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China Live is an interactive culinary and cultural destination in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, offering an in-depth exploration of Greater Chinese gastronomy. Our mission is to demystify Chinese ingredients and recipes while educating guests on the rich history and influence. Our ground floor features the Oolong Café, Market Restaurant & Bar, and Retail Marketplace, and is a must-visit San Francisco Bay Area culinary destination. Please join us!
Modern marketplace and culinary stop offering multi-course Chinese fare, casual snacks, and artisan teas.
Hours
| Friday | 12–9:30 PM |
| Saturday | 4–9:30 PM |
| Sunday | 4–9 PM |
| Monday | 12–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 12–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 12–9 PM |
| Thursday | 12–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
Phone: (415) 788-8188
Website: http://www.chinalivesf.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: opentable.comtripleseat.com
Photo Gallery
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China Live | Restaurants In Chinatown | Bars In Chinatown
The best Chinese food in San Francisco is at China Live restaurant. Home of world famous Eight Tables by George Chen and the Cold Drinks Bar.
Menu | China Live | Restaurants In Chinatown
A true taste of China in the heart of San Francisco. Experience China Live, the best Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. View Menus.
China Live (@chinalivesf) · San Francisco, CA – Instagram
China Live, Eater’s “Restaurant of the Year” serves fresh, seasonal Chinese cuisine from a daily changing menu. The @guysflavortowntailgate is this Sunday, …
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Reviews
Melissa Eisner
Fun spot to go with a group and sample all the fun food options on the menu. I loved the soup dumplings and the bao, oh and the green beans were great too! It can get a bit noisy, in case you’re looking for something quiet this is not your spot. Come here and get your hipster vibe on!
… moreAlyse Gray
Fantastic food and the best service in SF! We had a great experience at China Live for a NYE dinner. Our waiter was even better than the food—he was so genuine and gave us perfect recommendations. We tried a huge variety: the Sheng Jian Bao (pan-fried dumplings), Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings), Crushed Cucumber Skins, Yangzhou Fried Rice, Kung Pao Chicken, Wok Seared Filet Mignon, and Sichuan Blistered Green Beans.
The dumplings and the cucumber skins were absolute favorites, as was the Kung Pao chicken. The filet mignon was delicious, though the portion was a bit on the smaller side. Everything came out incredibly fast! We finished with Cindy’s pineapple walnut spice carrot cake and the Amaretto bread pudding, both of which were highlights of the night. Highly recommend!
… moreThe dumplings and the cucumber skins were absolute favorites, as was the Kung Pao chicken. The filet mignon was delicious, though the portion was a bit on the smaller side. Everything came out incredibly fast! We finished with Cindy’s pineapple walnut spice carrot cake and the Amaretto bread pudding, both of which were highlights of the night. Highly recommend!
Olga Nemesh
China Live is absolutely outstanding! The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared — even my toddler loved it. The drinks are exceptional and the service is friendly and professional. Everything feels high-quality yet welcoming. One of the best dining experiences in San Francisco. Highly recommend!
… moreThe Global Gourmand
This place is a busy institution with a very interesting origin story.Good food and an expensive market right on the edge of chinatown.It’s definitely geared to the western palette. Traditional offerings, that were well plated, but a touch off. All of it was good, but a bit bland.
The space is massive and a visual feast. That said the acoustics in their main dining room are horrible for conversation. Don’t come here to talk. Their duck was very well balanced and perfectly cooked.I would have liked to have had the skin a little crispier, but i’m not mad. Their water dumplings were noteworthy.I really enjoyed those, the carmelization on the bottom was just barely over the line, but i loved them. i’m pretty sure that’s their most popular dish. Their soup dumplings were pretty, but the soup ratios were off almost nonexistent.I would have loved to have had chili crisp.Although I know that’s not traditional they’re dumpling wrappers were a little thin on the bottom, and thick on the top. Even if this dish wasn’t relatively expensive, which it assuredly was the execution was a complete disappointment. Their tea selection is above average.
their service was super kind, very attentive, but I didn’t like being rushed out of there by the manager with five minutes notice due to their next table arriving (-1 star on service). Our server Michael was very attentive, but very busy.
I am kind of torn on whether or not to return. The duck was very good, but everything else just kind of fell out of memory.And it was just so loud.I could barely hear myself think. My favorite part about it was definitely all the visual cues coming in. If you go make a reservation
… moreThe space is massive and a visual feast. That said the acoustics in their main dining room are horrible for conversation. Don’t come here to talk. Their duck was very well balanced and perfectly cooked.I would have liked to have had the skin a little crispier, but i’m not mad. Their water dumplings were noteworthy.I really enjoyed those, the carmelization on the bottom was just barely over the line, but i loved them. i’m pretty sure that’s their most popular dish. Their soup dumplings were pretty, but the soup ratios were off almost nonexistent.I would have loved to have had chili crisp.Although I know that’s not traditional they’re dumpling wrappers were a little thin on the bottom, and thick on the top. Even if this dish wasn’t relatively expensive, which it assuredly was the execution was a complete disappointment. Their tea selection is above average.
their service was super kind, very attentive, but I didn’t like being rushed out of there by the manager with five minutes notice due to their next table arriving (-1 star on service). Our server Michael was very attentive, but very busy.
