Sampan Chinese Restaurant

Sanpan has long been my favorite Chinese reatuarant in Winston-Salem. I am so glad to return (now that there is no smoking) to once again enjoy Sandy's wonderful cuisine. more

Don't let the location fool or turn you off. This place is truly a hidden gem. I have NEVER had better chinese food east of Hong Kong. You will not be disappointed and make sure you order from the authentic menu. But don't worry, even from the normal menu the food is hot, fresh, and amazin. The Hot and Sour soup, dumplings, and fish in black bean sauce are great. Pros: Authentic chinese food Cons: Bad location, but worth it. I promise!! more

This restaurant serves the most authentic Chinese food I've had in the area. It is head and shoulders over its competition. The ambiance is a little low rent but the service is good and the food is artfully seasoned. Pros: The Food Cons: The Decor more

We have been coming to Sampan Restaurant since 1995. This restaurant is owned by one person, who while suffering the tragic death of her husband in 2004, NEVER even took one day off or closed the restaurant. With that said it may explain the one star rating of the review above in 2004. more

We tried Sampan for the first time last night. The dumpling soup was delicious. I heard so much about their eggplant in garlic sauce but I had better...next time I will try the stuffed eggplant instead. The shrimp and pork fried rice was perfect..we also tried an authentic Chinese dish, pork with pickled veggies and fried tofu. I was expecting it to be sour but it was a very subtle dish with lots of flavor...very good. We enjoyed it very much and look forward to trying other dishes on the menu! Pros: Good Food! Cons: not much ambience more

Sanpan has had a great reputation for years in Winston. While I agree with the other reviewer that it has slipped a little from it's height -- it's still one of the most authentic Chinese restaurants in the Triad. The key is the appropriatedly named, authentic or extended menu. These are more Chinese dishes rather than the bland American-Chinese dishes that most restaurants slop onto a plate. The fish fillets in black bean sauce and eggplant hotpot are real winners. For a change of pace, we tried the wonton appetizers with peanut-chili sauce. Careful with that one, it's a bell ringer for spicyness. All in all, we have been very happy and have returned regularly for this taste of real Chinese food in contrast to the ""Pork Fried Rice"" town. Pros: Authentic fare and extremely friendly manger/owner Cons: When it's packed, service can be a little slower -- not a big problem if you're ready for it. more

I've eaten here for many years - lunch and dinner - and it's slipped in recent months. The preparation isn't as careful, nor the flavors as clear. It's all rather a muddle, and the sweet-sour sauce is a gooey, cloying mess. Avoid the shrimp dishes - management buys tiny frozen shrimp that are inevitably tasteless. The exception might be the Salt and Pepper Shrimp, but even that is chancy Pros: Good prices Cons: , Boring specials, Tired menu more