Lai Hong Lounge San Francisco

Not the best restaurant in Bay Area but the best dim sum restaurant in Chinatown. Good foods but a bit oily. Average service. Very busy during lunch time. Prices are reasonable. To be honest, sadly not much good dim sum choice in Chinatown.

First time here even though I was born and raised in the city. There are just so many places to eat, you have to force yourself to go somewhere you've never been. This place is clean and much fancier looking inside than your typical Chinese/Dim Sum restaurant. Even the crystals on the chandelier are clean and sparkly. The food was equally clean, fresh, and tasty. Pork belly was delightful, subtle balanced flavor and had excellent crisp skin. The walnut prawns were expertly prepared. Sauce wasn't too sweet, batter was not doughy, thick, or chewy like some places and the prawns were very fresh, and perfectly cooked. XO noodles were the most tender we've ever had, I would like a little more sauce/zip but that's my preference, not necessarily how they're supposed to be prepared. Fried dumplings which are the ones with mochi on the outside and a pork filling inside were also excellent with a thin crispy outside (not puffy, just nice and delicately crisp). Fish cake stuffed eggplant was good, not at the same level of that other dishes but we'd order it again. I prefer shrimp filling. Deep fried taro dumplings were also good and something we'd order again. Sorry I don't have photos of everything we ordered, was too busy enjoying the food. It's clear there's someone with a deft hand with a quality consciousness in the kitchen. When you look around at the customers you know you're in the right place. They wouldn't be here if it weren't good. There are a few good places in and around Chinatown, this is definitely one of them. Went again on 6/18/23 Salt and Pepper filet. It's panko coated and more flavorful than appearances suggest. We're used to the simple light batter coated ones with chopped jalapeno, lots of garlic, etc. This looks plain but has good flavor that's different and delicious. I wouldn't say it is the same dish but rather a different take on the classic preparation. Salt and Pepper Tofu. Delicious, delightfully crisp, great light dish, loved it. Honey Walnut Prawn again, Delicious again. Pork belly buns, as good as last time. Stuffed eggplant with XO sauce. Good but not really special imo. XO sauce is a little weak, perhaps just get the black bean sauce version. Oyster in clay pot. Pretty good, needs more flavor, more ginger, and scallions would go a long way but otherwise good.