Whether you are a staunch foodie—someone who lives to eat—or an everyday Joe or Jane who simply eats to live (no disrespect intended), everyone knows that San Francisco is an incredible gastronomic playground for the palate. No matter what type of food you have a hankering for, you will find it here - in spades. But when it comes to authentic Shanghainese cooking, people drive from all over the state to dine at the House of Nanking.

House of Nanking, located at 919 Kearny Street in San Francisco’s famous Chinatown neighborhood, first opened its doors in 1988.

The proprietors, Peter and Lily Fang, were Chinese immigrants who always possessed a passion for cooking, amazing food, and the connection it fosters between people. The name of the restaurant is in honor of Nanking, China, where Lily’s father was born.

From the beginning, this tiny spot was a hit. So much so that people lined up around the block, sometimes for over an hour, just to get a seat. Today, they still do.

And the wait is more than worth it. The offerings here started out as whatever Chef Peter was serving that day because, at the time, he only had one burner on which to cook. But the crowds—a mix of locals and tourists—didn’t mind and the restaurant’s renown kept growing. Although the kitchen was eventually expanded, the interior of the establishment has remained the same.

You don’t see this very often in a dining establishment, but at House of Nanking, they tell customers: “The best way to dine at House of Nanking is to let us order for you. Forgo the menu and ask us to choose the best dishes for you to sample. Tell them what you like and don't like and let us take care of the rest.”

Some of the crowd favorites include the fried onion cakes served with peanut sauce, secret spice-coated garlic fish served with spinach tossed in Chiang Kang sauce, and their famous crispy honey beef with bok choy.

The Japanese eggplant here is otherworldly!

A beautiful dark-plum hue, tender, and basking in a plate of savory sauce, you’ll have dreams about for weeks to follow!

Sharing menu items is a big part of the dining experience at House of Nanking.

Choose something you really like, a dish you've never tried before, and throw caution to the wind. You're sure to be delighted with every bite.

Can you say OMG three times fast?

With dishes like this spicy chicken stir-fry with celery and peanuts, your palate with thank you!

House of Nanking has been going strong for 34 years...and counting. And in a city where outstanding restaurants are more than a dime a dozen, literally, it really says something about the tradition, quality, and taste here. After one visit we’re sure you’ll agree that whether a local, tourist, or someone living further afield, a visit to this legendary restaurant is an absolute must!

Have you eaten at the House of Nanking? If so, we’d love to see your photos and hear about your experience there. You can also see more delicious food pics on their Facebook page.

If you’re looking for another legendary restaurant in San Francisco, be sure to head on over to Tadich Grill.