At 2234 Mission St in San Francisco’s Mission District, Mission Chinese Food puts a punchy, inventive spin on Chinese cooking. The menu pairs Sichuan heat with unexpected combinations, from Chongqing chicken wings and salt cod fried rice to kung pao pastrami. Try the tingly mapo tofu with white rice for a comforting finish, or look for clearly marked vegan choices such as mushroom mapo tofu. The dining room has a playful, eclectic feel. Reserve for a busy night, or aim for an off-peak visit.
Chinese cooking with unexpected turns
Mission Chinese Food is at 2234 Mission St in San Francisco’s Mission District. Its menu takes familiar Chinese dishes in less expected directions, pairing bold seasoning with ingredients such as pastrami. Kung pao pastrami is one of the restaurant’s signature combinations; other reported menu ideas include thrice-cooked bacon with rice cakes and a mapo burrito.
This is not the place to choose if you want a straightforward plate of orange chicken. The appeal is in seeing how Chinese cooking can meet other ingredients and formats. The menu has also included Sichuan carbonara, though that combination may not suit every diner. If you are deciding what to order, the chicken wings and salt cod fried rice are strong starting points.
What to order
Chongqing chicken wings bring deep-fried crispness and fragrant spice. Salt cod fried rice adds a salty seafood note, while tingly mapo tofu is a comforting choice with white rice. The Sichuan peppercorn seasoning gives the tofu its numbing, aromatic character, which is distinct from straightforward chilli heat.
For a different texture, the Crispy Golden Mountain Roll layers a spring roll’s crunch beneath a fresh rice-noodle layer. Cabbage with pistachio milk is another unusual combination, with a creamy pistachio sauce. The menu has also included spare ribs, coconut rice, Chinese broccoli, eggplant, fried rice and noodles. Menus can change, so check what is available when you visit.
There are vegan choices, and dishes are marked when they are vegan or can be adapted. Options mentioned include mushroom mapo tofu, Mongolian long beans, rice cakes with tofu skins and vinegar peanuts. Ask about the current preparation if you have dietary requirements.
The dining room and planning your visit
The room has a playful, informal look, with red lighting and Chinese New Year decorations. An ornate paper dragon has been described across the ceiling, and the overall atmosphere is more eccentric than traditional. It suits a casual dinner with friends or a group meal; the menu’s range of bold flavors gives you room to order several different plates.
The restaurant accepts reservations, a useful option for a busy evening when waits can build. If you prefer to arrive without booking, choose an off-peak time. Mission Chinese Food is in the Mission District, where you can continue your outing among neighborhood restaurants, shops and street art. The address is 2234 Mission St.
Preguntas frecuentes
Where is Mission Chinese Food?
It is at 2234 Mission St in San Francisco’s Mission District.
Does Mission Chinese Food take reservations?
Yes. Reservations are accepted, and booking ahead can help with a busy evening.
What should I order at Mission Chinese Food?
Try the Chongqing chicken wings, salt cod fried rice or tingly mapo tofu with white rice. Menu availability can change.
Are there vegan options at Mission Chinese Food?
Yes. Vegan choices include mushroom mapo tofu, Mongolian long beans and rice cakes with tofu skins. The menu marks vegan dishes and items that can be made vegan.
