House of Chen
October 2, 2008
Neighborhood: Castro335 Noe Street
(between 16th St & 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 861-6868
The very minimalist-feeling, brick-laden House of Chen has been a San Francisco institution for more than thirty years. And those three decades worth of experience shines in all of their well-crafted Chinese dishes. The atmosphere is inviting, the rich brick interior feels of old-world charm and the dark-painted ceiling, speckled with stars, ads a cute touch to this overall charismatic little restaurant.
The soups here are extraordinary, especially the vividly flavored Hot and Sour Soup. House of Chen’s offering of the popular Wonton Soup (or Wor Wonton for those who need added flair) is delicious, but there is something exceptional about the Sizzling Rice Soup with Chicken.
If you don’t float your boat in soup, try some of the delicious appetizers. The warm, cheesy, garlicky Crabmeat in Crispy Pastry Shell is absolutely delicious. An incredible and affordable meal could be as simple as a bowl of soup and these divine starters. The steamed Chinese Raviolis, minced pork and a veggie filling, are terrific as well. For those who want it all, order the assorted appetizer plate to satiate your curiosity as well as your appetite.
Main entrées are largely proportioned and quite affordable. The most special “specialty of the house” is definitely the Crispy Ginger Fish; lightly breaded fillet of cod in an exquisite ginger sauce is lovely over steamed rice. The Kung Boa Calamari is brilliant.
There is a large sampling of seafood on the menu, from Jade Scallops, sautéed scallops with tender greens
to the Hunan Prawns, sautéed prawns with water chestnuts, Chinese truffle and a spicy sauce, to the simple but delicious Sweet and Sour Shrimp are all quite pleasing.
House of Chen’s award-winning Mongolian Beef is especially tasty, as well as their Beef with Eggplant. The chicken dishes are fantastic. Try the Tai-Chi Chicken, or if you feel like a nut, give the Cashew Chicken a taste. Their delicious Mu Shu Pork is a celebrated entrée and the Shredded Pork with Green Peppers in Black Bean Sauce can’t be missed.
The noodle dishes, which surprisingly aren’t regarded as specialties of the house, are genuinely remarkable. House of Chen can transform such a routine dish as Chicken Chow Mein into an indisputably delicious platter of hearty noodles mingling with a generous portion of tender chicken, and delightful aromatics all dancing concurrently in a delightful sauce.
Oh and by the way, House of Chen delivers.
