Adam B

Once, I was a regular at the Sam Wo in Los Angeles, the one on Broadway in Chinatown. Some years ago, it closed. For some reason, I liked that the waiter didn't give a damn, was rude and barely took your order. It seemed very old school authentic American Chinese. So, I don't know what the Sam Woo in San Francisco used to be like before the place was remodeled. I'm guessing there was once a dumbwaiter in the back. The Tofu with Spicy Salt was our favorite dish at the L.A. Sam Wo and here it was different, but not bad. The noodles we ordered were swell. But the clean bathroom and good service was actually not the Sam Wo we had hoped for, which is clearly no longer; however silly that is.

David Baker

A first time visit with four friends. I had the Beef Chow Fun dish. Very delicious and a nice size portion. We had an issue with food delivery timing and missing a drink and food order even after a several reminders. It was a busy night and servers were busy cleaning tables and seating and servering other guests. Even though busy the staff was friendly. In the end it was made right. Thank you! I would love to make another future visit to Sam Wo.

Debbie Lowe (3jamigos)

A Chinatown institution reopened which makes folks like me happy. The food is solid hole in the wall Cantonese food. Won’t win any awards but guaranteed to satisfy. Well, with the exception of their Guern fun or filled rice noodle rolls, those deserve a gold medal! #IYKYK #legacy #cantoneseeats #chinatownsf #samwo #sfeater

+1

Hilda Liu

Went there yesterday for their last day 🥲 I will miss the vibe forever. Their bbq port noodle roll were so good that I had to order 1 more for take out. The duck fried rice was plain and little duck in it… House chow fun was okay 👍🏻 They were busy but the server was attentive. They worked like a family. It is a place full of history records and I hope there is a way we can preserve the history down. It is a bittersweet farewell to chef Ho and I wish him all the best for his retirement!

+15

M Antonio C

1968. This was the first time that I went to Sam Wo restaurant. I was just a little boy fairly new to the United States. My "granny" would take me to Chinatown for our weekly grocery shopping. We lived in the Avenues, and Chinatown was the only place that we Chinese folks could get the groceries that we enjoyed. And when we were in this part of the city, my granny took me to see Edsel at Sam Wo. Edsel would always greet us with a cup of milk for me. Edsel was often gruff, but so was my granny. They got along very well. He would occasionally seat single men at our table, and my granny would yell at him. Fast forward to the 80s, Sam Wo restaurant was the late night place to go to after a night of clubbing. We would arrive at 1am and the 4 to 8 of us would make our way upstairs to the 2nd or 3rd floor. It was the perfect end to each Friday or Saturday night as we returned home with stomachs filled with rice, noodles, soup..... I remember hearing that Sam Wo was closing about 15+ years ago? I went to eat there "one last time" and wrote a YELP review with basically this same story. BBC News actually contacted me for an interview about my experiences at Sam Wo restaurant. Obviously, this location is NOT the original on Washington St, but the feeling is similar. The heavy and small marble and wooden tables bring back fond memories. I'm once again making my last trip to Sam Wo restaurant for a plate of BBQ pork rice noodle rolls and chicken fried rice. Good luck to the family of Sam Wo restaurant.

+5

CeCe Teneal

This is a no frills Chinese restaurant. It was great for my friend and I because we just wanted good food. Sam Wo delivered that. It’s very small on the inside so you may not get a seat. We got lucky. The service was very basic, yet quick - they provided our needs, but not overly friendly or accommodating, which is fine considering the atmosphere. We ordered mixed vegetables with noodles, sweet and sour chicken, fried tofu and garlic broccoli. Everything was good; however I was a little disappointed with the ratio of pineapple and peppers in my chicken dish. Overall - no real complaints, but a word to the wise is to not have super high expectations and you’ll be fine. 🙂

If you want a taste of "Old San Francisco," Sam Wo is a must-visit. Dating back to roughly 1907, it stands as one of the oldest establishments in Chinatown. ​The restaurant is split into two levels and is quite compact. ​Watch Your Head: The second floor has notably low ceilings. If you’re tall or struggle with tight spaces (claustrophobia), it’s something to keep in mind, though it adds to the quirky, historic charm. ​While the menu is smaller and more focused than your average Chinese restaurant, it hits all the nostalgic notes: ​The Legend: They are world-famous for their BBQ Pork Rice Rolls—a mandatory order. Instead of thin rice noodle rolls, this one is thick. ​You’ll find traditional staples like wonton soup, savory porridge (congee), and various noodle and vegetable dishes. ​It’s simple, no-frills, and steeped in history. Go for the rice rolls, stay for the century-old atmosphere. Overall the foid is just ok. It is the history that make it attractive for local and tourist. At last, don't expect a nice service.

N Tir

Overall, the experience was okay. The portion size was small, and the food was average in taste. Seating is very tight and uncomfortable, which made it hard to fully enjoy the meal.

Scott Wong

Got there around 5:30 on xmas eve with no line. Menu is def more simplified but has many of the signature dishes as before. I just remembering it being more flavorful, larger portions, and still missing of the rice plates. We had some of the classics. Roll, wonton soup, egg rice plates, and fried rice. Good but not great in my mind. I still want to go back and try again. If you order egg, ask to make it runny.

+1

Andrew

Sam Wo has been a cherished San Francisco institution for a century, and its legacy as a go-to spot for comforting Chinese cuisine will be deeply missed when it closes its doors in late January 2025. The food here is consistently good, with standout dishes like the chow mein and chow fun. Both are packed with flavor and served in generous portions that make them perfect for sharing—or enjoying all to yourself. The flavors are well-balanced, and the dishes have that classic, nostalgic taste that reminds you why this place has endured for so long. That said, don’t come expecting lightning-fast service. The pace here is relaxed, giving you time to soak in the ambiance of a restaurant steeped in history. As Sam Wo approaches its bittersweet farewell, it’s worth a visit to savor its comforting dishes and pay tribute to 100 years of culinary tradition in San Francisco.

+2

C

Honestly the worst bbq pork (char siu) noodle soup I've ever had. Pork was too lean to be real char siu and very dry which is why they cut it into shreds otherwise barely edible. I also think since it was so dry, it's older food that wasn't sold. There wasn't even an ornamental green leafy vegetable on top. Only scallions. Definitely not authentic Cantonese food. Plus tabletops were so sticky the menus stuck to them.

Steve L

Absolutely, hands down, the worst sesame chicken I’ve ever had in my entire life. The chicken was grey and rubbery. Batter was gelatinous. First piece was a bone that was chopped into a bite sized piece, covered in gooey batter and presented as sesame chicken. After that, I was expecting to find feathers at some point. Completely disgusting, and I’ve had some bad Chinese food in my life… The spring rolls were soggy as well, and the lettuce they were served on was wilted and grey. Inedible. Avoid. This place is disgusting on every level. I also asked for utensils but did not receive any - got back to the hotel and discovers I had to try to eat this “food” with my fingers. Yay.