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    Z & Y Restaurant

    3.8 (3k reviews)
    PriceySzechuan, Seafood, Soup
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Z & Y Restaurant Reservations

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    Z & Y RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Z & Y Restaurant

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    Reviews With Photos

    1. Peking Roast Duck
    Yan L.

    good food i liked the beef and broccoli the most followed up by the peking duck. the service was there but not complete or great, the best part was the tea guy pouring a tea behind his back 360 no scoping it. pretty cool trick. overall nice family style meal, but nothing too exceptional taste wise. worth a shot but not a second visit / a place where i would take people to. a bit pricey as well, but we did get a whole duck.

    2. Half Tea-Smoked Duck
    Ying Xin F.

    I've heard about Z&Y Restaurant for years and finally having a meal there, showed me why it's one of San Francisco Chinatown's most celebrated restaurants. We started with their famous Tea Smoked Duck, which was tender with an incredible smoky aroma, and wrapping it in the thin crepes with fresh cucumber, scallions and sauce made every bite even better. Their signature Garlic Fried Dungeness Crab was another standout. Crispy, fragrant, packed with garlic and so addictive that we couldn't stop reaching for another piece. One of my favorite parts of the meal was the aged Pu-er tea with an incredible Kung Fu Tea performance, where the tea master served traditional tea pouring with martial arts inspired movements. It was such a unique and memorable show! I tried it for abit and it was not easy! Whether you're visiting Chinatown for the first time or looking for authentic Sichuan cuisine with great vibes, Z&Y deserves a spot on your list.

    4. Stir Fried Pork Kidney
    Ying X.

    The restaurant is plastered with photos of Chinese and American political figures, proclaiming its legendary status. The food is decent, but if it truly is the "most authentic Sichuan restaurant," then the quality of Sichuan cuisine in San Francisco is seriously lacking! Fish Filet with Flaming Chili Oil水煮魚: As expected of a signature dish. The fish melts in your mouth, oily but not greasy. My Sichuan colleagues said it was very authentic, and the kids devoured it. Beef with Flaming Chili Oil水煮牛肉: Not bad! The beef was very tender. Stir-fried Pork Kidney火爆腰花: Overcooked; the kidney was tough... Twice-cooked Pork大刀回鍋肉: Well-cooked, fragrant but not greasy, but the seasoning is a bit too sweet. Yangzhou Fried Rice揚州炒飯: The rice grains are distinct, full of wok hei鑊氣 (wok aroma), showing skill. I think Sichuan restaurant fried rice is generally quite good. It was extremely delicious when mixed with the broth from the fish fillet or beef. Steamed Pork Dumplings灌湯小籠包: Very average. The skin and filling were both mushy.

    Maisie W.

    4.5/5: for serivce. I know becuase of the serivce. Thats not common in asian places like this. The place was packed and there was a long line. So glad my cousin made a reservation before. The waiters were nice. Kyle was very nice when we dropped off the cake to see if they can put it in the fridge for dessert after our dinner there. Ambiance is definitely on the noises end but people come here for food. The two dishes I like were the fried chicken and fish soup. We also order tea and if you do, you will get to watch a performance by the guy who pour tea into your kettle.

    Maryanne W.

    My son came to SFO to work for a few days so we went to the city to meet up with him for dinner. He said he heard good things about this place, and was Bib Gourmand so we decided to give it a try. He tried to make reservation but was told no same-day reservation (?) why?? Anyway we got there before 7 and put our name down. It is very old fashion that they would call your name, and not getting your cell and text you as many other places. After an eternity, we were finally seated around 8:30. Placed our order and watch the kong fu tea being poured for those who paid extra for the tea. I am particular about my Chinese tea, and if I have to pay for it, it better be good, and I did not want to chance it. I also do not need my tea poured by someone with the long spout, but it was fun to watch. The food finally arrived. We order fish in chili oil (water boiled fish), sichuan string bean, for appetizers we had beef jerky, chicken in chili oil, and spicy wanton. The food was okay, with the best ones be the string bean and the chili oil chicken. I have to say I have had better tasting dishes elsewhere, and did not have to commute over an hour to get to the city. I honestly can make better spicy wanton. The service was not great, maybe because they were busy, we had to ask for water a few times, and lastly asked for the water with check, and we got the check still no water. The place was very small and noise, and that is why we had to wait for over an hour as many people just sit and drank tea after they were done with food. I can understand that as they did pay good money for the tea, so might as well drink more.

    Albert M.

    It was shocking to find authentic Sichuan food in SF Chinatown, which is traditionally Cantonese. Service is classic Cantonese, very brash and direct, my female companion wanted to fist fight the waitress until I explained rude waitress is a sign of good food in Chinatown. The decor is super old school with 1970's vibe, with dust from 1970's on the Guangong statue. That is genuine Chinatown experience. The food was shockingly good. The smoked duck was a hit. The cold appetizer were amazing. The hot pepper chicken and beef filets were great. Great food and highly recommended

    2. Black Pepper Angus Steak Cube
    X M.

    We had a fantastic dining experience at Z & Y Peking duck the other day, and decided to try the other Z & Y restaurant on the same street. It does not disappoint us. the Spicy Crab is an absolutely must-try, and lives up the expectations. the crab is incredibly fresh, sweet, and meaty, buried under a glorious mountain of fragrant chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. It delivers that perfect flavor without overpowering the natural flavor of the seafood. It's messy, but is worth every single bite. Easily one of the best dishes in Chinatown!

