Burmese and Chinese classics dominate the menu at this Inner Richmond neighborhood staple.

by Lorraine Sanders

In Short
In a dining room festooned with decor that hovers somewhere between whimsical and lovingly kitschy--with traditional Southeast Asian objects mixing with items like palms and a star-shaped hanging paper lamp--diners choose dishes that range from Indian-inspired samusas to Rangoon chicken served with a house red sauce to traditional Mandarin fare like mu shu pork. A plentiful array of vegetarian-friendly entrees, salads and soups will satisfy herbivores in the group.

02/19/07

Long wait with reservations, no cups on table for 45 min, hair in food, didn't bring leftovers, totally overrated

by hairypsalm

2/19/07. Saturday night reservations for 8 people at 7:30pm. Not seated until 8:15pm. Free wine was a nice touch, but that's the only thing nice you'll hear me say. Brought tea, but no cups. Took half hour before they brought beers, but still no cups & no water. Finally brought water 10 minutes after the beer. I started drinking tea from the spoon on the table and they finally got the message. Ordered food, half the table getting the "special dinner" the other getting the "royal dinner'. Neither were Royal or Special in the least. They were, however, the smallest portions I'd ever seen in my life. When they finally did bring the food, it was the at least 9:30pm at this point. The first dish went to the "special people" on the other side of the table, so I can't comment on that. My side was straight-up royalty. The Royal treatment so it seems, includes hair in your food, because the first dish that came our way contained one long black one. (that's what she said) We sent it back only to get the exact same plate sans hair. How do we know it was the same plate? well it was the same color and it's a salad that was originally mixed in front of use. The replacement plate was pre-mixed. Hair and service aside, the food was only so-so and not Zagat worthy. By the end of the meal, there was a little food left (due to everyone being to afraid to look like a fat hog taking more than one tablespon of food each) Anyway, we asked if they'd wrap it up and they never did. It supposedly got a 96 rating from the H.D. If hair in the food = 96 I'll be next door at the 100 rated sushi place. And if you're thinking of getting the set meal (special or royal), it only makes sense if you're a couple. Four plates for two people. If you add two more people to that order, they only bring two additional plates of food, not four. And no, they're not any bigger.

08/23/06

I love this restaurant!

by nejwej

I love this place! I find it a little more authentic then Burmese SuperStar on Clement. And the wait is SO much shorter. I take everyone I know there. I always order the Balada, Rainbow Salad, my friends all like the Curry, the Cocunut rice, and the Ngo Giok Dok (or something.. it's in the noodle section). The mango chicken seems to be pretty popular. Good drinks, Thai Ice Tea and Cocunut number are good. Make sure to order it with light ice.

The service can be ok at times. Amatuer waiters, but they are all VERY nice. The parking is somewhat tedious, but I find it worse on Clement...

I HIGHLY recommend this place.

• Pros: Food, Service
• Cons: Parking

03/31/06

another beer?

by xxxcorryxxx

We normally patronize Burma Suerstar 2 block away, but, decided to try this joint becasue of the long wait there. Turned out we were not the only table who were eating here at Mandalay becasue of the long wait at Burma Superstar.

Food was very average, a lot of chinese food and not enough Burmese Dishes. Service was very very polite, but very superficial at the same time. We like our food with beer, but, was asked to see if we wanted another beer for no less than 4 times within 30 minutes of my meal.

• Pros: cheap price, no wait, decent decor
• Cons: superficial service, subpar chinese dishes, parking

03/20/06

Disappointed

by babynorah

After reading the positive reviews, I was excited to try this restaurant. We had a favorite burmese restaurant we went to every week prior to moving to the East Bay area. Unfortunately, this doesn't even compare to the amazing authentic taste and variety of our favorite restaurant.

As the name indicates, the restaurant serves chinese and burmese food. Looking at the menu, the majority of the food was chinese which was disappointing. The signature burmese salads was difficult to swallow after a couple of bits. It consisted of too many nuts and overwhelms you. The ohno kaukswe soup was too salty and thick. The pan dry string bean came out a shriveled/wrinkled.

We won't be coming back here.

• Pros: decor
• Cons: not authentic

11/21/05

BEST FOOD EVER

by celestial904

I take all of my out-of-town guests here. When they return to the city, I'm not sur eif it's to visit me or to eat at Mandalay. Best are the Tea Leaf Salad and the Mango Chicken!!!!!!

• Pros: staff, yummy food, take out, delivery

09/15/05

Best value for amazing food

by sf_outandabout

Our favorite take out place, hands down. The Mango Chicken is amazing and so is the Pumpkin Chicken Curry special. Very friendly service and great prices.

• Pros: Tasty food, Great prices

05/21/05

Yummy for my Tummy!

by sk_chan

Visited on the recommendation of a friend. He was right. The Basil Beef was excellent. We were seated quickly even on a saturday night. Interest decor. Outside looks like a seafood restaurant, inside looks like it has some Italian influences. But who cares, the food and service were excellent. Rainbow Chicken, Samusas (very filling) and coconut rice. Ice cream is served with a cherry in a martini glass. Maybe the chef is a frustrated bartender. :) In any case, will definitely go again. If you can't handle the heat, ask for milder seasonings. Just as good as B***a Star without the wait. Bravo.

• Pros: Tasty Food, Good Service, Easy parking

03/28/05

Excellent food, great value, fresh ingredients!

by kiki94110

One of our favorite neighborhood spots- what EXCELLENT food (such a deal), great service, and their food is consistently wonderful! Try their mango chicken, samosas, and definitely their Rainbow Salad! There are a few other burmese restaurants in the area, but I love the Golden Mandalay- the ambience is good, service attentive, and their menu is extensive. Definitely worth a try- we hosted a LARGE group there and everyone raved about the food (even some of our relatives who are super duper picky!)

• Pros: Excellent menu, Great deal, Easy parking
• Cons: none really!

03/09/05

Food was great, service was horrid.

by jjsmeow

The food was great, as was the atmosphere. But we had a group of 7, and the entrees came out one at a time, instead of all at once. If you order the noodle dish, except the guy waiter to spend 10 minutes tossing the ingredients at your table while leaning over your lap. But the food was great....I will return.