Hunan Taste
Chinese · San Jose
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About Hunan Taste
At Hunan Taste, we're proud to serve authentic traditional Hunan cuisine in the heart of San Jose. Our restaurant offers a unique dining experience that's perfect for foodies and families alike. Our takeout options are just as popular as our dine-in experience, where you can enjoy our signature dish...
At Hunan Taste, we're proud to serve authentic traditional Hunan cuisine in the heart of San Jose. Our restaurant offers a unique dining experience that's perfect for foodies and families alike. Our takeout options are just as popular as our dine-in experience, where you can enjoy our signature dishes like spicy stir-fries, savory bean curd, and crispy onion cakes. Our friendly staff provides fast service to ensure your meal is prepared quickly and efficiently. Whether you're in the mood for a quick lunch or a leisurely dinner, we've got you covered. With wheelchair accessible seating and amenities, everyone is welcome at Hunan Taste. Come taste the difference that traditional Hunan cuisine has to offer!
What Customers Say About Hunan Taste
Hunan Taste is a long-standing favorite known for its authentic, spicy Hunan cuisine and friendly service. Customers rave about the consistent quality and generous portions, with many having dined there for decades. The restaurant's humble appearance belies its excellent food.
Popular Dishes
Best For
Tip: Be prepared for the spice if a dish has a pepper symbol next to it. They can adjust the spice level to your preference.
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What to see nearby
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Explore the area around Hunan Taste
Hunan Taste is located in San Jose, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.
Parks & Gardens
- Bernal Park (A 459m) — park in Santa Clara County, California, United States of America
- Heinlenville Park (A 957m) — park in San Jose, California, United States
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Frequently asked questions about Hunan Taste
Hunan Taste San Jose Reviews
We've never dined in, but we've done takeout multiple times. This place does truly traditional Human food, which is to say that if it has a spicy pepper 🌶️ by it, be prepared for the heat! For a base starch, we love their chow mein and fried rice. Their veggie spring rolls are a great appetizer. For this time, we tried the Basil eggplant (loved it), Mongolian chicken, and Hunan bean curd. Both chicken and tofu were quite spicy, but the flavors and textures were all great. They were so friendly when I picked up the food and we will probably eat in next time to try that out.
Great Authentic Chinese dishes, very tasty. Nice atmosphere. Must visit.
We've never dined in, but we've done takeout multiple times. This place does truly traditional Human food, which is to say that if it has a spicy pepper 🌶️ by it, be prepared for the heat! For a base starch, we love their chow mein and fried rice. Their veggie spring rolls are a great appetizer. For this time, we tried the Basil eggplant (loved it), Mongolian chicken, and Hunan bean curd. Both chicken and tofu were quite spicy, but the flavors and textures were all great. They were so friendly when I picked up the food and we will probably eat in next time to try that out.
Great Authentic Chinese dishes, very tasty. Nice atmosphere. Must visit.
Okay found this place looking foe a coffee spot (BOI, 4 doors down) We had the honey prawns YUM !! also had a spicy tofu w/ prawns YUM. Last but not least Pork (thinly sliced w/ veggies. Shared a beer. Everything was super fresh and spiced perfectly TBIS IS MY NEW GO TO for Chinese. Can't wait to try new dishes . It's looks a bit "dated" but the food is SO GOOD.
If you want deliciius Chines food in a quaint restaurant, Hunan Taste is for you. We have been going there since 1989 and the food has been consistently great. The food can be served as mild or as spicy as you want and the don’t use MSG.
This is the only place left in the Bay Area that use the original 90's recipes from Hunan in SF. Others in SF are close, but not the original taste. The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food is excellent and many celebrities have enjoyed the food here. Check out the wall of fame! I used to work in silicon valley and ate here 3-5 days a week. I now live an hour away but Everytime I'm in the area I will eat here and take a catering tray home.
The onion cake is to die for... I have been going to Hunan Taste since it was on Kearny Street in San Francisco. It is absolutely my favorite restaurant.
Hunan Taste is an absolute gem. I love the food, the spice and the people so much. The Hunan bean curd and dry sautéed string beans are my go-to’s. They are right. Every. Single. Time. And have been for over 20 years. I am always trying to find comparable dishes in other cities (I’ve lived in SF, Seattle, NYC and now, Paris) and, sadly, nothing even comes close. I’m always chasing that Hunan high! Whenever I’m back in SJ, I always make it a priority to visit the place.
Good, no-nonsense food. Spicy where appropriate. The decor is old, because they spend all their money on what matters - the food. Did you know that Maroon 5 once ate here; they have a picture on the wall.
Great food. Friendly staff. Good quality and value. Hey. Come on, it's a Chinese restaurant on 4th Street. So it's just like that. Just fine and perfect for lunch or for dinner or picking up food to go
I've been eating at Hunan Taste for 30 years and they never disappoint. They make what I feel is the best Hunan style food in San Jose.
Great food and great service!
My favorite is the hot an sour soup which is filled with lots of stuff - including tons of tofu. Because of newish gut issues I request it half-spicy, But you go for "spicy"!
Outstanding food and service for such a small place! Love their onion cakes (no one makes a lighter, airier one!), garlic chicken (both non-spicy), Hot and sour beef and harvest pork (both spicy). Very friendly staff and owner — always willing to accommodate special requests. Highly recommended!
Best Chinese food ever. We’ve been going here for 30+ years and the quality has remained exceptional. The meat pie and onion cake are so yummy. We’ve tried almost everything and you can’t go wrong with anything you order. Francis, the owner, is kind and welcoming and the service is great. And prices are very reasonable. Also, they have many vegan options, which my daughter and son in law loved! All diets welcome. Must go.
