bao Bun - kind of bland Edamame Dumplings - filled with soup, ok Crab Wonton Tacos - these are fun concept but the textures didn't really work for me Char Siu Pork - standard, nothing special Chili Prawns - these were a bit salty and breaded but overall ok Kim Chi Fried Rice - I don't think I would like this as much if I were sober - 3/5 Overall, it was a fun experience but the food was not amazing! Ming Mule 5/5 Polynesian Path 3/5 not a lot of flavor! read more