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About
Mandalay
Mandalay, a vibrant gem located at 4348 California St, San Francisco, has become the go-to destination for Burmese cuisine aficionados and food explorers alike. Renowned for its lively atmosphere and colorfully decorated interiors, Mandalay invites you to indulge in a culinary journey rich with tangy, vibrant flavors and unique textures.
Upon entering, you're immediately greeted by a mix of warm hospitality and the enticing aromas wafting from the kitchen. The restaurant features an array of dining options, from outdoor seating to private dining experiences, making it an ideal spot for families, groups, and special occasions.
- Diverse Menu: Mandalay’s extensive menu offers a variety of dishes catering to pescatarian, vegan, and vegetarian diets. Signature items like the Tea Leaf Salad stand out for their fresh ingredients and delightful crunch with a tangy burst of flavor, proving to be a must-try for every visitor.
- Mandalay Noodles: The Mandalay Noodles have garnered rave reviews, praised for their combination of textures and flavors, with a balance of savory and fresh elements that leave your taste buds tingling.
- Balada: This crispy, flaky paratha, served alongside aromatic curry sauces, is a testament to Mandalay's commitment to authentic Burmese flavors.
Reviews from regular patrons highlight the consistency in quality and flavor that Mandalay delivers. Customer feedback repeatedly points to the spicy mango chicken and Burma style noodle as crowd favorites, appreciated for their bold flavors and generous portions. However, some diners have noted that while the dishes are delightful, the portion sizes may not completely fill you up, encouraging guests to explore a variety of offerings.
Service at Mandalay is efficient, aimed at maintaining the flow of diners in a bustling environment. Although the staff is attentive, there are instances of quick plate clearing that cater to the restaurant's popularity and busy nature. Nonetheless, this adds to the command energy of the dining experience.
The restaurant doesn't compromise on accessibility either, offering amenities such as wheelchair accessibility, Braille menus, and options for sustainable dining through compostable containers.
Whether you’re a seasoned visitor or new to Burmese cuisine, Mandalay is a culinary destination that celebrates rich flavors and vibrant culture. With its lively decor, efficient service, and mouthwatering dishes, it’s easy to see why this eatery has garnered acclaim and a loyal following.
Overall, Mandalay is not just about satisfying hunger but offering a delightful experience that encapsulates the heart of Burmese culinary traditions. So gather your friends or family, and prepare for a gastronomic adventure that will keep you coming back for more!
People talk
Our Guestbook
“ Great, tasty spot for dinner! No wait when we arrived at 6p on a Tuesday. Tea leaf salad - this version has no leafy greens, lots of sesame seeds, and great tangy flavor. It's a delight Balada (paratha) - the bread itself is so good, crispy, flaky, and super soft on the inside. The curry sauce was a bit sweet for my taste but still good. Mandala house noodles - love all the textures in this, tangy and fresh from the lemon, with lots of crunch from the fried noodles. Fish chowder - I would not order again at the $20 price point. Pretty light soup with nice textures, but not worth it for me. Overall, not the cheapest option, but food is definitely delicious. Service is definitely geared to get you out the door. They hovered over our table to clear empty plates as we picked up the last bites, but I get it - it's a small place and they get busy! Would definitely come back ”
“ Had to come here because everyone was telling me this was the best Burmese restaurant in SF, and it was so worth it! Came here at 6:00 PM on a Thursday and it was already busy. We were luckily seated very quickly. The decor is brightly colored and lively, which was a beatify contrast to a lot of very minimalist restaurant decor I see in new trendy restaurants. We got the Tea Leaf Salad, Mandalay Noodles with Tofu, and the Mandalay Beef with a side of steamed rice. The petitions are not super huge, so we were satiated but not super full by the end of it. Tea Leaf Salad: 5/5, I loved how tea leaf-heavy this salad was compared to others I've had at other SF Burmese restaurants. Such good crunch with all of the seeds, definitely need to try when you're here! Mandalay Noodles with Tofu: 4/5, as a cilantro lover, I really liked the caramelized savoriness flavor of these noodles. The tofu are cut pretty small; I wish they were bigger so you could get more of their texture. I loved the flat rice noodles! Mandalay Beef: 4/5, very sweet and tender meat. Reminded me a lot of orange chicken in its sweetness except of a lack of citrus and different meat. The waitstaff were very friendly and open to giving us recommendations on dishes based on portion size and flavors. They also missed the dishes in front of us! They weren't super attentive though; our waters were never refilled the whole night. The food came out fairly fast (around 10 minutes) and nearly all at once, though. I definitely see why this place is so acclaimed, I would definitely come back here! ”
