Sampan - Philadelphia

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1. M

   Mombee

   New York Area

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 21, 2018

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   The service was fast and friendly, the food and drinks were excellent. The server helped us pick the right amount of food for our party size and was knowledgeable about the dishes and ingredients. We had dined at Sampan the last time we were in town a couple of years ago and were delighted to find that they've maintained their high standards. We look forward to returning.

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2. LT

   LaToyaB

   Philadelphia

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on July 20, 2018

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Sampan was amazing. Definitely will be returning soon.

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3. S

   Satisfied

   Philadelphia

   63 reviews

   5.0

   63 reviews

   Dined on July 20, 2018

   overall5food4service5ambience5

   We had the bao buns - delicious! The chicken bao bun is spicy and the pork bao bun is sweet. We had the general Tso soup dumpling- it was tasty for what it was BUT if you have had authentic soup dumplings, this may disappoint you. The dumplings had very little fluid in them and were stuck together when served. The flavor of the chicken was on point.

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4. HK

   HK4dining

   Philadelphia

   19 reviews

   4.0

   19 reviews

   Dined on July 19, 2018

   overall4food4service4ambience4

   The food selection was amazingly plenty. It featured unsurprising from the east and also the western style. We chose the tasting menu with seven plates, some were larger than expected. The service was prompt and courteous. The noise level however was pretty high and the lighting was too dim to read the menu, nor to really appreciate the food, especially on the tables away from the window. We will definitely come back and will select a window seat for an even better experience!

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5. FO

   FolasadeO

   Philadelphia

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on July 18, 2018

   overall5food5service5ambience3

   Good food. Good vibe, good service. Will go again.

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6. EO

   ElizabethO

   Philadelphia

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 17, 2018

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Sampan was awesome! Would highly recommend their Happy Hour! It was a great deal and great food. Awesome for a fun date night or a night out with friends.

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7. KF

   KFang

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 17, 2018

   overall1food1service1ambience1

   Huge disappointment. Not worth the money (~$50/person). Food: Very salty. Not authentic Chinese or Asian flavor. Ambience: Super noisy. Very difficult to hear each other. Service: poor. Was refused seating when I arrived. The receptionist insisted that they only seat fully arrived groups. But the seating area was very empty, while the doorway and the bar area were super crowded, which makes this policy absurd. Won't go there again, and won't recommend any friends to go there.

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8. S

   Shane

   Philadelphia

   3 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined on July 15, 2018

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Most amazing birthday dinner! The waiter was great and the service was amazing! Be back soon!

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9. PK

   PaulK

   New York Area

   1 review

   vip
   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on July 15, 2018

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   We had the pleasure of meeting the manager, Justin. He was very kind and ran us through all the specials, as well as stayed to talk for a few minutes since we were from out of town. I would definitely recommend this restaurant in the future. If you are lucky Justin will be working again!

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10. W

    Wmelendez215

    Philadelphia

    12 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 15, 2018

    overall1food1service2ambience1

    I was hoping the vibe at Sampan would be an ideal date night, but it wasn't. I chose to do the tasting menu for my date and I and the amount and quality of food we got just wasn't worth the price at all, and it was way too loud in there. If it's noisy, I don't mind but we couldn't even have a conversation unless we were leaning in practically kissing each other to talk. Never again.

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11. CB

    ChazB

    Philadelphia

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 14, 2018

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Had a reservation for 6:30 and we didn't arrive until 6:45, which wasn't too big of a deal. I think they ended up giving our reservation away. I wasn't really mad with that. We just didn't sit until 7. Not a big deal. I kind of deserved that, and I am sure it was tough considering it was a Friday night and we had 9 people. We had come for quick apps and drinks before an event at SPiN. The server was nice and friendly. She was attentive and was very thoughtful. The manager also treated us well as he was paying attention, asking questions, and poured water for us several times as we had some people who were a bit thirsty after the spicier foods. The drinks came out pretty slow, but the food came out quickly. Unfortunately, we didn't get one dish delivered to our table, but what can you do? I was a little disappointed as the one dish that didn't come out was the birthday girl's. I had already paid for the meal and they did offer to adjust the bill, but it wasn't that big of a deal to me and we really needed to get to the next place. We had food there waiting for us anyway. I would go back with or without a big group. Just be ready to wait a bit longer as per usual with bigger groups. The food is absolutely amazing, and the atmosphere is great for a Friday night out in the city.