I’m a big fan of Chinese cuisine. Everything was incredibly delicious.
When they spicy, they mean it. Everything here is wonderful, been eating here for 29 years.
Great food and great service!
When they spicy, they mean it. Everything here is wonderful, been eating here for 29 years.
Food and service is always great!
Outstanding food and service for such a small place! Love their onion cakes (no one makes a lighter, airier one!), garlic chicken (both non-spicy), Hot and sour beef and harvest pork (both spicy). Very friendly staff and owner — always willing to accommodate special requests. Highly recommended!
Best Chinese food ever. We’ve been going here for 30+ years and the quality has remained exceptional. The meat pie and onion cake are so yummy. We’ve tried almost everything and you can’t go wrong with anything you order. Francis, the owner, is kind and welcoming and the service is great. And prices are very reasonable. Also, they have many vegan options, which my daughter and son in law loved! All diets welcome. Must go.
The onion cake is to die for... I have been going to Hunan Taste since it was on Kearny Street in San Francisco. It is absolutely my favorite restaurant.
If you want deliciius Chines food in a quaint restaurant, Hunan Taste is for you. We have been going there since 1989 and the food has been consistently great. The food can be served as mild or as spicy as you want and the don’t use MSG.
Okay found this place looking foe a coffee spot (BOI, 4 doors down) We had the honey prawns YUM !! also had a spicy tofu w/ prawns YUM. Last but not least Pork (thinly sliced w/ veggies. Shared a beer. Everything was super fresh and spiced perfectly TBIS IS MY NEW GO TO for Chinese. Can't wait to try new dishes . It's looks a bit "dated" but the food is SO GOOD.
This is the only place left in the Bay Area that use the original 90's recipes from Hunan in SF. Others in SF are close, but not the original taste. The place doesn't look like much from the outside, but the food is excellent and many celebrities have enjoyed the food here. Check out the wall of fame! I used to work in silicon valley and ate here 3-5 days a week. I now live an hour away but Everytime I'm in the area I will eat here and take a catering tray home.
Good, no-nonsense food. Spicy where appropriate. The decor is old, because they spend all their money on what matters - the food. Did you know that Maroon 5 once ate here; they have a picture on the wall.
Great food. Friendly staff. Good quality and value. Hey. Come on, it's a Chinese restaurant on 4th Street. So it's just like that. Just fine and perfect for lunch or for dinner or picking up food to go
I've been eating at Hunan Taste for 30 years and they never disappoint. They make what I feel is the best Hunan style food in San Jose.
Hunan Taste is an absolute gem. I love the food, the spice and the people so much. The Hunan bean curd and dry sautéed string beans are my go-to’s. They are right. Every. Single. Time. And have been for over 20 years. I am always trying to find comparable dishes in other cities (I’ve lived in SF, Seattle, NYC and now, Paris) and, sadly, nothing even comes close. I’m always chasing that Hunan high! Whenever I’m back in SJ, I always make it a priority to visit the place.
My favorite is the hot an sour soup which is filled with lots of stuff - including tons of tofu. Because of newish gut issues I request it half-spicy, But you go for "spicy"!
From the outside, you may not think this little restaurant is open or busy but definitely come in and try it out. They have the typical American Chinese dishes like orange chicken, beef and broccoli, etc, but I recommend getting their hunan dishes. Be warned though, they come out drowning in chili peppers. Eighty percent of the menu is spicy and when they say spicy they mean it. The food comes out quick and piping hot (temperature). Definitely worth trying and braving the spices.
Pretty good food and portions. Ordered the curry vegetables and the sauce was a thinner version of a Japanese curry sauce, but was good. Def going back for take outs- the place is small if you want to dine in.
Pretty good food and portions. Ordered the curry vegetables and the sauce was a thinner version of a Japanese curry sauce, but was good. Def going back for take outs- the place is small if you want to dine in.
From the outside, you may not think this little restaurant is open or busy but definitely come in and try it out. They have the typical American Chinese dishes like orange chicken, beef and broccoli, etc, but I recommend getting their hunan dishes. Be warned though, they come out drowning in chili peppers. Eighty percent of the menu is spicy and when they say spicy they mean it. The food comes out quick and piping hot (temperature). Definitely worth trying and braving the spices.
Just left the restaurant a little while ago. We ordered P5 (pork) and V1(eggplant). We were disappointed. The pork dish was OK but the vegetable dish was thoroughly disappointing. The dish was luke warm - which is not good - and it gave off burnt taste. I am not really sure how that combination is even possible. San Jose Downtown is probably not known for Chinese food but this was disappointing.
Just left the restaurant a little while ago. We ordered P5 (pork) and V1(eggplant). We were disappointed. The pork dish was OK but the vegetable dish was thoroughly disappointing. The dish was luke warm - which is not good - and it gave off burnt taste. I am not really sure how that combination is even possible. San Jose Downtown is probably not known for Chinese food but this was disappointing.
The food are simply bad. Sweet and Sour Pork has almost no park, just batter mostly. The Salt and pepper tofu has no salt, and barely tastes the pepper. The fried rice has minimal egg in it. I am not sure where all these good reviews come from.
The food are simply bad. Sweet and Sour Pork has almost no park, just batter mostly. The Salt and pepper tofu has no salt, and barely tastes the pepper. The fried rice has minimal egg in it. I am not sure where all these good reviews come from.
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About Hunan Taste
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998 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112
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998 N 4th St, San Jose, CA 95112
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