4. Restaurants

Han Dynasty

123 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA, 19106
  • (215) 922-1888
  • Store is closed

Han Dynasty Menu

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  • John E.

    Spicy,spicy,spicy this place is perfect if you love spicy food.i can say I have met my krytonite here. The dry pepper style was,too hot but it was über good I couldnt stop eating this place had a really cool feel to it and the window seats have amazing view of the city must go.

    (5)

  • April K.

    I know you don't go to chinese food restaurants for service but seriously, it was bad. No glass with the beer, no recommendations, waited forever for a check! We wound up ordering three spicy dishes but they were all just drowned in chili oil (pork belly, dumplings, and hot sauce beef) I thought the spice would come from different chilis and sauces but no, it was all chili oil. I seriously don't know what everyone is talking about.

    (2)

  • Rachel B.

    Dan dan noodles alone give this place four stars.

    (4)

  • Alan S.

    I gave up on Chinese food a couple of years ago, but came here when a couple friends made the plan... Now I can't wait to go back. Very good food that is crafted with care. Some of the dishes were very spicey like the mung bean noodle appitizer.

    (5)

  • Blake F.

    with 141 [mostly] 5-star reviews to their name, does han dynasty really need another one from me? no. but i'mma do it anyway. spicy cucumbers. when michelle C told me this was her favorite app in all of philadlephia, i knew they'd be something special, and they are. drowning in a bowl of garlic chili oil, these crunchy cukes set my mouth on fire. spice-rating 3? i don't think so! yet i keep going back for more and more and... dan dan noodles. heads up vegetarians: tell your server to prepare these sans meat - tho the crumbles appear to be a part of the sauce, all parts are mixed in separately, so it can be done! again, prepare for serious mouth burn. so good it makes lo mein look like lo lame. tofu, garlic sauce style. ordered this on my first visit to han and enjoyed every last bite (mostly as leftovers - the portion was huge). the tofu itself was a firm, compressed style, and came served with mushrooms and bamboo shoots. tho the spice-rating was fairly low (4), it still packed a solid punch. mapo tofu. on my second visit, i wanted to try something new, so i ordered what seemed to be the only other option for tofu - pickled chili style. han, who was taking our table's order, told me that it was his least favorite preparation for the tofu, and recommended the mapo (hold the minced pork) after i requested a soft style soy. good call, han! tho rated a 7 on the spice scale, it didn't set my mouth aflame, tho perhaps i had just become used to it. han. yes, that han. the young chef's humor & personality brings the dynasty dining experience to the next level. i'm already looking forward to my third visit - to sample more delicious sichuan cuisine, while laughing my ass off at han's crazy stories.

    (5)

  • YogaMom G.

    Han Dynasty - how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways - Dan Dan Noodles, dumplings in chili oil, sesame noodles, pork dry pot, and the spicy hot pot. This is not food for the faint of heart - it's authentic Sichuan goodness. Can't wait for a return trip.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    I'm going to go against the grain here and say, "Don't believe the hype." It might of been what we ordered, but it certainly wasn't worth waiting for an hour for a table on a Monday night. I had the beef dry pot, which many of the reviews I read said was a go-to dish. First, the spiciness rating is a little misleading here. If they're going to use a scale of 1-10, this is really only about a 6-7, so if you're worried about it being too hot, don't be. It was okay, but not really the dynamic dish that all the reviews make it out to be. The three-cup chicken was basically cubes of chicken in a bowl of soy sauce, rice wine, and burnt tasting sesame oil with a couple of pieces of basil sprinkled on top. This dish was actually kind of gross, and we only ended up eating 1/4 of it. The service bordered between rushed (at best) and absent (at worst). The server copped an attitude with me when he tried to press us into ordering dan dan noodles and I told him that I wasn't interested because I make dan dan noodles all the time at home. "Yeah, but they're not as good," he said. Actually, Han Dynasty, if the other two dishes are any indicator, they probably are.

    (2)

  • bernie v.

    We first went to Han Dynasty about 3 months ago. Since then we've been back on multiple occasions - many times with some friends in tow. Those friends loved it so much that they've been back on multiple occasions with their friends and coworkers. Soon I think it will be almost near impossible to get a table there! Bottom Line - It's THAT good. The food is spicy but the layers of flavor on all the dishes are incredible. From the cucumbers in chile oil, to the dandan noodles, to the drypot style, to the dry fry style - it honestly doesn't really matter what you get - it'll be delicious. One thing I would recommend, go with a group of people - you'll be able to try more dishes off the menu. The tastings he has the first monday of the month are definitely something you should try if you enjoy this type of food. 20 courses for 25 bucks is an absolute bargain. Also, I've come to realize that beer works MUCH better with this style of food than wine. So stop reading reviews on yelp, make a reservation (you'll need one) and go try out some awesome food!!

    (5)

  • luna r.

    I am ridiculously addicted to han dyansty. so good. the dan dan noodles are delicious and spicy

    (5)

  • James W.

    I love this place! Have been here a few times and am always pleased with the food and service. The restaurant is usually crowded but the service is quick and knowledgeable. Huge fan of the dan dan noodles. If you like spicey food they also have quite an assortment of options available. The dumplings are very good as well. Highly recommend checking out this restaurant for a good meal that doesn't break your budget.

    (5)

  • Charlie B.

    This place is great. Amazing quality for the price. Dan Dan noodles, Sesame noodles, and spicy crispy cucumbers. Amazing. I appreciate the candor of this place, too. The owner is the chef and even takes orders. That's so fucking legit! And he'll tell you when you're out of line when ordering stuff. Again, legit. I'm so pumped on this place that I'd bust out some cardboard and break dance if my belly wasn't so full.

    (5)

  • G D.

    Great place, good food. They have a good number of options in the menu and the food is really spicy. They have spice levels from 1 to 10, our group went with the six and it was quite spicy for someone like me who is used to eating spicy food. It's good to make a reservation especially on a weekend. Also the seating is a bit cramped. Its really difficult to move around without brushing on other chairs. But overall a good experience with a nice urban feel.

    (4)

  • lisa b.

    Had a fantastic meal there with friends, only had to wait one tecate at the Mexican bar next door. Ate the noodle dish every raved about, the rabbit appetizer (hot! And watch the bones) steamed dumplings absolutely delicious, pork, dry pot chicken....and the service was great...we will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Vanessa L.

    We've been twice. Once on Christmas and once for the monthly tasting. Christmas was a mad house and even though we had a reservation we did wait for a little bit. Not that big of a deal because everyone was waiting and they had reservations too. The food was great and service fine. They were seriously slammed. They did lose my credit card so that was a bummer but I still wanted to go back. Now the tasting dinner was different. They set everyone up downstairs and Han walks around and talks to everyone. He is really funny and great to talk to. There were some real standouts - the beef jerky, spicy fried fish, and the spare ribs were awesome. Not all dishes were as spicy as I would have expected but it was still very tasty. Word of caution - you never know who you will be seated next to so be prepared to chat with everyone and there may be some people who are less than pleasant. Not Han's fault at all. Some people don't know how to behave in mixed company.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth L.

    Greatest restaurant in Philadelphia, no questions asked. This spot will knock your socks off!

    (5)

  • Ms M.

    I have to say, this was very disappointing. While the Dan Dan noodles were as good as described and the Kung Pao chicken was also good, everything else ranged from ok to terrible. The dumplings were ok, but nothing special. The dry fry beef was certainly dry!! It seemed either overcooked or reheated and wasn't at all spicy. We should have heeded one of the reviewers suggestion to avoid the garlic sauce style, but to our regret, we ordered the garlic sauce style chicken - just plain nasty! Strange that the Kung Pao chicken (listed at only a 3) was the spiciest and tastiest of the three main courses! To top it off, the service was terribly slow. Fifteen minutes after asking for the check and to have our food wrapped up, we had to get up & find our waitress to repeat our request. Pretty frustrating when there were only 2 other tables of people being served.

    (2)

  • Jennifer D.

    "Hurt so good, come on baby make it hurt so good!" Even low spice levels will leave you in pain, but the intense complex flavors are worth it. Nothing here is anything but excellent. Favorites are the Dan Dan Noodles, the Dry Pot, and - saving the best for last - the Hot Sauce Style Pork.

    (5)

  • M D.

    Ironically, I had ONLY been to the Han Dynasty in Manayunk but happened to be in Old City for business so brought a bunch of colleagues down there. It surely did not disappoint! The food is AMAZING. Perfect places to share a bunch of entrees/apps with some friends. My personal faves are the Dan Dan noodles and the spicy cucumbers. But, I have never had anything that let me down. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Sweetly B.

    If your looking for TASTY genuine cuisine with kick, THIS is your spot! If you can get a reservation for there tasting you WONT regret it!

    (5)

  • Abby G.

    There is no doubt about it -- the food here is incredible, a solid 5+/5. If dining in, you are in for a treat. Ordering delivery, however, is quite a different story. Han Dynasty only uses an online food delivery system, Foodler, which (for our neighborhood, Wash Sq West) is run by Dashed. This service is horrendous. I've tried to order take out four times now, and they have all been incredibly painful delivery experiences. At baseline it takes at least 2 hours for delivery, which is annoying but I can deal with. However the second time I placed an order, I waited two hours and then finally called Dashed and was informed that they were no longer delivering tonight. No notice, no phone call. Just decided to drop my order. The third time I tried to order I again waited 2 hours and called Dashed, and was informed that due to "high volume" my order had not yet been placed and would be at least 2 more hours until it would be delivered. When it dawned on them that this was unacceptable they offered me a $20 credit, which I accepted. We just ordered for the fourth time tonight, expecting a $20 credit which was nowhere to be found. I again called Dashed (against my better judgement) and it took 30 minutes to have the credit placed on my account. My continual return to this service is a testament to the food at Han Dynasty. But I think this will be the last time I get delivery, and from now on will walk over to Old City for my double-cooked fish.

    (3)

  • Kristin C.

    Was just in here for lunch and you could hear crickets. My colleagues and I were worried that Han was going to go the way of the dinosaur, and I was relieved to see it was highly rated and often! Top notch gourmet cuisine, I can't speak to authenticity but there wasn't a dish we didn't love. We had the green beans/fried minced pork deal, amazing. We had beef with long hot peppers, and kung poa chicken... the heat is a little much for me, but my fellow diners were sweating with delight. LOVE the dumplings in chilli oil. Come here, often, BYO, it's wonderful.

    (5)

  • Ange B.

    Han Dynasty is where we found the most authentic Szechuan food in town. Really spicy, lots of Szechuan peppers, garlic, hot chilly and meat parts typical to Chinese cuisine that go unused in other types of cooking. Despite his location in trendy Olde City, Han apparently has no desire to cater to the mainstream American idea of what Chinese food is, but stands his ground to deliver authentic food the way it is served in Asia. Whether or not you will enjoy everything is a matter of personal opinion and taste, but you can't fail to experience undiluted, uninfluenced, authentic flavors you may not have tried before. Warning: If you go to Han's and order something like General Tso's Chicken, you may be shown the door! I've seen it. The service is not what you might expect from a good restaurant, but it is indeed typical of a very busy restaurant in Asia. You may have to wait, and the scene may be chaotic, but it's friendly. The server spends time helping every customer with unique dishes and recommendations. They do such a good job creating the experience and making recommendations that I don't think I want to influence with recommendations of my own.

    (4)

  • Aday F.

    Yes.... Awesome, if your lucky Han will decide what you eat....

    (5)

  • Elizabeth C.

    My husband and I went to Han Dynasty last night. We were definitely expecting more of a classier, romantic atmosphere. What we got was pretty "bare bones" as another reviewer puts it. They refill your water with a plastic tupperware pitcher with the label half torn off. We walked in (about 10 minutes late for our reservation) and we waited in line for a few minutes to see the host. When we got to the host, we were seated immediately at a two-top by the window, which we were excited about. Then we waited about 10 minutes at our table. We had no menus, water, or anything. We just sat there. After ten minutes, a waiter brought over one menu for us to share. This was weird. Five minutes later, we got a second menu, and a promise of water and tea. ANOTHER 5 minutes later (after the other three tables around us had their water refilled), we got tea and water. But it got better from there. The waiter was very apologetic about the wait, and immediately offered drinks on the house. The menu is pretty big, and the spice scale is pretty accurate. The dan dan noodles are a must have, even if you don't eat pork (they'll take it off for you). The noodles are a 6, but the deeper you go into the bowl, the spicier it gets. I love peanut butter sauces, especially with noodles. We also ordered the spring rolls, which were pretty great, although our dipping sauce for them was VERY vinegary, much more so than we were expecting. I ordered the cumin chicken (7); it was PERFECTION. The peppers added a huge amount of flavor to the dish, as well, but they were a bit awkward and didn't add much to the dish after cooking. My husband ordered the dry fry pork (7), which I would have absolutely tried if I actually ate pork. It looked really crispy, and my husband was extremely please. Though, he had the same peppers and didn't like them much either. We were definitely feeling the burn with our dishes, but it was a good kind of burn. I think we had the adrenaline going a bit by the end of our meal. We were flying high on spice. Overall, this place is a winner for us. It's a little rough around the edges, but the food is so good that I didn't care at the end of the night. We'll definitely be going back.

    (4)

  • Jenn H. H.

    had an amazing and spicy time at the tasting menu... everything was pretty much firey and spicy and delicious, even scary things like tripe! i especially enjoyed the dish that made me feel a bit loopy and made the water taste different, it's like drugs without the flashbacks! you get tons of food with the tasting menu and you get to sit with hilarious strangers. be sure to make reservations! plus, han serves you the food and he's hilarious. if you like your food spicy, then definitely check it out. i didn't even have any issues when it was time for this spicy goodness to leave my body...

    (5)

  • Travis W.

    By far my favorite restaurant in Philly! Han and his masterful culinary staff are geniuses at combining heat and flavor in true harmony. The tongue is bombarded with the essence of flavor from every ingredient in each dish. This framework of flavor is vexed to sing in it's most bright tones with the addition of beautiful spicy heat. As a result, the endorphin release prompted by each dish is truly something to be experienced. The spicy cucumber appetizer and fish pickled style are must try dishes. Han is honest when he comes to your table and this same honesty speaks in the dishes he creates. Do not miss an opportunity to eat as this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Amanda F.

    There really isn't much not to like about Han Dynasty except for the fact that it's so popular and therefore sometimes difficult to get a table on short notice. I've been twice; once with a larger party and a reservation, and once, my boyfriend and I showed up last minute and sat at the "bar," which, since they don't have their liquor license, is a combination prep/staging/bitch area for the staff. When we had a table, it was with a party of six and even though we HAD a reservation, there was still a wait of about 30 - 40 minutes, which was kind of frustrating. I'm not sure if they overbooked or if the table before us was just taking their sweet old time. It also took a really long time to have our order taken, but on the other hand, we weren't rushed out once we got our food. I guess it's a give and take. And they are ALWAYS packed--we got another view of that eating at the bar. At the bar, we were seated pretty much right away. There are only two or three seats and you will have to duck occasionally as huge trays of food go by. But you can listen to the chatter of the staff and see just how busy the kitchen is. Food is CONSTANTLY coming out and waiting for a waiter to bring it to the tables. The dishes appear at an impressive clip, one after another. The food still took a bit to come out but it was kind of awesome to get a small glimpse of the kitchen and really get a taste of what it takes to run a busy restaurant like that--it's akin to directing a small army. I'd recommend the bar if you've got a small party and can't get a table, it's certainly an experience. Both times we've gone, we've shared the dry pot chicken and spicy crispy cucumber--both delicious, and with enough food to comfortably feed both of us WITH enough for a meal of leftovers! The cucumbers are spicy but super refreshing, and very addictive. Even when we weren't hungry anymore it was hard to stop eating them. The dry pot chicken is really something, I'd never tasted anything like that before. It's very flavorful but the spice is the true showcase: first your mouth is numbed by the peppers and then, as you eat, it feels a bit like small fireworks are going off in your mouth. It was just right for me, but my boyfriend was sweating up a storm as he was eating. Also, it's SO reasonably priced. The aforementioned meal for 6, in which we also picked up the tab for a friend of ours, came out to $15 a person including tip (and not including the several bottles of awesome beer and cheap wine--did I mention it's BYO?), and the meal for two was about $10 or $11 a person, all with leftovers. The value for the quality of the food is another reason to head there. All in all, this is probably the only reason we bother going to Old City anymore.

    (4)

  • T.J. W.

    To call this Chinese Food is an insult. Handy Nasty is some next level ish. The place is crowded, busy, and one of the more gratifying meals I've ever had. The Dan-Dan Noodles are sublime, and explode in your mouth like so many mini-firecrackers. Whatever is used to create the Cucumber appetizer is nothing short of Wizardry, and I passed on the opportunity to find out despite Han himself drunkenly stumbling upon my table clutching a bottle of DogFish Head and inviting the members of my party to get naked. This place is simply special, and I am fully prepared to challenge anyone who says otherwise to a duel.

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    This place lives up to every expectation, whether it be from your friend who knows every little byob, or Philadelphia Magazine. The server was very attentive and honest when asked about the menu. Which is the main point of my review for this restaurant. When you look at the menu and see the part that says, "we can alter the spice level to your taste" don't even mess with it. My first time at this restaurant I went with a group of people and my girlfriend wanted a certain dish a little bit spicier than the "3" it was listed at. Something you have to understand here is that if you are a spice geek, like myself, none of this stuff is as unbearable as you or I would label a "10". We were lucky enough to have Han, the owner, take our order the first time. While he came off a bit gruff when he snapped that "if you want something that's a 7, order something that is a 7 on the menu. Don't blame me when the chef makes it too hot." While that was a little preemptive, after a couple of times eating there now, it really does make sense. Try the different things on the menu, and you'll see that it's not like getting a pad thai, at your favorite thai place and asking them to make it a little spicier by throwing in either a pinch, a spoonful, or a cup full of red chili flakes. No, the composition of these szechuan style dishes is largely the actual pepperss and the sichuan peppercorns that make up the spice level. The stuff here is delicious, spicy, authentic, and very share-able. If you are unsure about the spice, order something that isn't on the hot side of the menu. Don't order the Dry Pot becasue you want mushrooms and bamboo shoots, order something else on the menu and ask if you can have those things added to your less spicy dish. One bit of advice though, watch out for the Dry Fry style, the sichuan peppercorns are wild, they numb your mouth leaving the feeling of chewing on the tops of few 9-volt batteries. If you're the kind of person that used to get your kicks from licking the tip of a nine volt, have at it, they're not for me.

    (5)

  • Daniel L.

    Was looking forward to getting food from here but disappointed in the end. Ordered the Dan Dan noodles, 3 cup chicken, and dumplings. Dumplings were ok, nothing special. Thought Dan Dan noodles were a bit soggy, noodles overcooked. Then the 3 cup chicken was a bit odd. The chicken was so over tenderized that it barely had the texture of chicken in the end (too rubbery). Overall a bit disappointed based on the reviews. The ambience itself is nice though.

    (2)

  • Charmaine G.

    I absolutely love this place. The atmosphere is a mix of young and trendy while also being a nice place to take the family or a group of friends. The upstairs is small while the downstairs has much more room for large parties. It is BYOB, which I love. The waiters are down to earth and friendly. To top it all off, the food is top of the line. The spiciness enhances the taste. The aroma and flavors are some of the best of philly. Definitely get the dan dan noodles with the double cooked fish. I have gotten it twice and have loved it each time!

    (5)

  • C D.

    We decided to get takeout. We ordered garlic shrimp, crispy rice, chicken noodles, and sesame dumplings. The food was ready in 10 min (although they told to come in 25). So we were able to pick up the food as soon as we got there. Yum! everything was excellent. Strongly recommend.

    (4)

  • Katie B.

    Honestly, if I could give this place less than one star I would. I went to Han Dynasty for lunch today with a group of co-workers who have been there before and had the lunch specials (half off plus $1 from the dinner menu). A few issues that came up during our visit: 1. Han Dynasty had absolutely NO HEAT - there was a small space heater in the corner but that did nothing to heat up the restaurant - we spent our lunch in our coats. 2. Han (the owner) was also our server. Since it was so cold in the restaurant he was wearing a large ski coat --- don't you think that if you need to wear a huge coat in your own restaurant it may be a bit cold for your paying customers? 3. We were told that the lunch special was not available on this day because it was CHINESE NEW YEAR'S EVE ------- what does that have to do with the restaurant's ability to serve smaller (non-family style) portions? 4. As for the food, I don't know what everyone is raving about? It was mediocre at best. When I asked Han if he would recommend a certain item on the menu he stated that he did not like it - ---- why have something on your menu as the owner if you don't even like it? 5. If you want to experience authentic Chinese cuisine go to Chinatown to avoid dealing with the horrible attitude and no heat that comes with Han Dynasty.....no wonder the place was empty.

    (1)

  • M B.

    the tea was cold and the food was SO HOT. like SPICY. insanely SPICY. maybe i'm just a wuss but oh my god, i swear my lips are so chapped today, it looks like i'm wearing red lipstick. if you like spice you are good to go, if not - ask the server for non-spicy dishes or else you will not enjoy. some food is so spicy that you can't taste anything. not here...this food is spicy but still amazing in flavor. as the meal went on i got used to the spice level and i began not to notice how spicy it was. it wasn't until the next day, when i heated up some leftovers, when i realized OH YEAH. BURNING. place is awesome though - check it out..... dan dan noodles, wontons in chili oil, spicy cucumber, good shtuff. cleared my sinuses.

    (4)

  • Josh Q.

    Very solid Chinese restaurant with surprisingly good (American?) service. The spice level is customizable on nearly all the dishes, so everyone can be happy. I particularly liked the Dan Dan Noodles and beef tripe, but I didn't have complaints with any of the dishes I've had during any of my 3 visits here - and I try new dishes every time.

    (4)

  • Sally f.

    went here with a large group, with kids, and the staff was very friendly and accomodating. the food was FANTASTIC. great place for a big family style dinner. not one waitor got mad at us for the crazy kiddies we had in our group!!!! made us feel very welcome and appreciated as customers. every dish was top notch. i would describe this as upscale chinese because you wont find any general tso here. one downside....the BYOB policy is ending in october and the beer is overpriced : (

    (4)

  • Vicky T.

    Food: 5 stars Service: 2 Their food is amazing! I was born and raised in China so I know good Chinese food, especially when it comes to spicy Sichuan-style dishes, my favorite type of Chinese food! I have to say the food at Han Dynasty is very authentic! It's definitely the best in Philadelphia. It's probably not as good as Sichuan restaurant in NYC and definitely not as good as the food in China. But it is the best one can get in Philadelphia. My favorite dishes are Dan Dan Noodles and Chicken in Dry Pot. The sauce they used in the Dan Dan Noodles is very flavorful. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! I think it's a mixture of chilli sauce, peanut sauces, and small chuns of meat. But I'm sure there much more to it. The noodles are also very tasty. I love the Chicken in Dry Pot dish. The chicken is very tender. And this dish has a very authentic Sichuan taste. We also tried their twice-cooked pork and fish with hot dry peppers. The pork dish is definitely not as good as I expected it to be. I didn't eat a lot from that dish anyway because I can't eat fat. But the non-fatty part I did have was not that tasty. The fish with hot dry peppers was definitely not worth $17. They basically put peppers on top of a few pieces of fried fish. It was nothing special. I would only recommend Dan Dan Noodles and Chicken in Dry pot from this place. Now I'll talk a little about the things I don't like about this restaurants. Their service is not that bad in general. But I'll give it a 2 because it is extremely hard to return or exchange a dish. During the first time we went there, we decided to return the string beans dish because it is way too bland. It was definitely not worth $12. They made us exchange to another dish rather than taking it off our bill. During the second time, we needed to return the pork dish because it has way too much fat in it and I just can't eat fat for some personal reasons. Of course they also wouldn't allow us to return it. But they also refused to let us exchange for different dish. One waiter claimed that he asked the manager and the manager wouldn't allow any exchange. Then another waiter said that the manager wasn't there that day. Then the third waiter came, pretending to be the manager, and insisted that an exchange was not allowed because we had "done it too many times". For god's sake! It was only our second time eating there. Apparently they just didn't want to be a man about it and solve the problem. I don't think I will ever dine in that restaurant again. But I will get take-out so I don't have to deal with their annoying service!

    (4)

  • Jacob L.

    Great food, but no longer a BYO, with 10$ corkage fee per bottle!

    (4)

  • Jaime B.

    I'm not a big fan of Chinese food but many people told me this isn't your typical Chinese restaurant. For awhile, I kept planning on going but never got around to it (needless to say I only lived a few blocks away). One night, my fiancee and I were watching The Food Network and saw spot on this place. Okay, time to go....we made a reservation (gets super crowded) and went the next night. I was blown away by the Dan Dan Noodles. I crave them on a daily basis! My other meal was just okay but I ordered my meal with a spice level of 10 (hottest you can get). Well, my lips went numb. It was totally my fault I couldn't enjoy the rest of my meal. I recommend this place to everyone if you like spicy foods!

    (4)

  • Jacki G.

    I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!

    (5)

  • Yvonne H.

    The cold noodle dishes are full of flavor, and the portions are HUGE! I had lunch here with a friend, and we ordered two cold noodle dishes, the homemade pickles, and the short ribs. It was way too much food for two people, but delicious! Great place to go for authentic and delicious Chinese food if you're in Philly.

    (4)

  • Dusty M.

    Food was really good but the place is a bit chaotic. We were with a group of 11 which may have contributed. Overall the place was a success. Good food, good portions, decent service. Not your average Chinese food. Very creative menu.

    (3)

  • Wendy P.

    Really good. Spicy and flavorful.

    (4)

  • Clay S.

    Han, you are the man. Came here for the first time with a group of friends last night and was blown away. If you're looking for authentic Sichuan Chinese cooking, this place delivers in spades. The heat doesn't detract from the flavor at all. The way it works is that the menu is organized by "styles." You pick your style, your meat/vegetable, and the level of spiciness (1-10). One of these dishes is pretty much enough for two people, but ordering some appetizers or noodles wouldn't hurt either. If you're not sure what to order, Han will help you out if he's there. If you like it spicy (and I do), I recommend the Dry Pot Style with fish and the Dan Dan Noodles or the cold noodles with chili oil. The Cumin Style Lamb was really good too. Can't wait to try lots of different things on the menu. Oh, and the place is BYOB, so get yourself some nice IPAs to bring along. You're going to need them to take the edge off the heat.

    (5)

  • Snow F.

    Overall, I thought the food was decent. Service wasn't always the best, we had to flag the waiter down multiple times for simple requests, but I sort of expect that when going to any asian restaurant. Coming from San Francisco, I guess I'm used to a higher standard of Szechwan faire, so that's probably why I just felt like it was only OK. Even though I haven't tried any other Szechuan restaurants in Philly yet, Han dynasty is probably one of the better options, so I would come here again if the craving hits. The dan dan mien and the cumin lamb were decent, but the flavor was one-dimensional compared to other restaurants I've tried in California. The beef brisket noodle soup wasn't so great and lacked flavor. I prefer my noodles to be on the chewier "QQ" side and both these and the dan dan mien were a little more soggy. Spicy cucumber salad was surprisingly my favorite, even though it is really such a simple side dish.

    (3)

  • Lauren D.

    I was really excited to try Han Dynasty, especially because I was invited to a 20ish course tasting with 20 good friends. I had read all about this place in reviews, blogs, etc, and I was super pumped because a) I love Asian food, Szechuan in particular, and b) I heard the tasting menu was ridiculous. And it was delicious, don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed everything that I ate...I just think this place is on the "foodie" trendy list at the moment. Our meal was divided up into two parts: appetizers and entrees. Of the appetizers, the noodles were the highlight. Cold sesame noodles were delicious and extremely flavorful, which is saying a lot because most of our appetizers were drenched in chili oil and spices. For those noodles to cut through all that spice was impressive. The dan dan noodles, which were spicy, also packed a flavor punch. I really enjoyed them and wish I could've gotten seconds. Both the dumplings and wontons in chili oil were good and the wonton had a tang that took me off guard, but I enjoyed them. Definitely better than most upscale dumplings, but nothing OMGworthy. We also got to sample the beef and tripe in chili oil (I'm going to stop saying in chili oil from now on - you should just assume everything is served in it unless otherwise specified) as well as the tendons. Now, I've never had them before and was slightly hesitant, but I did and I just have to say I didn't like them. It wasn't the fact that I knew what I was eating, it was the texture. It's no fault of Han or the kitchen staff because the flavors themselves were good, I just couldn't get past the rubbery aspect of the tendon and the "fuzzy" texture of the tripe. The entrees were definitely the high point of the meal and was where you could see Han's skill with spices the most. The Mapo Tofu was absolutely delicious and spiced well. Not too spicy (to me, at least), but definitely with a kick. The tofu itself was insanely silky and delicate, definitely one of the best preparations I've seen. The cumin style lamb (no chili oil but chilis on the plate) was also one of my favorites. It wasn't as spicy as some of the other dishes in terms of heat, but flavor wise you could literally feel the granules of spice in the meat. It was SO good. I want to eat it every day. Of the non tongue-burning variety, the pork and bean curd (no chili oil) falls into the same category as the cold sesame noodles: absolutely delicous and able to cut through the heat of the other dishes. I loved it. Finally, we had a tofu and fish "stew" (the stew was chili oil, of course) that was definitely hottest dish of the night. The tofu and fish were drenched in the stuff and really absorbed a lot of it. Even I, who apparently has a high tolerance for hot and spicy food considering nothing made me sweat tonight, thought my tongue was in a bit of pain. Despite all the amazing and delicious dishes we had, a few things just fell short enough to knock this place down a star. First, the kung pao chicken was definitely over cooked. It was almost kind of chewy, which was unfortunate because everyone has raved about that dish. Conversely, one of the people at the table thought it was his favorite of the night and took it home so it was maybe just a personal qualm. Secondly, there was a rabbit dish during the appetizer portion that, while in a good peanut-y sauce, was kind of hard to eat because they literally chop up the entire rabbit, bones and all. Rabbits, being little tiny things, have tiny bones, so it was kind of challenging to eat. I kept being afraid I'd swallow one and cut my throat. The fried crab legs fell into the same catergory - they weren't soft shell so you couldn't just bite it, but you had to dig around (without a shell cracker) to try and find a little tiny bit of meat. It just wasn't worth it, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the meat you got out of both those dishes was good, I just didn't particularly enjoy the dishes as a whole. The whole chili oil on 80% of the dishes also kind of bothered me. We kept joking around saying that there must be huge kegs of it in the kitchen with someone continually pumping it out because there was just a huge amount of excess. I could barely hold my chopsticks once we got halfway through the entrees because I felt coated in chili oil at that point (and I am not a messy eater, thank you very much). Finally, I think you all over-hyped the spice and heat level of the place. Like I said, maybe my tolerance for spicy foods is way above everyone else's because yeah, it was spicy but I wasn't guzzling water or asking for more rice. Although this was probably due to the fact that it was part of a tasting menu and not my own particular dish. You can alter the spice to your will. Just a small issue, not a huge one. But the food really was delicious, honestly. I would go here again in heartbeat, Han's down (come on, I had to take that one ;D )

    (4)

  • Elizabeth M.

    I like Han Dynasty, though my experience of the food has been mostly through take out from another location. I went to the Old City location with a group for lunch. We were seated quickly and were one of the first groups in for the lunch rush, but service was slow. We didn't care at first and enjoyed some appetizers, but we then noticed that everyone's food was coming out at vastly different times (first group received food, then we waited for another 10-15 minutes before more food came out). This pattern continued until everyone had their food but me, and I continued to wait for a few minutes thinking that perhaps it would be on its way. The waiter did not come over for some time, and by that point most of our table had already finished eating, given the staggered serving times. Turns out he never put my order in. He was only vaguely apologetic and didn't offer to provide any compensation for the meal until I asked. I should have asked to speak to a manager. I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon!

    (2)

  • Jaycee H.

    Stopped in with our son after hearing about this place on yelp and various other media mentions. Excellent food. Addictively hot. This is really spicy why can't I stop eating it. Have read some negative reviews on here about it being to spicy. How can you give a restaurant 1 star because you don't like spicy food. That's what they serve why did you go there? Anyway, good service, attentive if a little disorganized. They need a host to stay at the door and remain a host and not serve tables it gets busy. Han was most accomodating to our 5yr old who won't eat anything. Made a special plate of bland rice and chicken then a lollipop on the way out. Thanks. Will definitely return and bring friends.

    (4)

  • dc h.

    Its funny reading some of the negative reviews. If you want the same fried rice that you can get at the other 15 Chinese places then go to one of them. If you want beef and broccoli, go to one of those 15 places too. If you want the same crap that you're used to - go somewhere else. If you want really unique and authentic Chinese then Han Dynasty is awesome. That's what makes this place special.

    (5)

  • Liz J.

    Does Han Dynasty need yet another glowing review praising the superbly spiceful, mouthwateringly memorable dishes? Probably not. Will I superfluously provide such a review anyway? Heck yes. Our party of four showed up half an hour early for our reservations on a surprisingly packed Tuesday night, and after a 20 min wait were efficiently seated at the next open table. The waiter promptly uncorked our two bottles of wine as we started off with the much-heralded Dan Dan Noodles - and wow, they were indeed a spicy, flavorful standout. Plus the one order was perfect for our 4-person table. Definitely a recommended starter! Next, our family-style entrees arrived - and I absolutely suggest approaching Han Dynasty family style. We tried to balance our dishes in spice and flavor, ordering the Hot Sauce Style Fish, Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Style Chicken, and Cumin Lamb. The fish and chicken were the big standouts, with the lamb a bit of a disappointment - not bad, but slightly off in meshing with the other, more traditionally Asian flavors. But in all, everything we ordered was voraciously gobbled up, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and already we are collectively plotting our prompt return! If you have been thinking of going to Han Dynasty, but haven't yet made the pilgrimage - GO, GO, GO now!!!! I regret the three months I waited as time I could've been savoring the succulent spicy delight of Szechuan cooking at its best. Next time, we are going for the number 10!

    (5)

  • Percy N.

    Craig Laban reviewed Han Dynasty on 7/18/2010 and gave it 3 deserving bells !!

    (5)

  • Tony F.

    I think I posted an anonymous review a while ago. Han is everything people say and more. The Dry Pot Fish, Pea Leaves, and soft shell crab (in season) are amazing. Lately, I've been enjoying the Cumin pork and the salt & pepper shrimp. Han's food pairs well with Belgian beers. Bring an extra for the chef, and he just might sit down and drink it with you! Please note, if you are a only-eat-at-TGIFridays-type, and you're idea of ethnic food is sweet and sour chicken, you're definitely not gonna be happy here. (But if you insist, don't worry, there is a kids' menu, and Han will chide you about it because...you deserve it!) Adventurous diners on the other hand, this is your spot...come hungry!

    (5)

  • L L.

    Definitely above average, and although I can't say for sure maybe one of the best in town, but I was unpleasantly disappointed with my meal, whig included the much loved dan dan noodles. Points for byob status, chill waitstaff, huge tables in the basement, and a surly Mr. Han who will visit your table. I'm a bit spoiled after living next to a Grand Sichuan up north, so I may be back to amend this review as my search continues.

    (3)

  • dragon r.

    The tasting menu was too much food, but appetizing! I especially liked the cucumbers and pork belly. I would go back.

    (4)

  • Synie W.

    our waiter was the best! (i think he was also the owner) he had such a great sense of humor (but good thing we had one too lol) the food taste great esp. if you love mouth numbing spicy foods! their food tasted as good as it does in authentic szechuan resturants in flushing. yummm. def gona pay them a visit everytime i visit PA hahah

    (5)

  • Thor T.

    Since the Philly Dim Sum places tend to run hot and cold (in other words, are totally unreliable), I opted for lunch at Han Dynasty, a place of reliable Sichuan fare and eager provider of capsaicin highs. The menu describes the various cooking styles (dry pot, double cooked, cumin style, etc.), so you can enjoy your favorite meats in many different ways. The number one ingredient of Han Dynasty, however, remains hot Chili Oil and while the menu indicates various degrees of fire, the outcome is mostly at least "two alarm" - exhilarating. My usual favorites (Dan Dan noodles, beef tendons) were standard, although I would have liked the noodles less soft and a bit more fresh. The dumplings in chili sauce were different this time. Instead of little soft wonton bundles, I got thick, chewy crescents with some meat filling and a rather non-exciting sauce. Excellent again were the mains: silky Mapo Tofu with minced pork had enough Sichuan peppers to provide that novocaine numbness so unique to this spice, and the dry fry beef and cumin style lamb were deftly cooked and very good. Best of all - expectations fulfilled, contrary to the last few dim sum outings.

    (4)

  • Rebecca P.

    Han Dynasty (Handy Nasty) is amazing. It's yummy. It's fresh. And it's spicy. What's not to like? I think it's the absolute best Chinese food I have ever had. Plus Han has been at the Philly location every time I have been there and he actually knows how many times I have been to the restaurant (five times). Also, if he tells you not to order something that's on the menu (not sure why it's on there if he would not recommend, but anyway), don't order it. I think you might offend him and he is probably right. If you love Chinese food, or even if you don't, you have to eat here. Plus the atmosphere is pleasant and it's a byob.

    (5)

  • james l.

    Horrible Service! The good reviews must be friends of the owners. We did the 25/person dollar tasting menu. What a waste of money! 1shrimp here 1 dumpling here... We had 10 people at the table 9 dumplings showed up and the waiter said sorry we ran out. Overheard our waiter say "f... them" to another waiter about a table who said the food was not enough. Would never eat there again.

    (1)

  • William T.

    This place is just terrific. Excellent food. Prompt, efficient service. A real gem.

    (5)

  • Chris K.

    I absolutely LOVE Han Dynasty! I'm really surprised to read some of the reviews saying that the service was terrible. I've been there twice and have not yet had any problems. Quite the contrary! Everyone I've encountered has been helpful and friendly. The food, though....the food. AMAZING. Run, don't walk...and only order stuff over a 6 (on the spicy meter) if you really, really like spicy food.

    (5)

  • Bernadette F.

    If your looking for Chinese food that comes in those fun little containers this place is not for you. If you want fresh authentic cooking you will love it. Everything on the menu is incredible, but the Dan Dan noodles are a must try and I crave the dry pot fish and Mapo tofu. The chef / owner is wonderful, personable and offers helpful suggestions. BYOB.

    (5)

  • defi l.

    not bad in a pinch, would eat here again, go with someone or a group to experience the hot pot, worth it !!!

    (3)

  • Nadim K.

    Han Dynasty has been getting alot of hype lately due to the review in the paper but Han can deffinately back it up. The downside is the price and the service you will recieve. I came in and the place was empty aside from the party that left and I was expecting to be served quickly. As we ordered our food a few more parties came in and this caused chaos to the poor server trying to assist them all. 45 minutes later the entree finally arrived. It was right on the point, the quality of the meat, the quality of the ingredients and the heat that I was anticpating. This place is not for those who can't handle taco bell fire sauce but for those who want to leave drenched in sweat. Bottom line- Good food, it is spicy, also kinda expensive, and the service is slow be prepared to wait to get you glass refilled.

    (4)

  • Bob K.

    I read a review in the Inquirer years ago, and always wanted to try it, so I went for lunch this week. The staff was great, and explained the rating system for how spicy each dish was. The Dan Dan noodles were awesome, and not too hot at all. I also had the cumin chicken - a bit too hot for me, but very tasty. The folks at the table next to me ordered garlic chicken and garlic shrimp, and it looked awesome. I'll come here again next week and try another few dishes.

    (5)

  • Kyle R.

    so many haters! I have been here a handful of times now and am always impressed. The price is great, the food is great and the service is okay. I think it was put best by my friend John, "flavor explosion." I loved every minute of it!

    (5)

  • Nassef G.

    Awsome food, great service. Love the BYOB, but is the uncorking charge nessesary? $8 to uncork a 10 bottle of wine is a little crazy! The Dan Dan noodles are incredible. Cant wait to go back!..I'll bring my own bottle opener..LOL

    (5)

  • Shannon S.

    One star taken off because the manager that night was a douchebag that night. Honestly I feel bad doing this, but you should never yell at another employee for no reason in front of customers. Especially when it the customers fault. We had been drinking prior to coming in and so we wear talking to anyone that would listen. It just so happened our server did. Which by the way he was awsome. We felt awful when we left as if it was our fault he got yelled at. We were the last ones in the resturaunt. The food on the other hand was amazing. The 3pot chicken and the Dan Dan Noodles which none of us had ever had before. BTW all our dishes were suggested and selected by the same manager. So props to him on that. The lamb was good and two people at the table were not lamb fans and they ate it up.Everything is fresh fresh fresh tasting. Whenever I am back in Philly I am going to Han Dynasty for Dan Dan Noodles and 3pot Chicken. I will definatly try something else on the menu. Randomly we found this place by stopping a nice looking couple on the streets when we were starving and cold looking for something new. LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is the Best Chinese Food I HAVE EVER had in my life! PS. The pictures dont do the food justice. You have to go and see for yourself.

    (4)

  • G. S.

    I'm heartbroken that I live in New York and therefore can't eat at Han Dynasty as often as I'd like (meaning daily). I was visiting friends in Philly this past weekend and they introduced me to this fantastic place. I'm no stranger to great food, living and dining in Manhattan, but I can honestly say this was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The menu is full of the usual "standards," but there is nothing standard about any of these dishes. The cold sesame noodles were AMAZING (I considered ordering another bowl) and the garlic chicken was fantastic - just the right amount of garlic and just the right amount of "spice." The staff was also wonderful - we explained what we liked and they made recommendations and Han even came over to our table to make sure everything was to our liking. Can't wait to go back when I'm in Philly next! Definitely call and make reservations 'cause word spreads fast and this place is sure to be a hot spot!

    (5)

  • April K.

    This food is DIFFERENT from most Asian cuisine you have tried before. Szechuan Peppercorns give the food an exotic, spicy, numbing feeling. It is addicting and makes you eager to come back for more. I have tried most of the menu, and I highly recommend the: double cooked fish, cumin lamb (and usually I am not a huge fan of lamb), beef dry fry, dumplings in chilli oil, and pork with bean curd (which is not on the menu, but still offered). Others rave on about their DanDan noodles, but I found them bland in comparison to the other menu choices. This is not the best place to bring your vegetarian friends, and is no longer a BYOB. Plates are great to share and served family style. However, I have noticed the downsizing of their portions since they've opened. Bring more people, so you can try more things. Prices are reasonable. Atmosphere is average. Bathroom is usually unkempt. The only reason I would not give this restaurant five stars is for one reason only, the customer service SUCKS. When you walk in, you are not greeted or even acknowledged, and just stand there with the rest of the confused mob, waiting to be seated. When you finally are seated, you need to stalk the server for a menu and a water. When you need to place your order or pay for your check, you again need to be in stalk mode. They are very inattentive, even on slow days. Like I said the food is addictive, and the only reason I am an avid frequenter of this joint.

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    The food is really, really delicious and I will go back! One of my favorite things is their willingness to provide a fixed-price banquet ($20-$25) with no advanced notice. My only issue is that the delicious food arrives so quickly in overwhelming quantity that it is difficult to savor anything. I am going to make some suggestions that have nothing to do with food because they are too close to excellent to be kept away by a few things that are easily fixed. Both of the large round tables at which I have been seated on different occasions were very unsteady (don't lean too hard on the table edge). On one of the tables the revolving tray (lazy susan) did not revolve (inconvenient with 9 people). Try to avoid the basement dining area. It has a low ceiling and it is very loud when fully occupied. It is also a little shabby and the toilets were out of order. BYOB.

    (4)

  • Alyssa P.

    Three words: Dan dan noodles! Also, nothing is as spicy as you'd think. Trust me. If I can handle it you can too. The service is a little strange but nothing offensive, just kind of amusing.

    (5)

  • Richi T.

    We came here for a birthday party on a Friday night, and had a great night. Between the 12 of us, we ordered 7 dishes, and the the bill came out to less than $10/person. Two dishes stand out: Dan Dan Noodles and the Double-Cooked Fish. Both dishes were spicy and flavorful. I will definitely come back to this place!

    (5)

  • Omar G.

    The class of Taiwanese dining. Order some dandan noodles (without pork, as I prefer) and fish in hot sauce (not terribly spicy if you have some tolerance for it) and you will walk away with an enjoyable experience. Or let me phrase it this way; when out-of-towners come to visit and say they don't want to do cheesesteak, this is where I take them. Worth the trip, worth the circling to find parking, and worth the wait (unless you call ahead). Worth it and more.

    (5)

  • Mara K.

    Here is the thing, if you can deal with the cocky owner, as well as the wake & bake host, you will love the food at this place. I was persuaded to go back with some friends and truthfully, the food is really good. This is a great pre-ritz movie restaurant. I suggest going early, and making a reservation. Don't forget to bring wine or beer.

    (4)

  • Jack J.

    The staff makes no hesitation to recommend a dish for you that he thinks is better than the one you ordered. The dan-dan noodles comes out quick and is spicy and delicious! The dumplings in chili oil was the perfect appetizer. Hot sauce chicken comes out in a large filling portion and the double fried fish was crunchy and delicious with black bean flavor! Too much spice makes the next morning somewhat painful though so be warned!

    (4)

  • Tesh S.

    This is the place to go if you need a spicy fix....had the dan dan noodles without pork (since we had a vegetarian in our group) and the wontons in chili oil to start...both were addictively good...for dinner had the mapo tofu without pork, chicken hot pot style, and the garlic shrimp.....the spice level was similar to indo chinese food and they even had pieces of garlic and ginger inside

    (5)

  • Tim H.

    I think the three words that best describe Han Dynasty are: Spicy, Authentic, and Chaos. I ate here on a Saturday night and the place was packed. It was so busy and chaotic that I felt like I was eating in Beijing. There was no hostess. There were two people working the floor. Both people were running around like crazy. What this restaurant lacks in service, it makes up in the quality of the food. It's definitely worth checking out.

    (5)

  • Chris L.

    A hidden find in Olde City, a part of Philadelphia I rarely visit since I live in Graduate Hospital. Go for their spicy sichuanese dishes! Ask the owner what is good and he will not treat you wrong.

    (4)

  • MRD D.

    Unfortunately I just had a really bad dinning experience at Han Dynasty. I had been to this location previously and had a great meal but this weekend was a bit of a Han Disaster. On friday night I made a reservation for the location in Manayunk. Upon arriving it was clear that they were extremely backed up. We waited upwards of 15 min with out a hostess coming by to check in and at least four parties ahead of us. We cut our losses and decided to try the Han Dynasty the following night in old city. With our bottle of win in hand from the night before we excitedly got seated quickly with our reservation the following night at the Old City Location. We were told that the policy had changed and this francise was no longer BYOB. No apology and no attempt to rectify or clarify the situation we were left with a bottle of wine at 9:30 and no where to drink it..... We stayed for dinner thinking the meal would make up for it and the food was tastly but the waiter was anything but friendly. All in all I think I'm going to wait a while till I try Han Dynasty again. If I had to rate this dinning experience on a scale of (1)- (10) I would give it a (3).

    (1)

  • I-Sauce J.

    Good food. Attentive staff. As spicy as you want.

    (4)

  • Tiana B.

    I was there once before and I remember leaving quite satisfied. But I dunno, this time around everything just seemed really oily. Sesame noodles are great, as well as the three cup chicken. I wouldn't rule it out, i would go back again.

    (3)

  • Justin M.

    A great place for ppl who appreciate authentic flavors not served up at typical American-Chinese restos. The Sichuan peppercorns, which are a signature ingredient in several dishes, will leave a buzz on your tongue to which most are unaccustomed. The owner circulates and asks you questions. He cares what you think, and he's not shy about making recommendations. Listen to him since the point of coming here is to push your limits of what you know and love about Chinese cooking. He told us he'll be adding more Taiwanese dishes which is exciting since they're hard to come by in Philly.

    (4)

  • Daniel M.

    Pretty good stuff here, I ordered a Sichuan dish that came in it's own flaming wok served at the table - very spicy but full of flavor as it should be. Dumplings appeared to be hand made and cut, seasoned to perfection and in a generous amount for being an appetizer. Great restuarant!

    (5)

  • Stephanie Y.

    I love Han Dynasty, but this location is always packed! I would give it 5 stars if it was easier to get a reservation. The food is so good and spicy! I went with a large group (10+ people) and it was a good experience. My favorite dishes are the Dan Dan Noodle, Cumin Style Lamb, Home Style Tofu, and the String Beans w/ Minced Pork. I recommend the University City/West Philly location because it's bigger (easier to get a reservation or walk-in), but the food is good at both locations!

    (4)

  • Rob F.

    My girlfriend hates Chinese food. A lot. and yet she loves Handy Nasty. That's sayin' something.

    (5)

  • Deeparnab C.

    Summary: A novel Chinese restaurant experience. Not for the weak hearted or the mild stomached, but enjoyable food. Moderately priced, and great portion sizes make it a place worth checking out. --- There is a scene in one of the Tintin books, Tintin in Tibet to be precise, where Captain Haddock is fooled by mischievous Nepalese street urchins into thinking that a red pimento is a sweet fruit. In the following panel the captain is shown running towards a water tank hollering "FIRE!". My sentiments were not far from his through most of my dinner at Han's Dynasty in Old City. This Chinese restaurant is located very close to Penn's Landing near the intersection of Front and Chestnut. The outward facade is pretty nondescript; it took us a few seconds to locate it even though we were standing right outside it. The interiors also resemble a standard Chinese restaurant in the USA. We were seated with customary Oriental efficiency, and the menu card seemed to be the first indication that this affair would probably be a little different then from what one would expect in 'New Dragon' or 'Fortune Cookie'. Almost every item in the menu is accompanied with a number between 1 to 10, printed in red. One could be fooled into believing these were prices, except that would make it a very cheap dinner. Digging deeper, one would see that it is indeed, as the astute reader might've guessed, the spice level. Interesting! My friend and I ordered the cold chicken in chilli sauce (7) as an appetizer, and the lamb dry pot (10) and cumin chicken (8) as the main course. The appetizer came out promptly; sliced chicken breasts dunked in a bowl of chili oil, garnished with scallions and peppered with the famous Sichuan pepper, served cold. On taking the first bite into the chicken, the chili mildly hit me. I remember at that point joking that if this was seven, ten would be child's play. I am not sure if the server heard us or not, but he came over to our table and informed that we hadn't mixed the pepper yet. Indeed. Sichuan pepper has a very interesting effect; it is supposed to be tongue numbing, but it left the tip of my tongue tingling. If I drank hot tea, it felt as if I was being tickled there. It was a novel experience, one that I would like to try again some day. The dry pot and the cumin chicken came out shortly after. The dry pot was very spicy. At the end of our meal, with a lot of help from my friend, we did finish all our food. The spoils in the dry pot after we were done consisted of at least 20 red chilies, if not more. No wonder I was reminded of, and sympathized with, the captain; poor thing was expecting a dessert! The problem I have with super-spicy food is, although I really enjoy the whole gushing experience, that it hides other flavors that are present. For instance, I am not sure the lamb was well cooked - I sure didn't enjoy it, and maybe a more neutral tasting meat like chicken would be a better choice for the dry pot. The cumin chicken, although not as spicy as the dry pot, had a little too much cumin for my taste which overwhelmed all the other flavors in the dish. Nonetheless, it is a novel experience, and I would recommend it. Although I craved for something sweet after dinner, we were quite full to order any desserts. In fact, we were not even offered a dessert menu, so I am not sure if this joint serve them. Nonetheless, something sweet is highly recommended post-Han Dynasty. As I write this, some three hours since dinner, I can still feel the heat.

    (4)

  • E.J. C.

    Han Dynasty is one of the best, if not the best, Chinese restaurant in the city. The food is fresh, there is a wide variety, and if you are one who enjoys spicy foods, you are in luck. The food is quite good. My favorite dish without a doubt is the cold sesame noodles. They are brought over to the table and mixed with the sauce right in front of you. Noodles to dream about (not to sound sappy or anything). They are so good that I had to get one to go for lunch the next day. The dry pot style has a ton of flavor, but beware about the spice level, it is as hot as it comes. Also, the dry fry beef is a very interesting dish. I have never had anything like it before. It almost had a jerky texture, but was much more tender than any jerky would ever be and has a good kick to it. (Note: if something is too spicy, you can alter the spice level upon request.) The scallion chicken is not my favorite. While cooked well, it just didn't have nearly as much flavor as the other dishes. Finally, I know that the scallion pancake is on the "kids/baby adults" menu, but I can resist a good scallion pancake...and this is probably the best one in the city. It is brought out hot and flaky. So why am I not giving 5 stars? A couple reasons. First, as mentioned in other reviews, the service is a little hit or miss. Second, one dish was somewhat disappointing...the 3 cup chicken. While the sauce was great, the meat itself was not good. It was all dark meat, which can be ok, but it was incredibly fatty and some of the pieces were filled with cartilage. After a while, just gave up on eating that one. Final note, make a reservation even if you think you don't need one. I have seen them turn people away for not having a reservation. Cant wait to go back...especially to get those cold sesame noodles.

    (4)

  • Epic N.

    went with a large party and was able to try a lot of the dishes they had there - the spicy fried fish, the mapo tofu, shredded tofu, dan dan noodles, sesame noodles...and more highlights - or what I will order the next time I come here Dan dan noodles + sesame noodles - great having them together - i would have loved to see some julienne cilantro in the sesame noodles... Dry pot chicken - wow the flavors on this one really hit the spot for me - there was some traditional chinese flavors coming through with this one - five spice + anise while bringing the heat from the peppers and peppercorns - I really digged this dish the spicy fried fish was 3.75 stars for me. I wish the batter were more crispy, but I will probably order this next time because I loved the spice and the garlic in this dish is to die for! I scooped it all up! Overall, it was a great meal - will definitely be coming back soon...

    (4)

  • Mark L.

    Finally a good Sichuan place that looks good enough to take non Asian friends to. A perfect and unusual location in Old City to boot. Relatively new but quite good spicy food.

    (4)

  • Es L.

    liked this place a lot esp since i LOVE LOVE LOVE spicy foods. we started off with the wontons in spicy chili sauce (definitely spicy) which was pretty good. Then we had the deep fried shredded beef (excellent and VERY spicy) and the three cup chicken (to offset the spicy dish- also really good). Service was good- really friendly. One of the servers was also pretty cute (in a babycute kind of way). ;) It's a BYO so bring a crisp reisling to offset the spicyness and you can also bring in your own cake/dessert if you're there to celebrate someone's birthday (since they don't carry desserts there). The only negative is that it would have been nicer had they turned up the air-conditioner (spicyness and alcohol mixed together causes a lot of heat). =P

    (4)

  • Falon B.

    One word: Addicting! One more: Amazing! Ok, one more: Wowsa! Food is absolutely delicious. Worst part about coming here is attempting to get a reservation on a weekend night and deciding what to order off of the menu. We eased in to the "Han Dynasty" experience with ordering the Chicken with Peppers, Scallion beef, and Garlic beef at a range of spice levels. The 7 had my pores opening, but with copious amounts of water, tea, and soda, I was able to manage. The roof of my mouth was burning, yet I couldn't stop... Leftovers were packed with steamed rice at no-charge (which was appreciated). The reasonable prices, great atmosphere, and quality of food will keep us coming back. BYOB and reservations a must!

    (5)

  • Theresa G.

    I love Han Dynasty! I've been there at least 10 times, and once for the tasting menu. For sure, go for the tasting menu. It's an incredibly good deal. Just remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. I stopped eating after the appetizers because I was too full! Favorites are dan dan noodles (a must!), cold cucumbers, scallion pancakes, three cup chicken, chicken in chili oil, beef and tripe in chili oil, whole fish, wontons in chili oil, and beef with scallions. Han is welcoming and so nice. I'll be moving to a new apartment three blocks from this place in Philly, so I'm sure I'll be here every day!

    (5)

  • C K.

    Food is great and decently priced for olde city. It is very great for authentic spicy szechaun chinese food comparable to Chinatown, if not better. The hostess was an idiot and an asshole however. We had the most uncomfortable table for a group of 6. It was the worst seating configuration. My friend was seating at the end near the aisle, and was in the hostess' way, he got mad about that.... he was the one that made the seating configuration. But we solved that problem ourselves. We went on a saturday night, it was very busy. Lots of drunk people too... getting ready for a night of old city, its BYOB. I would recommend not coming here on weekend night because it is way too packed. Bottomline: great food..okay waiter service, shitty hostess.

    (4)

  • Jared S.

    I don't give out 5 stars easily, but this place actually deserves it. I'm not going to say it's perfect, but it's pretty darn close. They set us up in the basement, which was probably the worst part. It's kind of like a defunct bunker of sorts with some terribly uncomfortable chairs we ended up trading out with another table as soon as we got there. The water is delivered in plastic pitchers that thankfully didn't impart any of the plastic flavor. Now I don't really care about these type of things customarily, but for a place in old city with these prices it seemed a little low rent. The server, however, was quite good. He seemed knowledgeable and delivered items promptly and efficiently all with a cheery demeanor. Now the food. Pretty damn splendid. I've never been to China, but I've heard from people that have been there that this is the closest to authentic Chinese food that they've had in the states, and I'm all about authenticity. We started with some of those crispy cucumbers. I had it in my head that these were going to be tempura style for some reason before I came in and they were not at all, but they were still very good. The oil they were soaked in was fantastic, my friend even had the leftover packed to go. We ordered many other things. I wasn't crazy about the dan dan noodles everyone raves about. I didn't dislike them, just didn't feel they were worthy of all the praise I read. The highlight for me was the dry fry style pork, which had fabulous texture and flavor. Another favorite of mine were the black mushrooms lining the inside of the bok choy dish. They were so succulent and rich. Melt in your mouth amazing. There wasn't one bad item the whole meal though. So yeah that's it. Go there if you haven't. The prices are very reasonable even though the portions weren't as large as I was assured, and the food is excellent. I must say nothing was all that spicy, but I can handle my heat. The menu is pretty expansive and I will most definitively be headed back soon to dry some other items.

    (5)

  • Scully D.

    Hello spicy. We tried to order on the low end of the scale, but I ended up with indigestion for the next 24 hours. I could still taste the food the next day in a not so good way. Some of the food is oily and the sauce can overpower the ingredients. Still, there were quite a few tasty dishes. I loved the cold sesame noodles. Three cup chicken and the spicy cucumbers were also good. Dumplings were meh. I tried a bite of the lamb (hot pot?) but it was crazy mala- it made my mouth so numb, I couldn't taste the next dish. The tea had very little flavor, but that's no different than most restaurants- good tea is expensive- so I won't knock them for that. We got good service and hung out with Han for a while. Love that this place is a BYOB- bring an extra for the owner. Tons of food for the money. If you want authentic Szechuan, here it is in this one-of-a-kind place. I'm not going back due to my poor stomach, but this is the place for you super spice-lovers.

    (3)

  • glenn g.

    Great tasting spicy Chinese food--the real thing. Dial down the temp to number 5 unless you have experience with higher spice levels. Bring beer or Riesling to help keep things in balance. Try Dan Dan Noodles or anything dry pot. You'll be back.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Lots of people have recommended this place to me, and I think it's just fine. The ingredients are clearly of higher quality than those at Four Rivers or Chung King Inc. But, I would say the execution of the dishes is more or less equivalent, with some being marginally better at the Chinatown restaurants in my opinion (I feel the wontons in chili oil are superior at Four Rivers, for example). The crowds are really loud here, though, the lines are long, and I felt the service, while not inept, is very slow because of the huge volume of people and apparent lack of experience. And to go along with higher quality ingredients are higher prices. I'll probably be back, but it might be a while.

    (3)

  • Tod B.

    Last meal was Hacked rabbit,spicy cucumbers, and the crispy green beans.....all freaking excellent . This is my 4th or fifth time here and I plan trips to Philadelphia so I can eat at Han Dynasty.

    (5)

  • Ellena S.

    Allow me to reaffirm my love for this establishment after another meal here. The cucumbers were fantastic, as usual. My dining companion had the cold noodles in chili oil toned down: delicious.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Just finished up the Han Dynastys' 21 course tasting. Im stuffed to the rafters with some of the most authentic, best tasting, incredibly balanced, beautifly spicy, Chinese cuisine. 21 courses ranging from cucumbers in chili sauce to Ma Po tofu to spicy beef and tripe. The highlights for me were the cucumbers in chili sauce, the twice cooked fish (steamed and then fried) and the Don Don noodles. Those were just my personal favs, every dish had somthing to remember. The Han Dynasty has a wait staff that run around making sure everyone is catered to, but also have the time to tell pertinent stories for many dishes. They earn every cent of their 20%, which is why i left 30%. Which leads me to the best part of the meal, besides the food, the meal only costs $25!!! Like most great things in philly, the Han Dynasty is a diamond in the rough. 5 stars across the board! Thank you Han Dynasty, i will be back.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    Okay, the food was spectacularly amazing. But the service was the single worse dining experience ever, in any city. The four of us were seated after waiting 1:15, awkwardly at the doorway, even after having made reservations. The thing is, we would have bailed much earlier if I had know that it would have taken so long. The host/manager was completely in over his head handling the volume of customers on this particular night. They were completely understaffed - 3 waiters for the whole place with an 80 person reception downstairs. It was heartbreaking and frustration to watch their panicked faces, as we were reassured every so often that our tables would be ready soon. Make no mistake, this place does Scheun immerse justice. It was simply authentic and delicious. But the service that night sucked royally and I'm still bitter. You could have comped an appetizer or something...

