- Chinese Food
- Chinese Restaurant
- California
- San Francisco County
- San Francisco
- Outer Sunset
- Chinese Restaurant in Noriega Street
- Menkee Wonton
Menkee Wonton Photos










About Menkee Wonton
Welcome to Menkee Wonton, a Chinese restaurant located at 1701 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA. For over two decades, Menkee Wonton has been serving the local community with affordable and delicious down-home Chiu Chow cuisine. As a long-standing establishment in the Chinese Restaurant category, Menkee Wonton has cultivated a loyal following among those who prioritize authentic flavors and exceptional value over elaborate ambiance or formal service.
The environment of Menkee Wonton is consistently described as a quintessential "hole in the wall" restaurant. This characterization implies a no-frills setting where the focus is squarely on the food rather than the decor or cleanliness. Multiple reviewers mention a somewhat sticky environment, including the floors, tables, menus, and even, according to one review, the waitress. The bathroom is also noted to share this characteristic. It is crucial for potential diners to understand this aspect of Menkee Wonton; it is not a place where one should expect a pristine or modern dining atmosphere. However, despite these environmental conditions, the restaurant boasts a significant advantage: customers "never ever have to wait for a table," suggesting quick seating and a high turnover.
The service at Menkee Wonton is a point that requires clear expectations. Reviews explicitly state that customers "are not paying for service here," and one should "don’t expect a smile." The service is described as functional rather than friendly or attentive. While not elaborated upon in detail, the focus seems to be on taking orders and delivering food efficiently, without the added pleasantries often found in more service-oriented establishments. One reviewer advises that if "friendly service is imperative to you," then Menkee Wonton is not the recommended choice. However, another reviewer notes that while communication or order issues might be mentioned in negative reviews, the core offering is the food itself.
The primary feature of Menkee Wonton is its incredibly affordable prices, especially for the San Francisco area. One reviewer genuinely expresses astonishment at finding entrees still priced in the $6-$8 range, highlighting the exceptional value offered. This makes Menkee Wonton a standout for budget-conscious diners seeking a substantial and flavorful meal without a hefty price tag. The consistent mention of "cheap" and "crazy affordable prices" underscores this key characteristic.
Another significant feature is the authenticity and taste of the Chiu Chow cuisine. For those familiar with this specific regional Chinese cooking style, Menkee Wonton is described as offering "down home chui chow food" with "great flavors." One highly recommended option is the 5-course meal, currently priced at $24 (having previously been $20). While the specific dishes included in this meal are not detailed in the provided reviews, its consistent recommendation suggests it offers a satisfying and diverse culinary experience at an attractive price point. The overall consensus is that the food is "really good" and represents an "amazing hole in the wall Chinese food" experience for those who know what to expect regarding the environment and service.
It is important to note that there is no mention of any specific promotional information or ongoing offers at Menkee Wonton in the provided reviews. The primary draw seems to be the combination of low prices and tasty, authentic Chiu Chow food. The longevity of the restaurant, with one customer having frequented it for 20 years, speaks to its consistent delivery of these core attributes to a loyal customer base.
In conclusion, Menkee Wonton offers a unique dining experience in San Francisco. It is a place where the focus is squarely on providing cheap and delicious down-home Chiu Chow food. The environment is undeniably a no-frills "hole in the wall," characterized by a somewhat sticky atmosphere, and the service is described as functional rather than friendly. However, the incredibly affordable prices, particularly for entrees in the $6-$8 range, and the consistently praised flavors of the authentic cuisine, especially the recommended 5-course meal, make it a compelling option for diners who prioritize value and taste over ambiance and service. If you are looking for genuinely affordable and tasty Chiu Chow food in San Francisco and are not concerned about a basic and somewhat unclean environment with minimal service, Menkee Wonton at 1701 Noriega St is a place worth trying. For inquiries, you can contact them at (415) 566-2203 or +1 415-566-2203.
Menkee Wonton Location
1701 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122, USA
Customer Reviews
Been coming here for 20 years, cheap and delicious down home chui chow food. You are not paying for service here so don’t expect a smile and this is the very best definition of a hole in the wall restaurant. Everything is sticky, the floor, the table, the menu, the bathroom and even the waitress. Also you’ll never ever have to wait for a table. Order the 5 course meal for $24, (it used to be $20) the flavors are great.
1) crazy affordable prices. I genuinely can’t find a place in SF that still sells entrees in the 6-8$ range. 2) really good food 3) don’t expect amazing dine in service or the place to be beautifully decorated/clean. This is the purest definition of amazing hole in the wall Chinese food and if you know what you are in for than I deplore you to try this place. Ignore 1 star reviews that comment about communication issues or order issues, but if friendly service is imperative to you than I would recommend you look elsewhere.
This place has a fantastic owner cook who makes down home foods which is absolutely delicious. I really like his calamari which is light and tasty. His batter and the seasoning he uses makes this dish memorable. Too often you order calamari it comes out over cooked and rubbery. This place it's light and tender. My favorite dishes I like are his steamed pork with salted fish, lotus root with Chinese sausage, salted fish fried rice, Chinese gai lon with oyster sauce, and his mustard green soup with minced pork. Best part of all it is really reasonable to eat here and it really has good food.
Menkee is an 80's era Chinatown restaurant. They do have unique Chiu Chow style dishes. Tonight I had their Chiu Chow style peanuts $1.75, Chiu Chow style egg rolls $2.50 for two small rolls, Chiu Chow oyster cake $6.95 and a BBQ pork wonton noodles $7.55. The Chiu Chow style peanuts were roasted peanuts served at room temperate. They weren't oily or salted. I'll skip that next time unless there is beer. Their egg rolls were pretty good. The filling is sticky rice with little pieces of Chinese preserved sausage (lap chong) served on a bed of pickled vegetables. The Chiu Chow oyster cake was not bad. Very doughy and didn't have that bitter oyster taste that I enjoy. There were little pieces of green onions in there. Finally the BBQ pork wonton noodles were acceptable. I didn't find the broth to be exciting or the BBQ pork to be succulent. The wontons were OK. This place feels dirty and run down. The waitress could use a lesson in congeniality. The food is pretty good though because of their Chao Zhou dishes. I wouldn't bring a girl here until they are down for hole-in-the wall establishments.
The food here really is delicious. Vegetables are prepared to Cantonese perfection. The food preparation is outstanding. The decor is not impressive for dining-in, and while the service is efficient, it's not exactly friendly or warm. If you feel put off by the look of the restaurant, get take out. You won't be disappointed. If you can't decide what to get choose one of the two lowest pieced fixed-price menus. It's a lot of food though! Someone else on google mentioned the beef chow fun - this was the dish I ordered the first time I went here. The noodles and vegetables were great. The wonton soup is great. The wontons themselves are really delicious, and the broth and cabbage make it a delicious starter for a hearty meal.
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