Tan Tan Photos
Business Info
TAN TAN ATMOSPHERE
You might also consider
More like Tan Tan
Recommended Reviews - Tan Tan
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Such an awesome place for delicious Chinese Vietnamese food! Think of an Asian diner with a menu of food offerings that don't end. You have your fancy entrees and staples that you can only get from a home cooked meal.
Your typical classic Chinese round table food. It was all cooked decently but nothing really stood out as amazing. But wasn't too heavy on the sauce/MSG, which was nice.
Omg I recommend the food is good I've gone there for years but I don't know why is it that now the plates are broken, the forks and spoons are dirty. Then this worker came took our order and went to other tables we asked nicely for something's that were still missing and they just kept saying ok and it never came until we complained I am disappointed in my experience I hope that they fix this issue for the cleanness and service.
I enjoyed it with the father-- we ordered quite a bit of food and it all came out quite well! The chicken wings were a favorite among us and the noodles were a great pairing! To note: always get a vegetable: the string beans were great! Cheers!
Date night at our FAVORITE restaurant. This food is the best Asian cuisine anywhere. The service is amazing and servers are so polite.. Can't wait until April for Soft Shell Crab for my Birthday.
Everyone who frequently dines in the Chinatown area knows about Tan Tan. My family and I have been coming to tan tan for more than 2 decades and it's a staple in Houston's Chinatown. They have a very EXTENSIVE menu and it can get a little overwhelming for first timers. My go to order is the banh bot chien (house special rice cake), the house special fried rice, and the stir fried flat rice noodles with beef. Food portions are big. Most meals are meant to be eaten family style to share amongst the group. The service is pretty much nonexistent but that's pretty standard for Chinatown establishments. Everytime I go it's super busy but the wait is never that long.
Tan Tan is an OG family style asian restaurant that has been well establishing the heart of chinatown. A long beloved restaurant by countless residents of the community and even those outside come into the area to share in on the experience. Food comes very quickly after you've ordered. Servers don't check upnon you that often, but when they do, be sure to get straight to the point or wave them over. We ordered a variety of dishes, most of which were absolutely to our liking (refer to images). Flavors are quite bold, recommended to eat with white rice. The only dish that was a bit lackluster is there a egg drop soup for which is very bland. If you prefer stronger flavors, you'll need to add a dash of soy sauce or a pinch of salt. Otherwise we do the restaurant that I would definitely recommend to all of my friends and family.
There are plenty of Viet-Chinese fusion style restaurants in this area, but Tan Tan has always been popular for a reason. Great food, especially if you're tired of American style Chinese and want something more traditional. The noodle dishes are my favorite, I've liked everything from the various noodle soups, to the crunchy pan fried chow mein and soft flat chow fun. The house special rice cakes are very popular and good too, I know many people that will come order just those to-go by themselves. The restaurant is huge and spacious, after they expanded the seating area, there's usually room and no wait even during peak times. Service has been inconsistent though, and order mistakes happen more often than I'd like.
Just coming here to update my review since it's been a few years, Tan Tan is still as good as ever! We came here as a party of 15 for dinner with the cousins. Service was fast, food came out fresh, and everything brings back a certain nostalgia from coming here so much as kids. We ordered their house special rice cakes (banh bot chien), eggplant w/ basil, salt toasted chicken wings, snow pea leaves w/ garlic sauce, sate seafood flat rice noodles, and sizzling beef. You seriously can't go wrong with whatever you order here though! I just recommend you come here with a big group and order family style, it's the only right way of enjoying Tan Tan! After coming here for well over 25+ years as a family, I'm confident we'll still continue to support Tan Tan. While I'll admit the prices have gone up over the years, that's just the price of inflation. Luckily, the quality is just as good as ever. Enjoy!
Tan Tan is THE late night spot to come with a large group on weekday nights. I used to come here all the time during college after organization events so it was nostalgic coming back recently. The best thing about Tan Tan is that they're consistent and affordable. You don't come here expecting the best Chinese/Viet dishes in the world, but it is quite solid for the price point whenever you split with friends. My favorite dishes here are their famous rice cakes and salt fried squid (muc rang muoi). Food comes out quickly which is another strength of theirs! Whatever you decide to order, always make sure you're eating family style. It's a must.