    (4)

  • Laura A.

    Now, i LOVE Han Dynasty. The food at Han Dynasty gets five stars from me any day of the week. So deliciously spicy (my favorite things are the cold crispy cucumbers, the dan dan noodles, the eggplant, and the kung pao tofu). However....... This location is terrible! I brought friends here from out of town because i figured we could wander around the touristy stuff after and they could see a different part of Philly. But this place really has the feel of a tourist trap. The decor inside is awful, but the worst affront was the loud, worst of the 00's music blaring inside as we were eating. Yuck! Do yourself a favor and stick to the UCity location!

    (3)

  • Angela W.

    Out of all the locations, Old City has the best consistent bold taste and heat to their dishes! But due to my Chinese upbringing, I wish the dishes were spicer. Tried their hottest level 10 and was not challenged. Good news though! Got a chance to meet Han's partner here who encouraged me to customize my order and raise the heat! Glad to know for next time. Just know they are always willing to tailor to their level of spicy. Must haves: - Dan Dan Noodles (can't leave without it) - Dry Hot Pot With Beef (or chicken)

    (4)

  • Mr P.

    Five stars means as good as it gets, right? Well, this is not as good as it gets. It is however a pleasant surprise. The food is good. Vegie are nice and crisp. Wanton has delicate wrapping and tasty fillings. The cold noodle could have use a little more peanut sauce and a tad less hot oil. Dishes are hot and spicy as Han said it would be, but not unbearably so as he repeatedly warned us. All four dishes we ordered had lots of Sichuan pepper corn in them which is a good thing. I love that stuff, just not lots of it in every dishes. May be it just happen to the four we ordered. I had eaten in Sichuan before, and if you think authentic Sichuan cooking is with lots of Sichuan pepper corn, then you don't know what you are talking about. Service is some what odd. We brought wine and they opened it right away,but we had to ask for wine glasses. We were dinning chinese style but has to ask for bowls. Noticed that the table next to us also brought wine, but was given brandy sniffers. This place is open for a while now, not sure why these kinks are not work out already. A nice touch would have been some pickled radish or napa cabbage and roasted peanuts when you sit down. Which is a given in every restaurant I went to when I visited my colleagues in Chung Do and Chung King. From the fanciest restaurants to the road side dinners. Since I already decided that I will be back just for the spiciness and try other dishes to be fair. I will give it a 4 stars for now. Will adjust up/down after I try again.

    (4)

  • Jessica E.

    The food here is absolutely delicious. SPICY and delicious. I enjoy spicy food and I think that the spiciness definitely enhances the flavor, but I will admit that I was sweating a little bit toward the end of my meal. It was well worth it though and they were very generous with the water refills. The menu is clearly laid out with the spiciness level of each dish rated on a 1-10 scale. I am a big fan of comprehensive menus, so that was a big plus in my book! I imagine that they can alter the spiciness according to your taste as well. Something else to be aware of is that the portions are large. Between two of us, we ordered two appetizers and one entree and could not finish, so be prepared for leftovers. (Which is certainly not a bad thing!) Service was delightful! There were two different servers who periodically came to our table and I got the impression that they both really loved the food and were eager to share it with people. The restaurant is BYOB. We brought a bottle of Zinfandel and one of the servers did suggest that white wine or beer would be a better pairing. After experiencing the food, I can see that a dry white or a belgian ale or IPA would probably be a nice complement to the spicy food. If you like Asian food, I highly recommend diverting from your neighborhood take-out joint and going to Han Dynasty. The food is reasonably priced and, as previously mentioned, delicious! Just be prepared to sweat a little.

    (5)

  • Clifford Q.

    food is great - but the delivery service / dashed delivery is awful - the order is always screwed up and takes an hour or more - dash blames the restaurant - no more delivery - eat in only

    (1)

  • K. A. N. A. K.

    Rah-rah Dan Dan.

    (5)

  • Alie A.

    This place is AM-AH-ZING. Went here recently with a group. I think family style is the way to go here; I was absolutely stuffed after having ordered several small dishes for the table. The food comes out as soon as it's cooked, so it's just a flow of deliciousness from nearly the second you arrive to the second you leave. We had the dumplings in chili oil which was probably my least favorite thing, the dan dan noodles which were to DIE for, and a hand full of entrees. The cumin style pork was my favorite entree. This place lives up to it's spicy rep, too; I definitely had to stop to take a breather more than once. This is a GREAT place for groups; it's a BYOB, but our waiter mentioned that they are beginning to sell alcohol as well..so I'm guessing they are transitioning over. Either way, I will hands down be back here very soon. Muy Delicioso!

    (5)

  • Shawn S.

    Lamb cumin is the best! Plus they serve alcohol now!

    (5)

  • Sherry T.

    Yummy! The food here is excellent. Stumbled onto Han Dynasty by accident. The group was trying to go to Khyber for their Izikaya event but after finding out the ramen was sold out, we headed over to this spot. I had been wanting to see what all the hype was about so it worked out well. We waited for a while for a table but the staff seemed very apologetic about it. While waiting, got annoyed with a couple of tables who were just sitting around, after getting the check but decided it would be a great time to now open their bottles of wine and have a pretentious show of swirling and sniffing and sipping their wine. Once we FINALLY sat, ordered the Dan Dan noodles- delicious. Then, we had the Kung pao chicken which was ok. Beef-garlic style and the dry pot chicken was excellent. Have had authentic Chinese food before in China and this was comparable. Didn't get too adventurous this time but will the next time...

    (4)

  • Barrett L.

    If you're looking for a run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant, don't come here. But if you're looking for an interesting new approach to Szechuan Cuisine, then Han Dynasty is for you. This BYO in Old City makes exceptionally spicy and delicious Chinese food served in big, shareable portions that's sure to leave you feeling satisfied and maybe in need of a glass of milk. Instead of tired standards like Sesame Chicken and Beef with Broccoli, expect to see more fiery creations such as Beef Curry, Dry Pot Shrimp, and Long Pepper Chicken. The numbers next to each of the menu items indicate the spice level of the dish, ranging from 1 (mild) to 10 (hold onto your hat!), but I found that the numbers don't really have much of an affect on the dishes' actual heat. Presentation is put to the wayside as the dishes' flavors and spices do most of the work. The Pork Belly with Garlic was sensational, as well as the Dry Pot Beef and Lamb Curry. Surprisingly, my mouth was able to stand up to the intense, recurring heat. Furthermore, with a liquor store located just a block away, you can easily pick up the wine of your choice on your way or while you wait. Reservations are highly recommended as there's usually a long wait time on peak nights, but the food is definitely worth it. I came in expecting Wonton Soup, Egg Rolls, and Kung Pao Chicken, but left with a greater appreciation for the variety and flavors of Chinese cuisine.

    (4)

  • Danielle W.

    Went here with a few friends one night after a long day at work. Since it was later in the evening, the wait wasn't too long, but the place was still packed. Overall, I was not blown away. As a vegetarian, I was disappointed that many of the vegetable dishes had meat in them. However, I think if I ate meat, this place would be great. I got the tofu garlic sauce style (I chose the extra firm tofu and probably I should've gone with firm) and it was just okay. Kinda like eating paneer (cheese) stir fry. Not my idea of a stellar meal. The star of the meal, though, was the spicy crispy cucumber. Two words: damn good. I think about them regularly and it's been months since I was there. I would give this place another chance just off the strength of those bad boys.

    (3)

  • Anthony F.

    Dan dan noodles were very tasty. Dry pot as an entree was spicy and tasty but the ginger was a little overwhelming for me. Service extremely quick. $10 corking fee

    (4)

  • Kristine D.

    Not at all what I expected. I wish I had a Han Dynasty next door to my house, I would be there every day. We had the Dan Dan Noodles (amazing!) and the dumplings in chili oil for appetizers. You do not need to order a whole meal for yourself, it will be too much. Choose 1 per couple. This would be a great place for a group outing. The food is spicy, very spicy! They will keep you refilled on water. Watch the corkage fee. They will charge you $1 to open a beer.

    (4)

  • Howard K.

    A cuisine miracle. Pair affordability and out-of-this world asian cuisine. The spicy cucumber appetizer has a one-two heat punch, immediately cooled by the vegatable's most potent attribute. The three-way chicken was sweet, but not sickeningly so. Care is given to each dish and if you are nice to the owner, he orders for you! It's BYOB as of this review, so hop around the corner to grab some Arbor Mist and rally the kinfolk at this MOST affordable and MOST memorable Asian culinary triumph.

    (5)

  • Vincy O.

    We just had my sister's bridal shower at Han in Old City and I must say that it was probably the best service we have received. We had the whole basement and had a lot of needs and not once did the staff seem irritated or made us feel like we were a nuisance. Everything from A-Z was accommodated for us. Gustavo helped us with the booking and alot of our concerns and Mau, our waiter was sooo pleasant and made our guests feel like gold. I appreciate the both of them for their hospitality and their patience dealing with a group of bridesmaids, who were running around like a bunch of crazy chickens without their heads. I was very happy we decided to choose Han Dynasty as our venue because the staff made it that much more memorable. The food was not only amazing it was prompt and palatable. Please consider holding your parties at Han.. you will not be disappointed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your assistance in making our bridal shower a great experience!

    (5)

  • Ramen F.

    Don't come here. I do not want to have to wait in lines any longer than they already are. I refuse to tell you anything about their delicious dishes, because I do not want to tantalize your mind such that you are inclined to go. Mr. Han is great.

    (5)

  • Alicia L.

    This place has the most fantastic szechuan style Chinese food I've ever had. The hot sauce chicken is by far my favorite and is so flavorful and filling it makes a great meal. Not the best dish for people who do not like spicy food, but there are plenty of dishes below the 4 or 5 level mark which should suit people who have trouble with spice and Han Dynasty is very understanding about altering the spice level of their food. Lunch portions are a great deal, you only pay 60% of the original price and you get a nice sized portion, and the dinner portions are huge and obviously a good deal for the great quality of food as well. Great service, great atmosphere, and it's very good for all different types of tastes as long as they are willing to try new things: I've brought people here who don't like spicy food, who love spicy food, and who had no idea what szechuan style meant and they all loved the restaurant and found something to order they thoroughly enjoyed.

    (5)

  • Nicholas F.

    I find it almost impossible to believe that anybody gives this place anything less that 5 stars. While the decor may not be the greatest, the food is incredibly flavorful and extremely bountiful! his is real-deal szechuan cuisine - it is spicy and delicious - and is better than any place I ever visited in Chinatown in Philly or New York. Beyond having great food, this place is an amazing value: its BYOB, so you can bring whatever you want to drink, and for $20-25 per person you get a ton of food. I've been here twice (both times with groups of 8 or more) and I left each time absolutely thrilled. I honestly don't have any specific food recommendations for this place because everything is amazing and worth trying. One of the best parts of this place is that if you just tell your waiter what types of things you like and don't like and the amount of money that you want to spend, they will just order for you (and in doing so bring you all of their best dishes). Just writing this review makes me want to go back to eat there ASAP!

    (5)

  • Regina F.

    Spicy cucumbers.

    (5)

  • Annie C.

    Mr. Han brought over a chef from Sichuan, so it's definitely legit, despite the Taiwanese owner. With my Riesling and Gewurztraminer in tow, six of us decided to check this place out on a Saturday night. I called earlier in the week, so our table was ready and waiting for us before we even got there. This is definitely a welcomed side effect of having an ethnically diverse clientele. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including the delicious tripe (which was gone very quickly) and the red oil dumplings, cooked to al dente perfection. The cumin lamb we ordered was exceptionally tender and flavorful, and the sizzling rice and pork balanced out an otherwise spice filled table. Each dish, while spicy, retained its own personality and spice profile, which is what makes Sichuanese food addictive even when you're frantically sucking in air to cool your tongue. My only gripe is that the menu was a bit limited. It felt too much like: 1. pick your flavor, 2. pick your meat. It does break it down for the Chinese food tourists, but it feels a bit limiting for a native like me. And the menu doesn't veer too far from the Sichuan top 40 list, which can tire an indie eater like me out. But if you're not a Sichuan native or you don't miss the likes of pigs blood or tiger skin peppers, you're in good hands at Han.

    (4)

  • Angela E.

    I love the spice levels and the ease in knowing whatever you choose is going to be phenomenal. I am still dreaming about the Dan Dan Noodles! The cold sesame noodles are great, too. The dumplings are just okay. I have tried almost everything, but I keep coming back for the lamb done cumin style, a dry rub, and it makes my mouth water just writing about it. I get this every time, but all of the ones I've had have been good for different reasons. You really have to try them all to know. All of my spice levels were 6-8 and I was very happy (i.e., my sinuses had finally opened up!). Can't say enough about this place except that I'm very glad I don't live closer or I would be a fat cow! The service is excellent and they participate in Level Up! Take friends and share the dishes to get the best bang for your buck! Special Note: At lunch time, you get smaller portions and the price is not listed on the menu, but is a bit cheaper. Additionally, there are three other locations. One in Royersford, PA, Exton, PA, and just recently, Manayunk, PA.

    (5)

  • Rob T.

    A little pricey but the food is good. I got the dry pot chicken. I t was delicious, but a little too spicy. My friend got the dry pepper chicken and it was equally good tasting, but much less hot.

    (4)

  • Peter B.

    Dude, this place is awesome. The food is slammin and it has a sweet Philly atmosphere. A friend of mine had been talking this place up for some time. The wife and I had considered going there once but decided against it b/c we saw there was no drinks (you know... Fridays). Anyhow, it turns that it is indeed a BYOB, so problem solved there. But really this place is good enough without the drinks. I highly recommend the beef tripe with hot chili oil. I've never had tripe before this, so I didn't really know what to expect but it tasted much better than what I expected from the wikipedia entry: "Tripe (from Italian trippa) is a type of edible offal from the stomachs of various farm animals." (Offal means entrail or internal organs). Also for appetizers the cold sesame noodles are pretty incredible. For a main course I had the pork dry pot which is basically like a really incredible stir fry dish. It is really spicy. Seriously, I consider myself someone who enjoys spicy food and this was pretty hot. One thing that is really great about this place is that they list a "spicy rating" (1 - 10) with each dish, so you know what you're getting into. The wife had something less spicy, tofu with long hot peppers (it sounds spicier than it was). It was nearly equally delicious. The other people with us were not as into the spicy-ness as we were and they got more mild dishes. They were impressed with the food nonetheless. One thing that I should mention is that, if you are in a hurry or you expect perfect service you might consider someplace else. It took us a while to get seated (even with a reservation), and the concept of splitting a check (even when we told them before ordering) seemed to be a challenge. None of this really bothered me however since the people that worked there are so genuinely nice. Really, the people that work there are incredibly nice and I think that whatever issues they had were due to the fact that they only opened recently and they just had a review published in the Inquirer. Summary: This place is good. It is way better than pretty much any other Chinese restaurant that I've tried in Philly. The service is a little chaotic, but the people are nice.

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    Dan dan noodles are great. So was the garlic sauce shrimp. Pork belly was terrible.

    (4)

  • Jean C.

    I once contracted food poisoning from eating "Chinese" food years ago and I've been reluctant eat that type of cuisine since (I have not had General Tso's chicken in 10 years), so it was with some hesitation I decided to try Han Dynasty. The first thing that intrigued me was the reviews of it's authenticity in serving Chinese food (see aversion above), and the description of those dishes. I ordered the dumplings in chili oil and the garlic style lamb. The dumplings were great. The appetizer had just the right amount of heat in the dish and the dumplings were very tasty, with a great consistency. The lamb was cooked with bamboo shoots, chestnuts, snow peas & red peppers. Again, another tasty dish, with large portions. This place is definitely worth another trip there to try another dish.

    (4)

  • Morten B.

    First visit to a Han Dynasty. We we're in town from NYC, wanted to try it in Philly first. A busy Friday night. Our 9 PM table was not ready, but the wait was only 5-10 minutes. Hostess didn't seem very happy to be working that night (what's up with that?), but it just got better after that. Our waiter was nice, sweet even, made lot's of suggestions and asked if we knew about the spice levels. We poured the green tea, a great thing for lots of meals, and ordered dumplings in chili oil and spring rolls for starters. By far the best dumplings I've had to date! Crispy spring rolls were nice too. The main course we made up of shredded duck with ginger and beef scallion. It's often hard to sense what you're really getting at Asian restaurants, but the ginger and duck had all the great things delivered right to our tastebuds. The beef was amazing, cooked to perfection. There was no wait on anything, the noise level was low, the waiter really great, portion size is impressive and prices are low for what you get.

    (5)

  • Carolyn B.

    As part of a group of fellow teachers and students, I arranged a graduation dinner here for 15+ people. Not only was the service helpful and courteous, but the dinner was fantastic and I was very happy with my selection. The dishes came out family style, as is typical in traditional Chinese restaurants and it was great to share good food and conversation with everyone around. Just a WARNING: if you don't like spicy foods, please ask the waiter to help you navigate around the dishes that are traditionally spicy (which is most of the menu). I am a wimp when it comes to spice, and I was pleasantly surprised that I could tolerate (in small portions) the hot factor of the foods. Regarding the food, everything was tasty and delicious. I'm a big fan of the cold sesame noodles and scallion pancakes. The chicken with dry pepper is a great dish with just enough spice to get you going, while the dry fry shredded pork is savory and spicy at the same time. You're not going to find your staple take-out Chinese-food dishes here... instead, Han offers a great alternative to the typical Asian food selection. Great prices, great food, and even better company make for a great evening. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

    (4)

  • Heidy M.

    I have been here twice and both experiences were amazing. Besides great food the prices are more than reasonable. If you love some spice this is the place to go. Great for groups and a nice evening out. Love it! I will definitely go again!

    (5)

  • Joseph C.

    When a friend mentioned Han Dynasty, I said I was in for sure after recognizing the name from the front page of Yelp. I guess if I had actually clicked through and read the reviews, I would've understood the scale of their spiciness 1-10 scale. Needless to say, I didn't see those warnings so when I see the Dan Dan Noodles rated at number 8, I think "oh sweet, I love spicy flavorful things, let's do it." That didn't really pan out that well; although the noodles were awesome and fresh (I felt like Bourdain, making it even more awesome), they were, in the words of Larry David, prettay prettay prettay spicy. Overall the rest of the food was epic. One star off for the dude with a rolled-up newspaper in the front window swatting flies. Would've added character if this place was in Chinatown, but it was just kinda gross.

    (4)

  • Benevolus K.

    For Han Dynasty, I say three stars. Not two or four or five but three! If under poor weather, and being in the vicinity, I may venture once again into this establishment for a hot meal. Among those places which serve such cuisine, it is the best in the area, but once the novelty of spice wears off, there is something missing. My tale follows: Recalling the event of month's past, I received a hand written invitation from a good friend to dine, round table style, for the chef's tasting. We prepared for the feast by bringing wineskins filled with low quality booze. I will sum the rest of the experience here: Atmosphere - young paupers and older dregs like myself were excited in anticipation of the feast. In the basement, decorations of kitsch did not lend well. The round table was wobbly, and the malfunctioning lazy susan was visibly layered with grime. Service - Alas the poor wenches! Those hard working souls were too understaffed to meet the crowd. A stern eye to the owner! After much delay, wineskins were chilled in a makeshift bus-tub, and glasses were few. The first dishes were served very late - my party was famished and starting to become foul. I asked myself - if the first dishes were of the cold type, why didn't they arrive sooner? Once the first dishes were served, the plates came out in a timely fashion. Food - laced with exotic spices, the dishes assaulted the palate in beneficial ways. Textures were plentiful, the dishes' colors were pleasing. Alas, there were too many spiced dishes for the tasting - flavors started to run into each other. Summary - The chef's tasting makes for an eyeopening experience for the uninitiated, however I would recommend going for a more traditional meal and order fewer dishes. I hope the kitchen is cleaner than the dining area.

    (3)

  • Rky L.

    Oh, man. Best Szechuan food we've found in the Northeast. Spicy, yes - but more important, the spice is nuanced & multidimensional. Even in NYC, have not found a place comparable...sure, lots of places have one or two things on the menu worth stopping by for, but I would be happy to try ANYTHING on Han's menu at least once. Our must-get list will sound like everyone else's: spicy cucumbers, dan-dan noodles, dry-pot (NOT for those friends who can't handle spicy food). And that legendary monthly feast of surprises. Last tip: I recommend you bring your own chopsticks - they only provide those giant slippery plastic ones. And BYOB too (you'll need it for all that tasty heat).

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Tried the Dan Dan noodles. Different than regular take out noodles. Spicy without asking for extra, and the whole dish tasted authentic. I have to try more, but this is not General Sow's stuff. Much better. I did the take out.

    (4)

  • Gloria A.

    We really enjoyed this experience as it tasted like authentic Chinese food AND they served family style. The Dan Dan noodles were great as was the cucumber appetizer and the twice fried fish. Hubby and son liked the tenderloin appetizer, but I could not get used to the texture or heat. We have friends who had the cumin chicken and the dry pot who were also extremely pleased. I would suggest reservations as the restaurant is not large.

    (4)

  • Geoff c.

    i've had some mixed experiences here, but overall, i would not hesitate to make another trip. sometimes the heat can be painful.. like.. they should weaponize it- painful. but other times, its a good level of heat. (even across the same ordered dish). So the intra-dish variability is a bit risky at times. but its definitely very flavorful and a good eat. and i say this even though im not a huge fan of the spicy. the staff isnt the greatest, but nothing major to complain about at a chinese eatery. it gets very crowded, so be ready to wait to be seated. even if you make reservations. and if youre in a big group, you may be seated downstairs where the decor isnt as nice. but no biggie. still nicer than many places in chinatown. its a bit more expensive than the average chinese restaurant and for some reason my mind tells me that the portions have gotten a bit smaller over the past few times ive visited. probably because theyve gotten quite popular and can afford to do that while still maintaining demand. sometimes i go and its a 5star. sometimes its more like 3star. so ill interpolate.

    (4)

  • Gul A.

    Isn't it fun to read good reviews and then not be disappointed? Well we weren't' disappointed at Han Dynasty. Went last night (Tuesdays are BYOB so one of us went around the corner to pick up some wine). Service is good (though sometimes we couldn't find our waiter..) and the food is not only delicious but really unique (as someone who has been to China and other Asian counties... it is not really Chinese food but food from a wonderful fantasy Asian land yet to be discovered... i.e. you won't find any Kong Pow Chicken here). Here is what we ordered (mostly based on recommendations from other reviewers): * Dan Dan Noodles - get it! really good and difference, the sauce is amazing... I had my doubts at first because the picture shows a boring noodle dish but the flavors are really unique and worth the taste. * Cucumber Crunchy Salad - again, amazing sauce (spicy!) and really nice dish. * Cumin Lamb - ok dish, we weren't crazy for this dish actually, it wasn't bad but I guess we were expecting more. The lamb was cooked very well in a marinade. * Eggplant with Ginger sauce - was really really good, the eggplants were cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious * Bak Choy with black mushrooms - just ok, probably wouldn't order it again, I wanted some green veggies on the side but it seemed that there was only a bit of sauce on the mushrooms and that the bak choy were only steamed with no real seasoning.. All in all we will definitely be back again to try more dishes, it was unique and different. Note: most dishes are very spicy, meaning they use a lot of different spices (as well as some of the dishes being very spicy - hot). Note #2: The red numbers next to each dish represent amount of heat in the dish. I recommend!

    (5)

  • Tyler B.

    Flavorful, spicy, delicious. Han provides excellent service, as well as a menu full of tasty dishes. I tried the tofu with hot sauce, terrific! Definitely will be back, scored bonus points for being b.y.o.b.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    My stomach dances at the thought of Han, and I am left speechless. Han's mastery of heat and flavor could convert anyone willing to eat outside of their comfort zone. The pièce de résistance was the peppercorn ice cream. We were promised ice cream to top off a wonderful meal; a generous offer by a very busy server. A small scoop pulled from the bottom of the tub made its way into a tea cup, and then hurriedly into my mouth. The taste was reminiscent of a potent Earl Grey tea, and left my tongue happily numb. A complete surprise, but then again, nothing about Han's should surprise me.

    (5)

  • Laura P.

    Went to Han Dynasty last night after reading all the great reviews on Yelp. If you love spice, this is the place for you! We had: Dumplings in chili oil: Delicious with just the right amount of spice. The dumplings were very delicate and light..not doughy at all. Cucumbers in spicy sauce: This cold appetizer was very refreshing again with the perfect spice. Chicken in Dry Pot: This was rated at a 10 on the spice scale. The presence of the sichaun peppercorns made your tongue numb. It was a strange sensation but delicious. You get a choice of white or dark meat. Pork in hot sauce: This was also very good with a spicy red sauce. Shrimp with garlic sauce: This was our favorite dish and was slightly sweet but with a nice heat ( rated a 4). It was a great way to cool down from the intense numbing of the peppercorns. The three of us were stuffed with plenty to take home. For dessert we were offered complimentary fermented rice. This was a strange dish but good dish. Han Dynasty is the real deal and we can't wait to go back for more!

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    If it was based on food alone, Handy Nasty as I like to call it would be 5 stars. But living and working in the neighborhood, I gotta put these guys on blast. On NUMEROUS occasions, I've watched the cooks walk outside the restaurant, blow snot rockets into Chestnut Street, wipe their hands on their aprons, and go in back to work. It's f'ing hysterical how they aren't even trying to hide it. Maybe they wash up after, maybe they don't. But obviously a potential customer doesn't wanna see that, and it's turned my stomach plenty of times. Han, you're the man and your food is off the chain, but crack the whip on your staff bro! Disgusting!

    (2)

  • Lisa Y.

    - Beef & tripe in chili oil: spicy, but not too bad. I love spicy foods and was expecting an over the top burn in my mouth but it didn't happen. Very flavorful, loved the cilantro, peanut, sesame seeds! - Spicy crisp cucmbers: loved it! This dish was also

    (4)

  • Loy G.

    please don't throw any stones, but seriously i just don't get it. i love chinese food, but i don't understand the unapologetic "authentic" cuisine of han dynasty. the dan dan noodles were bathed in oil and the noodles themselves were tasteless. the pork belly was also just a fatty and greasy mess. making food more greasy and spicy is usually an amateur cover up for flavor and freshness shortcomings. i can't even bring myself to give han dynasty a second chance despite the fact that i only live two block away.

    (3)

  • Andy V.

    Dan Dan Noodles are rock star!

    (5)

  • Emma N.

    My Actual rating is 0.5 star, only if i can.....I give the 0.5 because it's BYOB and the location (Olde City)...but i was told by management BYOB is going away soon because they got a liquor license now. As for the food, I'm not sure if it's because of all the liquor that other people are drinking before they come here to eat or the ones they drink during the meal...but i really can't see how Han Dynasty is rated that high. This is the second meal that I wish i can ask for my money back! I was here for a birthday party so I can't send my food back in; we're a group of 15+. We ordered quite extensively and I haven't started drinking yet. So my review isn't skewed by alcohol. We ordered and I tasted all: Appetizer * Chicken in Chili Oil * Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce * Beef & Tripe in Chili Oil * Beef Tendons in Chili Oil Entree * String Beans w/ Minced Pork * Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce * Fish Dry Pot Style * Three Cup Chicken * Fish Black Bean Style * Chicken Garlic Sauce Style Everything we order is poorly executed, even down to the simple task of cook steam rice! This place is a joke, how can you not know how to cook rice and call yourself Chinese (Szechuan) restaurant. It's just putting it the rice cooker with the proper level of water and "push" the cook button. Han Dynasty rice is hard and dry, the rice kernel haven't even popped yet and they are serving it to their customers. There's only two reasons for this rice debacle (improper rice to water ratio during the cooking process or just plain undercooked). I love Szechuan food and I eat it quite often, so I had the good and the bad. Han Dynasty was in a league of its own. It's just a small step above inedible. I don't understand how all the appetizers we had can be so salty and taste the exactly the same, just plain hot! It's like they just threw a fistful of salt, and then lather it with chili oil. Szechuan cuisines are known for having slow simmering spice, each spice touching different taste buds creating this complex level of spicy and distinct flavor. Hans Dynasty, their so called "Szechuan" food either tasted, salty, spicy (as in all hot and no spice), bland, undercooked or overcooked. Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce was very salty with a hit of sourness. The Fish Dry Pot Style was overcooked, and bland. Three Cup Chicken VERY SALTY! I used the hot tea and washed the sauce away from the chicken, thinking I can savage it. It was STILL VERY SALTY after 3 wash, so I just gave up. Fish Black Bean Style was very dry...either they used frozen fish and fried it or they just overcooked it. I didn't care of the sauce it came with. It tasted like it came from the Lee Kum Kee can. Chicken Garlic Sauce Style, I had better in Chinese take-outs, it tasted the same as the Eggplant sauce, very salty with a hit of sourness. The String Bean was the only tolerable dish, still poorly executed but tolerable. It was bland and undercooked, which was very welcoming after all the salt and hotness that we had to eat. If I wasn't there for a birthday party, I would have send the food back, or just walk out. I really want to like and really was looking forward to eating at Han Dynasty with all the publicity it received "Travel Channel/ Yelp reviews". I even got lips from people for not having eaten there yet, and I call myself a foodie. Now that I did, I feel so jibbed. I regret spending one of my meals eating Han Dynasty food. These are calories which I feel sour having to work off because it's so not worth it!

    (1)

  • Leah G.

    I'm giving this a four only because I reserve 5's for places I would eat every single night. Again . . . if yelp had a half star, this would get 4 1/2. Ask any of my friends, if you ask me what I want to eat in order to choose a restaurant, my typical response is "anything but Chinese." I have just simply never been a huge Chinese food fan. My experience tonight may have just altered that response for good. Our meal was excellent. We started with the spicy cucumber, the cold sesame noodles, and the dumplings in chili sauce. ALL were excellent. What I appreciated most, however, was that our waiter recommended that we try out different appetizers in order to figure out our spice tolerance for the evening. I had the lamb in cumin sauce. It was great. The real winner of the evening, however, was the scallops in garlic sauce. It was less spicy, as it ranked only a 3 on the spice range, but the flavors were superb. I am always nervous to select a restaurant for a group of people. I worry with every bite that they won't like what they're eating. I chose Han Dynasty tonight. The second that the cold sesame noodles came out, I was relieved. My entire group was ooohing and ahhing over them. Will I be back? You bet.

    (4)

  • Kim W.

    Oh man, I didn't expect this at all! All of the reviews were so glowing, I was excited to eat here. I ordered take-out--it took under 5 minutes for my food to be ready, which made me nervous and I should have known right there. I read one review that said their common ingredient is spicy grease-oil, well that person was right! First off, the Dan Dan noodles were flour spaghetti noodles! I could not believe my eyes and mouth. They were overcooked and sticky, and soaked in the spicy grease and topped with a meager portion of what I think was fried pork (?), I'm not sure. I took one bite that I thought included some kind of shredded herb, but much to my surprise it was a piece of metal Brillo pad! I lost my appetite :( I'm glad I only wasted $10, but I feel sick and uneasy, and wish I had eaten somewhere else. I would never recommend Han Dynasty!

    (1)

  • ted z.

    We have visited this establishment twice. The food is very flavorful but HOT and SPICY! My wife dislikes fires in er food and ordered #1 level. The cold sesame noodles are excellent. The level 6 spicy disk was good but hot. Have plenty of water available. although the food is good, the place is dirty, disorganized and the wait staff is slow and not very attentive. If you like spicy dishes, this is the place.

    (3)

  • Jay L.

    my gf lived 2 blocks away when she was at penn.. food here is great. i usually get the fish and mapo tofu. overall the food here is great and service is good. only reason why i wont give 5 stars is because the food can be a bit salty at times. but overall its great. when me and my girl go we usually get 3 dishes and eat like pigs.

    (4)

  • Adam P.

    I went to Han Dynasty and tried the dan dan noodles and dry cooked pepper chicken. I've eaten these dishes at several competing restaurants, and must say that the food tasted just as it should. The dry cooked pepper chicken made me slighly perspire - mmm mmm good! The waiters were very attentive and offered me napkins and more rice when both ran out. As for the atmosphere, the place was nicely, but unmemorably decorated. The food was priced competitively with similar Sichuan restaurants in Chinatown. To conclude, if you want to get Sichuan while in Old City, come here!

    (5)

  • Casey H.

    I've been here about three times since my initial bad experience with this place. Overall the service has been mediocre since my first run in with the bad hostess experience and I've never really enjoyed my entree, but the dan dan noodles kept me coming back. My experience today however was the absolute final straw; the dan dan noodles aren't worth it. I came to lunch with three co-workers, two of which had never been there before. We all came because a couple of us at work had been talking about the dan dan noodles and how good they were. We wanted the noodles and wanted to order them as our main entree with a couple of Apps to split. Upon trying to place our order, we were initially told by the waiter that the noodles were pretty large so instead of ordering 4 orders of noodles, we said "ok, we'll order two." He then told us that wasn't enough and that we were placing a "bad order." Uhhh, ok. I thought to myself, he must mean that we should add a meat appetizer or just a third appetizer. My co-worker asked, "Ok, is there something you would recommend?" At that point the owner stepped in and preceeded to also tell us that we were placing a bad order. He also snapped at us telling us that he couldn't reccommend anything... At this point, I was completely stunned that we were being chastised for our order and as I sat with my mouth totally agape, my coworker finally said "look, we came for the noodles, we don't want to order anything else, is that ok with you?" They said yes and walked off and then proceeded to openly talk about our order and the owner was going on about how we didn't understand Chinese cuisine. We were sitting no more than 10 feet from where they were standing, so he clearly did not care that we heard every word he was saying. That was it. We got up, told them we're not going to sit here and listen them as they insulted us, so cancel our order. I have never had such horrible service at a restaurant, and I was completely mortified that I brought my co-workers there! Ugh!! Totally second the Soup Nazi comment from another reviewer... this guy is ridiculous. If you really don't want your apps to be ordered without an entree, don't set up your menu as a la Carte!!! Handynasty IS NASTY!!

    (1)

  • QC Q.

    There are usually 2 types of Chinese food in the world: Chinese food and bad Chinese food. I guess growing up eating the stuff I never really thought Chinese food (aside from my Mom's cooking) was ever really that special. But when it comes to bad Chinese food you know when it's apparent. Sadly, it's hard to make bad Chinese food. And when it happens, it's bad. Han Dynasty is a rarity in this world. The food there is extraordinary and my mom didn't even make it! Too bad it's gotten so popular that you have to make a reservation way in advance. The owner is nice too and the atmosphere is great.

    (5)

  • Lee R.

    Too rushed -- give us a chance to enjoy the appetizers before tossing every entree onto the table. Also dishes seem to have lost some heat -- and that's why we come.

    (2)

  • William J.

    This is easy. This is easily the best Chinese food I have ever had. To all the naysayers who complain about Han, he is really a nice guy just different. We have been several times with our little kids and the whole staff has been very accomodating. Things do not always run smoothly there, often a wait for a table or food, and the waitstaff, well, not a professional waitstaff but they run around like crazy and are very nice. So if you can put up with the little idiosyncrasies in service, etc. the food is absolutely amazing. We have been there a dozen times by now and have tried almost everything. Highly recommend lamb cumin style, beef/tripe in chili oil, DanDan noodles, Twice cooked fish, dry pepper chicken, spicy cucumber app, I could go on and on. Everything I have ever had is really that good. This is the only restaurant I can currently think of that would make me seriously upset if it went away. There is nothing like it in Philly.

    (5)

  • Tom P.

    Great experience! Food was definitely amongst the most unique Chinese cuisine. I found their pepper ratings on the menu very useful, though one was off...the dumplings were amazing but were hands down the spiciest dish I've ever had. I can't wait to go again...I highly recommend this place. Give them time, as they are still new.

    (4)

  • Moe L.

    What a great meal! Four people, Tuesday night, seated in the upper level, good service We had: Dan Dan Noodles - awesome! warm, spicy and delicious Garlic Beef - so tasty most of us had seconds and thirds Hot Sauce Sichuan Chicken - very tender Bok Choy with Black mushrooms - just as it should be - crunchy at the base with tender leaves. Like I said - great meal and when I return next, i'll be sure to BYOB

    (5)

  • Meghan W.

    I give kudos to Han Dynasty's owner for handling a difficult customer (me) last week. Because my taste in Chinese food is overly Americanized, I expected something to be breaded and fried. He explained to me that the dished aren't meant to be served as such. I went with recommendations from my dining buddies and was blown away by the most amazing appetizers I ever had. They far surpassed my main dish. I tried the crispy cucumber, won ton, and dan dan noodles (by far the best item). I will visit again and specifically order the appetizers!

    (4)

  • Sam R.

    Went again; Very similar experience, with some additions: Once again, food was wonderful, spic and complex, went great with a Yuengling lager. And again, service was almost comically bad. Other things we tried: Rabbit with peanuts: a delicious appetizer of VERY spicy succulen--yet-crunchy (a la carnitas) rabbit in a very spicy sesame sauce with crunchy peanuts. Also: pork belly in soy broth. Less spicy, with a generous helping of pork fat, a cold meat appetizer that could have been an entree.

    (4)

  • Tim L.

    Dan Dan. Nothing else need be said.

    (5)

  • Melissa W.

    I think the mass infatuation with Han Dynasty is because most people are unfamiliar with Szechuan and Taiwanese cuisine. Most Americans don't know much about Chinese food outside of sesame chicken and other Americanized takeout dishes. They have no idea that there are actually several distinct regional styles of Chinese cuisine, or that Chinese food comes in spicy varieties. Yes, the food is good. Yes, the slightly soapy-tasting numbing burn will melt your face off. But after going with 9 people and trying one of almost every type of dish (with different proteins), I have come to the conclusion that most of the dishes taste kind of the same. Sure, there were a few standouts. Dan dan noodles, I will always love you. Beef with long hots were good, as was a similar beef dish with bamboo shoots and more veggies. But many of the dishes were just fine, and tasted exactly like the next one. I will say that for $21 per person, we did get a lot of food. However, many restaurants in Chinatown are cheaper and their dishes more varied. The worst part of the whole experience was the downstairs dining area with huge tables for groups of 8-12 people. Due to a combination of multiple large parties screaming across giant tables in a small space and people drinking too much due to the BYO policy, it was ear-splittingly loud. I suppose it's fine if you're already drunk, but if you're not, good luck shouting to your dining companions. Furthermore, they were out of glassware, they gave us crappy plastic-sheathed photocopied menus, the walls are a drab prison-cell gray (complete with patches of spackling), and there were these ugly wall sconces that must have been installed long before Han was even born. It was kind of like dining in an unfinished basement. It just didn't seem like they put any love or thought into the downstairs area. It was comparable to your average hole-in-the-wall in Chinatown, which would be fine if they weren't charging an Old City premium for the food. The best part was the free penis-shaped silly band left on our table by the bachelorette party before us. Overall, I would recommend coming here with no more than 4 or so people. You will be seated in the nice upstairs area, and you will not order enough dishes to notice that many of them taste the same. And I would focus more on appetizers and noodles than the main dishes. Sorry, Han. I'm gonna have to deduct a star for this downstairs experience.

    (3)

  • Vahan A.

    Service wasn't too bad. Forgot to bring our drinks several times. Gotta leave 2 stars.

    (2)

  • Lisa C.

    The only place in Philly that we ate at that I didn't like at all. It was hard to get a small vegetarian dish there that was well balanced. You could get a big plate of tofu but you couldn't get any veggies with it. You could get veggies but not with tofu in it it. Not a happy camper.

    (1)

  • Alexandra P.

    I came here with high expectations because everyone raves about it. We had the dan dan noodles, dumplings, tofu seafood soup, and garlic chicken. Everything was tasty but very oily. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves spicy food.

    (4)

  • David R.

    Very loud and food made me horribly (and quickly!) sick with the runs. I will never return.

    (1)

  • Jeff W.

    Wow was it hot!!!! But I loved every bite. I read an article in 2010 in the Inquirer and have been wanting to go here for so long. I finally went and it was everything I expected and more, As everyone said the Dan Dan noodles were outstanding, the crispy cucumber were awesome. I didn't like the pork belly just had a funky taste to me and a strange texture just not my style. My brother got the dry pot pork with a 10 spice level, I think my eyeballs starting sweating with that dish. Tofu was great, i don't even like tofu. Cumin chicken was good, LOTs OF CUMIN. Kung Pao was very good. Overall excellent night and very tasty food. I want to go back for the 20 course meal on 1st mondays. Oh yeah and our meal flew out, we literally were done eating in about a half hour of arriving.

    (5)

  • Caroline S.

    Came here with a big group and we had a family style dinner. The food was OK -- but covered in unnecessary amounts of grease. Service was decent, a little slow, but we were a huge group on a Thursday night so I don't really blame them. Cork fee was $10 per bottle, which they told us when the bill came... All in all - decent place, but I will probably not go again.

    (2)

  • Robert C.

    I love this place. I think I have been here more times than any other restaurant I've been to in Philly and I keep coming back. For an appetizer the dan dan noodles are a must. The dumplings and wontons in chili oil are also excellent. For the main course I would recommend coming with in a group and ordering several different dishes. They have a rating of spice level between 1-10 with 10 being the spiciest. I've tried some of the dishes below 4 and while they are decent it is the dishes in the 6-9 range that I enjoy the most. If you like spicy food you are sure not to be disappointed.

    (5)

  • David Z.

    Have been twice now. I would go twice a week if it were near me. Haven't had one thing that didn't illicit a "Yum!". Dam Dam noodles, spicy cucumbers and the dumplings and won tons in oil are all fabulous. Perhaps the most interesting thing we had was the cummin style with lamb. Delicious and unique. I don't understand the criticism of Han's tableside manner. He has been nothing but polite to us and the staff in general has been very pleasant and helpful. If you have not eaten here, understand that this is not your typical Chinese place. You won't find sweet and sour soup or General Tso's Chicken on the menu. And if you don't like spicy food, there is not much sense in going.

    (5)

  • s k.

    your restaurant experience is half food based and half atmosphere based. if it was only based on food, han dynasty would get a 4. unfortunately for me, atmosphere and service may outweigh the quality of the food and hence the 2 stars. the service is BAD. ive been to han dynasty a few times and the waiters come by the table to take an order maybe once every 30 mins so dont pass up the opportunity to order when they come by! my last visit to han dynasty the waiter was straight up rude. my friend who is a vegetarian, wanted some tofu as a side dish. granted this wasnt on the menu but usually restaurants are accommodating and for an extra fee will give provide such items. our waiter's response to this question was "no. we dont do that" not "oh let me ask the manager and/or the chef for you" youre at 3 stars now, han dynasty. also what is this $10 corkage fee for BYOB? thats so ridiculous! down to 2 stars, han dynasty we got the dry pot lamb which is served at a level 10. the entire dish was chili peppers we had like 5 pieces of meat in the dish! for $18, in a family style restaurant, not cool, han dynasty not cool at all. you can keep your 2 stars. sadly, im obsessed with spicy food so ill be taking out of this place but will not be dining in anymore.

    (2)

  • Thierry D.

    My favorite Szechuan restaurant. If you love spicy food, this is the place for you. NOT your typical chinese restaurant. Cumin lamb, Dan-Dan noddles and pea-leaves with garlic are some of my favorites.

    (5)

  • David V.

    My wife and I can't go more than a few weeks without eating at Han Dynasty. We love pretty much everything on the menu, but always get an order of dan dan noodles.

    (5)

  • Shawn R.

    Been there with large parties twice and it was excellent. Everyone orders something different so we all get a chance to try something new. ALl of the food is excellent. The owner/chef is great and very hospitable.

    (4)

  • Judy C.

    Authentic Chinese. If you are looking for the Americanized kind, look elsewhere. This is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Michael F.

    Dined at Han Dynasty for the first time this weekend and it was amazing. Yes the service is a bit odd, but get over yourself and let them show you a great meal. After deciding we didn't know what we were doing, he collected our menus and said he would handle the meal for us. We had 2 people with somewhat restricted diets in our party of 6, but they played it beautifully and provided us with a great dining experience. I can't wait until I can get into one of the tastings.

    (5)

  • Sam L.

    Ok so the Dan Dan noodles are great and so is the Double cooked fish, but the crispy rice is DISGUSTING. The sauce had the gloppy texture of egg whites and it smelled rancid. When we asked our waiter if we could get something else instead he said "yeah... I mean if you don't mind paying for that. I know its annoying." That IS NOT how you treat a customer. Frankly with a $10 corkage fee for wine they can afford to take the hit for 1 returned dish. We decided we would eat the two other dishes we had gotten and then see if we were hungry for more food. Later in the meal the waiter came back and asked if we wanted anything else and I promptly said no. He said, "thats probably good because honestly a big party just sat down so it would probably take a while." SERIOUSLY? This guy had no idea whatsoever how to treat a customer, and I doubt I will be back after that kind of rude service.

    (2)

  • Peter L.

    The service was miserable and it took 10 minutes to get us seated, irrespective of our reservation for seven. The food was good and different than anything I've had before, but the wait staff were useless and hardly knew English, which made inquiring about menu items nearly impossible. The DanDan noodles are rated a 7/10 on the spicy scale and were barely mild; the hot sauce style chicken was rated an 8 and was insanely spicy. We sat in the basement which smelled of cigarette smoke and had a cold draft, next to a table of anti-discipline parents with misbehaving young children. It was like communist China: we were not allowed to have a second teapot since one was not enough for seven of us, and we had to beg for wooden chopsticks since plastic ones are slippery and harder to eat with. It was authentic and as close to the real deal as Chinese food gets, but other than the food, the place was miserable.

    (2)

  • Travis T.

    I had the soft shell crab last night and it was bananas. So insanely good. Everytime I walk in, it seems the crowds are packing in more and more, but with quick service, Han never skips a beat. I also partook in the tasting dinner that was so epic. I highly recommend it for those who want a chance to try other menu items... though you may not be able to roll out of bed the next morning.

    (5)

  • Jennie K.

    not your typical chinese restaurant! my husband and i love good chinese food, but we knew shechuan chinese was going to be even in a category of its own when we went to han's. first of all, han is very helpful in recommending foods based on palettes since many of the dishes are very spicy. we were very impressed with the food as well as him as an owner. we ordered dan dan noodles (amazing!) which is the dish that stands out the most. we ordered three more dishes from the last page which is the "top ordered foods from last month" page. we left so full but still ready for more. we will be back, han! especially for that tasting menu that is booked through december!!!

    (5)

  • Pete T.

    Best Chinese food for me so far, so tasty and spicy.

    (5)

  • Liza T.

    holy crap spicey- i had the chicken in a chili sauce.. and honestly, when you see nothing but chili seeds and chicken and oil, you better be prepared with a few glasses of water-- or better yet milk! dont get me wrong, it tasted fantastic, but HOTDAMN! in the future, im avoiding that, but i did enjoy the other dishes. tons of flavor!

    (4)

  • Colin M.

    My co-workers and I have made this a frequent location for after work! The food is always great, and Han is always willing to offer new suggestions. He always remembers what we have ordered before, and what we have liked, and is able to suggest great dishes for us each and every time we go there. The food is authentic, and always delicious. No "Americanized Chinese" here!

    (5)

  • henna s.

    Their Dandan noddles are delicious, but be aware that it has pork in it. As such we always order it without pork, but the first time we tried it we made the mistake of not asking if it had pork in it and it took us a few bites to figure out which meat they used. With the food being as spicy as it is its hard to decipher certain flavors when your mouth is on fire.

    (4)

  • Denise M.

    The food was good however what ruined the whole experience was when we were asked to finish up because there were people waiting at the door for a table! Talk about rude! We had not been there that long, ordered right away, and since it is a BYOB, we were finishing up our beer, so you can imagine our shock when, we think it may have been the owner, came up to our table and asked us to "finish up!" I wish we had not already paid because we would not have left a tip since he was the one who had waited on us. When we did leave one of the people in our party of 3 said how rude that was and the owner knew he was upset. We left the restaurant, obviously never planning to return, when the owner comes running after us to say, Hey, I have a small place here and I needed your table!" Don't care Buddy, it is still extremely rude and if you make a practice of that kind of behavior, you won't have a restaurant for long!!! The 3 of us will never return and we have already told friends of the experience.

    (2)

  • Howard S.

    I enjoyed my meal and would eat there again. The tasting menu sounds interesting, I'd like to try that. I enjoyed dumplings as an appetizer, they were spicier, rated at #4, than the pickled fish entree I had, rated at #6 for spiciness; both were delicious, although the dumplings were a bit too large and slippery to handle with chopsticks. Maybe I need more chopstick lessons.

    (4)

  • Maruko X.

    good food with limited categories, nice environment and service

    (3)

  • Bo H.

    I think the food here is great! Service is also great! The only thing preventing me going there is the parking.

    (5)

  • Julie H.

    Han Dynasty is an amazing Sichuan restaurant. For years, I ate loyally at its Exton location, and I was ecstatic to see an opening in Philadelphia. Han Dynasty provides the most authentic Sichuan food I've ever experienced in Philadelphia, if not the East coast (bold statement, I know.) Some dishes I always order include: Chicken in Chili Oil, Wonton in Chili Oil, Fish w/ Pickled Vegs, Dan Dan Noodles, and any of the Dry Pepper and Pickled Chili style dishes. Now that the secret's out about how amazing Han Dynasty is, I feel like the restaurant has not been prepared for its surge in popularity... it's sometimes understaffed with a few poor waiters running around amuck to serve the crowd. I better stop telling everyone to go to this delicious restaurant ;)

    (5)

  • Arleen M.

    I've been here three times so far - I always order the dry pepper chicken and dan dan noodles. Both are very good as I like the flavors but the chicken dish is quite small...not enough to fill me up :( I also tried the bok choy the other day and it was a bit overcooked. I would go back to this place but will try something different.

    (3)

  • L R G.

    Best Chinese yet on my new east coast adventure. Sure it was hot but woth it. One problem is service. One of our guest did not get his food until 20 minutes after the rest of us and the appetizer never would have come if we didn't ask for it. But the twice cooked pork was super. A little expensive but what can you do,

    (4)

  • Juju W.

    Authentic Chinese food! Almost everything is good here. I have lived in DC for more than 8 years, and this is the best Chinese restaurant than any of the Chinese restaurants in DC. The atmosphere is great. The interior design feels Asian and sophisticated. Food is delicious and cheap. I will definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Megan T.

    very good flavor, but smaller quantity than the regular Chinese resturant. food is kind of greasy. that is why one star was deducted.

    (4)

  • M P.

    this was the perfect place for a wonderful, inexpensive, fast late dinner on our first night in philadelphia. pea shoots with garlic, spicy cucumbers, and home style tofu all amazing. great service. very vegetarian-friendly. menu makes it easy to understand how spicy everything is going to be.

    (5)

  • Jamie S.

    Great food at a great price. I LOVED it!!!

    (5)

  • Phil S.

    If its purely about the food, the place knows how to prepare Sichuan dishes. Our selections were spicy and flavorful. But...... if atmosphere is added to the equation, the joint sucks. We had a reservation for 6pm on a Friday evening with 8 people at our table, and by 6:30 we were in the middle of our meal. As we listened to classic rock playing on a cheap boom box that was sitting near the unlit service bar, about 15 people were jammed near the entrance to the restaurant unabashedly gawking down their noses at us with annoyed looks on their faces as if we were sitting at THEIR table. The hostess kept walking past us to see what progress we were making, and as we were finishing our drinks our waiter frisbeed the check onto the middle of our table not even asking if there was anything else he could get us. A restaurant is the sum of its parts not just food quality. Once again for the umteenth time I've encountered a downtown Philly restaurant that is way over-hyped and ultimately above average at best. There are plenty of Chinese restaurants out there with food that is equal to Han Dynasty and which provide a better overall dining experience.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    I've been to Han's restaurant on three occasions now. The first night my gal pal and I were headed to another establishment following promises of outdoor seating and tasty veggie dumplings. When the night turned windy and rainy my friend asked about switching locations after seeing Han himself standing outside of his restaurant. The two had struck up a conversation and by the time I arrived I felt like was in Han's pocket. We were intrigued by the Dry Hot Pot style with rabbit and were dissuaded by Han himself to sample the dish with another meat. If I weren't sold already on the simple decor and delicious scents in the air his recommendations sealed the deal. I would have eaten out of his palm. And then there were the dumplings in chili oil. Oh dear lord. I have gone back each time dreaming, salivating, having dirty thoughts about the satisfaction of Han's chili oil sauce. These dumplings make me want to write home to Mama. The flavor is full and well-developed. The heat of the chili pulses outward from my mouth into every pore and yet the food is delectable, not at all overpowered by the heat. Han and Eric (the other gentleman who I've had a chance to meet) are both wonderful. They are warm and welcoming, make genuine recommendations that show they have truly eaten everything on offer and have a keen eye for what makes each dish sing. I told my date tonight that if either of the aforementioned gentlemen suggested anything of the sort I'd have to run away with them. I love the food that much. They've only been in this location a short time but they've already seated themselves firmly in my culinary heart of hearts. Please do yourself the favor of visiting them. Please.

    (5)

  • Karma B.

    I have lived in Philly for four years and have bemoaned the lack of good Chinese food in this town. It really is inexplicable. Han Dynasty changes all of that. It is one the best Chinese restaurants I have ever eaten at. I should say that I love spicy food and this place is all about spice which makes it very appealing in my eyes. The menu is divided into dishes by spice level (10 through 1). And the dishes are simple and tasty. I had the Cumin spiced Lamb and the Dan Dan Noodles (both as 7s). They were damn good. Make reservations for the wait can be long (an hour on a Friday night for 2 people). And don't forget your beer or wine. It's a BYO. But finally good Chinese in Philly.

    (5)

  • Natan V.

    Han Dynasty is goddamn amazing. Food is delicious and spicy! Everything, from meat to fish to vegetables is cooked to perfection. Dan dan noodles are a personal favorite of mine, and they are fantastic here. As for entrees, the slow-cooked fish and dry pot lamb are particular stand outs for me and my family. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, whether you come with a couple friends, or with a really big party (I'm talkin 11 people).

    (5)

  • Zoe S.

    Simply the best. I wouldn't recommend it for the spice deficient, vegetarian, or anyone with a problem with gluten, but this has easily become one of my favorite restaurants. Go with an open mind, let Han tell you what to eat, and bring a few bottles of your favorite beverage.

    (5)

  • Chuck H.

    Went for a nice lunch. What a wonderful find. Their menu apparently does not list luncheon portions, but the kind server told us about it. We'll be back. Great to see top notch food in the midst of the old city club and bar scene.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Han's is an interesting establishment. From the outside, it looks like walk-in Asian restaurant that has take-out. I was greeted by Han for lunch. My friend had met him previously and he graciously took the time to assist us with the menu selections. As he finished assembling our meal selection, he smiled wryly and said something along the lines of: "Enjoy your meal, if you don't... I really don't care." My companion's retort was: "Well, if we don't, we won't come back." We will be back, and Han will probably maintain his snarky attitude. Han can do this because every item he chose was perfectly tailored to what we mentioned we were in the mood for. The spicy cucumbers are a must-try. They walk the line of: not a pickle, very spicy, and wonderfully refreshing. When a line has three sides, it is a tough line, and one that equates to a wonderful dish at which to pick. The green beans (minus meat, vegetarian here) also balanced out our spicy tofu. The seasoning was spectacularly spicy and the tofu was cooked to give an excellent texture. Han's is surprisingly filling for the three dishes we had ordered, and very reasonable for lunch. One warning about Han's: It's like a great night of drinking. Indescribable fun while you're doing it, but you may end up paying for it the next day (if you're not used to spicy food.)

    (4)

  • C H.

    Han is amazing for certain things and others are only okay. The dan dan noodles and twice cooked pork belly with black bean sauce is to die for. The kung pao shrimp are a great addition if you can't handle the other extremely spicy entrees. I wish it was a little cheaper as it is much higher than anything in chinatown. It is also no longer BYOB, but you could just pay the corkage fee. I have tried pretty much everything on the menu but the above three are pretty much the main things I will order. The 3 cup chicken would be better if the texture of the chicken was different, the cubes remind me of a take out joint's chicken. It is also extremely loud so its great for a group of four but otherwise its difficult to scream over the noise

    (4)

  • Erin S.

    It is no longer BYOB which kind of stinks.

    (1)

  • Bob B.

    Food may be good but the most arrogant owner and staff I have ever encountered. Owner feels that because is popular he can treat customers like crap. The worst, go to Chinatown for better food and you can get better service from a street cart. Too many really good restaurants in Old City like Fork or Amada which have great atmosphere and food to waste time or money here.

    (1)

  • Kimberly C.

    I am not even a fan of super hot food however this place is amazing. There is nothing like it in Philadelphia (I think). The owner is very hands on and honest. For example I tried to order the meat buns on my first visit there and was told I don't want them, they are no good. I was a little disturbed that my server would be telling me what I want he does not know me. I later learned it was Han. And at a later date I tried them and he was right they are not very good. Why they are on the menu I have no idea. The food is all very spicy with a few exceptions. Which I have tried many of. They are all amazing. The staff is fantastic. And unless you don't want to be told what is good to eat everyone should go their maybe monthly. Its BYOB and enjoy. Not a bad idea to make reservations.

    (5)

  • Bernard L.

    got takeout here, and the beef and tripe in chili oil was fantastic. the mao pao tofu was not to my liking but others mildly enjoyed it. the dan dan noodles were a hit, indeed an authentic dish. the breading on the salt and pepper shrimp, and fish dry pot were a bit soggy from fifteen minute travel time, but all in all it was a dericious meal.

    (3)

  • Anna Y.

    My friend and I tried to eat at Han Dynasty for dinner last night. We arrived around 7 and it was clear that they were pretty busy with only 3 open tables but no line. We stood there for 5 minutes before I could get the attention of a waiter. No hostess ever came to greet us or ask us how many for our party. We told the waiter we needed a table for 3 and he looked confused and took off. Stood there for another 5 minutes in the doorway. By this time another party behind us and was asking where was the hostess and we told her we could not get any service. Another waiter stopped and asked us if we needed help. Seriously??!! We had already stood here for 10 mins and you just noticed. He told us since we didn't have reservations the wait would be an hour! Someone could have told us this sooner if they had a hostess and was better organized. Han Dynasty may have good food but your service is poor and that's before you even eat!

    (1)

  • Jayne E.

    When Han Dynasty first opened my boyfriend and I decided to check it out, as it's just down the street from us. We were blown away.We made the mistake of getting a dish with a 9/10 spicy level on our first visit as we love spicy food but we quickly learned that our spicy was on a different level than Han's. It nearly blew our heads off, but with tears rolling down our cheeks and about 800 glasses of water later, we concluded our meal. We now go here regularly and have never left disappointed. Han always stops by to chat with guests and recommend specials etc. The food is vibrant, flavorful and interesting. This past Monday was a rainy dismal one, yet Han Dynasty was packed to the brim with a special tasting event in addition to regular patrons upstairs. It is great to see him doing well in the city where people can appreciate his authentic style. The dan dan noodles are a favorite. As is the dry-pot style fish.

    (5)

  • Angela Z.

    best chicken fried rice I have ever had!

    (4)

  • Charles C.

    We had a dinner here on a Thursday night - with reservations for 6:00. We were seated promptly, then the trouble began. First, a pot of tea was delivered - it was cold and the whole side of the pot was smeared with sauce from someone else's meal. Gross. We had a good meal, but then the end came...although it was only 6:50 and we had been there just 50 minutes we were asked to vacate: people waiting (actually, just one lone couple at the door and a whole restaurant full of tables, but we were the ones asked to give it up). We were still finishing our wine - not that that mattered. At least we asked to have the remains of our meal boxed to go. Tonight when we opened it, of the two dishes, only one had made it to go. Sorry. So, although the food was interesting and not the usual mall Chinese, I'm not sure it makes up for the really poor and rude service. I don't think we'd go back.

    (1)

  • Jacqueline R.

    And I now have a new superhuman power after eating my first meal at Han Dynasty, being able to breath fire! I don't consider myself very good with spicy meals, but I went in warned. And I ended up loving everything. My date and I shared the wontons in chili oil, the cumin lamb and a special soft shell crab dish I'd read about in another review. The wontons were airy and delicious, the lamb was cut very thin and was especially tender. I didn't notice until eating my leftovers just how many pepper seeds were throughout the dish. No wonder it had so much heat. The softshell crab was like walking into an Asian market. An almost overpowering scent that was especially unique. I'd suggest bringing wine as that helped combat the heat. As far as the service we encountered a very nice host who got us seated quickly. And our server was able to accommodate our requests for making things a little less spicy. I don't think I would have been able to handle much more. I just finished the leftovers and can't stop thinking about more.

    (4)

  • Kelly F.

    So good! After eating a ton of Chinese I usually feel so gross but this place was amazing. My sister and I ordered the string beans, dan dan noodles (8), and cumin chicken (6). I think the numbered menu is very accurate describing HOW spicy dishes are. I really wanted the spicy hot pot (10) but my sister wasn't feeling it. Anyway, I totally agree that the spicy level isn't so intense that it overpowers all other flavors. It's basically a party in your mouth. DEFINITELY get the Dan Dan and string beans (ground pork comes on both). If you like cumin, the chicken is also good. Not too spicy at all. Also, our service wasn't bad at all. The water glasses were constantly full. I personally hate when servers are all up in your business the whole time you are eating. It took a little while to get seated but we went without reservations and it was pretty bumpin. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Wen C.

