Monkey King

Name: Monkey King
Address: 467 5th Ave, San Diego, CA, United States, 92101
Telephone: (619) 359-8897
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4

4 (15)

$31 to $50

Chinese

467 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

About this restaurant

Innovative
Great for happy hour
Romantic

In the 1920’s Tom Ah Quin was the most influential Chinese businessman in downtown San Diego. He owned the underground gambling establishment known as the Monkey King Lottery House, as well as Nanking Café. While being heavily involved in local politics he earned himself the unofficial title as “Mayor,” which helped Monkey King Lottery House become a meeting place for many powerful politicians and businessmen, where they would not only hold meetings but unwind and enjoy the fruits of their labor with food, drinks, and entertainment. In 1935, the Monkey King Lottery House was raided by the government, which brought the gambling establishment to an end. The original tile entry way of the Nanking Café still exists to this day. So much history was made under this roof, which is why Monkey King was brought back to life so that patrons from all over can enjoy its charm and nostalgia for many years to come.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Chinese, Dim Sum, Pan-Asian
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
(619) 359-8897
Website
http://monkeykingsd.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Nick Urbanske

Location
467 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Neighborhood
Downtown
Cross street
Fifth and Island Aves
Parking details
Garage parking available
Public transit
Gaslamp Trolley Stop.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Pork Bao Buns$8.00
Steamed buns w/ char siu pork, pickled daikon, carrot, cucumber
Vegetable Potstickers$10.00
Crispy Fresh Veggie Egg Rolls$8.00
Wonton Soup$8.00
Traditional chicken broth with pork wontons, tofu, scallions, wakame
Jumbo Shrimp Spring Rolls$12.00
Wok Fired Chili Garlic Edamame$7.00
Lobster Shumai$12.00
Maine lobster shrimp dumplings

Small Plates

Hamachi Sashimi$16.00
Cucumber, shiso, chili oil, ponzu, lemon
Crispy Glazed Spicy Shrimp$14.00
Cantonese Style Seafood Ceviche$16.00
Shrimp, hamachi, picked lobster, mango, cucumber, bell pepper
Roasted Lacquered Pork Char Sui$12.00
Hoisin BBQ Baby Back Ribs$14.00
Hoisin chili glaze, spicy cucumber pickle

Wok

BBQ Pork Chow Mein$20.00
BBQ pork in spicy noodles w/ carrots, baby corn, cashews
Pekin Duck Chow Fun$28.00
Five spice duck leg, wok seared gai lan broccoli, stir fry vegetables
Chicken Fried Rice$16.00
Chicken w/ egg, mixed vegetables, cilantro
Twenty Vegetable Fried Rice$15.00
Cashews, tofu, sesame
Monkey Madness$18.00
Pork wonton, lo mein noodles, shrimp, chicken, bok choy, mushroom, scallion, cilantro, carrots, wakame, snow peas
Glazed Fresh Catch$27.00
Mixed wok vegetables
Fat Boy Special$22.00
Spicy Kung Pao Chicken w/ peanuts, peppers, bamboo shoot, baby corn, snow peas
Wok Seared Xo Shrimp$29.00
Gai lan broccoli & mixed vegetables
Drunken Lobster Hong Kong Style$34.00
Grilled scallions & stir fry vegetables
Black Pepper Beef$38.00
12oz. Prime New York steak w/ bok choy, mushrooms, wok roasted Maui onions, crispy potatoes

Specialty Cocktails

$14

Ring of Fire
Ketel One vodka, agave, fresh lime and lemon juice, muddled cucumber and jalapeño with a Tajin rim
Asian Blonde
Nolets premium gin, St Germain, Lillet, fresh lemon and grapefruit juice
Mai Tai
Captain Morgan spice, Captain Coconut, orgeat, cherry juice, fresh pineapple and orange juice with a dark rum float
All Thai'd Up
Peligroso Tequila, coconut lemongrass tea, fresh lime
Asian Persuasion
Ketel One vodka, soju, St Germain, cucumber, fresh lime
Golden Pear
Absolut pear vodka, fresh ginger and pear puree, Michele brut champagne
Jade Mule
Effen cucumber vodka, Thai Ginger Bambucha Kombucha, muddled cucumber, fresh lime
Mandarin Take-Out
Tequila, coconut lemongrass, fresh lime, Mandarin Redbull
Chili Mango Madness
Absolut mango, Ketel One, mango puree and fresh OJ, served in a martini with a Tajin rim
Monkeyrita
Tequila, fresh lime, Thai chili infused agave

