San Tung

"The sticky-spicy and ultra-shellacked dry-fried chicken wings live up to the hype. That's the first thing to know about San Tung, the wildly popular Chinese spot on Irving. The second is that the menu has other treats in store, such as pot stickers, black bean sauce noodles, and garlicky string beans." - Paolo Bicchieri

"A birthday celebration doesn’t always require a new outfit or fancy tableside gymnastics. Sometimes, all you need is a group of people you like and big platters of food. That's what you'll get at San Tung—the perpetually full Chinese restaurant is so loud and lively it gives anyone who steps in a contact high. Order freely from the long list of noodles and dumplings, but always be sure to get more of their dry-fried wings than you think you'll need." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez

"San Tung is the youngest restaurant on this guide, but it’s got that institution-y aura that makes us feel like it’s been around since black and white TVs. Despite their cult-famous chicken wings, this Sunset spot is still as straightforward as it gets: write your name down on the white board to reserve a spot in line (there will be a line), huddle on the sidewalk with the friend groups and 10-person families, and devour a plate of those sticky-sweet wings once you’re in. Other dishes that need your attention are the stretchy black bean noodles and any of the boiled dumplings filled with pork or fish." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, ricky rodriguez

"Ask anyone in town where to go for dry-fried wings, and the answer will always be San Tung. These stunners covered in glossy garlic, ginger, and red pepper sauce with a caramel-like consistency have single-handedly transformed this casual Chinese restaurant into a beloved Sunset institution. Waiting hours in line for those wings, some crispy-bottomed potstickers, and satisfyingly thick black bean sauce noodles is pretty much a citywide pastime. Drop your name on the small whiteboard up front (San Tung doesn’t take reservations) and let the anticipation build while you stand outside on the sidewalk with everyone else." - julia chen 1, patrick wong, lani conway

"If you only know one thing about San Tung, it’s that they make some of the best wings in the city. These things have a way of burrowing into your subconscious until you wake up in a cold sweat inexplicably craving something twice-fried, spicy, and sweet. There's always a daily mob waiting to order them, and you should do the same. But the Inner Sunset spot’s huge lineup of dumplings, and noodles deserves some love, too. Dining here requires some patience—San Tung is walk-in only and no one will be deterred by the waitlist or the Sunset fog, but most of the time names are called quickly thanks to a communal table set-up. So if you're already taking time to have the San Tung experience, you may as well order the menu's other highlights: wonton noodle soup with a richness offset by gingery pork filling, beef with oyster sauce slicked in a savory dressing that clings to every grain of rice on your plate, and chewy noodles with just enough heat to make a single tear form after each bite. We regularly send city first-timers for San Tung's hard hitters, even if the rest of the menu doesn’t necessarily outshine what's offered SF's other great Chinese spots. For the especially antsy, your best bet is to cancel any afternoon meetings and come here for lunch when the crowds are at their smallest (and the dining room is at its quietest). That way, you can also take advantage of San Tung's lunch special, which comes with rice, an entree, and soup. But if you ask us, it's probably wisest just to set up a recurring calendar event for sog-defying poultry from here on out. Food Rundown Potstickers These potstickers are huge with thin, crispy bottoms and a filling of pork, cabbage, and a lot of ginger. An excellent way to start any meal here. Original Dry-Fried Chicken Wings There is no excuse, you must order these.The Discovery Channel could dedicate an entire week to San Tung's wings and it still wouldn’t be enough. They’re heavy on salt and pepper and covered in a red pepper, garlic, and ginger sauce that has a caramel consistency Vince Vaughn probably looks for in his hair products. Wonton Soup Conveniently, you can order this in a variety of sizes depending on how many people you’re with. The soup itself is rich and chicken-y, with plenty of vegetables to balance everything out. Especially noteworthy: the ginger in the wontons cuts through any fatty, heaviness from the meat and makes the dish feel lighter than it really is. Go for it. Dry Black Bean Sauce Noodles Good, but not the first thing you’ll tell someone to order after you’re done talking about the wings.The noodles are nicely sweet, full of shrimp, scallops, and squid, and thick with clinging black bean sauce. Three Deluxe Spicy Sauce Noodles These come with the same seafood as the black bean noodles and the bright red sauce sticks to the long chewy noodles the same way, but we like the spicy flavor of these a lot more. When you swallow, the heat will dissipate, making you forget about the slight burning sensation. You’ll want to dive right back in again. And again. And again. Order these. Beef With Oyster Sauce Thinly sliced beef sauteed in oyster sauce until it’s tender, sweet, and sticky. Make sure you get some rice to soak up all of the sauce." - Patrick Wong