Sam Woh Restaurant

Most unique and best place ever. My husband and I accidently found this. We were there for a seminar and just walking around. Decided to give this a try. The sign said it is a hundred years old and we wanted to feel the real Chinatown. You walk in through the kitchen, and then up very narrow stairs to the 3rd floor where there are about 8 small old wooden tables and chairs. We choose the table near the open window that overlooks the streets. It was in January and we were cold, so I left my coat and hats and gloves on, but it was a fun site to sit. I ordered the Chinese chicken salad. It was the most unique salad I ever ate and soooo delicious. I think it had some kind of pickled vegtables on it and it tasted like there might be cinnamon in it too. I went crazy over it. It is hugh and the waitress said it is too much for one person - but the flavor was so enticing I couldn't stop and I ate the whole thing! My husband had some soups which he loved and also ate it all. I went absolutly nuts over the food and became obsessed with needing to eat there and have their Chinese chicken salad every day we were in San Francisco. It was like I was addicted to it. I loved it so much that we decided to come back the next weekend again. So we booked plane flights the very next weekend from Los Angeles and stayed in the same hotel - within walking distance - of Sam Wo's restaurant.

The funny thing is when we came back the next weekend, and ordered Chinese Chicken salad, it came without any dressing or toppings and at first I was disappointed in the flavor but then realized they left something off. When I asked the waitress about it she at first denied that there was something wrong - but I had to insist - so she sent it back down on that funny "dumb waiter" from the 3rd floor to the kitchen, as she yelled to them in Chinese, and then all of a sudden we heard laughing and more laughing and lots of loud talking and chattering from the kitchen when the cooks realized that they left off the most important ingredients! So I got it back made the right way - and the waitress couldn't stop laughing the whole time. The waitress was a Chinese college student working her way through school.

The hotel we stayed at at the time was called the Sheraton, but it got bought out and is now the Hilton San Francisco Financial District, which is within walking distance of all of Chinatown and only 3 blocks away from Sam Wo's. We have not been back yet but are planning on doing it this year. It has been about 5 or 6 years. There is a park accross the street from the hotel where the Chinese people congregate for games and there was an awesome "crafts market" or whatever you call it with lots of arts and things for sale on the weekends.

We took the bart from the airport and just walked with our rolling suitcases about 6 blocks to the hotel. It was so easy. This was a perfect location because we even walked to the embarkadero and Giradellies chocolate factory.…

Sam Who is absolutely awesome!. What can I say other than, “Sam Who is absolutely awesome!” This place is a true hole in the wall by definition. You have to walk through a kitchen an up a narrow stairwell just to get to the seating area, it’s an experience in itself.

Prices are ridiculously cheap, and portions are exceptionally large! For $10 you can feed two people with leftovers to spare. They are open until 4:00am EVERYDAY and about a 10 minute walk from North Beach. Seriously, if you are ever in Chinatown and looking for a dirty little whole in the wall with authentic Chinese eats, check this place out you will not be disappointed.

Oh, did I mention it is bring your own beer! How can you not love this place??…

Funniest Place for Chinese food!. We have been to Sam Wo's twice in the last 25 years. Once by accident and the other on purpose when we needed a fix from the surly, overworked waitress. I know this does not sound like much of an endorsement, but if you go to Sam Wo's with a few bucks in your pocket and a hungry tummy, you'll get decent food for a low price.

If you go looking for high-brow service, stay away.

On our last visit, the harried waitress kept shreiking "broccoli chicken, who order broccoli chicken?" The smart patron eventually raised his or her hand and took the broccoli chicken even if it was not what they ordered, because who knows when you might get your actual order.

Go to Sam Wo's with a sense of humor and a lot of patience. We were chuckling and having a grand time as other patrons were leaving in a huff, not seeing the humor of the situation.

We paid for the dinner of two seriously broke Brits who chose the place for the low prices.

On our first visit umpteen years ago, the service was no better but our memories are just as clear, especially of the waitress who smacked my husband and then thought it hysterical.

We love Sam Wo's and you should too!…

ONLY GET THE WON TON SOUP AND PORK NOODLE ROLL!. I have two things to say: 1) Pork Noodle Roll 2) Won Ton Soup. No other chinese restaurant makes pork noodle roll. It is sweet bbq chinese pork with cilantro rolled up into a cold rice noodle and sliced. You dip it into hot mustard sauce and it melts in your mouth. It is my most favorite treat in the world. They used to make it only for lunch so I would make any excuse to drive the 30 miles from Walnut Creek so I could get it. Now it is served anytime.

The won ton soup broth and pork won tons are the most delicious I have ever eaten. If you order shrimp won ton soup it isn't shrimp in the won tons, the shrimps are placed floating on top of the broth and pork won tons. All the won ton soups are the same broth and pork won tons it is just the specific thing you order that is put on top like bbq pork strips, shrimp, etc. There is no better won ton soup in the world.

If you go there don't get the lame spring rolls or other typical chinese fair you can get anywher get these two menu choices and you will become a believer too.

And when you leave tell the cooks how delicious it was!

twag…