"George Chen's Broadway marketplace plates tableside Peking duck and dumpling-bar xiao long bao — Eater's 2017 Restaurant of the Year, built for groups."
About China Live
China Live is chef George Chen's sprawling modern-Chinese marketplace at 644 Broadway, on the edge of San Francisco's Chinatown, opened on 1 March 2017 with his partner Cindy Wong-Chen. It folds a market restaurant, dumpling and roast stations, bars and a retail market into one two-storey building, and was named Eater San Francisco's Restaurant of the Year in 2017.
Its intimate fine-dining annex, Eight Tables by George Chen, has separately earned national attention — placing it among the most ambitious Chinese projects in San Francisco, alongside Mister Jiu's and the historic dim-sum house Yank Sing.
The Kitchen
The market restaurant cooks a daily-changing seasonal menu from eight specialised stations that blend traditional Chinese and Western equipment. Highlights are the tableside Peking duck, a dumpling bar running xiao long bao and shen jian, and dishes built on non-GMO, organic produce where possible.
It reads as accessible, market-driven Chinese cooking, with Chen's own chili crisp and sauces sold in the attached market.
The Room
The space is large and lively, running across two floors with the market, bars and dining hall flowing into one another. It is a room built for grazing, sharing and groups rather than a quiet, intimate dinner — energetic, design-forward and busy most nights.
Best for a team dinner
The sharing format and big, buzzy rooms make China Live a strong team dinner, while the market restaurant works well for a daytime business lunch near the Financial District.
Not for
Not for an intimate, quiet dinner for two — the marketplace runs large and lively across several rooms; for a hushed tasting, its Eight Tables annex fits better.
Frequently Asked
Who created China Live in San Francisco?
Chef George Chen, with his partner Cindy Wong-Chen. China Live opened at 644 Broadway on 1 March 2017 and was named Eater San Francisco's Restaurant of the Year that year.
What is China Live known for?
Tableside Peking duck, a dumpling bar serving xiao long bao and shen jian, a daily-changing market menu from eight cooking stations, and a retail market of Chen's own chili crisp and sauces.
Is Eight Tables the same as China Live?
Eight Tables by George Chen is the intimate fine-dining restaurant inside the China Live building. The main market restaurant is the larger, more casual experience; Eight Tables is its tasting-menu annex.
Where is China Live located?
At 644 Broadway in San Francisco, on the Broadway edge of Chinatown, spread across two floors of market, bars and dining space.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at China Live
Booking via OpenTable; walk-ins possible at the bars.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address644 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133
NeighbourhoodChinatown / Broadway
CuisineModern Chinese
PriceSmall plates $14–28; Peking duck for the table; mains $24–42
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingMarket restaurant, bars & dining hall
ReservationRecommended for dinner