Punch Bowls

$48

Pineapple Express
Absolut Elyx, coconut rum, banana liqueur, cherry syrup, fresh pineapple and orange juice
Kiss of the Dragon
Absolut Elyx, Melon Liqueur, cherry syrup, fresh pineapple and orange juice
Scorpion King
Absolut Elyx, Beefeater gin, light and dark rum, fresh orange and pineapple juice, lemon juice and cherry syrup

Beer

Draft

Alesmith 394 / Pale Ale / ABV 6.0%
Kirin Ichiban / American Pale Lager / ABV 5.0%
Stella / European Pale Lager / ABV 5.0%
Latitude Blood Orange / IPA / ABV 7.2%
Kona Hanalei IPA / Passion Fruit IPA / ABV 4.5%
Thorn Barrio Lager / Lager / ABV 4.5%
Seasonal Rotating Craft
Ask your server
Seasonal Local Craft
Ask your server

Bottled

Chang / Lager / ABV 5.0%$7.00
Singha / Lager / ABV 5.0%$7.00
Elysian Space Dust IPA / IPA / 8.2%$8.00
Anthem Pear Cider / Cider / 6.5%$8.00
Bud Light / Light Lager / 4.3%$6.00
Modern Times Oatmeal Coffee Stout / Coffee Stout / 5.8%$9.00

Sake

Momokawa / Organic Junmai Ginjo$9.00
Momokawa / Nigori Organic Negori$10.00
Yoshinogawa Winter Warrior / Junmai Ginjo$12.00
Yoshinogawa Gokujo Ginjo$16.00
Tyku / Coconut Nigori$12.00
Glorious Mt. Fuji / Junmai Ginjo$14.00

Wine

White & Sparkling, by the Glass

Bonterra / Organic Chardonnay / Mendoncino, CA$14.00
Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc / Marlborough, New Zealand$10.00
Benvolio Pinot Grigio / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy$10.00
Domaine Ste Michelle / Brut, Sparkling Wine / Columbia Valley$14.00
Ruffino / Prosecco / Veneto, Italy$12.00
Fabre En Provence Rose / Provence, France$16.00

Reds

Bonterra / Organic Cabernet / Mendocino, CA$10.00
Yulupa / Pinot Noir / California Coast$10.00

What 15 people are saying

Monkey King reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.0

4.0 based on all time ratings

3.7Food
3.7Service
4.2Ambience
3.5Value

Noise • Moderate

15 Reviews

PS
PreetiS
Orange County1 review
3.0
Dined on May 28, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 1
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
The food was not flavorful at all. Our order got messed up a few times...don't think the servers were very educated on the menu or understood the requests very well.
Is this helpful?
O
Oldpro
San Diego59 reviews
3.0
Dined on May 20, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
If we were to go back it would be for a drink & maybe the small plates.
Is this helpful?
i
iapples
Phoenix / Arizona29 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Totally enjoyed our meal. The restaurant is beautifully decorated. Highly recommend.
Is this helpful?
RR
RandallR
St. Louis6 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 9, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The drinks were great, 1/2 priced for happy hour! Had the Happy Buddha and Egg Rolls. Service was great food was wonderful. Great way to say good bye to San Diego. Tyler was a great bartender and server.
Is this helpful?
CS
CraigS
San Diego1 review
2.0
Dined on May 7, 2018
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Service was awful. Waiting a long time for drinks. They brought us wrong food. It was my wife's birthday and they were alerted as such, but didn't even acknowledge it or do anything. Kung Pao Chicken was exceptional Seichuan beef noodles horrible Would not go back. They need to improve and take care of their customers
Is this helpful?
NV
NVEM
San Francisco Bay Area1 review
2.0
Dined on May 6, 2018
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 4
Would not recommend this place for dinner. It looks modern and cool inside, and we all liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, however the service was extremely slow (we didn't have someone come to us for about 20 minutes after we were seated), the food did not come for a long time, and when it did come the food was disappointing. At 7:30, I understand that they are going for a loud, fun atmosphere, but it was basically impossible to hear the person across the table from you. The drinks menu looked good, however, so it looks like this place might be better for meeting up with a friend for a drink, rather than a group for dinner.
Is this helpful?
SB
SharronB
Greater Boston3 reviews
5.0
Dined on April 24, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was DELICIOUS! Centrally located, nice atmosphere
Is this helpful?
PG
PatriciaG VIP
St. Louis37 reviews
1.0
Dined on April 1, 2018
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Our appetizers came out with our food. The food was bland. The service was terrible. We were not offered refills on our drinks. We also won’t offered dessert. Awful experience. I called the manager to give feedback before writing a poor review. I was promised a call back and never received a return call. Don’t waste your time eating here.
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on March 31, 2018
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Good, food was a little expensive for what you got
Is this helpful?
J
Jdrey2 VIP
Orange County5 reviews
3.0
Dined on March 25, 2018
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Dim sum assortments had to be sent back because all the food was cold in both bamboo steamers. Dim sum tasted like frozen food. Service was slow. Spicy shrimp was good; but too spicy. Other shrimp dish was good. Notified the hostess and server we had a birthday; but nothing was done.
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FAQs

