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King Chuan
- Near Samtrans Bus Station
- Red Hot Chili Peppers Restaurant
- Blue Line Pizza
King Chuan Restaurant: Classic Chinese Comfort in San Carlos
Tucked away in the heart of San Carlos, King Chuan Restaurant has been dishing out proper, old-school Chinese flavors for years. This isn’t your flashy fusion spot—no gimmicks, no over-the-top plating—just solid, flavor-packed dishes cooked with proper care and tradition. If you’re after the real deal, this is where you want to be.
Cozy and Casual Ambiance: It’s All About the Food
Step inside, and you’re greeted with that comforting scent of wok-fried goodness—garlic, ginger, soy sauce—all mingling in the air. The place has a relaxed, no-fuss vibe, with classic Chinese décor touches that make it feel like a neighborhood staple. Whether you’re here for a quick solo lunch, a family-style feast, or a takeaway night, King Chuan keeps it warm, welcoming, and totally fuss-free.
Fast, Friendly, and Personal Service
Now, let’s talk service—these folks are on it. Quick to greet, quick to seat, and even quicker to get those steaming hot plates to your table. Regulars rave about Susan Hu, the owner, who brings a personal touch to every visit. If you’re unsure what to order, just ask—they’re happy to help, and they won’t steer you wrong.
Affordable Feasting
Good food doesn’t have to break the bank, and King Chuan proves it. The lunch specials are a proper bargain—big portions, packed with flavor, and they come with soup and a little salad to round things off. Even for dinner, you can eat like royalty without the royal price tag.
7 Must-Try Dishes
You don’t come to King Chuan without getting stuck into the classics—and these seven dishes keep popping up as absolute crowd favorites across Yelp, Instagram, and Facebook.
1. Sesame Crispy Chicken
Golden, crunchy, and bathed in a rich, sweet-savory sesame sauce that clings to every crispy bite. One of those plates where you go in thinking, “I’ll just have a couple of pieces,” and before you know it—you’ve cleared the plate.
2. Authentic Pot Stickers
Handmade, pan-seared beauties with a juicy pork filling. The crisp-bottom-to-soft-dough ratio is spot on, and when you dunk them in that soy-vinegar sauce? Magic.
3. Hot Dragon Wings
Not your average wings—these come deep-fried and tossed with jalapeños, onions, and cilantro, giving you a fiery, fragrant hit in every bite. Perfect with an ice-cold beer.
4. Deluxe Won Ton Soup
Proper comfort food. A steaming hot broth loaded with pork dumplings, shrimp, sliced chicken, snow peas, and broccoli. Perfect for those cooler San Carlos evenings.
5. Mongolian Beef
Wok-seared beef that’s smoky, tender, and packed with onions and bamboo shoots for crunch. It’s got that sweet-spicy balance nailed down—one of those dishes you just keep coming back to.
6. Prawns with Honeyed Walnuts
Crisp-fried prawns, coated in a creamy, tangy sauce, topped with honey-glazed walnuts—a dreamy combo of sweet, salty, and crunchy. An absolute winner.
7. Han Gen Chicken
A little spicy, a little herby, and totally addictive. This stir-fry mixes sliced chicken breast with fresh basil, leeks, and jalapeños, giving it a kick that keeps you coming back for more.
King Chuan Restaurant—an Absolute Local Legend
King Chuan doesn’t mess about—it’s honest, classic Chinese food done right. The flavors are bold, the portions are generous, and the prices are fair. If you’re in San Carlos and craving proper Chinese comfort food, this is where you need to be. Whether you’re tucking into crispy chicken, slurping down wonton soup, or going for that perfect bite of pot sticker, you’re in for a treat.
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About King Chuan
Some twenty five years ago, my husband Joe and I opened our own restaurant in Cupertino. That restaurant grew into one of the South Bay’s beloved local hangouts, known for its appetizing Chinese food and reliable delivery service. In 2007, I moved into a bigger kitchen buying The King Chuan in downtown San Carlos. It’s been my pleasure to offer my personal touch to bring a high quality, casual dining and delivery experience to the people who live here.
Through years of cooking, I’ve found that the best way to remain authentic is to prepare traditional, delicious dishes using modern, healthy cooking techniques. At The King Chuan, we only use fresh ingredients, and never ‘precook and reheat.’ Whenever possible we steam our ingredients first and then lightly sauté them in unsaturated vegetable oil, for the best results. We also use only U.S. grown meats and choice cuts like flank steak and chicken breasts. And we never use MSG.
We invite you to come give us a try. You’ll find good food with reasonable prices and courteous service, whether you visit us at the restaurant or call for delivery. Many people appreciate that our delivery vehicles are company-owned and driven by our permanent employees. That’s important to us too.
For your convenience we are open all day from 11 AM to midnight with delivery service until 10 PM. I’m always here, and I’m always happy to see you. And remember, many of the chef’s specials only I cook. It’s my passion to please you.
—Susan Hu (Owner of The King Chuan)
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Top Reviews
Dkr P. | San Francisco, CA 
So happy I found this hidden gem in the Peninsula.
I’ve eaten at some of the best Chinese restaurants in NYC and SF, and King Chuan is just as good. No MSG, fresh ingredients, and fair prices. My family will be regulars!