    No doubt the best Sichuan restaurant in Philadelphia, and one of the better ones between DC and New York too. The range of spice is impressive - if you like spicy food it this is the place. On the other hand, if you don't like spice just let them know since dishes are cooked to order. I had been going out to Exton to eat at their other restaurant but now that there is a location in Philadelphia couldn't be happier. The portions are big, so you'll probably have leftovers, which are great the next day when the flavors really sink in.

    (4)

  • jessie c.

    Holy Han. This is such a delicious restaurant with great service and atmosphere. I called ahead and spoke to Mark to get a table for 4 on a Sunday night. We arrived about 15 minutes early to our reservation. We checked in with Mark who took our number to call us when our table was ready. The restaurant was packed! At exactly 8 PM, we had a call from Mark saying our table was ready. When we sat down, we were immediately brought wine glasses for our wine (it's a BYOB) water and menus. We figured out what we were going to order and when we ordered, the waiter advised us that all of our dishes were sweet and that we needed some spicy to accompany our choices. He helped us tweak our order. It was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise to have a waiter actually consult us on our order. The food was outstanding - the cucumber appetizer and cold sesame noodles are great. We had a garlic beef dish, cumin lamb, and a chicken dish. We live in Texas and literally dream about the food. Run, do not walk or bus it to Han Dynasty.

    (5)

  • R U.

    I've been to Han Dynasty on multiple occasions and they have never disappointed. Their Dan Dan Noodles are amazing if you don't mind the calories. The dry pepper style and water boiled beef are also very good. The food here is on par with stuff you will find in Asia. I would stay away from their dry pot though, as it didn't taste as great when I tried it. Their portion sizes are generally very generous considering the quality and price of the food. A few complaints: they have no brown rice and they use A LOT of salt in their cooking (the spiciness masks this fact). Also, if you don't like spicy food, I would stay clear of this place as their non-spicy fare isn't extraordinary (it's not bad either, just not worth the price). Still, despite these flaws, if you like spicy chinese food that is somewhat affordable on a student budget, you won't find any better in Philadelphia. Will definitely keep on returning here!

    (5)

  • Royce L.

    Great Chinese restaurant in downtown Philly. Decor was more think an old high class bar than a restaurant. Our server was attentive and asked right away if this was my first time there. Typical Chinese Menu. You can chose how spicey you want your dish on a scale from 1 to 10. I went with a 6 and it was just the right amount. (I like my food spicey). I ordered tofu with minced meat and brown rice. Food was very good and tasty. I will be back when I am back in the Philly area

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    This is my to-go place for Szechuan/Chinese food in Philly. The food is great, service is good, and their decor/restaurant is always impressive. I always get their hot sauce style fish. It is my absolute favorite in any Szechuan restaurant and Han Dynasty does a great job with this dish. I also had their Dan dan noodles, dumplings, fried soft crab in chili oil. They are all great. Never disappointed here. However, be warned, if you can't handle spicy food, this place may not be the place for you.

    (5)

  • Maggie l.

    Found this place wm from yelp when me and my daughter were in Philadelphia. We loved the place. The food is so authentic except it's not spicy enough ( even the scale of 10). The setting is so nice and they are very thoughtful to have ice water and hot tea for you at the same time. The only reason I give it a four star is the dishes are a bit salty. You'd better try this place if you love Chinese food and especially spicy Chinese food when you are in town.

    (4)

  • Claudia L.

    I had lunch here for the first time. I was very surprised by the atmosphere because it's such a large space. Very nice but I remember being there when it was another establishment. I have to say that the food was just okay. Not bad but nothing that makes me want to say "You HAVE TO go there!". But I have to say the service was entirely too slow. Sadly, I most likely will not go back.

    (3)

  • Kuriakose K.

    I recommend the spicy beef noodle soup. Its one if the spiciest dishes I've ever had in america. BTW im indian so im used to spice, but this dish blew my mind. The pair it with a good light beer and some fried rice to reduce the damage from the spice.

    (5)

  • Stone Z.

    I took my Uncle, Aunt, Mom, Dad, & Grandmother here when we were touring the City. My Uncle and Aunt were visiting from Lanzhou, China. They really enjoyed the food. I basically ordered like every traditional spicy dish. Finally, got to drink a beer with my uncle since I haven't seen him since high school. He really likes Yuengling. He thought it was a Chinese beer cause it sounds Chinese lol. This place is bomb. The place has a great atmosphere. I would take anyone to this spot to eat some authentic food. It's not the best Sichuan food I've had in the States but it is pretty bomb. Service is above average for a traditional Chinese place. lololol

    (4)

  • Farhan H.

    The food is good. But you need to extra careful with the level of spice. Apparently their medium spicy was spicy enough to numb our tongues. The food was so spicy it was hard to tell if the dan dan noodles were good or not. I would give it another shot once they move to new location and see if without the extra spicy if the good has any flavor. My spicy tolerance is high but this Chinese food was Thai spicy.

    (3)

  • Graham K.

    Great service at the bar, though I was in at a very slow time of day so I was pretty much the only one there. Had the Dan Dan Noodles and the Spiced Cucumber. The Spiced Cucumber is something special - not sure what all the noise is about the noodles. They were really good - but didn't really blow my mind. Those two items filled me up. I will go back to try an entree......

    (4)

  • David J.

    Great preserved vegetable soup. The new location is a bit fancier, but gives the restaurant a good feel. The mapo tofu is delicious. As is the double Cooked fish. Everything we ate here was delicious and well-cooked!!

    (4)

  • Cara M.

    Michael Barnett was my server, he was amazing. Excellent drinks and spicy food! The atmosphere is chill, the building it's self is gorgeous! It's a fabulous place for large groups or private parties. Plus the new location is in a wonderful part of old city.

    (4)

  • Shaun L.

    Great ambience. Interesting menu choices. Staff are fun and service could be more attentive. The famous Dan Dan noodles are just hot and don't have a rich flavor. Too noisy to have conversation easily.

    (3)

  • hibba u.

    Only place I go for Dan Dan noodles!

    (5)

  • Jennifer Z.

    I like the fish there

    (4)

  • rich c.

    Food was good and tasty. Had little ones with us but there were dishes that were not spicy. Service was a little bit slow but that could also be because we were in a hurry. One complaint would be that the crispy rice dish was good, but the rice was far from crispy... More like soggy. They should think stone pot fired up. A little less sweet would also be good. I only wonder why they haven't resolved the fact that at first glance,their URL looks more like handy nasty than Han dynasty. Go figure.

    (4)

  • Frank H.

    CNN Top 50 Chinese Restaurants in the US. If you love spicy chinese food this is one of the best I've had! The Dan Dan Noodles were the best!!! ...just jumping on the bandwagon of reviews. The Dumplings in Chili Oil for appetizers was awesome!! One of my favorites for the evening was the Crispy Rice Style which is both unique and tasty!! Remember be prepared for some spicy dishes!!! Trendy atmosphere. A little small so if you have a large group, make a reservation.

    (4)

  • Kathleen K.

    Based on my first experience here, I would give 3 stars. But the fiancee LOVED his first couple times here so I'm willing to compromise (practicing for the plunge I guess) We ordered too much food, which was to be expected because we were starving. We started with the Dan Dan noodles and won ton soup. Ok, yes, the dan dan noodles expect all the raves they're getting. They were a bit spicy for my taste, but I still ate a good amount of them. Very good flavor. The won ton soup wasn't bad, but I've had more flavorful won ton soup elsewhere. For the main course, we got the beef hot sauce style and the tofu garlic style. The beef was pretty good, but the garlic sauce tofu was seriously lacking. It didn't have a garlic flavor at all. And it was rated a level 3 but there wasn't the slightest hint of flavor or spice to it. As a final note, the service was really quite awkward... not bad, just awkward... It's hard to explain, but our server just kinda walked up to our table at the beginning and just said "hey..." We'll definitely give it another shot as I feel like maybe we ordered the wrong dishes. Bummed it's no longer BYOB though!

    (4)

  • Calvin T.

    First time here. Every dish was ordered with the recommended spice rating: Dumplings in Chili Oil - tasty but not much meat - 3/5 Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce - sooo good! - 5/5 Rabbit w/peanuts in Chili Oil - first time trying rabbit. A lot of bones so it'll require you to do some work - 4/5 Dan Dan Noodles - fresh, homemade noodles, one of the best noodle dishes I've ever had - 5/5 Pea Leaves w/ Garlic - fresh and tasty, a good veggie dish to cool your mouth - 5/5 Dry Pot Style w/ Shrimp - shrimp was big and fresh, a good amount - 4/5 Spicy Hot Pot - fish, shrimp, beef, chicken all in a really spicy hot pot. Has a floral tongue numbing flavor. So good my parents took the leftover sauce/oil home to cook fish, shrimp, and chicken in the next 2 days - 5/5 Tea Smoked Duck in Beer Sauce - a lot of bones so it takes work to eat. Not as spicy as I thought it would be - 3/5 Overall, a great place to satisfy your spicy tastebuds! This place will make you visibly sweat! Great for the Winter cold. So good I took my friend here three days later! A great, unique, restaurant that our city is fortunate to have! I wish I knew about it years ago!

    (5)

  • Natalie H.

    Han Dynasty s newest restaurant in old city is a winning combination : delicious cuisine, friendly service, and a gorgeous venue in a great location. We sat at the bar, as we didn't have a reservation and this spot has already become fashionably popular (there was a 45 minute wait for dinner for 2). Happy hr yuengling for $3 . Double cooked fish in Ginger and scallion with just the right amount of spiciness. We enjoyed everything tremendously , and we'll be back.

    (4)

  • Ever F.

    Overpriced Chinese food - I guess just paying for the ambiance. The dry pot chili chicken is like a super spicy popcorn chicken from a boba shop not really worth the $14. Service was poor- which was surprising because it looked like a nice restaurant. Liked the manayunk location better

    (3)

  • Ling X.

    I usually can't do spicy but had to come here...it's all over magazine and TV shows for good reason. It's best to eat with a bigger group, family style, so you can try more dishes. They are not kidding when they describe this place as spicy...for the faint of tongue, have plenty of water, rice, and some non-spicy dishes to balance out! It's nice that they give a "rating" for how spicy a dish is. I didn't bother trying anything with a 10 since even my spicy loving friends thought it was a lot. Dan dan noodles are a must. Just get that to go if you don't have time for anything else.

    (4)

  • Melanie E.

    If I knew that I was going to die tomorrow, I would go to Han today. It is my favorite restaurant. It's casual, and delicious and wonderfully spicy. It's best to go with a group because you can get more dishes and its less expensive. Make sure you get the dan dans, spicy cucumbers, and the double cooked fish. Service can be slow sometimes and you've gotta make reservations for the weekends a head of time because it gets packed, but it's worth it because it's amazing!!

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    I just had to update because my boyfriend and I went to Han Dynasty last night for a random yet amazing evening. We found ourselves walking into the location only to find out it was closed?!?!? Turns out they moved across the street into the big beautiful building on the corner of 2nd and chestnut. NOW I can eat Han Dynasty amazingness AND feel amazing with this killer ambiance. The new place is SO beautiful... and our meal was SO good... I need a 6th star!

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    Came here this past Sunday for lunch and ordered a bunch of things off their menu. The last time I ate at Han Dynasty in Philly, it was in their old Chestnut Street location (just across the street), so I was shocked to see their caverous new space, which was HUGE (I liked the feel of their old place better). Once seated at one of their many, many tables, we ordered the chengdu mung bean noodles, dan dan noodles, spicy beef noodles, beef and tripe in chili oil, and scallion pancake. Everything came out quickly, and we liked everything, especially their dan dan noodles. The noodle portions were very generous and (almost) everything was spicy.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Been here twice and each time it's been right up there with the best Chinese food I've ever had in my life. I actually stopped here on my way back from Baltimore just to go to this place. Their dan dan noodles are the best I've had anywhere, hands down. Everything else is delicious and the portions are very generous. Service is great and food comes out very fast (at least during my experiences). Definitely a must if you're ever in Philly.

    (5)

  • Matthew L.

    Greasy. Lacks flavor. Expensive Chinese food. I came with five others and we ordered family style. I will admit the Dan Dan noodles were pleasant, though they were also greasy. My fish and tofu hotpot was maximum spicy but unfortunately this spice had no depth. Chewing on spoonfuls of chili flakes saturated in oil was fairly disappointing. I am informed the tasting menu is quite good so I will give them a second chance. For the price, I find the quality really subpar. Decor is decent and service is par. Not the worst Chinese food I've had but not very good to me. A little disappointing for the price. Why not go to Chinatown? Cheers.

    (2)

  • Sara L.

    The new location of Han Dynasty delivers all of the epic Szechuan goodness you would expect, but the whole experience is elevated by the gorgeous restaurant surroundings. Even though the new space is bigger, I would strongly advise making a reservation. Every group without one was being turned away on Saturday night. This meal included double-cooked fish and dry pot chicken - two very different dishes that offered a good variety in flavors and textures, as well as (of course) dan dan noodles. I don't think I have ever encountered a single dish as addictive as those noodles! I don't understand why it happens. Every bite is the same slightly monotonous composition of dense noodles with nutty, spicy oil and morsels of minced pork, but I just can't stop eating them. Even when I have demolished half a bowl of them myself and I am feeling full. Even when I know the rest of my meal will be delicious. Even when I have finished the bowl and have the waiter add a second order to our leftovers. I can't stop eating dan dan noodles. Hmm, I seem to have gotten distracted by something there. The new space takes full advantage of the existing high-end European decor of the building's previous occupants, but adds just enough Asian flair to provide a stark contrast. The staff is still dressed in their (10) t-shirts and they carry the down-to-earth attitude from across the street. It almost feels like an ironic take on a fancy restaurant. Most patrons were dressed nicely, and the vibe was vibrant and fun. The bar space is beautiful, and I am sure that the happy hour and late-night menus featuring Taiwanese street food along with some standard Han favorites will further expand the Dynasty's already booming popularity.

    (5)

  • Eve A.

    I'd read such great reviews and heard so many good things from friends, that I really wanted to love HD. I'd heard that the Dan Dan noodles are the best thing on the menu, so I certainly ordered them. (Since I'm vegetarian, I got the pork on the side.) The portion was large - big enough for my boyfriend and I to share. Unfortunately it was just a large portion of noodles in an oily sauce. The sauce was good flavor-wise (spicy and just faintly peanuty), but far too oily for my tastes. You could spoon the oil right out the bowl. I was also expecting something more than just noodles - some sort of vegetable or garnish? (None of the dishes I saw looked like the photos on the site.) I looooove vegetables so I ordered the vegetable rice noodles. I was sorely disappointed when my entree arrived and saw that it was just another huge portion of noodles. I think I counted 5 pieces of scallion and that was it for veggies. Some Yelp reviewers have mentioned that HD is very authentic Szechuan cuisine; I love authentic Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines. Not sure if Szechuan cuisine really uses so few vegetables (there were 8 people in my party, so I saw several different appetizers and entrees) or if HD isn't really very authentic. I was also excited for HD because I love spicy food and other Yelpers had commented on how spicy the food was. HD uses a scale of 1-10 for spiciness. I ordered my entree '10' and was hoping for it to test my limits - alas it did not. On a positive note, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the prices are extremely reasonable, and the space itself is impressive. I won't be going back, though.

    (2)

  • Samantha S.

    Decent service and great food, as long as you're okay with a lot of spice in your food (I think they cook almost everything in chili oil) I'm not the biggest fan of spicy food but the spicy cucumbers are so good it's worth the eye-watering and runny nose!

    (4)

  • Albi D.

    Super spicy! 6 of us went to the Han Dynasty last Friday. Admittedly we entered 20 minutes before the kitchen closed and were in a rush to get our orders in. With the waiter there urging us to make our decisions ASAP, we didn't pay too much attention to the menu options and ordered what looked familiar. I'd read on Yelp the night before that the Dan Dan noodles were really good. I had that. One friend next to me had the Dry Pepper Style, two of my other friends had the Hot Sauce Style Chicken. Don't get me wrong, we are all fans of the hot and spicy. I'm the guy that will order hot peppers in my sandwiches. But I am not exaggerating when I say that the level of spice in my dan dan noodles and the hot sauce style chicken was UNBEARABLE. We were sweating and shedding tears the whole night. One friend couldn't finish her plate. Another must have drank like 3 cups of water. Literally, my pee was burning the next day as I cursed for forcing myself to finish my dan dan noodles, which would have been nothing special even without the unbearable levels of spice. I've had lo-mein from food carts on the that have tasted much, much better. I will give the place one extra star because I enjoyed the atmosphere. The place looked nice. Good for a romantic date. We did ask the waiter to move us over to the half-circle empty table adjacent to us, but he apologized and made an excuse that he couldn't accommodate us since the orders had already been made for this specific table. We said OK and left a tip commensurate with the service provided. Maybe I'll give this place another shot in the future and take a long hard look at the menu and ask the waiter many, many questions before I order any specific plate. For now, if you're thinking of going and aren't a fan of sweating indoors or having no feeling in your tongue for a couple of hours, I would suggest you stay away from any plate that says Dan Dan, hot, spicy, chili, peppers, or any related words... just to be on the safe side. Apparently this restaurant has a completely different standard for the words "hot" and "spicy" as compared to all the other Chinese, Indian, etc. establishments that I've been to in Philadelphia.

    (2)

  • Raafia M.

    We went here for dinner on saturday night before our movie. It was last min decision, so we didn't make a reservation. We got there around 7:15 and the place was packed! We found a seat at the bar- which was pretty comfortable. Now for the food...it was DELICIOUS!!! We ordered the spicy crispy cucumber, dan dan noodles and dry pepper style chicken. Everything was so flavorful and so delicious- we finished everything!! The spicy crispy cucumber was a great surprise because it's such a simple dish- just some sliced cucumber with sesame and chilli oil, so simple but so magically yummy! And the sauce is great! I out of some of over my dan dan noodles and white rice- so yummy! The dan dan noodles were my absolute favorite! They were freshly made and perfect noodles perfectly seasoned with sesame oil and chili. I can't wait to go back and get another order of this! Another great point of Han Dyansty is the portions. Everything comes out in family style portions so its enough share and sound to fill you up. Also, there are numbers in parenthesis next to each item indicating the spice level, and you can order items based on your preference. I really recommend of this place for anyone looking for a great meal at a cozy, beautiful restaurant for a great price.

    (5)

  • BostonBestEats X.

    Quick update to previous review: Han Dynasty-Olde City is still Han Dynasty (hot, noisy, and good), even with Han-dy Nasty himself in China (according to Twitter hopefully bringing back some great new recipes--Stinky tofu??? Maybe a food truck???). Just an FYI on their BYOB policy, now that they have a liquor license: BYOB for $10/bottle of wine ($1/bottle of beer) corkage every day, except Tuesday which is free. However, the Tuesday freebie will be going away at some point when they upgrade the basement to have draft and cocktails. Also, half off on the corkage for groups of 8 doing a tasting menu. We had the usual Sichuan classics: Dandan noodles (see exciting photo) -- 8/10 on the hotness scale Beef and tripe in chili oil (fuqui feipian) -- 10/10 on the hotness scale Dry pepper-style chicken, triple flash-fried with long hot and dry chili peppers -- 8/10 on the hotness scale Pea shoots and garlic BYOBed: 2008 Domaine Barmes-Buecher Gewurztraminer Rosenberg de Wettolsheim BTW, the short wine and beer list is improved and some decent selections on it. Alagash White is a good beer for Sichuan. Slainte!

    (4)

  • Julie B.

    I ordered food from Han Dynasty in October 2014 and can't stop thinking about it! As we were in a bit of a rush, we ordered the food to go. Everything was ready when we arrived and portion sizes were very good. We ordered the wontons and chili oil, eggplant with garlic sauce, asparagus, and their famous Dan dan noodles. The vegetables didn't sound like they would be anything out of the ordinary but they were so delicious. Great blend of spices, not too oily, and were cooked just right. The dan dan noodles were very flavorful and very spicy. If you have any issues with spice, I would recommend you heed their ratings and request that they reduce or remove the chilies. You also can't beat the prices. The total meal cost was extremely reasonable and easily fed three people. I am looking forward to the next time I can go to Philly and eat here again!

    (5)

  • Jonah K.

    I went here with a really large group (Read: 12 people) and we did what they call a "tasting menu". It was definitely a great choice. The service was good, and the new location is definitely a welcome change from their "hole-in-wall" digs down the street.

    (5)

  • Jill L.

    Remember those old Looney Toons cartoons where a character would eat something super hot (usually from the Acme Co.) and steam would come out of their ears? That's how I felt after my first meal at Han Dynasty. Upon arriving, my first impression was that the service is excellent. We got there a bit early (6 pm) on a Saturday and were seated immediately. Our waiter was super nice and explained not only the different spice levels, but highlighted a few dishes (all of which I had read about here on Yelp) that appeal to newbies. We decided to go with the dan dan noodles (obvi), the crispy cucumbers, dumplings in chili oil, and hot sauce style tofu. Let me say this-- Dan dan lived up to the hype hype. As for the other dishes, I liked the cucumber because it provided a brief respite from the crazy heat. The dumplings were super tasty- although there wasn't much filling to them. The hot sauce style tofu was good, but I would have liked some more veggies in there. Overall, a great meal with great service at a great price. Looking forward to getting a dan dan fix fix sometime again soon!

    (4)

  • Jeanne C.

    So good. Also so random - Chinese owned but Caucasian hosts and waiters. My Jewish friends brought me here while I was visiting. Leave it to the Jews to bring. Chinese girl to a Chinese restaurant... probably the only people whose opinion I would trust. Everything we ordered was amazing but most notably the dan dan noodles. So good. Don't be fooled that it's not dark black and looks like spaghetti noodles. It is legit. So are the spicy Szechuan beef and chicken. The menu is exorbitantly long and confusing, and they also rate the level of spiciness. Basically you choose a space to douse your choice of protein in. Very cool. I wish we had one here in SF! We ordered 3 entrees and a cold app for $60 (enough for 3 people with leftovers).

    (5)

  • Sarah R.

    We have been to Han Dynasty about 4 times and the food has been great each time. Both the spicy dishes and the mild dishes are very good and flavorful. If there's a dish you want to try but are afraid it will be too spicy for you, just let the server know because the chefs are very willing to accommodate your tastes and tone down any dish. The restaurant decor is also very stylish and cozy.

    (5)

  • Andrea V.

    Came here with a date. Ordered some form of dumpling in chili oil (don't recall which), Dan Dan noodles, and 3 cup chicken on recommendations from friends. The dumplings were really good, but bear in mind that the chili oil is SPICY. I can tolerate spicy food, but my mouth was on fire for quite some time after that. It did interfere a little bit with my tasting of the noodles and chicken dishes. I wish they offered something to help cleanse the palate between dishes/courses. That said, the dan dan noodles were amazing. Also spicy, but less so than the dumplings. The 3 cup chicken was good as well, but not something I would order again. It's very sweet and the dan dan noodles were way more memorable. Overall, definitely go for flavorful food that's a little different from your usual fare. BUT, heed the ratings of spice level, and if you're like me, bring something to cool the fire between courses.

    (4)

  • Paul K.

    Believe the hype, this is as good as it gets folks! Started with the dumplings and chili oil, fantastic! Taking heed to other recommendations, I tried the cumin encrusted lamb. Amazing... try it, you'll like it. The spice level was 7 by default. I'm a chili-head so I thought about bumping the level up a bit. I ended up not bumping the spice, but a 7 was a pleasant surprise of flavor. An 8 or 9 might have been just top-notch, which I'll keep in mind for a future visit. This place is top-notch, stop into Eulogy across the street for some pre-dinner beers, and then head into the beautiful Han Dynasty for dinner, you will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Christine H.

    You don't go here for the service, you go here for the food, which is fantastic. I like the spicy cucumbers, dan dan noodles, dry fry, black bean chicken, kung pao, etc. etc. Makes for great leftovers so don't hold back the ordering. The service is really hit or miss, often to their detriment. The last time I was there we probably would've ordered more drinks if they had ever come to check on us.

    (4)

  • Nick G.

    The food was the only saving grace. First a manager had to take our drink order. Then an another manager had to take our food order. Our server only boxed our food up, and took the check. The place was practically empty. The food was great. I have no complaints there. I'll check out the other locations next time.

    (3)

  • Andrew O.

    Dan Dan noodles and String beans please. I don't think I've had anything bad at Han Dynasty. I just wish it were a little more inexpensive, and not so trendy.

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    One of my family's favorite spots in Philadelphia. An awesome environment, and the quality of food is authentic (just as good as Chinatown with better service). If you like spicy, this is your spot. If you don't you can always ask for less spice. The dandan noodles are a must. The mung bean noodle was a first try for me - refreshing cold noodle worth the try if you want something different. The eggplant and string bean dishes are delicious as well - we get it every time. Some of the dry pepper dishes are more hot pepper than anything else so be careful with those orders! Super friendly staff and the food comes out fast!

    (5)

  • Raghav C.

    Solid spot for a sit down Szechuan Chinese meal at pretty reasonable prices. Best when you order for the table and share as dishes come out as they are ready. This place takes it spice levels pretty seriously and you can order any dish at a diff. spice level, so order with caution. The number next to each menu item is just their recommendation. I can tolerate medium spices and wish I had ordered a few notches lower than the recommended level. - Dan Dan noodles is always a hit. Noodles in chili oil - Dry Pepper Style Chicken was another favorite (aka ma-la chicken).

    (5)

  • Schuyler L.

    One of the best restaurants in the city just got better with this new location!! If you haven't been you should go! Get a small plate and two entrees or 4 small plates and you'll be set. You may run in to THE Han while you're there, but you won't realize it because the dude is so hard working he is hustling like the rest of the servers!

    (5)

  • Shaina F.

    Pretty great first time at Han dynasty, it won't be my last! We got the famous dan dan noodles (heat = 6), the dumplings in chili oil (heat = 4), the shrimp dry pot (heat =5) and the chicken pepper dry pot (heat =5). MY MOUTH IS STILL BURNING, I think the dan dan noodles were a little too spicy for us, so after that my tongue just remained flaming for the entire meal haha but it was really delicious. The chicken pepper dry pot was awesome, the chicken was really crispy, almost like popcorn chicken. This is one of their pots that is absolutely dry, so if you are looking for a sauce for your meal this probably isn't the one for you. But I loved it!! I think next time if we tone down the heat to start off with, we might be better off in the end. He said temps 4-5 are about sriracha spice, but I think it's a little hotter than that. Either way after this heartburn gets under control I'm running back here for more!

    (4)

  • Mohit S.

    Really loved this place. Let's start with the Ambiance, nice decor, high ceiling which makes the place look huge. Michael was our server, and he was very patient and knowledgeable. He took his time to explain the dishes on the menu and answered all the questions that we had. Menu indicates how hot a particular dish is, which i thought was great. I love spicy food so we had the chicken with chili oil as an appetizer and it's amazing, it's very spicy, yet flavorful. We ordered kung pao chicken as our entree and it was lot less spicy but one of the best kung pao chicken i have had. Overall a great experience and will visit again.

    (5)

  • Walter C.

    The Dandan noodles are amazing. Also try the string beans with pork. This could be a veggie to replace French fries. Great space as well. An old cavernous bank. Although after walking out into the cold brisk winter I realized how loud the place was. It needs to decide whether it's a bar or a restaurant. It's not fun yelling during dinner with Nirvana screaming in the background.

    (4)

  • Ainsley A.

    The Han Dynasty legacy has always been a curious idea to me. Growing up outside of Exton PA (their first location) has allowed me to see the growth of this amazing and creative restaurant. Han Dynasty in Old City is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to enjoy Chef Han Chiang's culinary creations- and I was blown away. We started with the spicy cucumber appetizer and the ever popular Dan Dan Noodles. The spiciness of the sauce paired with the crisp and cool refreshing cucumbers allowed your taste buds to dance in every direction. Is it spicy? Is it not? AH! I'm not sure- there is so much going on with this dish. The Dan Dan Noodles are the most popular item on the menu, we had to try them as a first time visitor. They did not disappoint- not a traditional noodle dish, the DDN features a mixture of sweet, savory and spicy. My entrée was the Garlic Shrimp stir fried with ginger, garlic, bamboo, wood ear mushrooms, and bell peppers. Due to the appetizers being spicy- and after drinking three glasses of water already, I wanted to tone my dish down. Originally at a 3, I chose to make it a 2 which was the best decision of the evening. It had a little tiny kick, but nothing too overpowering where I couldn't taste the complexities of the dish. The shrimp were more than JUMBO (huge oxymoron) and there were plenty for leftovers. My sister had the Kung Pow Chicken, which featured peanuts- again not too overpowering, and my mom had the fish (flounder) with black bean sauce- another amazing dish. I loved the idea that you can customize the heat/spiciness of your dish on a numbers scale. Most Asian food that appeals to me is spicy even though I dislike foods that contain too much heat. At this restaurant, feel free to order ANY dish without having to worry about the heat factor. The decor is unreal, it used to be an old bank turned nightclub turned steakhouse turned asian restaurant. They had a projector set up to watch the World Cup which was VERY convenient, and their happy hour featured great specials. I want to come back and try everything on this menu. Tip: reservations are always recommended, but feel free to do a walk in here, especially on the weekdays.

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    After seeing a play on 2nd st. My family and I walked over to Han Dynasty. Thief place is a must for anyone who loves Chinese cuisine. I love the decor of the place. They have high cathedral ceilings. The food was spectacular. I word ordered the don don noodles. I could not get enough of them. The spices in them were perfect. One thing I will advise is I lower the spiciness of the dish if you are a person who doesn't eat spicy food the rabbit in chili sauce was delicious also. I was first scared to try this dish because one i never ate rabbit before and two the dish was served cold. But my fears dissolved with I took the first bite. I highly recommend this place .

    (5)

  • John P M.

    We had a fabulous meal at Han Dynasty tonight. I know,I know, don't go out on a Monday night, but this place was great. Our server, Josh, was great. He walked us through the menu and explained the heat levels. We ordered the two apps he suggested--Dan Dan Noodles and Dumplings in Spicy Oil. Both were delicious and reflected the heat and portion that Josh described. The Dumplings were spicy, but not over the top. We had the Dry Pot Chicken to share for an entree. HOT, but delicious. Anybody can make something too hot to eat, but this dish had a satisfying, whole mouth heat that wasn't painful but enjoyable. Definitely returning. Hope Josh is working.

    (5)

  • Keon P.

    Abysmal. came at peak hours to see how the original would fare against the university city branch and this is what we got. 1. seating arrangement: the manager needs to rethink the seating arrangement. there was a row of 2 seater tables against the bar making a very thin strip of walking space. I sat on the seat near the bar and the whole dinner experience was one of much discomfort and zero personal space. - try arranging the seats in a 90 degree fashion so this doesn't happen in the future 2. food: the food was drowning and crusted with MSG. It was enough to give us a headache RIGHT AFTER the meal - oh, and this was after we requested low sodium for our dishes. Rice: they messed up the rice, some grains were uncooked, some grains were disintegrating... turned into mush in our mouthes - a symptom of unpressurized huge bulk processes 3. Service: Server forgot our order (came back to ask for it - which was fine) I had to ask 2 different people 3 times over 30 minutes to get an extra bowl of rice for the table. After we realized the rice wasn't going to get any better we decided to take the rest of the food home. we all crave chinese food sometimes - my advice is to stick to takeouts (possibly make your own rice)

    (1)

  • Smrithi D.

    DAN DAN NOODLES ARE PHENOMENAL! (i get them made vegetarian, without the pork but theyre are still one of the best i've tried) Their new space is very large and their waitstaff is always friendly and gets the food out really quickly.

    (4)

  • Dawne S.

    Food was super yummy and nicely spicy! Nothing "Chinese takeout" about any of it. We arrived on time, they sat us immediately, and the server was super friendly with good suggestions on what to eat. Great experience overall. Recommend the dad dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, spicy fish (yum!!), Bok Choy dish.

    (5)

  • Finessa S.

    Awesome if you love Chinese. We had the dan dan.noodles. They were the spiciest we had at a 7 rating, comparable to siracha sauce. If you like pad thai you'd like these. Slight nutty taste. If you like these, try pad thai if you haven't. Chili dumplings were yummy. Great noodle texture. Chili sauce not as spicy but saltier. The waiter mark was very informative. We wanted scallops and he recommended garlic sauce or salt and pepper. We went with the garlic sauce but asked for it to be a 6 instead of a 3. Very good. Alot of scallops, about 10. They are breaded and fried like General tsos. The garlic sauce was sweeter which balanced out the saltiness of the chili sauce. Great food, came to $40. Big portions, so decide together and share.

    (5)

  • S G.

    Better than sex, the thought really did cross my mind for a nano-second. Cannot stop thinking about their beef hot-sauce style (aka 'water' boiled beef), it is THAT good. Actually wanted to go back the next day to order it again! I should say though, despite the millions singing praise to the dan-dan noodles- we ordered them (without meat/pork) and didn't like them at all. For my man to pass on a dish, well- you know it's gotta be bad.

    (4)

  • Kase M.

    Good food. Great service from Nick. He's attentive and informative. Good prices. I love the place and the food. Been here a handful of times and will continue to dine at this wonderful restaurant.

    (5)

  • Rizwan A.

    A lot of ups but also a lot of downs that unfortunately force me to give this popular and normally successful restaurant a mixed review. I came here twice in the same week, one day of which happened to fall on the 4th of July. The added hustle and bustle of the holiday proved to be just too much for the host/hostess, server, bus boy, and in the end Han Dynasty as a whole. My wife's and I first visit went rather well. We started with the dan dan noodles and also ordered some house-made lime and mint ginger ales (both awesome). The first entree we had was the long pepper chicken which was mostly red peppers and very small pieces of fried chicken which had more batter and coating than actual chicken. I wasn't impressed. Our second entree was the garlic sauce style beef. This was just okay too. Our second night there, the inconsiderate and inexperienced new host at the door was playing hopscotch with the line of customers, selecting people who had smaller or larger parties to go ahead of the people who had been waiting longer. When we asked the other hostess why this was the case, she apparently had no idea and had to pull the first host aside and tell him that he's not a bouncer at a club, everyone is allowed inside. We wasted a lot of time waiting. Reluctant to stay much longer we finally got a table only to be asked two minutes later if we could move to another and smaller table. No thanks. Did you mess up again? This time it needs to be at your expense, not ours. Our server was the most absentee server I've ever had. I had to ask a bus boy walking by if he could bring me a new dish since it was clearly dirty. He took the dish to the back and later a different server brought me the same exact dish back that was dirty in exactly the same spot with the same marks. Everything we ordered came swimming in oil and our waiter forgot that we had actually wanted to order a third dish. By the time he remembered us, there was no need. Definitely do not order the chef specials, they are just served in a bowl of nothing but oil and are just plain gross. Sorry Han Dynasty, the jig is up.

    (2)

  • Dave H.

    Think of everything that makes every Han Dynasty kickass. Now toss on a special late night menu, and keep the place open until 2 AM. In Old City, this is a recipe for success, especially for partygoers. Disclaimer: Many of their dishes pack a punch, so it helps if your tongue is made of asbestos.

    (5)

  • David M.

    The twice cooked fish and the dan dan noodles. Make sure to look at the specials. Place used to be an international bank and is a great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    If you like spice, and like family style - this is the place to go. I have never been here with just one other person, and I do not know if it would be great for that, but with a group - a few appetizers, some Dan Dan Noodles and one or two entrees is all that you need. I have never had anything that wasn't delicious, I have only had great service, and the prices are right! The location is great, the decor is fun, and it somehow is not loud even when it is super crowded. They also have several TVs over the bar if there is a game on that you don't want to miss. The staff is friendly and always super helpful if you want help with ordering. The last time I went we arrived with three different people with food allergies - so annoying I know, but can't be helped, they did not bat an eye, modified food, and made sure we knew what items were in what dishes to prevent any dramatic incidences! Some of my favorite items are: 1. Dan dan noodles - a necessity, we normally order one per 3 people 2. Sesame noodles 3. Spicy crispy cucumbers - I have tried to duplicate them at home, but they are just not the same 4. Kung Pao Style (normally with chicken) 5. Dry Pot Style I have tried A LOT of items and have never been disappointed, but those are the items I tend to get a lot.

    (5)

  • Kristin H.

    The new "Handy Nasty" is super swank compared to it's last location across the street. Set up in what HAS to be an old bank (or similar) building, it is a far cry from sitting in a basement with Journey playing in the background, sucking down blue-colored cocktails in an attempt to extinguish the slow burn of the Szechwan peppercorn (although those times are and will remain memorable). I guess it should be said that my most recent trip to Han Dynasty was different in the way that I had never dined there with no less than eight people and under twelve dishes flying around a lazy susan. This time, a nice man took me here because he was craving Dan Dan noodles and I happily obliged. Although the Dan Dans didn't manage to wow me before, something about them this time made them really great! Because I'm a pescetarian, we ordered the noodles sans protein and I was still wowed by their perfect texture and delectable sauce. We also ordered the crispy cucumbers and the garlic sauce style shrimp. The cucumbers were surprisingly crispy at first bite, followed by a refreshing burst of juiciness. Paradoxically, the spicy heat off of these definitely had me reaching for the water at times! I recommend ordering the shrimp: this was delicious. The sauce was mild with just a little kick at the end. By the end of the meal, I had mixed them all together on my plate, sans rice: it worked! Overall, I had a wonderful experience except for two things: our waiter would not let us alone until we ordered! He was really horrible at looking for cues as to when he should ask us if we were ready to order. We ended up having to inorganically stop the flow of our conversation several times to get him to go away! It's not like the restaurant was hurting for extra tables at the time either. And when we were ready to continue on with our evening and wanted the check? He was nowhere to be found! Also, where we were seated was not in an ideal spot for two people trying to share intimate conversations. Of all of the tables open in that place, they continued to lump all parties into the middle of the restaurant where it sometimes felt like our neighbors were getting to know us, too. Of course, I'll return: Han Dynasty is delicious! But next time I'm on a date, we're sitting at the bar.

    (4)

  • John D.

    We arrived here for lunch on Sunday, June 21st, all the way from D. C. It's a huge place and the interiors are interesting with high ceilings. The service at the table is below par though. The lady waiting on us seemed uninterested and quite dry. The food, however, is authentic Chinese from the Szechuan province and absolutely delicious. This was our first time here so started off with Dan Dan noodles and steamed seaseme pork dumplings in chili oil. Very spicy but very very good. Be prepared to sweat it out if you're not used to the chili oils. The spice does kill the hunger a bit so we ordered black pepper dry tofu. Didn't like it as it was deep fried and these guys were generous enough to take it back. We ordered firm tofu in garlic saucevwgichnwas better, though still not anywhere close to the appetizer. We did mange to chat with Mark, one of the co-owners, about the munchies episode we saw on YouTube. He recommended an ice cream place to go to after eating the spicy food and even called one of his friends who runs a Mexican Barbacoa place to see if they were open coz we said we wanted to eat there. What a wonderful gesture!

    (5)

  • Grace D.

    Tried this place for a new experience and wasn't bad at all. Good food, and also spicy seems to be their forte. Just don't go when their closing or they'll rush u out.

    (3)

  • James S.

    This is everything you'd hope it'd be from the reviews. Awesome Chinese food. Do they need another good review? Probably not, but I just have to throw out some of my favorites. Loved the dan dan noodles (still spicy after we turned the heat down 2 notches!), the scallion chicken was a big favorite at our table, Kung Pao chicken packed some great heat with the chilis and crunch with the peanuts, and the garlic sauce beef was my personal favorite. Prices are awesome. We shared 6 items: soup, noodles, fried rice, and 3 entrees, ordered two beers and it only came out to $84. Service was solid and happy to fill you in on how they do things at Han Dynasty. Menu is really user-friendly and breaks it all down for you. And the food comes crazy fast. It was easily less than 15 minutes from the time we ordered that we got everything brought to our table. Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill had been my favorite Chinese in Philly, but this has just taken the lead. Can't wait to get back in here.

    (5)

  • S S.

    A new location (just across the street from the earlier one), but the same, great menu. The food is authentic, though very spicy. Take the waiter's advice on the level of spiciness you want, or you might regret it. The service is unpolished, casual, and at times unprofessional, but the food is very good.

    (4)

  • Tony M.

    Not much of a quality choice for Chinese food in old city, this is the best, IF you like spicy. This is Szechuan food, very spicy, very good. When we want other Chinese we go to Chinatown. Great place to bring the heat. The Dan Dan noodles and Spicy Crispy Cucumbers are out of this world.

    (5)

  • Vy D.

    Emperor Han Chiang, you did it again. The previous Han Dynasty ruled China for approximately 400 years. The current reign here in the states may even last longer. So what else can I say about the great Han Dynasty that hasn't been said? How about the Taiwanese street food menu at the new location that opened across the street from the original place in Old City? From 10PM to 1AM daily, they serve some exclusive food. I recommend sitting at the bar. Bartenders like Jesse were a joy to chat with. They were both friendly and helpful. With Han himself serving us the dishes, service was impeccable. Late-night dishes are also affordably priced around $7-10. THE FOOD: 1) Order the dan dan noodles- Don't let the simple and amusing name fool you. It's a rather complicated dish that Han has perfected. So friggin' good. 2) Be prepared to explore authentic Taiwanese/Szechuan food. Han Dynasty does not adjust to our American palates. You won't find a piece of broccoli here. 3) There is a full bar here! The bartenders are fantastic. Washed down our meal with some imported asian beer and even a homemade ginger ale. 4) Will not regret ordering the Dumplings- They're so damn good! Fried on one side only. They're unbelievably flavorful, juicy, and crispy all in one bite. Does not come with sauce for a reason. 5) You will return. Came for the Taiwanese street food and I left dazed and addicted. Profoundly impressed with Han's new establishment. The high ceilings, magnificent architecture, gorgeous bar, and beautiful calligraphy drew by Han's own father created a very special place to eat Chinese food. Thank you Han Chiang and the rest of the staff for a great experience. I will be back soon!

    (5)

  • Satish J.

    Nice place to hangout ,bartender was cool, had few drinks with my friends and tried some food ,everything was good. Will be back....

    (4)

  • Joseph D.

    Always have had wonderful food and service at Han Dynasty. I have only dined at the Old City Location. The dining room is very open and inviting with a lively atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    I am not a spicy person and the waiter explained how they gauged the spice content 0 being not hot/ spicy 10 being hottest. We asked for a 2 and my mouth is on fire the rest of the food i cannot enjoy. The staff is very friendly their beer selection is awesome but if you can't handle spice just get a zero and enjoy yourself

    (2)

  • Vivian T.

    So I'm Chinese and have had a lot of Chinese food in my life both in the US and China. The food was just ok and way to greesy for my taste buds. If you order anything w/ the words 'Chili Oil', note it will be submerged in chili oil. I had the pork belly in chili oil, beef dry hot pot and the shredded duck special. For drinks we had wine and the lemon grass infused vodka cocktail. The only thing that was to die for was the vodka cocktail, way to good. The food I can do without. Also, I've been to the restaurant that it relocated to and they made ZERO changes to the decor. Well if you consider putting in one small potted bamboo plant, then I guess that's decorating (sarcasm). Dear Han Dynasty... spend some money and chg the look of the this place and give if a fusion asian feel.

    (2)

  • Ron H.

    All of the heat and all of the flavor of the original Chestnut street location, but now with a bar and a great drink selection to cool of your taste buds! Awesome interior space with 3 story tall ceilings and a wide open bar area to relax at, not much has changed in the interior space since it's previous 3 iterations. What's different in the Han experience is there's even better service since there's a full staff at the bar, and now you can hang-out and meet up with friends at the bar and bar table area. Also, there's a late night menu from 10-1am so you don't have to eat a traditional dinner and leave, you can now make a night of it here. Since it's soft opening, I've been in here twice. I had dinner at a table and enjoyed the usual Dan Dan Noodles and menu favorites, which I couldn't tell a difference from the original restaurant across the street. If I didn't see the kitchen through the window on the way to the bathroom, I'd think they were just cooking in the original kitchen and running it down the street! We also came back and had dinner and drinks at the bar, with small apps through the night (Be wary of the Fishbowl, it packs more of a punch than you might initially think!). Really, this is HD 2.0. It's everything you liked about the original, but now in a more comfortable and open bar space, with bigger and better lit bathrooms, and most importantly, MORE ROOM! Also, with the huge ceilings and open space, you don't get that lingering "Chinese food smell" on your clothing! This is going to be one of you new Old City favorite spots!

    (5)

  • Rachel A.

    If Han had his choice, the Taiwanese sausage would be made fresh daily and hanging outside in the snow. As America would have it, that ain't flying with the health department. So we settle for as close as authenticity can get. As I chewed on the sweet and snappy Taiwanese sausage, I knew I was in for something good. I thought the raw garlic was too sharp for my tastebuds but they cut the grease and really woke me up. Interesting bites at Han Dynasty. We also engaged in the Dan Dan Noodles, Three Cup Chicken, String Beans w/ Minced Pork, and Beef Dry Pot style. The Dan Dan Noodles had the type of spice that crept up on you and then lingered on your tongue. The Three Cup Chicken was a bit salty but delicious none the less. The string beans were for the win and the beef dry pot style was fiery, tender, and over a flame. I would come back in a heartbeat and do it all again. But next time I must order the lamb cumin style. I classify this as upscale Chinese food. We did make a reservation but that proved useless for when we got there. There was no table with our name on it. Fortunately, we were blessed with just a 5 minute wait (55 minutes shy of the hour long waits we heard of). I like Han Dynasty better than Grand Sichuan in Bay Ridge, NY. We had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Han while out for a smoker's break. Who are you, where are you from, and how did you like the food? Maybe they were just pleasantries but I felt like Han cares about his customers. After all, if he had it his way, he would make sausage just how they did in the motherland.

    (5)

  • Laura T.

    Last night, I was lucky to be involved in the Spruce Foundation's partner dinner, which is a charity focused on the youth in Philly. Good people; look them up. They are having a dinner series at Han Dynasty. We got the tasting menu. Try this!! Dan Dan Noodles, Cold seasame noodles, spicy cucmbers, a variety of pork and chicken dishes, pork belly, white rice, and the best scallion pancakes I've ever had. The food just kept coming, all served in family style portions. They were very vigilant about food allergies and preferences; several vegetarians and shellfish allergies yet we all had plenty to eat. The eggplant in garlic sauce was a HUGE hit. We were fighting over scraps. 3 cup chicken is very hot and delicious. The Dan Dan noodles defy explination. The best thing I've ever eaten. BYOB- no limitations. Staff was attentive and nice.

    (5)

  • Nick K.

    I miss the old days when this restaurant was first opened close to the premium outlet. The food quality has gone downhill ever since it moved to the city. The only thing left that's eatable is the dan dan noodles. Everything else has lost the authentic taste of Szechuan. The food quantity has also become smaller and smaller; and the price has gone up at the same time. The owner is not friendly to certain group of people, unlike his father who made everybody feel welcomed all the time. 3 years ago, I would say this was the best Chinese restaurant in Philadelphia, but it has been outrun by other newcomers in or outside the city. Disappointed...

    (1)

  • Olivia J.

    Go here. Just do it. Get Dan Dan noodles and be happy. Other notable foods: spicy crispy cucumber (different, but awesome), cumin-style anything (REALLY cumin-y, but I can't get enough. Try the lamb).

    (5)

  • Yelena G.

    This restaurant has moved to a new location, just up the street from the old one, and now resides next to Triumph. It's big and beautiful inside, with vaulted ceilings and very classic decor, although it doesn't feel stuffy. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner after ice-skating at the River Rink, so we were by no means dressed to impress, and we didn't feel out of place. The food was delicious, as always, and the service was actually great this time (we have had some pretty bad experiences in the past). Most impressive were the cocktails, well crafted and very tasty. I also tried the housemade ginger ale, which was a real treat. Overall, I definitely recommend the new and much improved Han Dynasty!

    (5)

  • Jolena M.

    Perhaps one of the best places in Philadelphia for Szechuan food. The spice level and taste is on point. All items on the menu are ranked from 1-10, 10 being the highest, level of spiciness. I highly recommend the DanDan Noodles as a starter for new diners and then try other items on their menu, it's all very very good. One of the items on their menu that is not spicy but amazing (we order it every time) is the Salt and Pepper Shrimp. The service is really relative to what waiter you get but the waiters are all trained very well and the ones that we've had have all been very enthusiastic about the food served at Han Dynasty, so if you're unsure of what to order ask your waiter for a recommendation.

    (5)

  • Wil C.

    Totally disappointed and I'm genuinely confused how this place is getting such good reviews. Was really excited to go to a place with spicy food, as I love spicy food. The food isn't spicy at all. On a scale of 1-10 the 10 (spiciest dish they make) is more like a 2. My wife easily ate it and she can't really eat spicy food. The dan dan noodles were mushy and not very good, and that was the best thing we had. The dumplings in hot oil were awful. The double cooked pork belly was worse than the dumplings. The mini-wok lamb dish we ordered was pretty bad but at least we ate half of that. Even the rice was bad. I'm baffled. Either everyone in the world doesn't know what good food is or what spicy means, or I've become too picky. My wife said the exact same thing as we were leaving. She said everyone raves about the place and even Anthony Bourdain visited there, and she thought it was terrible. It was so bad my wife asked to have the pork belly wrapped and as we were walking back to the car I threw it in in the trash receptacle. This isn't good Chinese food, or even good food in general. If you want good Chinese, go to Sang Kee Duck house or Shiao Lan Kung. They are both light years better than this place.

    (1)

  • Xiao M.

    Overrated...Dan Dan noodle not authentic at all. I guess it is a little Americanized. Decoration is good though.

    (3)

  • Christine B.

    So Han Dynasty. Oh how I loved you at first! So many delicious fiery flavors! And then something happened. We ordered more and more dishes and it turned out that everything tasted of the same spicy chili oil, and then there was SO much of that oil. And well, I like a grease bomb as much as anyone, but eventually it gets to be a bit much. If I may - try Jane G's. Similar flavor profile, but a little better made. I will confess that the cucumbers were not as crispy or delicious, but Jane G's dan dan noodles and the chili dumplings were better. And there were dishes that were not just coated with chili oil and they were wonderful.

    (3)

  • Jerry T.

    I gave them a pass on customer service last time, but not this time. Arrived right on time for our noon Open Table reservation. Even though we told them, they didn't check the reservation and register it so it shows we arrived as promised. Sure we were the first, but their lack of attention cost me Open Table points. We were seated by the window (nice) and given menus. The waiter took our order promptly but wrote nothing down. He repeated our order back three times (only three things to remember). Still, we didn't get the spicy cucumber dish. The Dan Dan Noodles were great again. The dumplings were only average at best. Missed the cucumbers which were a favorite last time. Couldn't help feel the staff today would have preferred being somewhere else. They did however seem to always enjoy getting back to their conversation at the bar. Good food is even better if joined by attentive, professional service. They cant count themselves as one of the best in the country until the service is also among the best.

    (3)

  • Y. Isabel L.

    Tried the Dan Dan noodle which was like regular chinese takeout noddles (minus the pork strips, shrimp, etc.) with hot chilly garlic oil. It was very very greasy and you're better off ordering chinese takeout. The pork belly bun was good and the bartenders were good. The Taiwanese sausage was merely just one sausage that I could have bought at my local Asian supermarket, what a waste of money! Would not go here again.

    (2)

  • Jim G.

    Went here with a party of 6 based on Yelp reviews, and we weren't disappointed. The food was all delicious. Loved the "family style" service so we could try different things, The Dan Dan noodles were as good as everyone claimed. We also had Chicken Dry Pepper Style (very tasty and crunchy), Shrimp Hot Sauce Style (delicious and warm), and Pork Garlic Style (reminded me of a very good garlicy Lo Mein). The service was a bit sporadic at times, but always friendly and courteous. Would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Whiterock R.

    the beef tendon appetizer was too salty. could taste the salt granules. Hot pot was too salty and spicy. I enjoy spicy and salty food but this was beyond reasonable. Cocktail was horrible as well. Very disappointed since my other han dynasty experiences was better and was expecting to be the flagship. Apparently not!

    (1)

  • Steven U.

    The dan dan noodles are amazing.

    (5)

  • Shereen C.

    Han Dynasty is probably as good as it gets for Chinese food in Philly. It's also pricier. Dumplings in chili oil (appetizer): Disappointing, the filling is not as flavourful or juicy as I'd like. I'm not a fan of overcooked meat. Entrees are much better -- very flavourful. Cumin-style lamb is really tasty, with the meat fried up just right, still tender. Garlic pork is good, sweet and savoury. I wanted to soak up the rest of the sauce with my rice, even though it's a bit greasy -- it's that yummy. Service is lacking -- slow and inattentive. Waited 20 minutes for a menu, so I finally had to get up and thread through the crowded restaurant to get a menu myself. I'd want to come back for the entrees. It's BYO, with corkage fees. 4.5 stars

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    Handy Nasty, I heart you. And I'm not even a fan of spicy food! A tiny little place in Olde City, unassuming in a portion of Philly that is SO assuming. I love the red chopsticks. Tea and water are served right away. Oh the delights that awaited us. We stuck to the 3 Pot Chicken and Pork Fried Rice. The only word I can use to describe the food is : DIVINE. I would call this elevated Chinese food. The flavors you know and love but done so well that it's like a whole new experience. The wontons in chile oil are great (I have had them via delivery not in this dining experience) as well but I could only eat one before I was tearing up. I wish I could be more adventurous with the spicy items available but I will leave that for another time when we bring friends with a more adventurous palate. Dash delivers but keep in mind you will pay a premium for the service. I would say it is almost worth the extra bucks b/c the food is awesome. My only negative criticism is in our service, and not that of the bus boy or servers, but our waiter seemed too busy to take care of us. Everyone else was attentive. We left happy. And I can't wait to nosh on the leftovers!

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    double cooked fish. best platter in town.

    (5)

  • Bri H.

    Please don't kill me, but I wasn't feeling the Dan Dan noodles. Sure, they were fine but would I care if I never ate them again? Do I crave them days later? No and no. We also shared the Pork Crispy Rice Style and the Shrimp Garlic Sauce Style. Both were good, but I wouldn't say I'm dying to go back to Han Dynasty. Surprisingly, my favorite was the Spicy Crispy Cucumber appetizer. I loved the contrast of cool crisp cucumber doused in chili oil. Service is part of what bumps this down from a 4 to a 3 star review. We were ignored for much of the night and they forgot one of our dishes.

    (3)

  • Abbie D.

    Oh Han how I love thee.... So my review is as follows the stars indicate my love for the food... ***Don don noodles - spicy very yum **Cucumber not too spicy but garlic *Scallion pancake **Sesame noodle - yum not spicy *Wonton in chili oil scheshwan weird numbing *Rice ***Snow pea leaves **Stir fry green beans **Scallion style beef ***Double cooked fish deeelish ***3 cup chicken - sweet *Dried pepper shrimp- spicy! Stir fry kidney slices- not for me ****chocolate malt cake!!! Amazing!! YUM YUM YUM

    (5)

  • Pam S.

    I love the big new(er) space. I WILL have an event in that private space up the stairs one day. It looks fabulous. Lately, my husband has been bitten by a Han Dynasty obsession. Why he can't stop thinking of cold chili noodles, and picking the worst weather days to go visit, I don't know, but it's totally delicious. I also recently came to this location with a huge group, and they managed to accommodate us (11 people! It was seriously an Old City miracle). I've asked them about vegan-ness every visit, and they continue to be veg-friendly. They did extremely well with that large group, making sure we had options when we decided to go with a flat per person meal deal (there are $20, $25, and $30/person options for this, we went with $25 and there was pleennnnnty of food). I love the tea at the beginning, how absolutely great the servers are, and of course, the food is always on point. Great job!

    (5)

  • JP F.

    I try to visit Han Dynasty every time I'm in Philly. Just phenomenal. Must get the Dan Dan noodles....just noodles in chili oil. Sounds simple, but absolutely delicious with the perfect amount of heat. Other go-to dishes are the Dry Pepper Shrimp and the the Cumin Chicken. Pork Belly appetizer is great and the green beans are incredible as well.

    (5)

  • T G.

    I happened upon this place by happenstance trying to kill time before meeting up with friends. Their food and cocktails are simply amazing. Be sure to adjust the spiciness level to your liking or you may not be able to taste your food since your mouth will be burning. Maliki was an amazing server, full of recommendations, suggestions and just fun! Will definitely make a special trip to Philly (i live in NJ) for a meal here. Bar none, hands down the best Asian food I've had!!!

    (5)

  • Carolyn H.

    When they say spicy they mean it! I've read lots of rave reviews about this place but not many note this. All dishes have a number beside them indicating spice level - but they will adapt any dish to be less or more spicy. Do not ignore the spice level if you are even slightly bothered by heat - I usually like mild or medium spice. I got the dan-dan noodles based on a recommendation - but it was too spicy and I couldn't finish it. Next time I would ask for a level 2-3 spice or without the chili sauce. My friends got the garlic pork dish and it was good, I also shared the Dry Fry style which I would not get again - too spicy and the bamboo shoots and dry peppers overpowered the dish. Service was good - the waiter came over to our table multiple times while we were deciding on our order. Also price was reasonable for the area. I hope to go back and have a better experience with what I learned from the first one.

    (3)

  • Candis D.

    Oh Dan Dan Noodles...how I've missed thee! Han Dynasty is the epitome of Szechuan heaven. We practically drove all the way from Georgia to Philly just for this...well not just for this but it was definitely a must before we left the Northeast. Han Dynasty moved into a much larger and nicer space across the street than what I remembered from 2 years ago. That being said, the place was huge and we were the only ones in there at 3:00pm. Maybe the lunch crowd had vacated already or maybe it was the fact that there was snow and ice on the ground, either way come hell or high water we were gonna leave there in a Dan Dan noodle coma. Our waiter was a nice guy. We ordered the noodles, scallion pancake(my new found love...oh scallion pancake where have you been all my life??), and the 3 cup chicken as a entree. Han Dynasty is always generous with their portions. It was more than enough for 2 hungry people looking to leave with a spicy szechuan food coma. The reason I take away one star is because my husband had to send back our Dan Dan noodles because they were only luke warm...not piping hot like they should have been. Our server apologized and admitted that this happens sometimes when things are slow. Hopefully the nice and much bigger spot can still produce quality food that people have come to know and love. Can't wait until we go back in April!

    (4)

  • Philip T.

    Classy interior, plenty of screens, spicy Chinese fare, great beer selection all for an affordable price. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Reyana F.

    Holy moly. Listen to these reviews when they say it's SPICY. For a Pakistani I'm embarrassingly sensitive to spicy foods, and couldn't breathe after trying the spicy cucumber app. I do have to say the Pork Belly Double Cooked? dish was amazing. My bf loved the Dan Dan noodles but I'm a meat girl, and although it was cooked with pork nothing beats a good slab of meat. I'd definitely go back for the atmosphere alone. I'm used to cramped Center City places but it was beautiful with the high ceilings and open atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Drew L.

    Went to Han for dinner tonight, I was expecting just the same old same old No way this place Han is a great exprience. If you spicy good food Han is place for you. Good prices and fanatic service!

    (5)

  • Brad P.

    I'm updating my review to just comment on how Han Dynasty has kinda gone down recently since becoming popular. Yeah, right. I'm kidding. This place still rules and every time I eat here it is like Zeus and Loki have a crazy keg party in Valhalla and decide to open up the heavens and send peppercorns into my mouth via lightning blast express. I'd like to take this moment to give props to the Taiwanese sausage and dry pepper style shrimp. The dry pepper shrimp has a nice, subtle sweetness to it that is unexpected at Han Dynasty. The chicken with garlic sauce and salt&pepper shrimp are delicious dishes for your less spice-inclined companions(who you shouldn't be hanging out with anyways because they are weaklings). Also, no review is complete without mentioning the Dan Dan noodles. I have mentioned them.

    (5)

  • Brent S.

    If you think you like Chinese food and all you've ever had is the weird stuff that comes in takeout containers, you owe it to yourself to take a trip to Han Dynasty. Your taste buds will be introduced to the awesomesauce that is authentic Szechuan cooking. If you like spicy food you'll be in heaven. Give the Dry Pot Style a try.

    (5)

  • Paul B.

    City Center: This place is F'ing cool! Great vibe. Great room. Cool atmosphere. It's a mix of Chinese restaurant, pub, and night-club. The food is spicy and awesome! I loved the dumplings in chili oil. Spicy as hell! So good! Dan Dan noodles were delicious. Go after you've had a few and enjoy the experience. It's really nice.

    (4)

  • Audrey L.

    I feel like all of what I want to say has already been gushed about, but I will reiterate that the dan dan noodles here are incredibly delicious--one of my favorite bites to have while in Philly, for sure. Be careful though, if you don't have a great spice tolerance! Weaned on jalapeno peppers since early childhood (and then bhut jolokia sauce for the first half of college...), I don't find the noodles very spicy, but my boyfriend (who is incredibly sensitive to spice) nearly always starts sweating and nearly dying. The scallion pancakes are nice, though a little too fried for my taste--they do some different kind of sauce here that's a little heavy on the white pepper too. The serving staff are also very outgoing and friendly, striking up conversation on the fly and generally engaging with you in a fun way. All in all, definitely try it out!

