House of Nanking – Chinese Restaurant Review

Favorite Chinese Restaurants

There are literally hundreds of Chinese restaurants in San Francisco. Most are family–or relative–owned and operated, and provide good to excellent food, at low prices. Here is one of my favorites: Two can eat well at dinner, family-style, by choosing one appetizer or soup (a bowl is a starter for up to 4), and one entree per person. Often, the entrees are so large that one appetizer or soup and two entrees are enough for three persons. This keeps the price under $10 per person.

House of Nanking
919 Kearny St (Broadway/Pacific), 421-1429
11am-10pm 7 days.

House of Nanking is a huge success story. From the day it opened, some 15 years ago, it was packed with diners. This was due mainly to its cook-owner who shopped for the best and freshest food he could find, cooked it in front of the diners, and carried on an animated conversation with them.

Since those days, the restaurant has expanded by taking a large loft-like place right next door, and has retained its upscale food, at very decent prices. Portions are large, so one dish can provide a good meal. Tea is served, as in most Chinese restaurants, at no charge. It is usually jammed at lunch and dinner.

Recommendation: choose any dish called “Nanking”, and you won’t be disappointed.

Appetizers, e.g., fried shrimp cake $.95, eggplant $4.95, chicken salad $4.95, shrimp salad $5.95, fried eggplant $4.95, vegie salad $4.95.

Soups – e.g., hot & sour or won ton $4.95 (starter for 4).

Chicken, pork, beef – e.g., sesame chicken $5.25, chicken fillet with Tsing Tao beer sauce $5.25, beef with string beans $5.95, Nanking sesame beef $6.95, Nanking-style mu shu pork $7.95.

Seafood (12 dishes) – e.g., sesame shrimp $7.95, fish filet Nanking style $8.95.

Noodles or rice (12 dishes), vegetables (15 dishes) – e.g., Beef, chicken or pork fried rice $4.95, beef, pork, or chicken chow mein $4.95. Large bowls. Eggplant with garlic sauce $5.25, stuffed mushrooms $6.95.

Drinks. All beers $2.75, soft drinks $1.25. Tea, free.