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12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 14, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food was great, the service was great!

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13. HS

    HelenS

    Atlantic City

    105 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    105 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everything was fantastic! Best edamame dumplings!! Food was absolutely delicious! Service was wonderful!! Love this place!!

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14. TW

    TaylorW

    Washington DC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Great list of a variety of small plates. We all did the 45 dollar tasting menu which was perfect! Cocktails were great too

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15. RK

    RichardK

    Philadelphia

    25 reviews

    4.0

    25 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    I prefer double Knot which is right next door and I beloved owned by the same people

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16. J

    Jenjoune

    Philadelphia

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Food was delicious but the music was really loud and we could hardly talk over it.

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17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    We frequently eat here and always get the tasting menu. Our complaint in the past has been that 3-4 plates of food tend to arrive at our table at the same time causing us to feel rushed and to not be able to enjoy each of the tasting menu options. We explained that to our waitress and she was great about spacing our dishes out for us this time. The food is consistently good and we really enjoyed the drinks as well. One of our favorite Philly restaurants to frequent!

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18. AB

    AndreaB

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Second time I’ve dined here and both times have been fabulous! Definitely recommend the chef tasting!

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19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The service was fantastic. I wish the portions for the chefs tasting menu were slightly larger- it was difficult to share with a table of four.

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience3

    Staff is extremely helpful. Food is always interesting, tasty and well presented. Consistently a good night out at Sampan.

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21. J

    Josh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 13, 2018

    overall4food5service1ambience4

    We came here with high hopes, from all of the previous reviews we’d seen. It took 25 minutes to get water for the table and I had to ask. They waiter then explained the menu to use and gave us a “couple of minutes” to decide what we were having. She didnt return and I had to ask another waiter 20 minutes later, if we could finally order some food. So after around 45-50 minutes waiting, we finally got to order some food. The food was amazing, one of my new favourite restraunts. If the food wasn’t this good, I would have given it 1 star.

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22. NS

    NoreenS

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 12, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    The crispy shrimp, brussel sprouts, and cheesesteak bao were excellent! Can't wait to go back!!!

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23. e

    erie9979

    Philadelphia

    21 reviews

    5.0

    21 reviews

    Dined on July 11, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Excellent always! Love the ever changing menu.

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24. HL

    HughL

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 9, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Always consistent. The staff pays attention to dietary needs. Delicious and unexpected flavor combinations.

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25. s

    sabrinar

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 8, 2018

    overall3food2service2ambience2

    I’ve been to Sanpam a few times but I must say this time I was a little disappointed! The server was okay... she could have been better far as time management goes meaning waiting on us and giving us the bill in a timely fashion. The food wasn’t as great as it normally taste! However the manager Allison listened to my concerns and seemed to care. She Also said that she would take care of us the next time we come back! Aka in all I will still go back!

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26. JA

    JeAg

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 7, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good prices for really good food especially the happy hour

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27. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff was friendly, the service and food was good. I would absolutely recommend this restaurant to all my family and friends to attend

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28. f

    fynejules40

    Baltimore

    22 reviews

    4.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on July 7, 2018

    overall4food4service3ambience4

    Sampan is a chic and trendy restaurant. Service was great. Waitress was accommodating and attentive. They have happy hour which is daily including the weekends. Yelp said it's anywhere in the restaurant but that isn't true. It's only at the bar, outside, Grafftii bar and next door at their sister restaurant. Those areas were packed at 5pm (HH is from 4-7p). Food wise, we really enjoyed everything we ordered. Nothing was too salty (huge issue when dining out). Portions were good and easily sharable. There was 3 of us dining. We enjoyed the cheesesteak bao, edamame dumplings, kimchi fried rice, glazed sea bass (great dish but portion and price of dish was mismatched), and char sui pork (portion and price a little better matched).

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29. LP

    LeahP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 6, 2018

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    I feel mixed about this place. On the one hand, the food was inventive and mostly really good. On the other hand, it was crazy loud, with a thumping soundtrack blasted constantly. We went with friends who were visiting from afar for the weekend and it was impossible to talk without yelling across the table. So while the food was unique and good (we had the tasting menu which was really fun), and the drinks were really good, it was also expensive and loud. So I would recommend it for the food/drink, but not so much for the atmostphere.