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    I really hate to do this but I hope that it can be some what constructive... Since the move things haven't been the same. My wife and I (and her whole family) loved this place at it's old location, but now it has lost it's charm and quality. Still a good place, but not "the best and most authentic". Some places get popular and keep the charm and quality but it pains me to say Han Dynasty isn't one of those places : (

    (3)

  • Jeff M.

    This place is legit. Don't be fooled by the hoity-toity setting. The cooks crank out real Sichuan food. We had the "dry pot style" beef, the "crispy rice style" pork, and the "double cooked style" chicken. Each tasted how it would in Chengdu, Sichuan (the world's best culinary city), and those three together made for a nice combination of flavors. Also tried the "Won tons in chili oil." Yes, again. Price is reasonable, especially in light of the large portions.

    (5)

  • A Z.

    Was in town for a work trip and am SO glad we stopped here. The server made excellent suggestions, including fan favorites and dishes he thought we'd like. We loved everything, including the delicious cocktails as well. They also allowed us to sit outside with our dog. Will definitely be back again next Philly trip!

    (5)

  • Lauren O.

    Delic!!! Very reasonably priced. Wasn't bloated the next day like most Chinese food places. I'd go light on the spiciness-5 was crazy hot for me:/

    (5)

  • Alicia O.

    I was interested in Han Dynasty when I saw the following sign for their tasting party in Royersford. "Everyone eat spicy. No vegetarian." Sounded right up my alley. I ended up coming to this location in the city however on a non-tasting party night. I heard all about the spicy crispy cucumbers and the Dan Dan noodles before I walked in the door, so we ordered those right away. I wasn't sure what I was expecting with the cucumbers. When I heard "crispy" I thought it might be a fried cucumber, but nope, it's just cucumbers in a really hot (but delicious) chili oil. It works cause the cucumbers and the heat balance each other out. The Dan Dan noodles were excellent and definitely worth the trip here, but in my opinion, those cucumbers had way more heat than the Dan Dan noodles. We also got two entrees as well to split between the four of us, although I would have been happy with just the cucumbers and noodles. Definitely worth checking out, but make reservations cause everyone is crazy about Dan Dan noodles.

    (4)

  • Noah W.

    For starters-I can't stress enough... 3 stars doesn't mean it was bad. 4 stars means I'm a fan, 3 means a-ok, so maybe I can say I'd give it a 3.5?! Maybe I hit the wrong night, wrong hour, wrong weekend-who knows. What I do know is that my experience was almost the opposite of many yelpers. To start with the positives-the staff was extremely friendly and very professional. I felt at home, and even the cooks would say hi and be friendly as they'd pass my table. The waiter was helpful with ordering, and was a pleasant surprise compared to some stories I heard about a snobbish wait staff. The artwork in the restaurant was beautiful, and I'm still debating on whether or not to buy one of the paintings that was for sale. I know that doesn't have diddly to do with the food, but they were very nice to look at while pretending not to people watch! The food was good. Possibly even above average. After so many amazing reviews, however, I was expecting to be blown away. The wontons in chili oil were definitely hot, but certainly did not rise to the occasion of orgasms and layers and so many other over-the-top descriptions that have been viewed on here. Yelpers exaggerate?!?! Ohhhhhhh never! Since I'm not particularly fond of extremely spicy food, the salt and pepper scallops seemed like a logical choice. When they came out, they were mouth burning hot. Not spicy-nuclear hot. After waiting about 10 minutes for them to cool, I got to enjoy them. Once again-if I were eating take out, it would be above average. After seeing so many stellar reviews, I was left disappointed. The scallops barely had any taste of fresh pepper, and the shredded vegetables under them seemed fitting for a decent coleslaw mix at a BBQ joint rather than as a base for an asian dish. If someone else wanted to go, I'd go again-but it just didn't seem to be anything amazing-unless friends want to impress each other with what number of spiciness they can reach, which seems to be a popular point in many reviews.

    (3)

  • tony m.

    Open the door to Han Dynasty and open sight and taste to a new experience in Asian dining. Housed in the grand hall of the 1903 Corn Exchange Bank, the high pilaster lined walls, curving dark wood bar, sinuous staircase and table set in white simplicity accented by red immediately seduce. The flounder soup arrived within minutes. The bowl offered more than enough for the three of us. We eventually took half of it home. Rich and filled with large pieces of fish, the broth pleased taste and mouth feel. As you experience this dish you begin to realize that the heat of spice level matched the heat of the soup itself, an unusual and delightful sensation. Before we had finished our soup the other dishes began to arrive in rapid succession. While the rapid fire, all at once, serving style may be truer to an authentic Asian experience, I find it one of the two drawbacks of Han Dynasty. With so much on the table at once, you cannot savor each offering as you may wish. Not only that, but the dishes become cold. We asked for plates to cover them. With the entrées covered we sampled the dan dan noodles. While the immediate appearance suggests a bowl of Sunday spaghetti, the texture and mouth-feel waken something new: not quite chewy yet certainly not bodiless. The tongue and teeth are strangle aware of the grains and the process that created these exceptional noodles. Now we uncovered the other three entrées already on our table. Certainly tasty but not at all spicy, the scallion style, stir fried in hoisin and oyster sauce with onions and scallions suggested subtle flavors more than the sum of its ingredients. Rich in texture and taste the pork in sour pickled chili sauce and bamboo shoots transitioned between the other dishes while maintaining its own identity. The stir fried chicken with cabbage and celery in Sichuan chili oil hot sauce offered the most interesting dish enticing the palate with the complex textures and flavors. When it comes to price and portions, Han Dynasty does not disappoint. The lunch menu says we offer 60% off for 60% less food. But even at that reduction the servings were more than enough for three of us and we took home a good bit. The bill came to $48 for soup and three entrées before the tip. Of curious note Han Dynasty is the only Asian restaurant where I have eaten that has Western servers. The servers bring up another point. Why in such a beautiful space does the restaurant content itself with waiters in t-shirts and jeans? Casual has gone too far. When dining in a sophisticated setting, a server should be attired in white shirt and black pants. I'm having dinner, not having my gas tank filled.

    (4)

  • Jonny R.

    The best Chinese and specifically szechuan food in town. Super authentic from what I understand and really incredible. Dan dan noodles are a great choice here, and ordering from the "wet" and "dry" sides makes sense, too. Though you could blast yourself with super hot food all the way, try to pick a few dishes in the above six and a few below five to balance yourself out. They actually rate the the dishes based on spiciness too. BYO is possible, and now they have a liquor license.

    (5)

  • Grace C.

    Food was flavored well but I would have preferred if the dishes were less greasy. Some dishes were sitting in a pool of red oil. As a group, we ordered the Ma Po Tofu, Spicy Cucumbers, Scallion Pancakes, Garlic Chicken, Chicken Lo Mien, Dan Dan Noodles. Not exactly what I would have ordered but we were dining with really picky eaters so we had to make do. My favorites were the ma po tofu and dan dan noodles. I've had Szechuan food before in many places and in Asia so it was surprising to me how oily some of the dishes were that came out. It is possible for Szechuan food to be seasoned well without being greasy. The worst part of the experience here was the service for sure. It was hard to get anyone's attention and we had multiple things that needed to be addressed during our visit. We were first seated at a table that was on uneven surface so we had to hail someone down to move us. At first the server didn't understand our grievance until my future mother-in-law placed the tea cup on its side and it rolled to the other end. The guy who came to bring us our water said okay he can try to move us so he leaves with the water and tea to get someone to do so. A few minutes pass and another guy comes back to move us. We sit at the other table for a while before the original guy comes back with water and tea. When our appetizer comes, we realize we need forks so we find the guy who served us water to grab us some forks. We waited several minutes before seeing the guy we asked for forks, at another table folding dan dan noodles. Okay... Someone (I'm assuming management) saw my rotating head and stops to ask me if I needed anything. I asked for forks and we finally got them so we could start eating. Between getting our apps and entrees, it took about 20 minutes. It took a long time to get our appetizers too. During which, no one ever came to offer us refills on our water or hot tea (which was true for our entire visit). I had wanted to order a few dishes then order more because I wasn't sure of serving sizes. The time it took to get our food made me realize this was not going to happen. Overall, the service was slow and inefficient. We didn't go at a busy time since it was a weekday and it was rainy so that was definitely not the reason.

    (3)

  • Nando F.

    I wonder if I can just say Dan Dan noodles and be done with this review? I suppose you want more insight than just a bowl of noodles? I guess I will have to accommodate seeing this is a restaurant that clearly should be the bench mark on all things authentic Chinese cuisine. If you are looking for General Tso's chicken, or Sesame , maybe Sweet and Sour Chicken , then Han is NOT the place you want to go to. What I am saying along with other fellow Yelpers this is not your everyday can I get a number 22 with an egg roll kind of place. I will say it again , Han Dynasty is a true authentic Chinese establishment . When you ask for spicy at you regular Chinese joint it is a mild , to medium kick, nothing that is alarming where you are looking for relief. Han on the other hand pushes the envelope between clearing up your sinuses by the scent alone, to I think I just kissed the devil. Myself I love spicy food, something about it I feel makes the meal or dish stand out even more with the spices used. Let me ask you this if I may. Should breaking into a sweat sound off alarms while eating ? To answer that at some places this might be unusual, here at Han this is a normal occurrence. We (Myself, Jim H. ,and Joe C. ) decided to go to Han after a Yelp event in search of food to fill a void. We were seated below, I'm thinking this is where they put the trouble makers, or maybe it was the fact upstairs was jam packed. I am going with upstairs was packed in our defense. We decided to do an all appetizer approach for our dinning pleasure. We all know with out a doubt that an order of Dan Dan noodles with minced pork was guaranteed to make its way to the table. This was an awesome, intense flavor fun filled ride with beads of sweat that just waken your taste buds. Simply amazing, they mix that lovely bowl with the pork covering over top like a blanket , making sure this is evenly distributed. Along with those spices and a chili oil that they are not afraid to pour on, this is a MUST ORDER. Best part about it is the remainder at the bottom of the bowl, (pork and chili oil) can be added to the white rice if ordered making that party a non stop party. Our second and third appetizers were Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce served cold and Dumplings in Chili Oil pan seared. First off these guys know how to extract all the flavors , pretty much your taste buds will go into a full tilt. The Pork Belly you will immediately taste the garlic which has a nice little kick to it. The Dumplings with sesame seeds sprinkled over top, with words could not express how good they were. A great assortment of 3 dishes with white rice added all being demolished, with glasses of water cooling you down. Prices were reasonable, actually prices were relatively cheap, for the quality we had gotten. The best part was we had left overs in rice, dumplings, and pork belly, the Dan Dan noodles were annihilated in minutes. Best part about it is I brought this to work , so I could have something at 4 am. When it came time to make other jealous while they were eating their bland meals, I opened up the carry out boxes. That enticing aroma filled the air , heads turned with curiosity wondering what I was eating. I will say this tasted just as good cold, compared to right out the kitchen. Great establishment , great service, great all around. I will say this, as others have said ... Dan Dan noodles is a must order.

    (5)

  • Daniel Z.

    I'm sorry but I just don't see the appeal. It's good but its also just greasy Chinese food, made well and quickly. You don't have to try too hard to make it good.

    (3)

  • Marc Y.

    Simply...The best Sichuan in this Hemisphere. 1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsIux…

    (5)

  • Danan R.

    I suppose our expectations were too high due to the glowing reviews but I actually found the food to be overly greasy and just mediocre, as well as in small portions. In all honesty, the same dishes are much better at E Mei and M Kee. The kung pao chicken was okay but oil and made with very small pieces of diced chicken that had a much too thick batter coating so that the meat inside was on the dry side. The seafood tofu soup was just very salty and contained MAYBE a few shards of shrimp; it was mostly a salty, thick gravy with a few scatterings of peas, carrots, and shitake. The black bean shrimp was very salty and the jumbo shrimp was rather dry. The twice cooked pork belly with scallions was just meh - the pork belly was not very tender and very dry and the dish itself was literally bathed in oil. Pork belly is supposed to basically melt on your tongue and this version was tough. The bok choy with black mushroom was also quite bland and I was almost shocked as this is a pretty standard dish that is made in every Chinese household. This version was basically steeped in a bath of vegetable oil with a very small dispersion of soy and wine. The dan dan noodles were my favorite part of the meal - they were flavorful, cooked to a perfect al dente, and blended perfectly with the minced pork and sesame soy dressing. I should also mention that, although the prices are double what is charged in a typical Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, the portions are half that size. Although your server will INSIST that their portions are huge as their dishes are served "family style." The service was not very good, in all honesty, and we had to chase down our waiter for everything, from taking our orders, to napkins, to tea refills, to our check even though it was not very busy tonight. Overall, not very impressed as I had been expecting much better but it is Old City and the ambiance is fun. If you want authentic Szechuan food, I would suggest Four Rivers, E Mei, or M Kee, all of which are located in Chinatown. No, you won't get the Old City setting but you will get MUCH better and more authentic food.

    (2)

  • Darrell L.

    I was skeptical about this place. All the reviews seemed too good to be true. Well they were right on the money great meal and I am highly impressed. I ordered the dumplings in chili oil the Dan Dan noodles and Garlic style sauce scallops all were cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. Our server Mark was great and attentive and was able to answer any questions and give great recommendations. I say definitely check this place out. I hope I can find an equivalent place back in CT.

    (5)

  • Geet M.

    Hold onto your taste buds, they're about to get scorched! I'm really used to restaurants serving "spicy" food that barely makes a cut...but this place gets ish done. Each item is marked on a scale of 1-10 spice level and trust me when I say that after 7 you're heading for some serious spice. The food plus the atmosphere gives it a high 4, the building has the most beautiful high (painted) ceilings (not exactly something I remember when this place used to be a club ;)). Would highly recommend dining in or taking out (they deliver too)...

    (4)

  • William E.

    In my book, hands down the heavyweight champion of all Chinese restaurants. Decor is stunning. Food is clean and fresh. They don't have a huge menu here.... but what they do, they do VERY well. The double cooked pork belly with leeks is probably my favorite dish of all time. A great beer selection which should not be overlooked. Dumplings in chili oil should be a standard order along with the Dan Dan Noodles.

    (5)

  • Brad H.

    I've come twice to this Han Dynasty and both times I was extremely happy. I decided to come here the other night after a seeing a movie down the street with my friend. After the movie, we sat at the bar at Han, ordered a few beers and ordered one small plate appetizer and one main dish to split (it was plenty of food for the both of us and we didn't even finish everything): BEEF TENDON APPETIZER: This dish was absolutely amazing. I can't remember if I had ever had beef tendon before but I would definitely order it again after trying this version of it. The dish was very spicy but it was balanced nicely with the Szechuan peppercorns in the dish. The beef tendon is cut into very thin long slices and it is surprisingly fresh tasting. It has great spice and flavor. MA PO TOFU: This dish is also great. The tofu is served with some ground pork and comes with a lot of broth. I definitely always ask them to make it spicy and they Han definitely delivers. I love Han. The food is great and I have not been disappointed yet.

    (5)

  • Rich D.

    I love this place...stop whenever I can; either at this location or the Cherry Hill one. I could eat the cumin style lamb every day of the week. But honestly, all of their food is good. I'm definitely a fan of their rabbit appetizer. People can argue about how authentically Sichuan it is...whatever. The only place I've actually had Sichuan food taste exactly like they serve in Sichuan Province was when I went to Chengdu. This place is well worth eating at.

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    One of the many branches of this yummy Sichuan food empire. This location is relatively newer and has a classy, somewhat palatial feel. Food is pretty much like all of the other Han Dynasty chain..just in case anyone wants to know, I like my food spicy but not burning hot, so I tend to get around a spice level 5 or 6. Also, the cold appetizers are great here..get the pork belly, beef tripe, and spicy crispy cucumber. As many others have said, book early as this place fills up! Which is understandable given that the food is yummy. Nom nom.

    (4)

  • Emma M.

    Fantastic Szechwan meal--tasty and spicy, just the way I like it! Everything we tried was just delicious--Dan Dan noodles, crispy cucumbers, eggplant in garlic sauce, dry hot pot tofu, ginger duck, and a few other dishes that escape me in my current food-induced coma. Ditto for the homemade ginger drink...yum! Service was attentive and quick. Our waiter asked us about any dietary restrictions, then was very knowledgeable and helpful as we made our selections. The new location is spacious and beautiful, with high ceilings. Since they now have a liquor license, grab drinks at happy hour prices if you come for dinner before 7 pm.

    (5)

  • Eric N.

    What a really cool spot. Look like it had been a bank or grand room before it's birth as a restaurant. Roomy, kid friendly, large bar with TV's to watch the games. Waiter was very friendly and helpful. Had the mung bean noodles and Dan Dan noodles for an appetizer. Loved the Dan dan noodles, the mung beans not so much. Had Lo mein for the kids. Had the double cooked style chicken which was excellent. Good heat and flavor. Had the dry fry style with shrimp. Good heat, but fried shrimp were way too greasy. Overall, big portions, which usually is a death sentenace for the quality. Not so here. tastiness was excellent. They would do better to reduce the oil and grease quotient, but otherwise, very good asian food.

    (4)

  • Carrie L.

    I have always been hesitant about fancy Chinese restaurants. Han Dynasty is definitely that: high ceiling, elaborate decorations, and dimmed interior with a hint of exotic and mystic ambiance. Given that it is one of my co-worker's favorite Chinese restaurants, I gave in and came for dinner. The main reason why I stay away from fancy Chinese restaurant is because I refuse to pay for fancy Chinese take-out food. Quite opposite, Han Dynasty is not about that. They are focused on the Szechuan region so majority of their food is spicy. We ordered two of the most popular dishes, which are dan dan noodle and spicy cucumber. The dan dan noodle is basically a peanut butter + spicy noodle. The spice slowly adds up and at the end of a few bites, my mouth was on fire! It was delicious, but there's so much oil in everything...it's definitely not something I can have frequently. The cucumber in garlic chili oil was perfect. The spice was not overpowering and able to bring out the fresh and sweetness of the cucumber. Although it was a side dish, it was my favorite dish of the night. Next, we ordered a seafood tofu soup...which I would say please pass on it. The soup has chopped up ingredients so I can't tell what seafood was in there. Possibly some fake crab meat and fish here and there. It was not impressive, but it did help balance out the spicy meal. Our last dish was the dry pot style fish, which came with a side bowl of rice. I ordered it with a spice level of 5...and it was perfect. The dish came out a little spicy with a good kick and taste. The spice level ranges from 1-10, with 10 being the most spicy. 6-7 is on the same level as sriracha. By the end of dinner, I was completely satisfied with tons of leftover. Although I still feel that Han Dynasty is not as authentic as the hole in the walls I love in Chinatown, it isn't a bad spot to try out Chinese food in a nice setting. The drinks and cocktail menu already provide something different on their own.

    (4)

  • Zafrina S.

    As a Taiwanese I have to say, the food is awesome here. I had scaillon pancakes and Dan Dan noodles. It totally reminds me of home. One of the amazing thing is if you don't like spicy food, you can ask them to make it not spicy! I love it!!! However, I do think the noodle is a bit too salty, is that's less salty it would be wonderful. Overall, the restaurant is totally worth visit more than once. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Cindy W.

    I had the Dan Dan Noodles, Spicy Cucumbers, 3 Cup chicken, Tofu, Dumplings in Chili Oil and Spicy Beef Pot w peppercorns for a late night stop on the way home to NJ. Everything was simply prepared and delicious!! The only thing I didnt like was the beef pot but only because I didnt know the spicy pepper/peppercorns would numb my entire mouth and it affected finishing my other plates. I will try the Cherry Hill location soon since its closer to me. Great tasting food!

    (4)

  • Dietrich C.

    My wife recently ordered delivery from Han Dynasty at around 9pm. The order arrived almost 2 hours later at 10.45pm at which point the food was cold. Because the order was taken online her credit card has already been charged. Almost 2 hours for a delivery?!!!! Cold food. This is horrendous service.

    (1)

  • Samantha D.

    Went here last night with my boyfriend we had the Dan dan noodles, spring rolls, the garlic style chicken and the kung pao shrimp. The noodles were fantastic, The spring rolls mediocre, and both entrees were terrific! We ordered our entrees to come with brown rice and they seemed to skimp and not give enough for two entrees worth. No big deal. So I ordered another side of brown rice, and the kitchen was all out and I was told it would be a half hour. No wonder for the skimp. So i took white rice instead. Mind you iit was 7pm on a Saturday night. The service is no muss, no fuss, but we wanting something quick with great good and han dynasty nailed it.

    (4)

  • Lindsay H.

    I finally made it. I've been wanting to try Han Dynasty for what feels like forever and I thankfully was not let down. First off, our server was great. He explained the spicy levels really well, gave us a heads up on the corkage fee and even suggested a way to course out our meal and test the waters in terms of our spicy tolerance. It was awesome. After receiving our round of appetizers, I realized that I was not aware of the serious heat in the dishes at all. I think I would top out at 6 on the heat scale of 1-10 and i always thought i could handle spice! I'm so glad we tested out different levels or else my poor friend (who isn't into serious spice) would have left hungry. Now that I've sufficiently warned you over the spice, I'll move on to what we actually ordered.... Yes, the dan dan noodles rocked. Thank god. I would have been so upset if i hated them. Next for apps, I loved the taiwanese sausage. It had a sweetness to it that was surprising and awesome. We also got the dumplings in chili sauce. I felt the chili sauce over powered the dumpling. I didn't really taste dumpling at all...just heat. On to the main dishes...the three cup chicken was out of the world. It was sweet and salty and covered in sauce. Yum. I also loved the scallion style. I'm a lover of hoisin sauce so this was an easy decision. We got it with lamb and it was well cooked so i was happy. I also happened to love the rice they served with everything. Last, we got the ginger shredded duck. I liked it but i wanted it to be more gingery but I love ginger so may be it's just me. Basically, I thought the food and experience was very good.I would love to get back and experiment with some with their spicy levels more. I will definitely go back with my spicy adventuresome friends!

    (4)

  • Gally L.

    Not sure what all these great reviews are about. The food is nothing more than over priced stir fry or soup drenched in chili oil and chili flakes. I got a Dry Pot with fish fillet and it had four measly pieces of fish, a bunch of in edible chilies and some veggies all for 19.95. For that price I was expecting much more. For Chinese food their are much better and cheaper options.

    (1)

  • C. M.

    OMG, OMG, OMG - this place is simply awesome - first time was on Christmas - wait was tremenous 1.5 hrs., so we went around the corner for a beer and waited until it died down (around 9) - well worth it. Anything chili will set your face on fire, but well worth the pain, it was delic - great beer selection and the bartenders knew thier stuff when it came to asking about dinner options. Will be my new go-to spot !

    (5)

  • Isabelle K.

    WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG!?!? I'm sure you've heard the hype about Han Dynasty. And it's exactly what you've heard. Spicy isn't even the word to describe it. Menu is coded on a heat scale, from 1 (slight kick) to 10 (almost unbearably tastebud burning). A 5 is about the same level as Sriracha. You can adjust spice to your tolerance so use your judgement. You MUST order the Dan Dan noodles. It's pretty much a requirement. I also loved the cucumbers in chili oil to balance heat with cool refreshingness. You really cant go wrong with anything there (though I didn't love the dumplings in chili oil...most people rave about them), so be adventurous, try things out, and don't be a hero...that stuff is way spicy so order accordingly. It hurts so goooooood.

    (5)

  • Michele R.

    All I can say is, wait for the new one to open up. There was so much hype behind this dining experience, that I expected to have my socks knocked off, but they remained firmly in place. Not that it was bad. The DanDan Noodles delivered their peanut-y, slippery tastiness, but they're still just noodles. We split the Fiery Shrimp, and it was indeed fiery, but that requires adding lots of chili flakes, not culinary genius. The good news is, during this slow dining hour, the employees were cleaning fresh string beans, so the food was fresh. The bad news is, they did this in the dining room. Maybe wouldn't have normally bothered me if I didn't have to point out to our server that a mouse just scurried by. Like I said....wait for the one across the street to open up. I'll give it another shot with some fresh mojo.

    (2)

  • Valerie P.

    I came here last night with great expectations, but left feeling "eh" about the whole experience. Customer service was seriously lacking, and the main dish had no flavor besides excessive peppercorn. I tagged along with friends who were loyal customers of the other Han Dynasty locations, including the previous Philly spot before they had moved. The service was slow, it took around 10 minutes for the waiter to come over and greet us. When ordering, he explained that there was an upcharge for brown rice, which is normal, but he lost his credibility when he said that this was due to a brown rice shortage in the facility..... really?? After he took our orders he went to a table where his friends were just seated and chatted with them for a while before putting our orders into the kitchen =/ The Dan Dan noodles were great, but that was the height of the whole experience. I shared the hot pot, which I've had from the NJ location and fell in love with. This hot pot was much different. To start, it came out with two handfuls of dried chilis and peppercorns thrown on top. I scooped these out as I couldn't see how they would add any meaningful flavor to the dish. From the first bite I couldn't taste any discernable flavor except for dry-flaky peppercorn. Each spoonful had so many peppercorns in it, it was terrible to bite into them as they ruined the texture and flavor of the dish. It was spicy, which is fine ...(10) spice is okay by me, I shared another (10) dish with a friend and it was much better in flavor. The hot pot was just so unlike the same dish from the other location that I was very disappointed. I explained this to the waiter and asked if I could switch it out for something...anything else. He took the bowl back to the kitchen and returned some time later saying he wasn't able to do this. "Each restaurant has it's own chef, who makes things his own way" blah blah blah. Basically, your taste buds are screwed up and how dare you question my taste as a chef. This was a terrible attempt by a lazy kitchen/waitstaff to help the customer. I was upset as the dish was not worth the time or money. Overall, I don't think I will visit this location again. They seem to be wanting to be more than they are, what with the grandiosity of the interior, but with such slow and unpersonable service, they aren't close to matching it. Waiting for 10 minutes to be greeted is irksome, at least throw in a free drink/spring roll, or trust the customer when they say that their dish tastes awful.

    (2)

  • Jackie P.

    NYE dinner before the 6pm firework show at Penn's Landing. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Meal was delicious. Decoration and interior is beautiful. Seating is spread out. It is nice that you aren't packed in. I would recommend this place to anyone.

    (5)

  • Rissa V.

    I thought for sure I already wrote about my love for Han Dynasty. Or is it an addiction? I can't believe this wasn't the first place i reviewed on yelp. I introduced my fiance to this place on our first couple of dates, and he still cannot get enough of this place. Over a year later, he still tries to come here at least 1-3X a week with me. I've desperately tried to slow down our times we eat here, because we need to explore the rest of what this city has to offer us, but I can't help it, i love it too. He even sneaks in a takeout order in the middle of the week without me or when i'm out of town. I'm not a fan of take out, and will decline to do so, only because i love my double cooked fish to be crispy, and it gets soft by the steam and travel time. We were recently in Manayunk, and what restaurant out of all of them did we end up at? Yup. Han Dynasty. The University city one is pretty cool too, younger crowd though. I will come to Old City every time though, if it's up to me. I don't mind that they fancied up the place by moving, although i do miss my hole in the wall, BYOB Han Dynasty Old City that it once was. But now i feel like i'm at a sweet date spot in the new locale! My faves are Dan Dan Noodles, Wonton in chili oil, crispy cucumbers, and double cooked fish. Those are pretty much the same things we get EVERY single time, and it never gets old, the double cooked fish is perfectly crispy, and it NEVER gets old to have this as the dish every time. I've pretty much tried the whole menu, and variations of protein for each style, but I'll have to say that the above is what i wish i had anytime i've ordered other things, and they are allllll good. I recommend bringing a crowd so that you can order more off the menu

    (5)

  • Jenn H.

    Oh man. oh man oh man. My brother goes to UPenn, and he told me about Han Dynasty. A few other friends of mine in Philly had also told me about HD...and the friend that planned our Philly day trip insisted that we had to stop here. I'm so, so incredibly glad we did. We got several tasty, and pretty authentic dishes. dan dan noodles, of course, and water-cooked fish (don't be deceived, this stuff is SPICY). We got beef noodle soup (boyfriend is a NRM fiend), wontons in chili oil (tasty!), kung pao chicken (chinese style, not that saucy crap they serve at americanized restaurants), 3 cup chicken, and a couple veggie dishes. Everything was delicious. I'm drooling just thinking about all that spicy goodness that we got that night. mmmMmmMmm!!! I haven't eaten much around philly, but I have to say--this is one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. I'm definitely making my brother take me back, as payment for helping him move in :P

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    Amazing food and service - reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Deborah R.

    While visiting Philly, our nephew highly recommended this restaurant. What a big bummer! They kill the flavor of the food with too many peppers. I can handle the heat, but they were overboard. 25+ hot peppers in the meal - really? I was SO disappointed! The Dan Dan noodles were awesome and so were the dumplings. Neither my husband nor I liked our entrees - cut back on the peppers and let us experience other flavors!

    (2)

  • Brian M.

    This is a general review, but I've had dinner at the Old City location, and eat in the Manayunk one for lunch often. They have a reduced price and size option for lunch that is nice. Okay so I read the reviews, said I like spicy food, ordered a 7 the first time I went (Old City). My girlfriend had to pry the chop sticks from my hands because she thought I was hurting myself. I was sweating, my stomach was angry...but I couldn't stop eating. By the way this was winter, it was 25 degrees out that night and I went to Franklin Fountain for ice cream afterward to cool off. This epitomizes Han Dynasty. Or Handy Nasty. Now that I've learned to temper the heat - order a 5-7, mix some rice in I have a better relationship with the place. Just find your level, go back, push yourself a little more and enjoy the meal. I sure as heck do every time. Also the kitchen is willing to adjust heat to your liking. I lunch with a large Asian man who has asked for a 20 and eaten it like nothing. The sweet older Asian woman in Manayunk serving the group took pictures.

    (5)

  • Sophia Q.

    This place came highly recommended, so my husband, a friend and I headed over there to fill our Chinese food cravings. We were not disappointed. The food is great! We were seated downstairs in the "communal" area, which gave it a really cute, cozy ambiance. The Dan Dan noodles are a MUST here - they are so good. We also had the hot sauce beef (very spicy, but flavorful) and the dry fry style chicken (I don't usually like fried, but the batter was excellent). Overall, we were so satisfied with the meal, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up there again tomorrow. The food does come out as it's done in the kitchen, so if you want your food to come out all at once, that may be a drawback for you. We were so hungry, we really didn't mind.

    (4)

  • Katie P.

    Sooooo good. Their hot scale from 1-10 is nothing to joke about, I wouldn't go past 7. Love the dan dan noodles and dumplings!

    (5)

  • Ellie K.

    Hands down, the best authentic-like Chinese food I have had. I still crave their chili oil dumplings, three cups chicken, and pork belly with leeks long after I moved away. It's all about flavor and heat here, making your meal stand out and your taste buds overjoyed. I usually order dishes between a 4-7 heat level so I can get the most flavor without heat overload!

    (5)

  • Dan A.

    I was with a group at Han Dynasty where we did a vegetarian tasting menu. While there was an extended wait for the food to arrive, it didn't disappoint. One of the opening courses was the Dan Dan Noodle. It was by far the best dish of the night and is the reason I will return to Han Dynasty. There were other dishes that outstood out: Hot Sauce Style Tofu was month numbing in a good way, Bok Choy with Black Mushrooms was playfully delicious, and the Spicy Crispy Cucumbers were an interesting appetizer. Other Positives: - They have LevelUp - JUST added Delivery (but there's a $20 minimum and a $6 fee) - Group sitting in the basement Corkage Fee - They have a high corkage fee. But it's the same charge regardless of the size of the wine bottle. This explained why a few of the tables brought box or jug wine. Instead of paying a fee on inferior box/jug wine, I'd suggest going with a double magnum to get your money's worth and quality wine. Han Dynasty has the best Chinese food I've had in Philadelphia. And using LevelUp helps bring down the price.

    (4)

  • Clint W.

    On the whole, Han Dynasty is a 5-star Philadelphia attraction. In fact, both the Manayunk and University City locations have garnered 5-star reviews in my book. Despite being the original location, however, the Old City Han is my least favorite of the 3 locations I've visited. It's crowded, offensively loud, and always a little more rushed than the others. And yet, it's still Han Dynasty. Bring on the Dan Dan and the Crispy Rice, and I'm a happy boy. There are some differences to note, however. Believe it or not, the spice levels vary from location to location. I've been to each of the Hans 3 times and the one in Old City is by far the spiciest. I regularly order the Dan Dan at a 4 or 5; in Old City, I have to get a 2. I have no idea why the adjustment, but this was a lesson learned the hard way - so take my advice. If I have the chance to steer someone toward the University City Han Dynasty, I will. And, for you Manayunkers, you better frequent your Main Street home for home-style Szechuan. The Old City Han Dynasty is still wonderful, still worth a visit, but given the spice level and the ungodly noise level, I'd go elsewhere if I had my druthers.

    (4)

  • Carlo M.

    Probably the best Chinese restaurant in Philly. You can read all the reviews below. Don't have much more to add, but I'll let you know my top three dishes: Double Cooked Pork Belly Dan Dan Noodles Garlic Style Shrimp Definitely get a reservation, whether you have three people or 15 people -- you'll need it. Beware -- the service sucks. Worth putting up with though.

    (4)

  • Tina T.

    This place was on its game the night I ate here. I was in a group of 14 people and we had 2 people serving us. Wish I got the name of one of the guys who was awesome...all I can remember is that he smiled a lot and had poofy hair in the front. The food was GREAT. We ordered a lot of different stuff and shared it around the table. Everything was tasty! The Dan Dan Noodles are HOT but fantastic.

    (5)

  • Dredge K.

    Everything seems to be cooked in the same sauce. Good, but boring after a couple dishes.

    (2)

  • Iman E.

    Went last night with reservations for five. We were seated immediately. To sum the night up in word: DELICIOUS! For appetizers we ordered spicy cucumbers, vegetarian Dan Dan noodles and scallion pancakes. The cucumbers and noodles were so good we ordered another serving of each! For dinner we had dry fry style chicken, cumin lamb and ginger beef. The ginger style beef and dry fry chicken were my favorite. A word of warning this food is not for the faint of heart, it is most definitely spicy. I will definitely be making the drive out to Philly for more Han's until the NYC location opens!! (Parking at this location is till 10 o'clock SHARP. At 10:05 pm the meter maid(S) were giving parking tickets.)

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    We've eaten at 4 of Han's locations multiple times over the past few years, and the service has always been good to very good- but never exceptional. However, we just had the worst experience of bad and clueless service. We were excited to visit the new location across the street from their old place, since the space is a gorgeous old bank building. Turned out to be a major bummer of a meal and will be a long time before we go back for another try. 1- The hostess greeted us with an unfriendly and non welcoming appearance. 2- The first table were seated at was so uneven and wobbly that we asked if they would fix it or move us. So they moved us - the hostess had no interest in fixing it or mentioning it to the manager. 10 minutes later two other people were seated there and once they realized the table was wobbly they looked annoyed, and kept try to fix it to no avail. 2- The tables on both sides of us were empty for the first 15 minutes we were there, but they got their food 15 minutes before we did. 3- It took 25 minutes to get our soup. 4- It took 65 minutes to get our entrees. It would have taken longer if we didn't ask our server (when we could find him) what the problem was. 5- They did offer to deduct 10% of our check for their foul up. 6- The place looks like they just brought in a cleaning crew and opened up. Hardly any noticable change in design from the last occupant. Not impressed - they clearly did this new location on the cheap. It's such an amazing space (with 50 to 60 foot high ceilings) and if they just hired a consultant to make some inexpensive minor changes it could be so much better. 7- The bathrooms are dirty and not put together well. For a new place there's already graffiti in the mens room. Good management would have had their utility person remove it the next day. The floor in the mens room was discustingly dirty. It looked like it hadn't been scrubbed in days. PS: The food was as great as always, once we finally got it.

    (1)

  • T. T.

    It's the only restaurant on the street without a sign, but if you pay attention to the numbers, you'll find it. Website says street parking only, but there are a couple of lots within walking distance, one really overpriced one right across the street, but it was raining hard, so that's what we did. Having read other yelpers' reviews, we started with the spicy cucumbers and dan dan noodles. Really good...interesting flavors with a serious kick. We originally wanted the garlic chicken, but the waiter talked us into ginger duck. I usually like duck and was looking forward to it. Was disappointed that this was a no-sauce dish, since the sauce on the rice is one of my favorite things. Duck was a little overdone, but that could happen easily with matchstick cuts. The flavors were amazing. Unlike some other reviewers, we had great service. Attentive enough to keep things flowing, not so attentive that we weren't able to have a nice conversation. And once we got to talking we didn't stop...they were long past closed, but no one said a thing, they just let us sit there and finish. Will probably go again.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    Everyone raves about the Dan Dan noodles here which are honestly good but I personally don't think they're THAT good. This particular Han Dyansty is also my least favorite since the decor is so meh. The dishes I seriously enjoyed were the pork belly and soft shell crab, which is served as a special on certain days. There is another lobster special that I've had which was really really really average. If you're offered it, don't get it. Although the dish is huge, it lacks some serious flavor. And at close to 60 dollars...go buy yourself something nice to wear instead. Han Dynasty has a decent variety of choices with the clever option of allowing for the moderation of spice depending on the individual. However, many of the entrees are essentially the same but just with a different protein. In all though, this is a good restaurant with good food.

    (4)

  • Steve C.

    To start, I've been to the Sichuan district in China known for their spicy (both hot and flavorful) and this is closest I've come to finding a restaurant that meets the amazing flavors of this area in both NYC and Philly. To say the least, I'm returning here a lot. Our waiter (as well as all of the staff) was very attentive. They allow you to alter what spice level you want for any of their dishes. I for one, love spicy food but I wouldn't go past a 7, while a 3 my minimum, I wouldn't try to do anything hotter even on a dare. Two things that knocked them down to a four star would be that the rice started sticking together in big clumps very quickly and became hard to eat with. Second their "special drinks" really aren't special just very sweet and not a lot of alcohol. Just stick with the regular drinks. Just make sure to book early!!! They fill up around dinner time on the weekends but what an amazing atmosphere. Can't wait to go with a big group and do hot pot!

    (4)

  • Katarina M.

    I want to give 5 stars but I just can't because I'm not a fan of spicy (I know I know, why did I go here?! It wasn't my choice) and this was the most painful meal of my whole life. Go here if you like spicy food. And only if you like spicy food. We tried to be careful because a few of us can't do particularly spicy food. Even the 3s are WAY spicy. And I'm not a complete wuss about spice either. But lord my whole mouth was on fire even with a three!!! Anyways, really, this place deserves 5 stars for people who like spice. I'm just angry that their spicy-meter is so biased (in my opinion!). Even my friend who likes spicy food was overwhelmed by how spicy it was. The flavors are so incredible, that's the only reason I kept eating. I mighttttttt go back, but only if everyone at the table agreed to order everything at a level zero if they could do it. Because I'm sure even THAT would have spice to it!!! Order what everyone else says: the spicy cucumbers, the dan dan noodles, the wontons in chili oil.... Yum. Oh, and they don't have milk to save your behind if you order above your spice tolerance. The waitress looked at me like I was crazy for asking! But then she realized why I wanted milk and suggested to eat rice and drink tea, and she brought me more rice. It was a laughable experience and my friend and I bonded over the pain of the meal.

    (4)

  • Zareen S.

    Don't hate me for this Yelpers. It actually is 3.5 for me. I want to give it a 4, but I cant. I have been here 4 times, one of which was on Christmas, each time I liked it less than the last. Probably because every time I went, I saw less and less meat, and more and more dried chilies. LESS MEAT? That never ever makes me happy! [i am borderline carnivorous] Anyhoo, I love the Bok Choy, Cucumber[AWSOME] and the Dan Dan noodles. DO NOT get the cold rabbit appetizer, was not good, it just was not prepared well. I really like the Dry peppered style chicken and Dry pot beef too. Cannot go wrong with Garlic sauce and Scallion either. I really wanted to try the Fish dishes, but never got around to it. If you think you can handle Cumin, go for it. I put cumin in everything! I would imagine the Lamb would be good like that, but we ended up getting the beef. I don't know, I just don't have a burning desire to come back, but I feel like I should. Maybe I'll go for the Bok Choy and eggplant since I am giving Vegetarianism a shot...Also, I felt like servers were not as attentive and everything took forever [not making shit up] I guess I just would like to feel more welcome ?

    (3)

  • Robert H.

    I love this place....but i hate when a server tells me we are slow because we are short staffed...not starting on good foot...especially since we didnt even ask...just do your best to serve with a smile

    (3)

  • Sunny S.

    Amazing restaurant in the old Cebu location. For starters, their location is great, right on Chestnut, around the corner of 2nd St. The restaurant is in the same location as an old lounge called Cebu, so it has really high ceilings and a very cool, hip ambiance to it. I got dinner here last Saturday with a bunch of friends after running a 5k and hanging around Philly all day. This place has A TON of vegetarian options. I've gotten takeout from the Han Dynasty (Handy Nasty as people like to call it) from the University City location, but I've never eaten at this restaurant. Our waiter was fairly attentive, even though they were super busy on Saturday evening. Half the table was vegetarian so we decided to order a bunch of apps and entree's and just split them. Here's what we got: Cold Noodles with Chili Oil - these were probably some of the best noodles I've ever had! They were spicy, but good spicy, and you could definitely taste the chili oil sauce. The noodles were cooked perfectly and for those of you who don't eat eggs, it's eggless. By far my favorite dish of the evening. Scallion Pancakes - very tasty as well. A few small pancakes come on a dish and they're nice and soft...chewy, but not too much. Spring Rolls - just had to get them - they're normal spring rolls...can't really mess them up Cumin-Style Tofu - you can really taste the cumin in this dish - if you like cumin, you'll love it! Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - this was full of eggplant and veggies in this delicious, rich, dark garlic soy sauce. It tasted really good with rice mixed in. Veggie Fried Rice - this was very good and it wasn't dry...sometimes, rice can be dry. Overall, I love this restaurant. Everything from the ambiance, location, food, service, and price. It was delicious and I'll be back when I"m down in Philly again.

    (5)

  • Jean B.

    I enjoy this place more in Philly for some reason, but definitely the top three go-to when I'm in the mood for spicy, spicy Chinese/Szechuan. Will certainly scratch that itch and leave you satisfied. There chilli oil is addicting, service is as to expected for the genre, and not bad pricing either. I believe the ownership is in-line with the whole young, brash, "eccentric" new-gen Chinese-American restaurateurs? -- they have grown to a few locations now in Philly, and I'm pretty stoked NYC has a location now too. Good stuff. A-/B+

    (4)

  • Katie N.

    This review is mainly for the service. My best friend and I went to dine here yesterday on a Sunday evening. We had made 7PM reservations, but arrived at 6:45PM and were set immediately by a hostess who did not say hi or speak much of anything. We sat there for about 10 minutes before a girl came over with water and hot tea for the table and she stated our server would be with us "shortly". Fast forward 10 minutes and our server comes over asking us if we have any questions on the menu. After sitting there for 20 minutes, I think we could answer every question we had on our own about the menu. We order a carafe of red sangria and our food. The server comes back about 5 minutes later stating that they were out of red sangria but they definitely have white sangria.. 10 minutes later, he comes back no white sangria but he can recommend some punches that they have. No, thanks, I'll just take a vodka club. The food was pretty good, I don't really have any complaints about the food. I will give it another shot and just hope the service is better the next time.

    (2)

  • Boris M.

    President Boris enjoy full weekend in the Philadelphia restaurants. NOT! After much good experience Friday night the Boris and magical sweetheart DOUBLE DOWN and go to this Chinese cathedral in the big Old city. Boris Russian mind blown back to Moscow with heat on Dan Dans noodles. However tasty although the Mr. President Boris sweat and eyes turn red. Spring rolls exciting like hang turtleneck sweaters on clothesline and watch them dry. Garlic porkles and white rice get B- on Professor Boris report card. You underachiever, Han! Why no work hard like Beijing sweatshop?? Mr. Marlon the waiter? Boris believe this man employed perhaps as bad valet driver or lazy garbage man and come to wrong workplace drunk. BORIS DAYDREAM: Owner Mr. Han twirl mustache and watch mr. Marlon crash in front door. "That drunk and lazy valet has made a mockery of my establishment for the last time," think Han. "Marlon! Come forward, my boy! How are you this evening?," Han say. Marlon: "Dumb dee doidey hoo hoo, Mr. Han!" Han say, "You fine specimen of a gentleman, spin yourself 'round twenty times and go tend that RUSSIAN FELLOW OVER THERE!" If you come to Han dynasty and a mister Marlon say "I am a Mista Marlon and I your waiter" you say "YOU. DONT. WORK. HERE. . YOU PARK CAR." then you go jump in Delaware river

    (2)

  • Vanna T.

    3.5 Stars: Tried the crunchy cucumbers, salt and pepper scallops, double fried fish and snow pea leaves. Cucumbers and double fried fish were tasty but we didn't really like scallops or snow pea leaves...service was also quick...but...I still prefer chinatown restaurants.

    (3)

  • Andrew T.

    I'm sweltering. Mouth numb and I can barely taste any food as a sweat drips down my neck. Oddly no one mentioned to me how spicy the food is until we sat down and started reading the menu and noticing the numbers next to every entrée. Our waiter then explained what madness we were about to engage in. I have to say though everything here was pretty amazing and I love that the heat was a little bit overbearing at times. Cold spicy cucumber legit, two orders of Dan Dan noodles for four people obviously they're that good, a really tasty pork appetizer and then they brought out the entrées. We got the still flaming bowl of chicken and vegetables and the fish broiled twice. I would not recommend getting a different protein with the fish dish and especially since the chicken dish is a level 10 and we knocked it down to a six; I would definitely go lower than that number to actually taste your food. By the end of this meal your taste buds are ravaged And the only thing I knew was that I was eating spicy Chinese food. I'd consider giving them a five but heat was unbearable at times which compromised a lot of the flavor but still for Chinese food this place is awesome. Overall the prices were fair and five $5 dogfish head 60 minute; I can't complain. Unfortunately the server was a little distracted, he might of been juggling too many tasks which is not his fault but we had to flag his attention to order and to get more water to quell the raging palate inferno and to take care of the bill and for that reason I'm going to go with the 4/5.

    (4)

  • Judy C.

    We had a great experience at Han Dynasty last night. If you are going with a group (8+), I highly recommend going with the tasting menu at $20,$25 or $30 per person. Our group went with $25 and we were allowed to out in preferences for any dishes. We also had a mix of people who loved spicy food and those that couldn't eat very spicy so the dishes we received were all 7/10 or less. We started with the Dan Dan noodles, scallion pancakes, cold Sesame noodles and Taiwanese sausage. I really enjoyed the Dan Dan noodles (5/10 on spice) and you can't go wrong with Taiwanese sausage. We then got the Hot Pepper Beef which is much less spicy then it sounds (I'd rate a 2-3 out of their 10 scale), Salt and Pepper Scallops, Crispy Rice with shrimp (on the sweeter side and 0 on spicy), Chinese Cabbage with dry peppers, and some chicken dish. Most memorable dishes for me were the Scallops, Fish, Beef and Dan Dan noodles. Service was attentive without being overly pushy. Our server came back enough to refill on drinks and ask how we were doing. The amount of food was more than plenty for our group but so good that we ended up stuffed for eating so much since it was all tasty. Main reasons for the 4 vs 5: some of the dishes could have used a little bit less sauce. The Crispy Rice style was swimming in sauce and could have had more crispy rice and the chicken dish was not memorable. All in all, a great experience and as other reviewers have said, probably one of the nicer Chinese restaurants in terms of decor and cleanliness.

    (4)

  • Danny C.

    Ok. The food is terrible comparing to any Sichuan restaurant in New York City. Wonton in hot oil has tons of vinegar. The fired dumpling has thick skin. Dan Dan noodle has a huge quantity, but the flavor wasn't there. The price is more expensive. The cocktail is not bad. I won't come back again for sure. So disappointed.

    (1)

  • Nkaonou M.

    I tried the Dan Dan noodle because of reviews on here and it is amazingly spicy just like how I want it. The pork belly in garlic sauce is so good! Will be coming back again.

    (5)

  • Barbara D.

    I went to the NYC location about a month ago and thought it was spectacular. Therefore, I couldn't resist checking out the Philly location. The Old City setting is much more grand than the NYC, which resembles more of a diner/comfy kitchen setting than a grand dining room. We had the wontons in chili oil and Dan-Dan Noodles to start. Then we continued on and ordered the Kung Pao chicken, brown rice, and spicy cucumbers. Everything was AMAZING. The Empress cocktails complemented the meal perfectly. Not a place to miss... already craving the Dan-Dan Noodles again! My client was so impressed and can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • lu z.

    I went to this restaurant owing to all the positive reviews on yelp. It came out a bit disappointing. The interior decor is well but the food is mediocre comparing to the price. Dan Dan noodle, as everyone comments, tastes authentic and flavorful. But the double cooked pork belly and leek lamb and mushroom bok Choy all swim in black soy sauce and oil, which r quite greasy. If u prefer light-oil Chinese food with reasonable price, pick up a another restaurant..

    (2)

  • Lili B.

    I heard a lot of good thing about Han dynasty and my experience there did not disappoint me. First off,, kudos to our waiter, he was amazing. I do not like spicy food and the waiter was great at helping me choosing something I could eat. He was on top of our orders and came multiples to check how we were doing. We started off our dinner with the sesame noodles. It was just super good. Then we ordered the chicken fried rice and some other spicy plates (can't remember the name). My plate was amazing! Unfortunately, I couldn't try my friends' plate because it was too spicy for me but my friends only had compliments. The prices are in the mid-range. Great experience overall and looking forward to go back to Han dynasty. Tips, if you have a "normal appetite", sharing an appetizers and an entre is MUCH more than enough for two!

    (4)

  • Cameron P.

    This is the best Szechuan style Chinese food in philly. I have never actually eaten in the restaurant but have ordered from them a number of times. The Dan Dan noodles are my wife's favorite. The pickled, dry, cumin and hot sauce styles are our staples. The dumplings in chili oil rock. We both like a lot if heat so usually go for between 7 and 9 but be forewarned this is very, very hit and you can pick a heat level you are comfortable with.

    (4)

  • Aditi M.

    Oh my my!! I am in love with this place in my every first visit. It is a heaven for people who like spicy schezuan food.

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    As a first timer here at the Han Dynasty on Chestnut. I picked on a wide variety of the different dishes they offer here. For apps I tried both the fried dumpling and the dumpling in chili sauce and I would say the latter was a lot better then the former. The Fried dumpling was way too doughy for me and had little taste though the dumpling in chili was balanced in terms of the dough and meat and it was spicy but not over powering and overall was light. Last for apps I tried the wonton soup in chicken broth which was one of the better wonton soups I have had. The broth was light and packed with flavor and was not greasy as some soups tend to be. For main courses we got a couple different dishes. The crispy rice styled shrimp was great in flavor but was just more in a bowl of sauce which I did not particularly like because you could barely tell it was sitting on top of rice and the rice just ended up swimming in the sauce but the flavors were there. Also tried the Garlic sauce style scallops and it was very similar to the previous and I could not make to much of a distinctive difference between the two dishes. Now for the good part, the Kung Pao styled chicken had a great flavor it was not over powering in heat, like some Kung Pao styled dishes I have had at other places, which was a good thing. Though the best dish for me was the Lo mein noodles with pork which was cooked perfectly and I could not stop eating it as the sweet and sour flavors of the dish were addicting. Overall this was a good experience and if you are going with a small crowd, 1 or 2 people I would just get possibly just an app and a noddle dish and for a larger crowd go with a couple of the entrees as the portions are pretty large. If you are looking for some good spicy sichuan cuisine in the area this is the place to go to.

    (4)

  • Carolyn L.

    So, the fiance and I decided to try out HD as an early v-day celebration (as an effort to avoid v-day crowds and service). When we walked in, we were impressed by the cleanliness of the place and super high ceilings. When we arrived it was happy hour that runs 5-7PM ($3 beer, $4 merlot, and $5 you-call-its), so we ordered some wine; I also ordered the sweet & spice cocktail off happy hour and it was pretty bad and $9 so do not get that one. After reading through all the reviews, we decided on: Spicy cucumbers, the obligatory Dan Dan Noodles, dumplings in chili oil, Beef Garlic style, and Double cooked pork belly. The spicy cucumbers were amazing. Just get them--Crunchy, tangy, a touch of sweet, and pack a decent kick. SO good! Take it from anyone, the dan dan noodles are insane. Noodles are cooked to a perfect al dente, a little chewy and bursting with flavor, topped with minced pork. The dumplings fell a little short of our expectation. They are mostly dough with a tiny lump of meat. We still liked them because it was like eating a giant noodle--and we love noodles but if you're looking for a meaty dumpling, these aren't for you. I will say that the cucumbers and dan dan noodles are pretty spicy--and I'm a spicy kind of gal. I would suggest ordering them at a lower spice level (a 4 would have been good for us) or ordering 1 spicy app and one non-spicy to give your taste buds a bit of a break. The Pork garlic style was very good. Fairly simple but cooked well, good flavors, super garlicky, and served with sliced bamboo shoots and white rice. This one is pretty mild spice and we really enjoyed it. Now the disappointment. Our double cooked pork belly never came out! What tragedy has befallen us! We waited awhile and eventually told the server our second entree hadn't arrived. When he checked in the kitchen they said they lost our ticket, so we decided to forgo the dish. While it was probably for the better because my pants button was about to explode off of my jeans (3 apps was a bad choice), it was really quite disappointing. Now, they did right their wrong by taking our other entree off our bill. It would have been nice to have tried it though and had some to bring home. In general, it was a great experience full of delicious, affordable food. Service was great. Food comes out fast--or not at all. My only other gripe is that it would have been nice to have a clean plate between appetizers and entrees. No biggie though since the flavors blend well from each dish. We will definitely return because the food was amazing and humans make mistakes, I'm sure a forgotten dish is not a common occurrence.

    (4)

  • Yalonda C.

    I think this place looks quite eccentric with the high ceiling inside and the broad and spacious dining area. Food was ok. I had the salt and pepper tempura scallops and fried dumplings here. The reason I give this place 2 stars is because I paid over $20 for partially over cooked scallops and when scallops are over cook they become rubber to the point where you have to spit it out because you can't swallow it. The fried dumplings were fine but the dough that they were wrapped in was rather thick, also they were seared on the stove top so I don't know why they would call them fried, only one side was brown. I probably won't go back.

    (2)

  • Susan P.

    Great place! Upon entering, it was as if I traveled back in time to my college days. If anyone remembers, this used to be a restaurant/lounge called Cebu --- a place that was popular on Friday/Saturday nights for college kids. I haven't been here for about 7 years and not much has changed about this place --- the decor is pretty much the same except for a few pieces of added artwork. Our waiter was awesome --- unfortuanely, I don't remember his name but he was friendly and very attentive! Similiar to many other establishments in the city, some of the seating isn't the greatest. My boyfriend and I were seated super close to the guests beside us --- so having a private conversation is totally out of the question. FOOD We love spice so we ordered all of our dishes at a spice level of 7 - 8. Dan dan noodles - You cannot leave this place without trying this! It may look like an ordinary bowl of noodles but I promise you, it's anything but ordinary and it tastes amazing! String beans with minced pork - Not your usual bland string beans --- these are delicious! Cumin style lamb - Amazing! Dry pot style chicken - It was ok Double cooked style pork - It was flavorful but the peices of pork were almost like flabby pieces of bacon... not exactly what we were expecting.

    (4)

  • Hayley Sara B.

    If I found a magic lamp with genie inside and it gave me one wish, it would be this: To dive into a pool of Han Dynasty's sesame noodles and slurp my way out. The only downside: this place has blown up to epic proportions...reservations are now a MUST.

    (5)

  • Edward M.

    Some weekend a while ago, after readying all the rave review, I wanted to try Han Dynasty, but they had a long wait so we went elsewhere that night. Finally, last week, I got to try it and it did not disappoint. We started with the famed dan dan noodles -- which are tasty even without the crumble -- and the spicy cucumbers, which live up to their name (hot stuff). The appetizers were followed by a yummy garlic-sauce chicken. We also brought a bottle of white wine that went nicely with the spicy dishes. But I think next time I'd bring a few beers (pilsners, perhaps), which would also go well with the food, but carry less of a corkage fee ($10 for wine, $1 for regular beer, $2 for large beer). The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Prices are fair.

    (4)

  • Wesley C.

    Went with my wife on a relatively busy night - unfortunately, we went on a whim and didn't have a reservation - so that meant we waited about 45 minutes to get seated. This place definitely has a "buzz" about it. Lots of people are always coming in and out through the doors, and most people leave with a big smile on their face. After getting seated, we finally had the chance to order our courses for dinner: dan dan noodle, dry pot lamb, dry pepper fish, dry fry beef, salt n' pepper shrimp, and three cup chicken. After we asked the waitress if that would be enough for the two of us, and she proceeded to tell us that we got "too much," we were satisfied with our order. That's what we like to do. Order lots of food, taste lots of different dishes, and bring home leftovers to enjoy the next day(s) - if it lasts that long. The highlights of the night were the dan dan noodles (as everybody says), and the dry pepper fish. The noodle texture/quality of the dan dan noodles are just perfect! however, I would have to say that the flavoring of the dish itself is lacking the peppercorn "ma" numbness that I'm used to in my dan dan noodle dishes. That'd be the only thing that prevents me from saying that this dish is a 5/5. The dry pepper fish had some decent heat, and the flavor was great. I only wish that the fish would have been crispier with the frying process. Overall, Han brings the heat, but although my understanding is this is supposed to be a "Szechuan"-style restaurant, I'm really not feeling the numbing of the peppercorn like I expected. The dishes were respectable, and I would definitely be interested in coming back for their special first Monday of the month tasting dinners. Also, it's great to see a whole lot of diversity in the restaurant - and I think that's one of the draws, not being in chinatown. Also, another plus is if you don't hand the heat well, after your meal, just walk up the street (2 minutes) to Franklin Fountain. Even though my lips weren't burning any more by the time we left, we still went and got our ice cream on!

    (4)

  • John C.

    The place is great. Staff is very attentive and knowledgable about drinks and food options. I just could NOT handle how spicy the food was. I guess I'm a wuss about that stuff. Otherwise, everything was fine.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Love it here! As usual, courteous and prompt service. Food was amazing, perfect blend of spice and flavor.

    (5)

  • Nicole F.

    I get the same stuff every time. Dan Dan Noodles, Pork Belly, and Spicy Cucumbers. Eating these comfort food items in the grandeur of a steak house style dining room (used to be) is a great quick dinner, and fun addition to Old City. But other than that, I don't get the hype. The first time I went to Han Dynasty was at the small hole-in-the-wall across the street. I wasn't in the know about what to get then, and though we thankfully did order the Dan Dan Noodles, everything else was awful. I was floored that it was basically Chinese takeout thrown on a plate, but with a much higher price tag. What a rip. Since then I've never deviated from my now informed choices, but from what I see of the food going out, 90% of it looks to be the same cheap quality. I'm sure there are a few other treasures on the menu that I haven't discovered, but I don't want to investigate when they don't put Dan Dan level mojo into every dish. However, when they get it right, they reeaaalllly get it right. Quality does vary though and I've had a couple of soggy noodle experiences. C'est la vie.

    (3)

  • Alex R.

    So good, massive portions. Musts: scallion pancakes, Dan Dan noodles, spicy cucumbers.

    (5)

  • Shirley A.

    WARNING: This restaurant is Szechuan style Chinese food, therefore extremely spicy. The BF and I were traveling to Philly for the weekend. After the rain died down on Saturday night, we went out and he wanted to try out Han Dynasty, seeing that there were so many high rated reviews. Hearing Szechuan style food, I was scared but was forced to go. When we got there around 7-7:30PM, the bar and tables were PACKED! There was a table waiting to be cleaned and according to the hostess, they were understaffed. That's fine, we wait, but we waited an additional ten minutes. The hostess was nice enough to offer and wipe the table down herself when our waiter came and did it. The decor was very nice and TV screens were big and bright enough in mid-dimmed place. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles (one of their popular dishes) level 6, dry pepper style chicken level 4 and salt n' pepper style scallops. For myself, I ordered an Amaretto Sour as well, probably should have saved the money though because it tasted very diluted. Anyways, the Dan Dan noodles tasted very good but the spice intensity gradually built up. It's a mixture of what I would say peanut butter noodles with hot oil, delicious but dangerous. At that point i think my tongue could not taste anything so I don't really know what to feel for the chicken. My boyfriend said the chicken was VERY spicy for a level 4 but it was delicious, so delicious that it hurts so good! Finally the scallops... Holy moly the scallops were so tender and flavorful, my favorite dish of the night! There were a lot and were big and chunky, yum! The atmosphere and design is very nice inside, you will be comfortable sitting alone or with a group. Would recommend if you are an avid spicy food lover like my BF! If you're coming with someone who isn't, you can lower the intensity to 1 or 2 and ask for hot oil on the side.

    (4)

  • Gwynedd D.

