Best Chinese Restaurants in Tenderloin
6 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Hai Ky Noodles
Beloved Little Saigon noodle house with an iconic duck-leg soup.
Notable Picks
8.3
Little Saigon stalwart known for Cantonese-Vietnamese noodle soups and a legendary braised duck leg wonton bowl. No-frills setting, big flavors, and prices that keep neighborhood regulars coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised duck leg with wonton egg noodles, House special wonton egg noodle soup, Beef stew noodle soup
What Makes it Special: Beloved Little Saigon noodle house with an iconic duck-leg soup.
8.3
Union Square staple for late-night Cantonese and Sichuan comfort—dim sum snacks, rice plates, and wok-fried noodles until 10 pm. Reliable portions and quick service make it a post-show standby near Powell.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shanghai dumplings, Chongqing hot-numbing noodle soup, BBQ pork over rice
What Makes it Special: Broad Hong Kong–leaning menu served late steps from Powell.
Worthy Picks
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family Friendly Favorites
Venezuelan-Chinese counter spot serving rotisserie plates, wok noodles, and arroz especial with bright sauces. Quick, filling meals anchor this Tenderloin favorite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Arroz Especial, Rotisserie Chicken Plate, Dumplings in Chili Oil
What Makes it Special: Venezuelan-Chinese comfort plates at wallet-friendly prices.
7.8
A Tenderloin workhorse since 2002 that keeps the Hunan-Mandarin playbook simple and the portions oversized for the price. The draw is straightforward wok work—chow fun, kung pao, Mongolian beef—delivered at a speed and cost that makes it a repeat-visit spot for the neighborhood lunch crowd. Expect cafeteria-speed service and zero frills; what you get instead is a plate that feeds like two for under fifteen bucks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chow Fun, Kung Pao Chicken, Mongolian Beef
What Makes it Special: Tenderloin mainstay since 2002 serving generous Hunan and Mandarin plates at some of the lowest prices in the neighborhood.
7.7
Tiny counter-service spot by the theater corridor turning out fast Chinese standards for takeout or a quick sit-down. Dependable for late-ish dinners when you want noodles or rice plates without fuss.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef chow fun, Honey walnut prawns, Hot and sour soup
What Makes it Special: Speedy, no-frills Chinese favorites near Powell and the theaters.
7.6
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Long-running Civic Center counter for classic takeout staples and dim sum snacks. Straightforward, fast, and inexpensive for courthouse and office crowds.
Must-Try Dishes:
Har Gow, BBQ Pork Fried Rice, Chow Mein
What Makes it Special: Classic Chinese takeout with speedy counter service near City Hall.