Four Kings 四大天王
San Francisco
At a glance
Four Kings is a vibrant eatery located on Commercial Street in San Francisco, offering a culinary homage to the dynamic flavors of Hong Kong. This venue takes diners on a sensory journey with its authentic cuisine and lively atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for those seeking a unique dining experience. As guests step into the restaurant, they are immediately greeted by the nostalgic rhythms of 90s Cantopop, creating an upbeat and eclectic backdrop for their meal. The establishment places emphasis on providing flavors that linger, aiming to captivate visitors through a delicious representation of traditional and modern Hong Kong dishes.
The ambiance at Four Kings is infused with a millennial edge, resonating with those who appreciate a blend of good music and great food. The restaurant's commitment to providing a remarkable sensory experience is evident in its carefully curated menu and soundscape, enhancing the dining experience through both taste and sound.
The venue's operational days are Thursday through Sunday, allowing patrons to indulge in its offerings from the early evening to late night. Its location within the bustling city and limited opening days make it an enticing option for dinner plans during a weekend exploration of San Francisco’s culinary scene. Reservations are highly recommended to secure a spot in this popular venue.
Four Kings stands out as a welcoming spot for groups of friends, offering an environment conducive to lively conversations and memorable gatherings. With its unique appeal and availability on selected days, it fits seamlessly into planned excursions for locals and visitors who wish to experience a piece of Hong Kong, right in San Francisco.
Reviews
Our favorite was the fried squab - perfectly crunchy skin but moist on the inside plus the seasoning was well balanced. I'll go back just for this dish. Beef chow fun was too salty and oily. It has potential though because the ingredients were fresh, the beef was excellent, and it had a nice smokey flavor to it. Our least favorite was the chili crisp pighead. The taste of pork was a bit strong for us.
This was by far the best meal I’ve had in a long time. Every dish was so inventive and delicious! The snap peas w/tofu dressing was light and crunchy. We had a bottle of delicious sparkling tea that tasted like sparkles. The fried rice had corn and cheese and Chinese sausage and WOW was it awesome. Truly every bite was amazing. It was my birthday dinner and they made it so special, brought out an extra dessert and gave truly fabulous service. The decor feels like a set design, it’s curated but not pretentious. It wasn’t too loud, it was super clean and it’s on a beautiful, picturesque street in SF. Couldn’t recommend more!!
They have a Vegetarian and Vegan menu! It was really helpful to see what adjustments can be made. I got the cucumbers, sichuan cabbage and chow fun noodles. The noodles were amazing, very filling and delicious. I would love to be back when I get a reservation. Space is on the smaller end, but a nice bustling vibe. Definitely go with a reservation, someone on Friday who was walking in at 9pm was given a 2 hour wait time. Wine selection was good too.
Waited in their walk-in line 10min before opening and got seated right away. The black pepper steak and garlic pea shoots were the standouts of the night. The black sesame tofu pudding wasn’t my favorite though - the black sesame paste was too thick and the tofu pudding wasn’t smooth/silky enough which didn’t eat well together. But overall, great flavors.
Snagged a last min reservation and was super excited to try. I’d say overall we enjoyed most of dishes, but like others reviewers said, their food is on the saltier side than the standard saltiness you’d expect eating out. Everything would’ve been great if it was either less salty or less oily. One dish I didn’t care for was the rabbit. The breading was so thick and taking multiple bites didn’t do the trick, so I had to cut it off using a knife.