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30. L

    Liam

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 5, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was my second time visiting Sampan. I went with my girlfriend and we got three of the small appetizer-esque dishes, the Cheeseteak Bao, the Chicken Bao, and the Pork Dumplings. All three were amazing. We then also got two kebabs (the actual word for them escapes me at the moment, but they were very similar to kebabs). I got the BBQ beef and she got the Vietnamese Chicken. Both were excellent. The ambiance of the restaurant was great, the noise wasn’t that bad, and the service was great.

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31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Minneapolis

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 3, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing amazing restaurant! We had the chicken and pork buns and the Szechuan chicken. All were absolutely amazing. One thing we didn’t know, which isn’t a big deal but we were a little disappointed about, is they happy hour is only in select places and you cannot make a reservation for. We made a reservation during happy hour time specifically to have happy hour there and some of the menu items we were looking forward to were different. But that was a small issue that we probably just didn’t understand and this is a fantastic restaurant - top 5 I’ve ever been to.

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32. F

    Foodloversli

    Philadelphia

    12 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on July 3, 2018

    overall3food4service4ambience3

    Our visit was fun, but the food portions were really tiny. My friend got the filet and it was a few slices of meat with no vegetables or starch for about $25. Absolutely ridiculous. Happy hour prices are not served at the table, just the bar. Service was patient and courteous, but I wish they didn’t recommend sharing. How can you share 5 nail-size dumplings? They are so small, barely enough for 1 person. Nothing we ordered was shareable! I don’t think we’ll go back except for maybe happy hour at the BAR. The only dish of substance was the pad Thai. That was delicious and enough for 1 person’s entree. Overall though, this place is a RIP-OFF.

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33. J

    Jeannie

    Philadelphia

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on July 2, 2018

    overall4food4service4ambience4

    Birthday! Gave us a dessert! Very nice

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34. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2018

    overall5food4service4ambience4

    Happy hour is the best ! Huge portions for a great price. Go here every time I am in town!

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35. RJ

    RajeevJ

    New York Area

    34 reviews

    5.0

    34 reviews

    Dined on July 1, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Amazing resturant. Great food. Awesome dishes. Saki recommendation was perfect on a hot evening. The tasting menu was filling and delicious.

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36. S

    Sotoloves2eat

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 30, 2018

    overall4food3service4ambience3

    Food was great as usual along with service.

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37. LE

    LisaE

    Philadelphia

    22 reviews

    3.0

    22 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2018

    overall3food5service4ambience4

    The food was really good and our server was very knowledgeable. This place is family style which makes it tricky to go with a group if they don't have the same notions about food as you do. When I went I was there with 3 couples and each couple had to end up ordering food to split; no one wanted to do the tasting menu. I would have rather just ordered my own meal but that wasn't an option. Also, food comes out when ready. So all 3 dishes my boyfriend and I ordered came out almost immediately while the other couples were still waiting. it just made the meal a bit disjointed. it would have been nice to all enjoy our dinners together.

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38. M

    Moelink

    Philadelphia

    20 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on June 30, 2018

    overall3food5service1ambience5

    I’ve been coming to Sampan for the last 5 plus years. One of my favorites in philly!! This time the food was excellent as always. Our server Angelica could not have been more disinterested if she tried. We ordered drinks and we did not get our drinks till our thrid course. She never ask how dinner was or even thanked us. Just plain rude, very unlike Sampan to have servers like this.

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39. HS

    HelenS

    Atlantic City

    105 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    105 reviews

    Dined on June 29, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Food was absolutely delicious. Our favorite is the edamame dumplings! Our server was excellent! We have eaten there many times & will definitely return!

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40. M

    Mikeb

    Philadelphia

    20 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    20 reviews

    Dined on June 29, 2018

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent experience once again at Sampan. The food came out very quickly. Everything was delicious. A little crowded with the seating and noise but that's to be expected on a Friday night. Highly recommend the Vietnamese chicken satay, General Tso soup dumplings, and smashed cucumber salad.

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