Not sure what the hyped is all about. Was recommended for their hot pot so we went and try it. The broth is so bland and no taste st all. The veggies selection to dip in was pretty sad. The only decent was the walnut shrimp the crab Rangoons. Not worth the money.
Update! I went back to Tan Tan for the 2nd time and tried out a few more dishes. Service was fast and good as always. Orange Chicken ($14.95): 6/10 First off, it looked so artificial, like my first impression was that this was not going to be good. It had huge pieces of chicken like they were not even cut. Very thickly battered, so it's still kind of doughy. I enjoyed the flavor though, the sauce was a nice sweet and sour orange vibe. The outside was lightly crispy with a doughy middle then you got to the actual chicken. Spicy Green Beans with Ground Pork ($14.95): 5/10 It was a salty, semi-sweet, savory dish. It felt very oily and it looked dark, almost like they used old (reused) oil. The green beans were also soggy. There was not too much ground pork, and it was not spicy at all. I would not get this one again. Some places I would recommend for green beans with minced pork are R house and Confucius. Simmered Fish in Clay Pot ($16.95): 3/10 Personally, I do not like fish that tastes and smells fishy. This one was very earthy and fishy. But also I am not a fish person so that's why my rating is so low. There were also bones in the fish, so be careful with that. However, I did enjoy the actual sauce it was in. It was a sweet and savory with slight garlicy ginger notes. The sauce paired nicely with the rice. Overall, on my second visit to Tan Tan, I would not reorder any of these items. Perhaps the orange chicken (?) but since they have a fairly extensive menu, I would try something else next time. Full review will be up on IG, YT, or TT @the.foodie.patootie
4 years ago
You want real, authentic Chinese or Vietnamese food? Go to Tan Tan! Your tastebuds will love you for giving them new flavors! The best thing I had there was the Hunan chicken, although I didn't get to take a pic of it. Their House Special Rice Cakes with the sauce on the side for dipping were delicious as an appetizer. Their lemonade is fresh and delicious too! Everything was so good! Their fried rices so good! Sesame chicken, lemon chicken, and the noodles. I only with the Kung Pao chicken had more peanuts! I love the crunchiness of peanuts in the KPC, but they didn't have many. Other than that, awesome place! Cool, chill vibe for lunch. read more
4 years ago
I used to go here often with my mom and family, excellent place to go with big family. The house special fried rice is the bomb, I add salted fish to it all the time. You have to get the banh bot chien (egg plate appetizer), it's what everyone come for. read more
I can't believe it took me this long to finally try tan tan. I was nervous because of how many mixed reviews they had, but everything i had was SO GOOD. The flavour was definitely there and the service was great! I was told to always order the house special rice cake and so i did, BEST DECISION EVER!!! it was perfect . they have so many menu items that it can be overwhelming but I cant wait for my next visit! read more
7 years ago
We had a good time here, food was very well prepared and service was superb. We had the kung pao and the General Tsao lunch special. We both enjoyed it and we will be returning soon. read more
7 years ago
I love this place when I visit Chinatown. It's always busy and the food is delicious. There is hardly a wait and the food is delivered to your table super fast. Mind you that what ever your order arrives family style. We ordered the hot pot as well as the fried rice and Peking duck. Wow! It was just the two of us and there was so much food. The Hot Pot was a simmering pot of deliciousness. The Peking duck was crispy and tender. Perfectly paired with the plum sauce and yeast biscuits. The fried rice was sprouting with flavor. I would highly recommend this place to anyone that ventures to Chinatown. read more
8 years ago
Arrived on New Year's Day and they ran out of some of the dishes my family and I wanted to order. I wonder why cause the food isn't as good as back in the day, and the service still sucks. Although A1 banh bot chien is a staple and a must-order here, the rice cake was mushy and not crisp like it used to be. I'm sure they crank those babies out so fast it doesn't even matter what it tastes like! Everything else we ordered was exorbitant for no reason and lacked flavor and appeal. Pan fried noodles with lobster - smokey almost burnt flavor. 1:40 noodle to lobster ratio for $56.99 Diced beef with macaroni - macaroni is gross and the beef cubes are tough. bleh!!! Salt toasted soft shell crab - soggy crabs with too much batter Snow pea leaves with garlic - you can't mess up veggies and garlic Probably will only return during after hours when I'm too intoxicated to know what good food tastes like. read more
