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San Tung
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
San Tung
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Home of SF’s cult dry-fried chicken wings—crackly, sweet-savory, and peppery—backed by a fast-moving Chinese menu. Locals line up for half-orders to sample both dry and sauced styles, plus easy shareables.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-fried chicken wings, Wet wings (sweet-savory glaze), Cold noodles with peanut-sesame sauce
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Definitive SF dry-fried wing technique with lightning-fast kitchen.
Who should go: Wing die-hards and share-plate groups
When to visit: Late lunch or after 8 pm to avoid lines
What to order: Dry-fried wings; wet wings; cold noodles
Insider tip: Order two half-orders (dry + wet) to compare styles.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking on Irving and side streets; expect limited availability during lunch and dinner rushes. No dedicated lot.
Dress code: Casual; jeans, sneakers, and park attire are all fine. No need to dress up.
Noise level: Lively and bustling—expect background chatter and clatter, but conversations are manageable for small groups.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes, especially from 6:30–8:00 pm; lines form outside.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait before noon; quick turnover even during peak hours.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes, but limited to small plates like green beans, tofu dishes, or noodles.
Vegan options: Very limited—most sauces contain soy and potential oyster or fish components.
Gluten-free options: Not officially—most fried items and sauces use wheat-based soy; cross-contact likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date values great food over ambiance—expect crowded seating, quick service, and sticky fingers. Better for casual hangs than romantic nights.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—San Tung doesn’t take reservations. Join the waitlist at the door and expect a short wait off-peak or up to an hour at dinner.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—families are common, and the quick service suits younger kids. High chairs available but space is tight for strollers.
Best For
Better for: Signature dry-fried wings—crisp, sticky, and unique in SF. Perfect for groups craving shareable Chinese-American comfort food.
Skip if: You want a quiet, romantic meal or dietary flexibility; sauces and frying oil limit gluten-free and vegan options.
San Tung
8.5
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Home of the city’s cult-favorite dry-fried chicken wings—crackly, sweet-savory, and peppery—with lines that prove the pull. The kitchen moves fast and portions make it easy to share a double order with noodles or greens.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-Fried Chicken Wings, Spicy Wet Wings, Garlic Green Beans (wing sidekick)
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Definitive SF dry-fried wings since the 1980s.
Who should go: Wing die-hards and share-plate groups
When to visit: Late lunch or after 8pm to skip peak lines
What to order: Dry-fried wings; wet wings; cold noodles
Insider tip: Order two half-orders (dry and wet) to sample both styles.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Irving and adjacent residential blocks; tight during peak hours but easier after 8pm. No dedicated lot or valet service.
Dress code: Ultra-casual—hoodies and jeans are standard. Come as you are, especially if you’re tackling saucy wings.
Noise level: Lively and bustling; conversation requires slight volume lift but manageable for groups.
Weekend wait: 45–60 minutes typical; longer during prime dinner rush 6–7:30pm.
Weekday lunch: Usually 5–15 minutes; mid-afternoon nearly walk-in ready.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Some stir-fried vegetable and noodle options, but wings dominate the menu.
Vegan options: Extremely limited—sauces and batters are not vegan-friendly.
Gluten-free options: No dedicated gluten-free setup; soy sauces and coatings contain wheat.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date loves messy, finger-licking food and a loud, no-frills vibe. It’s more about flavor than romance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—San Tung operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive off-peak (after 8pm or mid-afternoon) for the shortest waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—plenty of families dine here. Kids love the sweet wings and noodles, but note the cramped tables and spicy sauces.
Best For
Better for: Signature dry-fried wings that no other SF spot replicates perfectly—crispy, sticky, and addictively spiced.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, extensive vegetarian options, or polished table service—this is about flavor over finesse.
San Tung
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Lines form daily for the signature dry-fried chicken wings, crisp-skinned and lacquered in a sweet–spicy glaze. The rest of the long menu leans hearty Shandong-American with hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, and shareable plates that keep groups well-fed.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-Fried Chicken Wings, Black Bean Noodles, Green Beans with Garlic
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 8.8
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 8.9
What makes it special: Iconic wings and crowd-pleasing Shandong standards since 1986.
Who should go: Wing lovers and hungry groups
When to visit: Late lunch or early dinner to dodge lines
What to order: Dry-fried wings, potstickers, green beans
Insider tip: Order a second plate of wings upfront—they sell out at peak times.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only—tight during dinner hours; meters and nearby side streets fill fast after 6pm. No valet or lot.
Dress code: Casual—jeans, hoodies, and sneakers are the norm; no need to dress up.
Noise level: High during peak hours—expect lively chatter and the clatter of woks; manageable at off-peak times.
Weekend wait: 45–75 minutes; lines form before opening and persist through the evening.
Weekday lunch: 10–20 minutes, though faster for small parties or solo diners.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several dishes like dry sautéed green beans, vegetable chow mein, and eggplant are solid picks.
Vegan options: Limited—some vegetable stir-fries can be made vegan if you specify no oyster sauce.
Gluten-free options: Minimal—soy sauce and battering are common; not a good fit for strict gluten-free diets.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Only if your date values food over atmosphere—great conversation starter for foodies, but it’s loud, casual, and often packed.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—San Tung doesn’t take reservations. Expect to queue; write your name on the clipboard and wait outside until called.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—plenty of families dine here. High chairs available, and portions are shareable. Just be prepared for a noisy room.
Best For
Better for: Crispier wings and more authentic Shandong-style comfort food than nearby casual Chinese spots.
Skip if: You’re seeking a quiet meal, upscale ambiance, or strict dietary accommodations.
San Tung
8.9
A beloved Chinese eatery in the Inner Sunset, famed for its dry-fried chicken wings that are crispy, sweet, and slightly spicy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry Fried Chicken Wings, Vegetarian Egg Rolls, Black Bean Sauce Noodles
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 8
Consistency: 9
Food Quality: 9.5
Atmosphere: 7.5
Cultural Relevance: 9.5
What makes it special: Crispy, sweet, and slightly spicy dry-fried chicken wings.
Who should go: Those seeking authentic Chinese comfort food.
When to visit: Weekdays to avoid long wait times.
What to order: Dry Fried Chicken Wings, Vegetarian Egg Rolls, Black Bean Sauce Noodles.
Insider tip: Arrive early to secure a table without a long wait.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking available, but can be difficult during peak hours. No valet service.
Dress code: Casual – jeans and a nice shirt are perfectly fine.
Noise level: Moderate – conversation is possible, but can get loud during busy times.
Weekend wait: Expect a 30-45 minute wait, especially on weekends.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically, but it can get busy during lunch rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes – there are vegetarian-friendly options like the vegetarian egg rolls.
Vegan options: Limited – a few vegan-friendly options, including certain noodle dishes.
Gluten-free options: Yes – while not a dedicated gluten-free kitchen, there are some options, but it's best to ask for modifications.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, it's casual and intimate with great food to share, but the noise level can be a bit high during busy times.
Can I get a table without a reservation? It depends on the time, but it's recommended to come early, especially on weekends. During weekdays, it's easier to get a table without a reservation.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes, the restaurant is family-friendly with a cozy atmosphere, though it can get busy. The menu has options suitable for kids, like egg rolls and noodles.
Best For
Better for: San Tung is better for those seeking crispy, flavorful dry-fried chicken wings, a unique dish that's hard to find elsewhere.
Skip if: Skip if you're looking for a quiet, intimate dining experience, as the restaurant can get quite loud during peak times.