    Better than ever. Is it possible? Han Dynasty moved across the street to the new location (looks like an old bank building) The high ceilings and the early 20th Century palatial architecture are incongruous to a modern Chinese restaurant but it makes for a stunning bar and a very romantic ambience. So, it's a bit dark. Because you need all the table space for your entrees, there is no candle on the table and you'll want to bring a small flashlight to read the menu if you are older (like me.) The food? It's the same Szechuan cuisine, prepared with consistency and care. Our waiter and one of the partners explained that some of the restaurants serve up spicier food than others--there are seven locations as of this writing. The Philadelphia spot has spice. However, I didn't find it a problem and I am not able to really eat very spicy food. The spice is handled with a delicate touch and with variety; some dishes use Szechuan pepper (recently allowed back in to the US), some use hot chili oil, and one dish we had (the classic baby bok choy and shiitake mushrooms) used white pepper. Everything is served out of the seven-hundred degree woks and comes to the table piping hot. The pea vines (my favorite, and I suppose the favorite of about a million other people) are now cut up into lengths rather than left long and twined into a pyramid. Less beautiful presentation but eminently more eatable. And so delicious. I could eat these for every meal and nothing else. We had tofu soup--which was much better than the West Lake Fish soup I had last time. It also works to quench the heat from the Crystal wontons in hot oil. (dumplings in thin wonton skins, drenched in several kinds of peppers and hot chili oil. They are messy. They are spicy and they are addictive.) The dry-fried scallops were exceptional but three of us (the women) loved the vegetables best of all--eggplant in brown sauce, the pea vines, and the bok choy. We didn't get any meat. The spicy cucumbers (cold dressed cucumbers in sesame and hot pepper and chili oil) were actually the spiciest dish of the evening that we ordered. This location has a liquor license and a bar. We had "Jade Cocktails" (birthday party time) and though I'm not a huge lover of sweet cocktails, especially before a good meal, these were very good.They were the choice of our server. It was a kind of green tea-mint mojito in a martini glass, with something herbal (the tea?) under the sweet and rum. As a favor to our table, the birthday girl was treated to some glutinous rice flour dumplings, coated in chestnut flour, filled with sweet red bean paste and deep fried. We split the two among the four of us and they were really amazing. Chewy, slightly crunchy, soft, sweet. All in a tiny sweetmeat. These were a gift from the ongoing First Monday feast that happens every month--a thirty dollar a person sampling of a huge array of the restaurant's offerings. Despite the big feast and a full-up restaurant on a Monday, they seated us where we wanted, served us with amazing care and friendliness, and the food was perfect. We spoke to the owner a bit--he was circulating, pouring tea, dishing up our soup. He is absolutely devoted to his craft and his business. His staff is well-trained and warmly welcoming--you ask for it, you get it. No fuss, no scowling. The Han gets picked as one of the 12 best restaurants around, and it is simply great food, great service, consistent and in my opinion, flawless. And it's not ridiculously priced, either. Can you say "perfect?" I do. Note: First Monday requires a reservation and frankly, I'd recommend a reservation for this restaurant on any night. it's in a popular part of the city, Old City, right near the river and it's a popular place. It's only fair to the restaurant to let them anticipate your needs.

    (5)

  • Mike Z.

    Came here multiple times usually during lunch or happy hour. They moved across the st to a new location. Its a huge open space with very high ceilings and a really large bar. The servers are very friendly and always tell you their favorite recommendations. Most of the food is very spicy and comes with a number 1-10 indicating the level of spice. I like the don don noodles and I like the dry chicken. The food here is pretty good. They also have a pretty large beer selection. The only thing that im not a fan off and whats keeping me from coming here more than twice a year is that the food is VERY unhealthy. Its deep fried and noticeably loaded with sodium (all pretty standard for chinese food). One of the dishes we ordered was so salty we couldn't eat it.

    (3)

  • JP H.

    Amazing and authentic food. Prepared to your spice level. The cold sesame noodles are one of my favorite starter dishes. The dry pot style was great and very spicy, but I would not recommend getting it with the rabbit. The rabbit is good, but it is not great enough to warrant the work that is required to pick out all of the bones. The lamb is very nice and tender. We got the lamb cumin style. The drinks are pretty good here as well. Great place to bring a group of friends or travelers from out of town.

    (4)

  • Simon S.

    After wandering down Chestnut street from my hotel looking for a place to eat I came across Han Dynasty. From the outside it was very unassuming but once you enter it's a beautiful old building with interesting architectural details. I'm guessing it was maybe an old bank. There is a large bar area and they have a great selection of beers and spirits. The bar staff was very attentive. I'm rating this 4 out of 5 instead of 5 star due to the following reasons: I was not greeted by the hostess as she was busy chatting with an employee and the food was ok, not phenomenal but not bad either. They also bring out the food in random order depending on what is cooked first. They did tell me about this when I was given the menu. My appetizer made it out 10 minutes after my entree. I would eat here again.

    (3)

  • Ness S.

    I went here on a recent business visit with a colleague from China and suggested that he order from the menu. The food was authentic and the flavors were very deep and satisfying. We ate spicy cold noodles for appetizers, which was quite good. The tofu and fish special was spicy and fabulous. The deep fried shrimps were large and cooked with lots of red chilies, again outstanding. The dry cooked beef was also delicious. Even though we ordered smaller dishes, we had lots of leftovers so plan accordingly. They were out of the red sangria so we hesitantly ordered the white sangria instead. It was sweeter than expected but we liked it so much we ordered seconds . This is a must go to place especially if you are a fan of authentic schezwan food.

    (5)

  • Anna Marie C.

    when did "tastes like burning" become a sensation that i adore? but it's not just about mouth tingling, sweaty forehead spice. it's a blend of tastiness that cannot be explained. but fear not, spice-avoiders. there are many a dish on the menu to soothe your palates as well. hurry. and then hurry back. you may need a bathroom break after.

    (4)

  • Buster M.

    Everybody is right about those Dan Dan noodles. Spicy, chewy, tasty good. Also ordered the dry pepper chicken. Wasn't a huge fan of how small the chicken was chopped up and how little chicken there was. The strangest thing was that despite the fact that there were twice as many dried chilies as there were morsels of chicken, the dish wasn't that spicy. It was flavorful, yes, but based on the reviews, I was hoping for something that would knock me on my rump. (I've actually had Southern fried chicken that was tastier and spicier.) Go for the noodles, though. I would come back for those alone.

    (4)

  • Josh F.

    Dan Dan noodles...nuff said

    (5)

  • Deborah F.

    This place is SO delicious. I qualify it as tied for the best Chinese food I've had outside of China alongside The House of Nan King in San Francisco and a tiny place in San Gabriel near Los Angeles (in the 'real' China town there, not the touristy one). A friend took me for my birthday and the two of us ordered enough for at least 4 people, but we counted on savoring the leftovers. MAKE RESERVATIONS! They had a table for two waiting for us at the exact time we had reserved. Others had to wait for I don't know how long because the place was crowed (7:15 on a Wed. night). The service was slow, but the food was so good I didn't really care. We ate the crispy cucumbers, dan dan noodles, and chicken dry pot. So amazing. Very spicey (they took down the spice to about a 7 for us - as low as they would go without affecting the quality of the taste. I could manage that with some water. I might even be able to handle an 8). Also the pea leaves (delicious complement to the spicey and meaty dishes), double cooked fish (delicious fried fish, a little salty but I couldn't stop eating them), and egg plant (so good I basically used it for desert even though it wasn't particularly sweet). Looking forward to going again soon. And yes, I'm savoring the leftovers.

    (5)

  • Sarah L.

    Sight upon entering? Jose Garces and family clan at an adjacent table. First good sign. Second good sign? All the remarkable dishes I watched pass me by. Needless to say, I had high expectations as I sat for my first dinner at Han Dynasty...it didn't disappoint. Upon recommendation of my friend, our table ordered the cold sesame noodles and spicy cucumber salad to start. Second course was twice cooked fish and hot pot chicken. My mouth is watering as I type...should be a good indication of the taste... In the words of my dear pal Ryan Biner "the food was dy-NASTY!!!"

    (5)

  • Mandy H.

    I've only ordered delivery from here, but I have to say, all the hype about the Dan Dan noodles is justified. The dumplings in chili sauce are also very tasty. I love spicy food. That being said, one of my BFF's mom makes the the spiciest Indian food I've ever had and it does not even compare to the lthe recommended level 6 of spice of the Dan Dan noodles. If you want to avoid sweating through your shirt while eating their noodles, I would suggest a lower level of spice than 6. But even being that spicy, I couldn't stop eating the noodles, so I can't imagine what kind of damage I would have done if I wasn't being a literal hot mess. I'm going to have to try Han Dynasty inside the restaurant next time along with some additional dishes.

    (4)

  • Sherri H.

    Man. Oh. Man. Friends finally took me here with a group of 9 for dinner and it was everything I dreamed it would be and more. We had a reservation so we got to sit at the big round table with the lazy susan, which was awesome and made sharing our family-style 20 or so dishes a breeze. I think we ordered at least half the menu and every single dish was amazing. But the gold star goes to (as if they need yet another person to say it): Dan Dan Noodles. A supremely spicy yet sweet and addictively delicious layer of flavors: sesame, peanut, chili, Szechuan peppercorns, and probably crack. In this dish, Han achieves the perfect spiciness, one that coats your tongue, wakes you up, and makes you sweat but only long enough to shovel in the next bite; a spice complex enough to take side stage after the initial burn so that all the other flavors can come out to play. This dish is a homerun. And now I'm salivating for the sweet, sweet burn.

    (5)

  • Tony F.

    It's been said roughly a million times but the Dan Dan noodles are amazing. Enough for a meal or perfect to share as an app. And you can adjust the spice levels if needed but the level on the menu was good for me! The three cup chicken was also very good but the highlight of the meal was definitely the noodles and I can't wait to come back again for more.

    (5)

  • Ryan N.

    Been in the restaurant and I've had this food delivered. Could be better than P.F Changs honestly (just because they deliver). Definitely the best Chinese restaurants in Philly. Favorite dish: Spicy Cucumbers

    (5)

  • Katie P.

    After hearing great things about Han Dynasty and also seeing the owner & friend of Anthony Bourdain featured on Anthony Bourdain's LAYOVER Show ( episode on Philly), I was chomping at the bit to try this restaurant. I didn't make a reservation. A mistake. But when I arrived shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday ( Friday), I thought there would be no problem as the restaurant was at least two thirds empty . The hostess asked me and my companion if we had reservations. When I replied no, she said she had only one table available but we only could stay at the table for 40 minutes because it had a reservation. I thought this was VERY odd. She said we could eat at the bar which we opted to do. By the time we finished our meal- about 40 minutes later, the restaurant was STILL two thirds empty although other walk-ins were at the bar too. "No table available" line from the hostess was pure BULL. I felt like this is a ploy to get people drinking and spending more money by diverting the walk-ins to the bar. They knew we were there to eat. I was disappointed. Everyone is raving about how great the Dan- Dan noodles are. I didn't like them. Yes the noodles were fresh and handmade but the sauce was dry and didn't taste right. I have eaten many noodle dishes and when something is tasty and great , you keep wanting and more. After a few bites ,I was done with Dan Dan. Even noodles from Pei Wei are better. I did love the pea leaves with garlic and my dry pepper fish. The dumplings were o.k.- I ate one and unfortunately my companion is a dumpling freak and when I went back to eat another- the plate was empty. I think the dumplings at Sang Kee or Margaret Kuos are MUCH better. I won't be coming back to Han Dynasty. I don't like being lied to. Nothing more to say.

    (2)

  • Kayte Y.

    I am giving two stars for now, but I am also going to give it a second chance on maybe a Monday because I'm not sure if the fact that today is Saturday might have contributed to our awful experience. I'm going to try to put these in order. 1. Upon being seated: some tables are too close to the door. Unpleasant in the winter months, but tolerable in the other seasons I'm sure. One of our tea cups was dirty. Pretty much never acceptable. For a table of two we had three chop sticks.....? The server took forever to get us one choptsick and a tea cup. The server actually took forever to do anything. I finished my water with my appetizers asked for another water the next time I saw him, which, was halfway through my main coarse. I asked him a second time when I stoop up to get his attention after my meal. I left without having my water refilled once. My meal came out before my husband's, we didn't think anything of that because we were warned each dish comes out as soon as it is ready so you can enjoy it at it's best. 20-40 minutes later my husband's meal comes out. I am long done with mine and his meal was cold. Very cold. At this point my husband gave up and we just focused on catching any waiter to get a check so we could leave. After waiting another 20 minutes. I just asked the hostess at the door. So the waiter finally comes back and offers to take things off the bill and we told him we didn't mind paying we just wanted to leave (mainly so I could stop by a corner store and buy a water cause obviously I wasn't getting any closer to getting one from my server.) We also asked for clean napkins, but those never showed either. The redeeming part was my meal was very tasty. (Sorry to my poor husband who's cold meal was also rubbery and gross) but mine was good. So, we are going to give it a second chance and hopefully I will edit this into a four or five star review. Long story short we were really disappointed.

    (2)

  • Cat L.

    Extremely disappointed in the food. My boyfriend and I read all of the reviews on here & in Philadelphia magazine & thought we would try it. After waiting 15 minutes after we had even made a reservation, we were seated. Our waiter was good and attentive but the food was subpar. After he explained the spicy level (5) my food was way too spicy for what he explained an I eat spicy food all the time. The tofu was way too soft and the pickled chili had no substance to it - just tofu in an extremely spicy sauce. It gave me indigestion the rest of the evening. My boyfriend was also unimpressed with his Kung pao chicken. If you can't make good Kung pao chicken what are you doing? Overall - way too overrated & we were both extremely unimpressed.

    (2)

  • Matt H.

    I'm not going to say anything other reviewers haven't already mentioned, but the combo of the fiery food, hilarious owner, and attentive staff makes this place one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. I know the scale for spiciness goes to ten and that it may seem tempting to order above 10, but I promise you it's not worth it: the kitchen will accept your challenge and offer you a dish so spicy you'll embarrass yourself by crying and sweating profusely in front of whomever you're with. Unfortunately, this isn't a lesson I learned until I asked for Dan Dan at a 12...

    (5)

  • Monica S.

    I want to weigh in on the spicy factor. I ordered Dan Dan noodles (spicy: 8), spicy crunchy cucumber (spicy: 6), and rabbit with peanuts in chili sauce (spicy: 10). I love spicy foods, but sometimes I am hesitant to order the top dose at new restaurants, since often "burn factor" (which I can stand) is confused with "overpowering all other flavors" (which I won't). Luckily, Han Dynasty offers the right kind of spicy. My sinuses cleared at level 10 (perfect!) but the many other flavors in each dish also sang through the heat. The Dan Dan noodles were tasty and accessible; the rabbit was interesting (although I am still deciding whether I like numbing Szechuan pepper); and the spicy crunchy cucumber, despite its innocuous name, stood out as one of the most complex and satisfying dishes I have had in months - at once nutty, salty, spicy, sweet, with a refreshing crunch. I'll be googling that recipe later. Portions are large, even for the appetizers. Bring a friend, or find someone to share your leftovers with.

    (5)

  • Ken C.

    True gem of Philly. Once bourdain came and validated this place everyone starting coming. Great food, esp if you like that spicy stuff. Great overall experience, def try the fried shrimp and ofcourse them DAN DAN noodles also. This is one of my # 1 food spot when im in Philly This is some good stuff

    (5)

  • Karen Ann C.

    The food was awesome. Tender Dumplings, and Dan Dan Noodles were to die for. Homemade Ginger Ale was especially refreshing with the spice level. Good for older children or younger ones with and an adventurous palate. Mine 16 and 10 enjoyed the food very much. Beautiful space! We were there for the soft opening so the service as a bit slow. Plan on going back our next visit to Philadelphia.

    (5)

  • Jessica W.

    Oh, Han Dynasty, you broke my heart... I'd been wanting to try Han Dynasty for years, but never seemed to get around to it, so my hubby and I booked a reservation and headed down to Olde City. We arrived and waited... and waited.... and waited. We waited for 45 minutes, which wouldn't be a huge deal if we hadn't made a reservation. The hostess was completely inept and would walk away from the podium for long periods of time, during which we saw several other potential customers leave out of frustration. When we finally sat down, the manager apologized for the wait and offered to get us each a drink on the house (very nice). However, when he came back, he threw two beers (the cheapest kind they serve, I should note) down on the table and ran off. Since I don't drink beer, I tried to flag him down and when I finally got his attention, ordered a glass of wine. He short-poured the wine (poor form, Han Dynasty, poor form--why offer a free drink, if you're not willing to oblige?) Anyways, though we were annoyed, we wanted to give the food a fair shot since we'd been hearing raves for so long. The Dan-Dan noodles are very good--a solidly 4 star dish with some kick. We were severely disappointed by our entrees though. The dry pot beef was incredibly average and the crispy rice chicken was inedible because it was so sweet (and just plain bad). Han, I had such high expectations for us, but it's clear that we just weren't meant to be.

    (1)

  • Justin H.

    While I now live hundreds of miles away, whenever I come back to Philly to see the miss, I make a point to eat at Handynasty. Maybe it's the fact that Nashville's Asian restaurants are comparable in quality to a Trader Joe's frozen meal, but I find myself craving Han on a near weekly basis when I'm east of the Appalachians. The sesame noodles are a staple of any experience here. I also suggest hot sauce-style for any of the proteins; shrimp or tofu are done to perfection. Ask to crank the spice-level to a ten, and they'll liberally douse your food in rocket fuel. The peppercorns numb your tongue for going in, but its a shame that it doesn't work in the reverse direction. I do feel bad, being a creature of habit, and only being qualified to review the two/three dishes I've eaten at least twenty-five-plus times. Also, as the miss repeatedly claims, they make the best white rice she's ever had. Quite literally, she has ordered their rice by itself. And although the food is wonderful, by far the best aspect of Han may be the man behind the name. I've had him threaten to kick my ass with ghost peppers after hearing that I thought the level 10 wasn't spicy enough. Less positively, though, I've also been the audience for a Han lecture on the finer points of war as a form of population control. Take the good with the bad, I guess.

    (5)

  • Meg B.

    We had our first meal here, post-movie on Christmas Day. The setting is absolutely gorgeous! We made reservations weeks in advance and arrived exactly on time. We got seated, but were given a table in direct line of the doorway. Every time the door opened we were blasted with cold air. Our server was far less than attentive. I'd say he was completely disinterested. We ordered drinks and food, which were served by others. This is ok and even normal in good restaurants. The food was good. Our issue was that our server never came to our table to check on anything at all the whole time we were there. In fact, while we sat there watching our server walk up and down his service area, we tried to flag him down to order another drink with no success. The table next to us had the same problem. We ended up finishing the meal without drinks, waited another 30 minutes to get our server to bring our check and had to flag down another employee to take our payment.

    (3)

  • Ritu K.

    My mouth is on fire.. As I tucked into plate after plate of the spiciest Szechuan food I've ever tasted, I felt the burning sensation continue to build. Mind you while this is some of the spiciest Szechuan I've had, its also some of the tastiest. There's definitely moments when I wish the kitchen would lay off the peppercorns, and let some other flavors shine. Here's some standouts and some total misses: Pea Leaves with Garlic- delicious. I would highly recommend ordering this since there's absolutely no spice, its very flavorful, and it cuts into some of the spice of the other dishes.. Ma Po Tofu- Tasted terrible- avoid at all cost unless you're a huge tofu fan String beans- tasty, but not nearly as good as the pea leaves Dumpling- bit oily, but tasty Dan Dan noodles- next to godly! You cannot eat here without ordering these heavenly noddles- I'm drooling as we speak Fish dry pot style- Hot as hell, but so so good! Lamb cumin style- way too much cumin and the lamb was a bit tough Shrimp Salt and Pepper Style- all sorts of fried, salty goodness. No sauce but very very good! Overall the food makes my mouth burn, but oh how I enjoy the burn. Its not perfect, but its very very good. On a side note, they charge a corkage fee now, but there is now liquor on the menu...enjoy...

    (4)

  • Kathleen D.

    Look at me, I'm dead serious; that's why I'm not wearing that wig. A debt of gratitude is owed to my brother Patrick for introducing my family to Han Dynasty. For. Real. He works nearby Han Dynasty and I'm fairly certain that ever since his first lunch there, he's returned weekly if not more...for like a year...or some shite! He loved it, ya hear? He passed it on. People who love Han Dynasty REALLY love Han Dyansty. They love HAn Dynasty. I love Han Dyanasty. ( I'm kind of saying this all like a droning chant, just suddenly. And then I stop.) I can tell you that it's been the rare occasion that I've had such unapologetically hot, spicy, freaking excellent Sichuan food. It's like...a relief. I am grateful! I love hot, spicy, nerve-enlivening food. I love that Han Dynasty cares to be authentic. I can choose, according to the menu, from dishes ranked 1-10 in terms of their heat. So if I order the beef and tripe in chilli oil (10), I can expect some searing, hot hot, chile heat....and really tender tripe and beef, by the way...delicious. My ears were ringing. It's a relief to know that when I order something HOT, it will arrive that way and I won't have to exasperatedly gripe to my dinner companions, "Uhh. This isn't even hot." I don't appreciate not being believed, ya see. I take that kinda thing personally. I know it's silly, but we're being honest with each other here. So lemme just tell you about what other dishes I've been diggin from this fine place. Why can't all cucumbers be "Spicy Crispy Cucumber (6)?" I got no time you pickle idiots anymore. "Dan Dan Noodles (8)" are as straight up dope as everyone has alleged...I've ordered these every single time. I don't know what my favorite preparation of all was. I don't think that I can choose. I think that we've all sat and debated this question. I'll tell you one thing, I love those "Dry Pots (10)." If we're battling dry pots I'm torn between love for the dry pot fish and the dry pot lamb. Each are served in a sizzling lil wok, mixed with black muchroom, peppers, Sichuan pepper, bamboo shoots, hot pot sauce. They're amazing. Uuuhhhh...if I had to choose one, I'd pick the dry pot fish, yeah. The texture is incredible. Oh yeah, then there are the "Cumin Style (6)" entrees. I like the lamb here the best. It's so crusted with cumin, it's intense, fried with dry peppers and onions. It's really assertive. Love it. The "Double Cooked Pork Belly (4)" is a favorite too. It's so savory with those salty black beans... leeks, hot peppers, chili oil. Ah, that is a good one. It is. Yeah it really is. I've tried the "Dry Pepper Chicken (8)," too, which I liked. Sizzly long hot peppers... I liked it with bites of that cucumber too...As I was typing, just now, I caught myself saying out loud, "Damn that's such a good place." I'm thinking that I have to address my seemingly sudden obsession with lamb meat. Hey I know, why not say the word, "lamb," one more time? I bet that wouldn't be redundant. Look, I just have to say one more lamb thing! I like that "Hot Sauce Lamb (7)." No, I love it. It's thinly sliced lamb, cabbage and celery glazed with a piquant Sichuan hot sauce, It is so peppery, tangy, tender and juicy. And then it's BYOB! That IS a reason to use an exclamation point. Great. I'd also like to point out that Han is cool. I appreciate the vision, and most of all the food. I need to get over there again, and pronto. I have more dishes to try and to psychotically cross off my list. I can't wait.

    (5)

  • Victor C.

    I want to give Han 5 stars, I really do. I know, I know, this is probably the most popular Chinese restaurant in Philly right now. But 10 minutes until we get a menu? Kinda lame. Let's get to the good part. OF COURSE you would order the Dan Dan Noodles, who wouldn't?! I am fantasizing about that dish as I'm writing this. Yes, it's spicy and yes, it is VERY addicting. I've only had the Fish Dry Pot Style, probably because it is insanely awesome. I heard the lamb was good too so I'l give it a try next time. Just a heads up while eating this, your tongue will go NUMB. But in a good way. The Crispy Rice Style is very creative, and not all that Chinese (not that I know of). I didn't care much for this dish. Probably because I am not a huge fan of vinegar. The brown sauce that the waiter pours over the crispy rice (which kind of looks like rice crispy treats) has a bit of red wine vinegar in it. The pork was a little too chewy also. I think the dish would be great if it didn't have that sour taste. Don't forget to bring your booze and appetite!! manman chi (or not)

    (4)

  • KT L.

    I love the dan dan noodles here! I always get it when I'm here it's spicy but still flavorful (remember to mix it) and with a side of the spicy garlic dumplings. Those are 2 must haves.

    (4)

  • Misha T.

    This was the #1 most favorite Chinese restaurant in Pennsylvania! I feel like this place has a good menu. They have both American-Chinese and Authentic Chinese. The staff was always polite to is when we went! I think everyone should try the scallion pancake(which are my most favorite item on the item)!!! If you get a chance to go I guarantee that you will love it!

    (5)

  • Raeesa H.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the whole world. I've had Chinese food in San Francisco, Boston, LA, NYC, and Paris. I have yet to have Chinese food like I've had at Han Dynasty. Or as some of the douchey locals call it: Handy Nasty Don't even think twice before ordering the Dan Dan noodles. They will change your life. The three cups chicken is also good. I've tried a variety of dishes here. It's my first stop whenever I'm in Philly. Always delicious, flavorful, spicy, and beyond satisfying.

    (5)

  • Dennis V.

    When I'm not making love to Ekta, Han Dynasty comforts me. My dear Han is so consistent in quality. Always spicy, always good, always filling. And she's so much more attentive since she whitewashed her staff. But my dear Han has a problem. The word has been out for a while. The visitors are different now. Less demanding of her. They don't understand her like I do. I fear for her. She will not stay good for much longer. She will compromise. She will let herself go. I will enjoy my dear Han while I still can, and cherish my memories of her greatest heights forever. I hope the next time I'm in Philly, you'll hold me and still be the same. But only after I've visited Ekta first.

    (5)

  • Lauren B.

    Just got home from the tasting...and I'm hesitating on writing this review because it's such a good deal- 20 course for $25!!! 14 out of the 20 were really spicy but still good. Come with an open mind and a VERY open belly. It's a TON of food.

    (5)

  • Neil S.

    Han Dynasty offers fantastic, fiery Sichuan cuisine at rather reasonable prices. None of the common main entrees are more than $20 (the fish and scallops are a few bucks more), and the portion sizes are quite ample. For a party of four, 3 mains will suffice. They don't joke around with the spicing here either, when they say something is a 10 they mean you'll break a sweat. My masochistic attitude towards chilis draws me towards their dry pot, and both the succulent pork and bony but pleasantly gamey rabbit versions blew me away with their fiery intensity, numbing slow burn, and perfectly cooked proteins and vegetables. Of course, there's more going on than sheer heat. Chicken cumin style is a milder but equally flavorful dish of crispy on the outside tender on the inside pieces of chicken encrusted in a delightful mix of spices (mainly cumin, as the name suggests) with some smoky dried chilis. The dan dan noodles are dreamily chewy without being mushy and have a nice balance between rich peanuts and bright (but again, not too spicy) chili oil. In fact, anything with their house steeped chili oil is a treat, including the dumplings and wontons soaked in the stuff. So why not the full five stars? Their service has taken a dip since opening. Before, the waiters would make suggestions and guide you through the menu deftly. Now, it's a struggle to get them to comment on any of the dishes. The suggestions on what to eat prior were rather helpful, and made the experience worthwhile. Also, the spring rolls were crappy, they tasted like the ones you can find in your supermarket freezer. This relates back to the first issue, as in the "old" days the waiters would've suggested getting something else. Those 2 issues aside, Han Dynasty offers intense, challenging, and rewarding flavors at relatively low price points. Their fiery food is definitely worth a try, and you'll be coming back for more.

    (4)

  • Aaron O.

    Yes...it's spicy. Yes, it's relatively inexpensive (unless compared to other ethnic restaurants, in which case its locations range from over priced to average). Perhaps it's authentic - like 99% of the rest of the people writing reviews, I wasn't born in Sichuan, so i wouldn't know. The relevant piece of information is that the ingredients are well below expected norms of decent food. The chicken has invariably been dry and poorly prepared. Duck had no flavor...it's fatty and tough. Their beef is of the level typically associated with drive through Chinese. The scallions and onions lacked flavor and the veggies I've been served were invariably overcooked mush. Yes it's spicy, it has to be in order to overpower the poor overall preparation of the food. If you weren't born in Sichuan Province, please don't speak to authenticity, and no - having a Chinese roommate, or visiting for a month, doesn't qualify you as an expert on foreign cuisine. Hell - plenty of people in Philadelphia think Geno's is edible. Bad taste is universal. One more thought...people traditionally ate things like tripe because they couldn't afford better quality meat. The proper term for tripe is offal...you aren't sophisticated for eating offal, you're over paying for crap. One of the nice things about being a 21st century American is not having to eat garbage like tripe and chitlins. Really - it's not a delicacy. The gringo vs. natives division of the menu is a cute gimmick to help delude people into thinking that they're elitists. Pure tripe.

    (2)

  • Gerard Z.

    This another established Philly place that I find vasty overrated. Is everyone afraid to give it a bad review because its hip, supposedly authentic chinese, and ultra spicy? Its noisy. Okay, I can deal with that. Except for that fact that it was noisy because they were blaring horrible pop music. I do not want to scream at the top of my lungs to talk to the person across the table from me at dinner because "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Lep is blaring in the background (literally). This was a Wednesday night too! Overall, the service is awful and the food is mediocre.

    (2)

  • Emily K.

    After La Ban's smashing review of Han's monthly tasting, we immediately made reservations for - how 'bout this - three months later. Luckily, the experience proved worth the three month wait. We arrived armed with a bottle of wine and were ushered awkwardly down into the dingy basement dining room. Seated on folding chairs at a table covered with more of a tarp than a tablecloth, we prepared for we knew not what as a young waiter hastily opened our bottle and grabbed glasses. Suddenly, after the chaos of seating a seemingly endless stream of parties of all shapes and sizes at large communal tables, trays of food began to appear. Dish after dish, one per table, came streaming in from above. Dumplings, Chicken in Chili Oil, Dan Dan Noodles, Pork-fried String Beans, Beef and Tripe in Chili, Cumin Chicken, Tofu in Garlic Sauce, Napa Cabbage, Fried Chicken Cubes with Dried Red Peppers -- each of our plates (of which you get one and one only) became a sea of glistening chili and oil, ready for sopping from the well-stocked bowl of white rice. Unfortunately, despite the spice-hype, there was only one point in the meal during which I felt a bead of sweat ooze out of my forehead, and the most exotic protein we encountered was the slivered tripe. I had been very much looking forward to a blisteringly spicy and challengingly bizarre meal - but instead encountered a more traditional Chinese feast. Still well worth the flat $25 fee, but perhaps slightly south of expectations.

    (4)

  • Karin R.

    We found the food to be too spicy to be able to taste the other flavors. Everyone in my group arrived thinking we enjoyed spicy food. Apparently we do not. We ordered only dishes that had mid-level heat ratings (4-6) and found that with only one exception the flavors were overpowered by the chilies. The \dish we most enjoyed were the dan dan noodles. So,if everyone in your group likes really, really hot food this is the place for you.

    (1)

  • A A.

    This place was a pleasant surprise! My two buddies & I ventured here after a late night at the office. Though we got there pretty close to closing time, Han welcomed us with open arms. I mentioned to Han that I wanted a very spicy dish. I got exactly what I asked for! The dish was quite tasty & it had quite a punch! Han recommended dishes for my two colleagues. Both of the dishes met to their satisfaction. I can't wait for my next meal at Han Dynasty!

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    So I went out with a bunch of Yelpers to check out this Han Dynasty jawn. We are a group of 16 and we were seated in the center of the dining room very comfortably. What we got were like a 15 course tasting menu, if not more, and everything was definitely on par. There are a couple memorable ones that are worth recommending. - Beef & Tripe in Chili Oil - Beef Tendons in Chili Oil - Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce - Spicy Green Bean Noodle - Pea Leaves w/ Garlic - Hot Sauce Style - Fish - Chinese Okra in clear sauce - Slow cooked Pork Belly with pickled vegetable Notice half of the recommendations are appetizers and they are awesome. They are spicy and tongue numbing. It is the first time I had a green bean noodle dish and it is very different and tasty. It has a unique texture and very refreshing. Chinese Okras are not something that you can always get in a chinese restaurant and they prepared it very well. It has a soft texture and very flavorful. The slow cooked pork belly is very traditional to my family and I know they did it good. I am a big garlic fan and the pea leaves and fish in hot chili sauce just goes very well with it. There are a couple memorable ones that are worth not recommending. - Cold Sesame Noodle - Dan Dan Noodle - Dry Fried Style - Beef - Smoked Duck - Shredded beef with hot pepper Smoked duck dish was dry and could have use more smoky flavor. Cold sesame noodle and dan dan noodle was nothing special compare to other places. Same goes to dry fried beef and shredded beef with hot pepper. Over all Han Dynasty is a very good place to grab a good night of spicy food. The dining room is not big at all so plan on getting there early for seats. I would go back. The End.

    (4)

  • Adam D.

    Dear Mr Han, I love you. Yes, I said it. I as a man, firmly confident in my heterosexuality can comfortably say that I love another man. Done. Why do I love Mr Han you may ask? Well because he takes shit from NOBODY. He runs his place the way it should be run. He has rules. You must follow them. If you do , everything is gonna be alright. My first encounter with Mr Han could have ended badly. He ordered me to go back to the hostess stand and wait as the table I thought he pointed me to was in fact not mine. He sternly said "No , go back over there and WAIT". Normally I would have been upset and offended , somehow , I was not. I knew he meant well. I knew he was running his restaurant. Then I ate there. Now I will speak of that legendary meal. Dan Dan Noodles. Fish in Dry Pot , Ravioli in Chili Sauce ............ 5 gallons of water. A smile a mile wide. No feeling in my tongue for 90 minutes. Happiness. If you like spice. this is the joint for you. If you like General Tso's Chicken or Chow Mein , Or Lo Mein , Chop Suhy or Chow Fun you will not have any fun here. Its an authentic chinese eatery ( did I actually just write eatery? , sorry ) Its a real chinese joint and please leave your moo shoo pork at the door. A side note. Han always has on 50's and 60's Jazz. I love that. One night I commented on the huge computer screen and said "Hey man, that's Lester Young playing in the house." He laughed and said "I don't know a ton about jazz but I know I like it playing while its busy" Much like Lester Young was the president of the saxophone , Mr Han is the president of chinese cuisine ( at least he is in Philly ) Hats off Mr Han. Congrats on BEST OF PHILLY this year and congrats on running an amazing business.

    (5)

  • Ashok V.

    Good place but can get quite expensive. The chicken lowei is awesome ,I wish they could actually give a student discount

    (3)

  • Caroline R.

    I have never been treated with such pretension and condescension in any restaurant experience. I had heard wonderful things about the food at Han Dynasty and was curious to try it. From the moment that the owner began taking our order, things went down hill. He proceeded to criticize our selections and tell us "You can get fried dumplings any place, people don't come here for fried dumpling." Then why are they on your menu? He answered the phone when one of us was mid-sentence with our order. It was unbelievably rude. After that, I thought, the food here must be amazing because no one would put up with this attitude for mediocre cuisine. But you know what? It wasn't amazing, it was just ok. I would never put myself through this experience ever again. Don't bother with this restaurant unless you want average Chinese food served up with its insanely arrogant owner.

    (1)

  • Sandy K.

    Without a doubt my favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly. One of my really good friends recommended Han Dynasty and then later that night I caught the restaurant on Food Network, so I knew I had to try it. I would call a few days in advance for a reservation, because they do fill up really quickly with reservations (Friday and Saturday nights are kind of tough to get, especially for bigger groups). The service is great. The staff is really helpful explaining the menu and the levels of spiciness. I personally LOVE spicy food, so I was able to handle the level 10 without much of a problem. But then again, I am Indian and was raised eating very spicy foods. The Dan Dan noodles are AMAZING. I would definitely recommend them for the appetizer. SOOO good, although a little pricey for not having any veggies or meat. For entrees, I have tried: Beef Dry Pot Lamb Dry Pot Chicken Dry Pepper Chicken Garlic Sauce Chicken Kung Pao My favorites were both of the dry pots. AND it's a BYO!! You can never go wrong with that... Tip: bring beer to curb the heat from the food

    (5)

  • Ramy G.

    Went back to Han's last night and we as usual were blown away!!! The place was super busy and service was fast and amazing as always. I don't even know where to begin about how good the food was. We had the Dan Dan Noodles, Cold Sesame Noodles, Wonton in Chili Oil, and Dumplings in Chili Oil for appetizer...well there were 5 of us!!! And of course we each had our own entrees. I love lamb in cumin!! OMG EVERYTHING was out of this world. All night my husband kept saying how good the food was. Once you start tasting the food you just can't stop eating it. HAN you are the MAN!! You and your staff ROCK!! HAN DYNASTY puts P.F. Chang's and all the other Chinese restaurants to shame. Can't wait to go back again with old and new group of friends.

    (5)

  • stevee b.

    UPDATE Finally made it back here on a friday night. place got crowded quickly after 6pm, mostly Chinese people. Food was once again spectacular. Brought some riesling wine and a framboise lambic to go with the spicy food. Cannot say enough about the quality of the food and the HEAT! The owner offered me some pig intestines but I declined, I am not really an offal man. The owner also offered me some pork dumplins in Man-O-Naise but I didn't try those either... I had the pork dry hotpot and the chicken in chili oil appetizer. I cannot wait to return, the food is really addictive and I was glad to see that the place was now drawing a crowd.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    This place is absolutely fabulous -- come here if you want tons of food that is extremely flavorful, spicy, and fun to eat. It's family style, which is great for groups because you can try a big portion of everything that gets ordered instead of fighting for a bite of something (which often can happen with group outings!) All eight of us in the group I went with stuffed ourselves until we couldn't eat anymore, and everyone had at least seconds and thirds of each dish. The rice is plentiful, service attentive and friendly, and prices totally reasonable. The spicy crispy cucumber is fresh, light, and full of flavor. The cold sesame noodles were delicious, but the best noodles were the dan dan noodles (hot, aromatic, nutty, spicy). The beef tripe was spicy and had a nice peanut flavor, but the tripe idea kind of weirds me out and there was a slightly rancid undertone to that dish. We then got double cooked style pork belly, cumin style beef, and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE (I could have eaten this non-stop all night) 3 cup chicken. I highly recommend this restaurant, I'd come back here in an instant with just another person, it's worth it! Bring alcohol to help alleviate the extreme spiciness of the dishes... and go to Franklin Fountain to cool down with ice cream afterward (even if it's 30 degrees out).

    (4)

  • Kaitlynn S.

    If I were basing this review just on the food, it would definitely be a four, probably even a five. I went here on a Sunday afternoon with a party of four-- we ordered the dumplings, wontons, spicy beef soup (my favorite!!!), dan dan noodles for appetizers and then chicken, shrimp, and pork in garlic sauce (respectively) and an order of the cumin lamb. The only complaint about the food was the average quality of the lamb meat--everything else was spectacular. The reason that despite all this I can only give Han Dynasty a 3 is the service. Our waiter from the very beginning did not want to be there, and seemed to hold it against us. Getting refills was a chore, he had an attitude with every question we asked as first time diners, and when a friend in our party wanted extra meat (and was willing to pay for it) with her dinner, he acted like she had asked to eat his first born. Not to mention, he practically threw our plates on the table, and kept copping out by saying "The owner doesn't do that." From what I've heard of Han, he seems like a great guy, and this waiter was a terrible representation of that. Later during our meal another waiter came to give us refills and was very charming, friendly, and accommodating (like getting us an big bag to carry our leftovers, which was out of the question for our initial waiter). I am not sure if the latter was the typical service and we just got unlucky with the former, or if he is an onomoly, but I won't be returning to find out. It will be take out if anything, and just so my boyfriend doesn't kick the other guy's ass, I'll have to go in for it.

    (3)

  • Nicole W.

    Been here twice and definitely worth all the hype. Really delicious food and good service. Yumz. That's all I can really say.

    (4)

  • Christopher P.

    I have experimented with Szechwan peppers in my home kitchen but stopped one afternoon after thinking I had damaged myself - or more specifically, my tongue. In an experience not dissimilar to the scene from ALIEN, where the so called "molecular acid" blood from the creature burns through the decks of the spaceship, there was something that seemed to be eating a hole in my tongue -- and not stopping, no matter how much milk I drank, or how long I scrubbed my tongue with a toothbrush. I was like a phosphorous flare had gotten mixed in with my peppers and into my mouth. The reason I bring this up is that last night, at the Han Dynasty, I relived that experience. Times 1000. At one point, there was a sparkler in my mouth. I turned to my wife and to the woman next to me and asked what was going on. They both had a similar experience but not as strong -- probably because they were smarter and did not grab the piece of chicken with the large spice coated skin on it. Weirdly, if I took a drink of beer, the experience stopped momentarily - and then came back. This continued for about 10 minutes, then went away. Or it was the endorphin buzz that took me elsewhere. When I talked with Han about the spice in the chicken, what it did to my tongue - and the faith I relied on to tell myself I was OK, he said there is no reason to worry, because "it is all natural". I felt like saying yes... box jellyfish is natural too. But I didn't. I can't cover everything about the tasting dinner we enjoyed, so just let me say it was wonderful. But not for everyone. Those that love it are part of the club of adventurous eaters that want to explore authentic, undiluted cuisines and experiences. The meal was more a communal party in a cramped basement than your regular dining experience. Service is friendly but strained due to the low ratio of staff to diners. So maybe we had to take the first step to get wine & beer glasses, but I didn't mind. The water glasses were always filled and the foods kept coming. And at the end, Han came over with take out containers for any leftovers. One last word about the spice and heat level. I love spices. I grow chiles. I love heat as a dynamic element in food as long as it isn't the only objective. And in my opinion, it was not the only objective here. I tasted everything and felt a wide range of flavors and experiences in my mouth. After the meal, I shook Han's hand than thanked him for not dummying the food down to average tastes. I think he appreciated the vote of confidence.

    (5)

  • Julia H.

    Definitely the place to go when you want spicy food! But if you want flavour - make sure you don't get everything spicy! After reading reviews, my BF and I decided to get the following: - Spicy Cucumbers - Spicy Dan Dan Noodles - Spicy Ma Po Tofu the spicy cucumbers and dan dan noodles were great! however, as we ordered everything spicy, once we started to eat one thing, the rest taste the same, as the spice lingers in your mouth so everything gets spicier and spicier as you eat it. what we should have done was ordered another item that wasn't spicy to help dilute the spiciness. I'm a big fan of ma po tofu, so when we saw it on the menu, we had to order it. Big mistake - It has no taste - only spicy. My BF told me my version was better =p Customer Service - servers were nice, but the hostess was not really nice. She was rude to all the customers walking in, including us. And the seating sucked as there were so many party of twos, they put everyone on the bench seating and everyone felt like there was no room to move and no privacy what so ever.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Han Dynasty has several locations in the Philadelphia area but the same incredible spicy food everywhere. Their Dan Dan noodles and Spicy Cucumbers are legendary on the Philadelphia Foodie scene. But this is a review of their new flagship space in Old City and not the food - I did that in a review of the Manayunk Han Dynasty last year. I can summarize their newest restaurant location in one word - "Awesome." I could add a second word - "Spectacular." Their move into the elegant Rococo inspired building of the old Philadelphia Corn Exchange will give this oft-attempted and failed restaurant location a long-running hit. One could be dining in a Viennese palace rather than in Old City when you take in all the architectural features intertwined with the soaring columns and glowing lights. Just remember, to see this décor and eat this food, it's best to make a reservation. And if your reservation isn't ready when you arrive, sipping a single malt in the well-stocked bar area is a great way to pass the time until you hear the magical words - "Your table is ready!"

    (5)

  • Morgan M.

    Best Chinese food I've ever had...living in LA that's a tall order for any restaurant outside of the west coast. Oh yeah...sit at the bar...great ambiance.

    (5)

  • Taylor D.

    Great for spicy food lovers. Good spot to entertain friends, interesting menu with an atmosphere. Family style meals, so you can share and try lots of stuff on the menu.

    (4)

  • Annie L.

    Thanks Josh. You're a rockstar. Perfect memory, dedicated service, conversationally appropriate, excellent guidance. As one person at our table of five-picky-demanding-dining-experienced women put it, think of great service, he's even better. The perfect compliment to the well preferred and on-point assortment of food and beverage.

    (5)

  • Blair L.

    Not worth it. Hipster Chinese food. Spicy cucumbers are great and the lo mein was good. The rest was just so - so.

    (2)

  • Regan A.

    The quality and experience is always a pleasure!! Dan Dan noodles and egg plant are two sure bankers for the table! Mai Thai fish bowl went down a treat....

    (4)

  • Rob B.

    Amazing! We loved everything! We ordered so much and what we didn't order we ate from there table to either side of us. I am not sure if it was hospitality brought on by New Year's Eve, the proximity of the tables, or the warmth of the chills but it was so fun! Thanks guys! When the Dan Dan noodles was delivered to the table, I looked down disappointingly. They did not look like the ones I had in Chengdu, nor was I really expecting an exact match. But one bite of them and I was thoroughly happy. Delicious! Authentic, maybe not, but incredibly delicious yes! The double fried fish was a hit as were the pan fried plain dumplings, though the ones in chili sauce from the next table were better. Hot Pot Chicken wonderful and plentiful. So glad our Marriott room had a fridge as we took home some of nearly everything!

    (5)

  • Justin U.

    Go to Chinatown if you want good Chinese. Dishes lack flavor, heat for heats sake, and overly salty. Beautiful place but go for the view leave for the food

    (1)

  • Ashley D.

    Catered to my high level taste for spiciness, friendly staff, lovely decor and reasonable prices! I loved the Dan Dan noodles :)

    (5)

  • Shirley Y.

    Made reservation for a large group last minute and they delivered. Service was great and waiters were attentive. The food was good. I liked the appetizers more than the main course. Dan dan noodles were good but I had better. I didn't really like my entree, it was lacking flavor. The ambiance was great and my friends loved it. I will go back again and try other dishes.

    (4)

  • Bethany S.

    Great spot in Old City. I love this place for its Dan Dan noodles, fantastic service, and BYOB Tuesdays. The Dan Dan noodles are listed under appetizers, but I found them to be perfectly adequate as an entree. Combine that with BYOB Tuesday and it's a great value!

    (4)

  • H. I.

    The food is good but nothing out of this world. Also, the service hasn't been the most stellar every time I eat here. My food usually comes out in big gaps so we can't enjoy everything at once. The specialty here is the spicy dan dan noodles. I always order these along with scallion pancakes. For me, Han Dynasty is about location and convenience. It's nice to have good Chinese food nearby but it is on the pricier end if you go with a group and share multiple things. The interior space is an old bank vault I think. They have a nice bar with TV's and a huge room in the back too if you want to host a party.

    (3)

  • Karen A.

    We lucked out on our first doctor appointment in the city when we found this place! The waitress went out of her way to explain the menu to us as first timers. She was so concerned that we liked what we ordered-so refreshing! My husband's Kung Pao Chicken was so tender and the spices were amazing and my Crispy Rice Style Pork was exceptional in every way! We will definitely go back, although now that I have a feel for the menu(and the "hotness scale") I'll be going hotter next time! It looks like the doors open up to the street when the weather gets warm. Would love to try that next time, too!

    (5)

  • Ran T.

    I used to frequent Han Dynasty. I would bring friends and family from out-of-town, local co-workers, and almost anyone who is fond of the Sichuan spice. But since its move across the street into a space that was formerly a steakhouse, the restaurant has become much less intimate. On the surface, the grandiose atmosphere clashes with the menu, which is mainly comprised of intensely spicy, tongue-numbing, and sweat-inducing dishes one would find in the bustling cities of Sichuan. But the core of the problem is how this new space affects the service. On each visit to this "new" restaurant, I found the service noticeably slower and, frankly, inattentive. My last visit was especially frustrating: - We ordered two appetizers and one entrée. Our first appetizer came out promptly, but we never got the second one. After seeing tables next to us (who ordered much later than us) get their appetizers, we finally flagged down a server (since no one came around to check on us). The server said that our appetizer was on its way (which turned out to be a lie). Twenty minutes later, still nothing. We asked again, and the server said the kitchen lost our order slip, but the appetizer should be out any minute. He cleared our table but left us without utensils. Ten minutes later, we got our appetizer, but then we had to flag down another server for chopsticks. - One of the servers knew the customers sitting next to us. That's fine, I love seeing a reunion too, but the server decided that he wants to sit next to the customer, except there's hardly any space between the customer and me. So he squeezes into this small space, prompting me to shift my seat down. I might even be okay with that, but then he starts chatting loudly, completely oblivious to the fact that he is now only inches away from me and has forced me to eat from the corner of the table. Alas, this was as intimate as the service got that day. - The constant waiting was absurd. We waited a long time to place our order, to get our second appetizer and the entrée, and to get the check. - Lastly, and this is the kicker, when we finally got the check, we were double-charged for the second appetizer that took forever to arrive! We brought this, along with the other issues, to the attention of the restaurant manager, who didn't even comp the $6 dish. Instead, he offered us a 10% discount...on a $30 bill. How generous. Han Chiang, I know you've been busy building your empire (the one in NYC opened not too long ago, and I think I read somewhere that there are plans to expand to the west coast too), but please don't neglect the location that put you on the map in the first place. Keep cooking the deliciously spicy food, bring back the diligent service, and your regulars will support you along the way.

    (2)

  • Coco M.

    incredible. regional chinese food for chinese folk too. fragrant, non-americanized dishes that satisfies the pickiest authentic palates. dan dan noodles, chili fish, cumin beef, chil pepper chicken. Enjoy the ma-la ('numbing' hot) spiciness and the secret behind the gorgeous complexions of Szechuan women. for newbies to chinese food: if you start here, it will be hard for you to be satisfied with anything else! exciting that this is in Philly first! the owner's commitment to bring the real deal chefs here for the truest szechuan flavors is the key to this restaurant's success---an inevitable expansion into other cities.

    (5)

  • Steve T.

    Captain's log, star date 09.13.13. While investigating a strange anomaly in the Degaba sector, we chanced upon a class M planet. Scans revealed several life forms, and an away team was hastily assembled, manned by me, our first officer, our chief engineer, the ship's doctor, and really everyone of key importance on a starship. Should we run into trouble, its quite possible that all the senior officers of the ship would at once be wiped out, leaving the 70 gazillion dollar vessel to be manned entirely by newbs. But, such is Star Fleet protocol. While on the surface, we encountered a strange being who spoke almost entirely in metaphor and parable, and juxtaposed his verbs and nouns. We were able to ascertain that his name was "Yoda", and he invited the away team to a meal made by his latest pupil, Han. Han is a devotee of some mythical "force," and believed the best was to achieve balance in same way to have major imbalance in the amount of chili oil that his dishes contain. The away team first enjoyed his spicy cucumber, which we found delicious but somewhat of a paradox...the refreshing nature of the cucumber was offset by the spiciness of the chilis. We then sampled the Dan Dan noodles...while the senior officers were just barely able to contain their exuberance, a couple nondescript red shirt-sporting away team members perished by the overindulgence of same. We've noticed that despite numerous missions, its always the nondescript red shirt away team members who die. It could be the shirts. We completed our survey with a special dish, the soft shelled crab, which was a thing of intergalactic splendor. If you are in this quadrant around this star date, it would behoove you to stop by and order this. One of the very best interpretations of this rare seasonal treat. At the end of the meal, our hearts a glow and our mouths a fire, and having drank gallons of water in the fruitless attempt to quench same, we bid master Yoda and his devoted pupil Han goodbye. Yoda said something like, "revisit you, the chili oil will" but we were unsure what this meant. Captain out.

    (4)

  • Gina V.

    I went here with some friends on a Friday night. They were really busy, so on weekends I recommend calling ahead and making a reservation. The food was delicious! There are numbers on the menu indicating levels of spiciness, and I recommend you use them. We had various #s in the 1-7 range, and I grew up in Southern California eating spicy Mexican food, and I probably wouldn't go above an 8. The good news is, they are very attentive about keeping your water glass full. There is a special late-night menu that starts at 10pm and features "street food." I highly recommend the coffin bread (a creamy soup inside of a bread box that tastes like slightly cinnamon-y funnel cake) and the spicy cucumbers, which are crisp and refreshing. I really hope that menu gets incorporated into the regular menu, or else starts sooner.

    (4)

  • Nichole H.

    I found this place while walking along a strip of other restaurants and from the moment we walked in to see the menu the smells of the food captured our attention. Everything was perfect. I ordered the Salt and Pepper shrimp and a spring roll. I can't stress enough, this was the BEST salt and pepper anything I've ever had. Extremely well seasoned, the shrimp were not overcooked and they were nice size as well. We also had spring rolls which didn't really stand out compared to others I've had, but were still good. The service was awesome and the food came out really quickly. All in all I'd definitely recommend this place as a must go if you like authentic Asian food and if you're in the area.

    (5)

  • Divya N.

    The spicy food which we ordered is just ok, but didn't find it exceptional.

    (3)

  • Jennifer T.

    Okay okay okay. It's finally time to lift the "Han Ban" as my friends Eric G., Dennis O., and Dan W. would half-affectionately call my distaste for their favorite restaurant on earth. It started by throwing Eric G. a surprise 30th birthday here (he would never suspect I would take him to the handynasty) - boy was he surprised! Food was great, so of course, a few months later when I read that Han has just come back from China and had some new dishes to try out for the infamous 12-course tasting menu, I knew I had to go. February's tasting: by the time the 8th course rolled around, I was in a spicy food coma and don't remember many details, but I can say it was DELICIOUS. We tried come back for March, but it was booked, so April 1st... we shall meet again. I can predict the future: it will be spicy. And it will be good. And Han will have some funny, drunken jokes.

    (5)

  • John K.

    In Philly for business and found Han near my hotel. My main problem is how am I going to transport this place back to DC? The food was fresh and spicy. Obviously made with love. The dumplings in spicy oil was great - giving me a slow burn as it started out cool and built to a nice warm sensation. I decided to hit a few more appetizers - spicy cucumbers were sweet and spicy with enough to share. Finished with scallion pancake to cool me back down. In addition to the great food the wait staff was super friendly and helpful. Just need to find reasons to get back to Philly now...

    (5)

  • Kelsey G.

    Service was definitely lacking. Took about 20 minutes for a waiter to come to our table and then our dan dan noodles came out 5 minutes later. Before our drinks even arrived. Then our entrees came out about 10 minutes later, about the same time as our drinks. The noodles were amazing. Definitely can't complain about any of the food we ordered. If I was to come back here, it would probably be for take out. I'd rather not have to deal with the awkward service.

    (3)

  • Jodie S.

    I mean ... Dan Dan Noodles ... enough said. I will forever be a fan of han dynasty!

    (5)

  • Sal W.

    This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly. I ate here twice last month and decided to give them an upgrade due to some improvements. The service has picked up. Reservations recommended because this place can get busy. I recommend the Long Hot pepper Chicken. The Spicy Oily dumplings (I think they use a more attractive name) were also pretty good. The big disappointment was the three cup chicken. It tasted marginal this time and seemed like it was cooked differently than the last times I had it there. I am used to it coming out on a sizzling plate, and having a dramatic flavor, but neither was the case. I may have to downgrade them if the next time the three cup chicken fails the taste test because in my opinion this used to be one of their best dishes. Will update you later...

    (5)

  • Nikki M.

    I don't know who Dan is, but I surely like his noodles. It's easy to taste AND see why Han Dynasty is on the top of best Chinese Food lists all over the country. THIS is the best, spicy food I've ever eaten. Dan dan noodles, dumplings in chili sauce, pork belly, tea smoked duck and mapo tofu w/ minced pork are my go-to items when I visit Old City. They can change the spice levels listed, if you like but these people know what they're doing. Don't change it. I think (4) is a little too low for the dumplings but the (8) is right on point for the Dan Dan Noodles. For a small corkage fee, you can even BYOB!

    (5)

  • Kimmy T.

    I ate here once over a year ago and still dream about their dan dan noodles. Need to get back to Philly...soon...drool....

    (5)

  • Zhangfan H.

    so slow!!!!! Wait for the cuisine for looooooong time ! Oh my god. And waiter is indifferent and cold!

    (2)

  • Rose N.

    Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Can I say wow again?? Holy macaroni this place is good. Thanks for one of my best friends who shared the news about this place. She's been devotionally going to this restaurant for the past 2 weeks and I told her I was coming to visit so she let me in on her secret. We dined together here this past wkend and she kept going on and on about how good the food was. To be honest, I was skeptical. There were barely any asian restaurant goers and that always raises a red flag for me (prob bc its in olde city?). Long story short, the spicy crispy cucumbers were phenomenally good. Dan dan noodles all day baby! Wonton in chili oil was okay. Dry Pot Style with Shrimp was great. Salt and Pepper Style with the scallops were OUT OF THIS WORLD good! The scallops were fried and the batter was so light and perfectly salted. Oh My Goodness. I think I died and went to heaven. If you're going to drink, get yourself a beer and ice cold water. The beer pairs so nicely with all the salty and spicy flavors. Nice job Han Dynasty. Nice frickin job.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    A great place for dinner in Old City. Walked in here on a Wednesday night with 3 kids early. Service was prompt and good. Food was even better. Yes, it is SPICY. But they can temper it a bit. We did Pork Belly and Dan Dan Noodles - and rated them both for a 5 (medium) - plenty of heat. But really tasty. Other portions of Beef with Garlic Sauce and Chicken in 3 pot were huge. Kids choices are good too. Would love to come hear with a larger group. Had way too much left over. But so good. Great choice for locals and tourists alike.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth S.

    I had my second meal at Han Dynasty on Saturday night and it was just as good and memorable as the first time. I do not eat spicy food that often because I consider myself to be kind of a wimp when it comes to spice, but the food here is so good. I did my best to work through the fire that was building cumulatively in my mouth with every bite....specifically from the Dan Dan Noodles. The sauce in this noodle dish is deceiving, because upon first bite, you taste the creamy, peanutty sauce, followed by (for me) some fairly intense heat. I couldn't eat that much of them, but what I did have I really enjoyed. I also had the dumplings in chili oil and the eggplant with garlic. All of the sauces have this rich, comforting, savory flavor that makes you feel good even though by the end you feel like a fire-breathing dragon :) With that being said, I wouldn't mind turning into a dragon again sometime soon.

    (4)

  • John R.

    I was very happy we went to this place. Like all the reviews say, this place is Szechuan Chinese and is thus extremely spicy. We were going to order 8/10, but the waiter (who was awesome and chatted with us for a bit) suggested we stick to 6 or 7. That was an excellent call. I love spicy food, but the Dan Dan Noodles made me feel as though I was breathing fire :) We also had a beef dish, which although at a 6/10 was not as spicy, had roasted peppers (with seeds inside) that about melted my face off. That's not to say it didn't taste like one of the best meals I've ever had - it was. The waiter explained that this place gets very busy on weekend evenings, but it was very quiet during lunch on Sunday when we were there. Definitely give it a try!

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    SPICY, SPICY SPICY - and that's a beautiful thing. I can't think of anything wrong. Fantastic and I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Vi N.

    A fellow yelper (Brad P) recommended this place and also suggested that I make reservations. I'm soooo glad he did!! I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance, even w/reservations, when we got there, they told us they were running behind schedule. The place was PACKED!! We had to wait about 30mins before we could be seated. The host suggested we can grab drinks next door at Mexican Post and get 10% off our bill if we mentioned Han Dynasty. So after we finally got seated, I was ready to order!! Brad suggested that we order the basics: Three Cups Chicken, Dan Dan Noodles & Spicy Cucumbers. We ordered his suggestions plus the hot chili tofu & the dry pot chicken. The recommendations were perfect, everything was really good. I got spice level 10 on the Dan Dan noodles and tofu, it had kick to it, but I definitely wished it was spicier. The waiter told me that sometimes they get customers in who orders spice level 30!! That's nuts!! Overall, it's definitely good sichuan food. The place is packed, so make reservations and dont forget to BYOB!!

    (4)

  • Trisha W.

    Real Schuan food no doubt. Yummy. Get the Dan Dan Noodles!!! Approach with caution here, the food can get really spicy. It's all very good, I wish they had one in New York City!!!! Will return next time I'm in Philly.

    (4)

  • P Y.

    :( Han Dynasty was one of those places that I always wanted to try, but was never able to. Finally I went with someone who had been before and loved it. I consider myself a pretty adventurous eater, and I LOVE spicy food. Humblebrag: I have a crazy high tolerance for spicy food. Ugh, I just found so many things here pretty inedible. The dan dan noodle were just o-kay and everything was excessively greasy. I was stomach-sick for a couple of days following this meal. Will not be going back again.

    (1)

  • Kristin W.

    After tons of rave reviews, we ventured over as a two-some. You can still try several dishes as long as you're willing to take home some leftovers, but a big group is the way to go to sample broadly. We started with the Wontons in Chili Sauce - perfectly steamed and tasty, but I would have liked a little higher meat:dough ratio. We then moved to the Pickled Vegetable with Flounder Soup that had sizeable chunks of fish and veggies mixed together in a good broth with a faint heat. The spice got kicked up a notch when we ordered the Chicken Hot Sauce Style (bumped down to a level 5 of spiciness) and the Beef Dry Fry Style (maintained at a 6). The Hot Sauce style is authentic, but fairly oily; I preferred the Dry Fry which featured the distinctive white peppercorn - loved that numbing burn!