5 years ago
6 years ago
Been coming to this restaurant again and again. *Great food *Reasonable price *Free rice *Excellent service I LOVE the caramelized catfish in claypot (cá kho tộ) and the House Special Rice Cake. Spicy green been with pork is delicious too. Definitely will come back again read more
8 years ago
I love this place. It's very popular, and is open until midnight 7 days a week, even holidays... they work hard! Excellent Vietnamese food. The menu is so expansive!!! The 1st time I came here, I was overwhelmed by all the options because I am a very picky eater. I haven't tried the Hot Pot yet. I need a few more friends to join me next time! It looks delicious! Great service +, clean restrooms +, delicious + read more
4 years ago
I give Tan Tan restaurant a two star for the roast duck! We have been eating ducks from many restaurants, and even the duck from Hong Kong Market tastes better than this. First of all, it has no flavor at all! Second, not sure if they just heat up and sell it at ordering; the skin is red but not crispy. Third, some parts may not cooked well enough while some parts are over dried. Forth, they only give one little sauce, but it was sweet and sour, defiantly not for this dish! One star is for the tin package, and the other one star is for the rice and some veggies. read more
4 years ago
My family had a great meal at Tan Tan. All of the dishes were awesome. Staff was polite and professional . They kept the food coming out hot n fresh. Well worth the travel from Trinity tx. We are looking forward to visiting soon. My favorite restaurant of all time. read more
4 years ago
There is a reason why this place is still up and rinning. Amazing and affordable Chinese/Vienamese food in Htown. read more
6 years ago
I love Tan Tan it's defiantly one of my favorite places to eat in houston . I've been coming here for years and was so heartbroken when the Westheimer location shut down and I do hope that a new location will soon take its place after this whole COVID mess blows over . I enjoy quite a few items from the menu that I've consistent dined on over the years but my heart is definitely with the house special rice cake . I've not had one in the great city of houston or surrounding areas that even comes close to how yummy and delicious this plate is . read more
Tan Tan = an oldie but goodie. Tan Tan has been one of the mainstays of Chinatown long before Bellaire became the craziness that it is now. Back in the day, this was THE spot to go to for late night eating. I came back again not too long ago, and I can say this place can still hold its own amongst the newcomers as a place for late night bites. My favorite here is the house special rice cake - they make it better than anywhere else I've found in Houston. I also like their beef flat noodle, and all of their fried rice varieties are winners - all of which have super generous portions. Their rice porridges always hit the spot and are perfect for a cold day. Don't expect stellar service here, but it's acceptable. The place can get a bit hectic at night. One plus is that this place is usually swarming with cops at night...not rent-a-cop security guards, but HPD. Makes you feel a little bit safer, since Chinatown at night seems to get more and more ghetto as time goes by. All in all, probably still in my top three for late night eats in Chinatown. read more
Tan Tan Restaurant is a Vietnamese/Chinese restaurant in Houston that used to have super late night hours for night owls. It's not open as late anymore, and now it's just an ok restaurant in Houston. My Overall Rating - 2 Stars (Atmosphere, Service, Food, Return) Atmosphere - Tan Tan Restaurant is located in a shopping strip, so there's ample parking. It hasn't changed in years, and the red/blue neon still lines both the interior & exterior. Inside you'll find your typical Asian restaurant staple of booths, tables, and large rounds for big families. While it hasn't changed in years, it could use a little more charm. It's doesn't do much to stand out. It's just there. 