Monkey King offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (619) 359-8897.

Monkey King is rated 4 stars by 15 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

467 5th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Additional information

Cross street
Fifth and Island Aves
Neighborhood
Downtown
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon–Wed, Sun 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Thu–Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Chinese, Dim Sum, Pan-Asian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Garage parking available
Public transit
Gaslamp Trolley Stop.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Nick Urbanske
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://monkeykingsd.com/
Phone number
(619) 359-8897

Monkey King

About this restaurant

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Dim Sum

Pork Bao Buns$8.00

Vegetable Potstickers$10.00

Crispy Fresh Veggie Egg Rolls$8.00

Wonton Soup$8.00

Jumbo Shrimp Spring Rolls$12.00

Wok Fired Chili Garlic Edamame$7.00

Lobster Shumai$12.00

Small Plates

Hamachi Sashimi$16.00

Crispy Glazed Spicy Shrimp$14.00

Cantonese Style Seafood Ceviche$16.00

Roasted Lacquered Pork Char Sui$12.00

Hoisin BBQ Baby Back Ribs$14.00

Wok

BBQ Pork Chow Mein$20.00

Pekin Duck Chow Fun$28.00

Chicken Fried Rice$16.00

Twenty Vegetable Fried Rice$15.00

Monkey Madness$18.00

Glazed Fresh Catch$27.00

Fat Boy Special$22.00

Wok Seared Xo Shrimp$29.00

Drunken Lobster Hong Kong Style$34.00

Black Pepper Beef$38.00

Specialty Cocktails

Ring of Fire

Asian Blonde

Mai Tai

All Thai'd Up

Asian Persuasion

Golden Pear

Jade Mule

Mandarin Take-Out

Chili Mango Madness

Monkeyrita

Punch Bowls

Pineapple Express

Kiss of the Dragon

Scorpion King

Beer

Draft

Alesmith 394 / Pale Ale / ABV 6.0%

Kirin Ichiban / American Pale Lager / ABV 5.0%

Stella / European Pale Lager / ABV 5.0%

Latitude Blood Orange / IPA / ABV 7.2%

Kona Hanalei IPA / Passion Fruit IPA / ABV 4.5%

Thorn Barrio Lager / Lager / ABV 4.5%

Seasonal Rotating Craft

Seasonal Local Craft

Bottled

Chang / Lager / ABV 5.0%$7.00

Singha / Lager / ABV 5.0%$7.00

Elysian Space Dust IPA / IPA / 8.2%$8.00

Anthem Pear Cider / Cider / 6.5%$8.00

Bud Light / Light Lager / 4.3%$6.00

Modern Times Oatmeal Coffee Stout / Coffee Stout / 5.8%$9.00

Sake

Momokawa / Organic Junmai Ginjo$9.00

Momokawa / Nigori Organic Negori$10.00

Yoshinogawa Winter Warrior / Junmai Ginjo$12.00

Yoshinogawa Gokujo Ginjo$16.00

Tyku / Coconut Nigori$12.00

Glorious Mt. Fuji / Junmai Ginjo$14.00

Wine

White & Sparkling, by the Glass

Bonterra / Organic Chardonnay / Mendoncino, CA$14.00

Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc / Marlborough, New Zealand$10.00

Benvolio Pinot Grigio / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy$10.00

Domaine Ste Michelle / Brut, Sparkling Wine / Columbia Valley$14.00

Ruffino / Prosecco / Veneto, Italy$12.00

Fabre En Provence Rose / Provence, France$16.00

Reds

Bonterra / Organic Cabernet / Mendocino, CA$10.00

Yulupa / Pinot Noir / California Coast$10.00