Ines F. | Foster City, CA
Imagine this: It’s New Year’s Day, and all you want is to veg out with your significant other and have Chinese food in bed. We DoorDashed Mongolian beef, vegetable fried rice, and chicken chow fun, and let me tell you—everything was fresh and made to order.
The rice was so good, but my favorite was the chicken chow fun. We ordered it again the next night! I haven’t been inside the restaurant yet, but it’s always packed when we walk by. Definitely heading there soon!
Isabel M. | Belmont, CA
Our go-to takeout! My family loves the potstickers, egg rolls, and their soups. Their wonton soup is a magic potion—seriously, it helped me recover from a bad illness in a week!
Pickup is always fast, and the staff is kind and organized. Everything is clean and ready when I arrive.
Jeanna T. | Los Altos, CA
Everything was amazing and so fresh! I have a gluten allergy, and they were incredibly accommodating. They even went over the menu with me, explaining what could be made gluten-free using tamari instead of soy sauce.
We got the sizzling rice soup, kung pao chicken, and beef chow fun—all gluten-free and absolutely delicious! I haven’t had much Chinese food in years because so few places accommodate my allergy, but King Chuan made it work. Will be back!
April L. | Manhattan, NY
King Chuan really hit the spot for us!
The staff was incredibly nice, and Aunt Susan took the time to describe dishes and check in on us. They even gave us complimentary bowls of hot and sour soup and marinated cucumbers—a great start to the meal.
Our main dish was the steamed sole fish fillets with ginger, coriander, and green onion—so flavorful and authentic! We also ordered a tofu and vegetable dish for balance.
Highly recommend if you’re looking for authentic, home-style Chinese food in the area!
Masako W. | Mountain View, CA
Best Chinese food in the Bay Area! They use fresh ingredients, so I always feel healthy after eating here. My new favorite dish is asparagus with fish—it has such a good flavor!
Susan, the owner, remembers her customers, which makes it feel like coming home. Portions are great, too!
Mimi T. | Palo Alto, CA
Best Chinese food in the mid-Peninsula—no joke.
Everything is delicious, but we always order the West Lake beef soup, Grandma’s fried rice, and sweet and sour pork. The decor has a mid-century Chinese-American restaurant vibe, but the food is top-notch!
Arjay C. | Brisbane, CA
King Chuan changed my life. Their dumplings were so good that they became my first two Wordle guesses every day.
The service? Even better. Shoutout to Michael Kao for the best recommendations—dumplings and chow mein.
I can wholeheartedly say King Chuan is the greatest Chinese restaurant in San Carlos. Go Chuan!
Amy R. | Portland, OR
King Chuan is beloved in my family. My mom was a seasoned Taiwanese chef, and this was the only Chinese restaurant she trusted—no MSG!
When she passed last year, we hosted her memorial lunch here. Susan, the owner, has a heart of gold and helped us plan the menu. She even set up an altar in my mom’s honor.
King Chuan brings me back to the comfort of the ’90s. The food is incredible, especially their fish and egg foo young. Thank you, Susan, for everything!
Nick K. | San Francisco, CA
We’ve enjoyed King Chuan for nearly 20 years. Susan and her staff are always attentive, and the food is excellent.
Classics like kung pao chicken and hot and sour soup never disappoint. But we also love the Han Gen chicken and authentic potstickers.
Pamela P. | San Francisco, CA
We have been eating at King Chuan Restaurant for over 12 years.
We love the Veggie Chow Mein—the veggie-to-noodle ratio is perfect (if you love lots of fresh broccoli, carrots, bok choy). It’s so good, and you don’t feel guilty eating it. The quality, consistency, and friendly staff are very appreciated.
Cleo C. | Redwood City, CA
Who doesn’t like King Chuan? The owner and staff are friendly and kind. They make you feel welcome.
The food is quite good, too. I love the salt pepper pork (unfortunately, there is some spice I cannot tolerate, as it gives me a migraine), gai lan, Hom nee luk Bern, and fried rice. BUT they do NOT use MSG, so everything else is great.
The place is quiet, so you can bring friends and have a conversation. There are a lot of regulars, too. That says a lot.
We’ve gone a few times and will return.
R R. | San Jose, CA
King Chuan Restaurant is an absolute gem.
I grew up coming here as a kid, and after coming back after years away, I was pleasantly surprised to see it’s still as wonderful as I remember. The owner, Susan, is a terrific host, and she made the experience with my family and me memorable.
I definitely look forward to coming back and enjoying the quality and delicious Chinese cuisine. Thank you, Susan, for everything.
Jacqueline T. | San Gabriel, CA
I unexpectedly ran into this restaurant as I was buying some early dinner to go.
I ordered the Hong Kong Style Crispy Noodle and the spring beans. Both are amazingly good. The spring beans are especially very well prepared with tons of garlic and onions.
I would recommend anyone who wants some authentic Chinese in the area.
Kelley T. | San Jose, CA
Came in on a rainy afternoon around 1:30 PM—it was pretty empty. Ordered egg flower soup and beef chow mein to go. The staff was so nice, offering me a seat and some water while I waited. My food was ready in just 10 minutes.
Drove 30 minutes home, and when I opened my food, it was still hot and steaming. The portions are large and affordable. The chow mein was one of the best I’ve had, and the egg soup, though simple, was very tasty. A great spot for consistent Chinese food!
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