Been coming here for 20 years, cheap and delicious down home chui chow food. You are not paying for service here so don’t expect a smile and this is the very best definition of a hole in the wall restaurant. Everything is sticky, the floor, the table, the menu, the bathroom and even the waitress. Also you’ll never ever have to wait for a table. Order the 5 course meal for $24, (it used to be $20) the flavors are great. Edited in 2025, this business is permanently closed and has been sold!!!
Overview
Menkee Wonton is a Chinese restaurant located at 1701 Noriega St, San Francisco, CA 94122, United States, offering a menu centered around wontons, noodles, and traditional Chinese flavors. Situated in the Sunset District, this neighborhood dining spot brings familiar comfort food to locals and visitors looking for flavorful dishes prepared with classic techniques and fresh ingredients. The restaurant’s focus on wonton-based specialties makes it a destination for those who enjoy handmade-style dumplings, savory broths, and satisfying Asian cuisine.
The menu at Menkee Wonton highlights the restaurant’s signature wonton dishes, where delicate wrappers and seasoned fillings create a balanced combination of texture and flavor. Wontons are often appreciated for their contrast between tender dough, flavorful meat or seafood fillings, and the aromatic soups or sauces served alongside them. Guests exploring the menu can find dishes that reflect the comforting qualities of Chinese home-style cooking while still offering the convenience of a casual restaurant experience.
Beyond wontons, the menu features dishes that complement the restaurant’s main specialties, including noodle-based meals and other Chinese favorites. These selections provide options for different preferences, whether diners are looking for a light meal, a warm bowl of soup, or a more filling lunch or dinner. The variety allows customers to enjoy familiar flavors while discovering different combinations of ingredients and cooking styles.
One of the appealing aspects of Menkee Wonton is its connection to the local San Francisco dining scene. Located along Noriega Street, the restaurant serves as a convenient choice for residents of the Sunset District and nearby areas. Its neighborhood setting creates a relaxed atmosphere where guests can enjoy traditional Chinese food without the formality of a large dining establishment. The location also makes it a practical stop for casual meals, takeout orders, or a quick visit when craving wontons and noodles.
Reviews of restaurants like Menkee Wonton often focus on the quality of the dishes, the variety of menu choices, and the overall dining experience. Customers looking for Chinese cuisine typically consider factors such as portion size, flavor balance, ingredient quality, and the authenticity of traditional recipes. Menkee Wonton’s menu reflects a focus on classic dishes that appeal to diners seeking comforting and familiar flavors.
The restaurant’s approach centers on simple yet satisfying Chinese cuisine, with wontons remaining the key highlight. Each dish represents the importance of combining carefully prepared fillings, flavorful seasonings, and complementary ingredients to create a complete meal. Whether visiting for a casual lunch, an evening meal, or a takeaway order, guests can explore a selection of dishes rooted in traditional Chinese food culture.
For anyone searching for Chinese restaurants in San Francisco, Menkee Wonton offers a focused menu experience at its Noriega Street location. Its emphasis on wontons, noodles, and classic Chinese dishes provides an option for diners who appreciate straightforward meals with recognizable flavors and comforting textures. The restaurant’s neighborhood presence and traditional menu make it part of the diverse culinary offerings found throughout San Francisco.
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Reviews
- No ratings yet 86 reviews
1) crazy affordable prices. I genuinely can’t find a place in SF that still sells entrees in the 6-8$ range. 2) really good food 3) don’t expect amazing dine in service or the place to be beautifully decorated/clean. This is the purest definition of amazing hole in the wall Chinese food and if you know what you are in for than I deplore you to try this place. Ignore 1 star reviews that comment about communication issues or order issues, but if friendly service is imperative to you than I would recommend you look elsewhere.
This place has a fantastic owner cook who makes down home foods which is absolutely delicious. I really like his calamari which is light and tasty. His batter and the seasoning he uses makes this dish memorable. Too often you order calamari it comes out over cooked and rubbery. This place it's light and tender. My favorite dishes I like are his steamed pork with salted fish, lotus root with Chinese sausage, salted fish fried rice, Chinese gai lon with oyster sauce, and his mustard green soup with minced pork. Best part of all it is really reasonable to eat here and it really has good food.
Menkee is an 80's era Chinatown restaurant. They do have unique Chiu Chow style dishes. Tonight I had their Chiu Chow style peanuts $1.75, Chiu Chow style egg rolls $2.50 for two small rolls, Chiu Chow oyster cake $6.95 and a BBQ pork wonton noodles $7.55. The Chiu Chow style peanuts were roasted peanuts served at room temperate. They weren't oily or salted. I'll skip that next time unless there is beer. Their egg rolls were pretty good. The filling is sticky rice with little pieces of Chinese preserved sausage (lap chong) served on a bed of pickled vegetables. The Chiu Chow oyster cake was not bad. Very doughy and didn't have that bitter oyster taste that I enjoy. There were little pieces of green onions in there. Finally the BBQ pork wonton noodles were acceptable. I didn't find the broth to be exciting or the BBQ pork to be succulent. The wontons were OK. This place feels dirty and run down. The waitress could use a lesson in congeniality. The food is pretty good though because of their Chao Zhou dishes. I wouldn't bring a girl here until they are down for hole-in-the wall establishments.
The food here really is delicious. Vegetables are prepared to Cantonese perfection. The food preparation is outstanding. The decor is not impressive for dining-in, and while the service is efficient, it's not exactly friendly or warm. If you feel put off by the look of the restaurant, get take out. You won't be disappointed. If you can't decide what to get choose one of the two lowest pieced fixed-price menus. It's a lot of food though! Someone else on google mentioned the beef chow fun - this was the dish I ordered the first time I went here. The noodles and vegetables were great. The wonton soup is great. The wontons themselves are really delicious, and the broth and cabbage make it a delicious starter for a hearty meal.
The food here is excellent. I absolutely love their fried tofu and all their noodle dishes are amazing!! It is a true hole in the wall, down and dirty spot with the most amazing food. Don't expect good service but do know that your tummy will be happy!
I worked across the street for nearly 10 years about 5 years ago. This place looks the same as when I first ordered takeout from here 15 years ago. The prices are nearly the same as they were 15 years ago, except they used to give you 10% off takeout orders. It's still cash only. The place is a dark dive with minimal service, but the food is freshly made-to-order and made homestyle without over-processing. 3 people can fill up for less than $18 in December 2017! You can't do that at Panda or McD's!