My husband and I came down from SoCal to explore San Francisco and decided to visit Japantown/Chinatown. We love Asian food, so we searched on Google and Yelp for authentic spots and came across Dynasty Dumplings. With strong ratings (4.6 on Yelp and 4.3 on Google) and reviews mentioning no MSG and cleaner ingredients, we thought it would be a great choice. First, parking was a nightmare. We circled for 20 minutes with no luck and ended up calling the restaurant. The woman who answered was rude, rushed, and difficult to understand, though she did eventually take my order. We picked up our food, brought it back to the truck, and started eating. Here’s my honest breakdown: Chicken Corn Dumplings – Decent portion size, but completely lacking flavor. Easily some of the worst dumplings I’ve ever had. Beef Dumplings – Even worse than the chicken. Overcooked, oddly textured, and tasted unpleasantly raw. Chow Mein – Hugely disappointing. The noodles were thick, more like udon than chow mein, which wasn’t clear in the description. Flavor-wise, it was nothing but garlic—no salt, no balance, just greasy and bland. Veggie Spring Rolls – Absolutely dreadful. Oily, burnt, and strangely tasted like cinnamon sticks. I couldn’t finish even one bite. My hands were left coated in oil. Shrimp Fried Rice – Completely flavorless. The shrimp tasted off, and the rice had no seasoning whatsoever. To make things worse, I started having stomach pains after eating it. Beef & Broccoli – The worst dish of all. The beef had a strange, almost fake texture I’ve never experienced before. The dish was watery, oily, soggy, and again, just overpowering garlic with no real seasoning. For context, we spent $100 on this meal and couldn’t eat most of it. My husband ended up with an upset stomach afterward. We didn’t even feel comfortable giving the leftovers away, which says a lot. I reached out to the restaurant to request some sort of reimbursement. The woman I spoke to offered to redo the dumplings or spring rolls, but since we were already far away, that wasn’t helpful. I’m honestly shocked by the positive reviews. Maybe it was just an off day, but based on our experience, I won’t be returning or recommending this restaurant. Hopefully this review helps others before...
Read moreA Hidden Gem for Authentic Dim Sum in Lower Pacific Heights!
If you're craving authentic, fresh, homemade dim sum in San Francisco, Dynasty Dumpling is your go-to spot! Nestled in Lower Pacific Heights, this restaurant offers a delightful array of hand-made dim sum that stands out in a city where many places opt for pre-made, frozen options. Every dish tastes like it's crafted with care and tradition.
The steamed BBQ pork buns are a standout—fluffy, flavorful, and thankfully free of the usual red dye, making them a healthier choice without sacrificing taste. The pork soup dumplings are another must-try; they're juicy and rich in flavor. Don't miss the pork wonton with chili sauce—the thin, delicate wonton skins perfectly encapsulate the savory filling, allowing the flavors to shine through without being overshadowed by dough.
For those who enjoy a bit of crunch, the pan-fried shrimp and leek dumplings will not disappoint, and the shrimp in tofu skin rolls are the best I've had in the city—fresh, succulent shrimp wrapped in perfectly cooked tofu skin. It’s clear that Dynasty Dumpling uses quality ingredients in all their dishes, which are reasonably priced given the high quality.
The restaurant itself has a clean, casual ambiance, making it an ideal spot for both lunch and dinner. Whether you’re planning a quick meal or a relaxed dinner with drinks, Dynasty Dumpling offers a welcoming environment with service to match its excellent food.
Dynasty Dumpling is a true gem in San Francisco's dining scene, particularly for those who cherish the authenticity and freshness of their food....
Read moreWe dined in Dynasty Dumpling after a show last night as it had good ratings on Google maps. We were lucky to get parking right as we arrived. Mind you, there isn't much so bare that in mind. We arrived within an hour of closing, and this place was still quite busy. We were seated promptly. The place is bright, decor inviting and clean. Our jasmine tea came piping hot, which suited the cool night weather. We proceeded to order our food. The two kind ladies running the table orders and service were very efficient and helpful to all the guests who were dining. There were 3 more groups who arrived after us plus at least 5 food delivery drivers and 3 people picking up their own orders. For context, we were seated in front of the cashier's desk and could see them coming and going. Dinner was delicious Cantonese cuisine, contrary to some reviews. Our experience was perfect. I will let the pics of the food speak for themselves. My favorites were the dumplings, I must say. Both are very good from the dumpling wrapper/skin to the differently seasoned flavorful fillings. Price was on point. The portions, definitely for sharing, we have plenty now for lunch today. The only pic missing is the seafood tofu soup, which also came piping hot and so delicious we forgot to take a pic. We would definitely dine here again when back in the city. Another plus is that the restrooms are kept very clean, for...
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