1/2 Star. Service - I think Tan Tan has changed ownership over the years, because we were surprised our server didn't speak Vietnamese in this Vietnamese/Chinese. Also, they used to be open until 2 or 3, but now they close at midnight. When it gets late they just want you out. Just a warning for those of you (me included) who thought they were still open late. 1/2 Star. Food - This was the most disappointing part of our experience. Items that were key favorites for us in the past like banh bot chien (fried flour with egg) & muoc rang muoi (salted fried squid) were no longer up to par. Maybe other restaurants are just better now, but both dishes were under cooked, especially the squid. While the batter had good seasoning, the squid just didn't seem cooked throughout. The banh bot chien was also a little under done, and the soy dipping sauce was too plain. Other dishes ordered were forgetful. Overall fell way short of my expectations. 1/2 Star. Will I Return? - Maybe I'm trying to revive late night past experiences and am being too tough. While I can't actively recommend it, I'll probably be back just to give them another shot. I'm 50/50 right now but I might try them again. 1/2 Star. My Yelp Rating Scale (Sum of all parts): 1 Star - Atmosphere - Is it a cool dive? Perhaps an upscale place? No matter the type, atmosphere plays a big part and I'll give a star if I like it or thinks it has great charm. 1 Star - Service - You can have a great meal with bad service. But that's also what can make a five star joint drop to four. It's important to the dining experience that service is great and on point. 2 Stars - Food - I'll award up to two stars for the food, since this is the main reason we dine out. Sometimes the extra star is given for value, but it's really all about the food. 1 Star - Will I come back? - If I know for a fact I'll return, I'll give this a star. A place has to make an impression for me to return. Each Category can be given up to 1 star except food (2 stars) because I consider all these categories important to the overall dining experience. I will sum them up to provide my final Yelp score. read more
5 years ago
Ive heard so many things about this restaurant so i just had to try it! I had so many different options to pick from so it was very hard to choose anything but there chicken is my favorite! the service is so good and friendly. I loved there shrimp and everything was served hot and fresh i definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area! read more
The mom and I decided to come here because we were craving for some wonton dumpling soup and tan tan was always known for that back in the day, but it's been so long we weren't sure if it still was the best so we decided to give it a try. It has been years since I came here and I didn't know what to expect. We got a table immediately and our server got our orders. Food came out in a timely manner and service was okay. Our server disappeared after she took our order and we never saw her again. HOUSE SPECIAL RICE CAKE- sliced rice cakes pan fried with eggs and topped with dried turnip, green onions, and crispy onion I've always been a fan of their rice cakes, but this dish was too dry. It must've sat in the pan really long because I couldn't taste much of the ingredients. Everything was just too fried and dried up. It was crispy and I did like the turnip flavor, but the egg was overpowering and overcooked. WONTON NOODLE SOUP- egg noodle with hand made pork and shrimp wontons in soup with sliced bbq pork chinese vegetable, and green onions The soup was still pretty good. It's so aromatic of wonton that it really brings back the nostalgia of it all. The pork was flavorful and added some savory notes to the soup and the wonton wasn't bad. The skin wasn't tough, but soft and the filling was savory and meaty. I liked the egg noodle. It was just the right texture, stringy, but not overcooked or undercooked. The soup itself was just right with the sweetness and spice. I would definitely come here again for the soup. This place used to be the go to place of bellaire, but now it's full of empty tables. It really brings back past memories of how asian food used to be and how bellaire was more of the traditional sit-down and dine. Fast forward 15 years and everything has changed. Tan tan is no longer that bustling place that I once remembered it to be, but thank goodness... that wonton soup still survived the ages. read more
7 years ago
Love this place! We come here pretty often and have had a good experience each time. Staff is friendly and attentive. If we needed anything (EX: water, silverware for kids) They would get it immediately, which I appreciate. Food is great! I love the house special rice cakes, they are so good! Perfect appetizer to share with family and friends. Menu has a wide variety, ranging from rice plates, hot pots, even mac and cheese for the picky kids. So come support your favorite asian restaurants, this is a very hard time for them. I'm sure they'll appreciate it greatly :) read more
5 years ago
