Find My Perfect Chinese Restaurant Near Me

Discover Authentic Sichuan Cuisine at Mama Ji's in San Francisco
  1. Chinese Food
  2. Chinese Restaurant
  3. California
  4. San Francisco County
  5. San Francisco
  6. Eureka Valley
  7. Chinese Restaurant in 18th Street
  8. Mama Ji's

Mama Ji's

894 reviews

Mama Ji's Photos

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Hours

Monday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Tuesday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Wednesday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Thursday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Friday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Saturday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sunday, 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

About Mama Ji's

Nestled in the vibrant Mission District of San Francisco, Mama Ji's stands out as a popular Chinese restaurant specializing in authentic Sichuan cuisine. Located at 4416 18th St, this establishment has garnered a reputation for offering a delightful dining experience that combines flavorful dishes with exceptional service, all at a reasonable price point. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor exploring the diverse culinary landscape of San Francisco, Mama Ji's provides a welcoming environment to savor the bold and aromatic tastes of Sichuan cooking.

As a Chinese Restaurant, Mama Ji's caters to a wide range of palates, with a particular focus on the distinctive flavors that define Sichuan cuisine. This culinary tradition is renowned for its liberal use of Sichuan peppercorns, which impart a unique numbing and tingling sensation, along with fiery chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and fermented broad beans. These signature ingredients create complex and layered flavors that are both exciting and deeply satisfying. While the menu features classic Sichuan dishes, Mama Ji's also appears to offer familiar Chinese-American staples, ensuring there's something to appeal to various preferences.

Based on customer reviews, the environment at Mama Ji's is conducive to a pleasant dining experience. While specific details about the décor and ambiance are not extensively described, the positive feedback suggests a comfortable and welcoming setting. It's likely that the restaurant provides a casual and unpretentious atmosphere, allowing diners to focus on enjoying the food and company. The fact that customers have had "lovely times" indicates a positive overall ambiance that contributes to a satisfying visit.

One of the standout aspects of Mama Ji's, consistently highlighted in customer reviews, is their exceptional service. Diners have specifically praised the attentiveness and care provided by the staff. One reviewer recounted a particularly positive experience where a server took the time to thoroughly explain the gluten-free options available. This level of dedication went beyond simply listing items; the server thoughtfully considered which substitutions would result in the most flavorful dishes. This proactive and considerate approach to customer service suggests that Mama Ji's prioritizes the comfort and satisfaction of its patrons, especially those with dietary restrictions.

The features of Mama Ji's extend beyond just the quality of the food. Their commitment to accommodating dietary needs, as evidenced by the positive feedback regarding gluten-free options, is a significant feature that sets them apart. In a city with a diverse population and varying dietary requirements, this inclusivity is highly valued. The willingness of the staff to go the extra mile in ensuring a delicious and safe meal for customers with restrictions speaks volumes about their dedication to customer care.

In terms of the food itself, Mama Ji's appears to offer dishes that are both flavorful and satisfying. The "chicken beans dish" mentioned in a review was described as "flavorful," indicating a focus on taste and quality ingredients. The enjoyment of the "Chinese broccoli" further suggests that their vegetable dishes are also well-prepared and appealing. While one reviewer noted that there might be "much better higher end Chinese options available elsewhere in SF," they also acknowledged that Mama Ji's is "definitely better than most Chinese options at a similar price in SF (or the US broadly)." This suggests that Mama Ji's provides a commendable balance of quality and affordability, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a satisfying Chinese meal without breaking the bank.

Considering its category as a Chinese Restaurant, Mama Ji's effectively delivers on the core expectations. It provides a menu centered around Chinese cuisine, with a notable emphasis on the spicy and aromatic flavors of the Sichuan tradition. The positive reviews regarding food quality, coupled with the affordability, position Mama Ji's as a strong contender within its category in the San Francisco area. The added benefit of exceptional customer service, particularly in addressing dietary needs, further enhances its appeal.

Currently, there is no specific promotional information available in the provided data. However, based on the positive reviews and the restaurant's established presence, it's likely that Mama Ji's relies on word-of-mouth and consistent quality to attract and retain customers. For local users, the consistent praise for both the food and the service serves as a strong recommendation to visit and experience Mama Ji's firsthand. To stay updated on any potential promotions or special offers, it would be advisable to follow their social media channels or contact the restaurant directly using the provided phone numbers: (415) 626-4416 or +1 415-626-4416.

In conclusion, Mama Ji's offers local San Francisco users a fantastic opportunity to enjoy delicious and affordable Sichuan Chinese cuisine. Located conveniently on 18th Street, the restaurant provides a welcoming environment, characterized by exceptional and attentive service. Their commitment to accommodating dietary restrictions, particularly gluten-free options, further enhances their appeal. While perhaps not positioned as a high-end dining experience, Mama Ji's excels in providing flavorful and satisfying dishes at a reasonable price, making it a highly recommended choice for anyone craving authentic Chinese flavors in the city.

Mama Ji's Location

4416 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94114, USA

Customer Reviews

4.0
894 reviews
I
Ian F.
Apr 28, 2025

Decent cheap Chinese food. It's definitely better than most Chinese options at a similar price in SF (or the US broadly), so I understand the high average rating, but there are much better higher end Chinese options available elsewhere in SF if you know how amazing good Chinese food can actually be and want something like that.

G
Gemma Boothroyd
Apr 01, 2025

Amazing service here. Our server really took the time to walk me through the gluten free options. Not only that, he carefully deliberated which ones would be tastiest after making the necessary substitutions! And the chicken beans dish I ultimately ordered was indeed flavourful ☺️ We also enjoyed the Chinese broccoli 🥦 We had a lovely time here. Thank you for a great evening!

P
Peng He
May 04, 2025

Thought it was another American Chinese restaurant but I was wrong! The food is cooked in the right way and introduced in a western narrative. It beats most of the English-speaking Chinese restaurants! The Chongqing chicken is soooo good! If they don’t use Lao Gan Ma sauce it would be even better

J
Jesse Lee
Dec 10, 2024

Not the best Chinese food, for the area it’s good enough if you are in a hurry or don’t want to go all the way to Chinatown.

A
Ajinkya Patil
Jul 09, 2024

A nice family-owned restaurant. We loved the chowmein, Shanghai dumplings and one of their new Sichuan specials. One of the owners was the server and she was friendly and passionate about her menu. Ambience is okay but service was fast, and food was good.

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