Sam Wo

What you need to know

Sam Wo has been in Chinatown since around 1908, making it one of the oldest restaurants in San Francisco. The original location at 813 Washington Street closed in 2012 over building code issues. It reopened at 713 Clay Street in 2015. In January 2025 it closed again when longtime chef and co-owner David Ho retired after 40 years. New owners reopened it in September 2025, with Ho training the new kitchen on the legacy recipes before he retires to China.

What to Order

Jook (Congee): Rice porridge cooked until silky, topped with preserved egg, fish, beef, or the classic “sampan” combo.
Barbecue Pork Noodles: House-made char siu over fresh egg noodles in broth.
Wonton Noodle Soup: Pork-and-shrimp dumplings in clear broth, the Cantonese standard.
Chow Fun: Wide rice noodles, beef is the local order.

The Edsel Ford Fong Story

For decades the original Sam Wo was famous for Edsel Ford Fong, billed as the rudest waiter in America. He insulted customers, threw menus, refused to bring extra napkins, and people came specifically for the abuse. Fong died in 1984 but his shadow still hangs over the place.

Practical Info

Price: Most dishes under $12
Address: 713 Clay Street
Hours: Open daily, lunch through dinner. Confirm via samworestaurant.com.
Reservations: Not needed

📍 Location: This restaurant is in Chinatown. Explore the neighborhood →

What to get

Jook (congee), barbecue pork noodles, wonton noodle soup, beef chow fun