I've been going here for over 20 years. They have expanded but could definitely use some updates in the restaurant/bathroom area. Food is always good. It comes out quickly and fresh. read more
4 years ago
Gone here for years on and off. The food is great. The wait time isn't bad but it is time for them to do some renovations this place. Last visit the buzzing sound from neon lights going out drove me a little crazy. read more
Ohhhh Tan Tan can you do the Tan Tan, I can do the Tan Tan... The house special rice cake with egg is our go to appetizer here. The rice cake lacks the crunch and crisp I usually expect it to have, but the flavor is all there - along with the soy sauce and vinegar dipping sauce. This time around, I ordered the wonton and noodle soup with the beef stew soup. The wontons are made from shrimp and pork and are really good. The noodles are good, nothing out of the ordinary but cooked al dente. The beef stew soup was a disappointment. The amount of oil they make this stew with is outrageous. I felt like if I skimmed all the oil off the soup, I would only be left with 2/3 of my soup. The flavor was good, but the oil was a big strike for me. I wouldn't recommend the beef stew soup with the wonton. Stick with the regular clear broth they give you. If you're up for slightly Americanized Chinese food, and a quick and easy meal, you really can't go wrong with Tan Tan (well, stay away from the oily beef stew). The food quality has gone down the past few years, but this place is still good. read more
This is a childhood place to be to go after clubbing or just to go for late night eating. Food comes out pretty fast and there's always a table. All their dishes are authentic and delicious. Perfect place for family style eating for large groups and affordable. Menu is extensive and you should find something familiar and yummy. Must go to when you're hungry for quick traditional Chinese/ Vietnamese food. read more
2 years ago
Tan tan gets my whole heart for being afforadable, filling, and nostalgic for all the family meals I've had here. I came with a group of ten and we all split it family style. Everyone was full by the end and we still had leftovers. The meal only cost us about $12 each including tip! For that much food, I would say that's quite a steal. We ordered three banh bot chiens, one crispy noodle with beef and broccoli, one crispy noodle with seafood, a fried rice, crab meat soup, and a beef flat noodle. I thought they were all delicious but no one got around to touching the fried dish (not that it was bad, there were just better options) Must must get is the banh bot chien. My fav, all the textures work so well together and you MUST eat is with the tangy sauce. The fried noodles came out fresh as well and were doused in the savory sauce. It was crispy and not soggy when it came out, I would eat this when it comes out right away. The crab meat soup was standard, tasted like every other one I had in my life haha. The flat noodle beef dish was surprisingly good too for looking so unassuming. The texture was really interesting and appetizing, I might prefer it over the crispy noodles actually. Anyways their menu is so expansive, I'm sure there is something for everybody, so grab some friends, some family, some strangers, and eat your heart out. read more
5 years ago
I specifically went for the wonton soup and it was SO GOOD!!! I've never had Winston with shrimp in the dumplings, definitely worth a try. However, my boyfriend got the same thing and it didn't taste the same as mine.. when we asked for them to take it off the check (he didn't eat it at all) they were having trouble understanding that he didn't like it. It was sort of a big deal to them.. I mean we talked to three people until we finally spoke with a manager, and he eventually took it off. Service was good, food was better. Definitely recommend the Wonton egg noodle soup read more
This restaurant is a perfect family style restaurant. If you're in the mood for some Vietnamese comfort food, this place is for you! They have tons and tons of seats. The food is well made and what you expect. It's one of the better prepared foods in bellaire. All the food came out steaming hot and freshly made. Service is on point, the water doesn't taste like tap water, everything is great here! If you have a big party, I'm 100% sure that they can accommodate for you. Here's what we ordered: Banh Bot Chien 5/5 Their house special rice cake is so good. The rice cake was soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. It was freshly made and super hot and steamy. You dip it in some soy sauce and it is a perfect combination. Great appetizer if you're ever looking to try something! Mi Hoanh Thanh 5/5 Their wonton noodle soup is one of the best. Wontons are handmade and seasoned well. The broth was flavorful, and noodles were chewy and cooked. Great go to dish! Mi Vit Tiem 4.5/5 Their duck noodle soup is also another great recommendation! Duck pieces were somewhat hard to eat. Bones were sticking out in weird places. However, Broth was good and flavorful! They gave you pickled vegetables so you don't get tired of the soup. Mi Xao Do Bien 5/5 Great variety of seafood. Sauce was great! I love it when it's crunchy and also when it's drenched in sauce. Another great dish with no complaints! read more