    1. Dong Po Pork ShoulderShould
    Henry T.

    An absolute must-try if you love spicy Chinese cuisine in the city. This place just slaps your taste buds and awakens you to remember that food can taste amazing. Every spice here has a purpose outside of burning your mouth, it's rich, it's spicy, it's fun, and it's most of all, very flavorful! I was so enamored with the food, I forgot to take more photos. Ranking: 1. Szechuan style chicken (cold appetizer) 2. Spicy Beef in mini flaming pot 3. Pea sprouts with garlic 4. Truffles Fried Rice 5. Dong Po Pork Shoulder I also got their almond tofu dessert! That was so good, it's similar taste to almond croissant, if you like those, but super different texture. I honestly couldn't eat enough here because it's so tasty. I will 1000% be returning sooner than later. One of my favorites in the city!

    Khanh N.

    I've been coming to this Peking duck spot many times, and overall it's still a solid favorite for the food. Food (5/5): We ordered the truffle fried rice, honey walnut shrimp, Peking duck, and crab soup, everything was delicious and on point as usual. The only issue was the soup this time, it was way too sour compared to what I've had before. We politely asked the server to check with the chef, and after they remade it, it tasted much better and back to what I expected. Ambience (4/5): Nice and comfortable, nothing too fancy but a good, relaxed dining space. Service (3/5): This was the part that felt a bit off. The server did help us with the soup, but his attitude seemed a little annoyed, which was surprising since we were just asking politely. It made the interaction feel less welcoming than usual. I've had many great experiences here before, which is why I'm still giving 4 stars. But I did notice that service felt warmer on previous visits! I really love the food here, and I know they're capable of great service too. If the service matched the food consistently, this place would easily be 5 stars every time. I'll still come back, just hoping for that same friendly vibe I've had before.

    Joe J.

    We came in for a late lunch with a party of 3 and got seated right away. Food started hitting the table maybe 10 minutes after we ordered, which honestly surprised me because we ordered a lot: chicken with explosive chili peppers, Peking roast duck, creamy prawns with honey walnuts, scallion pancake, and black pepper beef. Every dish felt like it had intention behind it. The flavors were bold but not sloppy -- nothing tasted like filler. The black pepper beef had that deep heat that creeps up instead of punching you in the face, and the scallion pancake was crisp without being greasy. The duck had good texture, and the chili pepper chicken definitely lived up to the name. The coolest moment was when the honey walnut prawns came out. The plate had dry ice underneath so it looked like it was sizzling in thick steam at the table. Not gimmicky either -- just a really nice presentation that made you pause for a second before eating. Service was brief but pleasant. Nobody hovered, nobody rushed us, just efficient and friendly. The place was clean, noise level was moderate, lighting was comfortable, and I don't remember any music -- which honestly let the food be the focus. Price wise I had zero complaints. We got both quality and quantity, and it felt worth it. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. If I lived in San Francisco I'd probably be here way too often.

    2. Fish Filet with Flaming Chili Oil Chef's Speciality 1. Peking Roast Duck
    Maya K.

    Came here for Chinese New Year and was not disappointed! I would definitely recommend getting a reservation ahead of time during events as many people were waiting. The service was so good-- both the host and server made our experience better even though they were so busy. The food was phenomenal! We tried many things-- the fish in flaming chili oil, spicy bamboo shoots, cucumber salad, veg chow mein, frog in dry pot, hot and sour soup, and peking duck. ALL of the dishes impressed. That's rare! There are a million restaurants to try in the city, but we'll be back to this one!

    Daisy D.

    The food tastes okay, but the portion is very small and not worth the price. I ordered the fish fillet in chili oil and Mao Xue Wang. About 60% of the dish was covered with dried chilies, leaving very little actual food to eat. The male server was nice, but the female server was very rude. When I was ready to pay, she asked for the mandatory service fee and said it is charged in the San Francisco area. She seemed annoyed when I asked about it and was not patient while explaining or asking me to pay. I still left a tip because the other servers were good, but the female server's attitude was really unpleasant. Overall, it was not a good experience for me, and I would not recommend this restaurant.

    Menu photo
    Joey C.