    (5)

  • Sri S.

    The food is good and extremely flavorful. We gave Dan Dan Noodles a 2nd chance after reading the raving reviews. They live up to the hype! The first time we tried Dan Dan Noodles was on a to-go order, and I wouldn't recommend that. Mainly because the dish curdled since the sauce and hot noodles were trapped inside a container. It is a dish to enjoy at the restaurant or have them separate the noodles and the sauce on to-go orders. We also had Garlic Sauce Shrimp. It was absolutely flavorful and delicious. On the other hand, Long Hot Pepper Style - chicken was below par. Especially, since the other two dishes were full of flavor! This place will definitely be on our repeat list.

    (4)

  • Wendy W.

    i love chinatown but i may have found a new go-to place for szechuan food. If you enjoy eating spicy food, you will appreciate the szechuan peppercorn. It's not just spicy but a fragrant, citrusy flavor that leaves your tongue tingling and numb. han dynasty does offer non spicy food... but it's like eating chicken at a steakhouse. nothing wrong with it, but their best dishes are the spicy ones. apparently han has an americanized and authentic menu. when we walked in we were given the authentic menu and it wasn't until i noticed other tables eating things not on our menu did i realize this. so my review will be based on the "authentic" dishes. now a bit about szechuan food. this region of china is known for its bold flavors. szechuan cuisine uses a lot of garlic and chili peppers. han offers quite a few street stall favorites like chicken in chili oil (ko shui ji), wonton in chili oil, and spicy noodles with minced pork (dan dan noodles), etc... the above dishes were all seasoned with the same chili oil. our tongues were tingling from the pungent peppercorns but the dishes were so flavorful that we enjoyed the slight torture. we also tried a few of their non spicy dishes. the braised beef noodle soup had a rich broth and the beef and tendons were really soft. i hate how other places have stringy beef or chewy tendons. here everything was cooked to perfection. the scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious. and the bok choy with black mushroom tasted fresh. flavors were clean and right on. if you don't like it spicy, stick with dishes that don't have the word chili in it. none of the taiwanese or cantonese dishes are spicy so there are plenty of options for everyone. han dynasty does get really crowded so aim to go during off peak hours for some peace and quiet. however, if you like the loud, boisterous, chinese family style kind of dining that reminds you of being in asia, then you will be leaving smiling.

    (5)

  • Jeannie S.

    Just wanted to give some updated love to my all time favorite restaurant in Philadelphia- my main man Han. Your food is what dreams are seriously made of- easily about my 25th time there and I have converted about over 20 people to follow. Recent discoveries is the soft shell crab- spicy and absolutely amazing; eggplant side mushy but garlicky; and the double cooked pork belly. Faves still stand as Dan Dan (duh); wontons in chili oil (could literally eat a bucket); double cooked fish; sesame noodles; pea leaves; cucumbers- it never ends. Go there NOW!

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    I really enjoyed the whole experience, HOWEVER - It was was VERY spicy. I realize you can alter the varying levels of spice, but I wanted to sample the dishes as they were meant to be. I've decided that I am a 4 - at best - on the spice scale. Be careful!!! I'm looking forward to trying other dishes and now that I've learned my painful lesson, I will order accordingly!!!

    (4)

  • Frank Q.

    If you want to experience Thanksgiving on steroids, substituting authentic Sichuan specialties for Grandma's turkey and stuffing, show up at Han Dynasty at 7 pm on the first Monday of every month for a $25 communal feast to be remembered, and bring your own booze. Don't eat lunch, and don't make any plans for the rest of the night. This culinary marathon spanned a solid three hours, during which we were treated to twenty courses. 20. Not a typo. I end this short review simply with a list of the dishes (*I have posted photos of all of them*): Quick Stir Fried Cucumber Tripe in Chili Oil Pork Belly with Fresh Garlic Sauce Green Bean Noodle in Chili Oil (Wide) Green Bean Noodle in Chili Oil (Narrow) Taiwanese Sausage Wonton in Chili Oil Wonton in Chili Oil (flatter in shape with less filing, sweeter and with sesame seeds) Sesame Cold Noodles Cold Noodles in Chili Oil Red Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou) Double Cooked Pork with Wood Ear Mushroom Lamb in Cumin Honey Walnut Shrimp Boiled Fish in Hot Sauce Diced Chicken with Pickled Chili Twice Cooked Chicken Stir Fried String Beans with Minced Pork Boiled Beef in Hot Sauce Bok Choy with Black Mushrooms

    (5)

  • Cyrus T.

    I really wanted to love this place but had a bad experience that just got worse as the night went on. the menu looked amazing and I was excited to see Chinese food that was not the standard Americanized fare. I ordered one of their sizzling mini-woks with fish. When it arrived it looked incredible...so far so good. One taste and I almost spit it out. It was so salty as to be almost entirely inedible. This is from someone who always drowns his asian food in soy sauce and loves salt. I'm a big foodie and really appreciate how salt brings out flavor. But this was extreme. On a scale of 1-10 this was 10. I called the waiter over and expressed my sincere distaste for having to send it back to the kitchen, but it was just terribly salty and really not edible. The server said "it's supposed to be salty" and I said, "dude, not this salty. have a taste for yourself. it's crazy". He said ok and asked me to take some of the fish from my plate and put it back on the wok before he took the wok back. He returned after a while with unknown modifications to the dish and said "i tried it and it was a bit too salty". Great...I try it and it's just as salty as before...I decide to just try my best to eat the damned dish as is rather than waste the food. The waiter checks on me again and I tell him it's not really better but I'm just going to eat it. He sits there and tells me it's the way this style of food is supposed to be and salt brings out the intensity of the flavor and spice. I tell him I'm very familiar with salt and spice and this is just simply too much...he argues with me, saying "I tasted it and it was fine with me"...I declined to point out that he had already admitted that it was too salty and just let it go. Overal experience with the service was that, while friendly, it was fairly inattentive. I had to rubber-neck and wave at them everytime I needed something. The menu was incredible and I hope to try them again, and I seriously doubt that the level of salt in the food is really standard there or else they would not have gotten all the positive reviews. I'm going to give them another try on my next trip to Philly and will revise this review accordingly.

    (3)

  • Judy L.

    For excellent Szechuan food, go to Han Dynasty. I would recommend, only go to this location. The food and service are both better. It is a bit pricier than some of the other Szechuan restaurants in Philadelphia, but the noodles are better here. I would not recommend: Kung Pao Tofu or Long Hot Pepper Tofu I always get the same items: -Dan Dan Noodles -Spicy Cucumber -Double Cooked Fish -Dumplings in Chili Oil

    (5)

  • Gabie L.

    I ordered food for take out so I don't judge or make any review service here. I ordered dandan noodles and others (can't remember). Dandan noodle was soooo good. Little spicy and moisture, which make tasty. Chinese food is not one of my favorite but I can eat dandan noodles multiple times. Dandan noodle is highly recommended when you visit Philly (if you can't eat spicy food, just don't try it, busters).

    (5)

  • Hitesh S.

    Every time we visit family in philly, we end up trying a new place and it was Han dynasty's turn this time. Looking at the great reviews, we went with high expectations and we definitely satisfied with our experience. We had the usual favorites - spicy cuccumber and dumplings in chili oil which were pretty good, we had dan dan noodles which were excellent. Although we had nothing to compare the dan dan noodles to since it was our first time eating them. We also ordered the classic american chinese dish - The kung pao chicken which is hard to screw up in my opinion. All in all good service, and good food. We will come back when are in philly again and feel like eating chinese.

    (4)

  • Carter P.

    Love spice and enjoy chinese food? This is the spot for you - it's definitely the spot for me. And wow, the place looks as incredible as the food. Having been to the Manayunk location, it was great food, but in a much more low key surrounding. Step into the Old City location and the ceiling must be four stories high - the bar goes up almost that height. Just an incredible place. We ordered the Wontons in Chile Sauce which were spicy (as was the rest of our dinner) - for dinner, we had the Hot Sauce Chicken. Incredible. Everything was fresh and the heat really made the meal. A great date night type place, but could also be a good spot for a night out with friends.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Love the dan dans, love being able to share the big portions, love the speed with which the food comes out. My favorite dish is the double cooked chicken, which comes with leeks, hot peppers, fermented black beans, and chili oil. My only slight criticism is that the spice levels vary by location and cook; sometimes, for example, the dan dan noodles have a little kick to them, and other times your lips will burn. This isn't enough to knock off a star, though. If you haven't been to Han Dynasty and love Chinese food, do yourself a favor and make a plan to get there asap.

    (5)

  • Ryan D.

    First, I want to say that I really enjoy Han Dynasty on 37th and Market - great service and pretty good food. However, I did have a different experience at the one on 123 Chestnut St. I want to preface what I write with the fact that I worked at a high-end restaurant in Philly, and so know certain protocols that are expected in restaurants - especially high-quality ones (like attending to tables, clearing tables, refilling cups with water, and following company protocol). After making a reservation, we were quickly seated. However, upon being seated, a server didn't come to our table for 10-15 minutes. A key thing to note is that the place was not busy, and servers were walking by our table without addressing us. We were finally spoken to by the man who seated us (he actually happened to be our server and was standing in for the hostess). My girlfriend and I both ordered cold sesame noodles, and a crispy rice style dish that we requested be vegetarian. Before the server could leave with our order, I stopped him and to make sure the dish was fully vegetarian and didn't have any extraneous meat derivatives in it (partly because I have a vegetarian diet, and partly because I'm allergic to shellfish). He confirmed that it was fully vegetarian - though not in attentive, present manner, but rather a nonchalant, whatever manner. I let it go - figuring it was his personality. Later on, though, after receiving the dish, I remembered that when my girlfriend and I were at the Han Dynasty on 37th a while back, the server made a point to tell me some of the dishes had oyster derivatives in them - almost as if it was protocol to tell me. I asked for the waiter back, and asked him if my dish had shellfish derivatives in it. He said it had oyster sauce. I told him I couldn't eat it because of my allergy, asked for a new dish, and pointed out to him that he didn't mention the oyster sauce when we asked about there being no meat derivatives. He said that a concern for oyster sauce was a vegan concern, and not a vegetarian one. Nevertheless, we got a new dish. It was okay (in comparison to the Han Dynasty on 37th). In all honesty, the dish was too sweet and not that memorable. My girlfriend and I both felt this way even before talking about it - when she brought it up - it was the clear consensus between us. After finishing our sesame noodles and the plates we ate them on - our dishes were not cleared by any servers for a while - when they did clear them, they put the empty plates on the empty table next to us, and did not clear them from there until about 10 minutes later. Our cups were rarely refilled with water and we had to consistently stop one of the few servers that were frantically attending to the quarter-filled restaurant. In other words, they were scanning the tables and walking around attentively, but not really noticing our actual needs at the table. Definitely a mediocre experience, especially compared to the Han Dynasty experience I had on 37th.

    (2)

  • Christine N.

    I love this place! I know that it is a bit commercialized, but the food here is both spicy and delicious. It's the perfect place to take folks who are visiting and are craving chinese food. I don't stray from my favorites often, so here they are: - Spicy Cucumber - Dan Dan Noodles (I've tried Spice 28's and they're okay compared to these) - Dry Pot Style Lamb - String Beans with minced pork

    (5)

  • Kevin L.

    My first time at Han and stopped in because I saw a good crowd inside. The entrees here are all served family style so I decided to try some apps. The bartender suggested the dan dan noodles and explained that the numbers next to the meal names are intended for the amount of spice added, 1 is mild and 10 is hot. The dan dan was a 5 so I figured why not. Wasn't disappointed with the spice, really nice flavor to it. The noodles though reminded me of spaghetti with a little bit of meat added. So not really excited about it. Also ordered some fried dumplings which were very good. Definitely going to try some more options from the entrees when I return. Bare tenders were friendly and helpful.

    (3)

  • Camila Z.

    Very yummy. I love the bok choy, the dun dun noodles, the kung pao chicken and the spicy cucumbers. The spicy scale gets really high. I can tolerate some spiciness and I can do a 5 at most. But I usually get a 3 or 4.

    (4)

  • christina j.

    Went for the Monday night tasting menu and it's great way to sample a variety of items, some spicy and some not so. All dishes served family style. Look forward to checking out again and at the new location.

    (5)

  • Ebisawa H.

    Sensei Spicy Rating: Dan Dan Noodles

    (5)

  • Cat P.

    I've been searching for a great Chinese restaurant in Philadelphia for about three years. Han Dynasty definitely fits the bill. The number system that they use for spice levels is easy to decipher, so I had no problem ordering from the menu. I like that the dishes come out to the table family style and they are a decent size. I particularly enjoyed the chicken with garlic sauce and the dan dan noodles. The food seemed to come out pretty quickly, as well. The only thing that irked me was the waiter. He told us that he was "really bad at math in high school" and had a hard time splitting our bill onto two credit cards. Come on, man. It wasn't like we were asking you to split it thirteen ways. I will be back again with my appetite and a calculator for our server.

    (4)

  • Jen A.

    Delicious! Love the Dan Dan noodles and Three cups chicken. Spicy but flavorful and amazing! The two times we have had this food, we ordered in via Foodler/Dashed (horrible service-Han Dynasty, PLEASE use another delivery service! There are so many great ones in Philly) We have never been to the actual restaurant so can't review the service or atmosphere but I can say that the food IS good.

    (5)

  • Seema F.

    Wow, this place has gone really downhill! Service is terrible-- you can't even get your water refilled and the staff can have a bit of an attitude. The food is now mediocre. I ordered an extra spicy beef, but instead of a well flavored entree, I got a plate of dried chilies that I had to dig through to find a few tiny pieces of protein. They got way too big for their breeches and are suffering from it. I will not be coming back.

    (3)

  • Vivian T.

    This place is a MUST!! For those who like spicy food, I cannot get enough of this place. If you come here, you MUST MUST MUST get the Dan Dan noodles.so yummy that I dream of it everytnight. I heard the twice cooked fish is yummy. I got the twice cooked pork b/c I was on a pork belly binge but instead of thick cut port belly, it was served with thin strips of bacon which was not as good. I would get the twice cooked fish next time. the dry pepper style chicken is yummy as well. I'm dying try other stuff too but for some reason every time I come, my friends either cannot handle spice or cannot eat certain animals. ahhhh!! but dont' worry...we manage.. here is a tip: DO NOT get the rabbit appetizer, first of all, all of us except one was keen on getting it and it was not good at all. the scanty meat was chewy and hard to get off the small bones. It felt like we were eating a small rodent which is essentially what a rabbit is...and it was not pleasant at all. bottom line- don't get it. not good. for those who cannot eat spice, not to worry, they have other stuff on the menu as well, their eggplant and veggies are yummy as well. the old cty one is way better compared to the one in university city. maybe it's the older building feel that accentuates the flavors? b/c the place in university city is of course way more upscale and trendy. I have been to both places and I still feel that the food is way better in old city even though they have the same menu.

    (5)

  • Kevin R.

    One of my favorite spots to eat! Food is bangballin! This is just a heads up- the new location is huge! So big it makes te staff seem like one person. They need to hire about 5 more servers and then open. Went for lunch and the 1-2 servers were running around literally trying to keep up!

    (2)

  • M A.

    I live in NYC and came here based on Yelp reviews when I was visiting Philly. WOWOWOWOW! I still dream about this place and we are already planning another trip back to Philly in the summer and this will be the first restaurant we come too. We were really really impressed. Got the dan dan noodles with pork on the side (I ate mine w/o pork), and the 3 cups chicken. We love spice and this delivered. We loved it so much we tried to find a good spot in Flushing, Queens near our home, that has several highly reviewed Sichuan spots and we were SO disappointed. Maybe Han Dynasty is not authentic? I don't know - but authentic or not - we preferred it and we cannot wait to go back to Philly to dine here again. PLEASE PLEASE owners of this restaurant, come to NYC and open up a restaurant here with the same menu!

    (5)

  • Katy S.

    Han Dynasty has the best Chinese food I have ever eaten! I no longer live in Philly, and I miss Han's food dearly. Menu items I urge you to try: Spicy Crispy Cucumbers as a cold appetizer, and Cold Sesame Noodles! The Cold Sesame Noodles have a very simple flavor but are absolutely delicious. I could eat a whole order on my own. All of the entrees are delicious as well. I particularly like the double cooked fish; however, they are not lying with the indication of how spicy some dishes can get. The servers are super helpful on coaching you to make a wise decision for your palate. Other benefits-- Han Dynasty is BYOB and super accommodating for groups. Han Dynasty is a must try for anyone visiting or living in Philly.

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    Happiness is.... accidentally finding this place during a day of buisness at the Old City Custom house. Read the reviews... this place is no joke.

    (5)

  • Linda S.

    I dunno if it's because I got takeout and didn't eat it on the spot... But the dan dan noodles dissolved in my mouth like mud...and the spicy oily sauce was spicy and oily not in a good way... I can tell the wontons were homemade but it was drowned in the chili oil. I'm like extra mad I spent money here, especially because there were such good reviews.

    (1)

  • Alexa R.

    Excuse me, person sitting next to me. I am going to elbow you out of the way and eat all of the cucumbers and dan dan noodles. I had been looking forward to this day for years. We sat at the round table (table of 8) and did the tasting for $25 a person. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more. My tum was in knots after eating all of the chili-oil drenched food, but it was worth it. I can't wait to go back and bring all of my friends!

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    The spicy crunchy cucumbers were my favorite. The kung pao chicken was really good too.

    (3)

  • Ashleigh M.

    Love love LOVE this place - may favorites are the Dan Dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, eggplant with black bean sauce, and Dry pepper chicken - sooo spicy and sooo good! Tuesday nights Han turns into a BYOB which is always awesome! Make sure you make a reservation cause it's always pretty packed here. Service is fast and efficient. Fair warning though... NOT for the faint of heart - if you aren't into spicy make sure you ask them to make your dish a lower number.

    (5)

  • Christine B.

    I've been trying to get here for ages, but it proved to be difficult. Fortunately, Katrina C. and I made a trip for a late dinner after a movie, and I can now consider myself a Han Dynasty convert. I didn't know Chinese food could taste this good and fresh. I'm not a spice fiend, so I had them take it down a few notches, I think 3/4 is good for me, but with that little tweak everything was delicious. I loved the Dan Dan noodles of course. They are like the cold sesame noodles, except warm, and spicy, and not as sweet. I also tried the garlic sauce with tofu which was fantastic. I would probably get that next time, and I'm really not even a tofu fan. I wish this place was closer to me, but it will definitely be my go to stop in Old City.

    (5)

  • Kim H.

    This place probably had the best Chinese food I've ever had in my life. And coming from an Asian, that is quite a compliment. However, I guess my Asian background gives me a biased opinion on this, but I don't think the food was as hot as everyone boasted, or as it was rated on the menu. Still, SO EFFING GOOD. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the $10 "cork fee" for bringing wine which I have never heard of at any BYOB. Ever. What's up with that?!

    (4)

  • Staci S.

    Dan Dan noodles were alright, felt like they were hyped up. A little too spicy for me. Scallion pancakes were pretty good. Ambience is awesome, I really loved the decor.

    (3)

  • Matt T.

    This place has horrible Chinese food, and i am not just saying that because i am actually half chinese and am useed to a certain quality. I mean, like even for american chinese standards, this was not good at all. all the dishes taste similar and you can just tell they doused everything in copious amounts of soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil.

    (1)

  • Walter K.

    Delicious specialty Chinese food perfect for sharing. The leftovers will even blow you away. Bring as many friends as you have, and order everything on the menu. For what they serve up at Han, the prices are reasonable. They recently acquired a liquor license but still allow BYO ($10 for wine, $1 per beer). One a month monday tasting menus are awesome.

    (5)

  • Sang D.

    The hype is real. I have had pork, lamb, fish, and tofu here - it was all very good. Dan dan noodles. They make a big show out of everything being really spicy, which is sort of a stupid concept. It's bordering on a challenge to order the hottest stuff you can handle, or like you're a big man if you can eat something that is an 8, 9 or 10...that is, everything is rated on heat from 1-10, 10 being hottest. Great. Hype aside, it's a good place, service can get hectic...ask my girlfriend how she felt when we waited 30 min for a table, starving and they straight up forgot our appetizers and didn't comp it or anything...but I always had a good time and I'll be going back as long as I live in Philly.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    You know what boyfriends like for Valentine's Day? Lingerie and Han Dynasty take-out. Served separately, of course.

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    I'm glad I didn't eat in. I brought the spicy goodness home after downing a beer at the bar (service was spectacular even for take out) and headed home. The waitress warned me a teeny bit that it was going to be hot, I said, no problem, bring it on! (Mind you I enjoy spicy food for the most part, and being an ethnic minority, I suspect they opted to not hold back). At home, I cried, I coughed, I wiped sweat off my brow and blew my nose repeatedly. The eruption of flaming death in my mouth was tremendous, but wonderful at the same time. I'm so darned glad I didn't eat in because I would imagine the folks sitting around me would probably have been judging me for my lack of heat level check, and at least I would not have an audience watch me down six glasses of water as I continued to plow through the spicy wonders of Han Dynasty. In short, it was devastating, but in a masochistically wonderful way. What can I say? The dumplings with sesame seed and spicy hot oil? Pretty epic. My hot sauce style chicken? Fabulous, tasty even- but just be sure to put it on your white rice (not the white rice in the oil) lest you truly wish to torture yourself. Did it live up to the hype? I think so- fresh, made to order food with a clear care for quality and excellent service all around. Highly recommended- but be ready for true spiciness- as some of my Indian friends declare- even so-called "hot" American food is for the most part bland so be ready for the different level of spiciness because at Han Dynasty they won't hold back.

    (5)

  • Kelly P.

    FINALLY. i FINALLY ate at the legendary handynasty. it was the perfect place to celebrate my birthday dinner with 10 of my closest friends. we opted for the $25pp tasting, and i couldn't have been happier with the resulting spread of food. there was definitely something for everyone (we had a mix of wimps and spice lovers at the table). i dont even need to say it, but i will: dan dan noodles were a big winner for all of us. the cucumbers were also refreshing. i could have made an entire meal out of the wontons and dumplings alone. i didnt try the rock shrimp but it smelled and looked great. there was a lamb dish that i LOVED. simply, it was an amazing meal. it was also a great treat to meet Han himself! i don't want to brag or anything, but he gave me a beer and we chatted for a bit.. nobigdeal. happy birthday to me! side note: our waiter told us that they were just named one of the 50 best chinese restaurants in the country by CNN. congrats, Han!

    (5)

  • Ginny L.

    Extremely loud with pretty bad music in the background. Lamb with cumin was so loaded with cumin and red pepper, we couldn't distinguish the actual ingredients. Appetizers seemed overpriced for the portions. We had a party of six and probably should have been made aware by the waiter that the apps portions were small. Shrimp in chili oil was the star of the evening. Well done and perfect with the white rice. Slippery red chopsticks were at each place setting- I'm sure they are easy to throw in the dishwasher for the owners, but try eating noodles or dumplings without dropping on the table. Our waiter never offered any choices, but finally someone from our table spied wooden chopsticks and even plastic forks on a serving station and we became much better equipped. If you're looking for a loud, hipster type atmosphere where the food is hit or miss- Han Dynasty is the place. If you're looking for great food and a laid back atmosphere- stick to Chinatown.

    (3)

  • Monica L.

    PROS: Tasty, spicy, good value CONS: Crowded, sometimes slipshod service I've been to Han Dynasty on multiple occasions, but a couple of days ago, I went with a friend when I wasn't feeling very hungry. I ordered some cold sesame noodles, which were really good. The service was somewhat crappy though, since they forgot to bring us tea and water until after our meals arrived...

    (4)

  • Danna C.

    We've been here at least five times and finally decided to start a Yelp account to review them. The food is spectacular, and we always leave happily, wondering when we'll be coming back. Reserving a table a few days in advance is not a bad idea. It's possible to reserve the day of, but they probably won't have room until later in the night. The dining hall is not very large, but there is a space downstairs for larger group reservations. Although it's never noisy enough where one has to by the person sitting across the table, it might not be the best place to take someone on the first date. The spiciness of their dishes is rated on a 1 to 10 scale. Dishes come with a suggested spiciness level, but the spiciness of any can be altered to suit one's preferences. Most dishes are marinated with chili oil and/or Szechuan peppercorns. The flavors can be intense, but they are certainly worth trying. Portions are served "family style"; an appetizer and an entree should suffice for two people. We tend to order more because we're more than happy eating the leftovers the next day. Every time we go, we order the Spicy Crispy Cucumber for an appetizer. A spicy, tangy peanut/chili oil sauce coats the cucumber slices that creates a truly delicious combination. One order suffices for two people, and there's usually enough sauce left over to pour on rice during the main course. This time, we also ordered the Mapo Tofu with Minced Pork (7 out of 10 on spicy level) before the main dish. Chili oils and hot peppers made this a relatively hot dish, but a wonderful accompaniment to the meal. For the main dish, we ordered the Hot Sauce Style (also 7 on the spicy level) pork dish. It's a delicious stir-fry of sliced pork, cabbage, and celery in a Szechuan pepper sauce. Food: 5/5 - We really do look forward to going back to try new things Service: 4/5 - Sometimes the waiters take a while to refill water, but they are very friendly and willing to alter orders. Ambience 4/5 - A bit noisy, but very nicely decorated and well-lit. Overall: 5/5

    (5)

  • Arathi S.

    I really loved this restaurant! I was here visiting Philly for the day and my cousin told me we absolutely HAD to go here because it was one of her favorite restaurants in Philly and I have to say this may be one of my favorite Chinese restaurants that I've tried recently! One thing I love about Han Dynasty is that the food comes out whenever its ready, ensuring that each dish is fresh and hot. Also, you get to choose your spiciness level on a scale from 1-10. We first ordered the dan dan noodles, which was most definitely the best dish of the day. The sauce the noodles came in was perfectly balanced with just a hint of spiciness. Second, we ordered the scallion pancakes. Not my favorite dish just because I could see the remaining oil stick to my fingers which was slightly unappetizing, but I enjoyed the flaky crust and the filling thoroughly. Lastly, we ordered the Kung Pao tofu which was also extremely good, but not the best I've ever had. From the moment I ate it I could tell that it was filled with flavor and fresh from the kitchen.If you are in Philly, and love chinese food, this is a great place to go!

    (4)

  • David G.

    In the hours before rushing to the airport for my mid-afternoon flight home, I needed a place for a quick, convenient, filling, and moderately healthy power-lunch. It'd been far too long since I had decent Chinese food, and the buzz surrounding Han Dynasty was too much to ignore, so I quickly huffed it over to Old City. It was pouring rain, and there was already a crowd outside the door at 11:25am, eagerly waiting for the doors to open at 11:30. This was undoubtedly a good sign. A restaurant must be delicious if people are willing to get soaked in bitterly cold temperatures for a bite of their offerings. I was promptly seated at a two-top by the window and had a chance to browse the menu. Lots of spicy Sichuan Chinese offerings. I smiled when I saw absolutely no references to either fictitious Chinese generals or bland lettuce wraps. The menu helpfully reports the spice level of each dish on a scale of 1-10, but the spice level of everything is customizable to your liking. (I requested to have everything served at level 3, since I'm a wimp like that.) Simply put, the food here is divine. Probably the best Chinese food I've ever had. My mouth is still watering just thinking about it. I decided to start with a plate of spicy crunchy cucumbers. Who knew that cucumbers could have so much flavor? Tossed in a complex spicy sauce, these cukes were simultaneously cool and tangy and spicy and rich and fatty and refreshing -- and amazing. If you think cucumbers are a boring, bland vegetable, you must try Han Dynasty's version. For the main course, I ordered a bowl of Han Dynasty's celebrated Dan Dan noodles. While they look like fairly ordinary noodles, looks can be deceiving. I can only describe of texture of these noodles as...silky. At the table-side, the server tossed the noodles with an intensely flavorful pork broth. I could eat tubs upon tubs of these breathtakingly perfect noodles and never tire of them. I can see why this dish is the signature of the house. The service was as lovely as the food. Quick and efficient, but not rushed. I was in and out of Han Dynasty in no time, but the server never made feel like I had to turn my table over any faster than I wanted to. Han Dynasty has legions of adoring fans both in and outside the Philly area. You can now count me among them. For a quick and outstanding lunch in the Old City, you can't do much better than this. ---------------------------------------- And now for the executive summary version of this review: Handy Nasty -- very handy, but not nasty.

    (5)

  • Grace S.

    If you are not a fan of spicy Chinese food, beware! We're talking hot red chillies everywhere and tons of intense peppercorns. Been here twice in a group of 6 and a group of 10. I think small groups are accommodated just as well. I'm rating this place relatively and Wu Liang Ye and Grand Sichuan in Manhattan are just hands down better. (sorry yelpers--please don't crucify me!) - dan dan noodles are excellent. (flavors are all there, the noodles aren't overly cooked, but i think it could be made more aesthetically appealing) - cold noodles in sesame sauce(?) are a great appetizer as well - dumplings are just ok - wontons in spicy sauce are excellent! - stir fried cucumbers are great, but I make this at home all the time and it's so easy - Taiwanese sausage was awesome w/ the sliced raw garlic - double cooked chicken, not a fan. some ppl like that overly crisp texture but i find that it's not substantive and lacks good flavor since it's dry (no sauce). - hot pot was very meh. - lamb in cumin was way too overpowering. it could be much more well-balanced - eggplant in garlic sauce is good but on the heavy side. i prefer it at sangkee. - the fried seafood w snowpeas is very forgettable (i'm not a fan of Chinese dishes that just have salt & pepper on them) - the beef in a gravy sauce was pretty good (I think it's water-boiled beef; see pics I uploaded) Han is great for big groups and the service is great, but I wish the food was a bit better. You also get a ton of food for $15-20 pp.

    (2)

  • Sharon P.

    I had heard so many good things about Han Dynasty that I was just dying to try it myself, and I'm so glad I did. I went in a group of 8 and was surprised with just how quickly we were seated. It was a Wednesday night, but they still managed to have a decent crowd. The environment was more casual than I expected but it was something I enjoyed. The host and servers were all really laid back and cordial and were eager to meet our needs, which my friends and I greatly appreciated. Since it was our first time, our server led us through the menu and the point system - do you like your tongue to tingle or feel like there's a fire in your mouth? - and pointed out that the portions are family size so not everyone needed to get a separate dish, or order the same thing. That was awesome because it allowed each one of us to order something different and (literally) rotate our food and experiment with different levels of spice. I'd like to point out that even if you're not into too much spice, Han is worth trying because the cooks will adjust the food to your liking, and although heat is a major factor, all of the food is incredibly flavorful. For example, I started off with the Dan Dan Noodles, which were amazing! They were a 6 and made my lips tingle just a little so I was comfortable enough to test my own limits on spice with hotter dishes. In the end, I didn't find one meal that night that I disliked. I'm really glad to know that they have other locations in the Philly area because I definitely plan to experiment with those too.

    (4)

  • Mer C.

    We had dandan noodles and spicy Sichuan noodles lunch. Based on the pictures here, the dandan noodles look very plain and simple. Made fun of it but still had to try it. It really blew us away on how good it is but yet so simple and complex. Try it. Enjoyed the spicy noodles as well. Order it if you like the Sichuan 'ma la' chilli taste. Beef was tender.

    (4)

  • R K.

    The first time we went here I ordered a dish with a spice level of 8 and I couldn't finish it- toooo hot!! But we went back recently and ordered spice level 5 and it was much better. The mung bean noodles with black bean sauce was nice with white rice. We also tried the tofu in garlic sauce style and enjoyed it. I love the high ceilings and ambience here.

    (4)

  • Michael O.

    Amazing. I'm not completely sure I can explain how epic this place is. I knew it was good as soon as we walked in, because there were a lot of Chinese people eating there. If anyone knows good Chinese food, its a Chinese person ( I'm not trying being racist here, I'm just stating the obvious.) Here's a breakdown of what I had: Dan Dan Noodles - absolutely delicious. Mapo Tofu - amazing Two Cup Chicken - great This place has easily the best chinese food I've had in a LONG time. I even can't remember the last time I've had chinese food as good as I had at Han Dynasty. I honestly don't understand how anyone could give this place less than 4 stars. Go here if you wanna know what Chinese food should taste like.

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    Unfortunately, I've only visited Han Dynasty for take-out, but the food was phenomenal. Dry-pepper fish with rice blew my tongue right off with the amount of heat it contained, while the dan dan noodles had a perfect combination of pork, sesame and spice. My picky gf who ordered the kung pao chicken at a 0 spice level was extremely happy with her dish as well. From the quick glance I had of the restaurant interior, Han Dynasty has that casual and laidback atmosphere where lighting was fairly dim even at high noon... the perfect go-to place for hangover lunchies the day after a super bender. Haven't seen the infamous dining basement yet, but the stairs leading down were enough to make my eyebrows twitch in fear. Still, I'm ready to come back for a dine-in experience one of these days!

    (5)

  • Jennifer M.

    This place should be "Mecca" for those who enjoy spicy/well flavored food. If you think you don't like Asian food, don't let this stop you, as this place transcends all those ideas. I've been twice, and both times the food was stellar. Spicy yes, unapproachably so, no. This is not the place for people who want to put an atom bomb in their mouth and not have taste buds for days. It is the place to awaken those taste buds and then question how one can live with such American blandness in daily life. Carpe diem! As of my visit 4/29, they've added a liquor license so I had a nice craft beer that paired well with the menu. Between my two visits, I had and highly recommend: Spicy Crispy Cucumber (rated a 6 on heat scale), Dan Dan Noodles (8), Dumplings in Chili Oil (4), Rabbit with Peanuts and Chili Oil (10), Dry Pepper Style Fish (8), and Cumin Style Pork (6). Everything was delicious, well-prepared and fresh. I'm firmly convinced that I could order anything on this menu and go home smiling.

    (5)

  • Jon W.

    Finally, a 5 star review. This goes on my list of top 10 meals that I've had the pleasure to enjoy. My wife and I drove up from Baltimore, Maryland for our anniversary to eat here because the reviews were so outstanding. We had our meal in Han Dynasty - Old City. All the reviews start with praise for the Dan Dan noodles, they're right. Having had Dan Dan noodles that were just okay in the past I didn't expect perfection, but there it was, perfection that punished me for underestimating it. It left me weak with delight. I attacked that dish with animalistic hedonism. The flavor was full bodied and so exciting I really couldn't get over it. Then our other appetizers came out, spring rolls and pan fried dumplings. The spring rolls were fresh and delicious, but rather ordinary. The dumplings, too, were rather ordinary, and lacked the savoriness that one has come to expect from pan fried dumplings. Because of the rather plain, gentle flavor of the meat, the exceeding thickness of the dough made them less enjoyable as there was very little to really savor. All and all we felt we should have gone with the recommended appetizers, the spicy cucumber, for instance. We will definitely try that the next trip. Our entrees were all 5 star entrees. My wife had the Garlic Sauce Style Shrimp and I had the Dry Fried Pork - my wife doesn't enjoy food as hot as I do so i wanted to get something she could enjoy and it was a perfect fit for her. It was nothing short of astonishing! The use of the sichuan peppercorn (prickly ash seeds) is to perfection (as it was in the dan dan noodles PERFECT!). The bold shrimp broth that permeated the sauce was also a HUGE winner. Their technique is magnificent. My pork was also perfect, though I've had a variation of that dish before, this is the VERY BEST iteration of this dish I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. If you leave Han Dynasty unimpressed it's quite possible that you are insane. I wanted to give them 4 stars because our appetizers were not up to the level of the entrees or the noodles, but in reality, the place deserves more than 5 stars and I graded on a curve. If I could have given more than 5 stars I would. We will definitely make the trek back to Philadelphia next month for the pleasure of trying new treats on the menu. The waitstaff, by the way, is exceedingly pleasant. The recommendations were open enough that we might choose according to our taste, but everything the waiter recommended was top notch. This is one place that deserves it's Yelp Reputation. Okay, i should stop. Well done! The food

    (5)

  • Katherine K.

    My boyfriend and I have been here a few times. Each time I try to go with a "low-spice" menu choice. If you look at the menu ( handynasty.net/philly_me… ), you'll see that each "style" of entree has a number next to it. That number is supposed to stand for the level of spiciness- 1 the mildest and 10 the SUPER CRAZY SPICY. I feel kind of like Goldilocks when saying this, but the Garlic Sauce style is just right for my spicy needs- it's a 4, and it's delicious. This is what I am assuming actual Chinese food is like, although I have never been to China and do not know that many Chinese people to validate this statement. It's BYO. It's the bomb. Spice up your life.

    (5)

  • Niyant S.

    We decided to check this place out a few months back after seeing it on one of those TV shows (I think it may have been Man vs. Food). As soon as I saw the crazy spicy hot pots that they offer, I knew I had to check it out for myself. So, I of course got a hot pot with chicken, meanwhile my girlfriend got one of the tofu meals. Han Dynasty asks how spicy you want your food, from a level of 1-10. Me being the big spicy food connoisseur I am, I decided to try the level 8, while my girlfriend got her tofu at a level 4...all I can say is getting level 8 was a HUGE MISTAKE! If you ask for spicy food here, you're asking for pain. Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious (although I would have preferred a different assortment of vegetables in the hot pot), but I would have been much more comfortable with something like a level 5. Even my girlfriend's level 4 tofu had some serious kick to it! Han Dynasty is definitely a place to try for Chinese Food lovers, they offer dishes that are different from what you would get from your normal take-out joint. But be warned, the food is not for the faint of heart, especially if you for anything with a spice level of 7 or above.

    (4)

  • Steven C.

    The cops may have a new drug on the street to worry about and that drug is Han Dynasty. It is one of the most addicting meals I have ever eaten. I was fortunate enough to go last year and I could not stop raving about it. I have been there on numerous occasions and it has never disappointed. A few years back I started traveling to Shenzhen, China for work and I was never able to eat Chinese food in America again. No where I went was anywhere close to the flavors or quality that it was in China. I went to Chinatown a few times and it was closer, but still fell short. Then I went to Han and I finally found what I was looking for. It is by far the closest thing I have had in America to the food I ate in Southeast China. I absolutely love this place. If you go, I suggest the Dan Dan Noodles. They are to die for, but you honestly can not go wrong with anything on the menu. The other thing I would suggest is to do this with a group because it is best to order multiple dishes and just pass them around to try everything.

    (5)

  • Dan F.

    If I never have sex again, I will have had Han Dynasty. This place rings my prostate like a doorbell. A glowing, stuck doorbell that won't stop blinking and making noise. For my New York readers, Han Dynasty is similar in spirit and menu to Grand Sichuan on 7th Av. S. And in many ways, it's even better. Cumin lamb. Spicy crunchy cucumbers. Dan dan noodles. So many divine, perfectly prepared items. All delicious beyond words. Unless your words are, Please paint my nipples with chili oil, spank me with chopsticks, tell me I've been bad, then feed me the most delicious, spicy meal of my life. If you've got even a tiny bit of room left, head around the corner to Franklin Fountain for dessert. (But be warned the heavy tourist crowds.)

    (5)

  • Timothy D.

    Step 1 : Run here Step 2 : Order spicy green bean noodles, cumin beef, twice cooked fish. Han will try and talk you out of the noodles, do not let him talk you out of it. They are special like the first time you heard Purple Rain. Step 3: Have mind blown by almost hallucinogenic amount of heat and flavor from all of the above. It's a perfect kind of hurt.

    (5)

  • Katie M.

    Get the Spicy Cucumber!

    (5)

  • Kate D.

    The dumplings in chili oil are good! I could eat them all the time. Nothing too special, but very addictive. We also got some of the "dry style" chicken. Were a lot less impressed by this. This was extraordinarily spicy (which is mentioned on the menu, so we knew in advance), but didn't have a lot of flavor. It was served with rice, and the presentation was pretty neat. The three star rating does not come from the food in this situation, but instead from the service. When we came in, we sat at the crowded bar while waiting for our table. The bar tender instantly came over and asked us what we wanted. I appreciate that, and don't even expect that. Just as he asked us about our drinks, we were informed that we got a table. They took us to the back room of the BEAUTIFUL building. We were impressed by the decor, grand ceilings and giant staircase. We sat down, excited to try the place, but then waited a full 15 minutes before anyone even took our drink order. The server walked over and said "you ready?" No apology for the incredibly long amount of time we sat there without even glasses of water. I have served before, and service like this completely infuriates me. You could stop over and say "I will be right with you" or when you arrive you could say "I am SO sorry about the wait" but there was none of that here. We were also one of his three tables, and he in fact was not busy... Overall, the food saved this rating. For the food, and the attentive bar tender, I would give this place a 4/5 star. However, the server ruined our experience, and I have to knock it down to 3/5

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    4 stars for quality, value, and decor. Let's start with the bad, end with the good. Spring rolls were like any other takeout Chinese place. Shrimp with crispy rice was shrimp soup with mushy rice. And while I want to say good things about the lamb cumin, it was a bit dry, overly cumin, with spice only coming from the crunchy peppers in the dish (so spice can be avoided). Prices for seafood jumps quite a bit too, around $19 for shrimp and $22 for scallops. That being said, scallops were worth it. 8 big salt and peppers guys that were perfect. Also had a garlic sauce chicken - we used inappropriate moans to describe the deliciousness we got for the same price as takeout Chinese. It had the right amount of spice in it too. And like everyone else, we had the dan dan noodles, which I'm happy to continue singing their song of praise. Mix drink called the empress was quite refreshing too - tasted summertime in the depths of winter. Last few points - service was fine, place is massive and organized for easy flow of traffic. Will be back again to hit up some other parts of the menu.

    (4)

  • Flora L.

    So this is really like the food that you can have in China. The Dan dan noodle is so aromatic and tasty. The eggplant is just like the dish my mom cook if not better. We ordered dry hot pot lamb and it is the first time I have chance to eat lamb since I came to the U.S. Even the steamed rice is provided in a bowl. I feel like I am back in Shanghai!

    (4)

  • Kathleen R.

    Not a typical chinatown restaurant. High ceilings, modern, great staff, & great food. Everything that was recommended to us was delicious from the Dan Dan noodles to the scallion pancakes, but what was the least favorite was the duck. However, our server did mention it was a lot of work b/c it's boney. Which was true, but aside from that...the taste was not great either. Other than that dish everything else we had was great!

    (4)

  • Charlie G.

    There is not a bad thing on the menu as far as I'm aware, although my mouth's sensitivity to being lit on actual fire has kept me from trying much that registers above an 8. The Dan Dan noodles are killer as everyone keeps mentioning, though I advise against taking them home as leftovers and letting them sit in the chili oil they're in for three days and then trying to eat them because they will get hotter and hotter as they sit. And also if you do that and it makes you cry definitely don't try to wipe your tears with any hand that has been near the noodles. And if you have to pee wear a glove. Point being: I have sat in Han Dynasty for nearly the same amount of time I have sat for some tattoos. During that time I experienced a comparable level of pain as I have while being tattooed. And never have I questioned if it is worth it. Han is an evil genius and I will eat his food, however diabolical, as often as possible. Because walking out after a long meal, glistening with sweat, lapel flecked with chili oil, lips beestung with capsaicin, stomach a roiling pit of Szechuan-spiced magma... These are the moments I feel truly alive. Ps. The cucumbers and eggplant bang too.

    (5)

  • James M.

    This was my first time eating Cantonese food. I love spicy food, but I have always been told that Cantonese spice is something brutal. All of the dishes have a heat scale from 1 - 10 with 10 being the hottest. I ended up ordering the pork dry pot style (10), but I dialed it down to a 7 to be safe. We also shared some fried rice as a table. The presentation was amazing, but the food was not spicy. I ended up having her bring out hot sauce to increase my heat level to a 10. The dry pot is large, but not very filling; the fried rice came in handy. Overall, it was a good experience. There are so many food options in Chinatown, so I doubt that I will return.

    (3)

  • Gretchen K.

    Excellent family style dining and flavors that won't disappoint. The Dan Dan Noodles, Cold Sesame Noodles, Garlic Sauce Style and Hot Sauce Style were all amazing. Great atmosphere and surprisingly affordable for what you get.

    (4)

  • Leo I.

    I haven't reviewed you yet? Or maybe I reviewed your other siblings in Mannyunk or Cherry Hill... You're fantastic, and deserve the 5 stars because you make the style of chinese food that I LOVE yet it is so hard to find. It is also of a higher quality than I've found elsewhere. I will tell you though, you are slipping a little bit. The past couple times (once in Mannyunk and once in Ye Olde City) that I have ordered the twice cooked fish, the fish came out a little bit soggy. Previously it was not soggy, but also not quite crispy. I know I'm stumbling for words when I tell you this. I'm sorry. It's because I like you, and that happens when you like someone sometimes.

    (5)

  • Felicia Z.

    We came into the Resturant and was placed on the waiting list. The host said that it would take approximately 45 minutes before we could get a table and that she would text us once one became available. We stepped out to a nearby bar and waited for the text message which never came. An hour later, we returned and were told that we could not be found on the list. We then located the original host we spoke to who then told us that she had texted us but the number might have been wrong. She also said that she stopped taking customers due to the kitchen being backed up. However, we were never notified. She then proceeded to explain that even though she could seat us, the kitchen was closing in two minutes and we would be waiting for an indeterminate amount of time before getting service. While the staff seemed apologetic, they did not attempt to accommodate us in any way. I would suggest avoiding this place when it is busy as the staff does not communicate with each other and the restaurant seems unable to accommodate large weekend crowds. Also, any error on their behalf will not be addressed.

    (1)

  • Michael H.

    My girlfriend became a Yelper Elite member, so I decided to check out what was so special about this community where she is the top of the food chain. Well, I decided to start by writing a review for my favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly: Han Dynasty. My favorite dish would be the Dan Dan noodles, as most have said. They make it here much more flavor than the ones I've had in other restaurants. I would also recommend the double cooked pork and for those who don't like spicy foods (which consists of 99% of the menu), definitely try the 3 cup chicken. They cook the chicken to be very tender and tasty. If you do like spicy, I would recommend the beef tripe appetizer, although I believe it is one of the spiciest dishes on the menu. They opened a new restaurant at 38th and Market which has a little more of a modern ambiance to it.

    (5)

  • M B.

    Top notch far eastern cuisine. I can't leave this spot without destroying a bowl of DanDan noodles. Also, the Chinese cabbage and cucumbers are swell. Do yourself a favor and stop by for take out or to dine in. Be aware that the food is quite spicy - so if that's not your bag I would stick to the unauthentic American Chinese food that is available everywhere in the suburbs.

    (5)

  • Allison B.

    It was a Saturday around 3 PM. Kind of an awkward time to eat a meal, but we were walking around old city looking for a lunch special and Han Dynasty claimed to have one. It wasn't really a lunch special, though. No egg rolls or wonton soups here- just a dinner menu with smaller portions and smaller prices. The place was pretty dead, and the Chinese owners were chopping vegetables at a table just a few feet away from us. Our waiter was American- a total bro who just wanted us to eat some authentic Chinese food. I dig white waiters in Asian restaurants- I used to be one and I know how difficult it can be. We shared Kung Pao chicken and a tofu dish. The Kung Pao lacked some flavor, but the tofu was spicy and wonderful. It was dried tofu- the compressed kind- and next time I would ask if I could have soft or fried. As we left, I yelled out "xie xie!" to say thank you to the people snipping string beans. "You're saying it wrong," said my boyfriend, who spent 3 months abroad in Beijing. I guess I didn't learn as much Chinese in the kitchen of the Golden Wok as I thought.

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    Is it bad form to write an update on a place you haven't visited more than once? About halfway through my family dinner at P.F. Chang's last night, I suddenly got the urge to sweep the table with my arm, sending plates of chicken in a spicyish sauce, beef in a spicyish sauce, shrimp in a spicyish sauce (all with a few stir-fried veggies thrown in) to the floor. I would demand that someone in the kitchen give me something *different.* Wantons in chili oil came to mind first, then the spicy crispy cucumbers, then those amazing green beans, and please throw in some shrimp that is perfectly cooked and packed with a flavor other than generic "Aisan." Alas, my dream cloud was popped by a server walking by with yet another tray of lettuce wraps, and I went back to my Hunan Pork (read: pork in a spicyish sauce with a few stir-fried veggies thrown in).

    (5)

  • Dave K.

    What's all the hoopla about this place? On a scale-o-Yelp: 1) Dan Dan Noodles - 4.5 stars. Good flavor with a bit of spice 2) Spicy Cucumbers - 4 stars. Good portion. Good spice! The flavor is very similar to that of Korean-style kimchi cucumbers. 3) Dumplings in chili oil - 3 stars. A-OK. The dumpling wrap was nice and chewy but the filling left me with something more to be desired. 4) Beef Dry Pot - 2.5 stars. Super spicy the way I like it, but where's the beef? 5) 3-cup chicken - 2 stars. It's OK. Oddly soft textured chicken in a dark soy-type glaze with a few pieces of garlic slices thrown in. I'd rather pay half the price for Americanized Chinese chicken any day.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    Love Han Dynasty and frequently eat at the Manayunk location and University City location. Was excited to see that the Old City spot was going to be open late night- thought it would be an awesome place to grab a meal after the bars. Problem is- the location is never actually open late night. Tried to go last Saturday after the bar, arrived at 1:15 am after walking by earlier in the night and seeing the sign advertising late night menu till 2 am. Not so- closed early. Then the next weekend, called ahead at 12 to see if they were still open. Was told yes, but it was kind of slow and they probably would close at 1 am again. Immediately got in a cab and got there at 12:15 am excited to enjoy late night meal only to find out that they decided to close up shop. Asked the server I spoke to on the phone why he didn't just say that when I called and his only response was to shrug and say "Kitchen closed, have a good night" Skip this location, service is better at the Manayunk and University City locations.

    (1)

  • Enid C.

    When I drove by this place with my mom in the car, she just looks at the sign and says, "What's Handy Nasty?" That being said, this place is phenoms. Bring some pepsid and a Chinese friend, and you're good to go.

    (4)

  • Sean H.

    Well I finally tried Han Dynasty after hearing about it for all these years. I must say, I was not disappointed at all. We had spicy cucumbers, wontons, and a dry pot style fish. Each of them was amazing in its own right, but I could seriously eat nothing but those spicy cucumbers for the rest of my life and be perfectly content. I wasn't as bowled over by the spiciness as I'd been warned I would be, but that's okay. There was still some kick, and it was delicioussssss. The service was meh, but that's to be expected in a place as busy as Han. I certainly plan to return very soon!

    (5)

  • W C.

    Han Dynasty is just okay. I am Chinese, so I eat Asian food and rice everyday. With that said, naturally I'm pretty picky about the food. We have been to Han Dynasty a few times and just like everything in life it's got its pros and cons. This place is packed every time we go. And it doesn't matter if we made a reservation or not, you still gotta wait. I'm talking about 1 hour plus! In my opinion the food is good, but it's not the best Chinese food in town. The Dan Dan noodle is good, a lot of the other chicken and spicy fish main dishes are just okay. Most of the times, if you sit downstairs you'll get poor service. Overall, the wait is always ridiculous, service is poor and food is just okay good. So in conclusion, I would rather go to Chinatown and get better food and better service for the same price or less.

    (3)

  • Paige C.

    I just am not getting the hype! I have heard so many great things about this place and have tried to get in time and time again, so when we finally got a seating I was pumped. I was ready for an amazing meal. Unfortunately what I got was an entirely average meal that didn't even rival my favorite take-out spot. I love spicy food, but the problem with Han Dynasty is that they hit the spicy note on their dishes and forget about everything else. Where is the complexity? Where is the mix of textures and flavors that makes this cuisine special? The smoked duck was too smoky, the garlic chicken was undergarlic'd (yep, I made that word up.) Course after course was a one note bite. I did enjoy the cold sesame noodles but other than that the meal was a total wash. Bottom Line: Wayyyy Overrated.

    (2)

  • Stephy S.

    YES, as good as all the reviewers said. Tremendous wait already building up early Saturday for dinner. Thank heavens I read the Yelp reviews and had a rsvp! Had the Dan Dan noodles (i still dream about you and your spicy love) and a fish dish (tasty goodness). The only reason why i am not rating a 5 is because of the mapo tofu dish I got. My date and I could not eat it. I don;t know what season/herb/etc was in it, but it tasted funky. I think maybe we just got a bad batch. We literally had 2 bites and left it aside. I didn't feel that guilty after eating because I was sure I burned off all my calories sweating. The heat is intense, but sooo worth it. I've never had this heat in any dish I've eaten in Philadelphia until here :)

    (4)

  • Chad B.

    Finally tried this place after hearing about it for some time. Found a reservation on a Saturday night and myself and two others. Busy but comfortable atmosphere inside and a friendly waiter greeted us. We had the spicy cucumber dish to start...good, not too spicy for us (it's rated a 7) and had sweet salty and spicy. We moved on to the Dan Dan noodles. My first bite was "these are good but not earth shattering". Somehow with every bite I grew to love them more and more but could have used more spice. We went with two suggestions from the waiter. The first a fish, black bean, and leek dish. Very delicate and tasty. The 2nd was a pork that was twice fried with red chilis. Also good although not sure any of us would order again. My only flaw with the place was the pace at which everything came out...very very fast. I wish I had more time between dishes.

    (5)

  • Bobby P.

    This is not your run of the mill, General Tso's serving, chicken fried rice no onions please Chinese restaurant. Give it a shot if you suspect, as I do, that most Chinese restaurants have been on a steady decline for the past few decades. My faith has been restored. The dry pot and dan dan noodles are two of my favorites, with plenty of that funky flavor you get from a good sauce such as a Hunan/black bean. Skip the cold mung bean noodles. They're like flavorless jello strips, doused in said sauce that could have been much better utilized otherwise. The dumplings have good flavor but little stuffing, reminiscent of lightly filled ravioli.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    I heard about this restaurant as a great American-friendly Chinese restaurant, and the Yelp reviews seemed to confirm the authenticity of the food--perfect for a combined dinner between my discriminating Chinese family and my boyfriend's American family! Maybe I came at this fusion background from the wrong angle, but I was pretty disappointed. Rather than an authentic Chinese place that had adjusted its format or options to be more accessible, it was more Chinese-American that happened to feature somewhat more authentic flavors than General Tso's chicken. Upon being seated, I became skeptical. We were seated at a large table in a dark corner with folding chairs that creaked and swayed, next to a well-lit table with regular dining chairs that would later seat a comparably-sized party. Oh well, I don't know how reservations over Thanksgiving weekend work. Other signs were there throughout the meal: my father asked if there was a Chinese-only menu and the waiter pointed out that the menu was printed in both English and Chinese (traditional eaters will know that's not the point of the question). My parents noted some words were mis-translated in Chinese. When we ordered soup, it sat for a few minutes as the staff searched for bowls and spoons (not the usual soup spoons, but large, shallow, metal spoons maladapted to the small bowls), and then walked away after dropping off the bowls and spoons, whereas it's been universal in my experience for the server to dole out soup portions. The entrees came with small forks for serving rather than large spoons (hey, maybe we used them all during the soup course!). In terms of the food, it was indeed more authentic than Chinese-American places in terms of flavors (I did enjoy the spicy beef tendon appetizer), but the quality was not clearly superior to what I order when I'm in the mood for cheap and local and Asian-ish. In particular, a lamb dish was smothered in an incredibly viscous, salty sauce, and the rice was packed together and mushed rather than being fluffy and slightly sticky. Duck dish was kind of dry, but people seemed to enjoy most of the dishes. I also thought most were pretty good, just none outstanding, and some were clearly not worth it. Overall, it wasn't an awful meal; it was just fine to pretty good. Our experience in particular didn't seem to match that of the reviews I read before (yes, I double checked the name and address!!) and I think the absence of some basic service customs (inaccurate Chinese translation, not serving the soup, forks for serving) had us throwing up our guard. Combined with the food, we felt we mostly missed out on the authentic Chinese part of the meal that others have raved about.

    (2)

  • Ann L.

    Had a fantastic meal here. With so many reviews, I just want to point out a few important details. 1) Chopsticks are the only utensils given. I'm not sure if they have utensils available upon request, because I was too embarrassed to ask. 2) BYOB. The host was very helpful in suggesting place within two blocks to buy wine and also recommended which wines would go best with our meal. 3) This place is popular and not large. We made reservations, and I recommend you do too. 4) They are serious about the spice levels. I had Kung Pao with a 3 or 4 level of spice, and it had plenty of kick enough for me. I would recommend meals 6 and over only for those who are very serious about spiciness! 5) Three credit card limit per table. Oh... and just move the space in the name over and you get Handy Nasty. Can't beat that.

    (5)

  • Marissa G.

    After seeing this show on the Food Network's "Meat and Potatoes", Han Dynasty made the list of places to eat at in Philadelphia and I am sure glad it did! As soon as the appetizers came out I knew I wasn't in for the same old Chinese food. I've never been to China, but I could tell this seemed much more authentic than the usual Chinese fare. The menu is organized by spice level - which is helpful. We stayed in the 6 -10 range. Don't be afraid of trying the higher level spice foods because Han Dynasty uses schezwan peppercorns in some dishes to help "numb" the heat. Foods I would eat again in a heartbeat: Dan Dan Noodles Spicy Crunch Cucumbers Double Cooked Pork Belly We also had had the Lamb Dry Pot, which was good, but a bit too spicy for me. The setting inside is perfect for groups and also couples. We sat right by the window. It was great for lunch. The staff was friendly and helpful with questions we had about the menu. In the end I would say that you can't really go wrong here. You will find authentic, delicious Chinese at Han's Dynasty. Oh and there is a reasonably* priced parking lot right across the street. *reasonably - coming from a Chicagoan, I don't know how prices compare throughout Philadelphia

    (5)

  • Allie Y.

    Wow this place is delicious! I had several people including several of my Chinese friends rank Han Dynasty as either their favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly or in the top 5, so expectations were high when I finally tried this place, and it surpassed even those expectations. Han Dynasty specializes in Szechwanese food so the food is on the spicy side (come prepared!). It's also a BYOB, so come prepared with that as well! I went with a group so we ordered family style, and every dish was pretty fantastic. Among our favorites included the pork belly and three cup chicken. I am still having some dreams about eating that pork belly... The owner is a funny quirky Taiwanese guy who really likes chatting up his customers, I thought his visit to our table was one of my favorite parts of the dinner. He is a really amicable fellow whose presence added some fun to part of our dinner conversation as we waited for the food to come out. All in all, I'm really happy that there's a solid place like this for Chinese food, and I'll definitely be coming back soon!

    (5)

  • Abby W.

    My boyfriend and I came here on Friday night with a reservation for 9pm. We waited about 20 minutes to be seated and the place was jam-packed, but we placed our order and the food started rolling out very quickly. The dan dan noodles came first, tossed table-side in their seductive nutty spicy peppercorn sauce. They are assertively spicy, but if you like hot you will not be overwhelmed as you shovel perfectly toothsome strands of heaven into your mouth. Be sure to save room for later! Next came the wontons in chili oil. The wrapper was so delicate and ethereal, and while they sit in a puddle of almost fruity chili oil they become translucent orange slippery little packets filled with the perfect pork mixture. Eat them while they're hot and fresh because if they sit too long they stick together, and they're not so great left over. We got two entrees to share, our typical arrangement that makes decisions a lot easier. I ordered the pork dry pot style, and at a 10 I'd say it barely edged out the dan dan noodles for spice intensity, but holy cow was it delicious. He got the beef triple dry fried, which was also really great. It had an incredible texture and the whole dish was really satisfying. This feast took up the whole table, we ate maybe half of everything, and the dinner service probably took 45 minutes. Bringing some great beer from Hawthorne's is an excellent way to keep costs down when you go out, and the whole tab was just shy of $50. Our dilemma upon finishing: there's all this delicious food left but we're going out! We made some pretty elaborate arrangements to provide for temporary leftover storage at a friend's house along the way, and my mouth is watering in anticipation of those leftovers coming home with my boyfriend when he goes out to the gym later.

    (5)

  • Ben B.

    Reading Yelp's extremely positive reviews, I circled this restaurant for my visit to Philadelphia. Yes, I ordered the Dan Dan noodles. And yes, they were good. They tasted vaguely peanutty, so I assume that was the sauce. I have no idea what else was in the bowl aside from the noodles (something kinda gritty?) but I was a fan. My waiter cautioned me that the food was incredibly spicy. I like spicy food, but my waiter kept giving me this look like I was about to torch my tastebuds forever. So he talked me down to the garlic sauce style chicken. Holy garlic, Batman! It was so ridiculously heavy on the garlic, I'll be able to kill all vampires in a 20-mile radius every time I belch for the next ten years. I wish they would have dialed back the garlic so I could have enjoyed the flavor of the food underneath. I could have been eating cardboard slathered in garlic sauce and I wouldn't have known the difference. Between those two items, there was a ton of food. I ate until I was beyond stuffed and I still had plenty left. What pushed me to a 4-star rating was the incredible niceness of my server. He was on point with multiple water refills and was totally attentive. Super-nice guy. Seems like the food options in this part of Philly are few, but Han Dynasty is probably worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Edward S.

