Find My Perfect Chinese Restaurant Near Me

Experience a Piece of History at Hang Ah Tea Room, San Francisco's Oldest Chinese Restaurant
  1. Chinese Food
  2. Chinese Restaurant
  3. California
  4. San Francisco County
  5. San Francisco
  6. Chinatown
  7. Chinese Restaurant in Pagoda Place
  8. Hang Ah Tea Room

Hang Ah Tea Room

547 reviews

Hang Ah Tea Room Photos

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Hours

Monday, 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday, 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday, 10:30 AM - 9:30 PM
Friday, 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday, 10:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday, 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM

About Hang Ah Tea Room

Welcome to Hang Ah Tea Room, a unique and historically significant establishment in the heart of San Francisco. As a long-standing member of the Chinese Restaurant category, Hang Ah Tea Room holds the distinction of purportedly being the oldest Chinese restaurant in the United States. Located at 1 Pagoda Pl, in the vibrant Chinatown district, our restaurant offers a glimpse into the past while serving a diverse menu of Chinese cuisine.

One of the frequently mentioned aspects of Hang Ah Tea Room is the taste of our food, which many customers have described as "very tasty" and "decent." We take pride in our culinary offerings, striving to provide flavors that satisfy and appeal to a wide range of palates. For those who enjoy a bit of heat, our curry comes highly recommended for its spiciness. However, it is important to note, as one reviewer pointed out, that the curry is "quite spicy," so it might not be suitable for those who prefer milder flavors. We encourage our guests to inquire about the spice levels of our dishes to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.

The ambiance of Hang Ah Tea Room is often characterized as "old school" and "bare bones." If you are seeking a modern or fancy dining environment, this might not be the place for you. Our restaurant offers a more traditional and unpretentious setting, reminiscent of classic Chinese eateries. This no-frills atmosphere contributes to the unique charm and historical significance of Hang Ah Tea Room.

In terms of service, customer reviews present a mixed perspective. While one reviewer found the service to be "very poor" and cited a lack of management leading to organizational issues despite the waitstaff's efforts, another described the service as "swift." It appears that the efficiency of service might vary, and we are continuously working to improve our operational flow to ensure a smoother experience for all our guests. One helpful tip mentioned by a customer is to utilize the code on the table for ordering, which is suggested to be a much faster method.

Despite some concerns about the service, the general consensus is that the food is indeed tasty, albeit perhaps not the absolute best that some customers have experienced elsewhere. One reviewer likened the food to what you might get at a Chinese takeout place – decent and flavorful. This suggests a focus on delivering familiar and satisfying Chinese dishes.

A notable feature of Hang Ah Tea Room is our extensive menu. As one customer mentioned, "There was a lot on the menu!" This wide variety of offerings provides ample opportunity for both regular patrons and first-time visitors to explore different dishes and find new favorites. From classic staples to perhaps some lesser-known specialties, our menu aims to cater to diverse tastes and preferences.

Given our claim as the oldest Chinese restaurant in the U.S., a visit to Hang Ah Tea Room offers more than just a meal; it provides a chance to experience a piece of culinary history. While one reviewer stated they might not return frequently despite the good food due to better experiences elsewhere, they did express an interest in trying some of the other items on our extensive menu, indicating a curiosity about the breadth of our offerings.

Located in the heart of Chinatown at 1 Pagoda Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, Hang Ah Tea Room is easily accessible for locals and tourists alike. We offer a unique dining experience that combines tasty food with a historical ambiance. While we acknowledge feedback regarding our service and are actively working on improvements, we believe that the quality of our food and the sheer variety of our menu make us a worthwhile visit.

We invite you to come and explore the flavors of Hang Ah Tea Room and be a part of our long and storied history. Whether you are drawn by our reputation as the oldest Chinese restaurant in the U.S., curious about our spicy curry, or eager to sample from our extensive menu, we look forward to welcoming you. Consider utilizing the table code for a potentially faster ordering experience. For inquiries or reservations, please contact us at (415) 982-5686 or +1 415-982-5686. Come and taste a piece of San Francisco's culinary heritage at Hang Ah Tea Room!

Hang Ah Tea Room Location

1 Pagoda Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA

Customer Reviews

3.0
547 reviews
J
Juliana Pedroza
Jan 28, 2025

The food is very tasty. The curry is quite spicy, so don’t order it if you don’t like spicy food. The restaurant markets itself as the oldest in the U.S., which attracted me, but I wouldn’t return. As I mentioned, the food is good, but I’ve been to other restaurants where the food is even better. The service is very poor. I could see that they were trying hard to serve everyone, but there was a lack of management. It’s definitely not an issue with the waitstaff, but with the organization. I recommend ordering through the code on the table—it’s much faster!

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William Lyons
Mar 02, 2025

Old school, bare bones kind of place. If you’re expecting fancy, gourmet Chinese food, this isn’t your place. The service was swift and the food was decent and tasty. Much like something you might get at a Chinese takeout place. I’d go again, but I wouldn’t make a great effort to go often… that said, I would try some different things. There was a lot on the menu!

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Bruce Powell
Dec 07, 2024

This place is definitely trading on its 100-year plus history serving dim sum. The old-school vibe is fun, and the service is friendly, but the food is below par, even in Chinatown, where none of the dim sum offerings are great. The shrimp dumpling wrappers were thick and stodgy, and the filling, while chunky with prawns, lacked seasoning and texture. The steamed pork bun dough was tasty if heavy, but the pork was too lean, making it dry, and the barbecue sauce was unpleasant tasting. The steamed beancurd rolls were overcooked and, again, needed seasoning. The steamed pork ribs with pumpkin and black beans were a perfect mixture of fat and lean pieces, cooked well. The wontons in chilli oil were tasty. Thin wrapper, good mix of lean and fatty pork, in a vinegary chilli sauce topped with lots of fresh chopped garlic. It seemed pricey at $55 for 1 person. They charge extra for credit cards, and they add the tip onto the tax as well as the base price, which is a bit cheeky. I don't know if the other menu items are good or not, but I'd give this place a miss if you're looking for dim sum.

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brandon oswalt
Feb 07, 2025

Really sad to see a place like this go bad. Tea was hot leaf juice, and tasted more like sf tap water than jasmine. Wonton soup was bland AF, and only had bok choy that was larger than the personal bowls and wontons. Scallion pancake was charred, but soup dumplings were really good. Slipped twice in store because there were oily spots all around the store and it was raining. When I fell they said yea it's because of the rain then went back to talking. IF YOU KNOW THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM, DO SOMETHING. Literally just stood around and watched. I also asked for a lucky Buddha beer which was on the menu, but worst just kept saying they don't know and walked away. Hard 3.5/10 . I don't even care to return to verify if it was just a bad day

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Fei Yu
Jan 23, 2025

Yes, it's a bit overhyped by the fact they're an institution serving dim sum and hot tea for over a hundred years. The menu covers the basics of dim sum - siu mai, dumplings, spareribs, baos, etc. Plenty of tables and seats for small groups or couples. It feels very historic indeed. Service was a bit slow albeit we went for a 1pm lunch off peak. Would rec the siu mai, chili wontons and stuffed tofu. BBQ buns were a bit too floppy. No big surprises, and personally I'd say there are better spots with variety and quality dim sum.

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