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Why did we dine here? – Happy Crane is a brand new modern Chinese restaurant in San Francisco that has been eagerly awaited after a successful popup. In Chinese culture, the crane symbolizes longevity, wisdom, and nobility, while the name itself also pays subtle homage to the charming, storybook-style names found in traditional English pubs. Chef James used to work at Benu among other prestigious kitchens. We’ve eaten at Bo Innovation in Hong Kong, where he had worked. Definitely see the influence. This restaurant continues the movement toward modern Cantonese food in San Francisco. It builds upon the momentum of Four Kings and Mister. Jiu. We have eaten here twice.
It is located in the former Monsieur Benjamin location. Needless to say it was hard scoring an Opentable reservation, but we managed to get in a couple weeks after they opened. They just started accepting walk-ins for the bar!
Insider Tip – Setup OpenTable alerts to score a rez
Cuisine – Modern Chinese
Location – San Francisco City Hall Area
Opened – 2025
Service – Happy Crane was competent but not omnipresent. Order was taken faster than expected. Food came fast. Slight delays in some refilling and some pacing issues.
Verdict – Happy Crane serves up innovative Chinese food in nice surroundings. People will compare it to Four Kings, but each serves totally different food. Most dishes were great, but a couple clinkers hit. Food lovers should definitely add this to their list.
Is this restaurant worth a 5 minute drive? Yes. 30 minute? Yes. 1 Hour? Maybe
Happy Crane Signature Dishes – Gold Coin, Quail, Pork Jowl
Happy Crane’s Menu is not extensive with 9 starters, 5 middle dishes and 4 large plates. Waiter said they could not accomodate celiac.
Happy Crane Food Picks:
As Above, So Below (non-alcoholic $17) seedip grove & spice 96, kabousu & sudachi cordial, orange zest. We had to ask what this flavor profile was. It is a small gimlet with lots of flavor. Expensive! 8.5/10
Under Red Lantern ($19) is a good fruity drink but it was filled with crushed ice. 6/10
ginger scallion scallop ($18) scolded chives, jicima, salted radish was a play on textures and flavors. Interesting dish but a bit on the over sauced side. 8.5/10
smacked cucumber & smoked figs ($14) chinkiang balsamic, avocado, cherry tomatoes has crunchy cucumber in a nicely done sauce. Just a couple avocado, and we couldn’t figure out which were the figs. 8.5/10
firecracker shrimp ($9 per pc) nori, shiso, mala glaze looks and tastes great. Salt and pepper fried airy crunch style stuffed with goodness. This is a New American dish with Chinese influence! 10/10
gold coin ($11 per pc) coppa, rose wine chicken liver mousse, house bao is a place on a rare old school classic dish. This dish has bold flavors and textures. You hit the rich mousse with every bite. Wow. A bit salty. 10/10
Sugarsnap peas dumpling ($7 pc) shitake, summer squash, pea foam looked great but was ho hum. Needs some intense flavor! 7/10
chasiu iberico pork jowl ($43) lime ginger compressed-apple, scallion rice has thinly sliced lean charsiu with slices of apple. Great flavor and texture on the charsiu. We recently went to Hong Kong and didn’t find one this good. Rice is just an afterthought. 9.5/10
fish fragrant fish ($48) lingcod, eggplant roasted, celtuce, yam leaves really hit the spot with tender fish in a nice sauce. Definitely order some rice to accompany this. 9/10
maitake biang biang ($35) house pulled noodle, roasted maitake, xinjiang spices is a big dish. Nice thin wide noodles but not enough maitake. A good dish to get full on. 9/10
crab rice roll ($32) fresh milled rice roll, shaoxing crab butter, trout roe is a modern take of the classic rice roll. Couple bits of crab shell in there, but otherwise an interesting dish. 8.5/10
mango & raspberry sorbet ($14) coconut sago, kaoling, lime was nice and fruity with a little fun sago and passion fruit seeds. 9/10
mochi rocher ($13 of 2pc) cinnamon chocolate, hazel nut jian dui is like a sesame ball filled with ferrero rocher chocolate. Bold, Very nicely done. 9.5/10
Do you agree with our review? Have you found other similar restaurants that are better?
Restaurant Map:Happy Crane Overall Rating: 
(Excellent
Come Back? 
| Food Rating: | (Excellent) |
| Service Rating: |  (Very Good) |
| Atmosphere Rating: | (Excellent) |
| Value Rating: | (Very Good) |
Guide: 0 = poor, 1 = Below/Average, 2 = Good, 2.5 = Very Good, 3 = Excellent , 4 = Extraordinary
| Alcohol: | Full Bar |
| Attire: | Casual |
| Parking: | Street |
| Reservations: | Yes |
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