    I don't get why people like this place. I've gone three or four times, and every time left questioning why I went back. I love spicy food, but the food here is just spicy without any depth of flavor, every dish wallowing in a pool of red oil, topped off with a dizzying amount of MSG. The entire menu is like that- laden with oil, chili, and MSG. That about sums it up. The signature dishes- dandan noodles are a glutinous mound of noodles with small flecks of meat and red oil all over it. The only redeeming thing I ate here was the dumpling soup, which was very good. The servers are all sloppy looking 20 something bros, and if you can get their attention away from eating/hanging out at the bar you may just get them to bring you a check. There are just too many great places in Chinatown...

    (1)

  • Aron N.

    This is absolutely a great restaurant, possibly the best near University of Pennsylvania. The food quality is excellent (according to European standard too), the service is friendly and the price is low, because actually the portions are quite big, you are likely bring home with a nice package :)

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    It's love. After months of "training" my taste buds to withstand spicier and spicier foods, I told everyone that the time had come. "I'm ready for Han." They weren't so sure; they told me there was a Baby Adult menu, that I could ask for mild-leveled food. HA. I waved these suggestions away. The seven of us ordered Dan Dan noodles, dumplings in chili oil, chicken in chili oil, dry pot fish, dry fry beef, double-cooked pork belly, chicken in garlic sauce, and salt and pepper shrimp. My favorites of the night had to be the noodles and dumplings. If you didn't feel like reading all of that, don't fret. Just order anything, because it's all amazing. Your lips and forehead might hate you, because they will be numb and sweating (respectively), but your stomach will beg for more delicious spiciness. The waiter was attentive and refilled our waters (and bowls of rice) throughout the night, and Han himself came to greet the table once we had finished our meal. Two brave souls from our table signed up for the next 20-course tasting menu. After a few more visits to Han Dynasty, maybe I'll be ready to try the tasting menu!

    (5)

  • Ria V.

    Don't say I didn't warn you - this is not your run-of-the-mill American Chinese place. Be wary of spice levels if you're not used to spice ; I would recommend spice level 2 or 3 if this applies to you. For most others, unless you want to be panting and sweating through the meal, I wouldn't recommend going over level 6. This was one of our favorite places for my friends and I to eat out when we were in Philly; my personal comfort food. It's usually difficult to find a table at the center city location on the weekend, slightly easier at the manayunk and university city locations. Open Table came to the rescue on quite a few occasions! Our favorites were dan dan noodles, wontons in chili oil, cold sesame noodles, Spicy crispy cucumbers, dry fry beef, garlic sauce chicken, cumin style chicken (not necessarily in that order). I still crave this food even though i moved out of Philly last year. I can't wait to go back to this place the next time I go to Philly!

    (5)

  • Shannon H.

    I'm in love with their cold sesame noodles and hot sauce style tofu. What can I say about Han Dynasty that hasn't already been said? A very helpful server did give us a tip for folks who can't handle the heat: if you like the hot sauce style tofu but are looking for a little less heat, try the homestyle tofu. It's just as delicious, but a little less painful. Me? I love the heat!

    (5)

  • Olga O.

    Yum! This place is delicious. If you're looking for some good food, great staff, and a casual dining experience you've come to the right place.

    (5)

  • Prasath S.

    Blew my mind. Dan Dan Noodles, Tripe Appetizer and the Dry Pot. Omg !!! Can't wait to go back next weekend and try the other entrees.

    (4)

  • Sharon K.

    "Sichuan Nazi" The food here was wonderfully spicy and greasy and if it were not for the obscene and horrific service we received by the OWNER of this establishment, I would return. The owner, Han Chiang, is a bootleg Al Yeganeh (the "soup nazi" of Seinfeld fame). I dont know if this is contrived or what, but I am not buying whatever he is selling. Our party of 8 (birthday dinner) placed our orders for apps with a server with no direction or suggestions and pleasant service. We ordered way too much and when it came time to order our entrees, most of us were full. Han came over to take our order for entrees. Because we were full, not everyone wanted to eat as there were plenty of apps still left over to graze on. We ordered the lamb dry pot (raves on yelp), shrimp dry pot (someone does not eat red meat), and eggplant w/ garlic sauce (for the vegetarian in the group). Immediately, Han told us we didnt know what we were doing and that we were disrespecting Chinese culture by placing our order this way. He told us we ordered wrong, and needed to just order what the f***k he told us to order because he owned this piece of s**t restaurant. Yes, he actually said that to us. We should never order the same flavor profile (here, we ordered both the lamb and shrimp dry pot to accomodate people's eating restriction). At this point, I lost what little appetite I had left. We changed the order, dropping the lamb dry pot, keeping the shrimp dry pot and eggplant w/ garlic sauce - 2 separate flavor profiles, no overlap. Han cursed us out told us we were f-ing disrespectful by ordering basically the same thing. He hassled us and argued until we ordered exactly what he told us to order, which in the end was not part of someone's dietary restrictions and had to be sent back. Han was very upset and snatched the food from the table, knocking over a bottle of wine in the process. Everyone was shocked and horrified, but as it was a birthday dinner, we did not make a scene. The scene later came when someone approached Han after we had been waiting 20 minutes for our check. He told us that he owns this f-ing place and he doesnt serve people. He called us s***ty customers and told us to get the f out of his restaurant. He was screaming and carrying on. Everyone in the restaurant was staring. In spite of the owner's behavior, we did not want to penalize the woman who initially served us our apps (and hopefully was getting the tip, we still tipped 20% and left. I would never return here. When I go out to eat, I try to be respectful. We did not order items off the menu and tried to take his suggestions and still were berated, belittled and treated like we were less than. Please do not put up with the tantrums of this child. This is just bad business. I dont know if he is on drugs, bi polar, or what but this is not cool.

    (1)

  • Ken D.

    The food was really good. Serves could have been better, it took awhile to place our order but once the food came it was all good.

    (4)

  • Danielle I.

    I visited Han Dynasty in Old city once before. It's a great location. This delectable food is meant to be enjoyed with large groups of friends and family. The food was scrumptious!

    (5)

  • Rajat S.

    Food was excellent. We ordered Cumin lamb, Noodles and Chicken twice fried. Excellent food, a little on the spicy side but quite flavorful. The Cumin lamb had a lot of red chillis and opened up my sinuses. :)

    (4)

  • Monica L.

    I had heard some pretty amazing things about Han Dynasty, and although I am not usually a huge fan of Chinese food (maybe because most of the Chinese food I have eaten comes in little white take out boxes) I decided to give this place a try. I am really glad I did, as it was some of the best Chinese food I have ever had. The Old City location, which I visited, is kind of hidden and I had probably passed it a dozen times without ever noticing it was there. The inside is fairly small and gets packed on a Friday or Saturday night - luckily, I had a reservation. Note: I have also been for lunch which is nice because you can get a smaller portion for a smaller price and it is not usually crowded. I had to try the famous Dan Dan noodles I had heard so much about. They didn't disappoint. I love spicy food, and these were certainly nice and spicy. The flavor combination was stellar. I will order this every time I go! I have also tried a few other dishes there, including the spicy crispy cucumbers and the string beans with minced pork, which were both good. The one thing I wasn't crazy about the cumin-style Pork because I didn't care for the dried chilies in the dish and kept having to pick them out.

    (4)

  • Sammy S.

    I very much enjoyed my meal at Han Dynasty. We started off with dan dan noodles which were very nice and spicy. I found the menu very interesting because they had a wide variety of different kind of meats and spicy foods. The menu items had numbers 1-10 to indicate how hot the food was. I had dumplings in chili oil, they were very good. For my main course I had Kung Po chicken, some of the best chicken I have ever had. It was spicy while not being overly so not to ruin the great flavor.

    (5)

  • Kaynaz M.

    One of my fave restaurants here in philly and my absolute favorite Chinese. This place is so authentic and flavorful, if Youhaven't tried it, go now! The Dan Dan noodles are a must, I get them every time. They have this spice and seasoning that's addicting. The cold cucumbers, scallion pancakes and dumplings are good apps as well. I've been here numerous times and tried basically everything on the menu and the twice cooked fish, garlic chicken, salt and pepper shrimp are standouts! Also, make sure you try the tasting menu! It's sooo much food and you get to try so much off the menu. It'sThe first Sunday of every month for 25 dollars a person. Reservations go fast and if u don't have 8-10 people with you, you'll be sitting with randoms.

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    To be honest, I've had better Chinese take out. If you want great Chinese food without breaking the bank, start at Sang Kee in or at any of the other amazing restaurants in Chinatown here in Philly or NYC. I don't know where to begin with my list of complaints, so I'll leave you with three. 1) The spice index was foolishness. Why a 1-10? Nothing starts to get spicy until you hit a 6. 2) Every dish was excessively oily. Nuff said. 3) The wait staff was not friendly.

    (1)

  • Janet S.

    Granted we came in a half and hour before closing on Saturday, but the restaurant was full of other parties who didn't look like they were leaving anytime soon. In fact, by the time our server was finished rushing us through dinner the majority of the other tables were still sitting ordering drinks. Needless to say, the service we received greatly impacted the stars I gave. However, the food was fantastic. Definitely get the Dan Dan noodles.

    (3)

  • Suchee V.

    Han is a pioneer Sichuan food restaurateur in the Phila area! This is evidenced thru this meteoric rise in the greater Phila area, and now in NYC's east village. Every item on the menu is meticulously prepared and served with the right amount of spice and flavour! He often hosts a tasting dinner for a set price, where a patron can sample all his top dishes. Top notch items include - Dan Dan Noodles, Cumin Chicken, Wonton in Chili Oil and the ever spicy Dry Fry style! If you chance upon Han Chiang, the eponymous owner, do engage him in a conversation - mighty interesting chap!

    (5)

  • Nadia B.

    Wow. Just WOW. I think this is the best chinese place I have ever eaten at and I have been eating egg drop soup since I was 1-years-old.... and was at NYC Chinatown every other week to quench my father's obsession! Winning items: Fish (flounder, mild-taste) in hot spicy sauce, dan dan noodles sans pork, and kung pao shrimp. It is so good that by the end of the night I contemplated eating the leftovers at 11 PM... or whether I should enjoy it the next day for lunch. This is an especially key point because I STILL had these thoughts after my Han Dynasty dinner night proceeded to become hell... MY CAR WAS TOWED A BLOCK AWAY WHIIIILE I WAS PROBABLY ENJOYING MY DANG DAN DAN NOODLES!!!! My friend and I spent 45 minutes of bliss in Han Dynasty saying yummmms and mmmmmmmms (and where an all-white wait staff in a chinese restaurant conjured up some unique first thoughts on what the food will be like, but I digress)... AND THEN spent 2+ hours at the Lot 1 (aka Philadelphia Impounding Center)... $240 in fees and tow charges and a ticket for a spot I SHOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN A TICKET (I will stand by my story even though 50 others claimed the same thing that night)... So this is not just a story about my car being towed, this is a story about how a typically angry Jersey girl still had Han Dynasty's amazingness and taste (and the leftover bag that emanated hot oil smell in the air) to get her through the night without tears... This food is golden!!!! I don't think I would get towed for it again, BUT.. I will visit Philly even though it's on my official sh*t list now (still a lil bit angry). Dear Management of Han Dynasty... After this tow story, I deserve a free dinner for two, hook a sista up!

    (5)

  • Henry Z.

    I'm Chinese and one of my favorite types of cuisine is Szechuan food, because it's spicy and flavorful. Now I have been to a LOT of Szechuan restaurants in my life and enjoyed all of them. When I went to Han Dynasty though, everything else paled in comparison. The food here is incredible! The Dan Dan noodles are addicting, the Mapo Tofu is heavenly, and everything else rocks! It is also in a great location downtown near the 2nd and Market station so it's easy to get here without a car. Although the service could have been better (I was refused a refill because I still had water in my glass...who does that!?), the food is worth coming here alone for.

    (5)

  • Superfly T.

    Tried the new location and the food was as good as ever, had the cumin beef with the dan-dan's to start. Full bar now and good beer prices ( necessary to quench the mega-spicey palate!)

    (5)

  • Paula N.

    My visit to this restaurant was probably the worst experience I've ever had in a restaurant. The food was okay, although not as wonderful as all the raves have led me to believe. The reason our dinner at Han Dynasty was so awful was that we were treated like prison inmates. I don't know why we were even given menus, since the owner insisted on commenting on and correcting everything we said we wanted. According to the owner, he knows best, and if a diner doesn't agree with his ideas, the diner does not deserve to eat in his restaurant. No, he's right, we DIDN'T deserve to be treated like members of a concentration camp. The food was just okay, and I will never darken his door again. The whole experience cost me $100 for three people, including tip. And he is very hard on his servers. Altogether, an awful place for dinner. We were so tense when we left that we had to take a walk to relax.

    (1)

  • Lily Q.

    Best chinese food in philly! Very worth the trek out to olde city! Don't let the spicy factor scare you, each dish can be customized according to your spice tolerance. I think hot cheetos are unpleasantly spicy and I still managed to enjoy all the han dynasty dishes. The Dan Dan noodles definitely live up to all the hype, i love all of the pork dishes, my bf loves the cumin beef. Reservations are recommended, tried to walk-in on a tuesday once and the wait was 45mins. Its a BYOB with a fun social vibe, the owner came over and chatted with us for a few minutes, very friendly staff, great for group dinners.

    (5)

  • Megan Y.

    I sometimes have to try very hard not to eat at Han Dynasty more than once a day. My fiance and I first went to Han Dynasty shortly after they opened because it's on our block. We didn't know at the time that it would become an addiction. We were lucky enough to get to know Han before the Best of Philly and three bell rating from Craig LeBan, and he's given us quite an education on Sichuan food. We've tried just about every main dish on the menu, the tasting menu and several things that aren't on any menu, but Han happens to have something special he wants us to try. Some of our favorites include the fish and tofu in hot sauce, cumin-style lamb or beef and dry fry lamb or beef. The cucumbers and dan dan noodles are also fantastic. If you're looking for authentic, mouth-numbing, completely addictive food and a unique experience, come in a let Han take you on a tour of his menu. It's well worth it.

    (5)

  • Candace C.

    Han Dynasty is such a great place to bring friends. We came yesterday in a group of 25 and tried the $25 pre-fixe menu. Han literally brought out 10-15 courses of food, 5 or so were appetizers. It was such a wonderful dining experience. The spicy wontons are incredible, as are the yummy cucumber in hot oil. For 25$, we got lamb, chicken, two fish dishes, two vegetables, a soup, one shrimp, one crab dish (to name a few). The fried fish was incredible, and the soup that Han selected for us was a surprise hit. It was had little sour vegetables but a deep flavorful broth. I highly recommend Han for large parties. It is a BYO, and the service was prompt, friendly, and fun. My first time here warranted 3 stars, but after trying Han Dynasty with a huge group, my final decision is 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Tara G.

    Be prepared to wait a long time for a table, usually around 45 minutes, even if you have a reservation. I know, it sucks. But once you start eating, I promise you won't care one bit. Obviously if you don't like your food spicy, you shouldn't eat here. Luckily, Hubby and I love spicy things, so we just dove in. We went a little crazy with the appetizers because we wanted to try everything. We had the dumplings in chili oil, dan dan noodles, spicy crispy cucumber and pork belly in garlic sauce. I loved the bright acidity of the dumplings, and the noodles were perfectly balanced for me. These were my favorites of the night and I could make a whole meal with just those. The pork belly was not my favorite. It was very chewy and almost slimy, and the flavor was not quite right. I probably won't order that again. The spicy cucumber was awesome. The contrast of the heat to the fresh, watery cucumber flavor was really surprising and pleasing to my palate. For our entree, we shared the chicken dry pot. We asked them to tone down the spice on it a bit and it was still very hot. Certainly not inedibly hot, but we were both sweating. I really enjoyed the warm flavors. Hubby is not a huge fan of five spice, so he was not crazy about this. Even with the wait, this was still a great experience. It's awesome to be able to have some real legit Sichuan food readily available for a very reasonable price.

    (4)

  • Jackie T.

    Listen to all of the reviews - the Dan Dan noodles are a MUST TRY. They were so good! Some other things I liked: 1) their funny signs at the entrance ("This location sucks. So we're moving." HA) 2) the craft beers on tap 3) Dan Dan noodles 4) Leftover rice mixed with the Dan Dan juices 5) That I could make a reservation 6) They sat my husband and I before the other couple we were meeting arrived - some restaurants won't do that so I appreciated them allowing us to get comfy and read the menu before they got there 7) spice levels can be adjusted. Of course, there are very few restaurants that are perfect so some cons of our visit - originally, we were going to be seated in downstairs/basement area. That would have been fine except for the fact that there was NO ONE else there. The hostess said "It'll be packed in an hour" but it would have been awkward for the hour until people arrived so we asked to be moved upstairs where there were still open seats (which they allowed us to do). Not sure the rationale to put us there to begin with when there were open seats upstairs...eh, no big deal though. The garlic chicken was good, but not great. I would return for the Dan Dan noodles again though.

    (4)

  • Lynn G.

    Without a doubt, Han Dynasty is the best Chinese food in Philadelphia, especially if you like spicy food. My husband and I eat at Han frequently, both in town and in University City. When my son is in town from San Francisco, it is the first place he wants to visit. We have frequently take the signature dish, Dan Dan Noodles to him in San Francisco.

    (5)

  • Casey R.

    Just an update after a lovely meal for a friends birthday last night. They now serve beer (dogfish head 60 min and a few others) and have wine so there is a corkage fee if you byob. I believe the menu said $1 per beer and $10 per wine. Tuesday is free corkage however, which we took great advantage of. Food was amazing as always, service was excellent. Han helped with some ordering questions and made specialty vegetarian dishes for our side of the table.

    (5)

  • Ishan G.

    The food was excellent, as always, and the service was on point. I got the cumin style chicken and upped the spice level to 10 (I like spicier food), and I wished I could've made it a bit more spicier. Try the spicy cucumber and Dan Dan noodles! You won't be disappointed. Nevertheless, the food was delicious, and I will certainly frequent this and the Manayunk location. Thank you Han Dynasty for always being an excellent and reliable dinner choice.

    (5)

  • M S.

    I really hate to rate the Old City Han Dynasty so low, but my recent dinner there was a total disappointment. (I've eaten at the University City location on a couple of occasions as well as having their take-out for a dinner party, and have always been impressed with the experience, so to have this one be so unappealing was a real surprise.) The first impression was good, because it was of the quite impressive space - high ceilings to mask noise, dark interior to give an air of intimacy, all good. I didn't have a reservation, although it didn't look as though I would have needed one at 6 on a Thursday evening. I was half expecting a large happy hour crowd, but either that's not a "thing" here or I missed it. Anyway, I took a seat at a high top in the bar area and someone came over with menus immediately. I asked about a couple of the cocktail offerings, and on my server's recommendation went with one called the Empress - lemongrass vodka, St. Germain (I think), soda, one or two other things. It had NO FLAVOR WHATSOEVER. Seriously, nothing. "OK," I thought, "I just picked wrong, it happens." Chose dumplings in chili oil and the cumin-style lamb. The lamb came out first - I'd forgotten about the food-comes-out-when-it's-ready rule. Now, see, I love lamb. And I love cumin. And I love spice. This dish was at best room temperature, and when they say "cumin crusted" what they mean is "liberally sprinkled with cumin-flavored sand." Every lukewarm bite was gritty, and I ran across some pieces that were crunchy in a way that screamed "gristle." Perhaps not being able to see the dish in the half-light kept me from realizing the truly unappetizing nature of what I had ordered. The dumplings in chili oil were basically large wonton-type wrappers with a tiny amount of filling - honestly, I swear two of them were just wrapper - in a nicely spicy oil, finished with a heavy handful of sesame seeds. Again, not exactly appealing and not exactly warm but at least this time I could tell why it was crunching with every bite. The tea was perfectly fine. Based on my earlier visits to the U City Han Dynasty, I will probably go back there again, but I think Old City has lost me as a patron for good.

    (2)

  • Samantha B.

    My boyfriend is in love with Han, simply put. He took me for one of my first dates, and probably ordered the whole menu. We also came with a group (of fellow jews) on Christmas Eve, to continue the Asian food on Christmas tradition of our people. I much prefer sitting on the first level, as the basement feels like something they forgot to decorate and is horribly loud. Food is pretty standard across all locations, which is a huge plus in my book. You can always count on the same flavors. Highlights: -Spicy Crispy Cucumbers -String Beans (I will say, I don't even like cucumbers or string beans) -Dan Dan Noodles (occasionally too spicy for me, but flavors are great) -Three Cup Chicken (a great non-spicy element to the meal, comes with white rice to soak up all the extra dan dan juice) We went to the University City location last night, and while not the original, it has a bit more panache. Ambience and service are spot on. Dan Dan Noodles were also extremely tasty (don't spear me, but tastier than those in Old City).

    (3)

  • Jordan S.

    I first came across this place in URL form- handynasty.com and swore it was called handy nasty, so that is how my friends and I refer to it to this day. Dan Dan. Get it. Getting noodles instead of something more carnivore appropriate might seem disappointing, but Dan Dan does not disappoint. The sauce is so savory and the portion so filling. I pretty much nose dive the bowl once the noodles are gone to ensure full consumption of every last drop of Dan Dan sauce. Handy Nasty Good. My friends have gotten their spicy food quota quite satiated here as well so if looking for something challenging spice-wise, go here as well. In general, great establishment for other reasons too! Location (perfect dinner date in combo w/ the Ritz theatres nearby). Good decor, cozy atmosphere. Not too loud/crowded. Just the right amount of everything. Me like! Pretty much addicted to Dan Dan.

    (5)

  • Jessica W.

    Long overdue review. I love Han Dynasty. I still crave it, even though I moved out of Philly last May after finishing up grad school. But during my 2 years there, Han's was a perennial favorite among friends and classmates. Beyond the food (dan dan noodles, get a serving for each person, they're so good you won't want to share), the atmosphere can't be beats, especially for large parties. They have several large tables, especially downstairs, that are great for birthdays or any type of celebration where you want to get rowdy. They're totally down with that. Also a note about (and shout out to) the owner, Han. He's awesome, and if you go there enough, he will remember your name and welcome you like family when you go. He knew the names of a lot of my classmates by the end of our 2 year stint in Philly. There's nothing like walking into a restaurant and having the owner greet you by your first name (and then drinking with your party later that night)! And finally, a request: Han, please open up a restaurant in SF. ASAP. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Rebecca Y.

    Food: 5 stars, Service: 2 stars. Holy crap the food here is effing amazing! I LOVE Sichuan food, it's my favorite Chinese cuisine, and this place does an excellent job of recreating authentic Sichuan flavors. We got the chicken dry pot (awesome!), dan dan noodles (AMAZING), Sichuan string beans with minced pork (bland, don't get them), eggplant with garlic sauce (beautiful and tasty, albeit very oily), twice cooked pork (pretty good if you like pork belly), fish with hot dry peppers (good). I would definitely get the chicken dry pot and dan dan noodles again, just thinking about them makes me salivate!! You can customize the spice level for each of the dishes (1-10, with 10 being the hottest). I got 10 on everything and it wasn't THAT hot, so feel free to go balls to the wall if you wanna be adventurous! This is the first place I'd hit up if I go back to Philly. Prices are very reasonable, considering it's the best Sichuan food I've had outside of China. Service could be better, but it's not a dealbreaker.

    (4)

  • Hope M.

    Was in Philly for work, and met up with a group of friends at Han Dynasty for some delicious tofu dishes and Dan Dan Noodles. Service was awesome, and the food lived up to all of the hype. We tried several different styles/textures of tofu dishes, and all were full of flavor. Veggie Heaven.

    (4)

  • JB Y.

    Shout out to managerette at Han Dynasty, really took care of us, awesome restaurant, amazing good - one word: rabbit.

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    This place was AMAZING!!! Dan Dan Noodles were ON POINT! loved this place and would recommend it to ANYONE!

    (5)

  • Rafael G.

    I didn't expect to give Han Dynasty 2 stars. I think it has a very good reputation but today's lunch was a big disappointment. Our primary complaint was the poor service. My lunch partner asked our waiter for a fresh plate and didn't even mention it was because of the hair in his food. The waiter took the plate with an annoyed look and never returned (we finally grabbed a plate from another table). Various other waitstaff walked by periodically and gave us funny looks but never asked us if we need anything and didn't bring the check until we asked twice, even though there were customers waited to be seated. The food was fine, but really pretty greasy. I'd eat it again if it were half the price.

    (2)

  • Joshua J.

    Now this is real Chinese food! This was my first experience here, and food was amazing. I would definitely recommend the Dan Dan noodles too any first time customer. The food comes out quick and the service was great. I'm definitely going back in the near future.

    (4)

  • Dana M.

    Great for anyone who like spicy Szechwan food. My boyfriend and I both eat at the Old City location and order take-out from there. We LOVE the Dan Dan noodles (at 8-10 spice level), and our other favorites are: the hot sauce style beef, the chicken with long-hots, the spicy cold cucumbers, the double cooked pork belly, the chicken with garlic sauce, the dry pot style fish and the three cup chicken. We will get a big delivery order and then stuff ourselves for like two days! It's that good! We like it hot, so we usually go for 6-10 on our spice levels depending on the dish. The only thing I've had that I didn't like was the Chicken in chili oil cold appetizer. The chicken had too much fatty skin on it and it just wasn't that flavorful. The only other kinda negative thing I can say about Han Dynasty is that sometimes the hot sauce style dishes are just smothered in the chili oil. Just way too much oil and everything is drowning. Our orders and experiences have varied, so I think it's just a difference in what chefs are working that day. But we really love hot food so it's not too much of a problem for us. We have always been happy with the flavor. I want to mention that I have also eaten at Jane G's. They are competitors from what you see here on Yelp. I have to say Jane G's Szechwan was also very good, though I can't speak to the non-szechwan items. I particularly like their dan dan noodles and chicken with Long-hots. Also, I actually preferred their dumplings with chili oil to Han Dynasty's dumplings. They go lighter on the oil. I think the flavor of Han Dynasty's food is better then Jane G's and their spicy levels are higher/more intense.

    (5)

  • Frank D.

    If you live in Philly, I am jealous. Han Dynasty popped up on the Yelp list of places to go near my hotel when I was in PHL last year. The experience was so much more than I expected. I arrived at the hotel late and ended up at the restaurant on my own, but they seated me right in the middle of the action. Definitely get the Dan Dan - no kidding, it's great - but hot. Ditto for the spicy crispy cucumbers. I had dry pepper style (triple fried) shrimp as an entree... never had anything like this, and there is no shortage of asian food in San Diego where I'm from. I took the leftovers back to my hotel, stored them in the crappy hotel fridge and ate them cold the next day - it was that good. By the way... if you want to make the Dan Dan noodles, the owner gave the recipe to a local Philly magazine: philly.com/philly/food/r… I've made it several times.. it's the real deal.

    (5)

  • Ben W.

    One of my personal favorites. Ever since I've discovered this place freshman year, I have taken all of my friends and family to try it. Some of the most authentic spicy food in Philly, definitely one of my favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, the portions have gone down over the past year, but the pizzaz is still there! Warning: Not for those that can't do spicy! Dishes to try: Peppercorn Tofu Fish Stew, Three Dry Pepper Chicken, Hot Red Oil Cold Noodle, Dan Dan Noodles

    (4)

  • Amy W.

    How have I not written a review for Han Dynasty yet? Quite possibly the best spicy Chinese experience in Philly, or even yet on the East Coast, Han Dynasty is one of my tried and true favs in Philly. The mind (and tongue) numbing spiciness of its dishes are countered with enormous authentic flavor. Staff is really friendly and always accommodating. Must tries: dan dan mian - it might even be better than China's. MUST GET chili-oil cooked fish - just watch that you don't completely lose feeling in your mouth spicy wontons - ahhh-MAZING and pretty much everything else. HINT: If you want to throw larger events, be sure to try to get the downstairs reserved. It's got some huge round/long tables and service is alllwwayyys fast there. Also, it's BYO.

    (5)

  • Karina A.

    If you are planning on coming here: The food is great and SPICY! I recommend Dan Dan Noodles Cucumbers in hot sauce double cooked fish and cumin lamb I come here at least once a month =)

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    I've always heard about this ever-elusive, legendary thing known as "authentic Chinese food." Though I can't be sure, I may now have experienced it with Han Dynasty... All I know is I love love love whatever type of food it is that they do make! Ordering here takes a bit more creativity than at most restaurants, as the menu is basically divided into different "styles" of dishes and leaves it up to you to choose what kind of meat (beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, etc.) is to be so "styled." Each style also has a different heat rating (1-10) to denote how spicy the dish is. So it takes some mixing and matching to reach the perfect combination to please your party... Would make for an interesting math problem - you know the kind. (Stacy likes chicken and hot sauce style, but not garlic sauce style; Bob likes bla bla bla.) That said, there are a few dishes (okay maybe a lot) that I love so much that I'd probably override anyone else's preferences in order to get. They include the crispy spicy cucumbers, dan dan noodles, beef in hot sauce, three cup chicken, and this fried fish dish I tried once - which, looking at the online menu now, might have been dry pepper style (yes, I do a little recon sometimes when writing my reviews!). The tripe appetizer and scallion-style chicken are also delicious, but maybe not must-haves if push comes to shove. Reservations for dinner are a must, at least on weekend nights. And it's BYO so don't forget to bring the fam bam and a few bottles of vino!

    (5)

  • foodie c.

    GREAT Chinese food and service! The server was AWESOME! Nice contemporary decor and big open space. Large portions and awesome lunch menu. GO!!!

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Dumpling dough to pork stuffing ratio in the appetizer tilted heavily to the Dough Boy. Increasing the chili oil volume in a main dish does not necessarily complement the other fresh ingredients or make the dish more authentic..

    (1)

  • Kimberly S.

    Han Dynasty, or handy nasty, as I secretly pronounce it in my head due to the website address, is a great spot to get your next spicy food fix for all you spicy food addicts out there. Chinese food had become my least favorite of the mainstream Asian cuisines [Thai being my absolute favorite], probably because I associate it with dishes like pork fried rice and wonton soup. While I'm not familiar with authentic Sichuan food, this place gives Chinese a renewed reputation for the better. My coworkers and I have been known to take turns using the serving spoon, as it's the only spoon on the table, to slurp up the chili oils after all the food bits have been consumed. Probably not a good idea for my waistline or my stomach lining, but it's worth it. I am obsessed with the dan dan noodles and have even tried to recreate them myself. Like a teeny bopper with a boyband crush, I worship, dream and think about the dan dan noodles nearly all the time. I've also tried some of the "styles" from the menu. I think the garlic style is my favorite. Stay away from the dry pepper style unless you really enjoy eating just dried chili peppers, as the dish is drowning with them. I like spicy, but that's crossing the line.

    (4)

  • Margaret W.

    I LOVED this restaurant!! Yesterday was my first time, but I definitely plan to go back again. Instead of ordering separate dishes, you can pick a "family-styled" meal for everyone. We had probably 10-15 dishes between 7 people and all of them were delicious! Twice-cooked chicken, pork belly, dan dan noodles, spiced cucumber. We also ordered beef tripe on the side. Lots of peppercorn and chili sauce. Yummy! The seasoning was "ma", spicy, and a little on the salty side. That's why it's not all 5-stars..but it should be more like a 4.5-stars. It's a very particular taste, but it's a good one. Go if you like (spicy) food!

    (4)

  • Ross A.

    By far the best Szechuan/Chinese restaurant in the city! Not only will your mouth be lit on fire with spices and flavors, but so too will your taste buds! Highly recommend to anybody who loves great food!

    (5)

  • Tim P.

    I've eaten here a few times and have been absolutely impressed each time. The entrees are pretty much all spicy but not in a way I was familiar with, it doesn't compare to curry or normal pepper dishes. The peppercorn is an interesting and unusual flavor especially when used in these amounts. The staff is more than willing to dial the spiciness down (or up) and they are also very helpful with pairing menu items together. They will also offer unsolicited recommendations if they feel two things you have ordered won't go together or are too similar. Since I am not very familiar with this type of cuisine I found that helpful. I also was glad our server suggested beer and not wine as pairing best with their food, on a return visit we came better prepared and he was proven correct. One thing to keep in mind is the portions are large, don't over order unless you are able to take leftovers home. I was in with 3 other people and 2 appetizers and two entrees were enough to fill us up. The prices are excellent as well, besides the menu items being inexpensive (especially when you can split them in half easily) it is BYO.

    (5)

  • Karen D.

    I wish I could give 1/2 stars because this place would get a 4.5. The location is amazing, a tall columned hall that might once have been a bank building with frescoed ceilings. The dishes are true to authentic sichuan flavors (speaking as a sichuan native) and definitely will be different than any other Chinese food if you've never tried food from the area. I recommend the beef tendon in chili oil appetizer - trust me it's better than it sounds. The appetizers in general were delicious, the main courses were all quite good but did not 'wow' me. We got the cumin lamb and beer sauce tea smoked duck. The duck was delicious but there just wasn't very much meat in the dish. We got maybe ten 1/2 inch sized nuggets in the dish and then small on-bone scraps with the veggies. Definitely would go again. Great value for an elegant old city location. Great, knowledgeable service. Great cocktails, not the typical over-sweet selection. Would definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Adhish R.

    Good, but overrated. I heard about the prowess of the Han Dynasty before checking out its yelp reviews, and as advised I checked out the one in Olde City. To be honest, I think I went in with extremely high expectations and was somewhat disappointed with the good but not great food. I ordered the cold sesame noodles and the cumin lamb. I wanted to go all out family style, but I held back because I didn't want the inconvenience of carrying left overs around town. Noodles - I've had better. Cumin Lamb - good. In my past encounters with good Szechuan food, the heat, the spice and the flavors come together perfectly, taking my taste buds to another stratosphere. At Han, though still pretty dang good, it left like the spice and flavors were turned down a notch. I was content with my tasty lamb dish and tsintao beer, but missed the Szechuan zing. I will probably frequent Han Dynasty and recommend that you check it out. That's all.

    (4)

  • Nick T.

    walking in you can immediately tell that this is not your average Chinese restaurant (ok Szechuan). the space itself is rather nice. dark. high ceilings. deep booths. huge bar. I had the dan dan noodles and fried dumplings. the noodles were great however the dumplings could have been better. service was excellent too. the wait staff was very attentive but no overbearing. all in all a good spot.

    (4)

  • Christopher D.

    This place is amazing. Dan Dan noodles are a must, and the hot pot is incredible. Everything that I saw come out of the kitchen looked great. The staff is friendly, the food is good. What else can I say. Go eat there if you want something delicious. ps hopefully there's some snow outside, because if you order a (10) AKA a spicy dish you're gonna want to dunk your face into a snow bank.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Dan Dan Noodles are perfection in a bowl along with Green scallion pancakes that were light, filled with onion and perfectly cooked. The dry spiced soft shell crab special was incredible and the portion (3 whole crabs) was delicious. Rounding out the meal were, wonton in red chili, tea duck in beer sauce and sautéed water spinach with garlic. The spice was just right, loosing up the sinuses. This is a great spot...soon to be moving...try it out ASAP!

    (5)

  • Yiwen S.

    over the past couple months that i've been living in a yelp-devoid hole, i built up quite a list of places to review. and the one at the top of my list was han dynasty. i ate here a couple months ago in the dead of summer, when it was nasty humid outside and people avoided spicy foods like the bubonic plague. call me crazy, but i'll take sichuan food any day. i've been scouring the city for a place that serves real authentic sichuan food. the kind with lots of chili oil and peppercorns, that leaves you walking away feeling like you're drooling because you can no longer feel your lips and hence don't know if saliva is dripping from your mouth or not. real sichuan food is not for those with weak stomachs, so eat at your own risk. of course, you can always ask the waiters to have the dishes made less spicy, but then you're not really eating sichuan food anymore. my experience was mostly good. good in that this was probably the closest i've come to tasting sichuan food in the city. and all four of the dishes we had (see pictures!) were well-cooked and seasoned, and the meat was tender, so quality of food was great. however, it was bad in that they didn't serve my favorite dish (shui zhu yu- translated to water boiled fish) the way it was meant to be served. meaning in a big vat of chili oil + peppers + peppercorn. just thinking about it makes me want to hop on a plane to china right now. instead, it's served in more of a thicker broth with tofu and an assortment of peppers and garnish leaves. all i'm asking for is a liquid chili oil base with fish and soybeans. is that so hard? but i'm just being picky and trying to recreate one of the best dishes i've ever had. it doesn't take away from the fact that food here is still yummy and that you will leave with a tummy full of fire. han dynasty has added their own little spin to some of the dishes, and i can appreciate some culinary creativity when done right. and you may disagree with me, but in my opinion, this is the best sichuan restaurant in the city. so for that, han dynasty gets my five star approval.

    (5)

  • Lauren O.

    After years of living downtown, I finally visited the Szechuan Province with a few friends. We walked in and found myself wondering what all the fuss was about...one bite of my Dan Dan noodles and I got it. The food is effing good. Waiter wasn't the most helpful... Us: "Any recommendations if we're looking for tofu, chicken, and seafood?" Him: [proceeds to list nearly every thing on the menu] Spoiler alert: the spice at this place is not for the faint of heart! My group shared the dan dan noodles, pea leaves, garlic tofu, and a few other dishes...all were great. The corkage fee is high in my opinion ($10 per bottle) but obviously it's better than if you were going to a non-byo and hoping to drink yourself silly. At the end of the night, the bill came, we threw down a credit card (happy that we could at least save him the effort of splitting it 4 ways) and he returned with a request that we tip him in cash...'scuse me?! "The owner takes a while to get us our tips when it's on a credit card so I'd prefer cash" Hmmm... Worth knowing in advance just in case everyone wants to use plastic. All in all, I'll visit again...and maybe coat my lips in olive oil so they don't burn off after the first bite.

    (4)

  • Ken M.

    My buddy and I decided to check this place out for lunch. It was crowded but we got seated right away. We loved everything we ate. The servers were on-point. The food came out in a reasonable time, each course was spaced-out perfectly. Portions are nice size. The food was not over-sauced. Our waters were refreshed continuously. So many items to try and it was just the two of us; I am looking forward to coming back to this place with a larger group so we can sample more from the menu. We decided that the two of us would just share each plate, family style. Interestingly, the order in which each item came out to the table happened to work out perfectly, from the spicy to the more mellower beef entree. Appetizers: 1) Dan Dan Noodles: Very tasty, it lived up to the hype. The initial bite came with some spiciness then I got hit with a semi-sweet taste (sesame/peanut like?)........ YUM ! 2) Dumplings in chili oil: They were delicious, it was spicy but the kind of spicy that does not linger too long, just a residual tingling in the mouth. I think I would of liked the dumplings in a separate bowl so I could dip them in the chili oil......instead, the dumplings were 'bathing' in the oil, it kind of masked the taste of the dumpling (was still very tasty though) Entrées: 3) Garlic Sauce Chicken: Just delicious, perfect mix of sweet/sour/spicy, was not over-sauced. 4) Scallion Style beef: Thin slices of beef, hoisin and oyster sauce with onions & scallions........ TASTY ! Both entrées paired perfectly with the rice. As we were eating, I noticed a group at another table that were drinking Corona beers.... You know, it's not Mexican but that may work well with the spiciness of this cuisine, gonna have to give that a try next time. Just a sidenote, I have used wooden chopsticks, stainless steel chopsticks, etc...... but damn, these chospsticks seemed real long, was a little hard to hold, I had to keep doing the 're-set' to reposition them in my hands :-) Looking forward to returning

    (4)

  • Felicia D.

    Visualize chefs Georges Perrier, Jose Garces and Han Chiang all lined up, a la Sesame Street. {musical interlude} One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong! Can you guess which thing is not like the other? By the time I finish my song... Stumped? You shouldn't be. Two are old-school, crankypants chefs who turn out food that defines its particular style. One is a new-school, practically cuddly chef whose food is equally transporting, but who came of age in the era of Food Network. Things coming clear yet? If forthright opinions on what you are ordering don't appeal to you, go elsewhere. If language barriers with some servers make you nervous, go elsewhere. If you require deference, hand-holding and/or General Tso's chicken, I beg of you, go elsewhere. If cool crunchy cukes bathed in a spine-tingling mixture of chili and sesame oils sound excting, get to Han Dynasty. How about dry-pot flounder cooked twice and served flaming to the table, or paper-thin-skinned pork-filled wontons swimming in yet more bright red chili slicks? Han Dynasty will make you sit straight up in your chair and bark like a seal. So THIS is what Schezuan is supposed to taste like! I've been here four times and each time have a new experience with new dishes. The cooling bok choy with mushrooms is one of the only un-spicy dishes on the menu, and creates earthy interludes between all that heat. Didn't know about it until last night. Beyond how good the food is, it is an unbelievable value. Dinner for six last night, including a very good tip, was $20 each. Believe the hype, and BYO some sparkling wine.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth H.

    I'm so glad I live only two blocks from this place! This place serves delicious and truly authentic Chinese food. Sometimes a girl needs to follow her cravings and eat here two days in a row (I wish I was joking), :). Everything I've tried here has been great. I LOVE pork belly, and it reminds me of my mom's cooking. So I was so happy to see that they have braised pork belly with preserved vegetables on their menu. My mouth salivates just thinking about it. Some other dishes that I've tried and loved: Spicy noodles with minced pork, deep fried beef, eggplant with garlic sauce, string beans with minced pork. There's a few things to keep in mind of. When a dish says it's spicy, be forewarned, as it will be ridiculously spicy. Just get the mild spicy items, and you will be okay. They also have amazing nonspicy food (like the braised pork belly with preserved veggies, above), so don't let that scare you away. Also, the owner of the place is not particularly nice and friendly. If the place is super busy (like on a Friday night), don't expect to see a smile from him. But, don't let him give you a bad first impression of the restaurant -- let the food speak for itself. It's worth the effort. :)

    (5)

  • Jeff H.

    I said before I'd give it 5 stars if they found a way to improve the downstairs dining area. Well they did by moving into another building. Check their website because there is a bunch of Han Dynastys now, all over the greater Philadelphia area. I'm sure theres one in your back yard.

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    New space is very nice, which honestly made me feel a bit uncomfortable (I like Philly-quaint places). Beer selection is average at best and overpriced. Had one cocktail which was a tad weak. Food was decent, although quite sweet. Good heat if you want it. I would say the recent NYTimes (Pete Wells) review of Han (NYC) is pretty much dead on. Head to Chinatown if you want better and cheaper Chinese food. Head to Han if you want to impress your Yelp buddies that you also do trendy stuff.

    (2)

  • Janna G.

    This place is ridiculously good. Especially if you love spicy. The food itself was incredible--the spice was addictive and we couldn't stop eating! We got the dry pot with fish which our waitress recommended as authentic and was excellent with complimentary spicy marinated cucumber as a starter which was equally tantalizing. Our waitress was SO helpful and took do much time to walk us through the menu with honesty and cheer. We cannot wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Lizette H.

    I can't say enough about this place. We took the whole family *and* a guest! They were really accommodating to seat us promptly and not mind that 3 of our party were under 7. They were fast at service and really understanding. He food, spectacular. Large portions, great prices, and the freshness was something you don't really get to brag about often from Chinese food. I do, however, recommend you look up their website as handynasty.NET *not* .com. I tried to tell my friends on FB about it only to completely embarrass myself! Great food, even better staff.

    (5)

  • Jamie S.

    Han is awesome, make friends with him and he will treat you right. It seemed kinda strange to eat Szechuan food in a legit restaurant with a color scheme rather than a dingy hole- but this is still the real deal. Their dan dan noodles impressed me the most; easily the best I've had. I also loved the pickled carrots and pork belly apps and they make some kick ass green beans. If you call ahead, they can make you a frog in dry pot dish to shock your friends.

    (5)

  • Manzana Z.

    I can say , Chinese will like thier food! If they opened in China, also many people would come to try~ Dan Dan noodle is yummy. It is so lucky to find here. Hmm, wiring comment makes me hungry!

    (5)

  • Lou P.

    Great for larger groups Don't ask for the general Go hot or go home I won't pretend to be an expert on excellent Sichuan cuisine, but I will tell you that the food here is amazing. Every meal here is the type you revisit in your mind hours, days and weeks later. Thoughts of Dan Dan Noodles can cause a one to break into a sweat all over again in the wee hours of the morning, their slight crunch and spicy punch echoing through your mind. This is the kind of food that takes hold of you. The spice moves easily from mouth-hot to whole-body warm. Each dish arrives at your table having been tipped out of the pan less than a minute prior, the fat on the lamb with cumin and hot peppers still crackling in the oil. All the flavors mix perfectly and balance out the heat. If you're a glutton for spicy punishment, this isn't the place for you. It's not a Fear Factor situation with ghost pepper wings and gallons of milk. It's a masterful blend of flavor, texture and spice in every dish. And yeah, it'll probably clear your sinuses; you'll love it. Anytime you get tired of whatever new culinary trend has taken over the city, spend the night with a few friends trying the tasting menu at Han. It's a meal that you'll excitedly talk about with those who weren't seated around the table for months to come. Or until the next time you just can't stand it anymore and get takeout Dan Dan Noodles and spicy cucumbers just because.

    (5)

  • Kai M.

    My taller half and I were hungry for good Chinese and in the mood to try something new this past Saturday. We'd read all the good reviews from fellow Yelpers and figured Han sounded like a safe bet. We were also brave: we rolled in around 5pm on a Saturday with nary a reservation in sight, and figured if we got kicked to the curb, we'd just head up to Ray's in Chinatown (mmmm, Ray's...). Lady luck was on our side, though, and we scored a table. Our waiter was adorable, though to be honest, I think we had four separate servers: the guy who sat us and then took the check; a gal who refilled our water; a busser who brought our food and also refilled our water (I guess they're used to putting out fires here); and the guy who helped us sort through the menu, made recommendations, and then checked that we were happy. Woo, so not used to having that many people to interact with, but unlike other reviewers, we were extremely pleased with the level of service: yes, they were a touch busy and harried, but everyone came to a halt the second a question was asked, and took the time to answer it. Five stars for service, guys. :) (I was especially impressed with the gentleman who helped us pick out what we wanted: usually you ask someone "if I like X, would I prefer Y or Z from the menu?" and they'll answer with "uh, well, um, I guess a lot of people like Y." This guy, though, was awesome. He suggested the wontons over the dumplings because we were already getting stuff with a similar flavor profile to them, and mentioned off-the-menu items we might like. Rock on.) We knew walking into this place that we were to expect mouth-burning goodness; usually I have a slightly higher threshold for all things capsaicin, but I had my world rocked by the revelation that when it comes to Szechuan peppers, the gf's got me beat. And trampled. And left in the dust. And hopefully stuffed with ice cubes. We started with cucumbers in garlic/chili oil and wontons in chili oil. Holy crap, was this stuff GOOD. I developed a masochistic relationship with these cucumbers: they didn't burn until I swallowed, and then they sort of numb-sizzled for a good 20-30sec. I alternated between stuffing two in my mouth at once, or trying to wait, while my gf watched, bemused, because she didn't find them spicy at all. Did I mention they were good? So were the wontons, which I could have easily devoured a giant bowl of. There were plenty of them (I think 8?) and the bowl of cucumbers was huge. For mains, she got the tea-smoked duck and I got the cumin lamb. And then we switched plates, because the lamb was too hot for me. The duck was awesome: a touch salty, but in a really good way, and awesome in combo with bites of (ow ow mmmm ow) cucumbers. Our water and tea were refilled liberally, and dinner came to around $40 for two generous starters and two big mains. We had cucumbers, duck, and lamb to take home, and yeah, it was all just as good the next day (when the lamb mellowed, and I was able to eat more of it: win!). Moral of the story? Now that Mr Szechuan Peppercorn and I are acquainted, I'm going to scale down to a humbling and less-ambitious heat level next time, while the gf is going to cheerfully scale up. But we will totally be back.

    (4)

  • Celine A.

    Great Food - be careful about how spicy you want your food - mild for them is already pretty spicy!

    (4)

  • Alex S.

    Been here 3x now, and love it! Dan Dan noodles and spicy cucumbers are amazing! Super spice and a bit greasy food, so only come with a fortified stomach. As much as I love it here, it always takes me a few days to recover fully.

    (4)

  • Mike O.

    This is the absolute best, most delicious Szechuan-style Chinese food that I have ever eaten. The Dan Dan Noodles are an absolute must-have as a starter. My favorite dish is the Shredded Chicken in Garlic Sauce. Every time I'm in Philly, I always make time for a trip to Han Dynasty. Simply put, I love this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Kaitlin L.

    Not a week goes by that I don't dream about the Dan Dan Noodles. I am aware how sad this makes me seem, but if you've ever had them, you understand. The food here is just amazing. You haven't had Chinese food until you've eaten here. As someone that enjoys some heat but wants to have taste buds at the end of the meal, I appreciate that Han Dynasty allows you to alter the level of spice in most of their dishes. However, it's worth pushing your normal boundaries, the flavors that are delivered on each plate are truly amazing. Keep in mind that the portion sizes are very large, big enough to share. I need to come here with a large group, that seems like the way to go. However, I was perfectly happy with my experience as a table of two.

    (5)

  • Leonardo L.

    It's definitely different! SPICY! and We LOVE IT! Handynasty! all the way!

    (5)

  • Alicia C.

    4.5 stars Had a great dinner here this past weekend with a group of friends. I was glad we were able to get a table for an early Sunday dinner since I really wanted to check this place out while I was in town visiting. We had tried to get a reservation the night before but they were completely booked. So, if you have a larger party or are aiming to go on a weekend night, reservations are recommended. I think the best way to go here is to order a bunch of different dishes to share among the table. However, 3 out of the 5 in our group weren't quite on board with this idea, so they opted for a dish each to have for themselves. So the other 'sharer' and myself decided still to get a variety of menu items: dan dan mien, spicy cucumbers, eggplant in garlic sauce, scallion pancake, and the twice cooked pork belly. As the 'sharing' dishes started to arrive, the rest of our party quickly regretted their decision to have a dish to themselves... luckily we were nice and still shared with the whole table, there was more than enough. The dan dan noodles were definitely a highlight. I'm used to wider noodles and a thicker peanut sauce for this dish, but Han Dynasty's take on it was still delicious, and definitely had a good spicy kick (rated a 6/10 on their spiciness scale... I don't think I want to know what the 10 tastes/feels like!) But if you're a spice lover, one of my dining companions will attest that the 10 rating definitely brings on the heat (he got the clay pot). All in all, a very satisfying meal. Friendly and attentive waitstaff. Glad I did my Yelp research before getting to Philly so I found this place and did not miss out. I would definitely return if I'm passing through Philly again.

    (4)

  • M G.

    The new Old City location is awesome!!! I love spicy food so this is the perfect restaurant for me. If you don't like spicy food, you probably won't be as amazed, but there is still food on the menu that you'll like. They have all the spice levels on the menu, so you know exactly how spicy your dish will be! A few of my favorites are the dan dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, and the hot sauce chicken.

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    It's not bad. I just don't find it spicy enough. We asked for the spiciest they could give us and it was just okay. My friends drank the chilli oil and ate the chilli without issues. I guess I went there expecting really spicy food, especially after all the hype - and I didn't get that. That disappointed, but the food was not bad. It's pretty good as far as Chinese food here goes. I guess it is just pretty hard to find really spicy food in Philadelphia. Probably will not go back to the Old City location, but I'm looking forward to the new branch opening in University City. I will definitely drop by that one a lot since it'll be so convenient!

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    Off the charts. Best in the city- any city Try the Dan Dan noodles and you'll become a believer.

    (5)

  • Rachel A.

    A+++ This place is a gem. I've eaten there several times, and I swear every single thing they serve is ridiculously good. It's not like any Chinese food you've ever had - other Chinese restaurants are to Han Dynasty what Chef Boyardee is to authentic Italian food. I've taken several friends to try it out, and everyone leaves saying the same thing: "Best. Chinese. Food. Ever." A lot of the menu is crazy spicy, so if you're into that kind of thing, you've hit the jackpot. Prepare to sweat, cry, and have your sinuses cleared. For those that can't or won't handle spicy stuff, there is plenty to choose from that is not spicy at all. I agree with all the reviewers that the Dan Dan noodles are AMAZING, but try the Cold Sesame noodles too - they will haunt your dreams!

    (5)

  • Tracy K.

    'Twas the night before Christmas, and so this Semite went out with her friends for a traditional Jewish Christmas dinner... After reading other reviews, it's apparent that we didn't interact with the owner--our service was very, very attentive, and helpful. There was a man who took our drink order, but it was a woman who initially greeted us, and after she learned we hadn't been there before, her response was an enthusiastic, "Oh! I love newbies..." She proceeded to make several recommendations for us. We ordered the Spicy Crispy Cucumber; the Dan Dan Noodles (no pork, and not terribly spicy, which was refreshing with the rest. Perhaps it's the pork that carries the heat in this dish?); Shrimp Hot Sauce Style; and my favorite dish: the Double Cooked Style Fish. One of our trio ordered the Wontons in Chicken Broth... she didn't receive a lashing for this, as others have reported. I love the fact that when the dish is listed as spicy, it actually *is* packing some heat. I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Dan B.

    This was awesome. We ordered the spicy crispy cucumber, dan dan noodles, wonton in chili oil, kung pao chicken, double cooked pork belly, and hot sauce style chicken. The wontons were paper thin and delicious, the dan dan noodles lived up to my expectations, and all of the entrees were exceptional. The best thing all day was the cucumbers, which I was very pleasantly surprised about. Nothing was too spicy, everything was delicious, and I'll never be able to eat typical chinese food again. Well done Han Dynasty, well done.

    (4)

  • Liangchen L.

    The food here is really great!

    (5)

  • Christina P.

    Totally not what I was expecting. From what I've heard about Han Dynasty, their website, and the reviews I was expecting some dim, fancy,intricately decorated dining room. Not the case. This place is bare bones as far as ambiance and decor goes (if you need a visual, picture our riesling chilling in a plastic water pitcher) and it's clear everyone is there only for the food. They recently got a bar, so we found out in advance there was a $10 corking fee for wine. We made reservations and only had to wait about 5 or so minutes before we were seated. The place was packed since it was a Saturday night so they separated a four top into two in the back corner, and we sat a few inches away from another couple which was slightly uncomfortable, but fine. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles since we heard they were a must, and decided to split the shrimp hot sauce style, since we heard the portions were large. The noodles were amazing, great slightly spicy, peanut flavor and the portion is decent. The shrimp hot sauce style, which was only one number higher (7) than the noodles on their "spicy scale" was so hot we could barely eat it. This was surprising since I have a pretty high tolerance, and I thought the noodles were tame. The dish was good, it was basically a bowl of sauce with some veggies and perfectly cooked shrimp mixed in, but I think most of the flavors were masked by the heat. I think next time I might go for the 4-5 range and try their other recommendation, the double cooked style. Portion wise, this was more than enough food for two hungry girls. Two complaints I have are the service and the price. The service was pretty terrible. A table who sat down after us got their noodles before we did, and I had to get up and ask someone where they were before we got ours. We also had to wait a good 20-30 minutes for someone to clear our plates and bring the check. I mentioned this to one of the managers, Ben (I think), and he was very understanding. He had only been there two weeks since they were transitioning away from having Han take all the orders. He said he learned that every night one table seems to end up forgotten about, and service is half of the experience. He made some adjustments to our check for the inconvenience without us having to ask, and thanked me for speaking up instead of acting annoyed that we did. Although our first experience wasn't stellar, the manager made a great recovery and the food was still really good, so I will definitely be back for a second visit. Ben mentioned that they do a tasting menu on Monday nights - 20 courses for $25!

    (4)

  • Rachael Gray C.

    LOVE ME SOME HANNNN!!!! this is the best Chinese food I've ever had, hands down. The flavors are intense and authentic, everything is made to perfection. I love spice so I'm not afraid of the 5 and ups on their spice numbering system, but almost all their dishes are incredible. Best dishes I've had: 1) Wontons in chili oil 2) Dan dan noodles (which everyone mentions) 3) Anything with their Black Bean Sauce mmmmmmm 4) Sesame noodles The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the cumin preparation.. it's a little too powdery and cuminy for me, but I loved the rest. And if you're looking for a near death dining experience, try the Spicy Hot Pot (spice #10) - it will murder all of your innards. I wouldn't "recommend" it, but it's somethin. So all in all, great prices, delicious food, good for sit in and take out, they don't do BYOB but if you bring your own it's only $1 per beer.

    (5)

  • Jennie C.

    I've been to this location twice, and both times it was a bit of a letdown. The first time I went, I forgot to tell the waiter to tone down the spiciness (I know, it's weird: I'm a spicy-wimp at a Szechuan restuarant), and the chicken in chili oil was insanely spicy, with so much szechuan pepper my mouth went instantly numb. Not that I have anything against szechuan pepper, but a bit of balance would've been nice. The chicken, while perfectly cooked, was swimming in a sea of red chili oil and turned out way too greasy. The other thing I ordered was some sort of stir-fried pork, which was soooooo salty it tasted bitter. The second time I went was with a big group of people and this time we remembered to ask for toned down flavors. The food came out better, but still over-salted. I've been to both of the other locations and think there was better flavors/balances there. Not sure if I'd give this place a 3rd chance. Quite a disappointment considering how much I liked the other two locations.

    (3)

  • Samantha H.

    Went here for my birthday's eve lunch with a few friends. What a treat! A few had been to and recommended the one in Royersford but this one is closer so we figured we'd hit it up. With the guidance of our very helpful and attentive waiter, we started with some scallion pancakes, steamed dumplings with chili oil, and pork with pickled veggies all to share. All of them were very delicious, the scallion pancakes being some of the best we've all had. The big servings also made us realize we ordered too much, as there were four entrees to come and five of us, one of whom was not going to be eating much. But who cares because it was all delicious! We got the double cooked pork, the dry pot rabbit, the hot sauce beef, and the three cup chicken. While we didn't get near finishing, we certainly enjoyed the hell out of everything we could eat. Some of the things were pretty spicy so the free tea and water was much loved. AND! The place is BYO so my friend brought a couple of his homebrews for us to enjoy. We also got a great little dessert on the house because of my birthday, a neat little soup made with fermented rice and eggs. Overall, an absolutely wonderful experience with phenomenal food and fantastic service.

    (5)

  • Sue H.

    Ordered for delivery through DASH: Dumplings in chili oil Dan Dan Noodles Spicy cucumbers Bokchoy & mushrooms Dry Fried Pork Scallion chicken Scallops (garlic styled) Overall I thought that the food was delicious and had met my expectations (not exceed it) What was unfortunately disappointing was the dandan noodles that everyone here have been raving about.. perhaps its one of those dishes that should be reserved to be eaten AT the restaurant and shouldn't be on the online DASH menu... or perhaps they should simply separate the sauce from the noodles when ordered for delivery... cuz it was allll MUSH by the time we got our food:( I would've given it a 4 but rated it a 3 only bc I felt that the food although delicious was way overpriced... (compared to what we can get from chinatown ex. shiao lan kung) PLUS the fact that they had forgotten to provide basic takeout necessities (plates/ napkins/ forks/ chopsticks... shouldnt these be given for take out??) lastly DASH didn't have some of the main dishes like pork belly w/preserved veg avail. for delivery :( ***when they say spicey... its spicey***

    (3)

  • Gareth G.

    Don't let the brevity of my review convey apathy, this is by leaps and bounds the highest quality, most authentic Chinese food I've had since my return from living in Beijing. It's like eating Chinese food in China...except you don't have to worry that the kitchen has been accumulating 300 years of grime on all the pots and pans and the tea kettle makes tea without putting anything in it (don't get me wrong, I'm all about eating whatever whenever, but I do get tired of eating antibiotics like they're jolly ranchers). Han strikes the perfect balance. We started out with the steamed dumplings in hot chili sauce and the dan dan mian. Both were spectacular. The Dan Dan noodles are the best I've had in the US, peanutty, hot, and mixed up for us westerners because most of us wouldn't know how to properly treat a noodle (I don't know if they have noodle Cotillions, but they should). For our mains the lady and I enjoyed the Dry Pot, which is the first time I've seen it in the US, the san bei jirou, or three cup chicken, and the black mushroom / bok choy dish (dong gu / bai cai). The Dry Pot was better balanced than all the dry pots I had in China...numbed your mouth, spiced it up, and then high quality perfectly seasoned chicken. The three cup chicken was sesame chicken..but not fried and with whole cloves of garlic. I might have commented during the meal "Why doesn't everything have garlic in it? When I'm eating food, I never want to not taste garlic. I'll have the Cap'n Crunch with garlic powder please." And the mushrooms were fantastic. For such a feast the price was absolutey right, way cheaper than from the night before and way classier and kinder. And you know what, Han is there running a business, he's incredibly friendly...but he's also proud of his restaurant. I LIKE that he advises me on what to eat. Perfect mixture of Westernization and Chinese Authenticity. My favorite restaurant experience in a long time.

    (5)

  • Cherryl L.

    I am a fan of their Dan Dan Noodles- it's kinda spicy but this noodle is very addicting although it's a lil salty We also ordered double cooked chicken- it's milder but smells spicy looks can deceive you! Scallion Pancake- nothing special about it i will go back here for their dan dan noodles I find most of their dishes too oily! I wish when we ordered that they bring all the food altogether but we they brought our dan dan noodles first so i ended up eating it and became full as the rest of our orders came it!

    (3)

  • Vlad K.

