Henry's Hunan Restaurant

1708 Church St, San Francisco, CA 94131, United States
+1 415-826-9189
$$$ Chinese restaurant , Restaurant
(336 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Henry's Hunan Restaurant is a longstanding Chinese restaurant tucked into the heart of San Francisco’s Noe Valley neighborhood on Church Street. It feels like a spot locals return to when they want dependable, no-frills Hunan-style cooking served in a casual, somewhat roomy setting. The restaurant’s atmosphere is straightforward — think modest decor and enough table space to accommodate both sit-down diners and those grabbing takeout, which is common here.

The menu reflects classic Hunan flavors with a local twist, leaning on savory, spicy stir-fries and comforting dishes that satisfy a hunger for bold tastes without fuss. Frequent visitors often gravitate toward the Dry-Sauteed String Beans, Kung Pao Chicken, and specially noted homemade dumplings. There’s also a memorable “Diana’s Special,” a dish known for its subtle heat and unique combination of savory notes, that long-time patrons speak about with familiarity. For those seeking light and balanced options, dishes like the Hot & Sour Soup or sautéed broccoli offer a fresh counterpoint to the spicier plates.

Henry’s suits anyone looking for a genuine neighborhood meal — whether you're dropping in solo, meeting friends for a quick bite, or picking up dinner after a busy day. The staff tends to be attentive without being overly formal, which helps the place maintain a relaxed vibe. If you arrive during typical dinner hours, you’ll find a steady but manageable flow of diners, contributing to a low-key buzz that’s neither rushed nor overly quiet.

Though not a destination for fine dining, Henry’s Hunan shines as a dependable locale for those who appreciate authentic Hunan flavors in an unpretentious environment. It’s especially appealing to folks who value classic Chinese dishes prepared consistently well, with options that accommodate gluten-free needs if requested. The overall experience feels like dining at a place that has quietly earned its reputation through time, standing as a flavorful and practical choice in the city’s diverse culinary landscape.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves comfort food
Serves healthy options
Quick bite
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Best for
Has seating
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

336 Reviews
Rowan Jones

28 Dec 2025

Henry’s Hunan is a SF institution that used to have locations across the city. COME GET DIANA’s SPECIAL!!! An invention of the founder and named after his wife. It is my favorite dish in the world and Henry’s is the only place you can get it. Everything is fabulous, from their homemade dumplings, to string beans w meat sauce, to chicken salad, to other entrees like Henry’s shredded pork. You can choose your spice levels, from mild to kick your butt spicy. I cannot recommend this piece of SF history enough.

Emilio

06 Dec 2025

I was really hungry and didn’t eat all day. Early on the evening I wanted to have a satisfying dish as my first meal of the day to keep me going. On my way home the first place that I could find parking nearby was Henry’s Hunan, I parked and went in hoping to get a satisfying meal. The servers working this had a great attitude and took my order promptly, I was curious to know what the table next to mine was having, it looked like a dish prepared with green beans and scrambled eggs, I asked the server that I wanted to ordered the green beans dish, I was informed that the dish I was asking about was a dish made with jalapeño and scrambled eggs and is not in the menu but if I was interested they will gladly prepare it for me, I went ahead and ordered the jalapeño dish, a delicious variety of peppers, scallions with sliced onions expertly stirred fried, surprisingly enough not a very hot dish. I had to ordered another plate, I went for the smoked ham chow mein, noodles with sliced pieces of the smoked ham with very little vegetables. In the beginning i really wanted to take half of the order home with me but the food was giving me an emotional sense of comfort and I I felt that the righteous thing to do was to finish both dishes.

Danelle

21 Nov 2025

Menu lets you know they can accommodate most items as gluten-free. No dedicated fryer, but the food was good as well as the service.

LOKI

06 Nov 2025

The place is top notch as always! Got to see Jeff, the owner, today for the first time in a while. Plenty of table space for those lookin to sit down and relax, as most orders are pick up these days. #1 rec for anyone is Diana's Delicious Meat Pie!! The ground pork has the slightest hint of heat, then you get a familiar salty kick...PARMESAN CHEESE! Picks included...

Kristin Gorge

01 Oct 2025

So delicious! We ordered the sweet and sour chicken and the Mongolian beef and it was amazing. The food is high quality and the menu is extensive with many appealing options. Already can’t wait to come back!

Yu-Cheng Deng

30 Sep 2025

This is definitely one of the best Chinese (Hunan) restaurants we've ever been to in the San Francisco Bay Area. A lot of Hunan food out there tends to be greasy, with sauces or chili oil that taste artificial. But the food at Henry’s Hunan Restaurant is high quality, tastes great, and isn’t greasy at all. Be sure to try the hot and sour gizzards — they’re a must!

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