When in San Francisco, my spouse and I will jump at any chance to eat Chinese cuisine as there is a depressing lack of it back home on Maui. We texted a friend who remembered the place he enjoyed so much, so here we were.
ATMOSPHERE: Located in an alleyway-like side street in the Embarcadero, it's not a huge place, but sports a good number of indoor tables along with a covered outdoor patio.
MENU: Dim sum and traditional Chinese (ask for additional menus).
FOOD: Peking Duck with Bun I thought I was getting a plate of duck but instead received a single bao bun which I don't care for. It was very mainstream and came with the traditional sauce and veggies.
Mushroom Dumpling The server said they were shrimp and mushrooms but neither could be detected. It had the taste and consistency of fish cake and needed shoyu for flavor.
Chinese Broccoli with Oyster Sauce AKA choy sum. They were served chilled, a first for me. Good portion, fresh and steamed perfectly but could've used more oyster sauce drizzled on top.
Potstickers (6 pcs.) Pricey but they are of the larger variety and stuffed full with a savory pork mixture. No sauce was available sans for shoyu, vinegar and chili oil.
Honey Baked Seabass Holy pricey for the portion size!? The small, boneless filet was insanely tender like butterfish and finished with a slightly sweet-savory honey sauce. Very tasty but not worth the price.
Minced Chicken in Lettuce Cup That's right, just one leaf of an iceberg lettuce will set you back that much. The chicken mixture was generous in portion size, tasty and included pine nuts, shiitake mushrooms and bacon.
Shanghai Kurobuta Pork Dumplings (6 pcs.) Sold as their house specialty, be careful when consuming them as they squirt out juice. It's best to pop the whole dumpling in your mouth. Inside is a small helping of pork mixture surrounded by its steamed juices which were light in flavor.
Chicken Feet I got about four feet, chopped in halves and finished in a non-spicy chili oil sauce. Tender and tasty but I've had better at Legend Restaurant in Honolulu.
Pork & Shrimp Siu Mye (4 pcs.) We couldn't detect the pork, but the shrimp was visible. Moist but bland. Pass the shoyu, please.
Egg Custard Tart (4 pcs.) My favorite Chinese dessert! The crust was light, flaky and buttery. The custard was filling was very good.
Orange Jello (4 pcs.) I have no idea how they make these, but orange-flavored Jello was cleverly molded onto actual orange skins. The Jello consistency was thicker and more gritty than traditional Jello. The flavor was refreshing, almost like actual orange juice.
SERVICE: Everyone was so professional and patient, unlike your typical Chinese joints. No pushiness or short-talk, but very welcoming and friendly.
OVERALL: Quality cuisine but very light on flavors. Severely overpriced....
Read moreYank Sing has surpassed all my expectations with its exceptional dim sum offerings and impeccable service. As a food enthusiast always on the lookout for remarkable culinary experiences, my visits to Yank Sing leave an indelible mark on my taste buds and heart.
From the moment I stepped into the restaurant, the warm and inviting ambiance set the stage for a memorable dining experience. The staff greeted me with genuine smiles and a level of attentiveness that made me feel like a valued guest. Their knowledge of the menu was commendable, and they graciously guided me through the array of tantalizing options.
Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the dim sum! Yank Sing's dim sum selection is a symphony of flavors and textures that dance effortlessly on your palate. Each bite-sized masterpiece was meticulously crafted with precision and expertise. From the delicate steamed dumplings to the crispy and aromatic fried delicacies, every dish was a work of art.
The flavors were harmonious, and the balance of ingredients was perfect.
The service at Yank Sing was truly outstanding. The attention to detail and genuine care for their customers made the dining experience even more enjoyable.
In addition to the remarkable food and service, Yank Sing's elegant ambiance and attention to cleanliness added to the overall experience. The restaurant exuded an atmosphere of sophistication and comfort, making it the perfect setting for a delightful meal with family or friends.
Yank Sing has mastered the art of dim sum, combining traditional flavors with innovative twists. The dedication to quality and presentation is evident in every dish that graces their tables. Whether you are a seasoned dim sum lover or a first-time explorer of this exquisite cuisine, Yank Sing is a must-visit destination.
If you're searching for an unforgettable dining experience that combines culinary excellence, exceptional service, look no further than Yank Sing. Prepare to embark on a journey of gastronomic delight that will leave you...
Read morecame here on christmas day and it was absolutely packed. we were vacationing in sf and didn't get a chance to make concrete plans/reservations for christmas, so we expected to have to wait. well the wait was 3 hours long... so we opted for take out from their to-go place. the options were a lot more limited, but it was better than nothing. i was surprised that xiao long bao wasn't on their menu, so when we saw the line at the bottom of the order sheet that said "special orders," we asked if we could get an order of the xlb's. the lady said sure and we paid for the order. while waiting, it occurred to me that the order seemed way more expensive than it should have been. we looked at the receipt and everything was slightly overpriced compared to what we're used to in houston's chinatown, but still around $4-7 for each thing. however, the order of xlb's was $14! whatttt. dim sum orders are never more than $10. they should really be less than $5. we asked if it was a mistake and the lady said no. we figured maybe it was because we placed a special order, but no one had said anything about an additional fee. well, about 20 min later, we got our order. although there were no open tables in the actual restaurant or the few tables immediately outside the door, there was a giant food court-like area right in front of the restaurant that was completely empty. so we grabbed our food and ate it there. everything was average. especially the xlb's. all SIX of them. no idea what the people on yelp are raving about. and apparently, $14 was actually the normal price, even for dining in at the restaurant. absurd. other i've been to charge $2-7 for an even larger order of way better xlb's. half of the ones from yank sing didn't even have soup in them because they had leaked out. soo disappointing. :( skip this place and opt for one of the hundreds of other amazing food...
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