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Great Eastern Restaurant

Chinese Restaurant and Dim Sum Restaurant$$$$

Chinatown, San Francisco

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5.9^/10

386

ratings

"Barack Obama visited the restaurant once and made its fame."(8 Tips)
"I love president Obama, but I can’t say his visit here makes the..."(4 Tips)
"The shrimp dumplings and the shrimp rice noodle dishes are great!"(4 Tips)
"Shanghai dumplings are the best, hands down."(2 Tips)

92 Tips and reviews

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dim sum
obama
president obama
good for groups
mango pudding
big portions
desserts
veggie spring rolls
cake
casual
tapioca
great value
chicken
cupcakes
pork
french fries
fried rice
coffee
meats
crowded
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Lesly TanApril 28, 2012
One of the most popular Chinese restaurants in SF Chinatown. Their egg tarts have centers that really taste of egg, and their dimsum are exceptionally good. Even President Obama recommends it.
Joey HernandezMarch 31, 2019
try all the various dumplings... they are all delicious! get reservations as they tend to get busy
Jenni RussellSeptember 15, 2013
Delicious dim sum. Order anything with leeks, the zhou zhou dumplings, and if you like sweet stuff the black sesame dumplings and deep fried pumpkin with egg yolks are amazing.
J JohnDecember 21, 2023
Dim sum & fried rice were excellent; some of the best in SF. Not many healthy veg options; the eggplant tofu was soaked in way too much oil & the fried pumpkin was so salty it was inedible. A+ service
Jennifer PrillimanMay 28, 2015
40 min wait for Hunan Home, so we decided to check this place out. Amazing fried chicken in a spicy sauce (general tso's), moo shu pork and potstickers. So good!
Jorge COctober 5, 2014
Traditional and authentic, try the lobster and the pidgeon, awesome experience. Oh! and don't forget the red beans and tapioca dessert, is unique.
TedMarch 4, 2017
Best Chinese restaurant I have ever been to. Right in the heart of China town. Authentic and delicious. Obama even came here when he was president!
Cyndie Da RochaOctober 4, 2018
Great Chinese food with big portions to share. Barack Obama visited the restaurant once and made its fame.
Addison SammetFebruary 23, 2021
We took recommendations from waiter. Definitely Dim Sum. sesame Chicken. Crispy Duck.
Neal JosephMarch 24, 2013
Superb Dim Sum. I particularly liked the leek dumplings, zhiu zhou dumplings, and pork buns. Be sure to use the spicy red sauce generously!
Lynhdan NguyenDecember 15, 2017
I love president Obama, but I can’t say his visit here makes the dim sum good
MarNovember 18, 2016
It was my first time having dim sum, really good! Good to come with a group and share
Monica CAugust 17, 2014
I've been here a couple of times. Even when restaurant was busy it did not take long for our food to be served. Good service, delicious food.
Kristina CKNovember 7, 2013
Received a recommendation to come to this place from a local vendor when we asked for a good place to eat dim sum. Definitely did not disappoint!
Yolanda CNovember 2, 2013
Very traditional Chinese food, dim sum was lovely. Fried rice portions are huge. Pricy for Chinatown but still good value.
TomSeptember 14, 2016
Very authentic dim sum but not the best. Long waits, especially for dim sum on the weekends.
Danielle EbsteinFebruary 20, 2017
Go for lunch -dim sum is their specialty- lot of traffic so its not a worry that the food is sitting out a while- very fresh
charlieboyyDecember 11, 2011
shrimp chee cheong fun, and the soy sauce chicken is really good, ask for spring onion and ginger oil for the chicken. mango pudding is delicious!!
David BFebruary 24, 2019
Egg rolls good. Scallops fresh. Very busy at times, service slacks a bit.
Pocket SunAugust 10, 2014
Loud for sure, the food was pretty authentic. Obama has been here before. The duck with buns was very good.
cnelson ︻╦╤─August 11, 2017
Fried Shrimp Dumpling is a good starter.
Catarina LaiJuly 21, 2013
Been here 5+ times
#musthave if you would like to try Chinese home cooking 鹹魚煎肉餅 (option of pan-fried or steamed)
_July 12, 2014
Been here 10+ times
Everything here is a pretty solid choice. Get here early for lunch to beat the rush.
Justin DiSantoSeptember 6, 2014
Sesame chicken sweet & sour chicken were good. Spicy green beans were good but not as spicy as at most places.
Priya SaiprasadSeptember 16, 2012
Been here 5+ times
The shrimp dumplings and the shrimp rice noodle dishes are great! Basically anything shrimp is amazing here.
Kingsley LuuFebruary 18, 2013
Get the steamed pork buns! So delish we started eating them for fun :T
An ShengJuly 19, 2017
Been here 5+ times
Now getting less crowded during peak dim sum hours. The food is just above average
Danielle EbsteinNovember 13, 2016
Dim sum restaurant. Long wait for lunch on weekends.
Shirley LiuOctober 28, 2012
If you're too lazy to head out to Richmond/Sunset, this is a decent spot for dim sum. Expect a wait unless you go early-- grab a number right away.
KathyMarch 26, 2013
President Obama's picture posted outside the restaurant makes you want to check out this place. Excellent Dimsum. Moderate cost.
Rafael MoralesAugust 20, 2011
Come with a group of 5. That's the magic number... Puts you ahead of all smaller parties for their big tables. Kinda BS, but what you gonna do?
The White HouseFebruary 21, 2012
President Obama stopped in the Great Eastern restaurant in the Chinatown section of San Francisco. Read more
Galvin SimonApril 8, 2012
This has always been my favorite chinese food restaurant. Hong Kong style chow mein and Fried rice!
WeaselDecember 5, 2012
Order the Chinese Broccoli without the Oyster Sauce - but with garlic instead.
David YenNovember 25, 2011
Best dim sum I've had in Chinatown so far. Expect lines but worth the wait
Andy BokanevOctober 28, 2016
Peking duck all the way.
Bkwm JMay 20, 2013
Been here 10+ times
Golden pumpkin fries - a must try! ^_^
Keasha NicoleDecember 18, 2011
Ordered more dim sum than we can finish! Catch it from 10am-3pm! One of the best in the city
Joëlle M.February 19, 2014
Best veggie spring rolls I've had in SF. #vegetarianfriendly. :-)
Sam C.April 21, 2014
Disappointed and overpriced. May return for dim sum, but the average meal was below average even when trying to order off menu. The wait staff almost completely ignored us.
FamilyFunMarch 6, 2012
You can't miss the large tanks of giant prawns, exotic fish, and lobsters.
Jack ChuMay 16, 2015
Mediocre dim sum, desserts were the best part. Try the egg tarts, custard buns, and sesame balls.
Foxxy BMay 13, 2017
Dropped by late. Food is surprisingly not spicy despite the labels. Everything was lukewarm. Salty. Small plates for the price. Overall just a lackluster typical Chinese joint.
Emily LeungAugust 15, 2011
The black sesame dessert dumplings, rolled in peanut powder... heavenly! ("louw sah tong yuen")
Rebecca ThompsonOctober 4, 2013
The honey pepper beef short ribs were AMAZING... Though juicy, the duck was disappointing skin was fatty and too many bones.
m dNovember 20, 2015
President visited here. Popular among Asian people.
Pedro VazAugust 18, 2013
Excellent price/quality. Don't order too much.
Jai SinghMay 5, 2013
Superior dim sum - great prices👍👍❤❤
jocelyn L.September 8, 2013
Try the Glutinous rice wrapped in lotus leaf
BettyJuly 21, 2013
Wait is usually over 30 mins. Good food...you won't regret.

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