Shihlin

Everything we got was pretty on point for Taiwanese comfort/night market food. Easy to order online and pick up in store. They had great ventilation inside with the back and front door open and several staff 😷 which is good for reducing spread of everything (yes, even in 2025, it’s not over y’all). One thing to note— “Taiwanese tempura” is nothing like Japanese tempura. It refers to a kind of fish cake. We got them with plum seasoning which was too sweet and not right for this snack— go for something savory.

Guys, this is the spot.. 1 of the best spot in NorCal.. Thin crisp batter, tender & juicy meat, and fresh crispy basils. Definitely coming saving this spot🤌

Jean L

Delicious Taiwanese food, good portions, clean inside, friendly staff. Good selection on menu, not too overwhelming. Will be back.

Judy Margaret Chen

I knew this place through the name Shilin. After its rebranding, I’m glad the taste is the same. We ordered one Matcha Fresh Milk and one Popcorn Chicken. Their popcorn chicken was unbeatable. The matcha fresh milk was also very good. At least, I thought it was real matcha flavor. Next time, I will try other dishes when we go picnic 🧺

Wei-Ai Tai

Good solid place when you’re in the mood for Taiwanese street food. Very fast turnaround time if you order ahead, but finding parking may be a challenge on the busy 3rd Avenue in downtown San Mateo. Used to be Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks, but now after new name it no longer has any of the oyster-based menu items.

Kathy Dao

This is our favorite place for popcorn chicken!! The popcorn chicken bento box came with a bunch of yummy sides. The strawberry teas were very refreshing on a hot day. We also enjoyed our order of Taiwanese tempura. The owner and the rest of the staff were also very friendly

Tracy Nguyen

Very tasty bento box with popcorn chicken! They were large portion sizes that I could have shared this with someone! It also came out relatively quickly within 10 min. Overall recommend! Since a lot of the sit-down restaurants in downtown are packed on the weekends, this was a nice place to not really have to wait.

L L

Yummy Taiwanese food, all that's missing is the stinky tofu!

Leo DiPierro

Delicious, well spiced, surprisingly generous portions, and perfect milk tea. A bit on the pricey side for one of the meal boxes, but the quality makes up for it. Not to mention ordering online is easy and timely. Great stuff!

Sherry Chiang

My go-to Taiwanese restaurant. Their foods are authentic with good serving. I like their Braised Pork Chop Bento, Oyster Omelette, Taiwanese Tempura (the best!!), and Papaya Milk. Sometimes, we just order the food and go to San Mateo Central Park to picnic.

Jian Lu

Best Taiwanese food in the area. + Authentic and delicious. The Chicken cutlets were so juicy and tender. + Super friendly owner. Checks in with us from time to time to make sure everything is perfect.

Cheung Angela

Best fried chicken! Salt and pepper tossed with some basil leaves. Personally it’s better value to get just the popcorn chicken. But sometimes you are lazy so you can make it a meal with some veggie and small snacks.

W

Everything we got was pretty on point for Taiwanese comfort/night market food. Easy to order online and pick up in store. They had great ventilation inside with the back and front door open and several staff 😷 which is good for reducing spread of everything (yes, even in 2025, it’s not over y’all). One thing to note— “Taiwanese tempura” is nothing like Japanese tempura. It refers to a kind of fish cake. We got them with plum seasoning which was too sweet and not right for this snack— go for something savory.

Joseph Shin

Guys, this is the spot.. 1 of the best spot in NorCal.. Thin crisp batter, tender & juicy meat, and fresh crispy basils. Definitely coming saving this spot🤌

The food was really good I recommend it. The food and drink are tasty and the interior was pretty clean. Overall, the service was good. The staff brings our food out fast and we think the food is authentic taiwanese bentos.

Good spice level on popcorn chicken, fried basil adds nice touch. Braised pork over rice is just ok tho.

Nice Taiwanese little restaurant. Order is made on a self service computer. My chicken crispy bento box was very good. I do recommend it. Parking is a little hard to find.

A very satisfying quick lunch spot! I ordered the treasure box, and the fried chicken is so delicious. I really enjoyed the breading and the spice. The rice is perfectly cooked as well. Note when you order at the digital counter to print a receipt so you have your order number.

Oyster omelette stole the show for me. Popcorn chicken > ji pai Mee sua was very bonito forward but deeply satisfying Dont expect to be transported to a night market but expect the itch to be scratch and you'll walk away satisfied

Take out only. The XXL chicken thigh tastes good, although a little too oily. We also tried ricebox, which also tastes good.

Rain He

Good spice level on popcorn chicken, fried basil adds nice touch. Braised pork over rice is just ok tho.

Murillo Pontual

Nice Taiwanese little restaurant. Order is made on a self service computer. My chicken crispy bento box was very good. I do recommend it. Parking is a little hard to find.

Ella Nuno

A very satisfying quick lunch spot! I ordered the treasure box, and the fried chicken is so delicious. I really enjoyed the breading and the spice. The rice is perfectly cooked as well. Note when you order at the digital counter to print a receipt so you have your order number.

Jeremy C

Oyster omelette stole the show for me. Popcorn chicken > ji pai Mee sua was very bonito forward but deeply satisfying Dont expect to be transported to a night market but expect the itch to be scratch and you'll walk away satisfied

Michelle Y

Take out only. The XXL chicken thigh tastes good, although a little too oily. We also tried ricebox, which also tastes good.

SI-YU DUAN

❤️Rice is cooked well, and the minced pork sauce above the rice is tasty Suggestion: As a Taiwanese, I think the seasoning is too salty, and I wish there are more non-fried main dishes to choose.

They only have take out only during Covid. It appears that you can order on9. The food was so so. Comfort oyster thick noodle soup. The service was a little slow for street take out food.

Brian Chee

They only have take out only during Covid. It appears that you can order on9. The food was so so. Comfort oyster thick noodle soup. The service was a little slow for street take out food.

Order about $99 dollars for 6 items The fry chicken wasn’t crispy enough, flavor was good The grandma braised chicken rice was VERY 😞 SAD. Rice is saggy, the there were no sour vegs at all (maybe like 1/4 spoons)! Pictured from the menu is total lie. Probably recommend to work more on the food flavor and quality the the price

Qing Tian Chen

Order about $99 dollars for 6 items The fry chicken wasn’t crispy enough, flavor was good The grandma braised chicken rice was VERY 😞 SAD. Rice is saggy, the there were no sour vegs at all (maybe like 1/4 spoons)! Pictured from the menu is total lie. Probably recommend to work more on the food flavor and quality the the price