    If you need to get your Numbing experience in with really good Szechuan food this is your spot. We've had this place on our radar for some time ,with my wife having a very rare Saturday off because of July 4th, we decided to go. Party of 3 or less you add your name to the waiting list and grab a menu and wait. It didn't matter how long the wait was, we were in it to win it understanding there would be a wait did not bother us at all. There's a wonderful spot in Berkeley that We enjoy going to so my wife & daughter can get their "Numbing Fix" on with, but as I typed, coming to Z & Y has been on our radar. It was definitely worth the wait, & drive as we commuted almost an hour to get there. The staff did come by as we waited to inform us how long it would be. There are plenty of options available for some of us customers that can't handle the Numbing spice, I've never seen a presentation with Honey Walnut Prawns looking as wonderful as I did at Y& Z Restaurant. I could not describe the dishes my beautiful wife of 25 years ordered for her & our daughter but they were both satisfied & happy with the quality of the dishes they ordered, & of course they were both loving every bite of their very spicy Numbing food that was on our table. After we ordered the food started coming to our table separately after a few minutes. I was looking at the presentation of other dishes that were arriving at other tables , they all looked spectacular The interior of this restaurant was clean including the bathrooms , I would absolutely bring my family back here again & again

    5. Tender Fresh Fish Fillet Boiled in Szechuan peppers

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    30 days ago

    Great food delicious crab. Service was wonderful and great people and the atmosphere was excellent 10/10 would recommend

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    Z & Y Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Z & Y Restaurant

    What are some of their most popular dishes that a first-timer must try?

    Deep fried chilli chicken dices

    Can they make the dishes mild vs spicy?

    Do both yelp and opentable reservations work? I saw that it is possible to make a reservation using yelp, but on their website it says they use opentable. Are both acceptable?

    Hello Peter, We took reservation via Yelp and Opentable for a party of 4 or more. If you still can't find the date/time available, we could be fully booked that date. May we… 

    Does this place still serve chicken wings? I loved them here but couldn't find them on the menu?

    Can they make dishes without soy sauce? And can they accomodate dietary restrictions?

    Yes you can request having the dishes without soy sauce

    What are some of the vegan options available? Is the food made with MSG?

    Stop asking restaurants if they have MSG. If you eat tomatoes, mushrooms, or any junk food, it contains some form of MSG

    Do they have room for large parties (of around 20 people)?

    It's a very small area. However, they may accommodate that size of a group with advance notice.… 

    Do they take reservations or not? When I go to OpenTable, if I try to make a reservation for 4 people it shows lots of times. If I change it to 5 people (or anything else) then all of the times disappear. I called and they said "walks in only".

    We have enough space to help you arrange a comfortable dining experience,We are a Chinese New Generation restaurant focusing on bringing you adventurous, bold flavors of traditional and non-traditional dishes using the freshest ingredients

    How much is the Peking duck and can I do half a duck?

    $42.95 I do not think they do half duck

    View All 12 Questions

    Little Szechuan

    Little Szechuan

    3.6
    (704 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Don't change a thing, the spice level is perfect!…read more Sincerely, I'd like to meet the people who think Little Szechuan goes easy on the heat because to me, it's a blast of mala spice and numbing sensation- and I have a high tolerance. The Spicy Garlic Pork with vegetables was HOT and there was no escape: Like an opponent's chess pieces trying to grab your king, one bite after the next puts you in jeopardy. It was a good kind of peril. The Chow Mein Select noodles with lots of fresh crunchy vegetables was nicely executed with firm, plump chow mein. It was a very generous helping. I thanked my stars for the relief of white rice. The quart of hot and sour soup will have to wait until tomorrow, so much delicious food. For vegetarians, lots of menu options for you as well as those looking for unique dumplings and lots of offal dishes for those who crave it. Ambience is fresh, polished, non-touristy yet in the very heart of Chinatown where this is not always guaranteed. Locals and visitors alike, bookmark this restaurant. Little Szechuan was another Too Good to Go find. We'll be back soon, before Chinese New Year. 新年快乐

    This is my go to spot in the city when I'm craving authentic Sichuan food. Tucked in the heart of…read moreChinatown, this place delivers a punchy, numbing spice that's hard to find anywhere else in town. I usually get takeout or delivery, but the food really shines when you dine in. First off..this is a Sichuan restaurant so Skip the dim sum and orange chicken, that's not what you come here for so don't order it and then complain they're not good. My favorites: Flaming Chili Oil Beef and Flaming Chili Oil Fish. The meat is perfectly "velveted," giving it that smooth, slippery texture that soaks up the hot oil and chili flavors. Each bite hits with layers of heat, garlic, and Sichuan peppercorns that tingle and numb your tongue. the kind of burn that makes you want to keep eating even tho you're sweating like crazy. They can tone down the spice if you ask, but I'd recommend keeping it medium or higher; the mild version loses a lot of the oil which is key to the overall experience. The Sour Pickled Fish. It's not the bright red kind of spicy, but it sneaks up on you with tangy, mouth watering broth full of pickled mustard greens, Thai chilis, and that signature Sichuan mala numbing. It's sour, savory, and deeply umami, the kind of dish that wakes up your whole palate If you can, eat in. The dishes come bubbling hot and the aromas fill the table which is way better than eating out of a takeout container, where the oil separates and the textures get a little lost.

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Sesame Chicken (ig:@heatherr.eats)
    Sesame Chicken (ig:@heatherr.eats)
    Fish Fillet Boiled W. Flaming Chili Oil

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    Fish Fillet Boiled W. Flaming Chili Oil

    Z & Y Restaurant - szechuan - Updated August 2026

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