“ My family (6 adults & 3 kids) ordered pick up on a weekend night and were able to receive our food in under 30 minutes. We ordered the balada appetizer, tea leaf salad, basil beef, 2 mango chicken, okra prawn, chili tofu, mandalay special noodle, Burmese style noodle, and combo fried rice which totaled $284 after taxes and tip. The spicy mango chicken, prawns, and mandalay special noodles were everyone's favorite. Serving size is decent for the price and we still had left overs for lunch the next day. I love Burmese food and was very happy with this location. ”
“ Our wait here was one of my longest wait times in recent memory given we had a reservation. There's a constant crowd outside up until closing, which makes sense given all the James Beard Award signs hanging around the front door. For me, the Khao Soi to tea leaf salad made up for the wait, both with plenty of crunchy pungy-sour-salty elements that highlight the dishes here. Generally most dishes are not as sweet as in many Burmese or Thai restaurants in the area; if anything the dishes have a more sour component, which I think comes out in full flavor in the Mandalay Special Noodle. There is also still no lack of flavor and plenty of body in the broths and sauces. We also shared a Mandalay Chicken -- very similar to Orange Chicken with good serving portions -- and a Curry Dipping Sauce. Not sure I'd come back given how the line is handled. You're probably going to have to spend similarly to Burma Love or Burma Superstar to get full here, but there's definitely a larger variety of flavors to try! ”
“ SF is the place for Burmese food and Mandalay is my favorite in the city. The interior is takes you back to simpler times and the service is efficient. We always end up ordering way too much here but that's because there's so many amazing things on the menu. My favorites are the balada, tea leaf salad, spicy basil pork, and the mandalay chicken. You really can't go wrong with any of the menu items though. ”
“ Came here with my husband not too long ago. It was super packed and busy. At first we thought we had to wait a long time, but we were wrong. We probably waited no more than maybe 10 minutes or so. The restaurant is clean and gives off a very relaxing ambiance. Everyone was so friendly. Food came out fresh and made with care and perfection. This is our first time trying Burmese food and we loved it, the food was very flavorful indeed. Would love to come back in the future and try more things on the menu. ”
“ Mandalay Restaurant has one of the most flavorful tea leaf salad in the city! I absolutely love the aromatic profile of their recipe. While other restaurants include a lettuce, this house prepares their version according to the original recipe. Love love love it! ”
“ The service was as sweet as the Thai tea, and the tea leaf salad lived up to the hype. The latter is a large portion, probably best shared by 3 or 4. Then husband and I split the Ong No Kaw Soi (coconut chicken noodle soup), which stole the show for me. In fact, it was so delicious that I was inspired to try my hand at making it at home! Third course was the pumpkin chicken curry with coconut rice, which was as warm and cozy on a cold day as the soup. Excellent meal in a beautifully decorated restaurant after a wonderful morning enjoying the Golden Gate Bridge. ”
“ I used to come here all the time when I was living in San Francisco! This was the first place I tried Burmese food at and I have been in love ever since. My recommendations: Any Salad - My top favorites though are the Rainbow Salad and Tea Leaf Salad. Dry Pan Fried String Bean with Tofu - Really nice chili sauce. Basil Spicy Eggplant - This is my favorite non-meat item on the menu. I absolutely love the flavor combination and the eggplant is cooked perfectly. You can order a side of coconut rice to pair it with! FOR NOODLES: Order either the Mandalay Special Noodle or the Nan Gyi Dok. If you enjoy mild spice, the special noodle is for you. If you like spicer foods the Nan Gyi Dok is for you. If you have a higher spice tolerance I recommend asking for the Nan Gyi Dok and asking for added spice. Service: The staff is so nice and super helpful. I have dined here in both small and large groups and they do a great job of accommodating both. Food always comes out looking beautiful and they have a relatively quick service time. Ambiance: The restaurant is decorated with gold and red and is warmly lit. There is plenty of seating indoors. It's spacious and feels cozy in a good way. Parking can be a little difficult in this area when it's busy on the weekends, but I think it's worth it! Just make sure to account for extra time to park if you have a reservation. Overall: I love this restaurant! Very accommodating of allergies, vegans, vegetarians, and other food sensitivities. ”