2 years ago
11 years ago
Not only does this place have good Chinese/Vietnamese food but it's open late, especially on weekends! Portions are pretty big, usually split 2 things with the boyfriend and we always end up bringing stuff home. It's cheap too so you definitely get your money's worth. They have a large menu with lots of variety, like hot pot, sea food, noodles, etc. Recommend: - House special rice cake Pros: - Open late - Everything on menu is good Cons: - Sometimes have to wait even late at night read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
17 years ago
3 Stars for Food (both Vietnamese and Chinese) 4+ stars for Service! We spent our Saturday evening at Tan Tan having our tea pot checked over and over and over. Let me tell you... you will never have an empty tea pot at Tan Tan! 8 times, count them... 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 times our tea pot was opened and checked by several of the waitstaff. You won't go thirsty here! This restaurant is huge but we only had to wait about 10 minutes for a table. We ordered the Vietnamese egg rolls; they were average. We had the sweet and sour chicken; it could have been sweeter but the chicken was good quality. We had the house special fried rice; it was good but not great. So, why 4 stars? The staff is friendly, efficient, work together, and just all around impressive. They run around like ants and get stuff delivered to your table in a flash. They refill your drinks before you even notice you need it. The management and hostesses have earpieces and microphones; they get tables cleared and seated like pros! The decor is interesting. There are two dragons with glowing eyes in the west dining area. There are fish tanks, Koi decorated windows, Christmas lit palm trees, etc... It's interesting but at least it's clean. If you are looking for a super fast lunch or dinner, this is the place to go! read more
4 years ago
We had 3 hours with our bestie to eat in Chinatown while she was here. This was the second spot we went to. Holy cow. Amazing. They staff was so kind and helpful. The options for their food were endless. Literally there's something for everyone. Can't wait to come back and eat all the things next time. read more
6 years ago
Okay one more star for you Tan Tan. Because I'm a sweetheart like that. My friends and I stopped by here recently for a late night dinner. I was ever-so-horrified because I'm still a grieving widow, over Mai's (I know it's overrated, but I have a sentimental attachment to it - you can't choose who you fall in love with sometimes!) and the last time I was here, it was mostly an un-delicious experience. This time I ordered the Salt-toasted tofu and although it was pretty basic and mehhh - it was the proper dry style, it arrived very quickly. All of our food did. The service was brisk and impersonal, but it got the job done. Our water glasses were filled promptly and the servers heeded to our requests for condiments and so forth. I like how my friends then volunteered me to bring our check to the cashier at the conclusion of the meal. Apparently the "captain" (as designated by her name tag) abhors check-splitting, but I asked rather meekly and sweetly and she did it without hesitation. So yeah, I mean, I guess I'm okay with Tan Tan for now . . . I want Mai's back though. Have I whined about Mai's enough by now? read more
More info about Tan Tan
6816 Ranchester Dr
Houston, TX 77036
Chinatown, Sharpstown
Directions
(713) 771-1268
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.tantanrestaurant.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
More Info
Health Score
Ask the Community - Tan Tan
About how much is the combination hot pot?
About 30-35 for an order depending on type of meats, seafood always a little more. Enough for 2-4 people.
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
45 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
2 years ago
10 years ago
6 years ago
2 years ago
9 years ago
10 years ago
9 years ago
13 years ago
4 years ago
18 years ago
13 years ago
17 years ago
15 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
8 years ago
13 years ago
9 years ago
14 years ago
10 years ago