I am kind of torn on whether or not to return. The duck was very good, but everything else just kind of fell out of memory.And it was just so loud.I could barely hear myself think. My favorite part about it was definitely all the visual cues coming in. If you go make a reservation
Wilson Tsang
TLDR: decent food but for the price, it feels a bit too expensive for what we got.
The roast pork was my favorite part, having nice and crunchy skin without being too crispy. The pork wasn’t too fatty as well. The pecking duck was a miss for me, the thick breading overpowered the duck. The fried bao I wish there was more soup inside. The short rib was good though it was a bit too charred. All in all, most of the food was decent but with the price being higher than other spots, I expected more
… moreThe roast pork was my favorite part, having nice and crunchy skin without being too crispy. The pork wasn’t too fatty as well. The pecking duck was a miss for me, the thick breading overpowered the duck. The fried bao I wish there was more soup inside. The short rib was good though it was a bit too charred. All in all, most of the food was decent but with the price being higher than other spots, I expected more
Zoë Friedman
China Live is a fun spot for authentic Chinese food in the heart of Chinatown, with several gluten-free options safe for Celiac. My friends (from China) ordered several dishes and said they were delicious and authentic.
My waiter was knowledgeable about the gluten-free options available to me. I ordered the green papaya salad and the chicken lettuce cups. Both dishes were extremely flavorful, albeit overly salty. Portions were large enough for sharing and plated nicely. Overall, I was happy to have gluten-free options, as China Alive is one of the few restaurants in which I felt safe eating in Chinatown.
The ambience is inviting, fun, and friendly. It’s quiet enough to hear the people at your table while also hearing chatter and laughter at other tables.
I recommend making reservations in advance to avoid a wait.
… moreMy waiter was knowledgeable about the gluten-free options available to me. I ordered the green papaya salad and the chicken lettuce cups. Both dishes were extremely flavorful, albeit overly salty. Portions were large enough for sharing and plated nicely. Overall, I was happy to have gluten-free options, as China Alive is one of the few restaurants in which I felt safe eating in Chinatown.
The ambience is inviting, fun, and friendly. It’s quiet enough to hear the people at your table while also hearing chatter and laughter at other tables.
I recommend making reservations in advance to avoid a wait.
James Ashwin
We had an amazing lunch at China Live, the dumplings were amazing but our favorite dish was the bbq pork and bok Choi on rice.
I highly recommend visiting this place next time you’re in SF.
… moreI highly recommend visiting this place next time you’re in SF.
Greg S
This is one of the hottest spots to dine at least right now. We had reservations for an early Friday evening dinner and I a glad we had reservations! We arrived at 5:30pm and the place was already pretty full, and hopping. Had our table to ourselves, but they also have larger long tables, as well as the several high seating around the various cooking stations. Our server was very attentive during the entire evening. I do have to say this place is LOUD. Very loud and sooo much activity of people talking, moving around, along with …. the robot…that was taking “to go” orders from the kitchen up to the front, via threading it’s way through the tables from the back of the restaurant to the front. It was fun to watch.
Our food was excellent and they have a large menu with so many interesting items.
We started with the Sheng Jian Bao – basically a large pan fried pork dumpling. Second course – Lu Rou Fan Braised minced pork rice bowl. And finally, the Curry Chicken Nonya. Of the three, the Nonya just blew our socks off! Excellent sauce that I could have swam in, it was so rich and flavorful.
Since we were here for my partner’s birthday, they brought out a mini chocolate lava cake with matcha ice cream and a candle. That was a super nice gesture. Overall we have a really nice meal and experience here. When we left the restaurant, the line of people waiting to get in was like there was a concert going on inside. Pretty crazy! And, it says something about China Live.
I do have to note so everyone is aware up front – They charge an automatic 20% tip Plus an additional 5% for SF health benefits charge. So, review your bill before making those final notes.
… moreOur food was excellent and they have a large menu with so many interesting items.
We started with the Sheng Jian Bao – basically a large pan fried pork dumpling. Second course – Lu Rou Fan Braised minced pork rice bowl. And finally, the Curry Chicken Nonya. Of the three, the Nonya just blew our socks off! Excellent sauce that I could have swam in, it was so rich and flavorful.
Since we were here for my partner’s birthday, they brought out a mini chocolate lava cake with matcha ice cream and a candle. That was a super nice gesture. Overall we have a really nice meal and experience here. When we left the restaurant, the line of people waiting to get in was like there was a concert going on inside. Pretty crazy! And, it says something about China Live.
I do have to note so everyone is aware up front – They charge an automatic 20% tip Plus an additional 5% for SF health benefits charge. So, review your bill before making those final notes.
Johnny L.
Everything is a give and take right? Great settings and service but Food is geared toward Westerner, hence expect 90% authenticity. For example, the Siu Yuk is crispy but not the authentic type of crispy that u expect. Flavor of the meat is well done though!
… moreQuinn Calvert
A fantastic Chinese restaurant & bar serving family style dishes that are universally delectable. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve been to many places where I’ve tried 7+ different dishes and thought “omg, I love this, I need more” for each and every dish.
A must try! You can’t go wrong with any selection.
… moreA must try! You can’t go wrong with any selection.