    How on Earth did this happen that I've never been to Had Dynasty before? We had to wait for about half-an-hour (there are enough bars around so no big deal) before getting a table, but once we were seated the service was fast, friendly and very helpful. We settled on Dan Dan Noodles (I cannot wait to have more), Dumplings and Stir-Fried beef. Everything was outrageously tasty (though the stir-fried with Spice Rating of 10 and yes they did warn us, was a bit too much for us but that's okay next time we know to stop at 8 :)... All in all a great place for really good not your traditional Chinese food.

    (5)

  • Carla F.

    I love this place. It is no frills but ridiculously good Chinese food. It is very spicy which I love. I highly recommend their noodle dishes, the hot pot with fish and broccoli.

    (5)

  • Stef S.

    I don't even remember what I ate, because i was like a firestorm of Chinese food coming from every direction. The Chinese food is high quality and delicious. If you love spicy, you're in for a treat. Service can be slow, and it's not exactly cheap Chinese food. I've had better Chinese in other cities BUT this is the place to go for Chinese in Philly.

    (4)

  • Amy G.

    The lo mein is not up to par as other dishes. It was mostly noodles and not much vegetable or meat.

    (3)

  • Matt K.

    This is going to end up being a happy story, read the OTHER Han Dynasty review that I am doing after this one. My main point here is that if you've never been to Han before, it is probably a good idea to go with friends or to get Han himself to help you. The service here is average, attentive enough but that is all. The decor is kinda funky and cool, with interesting art on the walls. I liked it. We were flying blind, having been warned about spice levels, but unprepared for what we got. (I have eaten whole habaneros in the past so I wasn't scared, guess I should have been) To be fair, we ordered 4 dishes and knew that 3 would be very spicy. Unfortunately, they were blow-your-nose, sweat-like-a-pig spicy. Beef and tripe in chile oil, pork belly in garlic oil, green bean noodles in black bean paste (this was supposed to cool us down a bit, but noooooo, it didn't) and finally the pickle style chicken. Everything was extraordinarily tasty, and I got a sense that Han is clearly head and shoulders above other Chinese cuisine, but I have to be honest and say that this particular experience was not a happy one. After all, we're not reviewing the way a restaurant SHOULD be, right? We're reviewing what actually happened. However, 2 of my friends insisted that we try again, and I am very glad I did. Read the Royersford review above this one.

    (3)

  • Stacey B.

    TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT. Incredibly overrated, overpriced and underwhelming. Service was poor on a Sunday night during a snowstorm when the place was empty. Obviously they are proud to be different than other chinese retaurants, as they seem to get offended when you ask for standards such as noodles before your meal, or spare ribs or a fortune cookie. We asked for ice cream or a fortune cookie for the toddlers, and the waiter said, "m'aam I've told you four times, we don't have them!" What Chinese restaurant doesn't have ice cream? I asked what they do for birthdays? He said, "bring your own cake." The lo mein was good enough, but not any better than what I get in Florida for $5.95. Nothing special! In addition to the poor service and rudeness, let it be known that 4 out of the 9 people I had dinner with that night wound up throwing up in the bathroom all night. It wasn't the lo mein , because I ate it, but might have been the fried bok choy. Save yourself the money and get some good Chinese food without the attitude in Chinatown. My daughter spilled her water and no one came by to help clean it at all. I would never go back there!

    (1)

  • Zoya J.

    The Dan Dan noodles. I came here about a week and half ago not knowing what to expect; so the group I was with ordered for the table because of their vast experiences here; and oh my god, the food was other worldly. There was an explosion of flavors and textures going on in my mouth. There were also these cucumber slices in a spicy sauce that perfectly balanced each other. The spicy sauce would set my taste buds ablaze right before I chomped down on the juicy, crispy cucumber that would immediately put the fire out. Bomb food, fast service, great deco. Would recommend.

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    Hot sauce stlye, is hot like the name, and very delicious. Sesame noodles and.chili dumplings are a must.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    I did it! I finally made it to Han Dynasty, ordered level 7 spiciness, and didn't die! This was a hilarious meal where we all sat around basically sweating profusely, crying, and blowing our noses. People, please don't go here on a first date, you don't need to see someone turn bright red and sweat out of their eyeballs until dating for at least 3 months. :) We of course ordered the Dan Dan Noodles and the Spicy Cucumbers for appetizers. I would be shunned by the Yelp community if I didn't, I know. The noodles were the highlight of the night and made me cry tears of chilies. The cucumbers were good, but nothing amazing. Our other two dishes, Duck Smoked in Tea Leaves, and the Cabbage w/ thai chilies were very tasty, but really not up to the 4+ star restaurant that I expected. Also, the service was a little bit unorganized. Although our food came out quickly, we had three different servers try to take our order when we first sat down. Honestly, try Red Kings 2 that just opened up at 10th and Race if you like Han Dynasty. It is a good option that has many of the same dishes, with a different and unique taste.

    (3)

  • Lili W.

    I don't know what the hype is about this place. I ordered a bunch of things (dan dan noodles, cold sesame noodles, pork belly, spicy beef and tripe, garlic chicken, fish hot pot) and everything was mediocre. The prices are a bit high for Chinese food, needless to say you can get cheaper and better food from Chinatown. The service is nothing to rave about either.

    (2)

  • Alfonso L.

    Dan Dan: A MUST.....and it's spice level is an 8. So be very careful. I can stand a lot of spice but it was even spicy for me. But it's such a lush, intensely flavored dish that you really can't miss it. It would have been nice to have some tiny sliced cukes on top, which is how I have had it at other spots, or even in China. Dumplins: Whoa! Killer good. But killer spicy, these were an 8 too I think. You can see the numbing peppers in the sauce where the dumplings are swimming in. Note the dumplings are not plump like pot stickers. They are more like flatter raviolo. The sesame seeds take it over the top. Hot sauce chicken: I wish I could show you the extreme red color of all the peppers that this dish was in ---definitely an 8 or 9 in spice level. The chicken was plentiful and so too were other small veggies. Get the rice with it and eat it together. Otherwise you will go thru so much pain with the chile sauce in this dish. You will not regret this. But I really wanted the dry pepper chicken, which was even spicier. It's hard to imagine that a chicken WITHOUT sauce would be spicier. But must come back and try this next time. Interesting concept: kill the customers with the spice and be bold about it --love it, love it. I like that this place doesn't have a 20 page menu. I like that it wants to really take care to prepare well seasoned dishes.

    (5)

  • Colette D.

    Love The HAN!!!!! So, when I go I have to get myself ready to embrace the mouth-numbing experience. This is not your average hot-spicy. This spicy is more of a tongue-numbing (I can't feel my tongue when I drink water numb) but not without flavor. Our meal always begins with Dan-Dan Noodles, this is the most spicy for me. Enjoyable and bursting with interesting flavor. Followed by Dumplings in chili oil. This starter is my all-time favorite. Homemade and light, not too doughy. Just right sprinkled with sesame seeds on top. We did split an entree which was the Double Cooked Fish. Very tasty. My only real negative experience during our meal was the music. Just terrible! Service is always good and Han is a pleasure to jaw with. Without reservations get there by 5:30 or expect to be turned away. Always a tasty food adventure. Just remember to throw back 2 TUMS on the drive home :)

    (4)

  • Max K.

    Came here on a Saturday afternoon. The place wasn't too crowded and the service was great, welcoming and warming. The food was fantastic. Luckily this place isn't in Chinatown or it would sort of just be skipped over. This isn't your typical Chinese place. Very little grease and the food isn't typically slimy. I got the wonton soup and the wontons were to die for. So light and airy. I could have eaten a million! I can't wait to go back and sample more of the menu!

    (4)

  • Anjali M.

    How do I even begin this review? I have been anticipating this location for a long time, especially after hearing accolades over the Royersford location. I've wanted to drive all the way out there, but why travel so far when a location opened up in Olde City? My friend and I promptly visited at the end of January. Han was hilarious as he was helpful. For those who don't know already, most of the items have a number next to them that indicate what they are on a spice scale of 1-10 (10 being the spiciest). I ordered the Dan Dan Noodles (6) and my friend ordered Garlic Sauce Style Tofu (4). A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! The great thing about the Sichuan spices is that the heat doesn't annoyingly linger for ages but is able to be warded off. Whew! Trust me, my friend and I were sweating though. Since then, we've visited many times with friends and I've introduced the Dan Dan Noodles to my parents as well. Everyone I've introduced to the restaurant has enjoyed it, hands down. I just visited this past Friday and it's great to see that Han Dynasty is blossoming into a very popular place. The only thing I would change is the Mapo Tofu. Something about it is amiss.

    (5)

  • Poliana I.

    Han is THE MAN. Spicy, crispy, flavorful, fresh food. Excellent, attentive, unobtrusive service. Casually comfortable decor. Nice bathrooms, even! I love it here. I will have pork belly dreams, noodle notions, and chicken cravings until I get the chance to dine here again. I don't think it's fair to compare Han Dynasty to the best of NYC, but I'd place it among the best of Philadelphia. I'd like to know where else in Center City, South, or West Philly you'll eat as well.

    (5)

  • Karen B.

    the first monday of every month, han hosts an approximately 20-course tasting at this location. if you enjoy spicy food (and the idea of 20 courses for $25), this event is not to be missed. the whole thing goes down family style, so either make reservations for eight and fill a whole table, or else bring your social skills because you'll be seated (and sharing every dish) with strangers. han devises the menu himself -- there are no choices, so if you're a strict vegetarian or otherwise picky, maybe stay home. i tried allllmost everything (tripe is not my thing, sorry -- but everyone else in our group braved it and gave thumbs up). the menu changes monthly, but standouts for me this time were cumin lamb, double-cooked fish and warm, spicy chinese cabbage. set aside the entire evening if you plan to attend, because it takes a full three hours to finish. by the end of the night, our clothes all fit a little tighter and we had serious cases of the itis, but it was well worth it. han's wonderful food and entertaining stories more than made up for my subsequent crazy dreams, which i'm pretty sure were sparked by an overdose of sichuan peppercorns. and if your stomach is a bit torn up while attempting to digest all the heat, just revel in the opportunity to torment your partner by dutch-ovening them in bed!

    (5)

  • Melissa J.

    Have heard about Han dynasty and how good it was for over a year... Bf and I were super excited... But ended up being disappointed and a bit sick to our stomach after meal. First of all on a Saturday night we were in and out in 40 minutes, kind of a disappointing date night. Then there was the food. Dan Dan noodles were so hot my mouth went numb and I cleared three huge glasses of water and felt a bit woozy from the 1/2 gallon of water I now had in my belly. The dumplings in chili oil had no meat in them at all, all they were empty dumplings soaking in oil!! Garlic pork was edible but not great. Salt and pepper shrimp was ok as well but everything was soaked in oil it was hard to enjoy meal. Maybe the fast service is to get you out before the stomach ache starts because by the time we got home (5 blocks away) I was doubled over in pure pain. It was as if Dan Dan himself punched me in the stomach! Overall we will not return - too many better options for this Asian food lover! Skip Han dynasty and go to Chinatown. Vietnam or lee how fook... Two of the freshest, cleanest, most delicious places on 11th street.

    (2)

  • Lora L.

    Hot damn this place is good! I tried the Dry Pot style shrimp and adjusted the heat from the suggested 10 to a 7. Good move. I have a decent heat tolerance but I would not really have wanted it any hotter, especially after my starter of the Spicy Crispy Cucumbers - Crispy & cool yes but the heat just builds....Szechuan style. Everything was outstanding. Lovely beer selection, down to earth no nonsense servers, warm atmosphere...I was totally comfortable there dining alone. I'd heard the Dan Dan noodles were a cult fave so I ordered some of those to take to work for lunch the next and this was another good move. Of course 1 serving was enough for 3-4 meals but I am not complaining - I was perfectly content to eat it for lunch 2 days in a row and I'm pretty sure the rest was eaten as a snack here & there... Peanut-y noodle goodness with little bits of minced pork. Sounds weird until you eat it and then you understand.

    (5)

  • Jenna M.

    Ahh the Handy Nasty. This place has been reviewed and hyped far and wide, so I'll just hit the highlights: (1) Szechuan peppercorns. These unassuming little suckers turn spicy food into a psychedelic experience. The first time I had them, it felt like my lips were buzzing. Water didn't taste like water anymore. Yeah, heavy. But it's a good pain. And it leads to... (2) Addiction. I've literally woken up in the middle of the night thinking about dan dan noodles. If I go a week without having fish in dry pot style, I start to experience withdrawal. This food is THAT DAMN GOOD. On the other hand... (3) Tasting menu. I'm gonna disagree with the crowd and say, pass on this. Thanks to Craig LaBan, you need to book this months in advance. When I finally went, the dishes weren't all that special. Worse, though, despite having a reservation for a group my friends and I ended up at the "communal table" in the basement. It was a very Oliver Twist experience: we'd watch a bowl of food get placed on one end of the table, then passed down, passed, passed.... when it finally reached us, there wasn't much left, and further down the line yet more people were hungrily eyeballing that same bowl. I'll take a regular night at Handy Nasty any day.

    (4)

  • Daniel R.

    This place is unlike any Chinese restaurant I've ever been to. I stumbled onto this place just walking around looking for a meal and I knew from the moment I opened the menu that I was going to love it. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm a spice addict and Han has all the heat I can handle! It reminds me a little of a Thai restaurant with the different degrees of spiciness labeled on the dishes but of course in a Chinese style which is light years removed from the predictable menus of every other cookie cutter Chinese restaurant. The dishes are very inventive, creative, and fresh and the ingredients compliment each other so well that I find myself eating everything together instead of pushing certain veggies to the side which I tend to do at less delicious places. The portion sizes are pretty good i think (of course, when it's this tasty you always wish there was more!) When my out of town friends come to visit me, this is where I take them for dinner!

    (5)

  • Jihan D.

    Went on a Saturday night a couple of months ago. It was packed with a line out of the door so I would definitely recommend reservations. However, we waited about 10 minutes and one of the servers sat us at a table right up front. Score for us, sorry for those who were waiting longer. It did take awhile for a server to come around. We got the attention of what I'm guessing was a busboy and he said someone would be around shortly. He just ended up taking our order. I had the Dry Pot Pork which is a 10 on the spicy scale on the menu, but I asked them to take it down to an 8. OMG, it was great and just the right amount of heat to not kill me. My bf had the Garlic Sauce Chicken. That was great as well. I'm not going to knock them for the slow service because the place was definitely slammed. There were at least 3 large groups. It really wasn't that bad and the food is absolutely worth it.

    (5)

  • Joe G.

    Some of the most unique Chinese food I have ever had. When planning a trip to Philadelphia and ready various websites about the best places the to eat, Han Dynasty name kept appearing. Before making the trip up from DC to Philly, I made reservations for a Saturday evening. If you're coming here on a weekend, I'd definitely plan on making reservations. The host at the front had to turn people away from coming because the wait would have been at least two hours. The food here isn't the traditional Chinese food you're probably used to. It's all really spicy and the spice levels on the menu are definitely accurate. We got the dan dan noodles that were recommended my the waitress. These noodles didn't taste spicy at first, but after a few minutes the heat hit. However, it was a pleasant and sustained burn, For an entree, we order the the dry fry style beef. The texture of the beef slices was very crispy and unlike anything I've eaten before. There are some hot chilis in this dish definitely bring the heat, so after eating one I picked around the rest. Also, it was a smart move to order a non-spicy vegetable to cut down on the heat from the meat. We got the string beans with minced pork and the saltiness of the pork aided in putting the fire out in my mouth. Coming from DC, it was cool to bring our own wine and the $10 corkage fee is not outrageous. Also, Han Dynasty is in a great location in the Olde City right next to the Penn's Landing area.

    (5)

  • Gene D.

    Not much to add too all the other 5 start reviews except: If you've look at any review here and perhaps noticed the word Szechuan anywhere you might have had a clue that the food is spicy hot. If not, listen. It's hot. So what do you say you not give them a one star review because the food is, well, hot?

    (5)

  • Jason Y.

    Definitely one of the most authentic Sichuan food in Philadelphia! Prices are exceptionally reasonable, and if you go with a large group, you can try a large variety of different dishes (many of these dishes you can't get in Philadelphia's Chinatown). This place has become a regular hang outs for my friends and me... the fact that Han Dynasty is a BYO helps (though Han is working on getting a liquor license). Dishes run from non-spicy (highly recommend the tea marinated smoked duck) to spicy and the exotic 'ma la' (dishes cooked with a peppercorn like spice that actually numb your mouth as you eat it). In short, for the breadth and quality of the food, the fact that it is (currently a BYO), and the amazing price Han Dynasty gets my two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Parker S.

    consistently awesome. used to be a regular visitor to the location in exton, pa before moving and was excited that one existed in the city. the only downside is they don't offer combination deals like most chinese restaurants, so if you want soup, egg roll, and an entree your going to spend more than most chinese places, but the prices aren't too bad and the quality top notch, so its worth a few extra bucks.

    (5)

  • Jason B.

    Han, They really freakin' love you on Yelp... and with good reason.

    (4)

  • Suzanne L.

    Yummy food. Our daughter insisted on fried rice and it was notable for the individual tastes of the contents - it was not overdone with soy sauce like most. We had the pea greens and garlic which was a bit too salty and oily; it could have been a great dish. The Kung pao chicken was very good, but for asking it be spiced as a 1 I was disappointed at how many pieces of dried hot pepper I had to pick out (after eating one by mistake, as I wasn't thinking about them). The hot tea was tasty, not bitter. Great service.

    (4)

  • Jack B.

    BEST CHINESE FOOD IN PHILLY. Definitely recommend getting a reservation, but I've been lucky enough to get a table for 2 with about a 30 minute wait once. Dan Dan Noodles are pretty awesome, BUT TRY THE PORK BELLY APPETIZER- it is easily one of the best dishes Philadelphia has to offer. This menu leans toward the spicy side, but they are happy to scale back the heat for you or dial it up IF YOU DARE. Definitely the destination for taking friends from out of town who love chinese food, but have never had QUALITY chinese food (Not to say sloppy super salty chinese food isn't great too) GO FOR IT.

    (5)

  • Sydney S.

    I love the food, and love the new place, but we had really bad service tonight, and no one seemed concerned at all. The host was rude after making us wait at the door, the server never came, and after we stopped the manager to order drinks, it was another 10-15 minutes before our server came over. They charged us over 20% gratuity on our bill, like we were a party of 8. We're really laid-back eaters, and we've both worked in restaurants, so this was weird and disappointing. I left feeling like it was not money well spent. Any sort of apology or acknowledgement would have helped, but there was nothing, and it tainted a good meal.

    (2)

  • Bill M.

    Reporting live from Han Dynasty on a pretty kick ass computer that sits bar side. I didn't originally intend to be here, or even really write a review update tonight. But when you run into Han randomly on the corner and he's incredible enough to remember you and invite you down for a beer its kind of how things set in motion! Besides I did need to revisit and do a recap of the epic ARSE 2 event that I hosted here a few weeks back. From the get go of setting things up with Han it looked like it was destined to be a tasting event of epic proportions, and it showed how much he and his crew really work with a group to meet your expectations. As for the food if your looking for fried dumplings and General Tso's hogwash, this isn't the restaurant for you. But if you're looking for a unique and spicy kick in your cuisine then get ready to climb down the rabbit hole! Also don't come if you're expecting a normal humbug restaraunteur. Han is a crazy in the good way kind of guy who has fun with his patrons, and saves the seriousness for the spice of the epic dishes. For our tasting we were treated omakase style to somewhere around 23 dishes (mental note get the entree list from Sam's Facebook and add it!). Among them we were wowed by dan dan noodles, green bean noodles, spicy cucumbers, amazing sausages, spicy rabbit, strange taste chicken, pork belly, pork tenderloin, soft shell crabs, and then some! hungry already? the taste of spicy peppers and chili oil made the fabled and legendary name of full name of our tasting event really realistic the next day. But such is the thing to expect when you really step it up to try some real cultural cuisine of greatness. And for that Han Dynasty always manages to be a spicy and entertaining good time!

    (5)

  • Os F.

    I have to quickly praise this restaurant for the great service we received last night. 20 of us showed up without a reservation just as the kitchen was closing. We were immediately taken to a private room and assigned 2 waiters. They took our "individual" orders and the food came out quickly and accurately. The food was awesome! The staff was pleasant. Congrats on the new location. The place was beautiful.

    (5)

  • Vinny P.

    You can't go wrong here. You just can't. I've been here about 6 or 7 times now. This place totally rocks. The food is daring, spicy, flavorful, well presented and most of all, affordable. The host Han is a very nice guy and with his dry sense of humor he is very descriptive about the entrees you are ordering. The food is served family style. The plates are large and meant for sharing. I happen to be very partial to the beef tripe in chili oil. He did warn me that it was one of their hotter menu items. I didn't care. So, so, so good. The salt and pepper calamari is excellently cooked and really tasty with a good IPA. The pork belly is to die for. I know I should be more descriptive about the food, but basically, as the beginning of my review says, you cannot go wrong here. I challenge you to find something bad at this restaurant. The service is prompt and attentive. Even the first time I attended, with a group of 14 people (yeah Pho Real), we had great service. Han even asked us that evening, with a fire in his eyes, "can I get experimental with you guys?" We all responded with hell yes. That evening I had a sample of so many things on their menu. I knew after tasting each dish, this place was here to stay. On subsequent times, I have never been disappointed. The menu is very extensive so I plan on becoming a repeat offender and getting through the entire menu.

    (5)

  • debbie a.

    I have to say that my first experience with Han Dynasty was with the owner/manager who picked up the phone on a Tuesday night. To say that the owner/manager was extremely rude, is the nicest way of putting it. My sister and I were walking there and thought of calling head to see how busy they were to see if they could accommodate us - if not, we planned just to go somewhere else. I called and asked if there was a need to make reservations for dining that night. He replied by asking what time, and when I mentioned that I was asking because we were walking that way (arrival within 20 mins) and was wondering if there would be possiblity of seating. He responded (again, rudely), "Well, I guess it doesn't matter about reservations. Luck for you we are dead and you can have a seat." We walked into the restaurant (better decorated that most Chinese restaurants) and waited for our server, the owner/manager who had answered the phone came by with our server and started speaking to us as though we were complete morons and stared at my nephew as though he was a piece of trash when he (age 2) was playing with the chopsticks. Speaking over our server, he made suggestions rather rudely and short with a level of curtness that I was not ready for. Being a 2nd generation Asian American, I tried to trust that maybe he had not fully acclimated to the American culture. We ended up ordering Fried Taiwanese Sausage (for the nephew - he loved it) semi-sweet and well, tastes like a sausage. Fish Dry Pot It was pretty good with a nice spice, but not a total Szechuan Gastronomic experience that othershave described it as. It was pretty good compared to the bad and mediocre Szechuan restaurants that are out there, but nothing to write home about. This dish was the start the slew of entrees that were unbalanced. The Chinese 5 Spice overpowered almost everything. That is all I could taste - but then again, I am not a huge fan of it - too much anise/cloves? Chicken Hot Sauce Style The flavor, I could tell, was good, but the sauce was so over-starched, it might pretty much was a gelatinous goop of good flavor mixed with the tinge of too much corn starch - mistake only poorer cooks would make. I was pretty disappointed. There was a pile of minced garlic sitting on the top that seemed a bit much of a punch of flavor to this already flavorful dish. I understand the need to garnish a dish to make it look fancier than your local Chinatown dish, but it just was not balance with this edible garnish/whatever it was. Salt and Pepper Style Shrimp How can you really go wrong with fried food?!?! This salt and pepper shrimp was pretty good, but all I could taste here was the five spice powder, too. The server that came was pretty good at his job - friendly, warm and understood English, but I felt bad that the owner/manager kept on showing up and ruining our experience by staring at us (wanting us to relinquish the table faster no doubt) and making his own suggestions. Overall: Atmosphere: bare, but better than most Chinese restaurants (at least more westernized?) Service: Fine as long as the Owner/Manager doesn't get involved Food: Better than most Szechuan cuisine I've had, but slightly above average.

    (2)

  • Kemi A.

    I don't know how I managed to live here for almost 3years and didn't know of this place until 2months ago. Since then, I've been here twice. 1st visit I was recommended the Dandan (?) noodles which, although is listed as an app, can be a meal on it's own. Got it also the 2nd time. The menu has a full list of items that you can't possible go through unless you remain dedicated to coming back here every so often to try something new. It's a bit out of the way for me but it's good for group meal if I'm ever in the surrounding area.

    (4)

  • Vince T.

    Very pleasantly surprised with how good and authentic this restaurant was. I was expecting Americanized Sichuan food, but only the decor and service and menu prices made one realize that it wasn't a real Chinese restaurant. I guess the fact that all the chefs in the kitchen are clearly Chinese should have gave me that hint. The braised beef noodle soup was delicious - some of the best I've had. Delicious rich beefy broth, warm with star anise and brightened with chopped cilantro on top. Not for the faint of heart, it's got all the chewy good bits of offal (if you don't know what it is, it won't hurt you!) in addition to melt in your mouth braised short rib. The only mark against it was the fact that the noodles could have used a bit more bite to them. The other dishes were quite good as well, with nice hits of Sichuan peppercorns. The prices are on the high side, which prevents a 5-star review... but flavor-wise, this place is definitely up there!

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    I wish I remember what I had. But the intensity of the spices send my mind into another space/time continuity. I'll admit, when I first entered I was suspicious, because I saw no other Asian people there. But those fears were quickly allayed, not just by the superb food, but by the large Chinese family that came in shortly after I did. I had the dumplings in chili oil, homestyle tofu and some sort of pork with chili peppers that caused all the pores in my tongue to open up. Did I suffer the next morning? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.

    (5)

  • Ron M.

    First, I knew that Han Dynasty was going to be a treat when I saw how hard it was to get in on a Friday night. As soon as you walk in, you notice its warm, casual atmosphere, packed with a plethora of smells. Han Dynasty operates in a traditional family style for serving. To get the best out of your experience, pair multiple dishes together. Something to keep in mind about the menu. Each dish is listed with a number from 1-10 to indicate spiciness; 1 is the lowest grade of spice, while 10 is the highest. The restaurant offers a variety of cooking styles for their entrées, such as Hot Sauce Style (7), Dry Pepper Style (8), Kung Pao Style (3), and the list goes on. All of them have their own unique flavors, served with rice, vegetables, and a choice of meats. The Dry Pot Style option, rated with a 10, is a very hot, yet rewarding dish. I also highly recommend the Dan Dan Noodles. These noodles have the perfect texture, served in a peanut sauce with chili, which makes them very flavorful. This was some of the best Chinese cuisine I've had, and I've had a lot! I hope to go back! (Full Review - livredetresors.wordpress… )

    (5)

  • Jay T.

    Wasn't impressed. The Dan Dan noodles was just ok and the rabbit w/peanuts in chilli sauce consisted mostly of peanuts, chopped scallions, rabbit bones and three small pieces of rabbit meat.

    (1)

  • Adam G.

    Excellent sichuan food, helpful hipster service, and a bargain lunch special. If you're familiar with the NYC branch, the spaciousness (and no-need-to-wait) of the philly branch is fantastic.

    (5)

  • Sam B.

    Great experience at Hans, the table was ready when we got there even though we were early. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was delicious and the bill was reasonable. I like the restaurant, the vaulted ceilings are beautiful and it's not too loud, I could hear my friend across the table without having to shout or drown out the convos at the next table. My only slight issue was how close to tables are together, there isn't a lot of elbow room, but it wasn't anything to not go there again- just do what we did- make new friends!

    (5)

  • John F.

    I have ate here many times. I first came here when they were in the old location across the street. Every time the food is better. I think that the double cooked fish is one of the best dishes in the ENTIRE CITY! and I am a food junkie. The salt and pepper scallops are also unreal. Try this place or one of the other Han Dynasty locations. Dont forget to get the Dan Dan noodles or the dumplings in chili oil.

    (5)

  • Nicole O.

    THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EVER EATEN! Literally, the best. Not just the best Chinese. Best ever! And I am hard to please. I could eat those dan dab noodles forever. I'm getting hungry just thinking about them. AMAZING

    (5)

  • Tiffany P.

    BEST FOOD EVER. I wish my stomach could expand to 3 times its size so I could stay there and eat more! I was pleasantly surprised by the interior of the restaurant. I was expecting a typical run down chinese food place, but the inside was actually very nice. MUST order the Dan Dan Noodles. I'm not really sure what the sauce was but it made the noodles so good! I think it was a spicy rating of 7 which was kind of spicy for me but I would suffer for those noodles any day. Double Cooked Fish- this is another must order! Not too spicy as this was a 4 on the spicy scale. Crispy fried fish on the outside and fishy goodness on the inside. Enough to share for 2 people. Wontons in chili oil- also very delicious! The usual wontons that you can get anywhere but the chili oil adds a little something special to them. Also kind of spicy since it was a 6 on the spicy scale. Will definitely be back for more!!

    (5)

  • Debrhea V.

    Now I am not Asian, so I can't tell you the authenticity of these dishes but I can tell you they are delicious! Especially if you prefer spicy. The building is absolutely beautifully and probably my second favorite thing about this place! The third would be that the prices are extremely reasonable and they are generous with portions. I recommend the garlic chicken.

    (5)

  • Julia L.

    When we got here, I requested a table by the window because I wanted better lighting for my photos. The waittress said no because it was a 4 person table (which I thought was reasonable cuz there were only 2 of us) until she took us to the back and sat us at a 4 person table (she took away 2 place settings before we sat down but i'm not blind!) Then I watched as more White Americans walked in and they were all seated along the windows while all the Asians were seated more inside. What is this? self-hating chinese waittress? Or is it a ploy to get more white people to come dine in the "clean chinese restaurant." i'm sorry though, if I were walking by a Chinese restaurant and I only saw White Americans in the windows, I wouldn't dine there because I would assume that it must be Americanized chinese food. But with my first bite of food, I thought "Dam it! It's delicious!" A part of me was hoping that the food would be rotten to match the rotten service. But the window full of acclaims for one of the best Szechuan restaurants in the country were spot on. These cucumbers were crunchy yet refreshing. he hot sauce style is beef stir fried with cabbage and celery in an authentic Sichuan chili oil hot sauce. This was ranked a 7/10 in terms of spiciness by the restaurant. I loved the bit of cilantro on top, added a freshness to the spicy dish. The beef slices were tender and juicy and the chili oil sauce was delicious. The shrimp is triple flash fried with long dry chili peppers. Ranked a 8 out of 10 for spicy. This dish was my favorite. It was a dry spicy and the shrimp were huge and covered in a deep fried batter. My only complaint was that there were few pieces of shrimp., But still oh so delicious.

    (5)

  • Benjamin H.

    EASILY the best chinese food in Philadelphia... maybe on the East coast.... maybe the western hemisphere... Beware: spicy here is not for the faint of heart. Get the Dan Dan noodles. This place is a great experience.

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    great place. liked the interior setup. we tried all the recommended dishes. Favorite was the dumplings in oil. Most of dishes we tried were tasty and good but were all on the salty side. our whole group felt the same way about the food being too salty. otherwise everything was good. and we will give it another try.

    (3)

  • Rosta M.

    It's not bad. Their soups need alittle work though - you can tell they don't cook their broth with real bones for a long time. They also use tons of msg. I mean, a lot of msg. This is coming from a person in the food ingredient business. My girl friend and I don't mind msg. If fact many of the Vietnamese restaurants we goto use it however, they use way too much at han. They need to stop trying to grow so fast in other areas and focus on what they have by making the food a bit more delicious

    (3)

  • Kristyn F.

    Now, I'm not a foodie, nor do I have dietary restrictions, but I will always take well prepared tofu over meat, and damn it's nice to find a restaurant that knows how to cook tofu. My crispy noodle tofu came out within 10 minutes of ordering and it was delicious. A little too pricey to go often, but I will return.

    (4)

  • Mike H.

    Stopped in for the first time last night. We had a great experience. We sat at the bar had a few drinks and ordered the Dan Dan Noodles, Wontons in chili oil, Spicy cucumbers, and the dry pot beef entree. Since it was our first time, the bartender explained the portion, spice level, etc... Which was a big help. We enjoyed everything and the portions were pretty big. Def coming back. Def get the dan dan noodles, they were addicting but like I said everything we tried, we really enjoyed. The service provided by bartender P (per my receipt) was great. See you guys soon

    (5)

  • Danielle D.

    I came in on a Sunday night, there was a 20 minute wait (not that bad), walking in the place was a bit overwhelming but the setup was nice. I came with one other person we sat at the bar while we waited for a table. The bartender took 15 minutes just to talk to us, gave us two of the worst whiskey sours we ever had, was rude and then added gratuity when we told her we were waiting for a table. Then we get seated at the table. No one comes to our table for 15-20 minutes, a server shows up to bring us drinks and take our order and then we don't see him until he drops off the check. My friend's food came out... my food came out 20 minutes later. We had to flag down another server who simply said, "weren't you explained that's the way the food comes out." Honestly the food is good. Really spicy, but still really good. The server comes to our table, says, "no hard feelings" and took off a percentage off of our bill. The food is not good enough to make up for the horrible service

    (2)

  • Christine L.

    What happened?! The only thing hotter than the spicy food was the temperature in this cafeteria-seating zoo. It's summer. Invest in AC; it's all the rage. Also, I don't know if there was a "Buy 1 Ton of Chili Oil, Get 2 Tons Free" special going on or something, but it would be the only reasonable explanation for the obscene swimming pool of oil on each of our plates (eggplant with garlic sauce and beef hot something sauce style). Not coming back. Time to take a shower and unclog my arteries.

    (2)

  • Michael G.

    Great food terrible service. When we were there the place was maybe 1/3 full. The hostess sat us almost immediately but clearly didn't tell the waiters, as 20 minutes later despite seeing several waiters buzzing about the tables we had to flag one down so we finally got service (where he admitted that he had no idea who of the three tables that filled up in the last 20 minutes were seated first). Throughout the meal service was spotty to non existent, with water not being refilled (a big issue if you're serving very spicy food) and a beer ordered before appetizers not appearing until there was a reminder after we had finished our main courses. The building is beautiful, and the food was very tasty, but for that service I can't think that anyone in my group would be in a hurry to go back. It is cheap though.

    (2)

  • Peter C.

    The food was fantastic, but the service and ambiance were really sub par. I ordered the dan dan noodles along with cumin pork. Both dishes were excellent, and among the best Chinese plates I've had. The dan dan noodles were spicy yet flavorful, and the cumin pork was intensely flavorful and aromatic. The service however, was BAD. I had reservations, and arrived about five minutes early. The host failed to acknowledge our existence and we waited for ten minutes to be seated. During the meal, a waiter spilled my tea, and just left the mess sitting on our table. Service was altogether a mess. Eat the food, just not at the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Steven B.

    This country is full of folks that have only eaten Americanized Chinese food. You know the deal- You order won-ton soup or if you really want to walk on the wild side maybe you choose egg drop. Maybe you order an egg roll. Then its chicken with broccoli and pork fried rice and you have yourself a Chinese meal. I have an acquaintance who manages one of these restaurants and I can hear him laughing now. He sees this exact order dozens of time a week! So you open the menu at Han Dynasty and you figure out right away that you're not in Kansas anymore! Most of your staple dishes are missing. Yikes! Don't worry, the staff can help you and you are in for a great culinary experience. Let's get the spiciness issue out of the way first. They use a 1-10 scale here which makes me laugh every time. Let's say you order a dish at level 4. Do you really think the busy chef is sampling every dish and adjusting to 10 different distinct levels of spiciness? Not a chance! I think there are three general ranges. Everybody's palate is different but here are my thoughts. Most Americans will think levels 1-5 are fairly mild. Level 6-8 will get your attention. We're talking lips and tongue tingling. Levels 9 and 10 pack some serious heat. Level 10 is too hot for many Americans. The lovely wife and I rolled in last Sunday around 6:30 PM. We were seated immediately without a reservation. We ordered drinks and received them promptly and throughout our meal the waiter was great. For appetizers we ordered Spicy Crispy Cucumber $6.95 (6) and Rabbit w/ Peanuts in Chili Oil $9.95 (10). As always the cucumbers were incredible. The sauce makes this simple dish amazing. The waiter mentioned that the rabbit was served on the bone. Even with this warning the wife was not pleased. She thought it was tasty but there were so many tiny bones it was very difficult to eat. We considered this dish a "miss." Next came Dan Dan Noodles $7.95 (8). As literally hundreds of reviews have mentioned, this dish is practically required. Don't even think about, just order it. For our entrée we split the chicken Dry Pot Style $15.95 (10). It's served in a sizzling mini wok and cooked in a spicy hot pot sauce with black mushrooms, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns. Note that it's on the menu as level 10 and we asked the waiter to dial it back a little. The sauce in this dish is incredible. Every bite from beginning to end was an explosion of flavors. This was easily one of my favorite Asian dishes of all time. We walked out with contented smiles on our faces. The next morning I was tossing some cloths in the laundry and I could still smell the Szechuan spices clinging to them! It made me smile all over again.

    (4)

  • Andrew H.

    I went here after a movie and had a good time. Went on a Saturday night with no reservations. We had to wait at the bar for a reasonable amount of time (about 15 minutes). The bar had a good selection of beers and friendly bartenders. The bartenders offered us a menu in case we didn't want to wait for a table. Once we were seated, we ordered the dan dan noodles and wontons in chili oil for appetizers. Both came out quickly and were excellent. The spice was high but good on both. One complaint I have is that we didn't get clean plates and the chili oil soaked into the main course. The food is served family style and one entree is large enough for two people. We ordered one protein dish and a vegetarian dish and had plenty of leftovers. For the main course we shared the pork scallion style and the pea shoot with garlic. Both were very good, once the rice had soaked up the chili oil. The pea shoots were tender and not over cooked and stood up well to the garlic. The pork and onions were also well balanced and flavorful. Our bill came to $55 including drinks, which I thought was a great price for two people. Get the dan dan noodles.

    (4)

  • Tina C.

    Food is pretty good. The decorations have tasteful Asian flare. The background rap music and sporting tv could ruin a romantic date.

    (4)

  • Alicia K.

    overly hot even when we asked for moderate spice. do NOT go here if you are trying to eat healthy --everything is heavy and greasy.

    (2)

  • Heather N.

    Hands down the best Chinese food anywhere. My volleyball team goes at the every season and we get the tasting menu. I love that you can adjust the spice level from 1-7. Fabulous food, amazing service and they even let you take the leftovers home. Here are my favorites: Dumplings in Chili Oil Wonton in Chili Oil Spicy Crispy Cucumber Pea Leaves w/ Garlic Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce Dan Dan Noodles Salt n' Pepper Shrimp Garlic Scallops Cumin Lamb Only suggestion, after eating the dan dan nooldes and the dumplings and wontons, get s new plate. The chili oil remains and is so hit it may affect the taste of your next dish.

    (5)

  • Alicia J.

    In short: - My favorite restaurant in Philly - Get the Dan Dan Noodles - This is what real spiciness feels like I don't think I usually go to eat Sichuan food very much. More often than not, spicy food just tastes spicy but nothing much else at all. But incredibly enough, Han Dynasty taught me otherwise. The friend who recommended this place to me said that Han Dynasty was better than any Sichuan-style restaurant in NYC, and I am absolutely willing to believe that. The food here is extremely well-cooked, and every single dish has a complex taste where the combination of spices goes perfectly with both the meat and the vegetables. I have a favorite restaurant in every U.S. city I have lived in, and for Philly it's definitely this place. Ever since I came here for the first time last month, I've been to Han Dynasty 3 times by now, and I find it quite noticeable how there would be a bowl of Dan Dan Noodles at almost every table. It's by far their most accessible and delicious dish. Personally I also really like the boiled fish in hot sauce, but maybe that's because it suits my tastes for tender fish. Speaking of that particular dish - I had it twice and for some reason the portions were larger the first time we came here. Needless to say that the price has not changed. Odd. I heard that they have longer waiting times if you come late in the evening, but since we went twice for lunch and once around 5.30 on a Monday, the wait was never long. When we left there was a little bit of a line though, so reservations are probably well advised. I've always wondered where I should take my parents for my graduation, and I think I just found the right place.

    (5)

  • james v.

    Came here early after work. Easy Parking around the corner along the river. had the dan dan noodles. when it came out they mixed it for me. It was delicious. It is a little spicy, so be careful, but I like spicy food alot. Its a good dish. if you like spicy food this is a good place to go. I recommend it to anybody in the area. Its a nice walk from the liberty bell and across the street from the restaurant is a small park you can take a stroll at to help you digest after enjoying the meal.

    (4)

  • Natasha S.

    Love Love Love

    (4)

  • Karl H.

    I'd like to start with, I'm from MN and we don't really have any authentic Chinese restaurants that I know of so this is really the first Chinese I've had. We do however have lots of good Thai and Vietnamese and Cambodian places in MN so I'm not just going off of crappy buffets or something here. We started with the crispy cucumbers which were great. We then moved on to the main event. We had garlic lamb, double cooked flounder and the dry pot with rabbit. Every one of the dishes was great and I was unable to identify a favorite. I will say the Flounder was so perfectly done I'd probably lean towards that if it wasn't for the garlic lamb having some amazing flavors as well. The dry pot rabbit (a 10 of 10 on the spicy scale) was somehow very good even though it was spicier than a banshee. The flavor came out first instead of an immediate burning spice, which was nice. This was the first time I actually felt like my taste buds had been singed off of my tongue. Even so, I'd have the dry pot again, somehow it was still good even after that. I'm now going to have to scour MN for a Chinese place that measures up to Han Dynasty but sadly, I somehow doubt this will ever happen.

    (5)

  • Will S.

    Had a surprise birthday dinner and it was amazing. The staff was so upbeat and friendly and the food was AMAZING!!! The option of how spicy you wanted your food was awesome. Can't wait to eat there again.

    (5)

  • Paul D.

    If we are in Philly- we must go. Dan dan noodles- and also wontons in hot oil-just spicy enough to make your tongue tingle, your lips burn and your eyes mist- and you still can taste the food- YUM Dried sauteed stringbeans-crunchy, juicy, salty and not spicy. cumin lamb- spicy and smoky. taiwanese sausage- a little sweet and savory with some raw minced garlic. Can't wait to return- next week!!!

    (5)

  • Abigail L.

    Oh, handynasty I wanted to looooooove you, but I just didn't. The food was fine, but didn't blow me away. My husband and I shared the spicy cucumbers (which were phenomenal and I would go back for these alone), the dan dan noodles sans meat, and two entrees of garlic sauce style tofu and the hot sauce style tofu that we asked to have kicked up to a level ten. The dan dan noodles were really yummy, as were the cukes, but the entrees just didn't have any wow factor and the hot sauce style tofu was just oily, and I could handle the heat so there is just no way on Earth it was a 10. Perhaps if I went back I'd try a few other entrees and they'd be better. It didn't help that we were seated near a drafty window in a tiny, sort of cramped corner in the front/top of the restaurant. Sure it could've been romantic overlooking a rain soaked Chestnut Street, but instead I was just cold and annoyed with the little room we had. I also found it odd that our entrees were delivered while we still had apps on the table, and the tables are just not built for that much food at once. It made us feel a bit rushed and overwhelmed. The service was pretty good otherwise. I had a red wine and my husband had two beers. The drink specials sounded too sweet and kind of gross. I wasn't sure if they had a full bar otherwise or not. All in all we had a fast dinner of great to mediocre food that literally left a bad taste in my mouth. I think it was the garlic sauce. It took three separate brushings of my teeth and a full meal to get the taste to finally go away. Kind of reminds me of a scene from the movie Kids, which is not something you want to associate with your dinner nah mean?

    (3)

  • Lolly G.

    I'm a huge fan of this place. Dan dan noodles are a must order. Also I love the tofu in hot garlic sauce. It is VERY spicy, so obviously if you don't like that I would not even try this place because even "mild" has a kick to it. The food is always very fast, and the service is perfect every single time I've been here (over a dozen times.) They have beer and wine, and offer BYOB, however I think they changed that to certain days.

    (5)

  • Anahi B.

    If you like spicy and Chinese food, you MUST go to this place! We went to Han Dynasty on a Friday night with a large group. The host/waitstaff were very friendly and not put out by the fact that our reservation was for 22 and dwindled down to 14 after some regrettable no-shows. We decided on the tasting menu, which is a total steal at $20 per person. This is not for small groups, though: I think they said you need 8 people in order to take part! Han himself came to our table to discuss our food items and dietary restrictions, and was quite accommodating to our kosher person, and amazingly, even to the three people at our table who didn't like spicy food. Everything that we received at our table was incredibly tasty, but some standouts include the Dan Dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, and the dry pot lamb. The double cooked fish was a big hit with the table as well, as were the cold sesame noodles, the wontons in chili oil... and now I could just name everything we got. It was, in short, an amazing meal! By the end l, I was sweating and quite content. Couldn't get the garlic taste out of my mouth for two days, but still can't wait to go back for more! A word to the wise: They used to be a BYOB, but apparently just got a liquor license. I guess you still can't go wrong since the food it so reasonable.

    (5)

  • Christina C.

    Spicy cucumbers are the best! Don't be scared off by a wait, we were told 45 min on a Saturday night and it ended up being 20. Be warned, when they say spicy, they mean it.

    (4)

  • Hardy B.

    Server spent too much time explaining the menu to one table who came after us, especially when we made reservation. look up the menu online please before going to this kinda place. Food, I have no complain..yet.

    (2)

  • Aileen W.

    Han Dynasty is pretty good for Chinese food in America (but still nothing compared to Chinese food in China haha). We went there on a Friday night and got the last empty table in sight. If you don't like waiting for a table, remember make a reservation! The place isn't too decorated or flashy, just a homely Chinese restaurant. We ordered dan dan noodle, cumin lamb, garlic eggplant, mapo tofu, and some crispy spicy cucumbers. Dan dan noodle was definitely the best dish, and the cumin lamb was not bad either although I've eaten at other places with a little more lamb. The food is needless to say, spicy, so you should be aware of the spice ratings depending on how brave you are (or how tough your taste buds are). Other reviewers aren't too fond of the service but I thought it was okay. Our main server was pretty attentive although a few of the others were a bit absentminded, but nothing too bad happened. I suppose it helps to speak Chinese if you have a Chinese waiter but if you don't, you still get your noodles. :P Overall very decent Chinese food for the area, especially for Szechuan fans. I would definitely go again! They opened up a new branch on 38th and Market so I will be visiting that one sometime in the near future.

    (4)

  • Eric C.

    This place does not disappoint. It's legit chinese food - not the americanized chinese food you see most places. Almost anything on the menu is good. I recommend the Cold Sesame Noodles, anything fish, and the Kung Pao Style chicken. It can get busy, so plan ahead and make a reservation. OR show up for lunch. I would say this is in my top 2 restaurants in Philly. I will always go here, and I never leave unhappy -- only tremendously full. Also note, if you like spice, this place is your place. Prices seem to have gone up but it's still ok with me.

    (5)

  • Stef A.

    Wow. This place lived up to the hype. I cannot recall the last time I have been out to eat and had so many dishes with so many awesome flavors. We got: Dan Dan noodles (as everyone seems to agree, they are so tasty. I am a wimp when it comes to spice level so I ask for a level 4). Spiced cucumbers (a must have. fresh and delicious) Dumplings (I think they are better things on the menu but still good) Won ton soup (Delicious but spicy) Garlic sauce chicken (LOVED IT....so so good and such a good combination of flavors) Hot pepper beef (very spicy but I couldn't stop eating it). Other tips: Reservations are a good idea and you may still have a small wait. No corkage fee if you BYOB on Tuesday nights. My one complaint is the fact that there's a two credit card limit per table, but hey, no place is perfect.

    (5)

  • Christine K.

    Really good food in a beautiful location. The soaring ceilings made the noise level higher at times, but we were laughing a lot so we just got louder, too. Our waiter forgot our appetizer order, but when we 'reminded' him, the apps showed up quickly. It was Chinese New Year, so I guess they were extra-busy. Still, had to order two drinks at a time, as the waiter seemed overwhelmed. Nice, but overwhelmed.

    (3)

  • Anthony S.

    I like that Han Dynasty still seems to be a hidden gem. Although it's always packed when i go and reservations are required, there are a lot of people I speak with that haven't heard of it. It's really hard to express to people how important it is that they try this place. I try to tell people that although it's similar to a Chinese restaurant that specializes in Schezuan style, it's SO much more. It's an experience that has to be had for anyone that appreciates a new kind of spicy, likes family style dining and trying lots of new foods. It's just awesome. Don't forget to make reservations for the once a month tasting dinner. Take your time and eat very small portions!

    (5)

  • Aisha M.

    Totally overrated place. No, it wasn't spicy like the claim. The food was big on oil and salt. Not very authentic like promised, and quite pricey! Ordered the fish (Chinese style) - lacked absolute flavor and was a HUGE disappointment Eggplant - so-so, but not as good as what I usually have. This dish is a staple Chinese dish, and very hard to mess up. Lamb - decent, but overloaded on salt. Dan dan noodles - decent, but your typical noodles, and anything BUT spicy (I even asked everything to be spicy) Overall: don't bother coming here

    (2)

  • Ziggy Z.

    . Hans Dynasty was #12 in Philadelphia Magazine's Top 50. Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment. First of all the spice levels were super wimpy. A 7 should be serious fire, alas it was mild compared to what I'm used to in Los Angeles, where I live now. Some stuff was OK. My favorite of the night was the 3 cup chicken with it's slightly burnt, smokey taste. I know that one is not supposed to be spicy but it would be killer with some heat. Second best was the pork belly. Now for the boring: Dan Dan noodles - a limp bull of noodles with a little sauce and pieces of pork. Not much flavor and the 7 spice rating was a joke. Spicy cucumbers - eh, a little spicy but boooooring. Scallion pancake - meh city. Had a few other things but were all unmemorable. Philadelphia Magazine needs to come out to LA and eat in San Gabriel Valley or Thai town and see what asian food should actually taste like. If you guys at at Jitlada in Thai town you'd probably pass out from the spice.

    (2)

  • Micah M.

    This is the surly response I got from Han Dynasty's management. Shocking. PS -- I checked their menu. ganbian sijidou = "four season beans" = what Han Dynasty calls "sautéed string beans w/ minced pork." All the same dish. I guess the staff doesn't know the menu too well either. Han Dynasty "I work at Han Dynasty on 108 Chestnut St. and Ive only seen the TV on for Eagles games with no volume. We also don't have four season beans on the menu and no dishes that are coated with sugar. You thinking of a different restaurant."

    (1)

  • Charlie S.

    What a bizarre experience we had here. The food was undoubtedly delicious--some of the best in town--but the restaurant was just off. Nothing really worked as it should. Though we were seated far from the front, a cold blast of air hit us each time the doors opened. We were shivering, along with many of our neighbors, the entire time. When it's 20 degrees outside and you want to escape into a restaurant for a warm, relaxing dinner, this was very frustrating. They brought the wrong food to our table, and our neighbor's table, multiple times. Our server, while very nice, was not the most skilled. I asked for some more hot tea, in part to help against the cold, but he never followed through. He also accidentally left an item off our check. Rather than just letting it go, as restaurants usually do when they make a billing mistake, he took an extra 10 minutes to rerun the card, and we were already in a rush. To top it off, he accidentally swapped our bill for our neighbor's when he returned. To be clear, none of these incidents were shocking in its own right. Sometime when you go out to a restaurant, an unlucky draft of air will keep you cold, or you get the wrong food, or an order is ignored, or you get billed incorrectly. These things happen. But it was just very strange, and surprising, that an expensive, well regarded restaurant like Han Dynasty made so many of these mistakes, one after another. It felt like a newly opened restaurant still working out the kinks, not the respected Philadelphia institution we were expecting.

    (2)

  • Yohann S.

    Contemplating if I should give this place 1 star or 5 star solely based on their service. It suck. But Mark, the manager saves the night. Still.. I have to wait for 10 mins just to get seated even though I was by myself. None of them seems to care. They just like clean the table real quick and told me to go sit there.. and this dude like left immediately. No where to be found. I'm pretty sure I got this super confused face by this time already. Waited for another 5 mins just to get the menu and water. This one waiter brought my the 'Chinese' version of the menu.. which gets me all confused even more since at the time I was looking at the online menu. And the Chinese and online menu is totally different. I called someone else and asked him if this is the right menu. And he said that the book infront of me was the Chinese version. Online was the American / English version. He asked me if I needed English version. I immediately said yes. I closed the Chinese version menu and saw it says 'China Bistro' o_O? He brought me the English version of the menu. Waited for another 10 mins till someone actually approached my table and asking if I was being helped already. But I was already pissed off by then. I closed the menu right infront of his face and walked out from that place. I told him that I waited forever and that he should tell his manager that they should do better not to ignored a customer. I even told him that I found out about this place because of the shining ratings from yelpers and I wanted to try it myself. But to my surprise, he was the manager. His name is Mark. So he quickly apologized and to give them one more chance. He said he gonna fixed me their famous Dan Dan noodles and it will come out in 2 mins. I hesitated a little bit but at the same time I was mad hungry. So I compromised my anger and followed what my stomach demand. When I sat there again for about a minute, this waiter who left me alone and just went away somewhere earlier, came to me asking if I'm ready to order. I looked at him with my 'shut the f up or I'll smash your head' look. He still doesn't get it. He just smiling and start giggling. I never said anything to him though since Mark quickly tap his back and told him that he already taken care of me. So as promised, the noodle came pretty quick. He told me to enjoy and if I didn't like it, I can order anything else on the menu. Well.. the truth is Dan Dan noodle was the main reason for me to come to that place that night. I didn't want to be an ass and told him I wanted something else and pretended that the noodle was awful. The noodle was indeed tasty and spicy. I love it. I would love my friends and family to taste it too. Especially my girlfriend. But considering their service.. I can't help but have to think twice if I wanted to introduce Han Han Dynasty to them. This place shocked the heck out of me, considering this is located in Olde City. 2.5 stars rounded to 2 for now.

    (2)

  • Alessandro N.

    I guess you never had real Chinese food if you didn't go to Han Dynasty. Get ready to forget everything you know about take-away Chinese food and get ready to experience some special food. Really good.

    (4)

  • Steve L.

    I handle spice really well, suprisingly. Han Dynasty was no exception, of course, but FINALLY a restaurant that is not afraid to heat things up. It was a simple Thursday evening that got loud quickly. No biggie, we were here for the food. We ordered the popular Dan Dan noodles with beef tripe in chili oil and the fish. Noodles were tasty smothered in a peanut sauce. I foun the dish a bit heavy for my liking though. The beef tripe was my favorite of the night. There is plenty of great little pieces in there. Philly has found their Sichuan destination.

    (4)

  • Shelly V.

    I can't get enough of Han. I first came here for a 10-person tasting, which was pretty legendary, but I am a picky eater and didn't try a lot of the items they brought out. I finally went to the restaurant again for a normal a-la-carte dinner and was BLOWN away, and now I can't stop going. The food is really spicy, somewhat torturous but... so delicious that I am 200% willing to endure it. I might sweat bullets and be a hot mess, but I still can't stop eating the food. Start with the Spicy Cucumber and Dan Dan Noodles. The Spicy Cucumber is crunchy, cold and delicious. The Dan Dan noodles are cooked so well, and taste best with the minced pork it comes with, although I'm sure you can do without it (it's more like ground pork, and they don't put a lot in. I usually don't eat pork but you can barely taste it.) We usually go family style and share everything on the table. The Dry Pepper Chicken is a must-have, and I don't find it as spicy as the Dan Dan (as long as you're not eating the whole red peppers that are infesting the dish). The chicken is fried and in tiny pieces, and is more salty than spicy. I don't find it to be the full 7 spice level it's noted as in the menu. The fried rice here isn't riddled with soy sauce, it's more like white rice sauteed with egg and veggies. We like to get it to balance out the intense spice/flavor in the rest of the food, and it also tastes ridiculously fresh and authentic. There's a good amount of egg and that flavor comes out pretty strong, but in a good way. I usually don't eat egg either, but I actually don't mind it in this dish. We tried other things here as well but were underwhelmed. The Cold Noodle in Chili Oil isn't much more than the description says it is, and the Dan Dan is much more flavorful. The Garlic Sauce Chicken was good but not great, especially compared to the other options on the menu. Apparently they do takeout and delivery... and they deliver to Northern Liberties! This is a great option - I usually crave Chinese food but hate the standard delivery places where you don't know what you're really eating and get an MSG hangover/depression period afterwards. The only downside is their delivery fee and $20 minimum. I wouldn't recommend this place for the faint of heart.. especially if you're not looking to get a lot of spicy and oily food in your belly. If you are, and if you love good Chinese food - you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Debbie A.

    Not quite what we expected since this restaurant is on so many "Best of Philly" lists. The very hyped Dan Dan noodles had good noodles but were pretty bland. The sesame noodles were much better and the scallion pancakes were delicious. The eggplant and the twice cooked chicken were both good. Skip the Crispy Rice dish. Nothing crispy about it. Yes, the dishes are spicy. A 6 makes your mouth firey but in a good way. A 4 or below are still a little spicy so if you don't like heat, make sure to get 3 or less. It was lively and loud - a small place.

    (3)

  • Mimi S.

    Authentic chinese food. We tried the scallion pancakes, the dan dan noodles, and the twice cooked chicken at level 6 (normal level is 4). Everything was delicious. The dan dan noodles come with pork on top but I don't eat pork, so they made it without it. The service is a little bit slow, but it was worth the wait. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Lisa L.

    Let me just say up front, I love this place. But Friday night, we were actually disappointed -- this has never happened before at Han. What is up with the Kung Pao Chicken? It's made with thigh meat, I know, it's fattier. But this dish was really inedible--no meat anywhere, all fat. I know we've ordered it in the past, and it was okay. I'm so hoping it was a Memorial Day Weekend (head chef-taking-a-few vacation days) kind of fluke. Thankfully, there are a ton of amazing things on the menu. Won't be ordering that again.

    (4)

  • Carl C.

    Worst service ever. Forgot our beers, and appetizer. Never came back after dropping food off. Thank God I had napkins in my pocket. Never coming back.

    (1)

  • Nan S.

    quite authentic sichuan food, compared to what's available in the city. what I don't like: 1. the meat dish (like kong pao chicken) usually have too little chicken, but too much other stuff. 2. need to have less sodium, less oil and more fresh material. 3. the dryer version of kong pao chicken is the authentic one, with less starch/sweet sauce.

    (3)

  • Cici B.

    Everything about Han Dynasty is authentic save for the prices, portions, and decor. After coming to the restaurant for the first time in May, I had a strong urge to bring my parents because I couldn't believe my tastebuds; authentic Sichuan food in Philly? Yes it exists! And they even have a separate Chinese menu, just in case anyone expresses any doubts. Although it seems like they all look alike due to the redundant use of chili peppers and other particular spices, the dishes can definitely be differentiated by taste. Their intrepid and generous use of spices also pays homage to Sichuan cuisine and takes me back to my dining experiences in China. Do not pass up on the dan dan noodles, we get it every time and it is consistently delicious. Ask the servers for recommendations if you're clueless or indecisive-the latter applies to me. They will usually recommend the right dish based on your preference in spice level and choice in poultry. I have yet to try something I did not like! The only gripes I have about Han Dynasty are their modest portions and the price you pay for the amount of food. That being said, I can't complain too much because some dishes are appropriately sized albeit not overwhelming; while others (cumin beef and Sichuan boiled fish/shui zhu yu) are clearly lacking. Entrees are on average $15 - which I guess is not bad but I'm just stuck in the whole cheap Chinese food mentality characteristic of Chinatown. This is the only place that I've come across that defies the general rule of thumb for Chinese restaurants: judging the authenticity of its food by its clientele. The popularity is undeniable across the board and I'm so glad that Han Dynasty has filled the void for me in terms of spicy Chinese food. Without a doubt, I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Jan K.

    Nothing here will make you cry unless you are a real wuss. Like everyone says, the Dan Dan noodles and crispy cuke are must-have appetizers. I found the cumin dishes a little grainy in texture. There is a great unpublished (to my knowledge) lunch deal .. I work a few blocks away.. where you get 60% servings for 50% of the price. Service has been fine, overall, but of you go with a party of three or so, you will need to harass the server for more than one skimpy serving of white rice to go around. Best deal it to go with a bunch of friends, and order a #10 dish and expect everyone to share. That way, you get to scoff all their stuff and yours as well, since one bight will typically discourage an average non-Schezuan eater. Seriously, the beef with long peppers is great for the timid. Dry-pepper fish is a killer dish for those who enjoy breaded flounder, but with a bit of a kick. Would love to come by for one of their evening tasting events. Since I work in Olde City, I tend to concentrate on lunches (affordable) and this is on the weekly regular list.

    (4)

  • Janet B.

    For starters, I'm not the biggest fan of SPICY spicy food, the kind that make you grow nonexistent balls and sweat them. In fact, and I'm kind of ashamed to admit, I don't eat kimchi very well because it's too spicy. I'm Korean, so I get a lot of crap for it. Anyway, so I was a little apprehensive when my friend and her boyfriend hosted a luncheon at this place known for their spicy food. The 8 of us sat at a round table with one of those round spinning trays for foods in the middle. The Han Dynasty guru of the group ordered a bunch of stuff, ranging in hotness from 2-10, I think. Since we had a lot of people, we got to taste a variety of foods: peanutty noodles, shrimps, beef, spicy cucumber, fish, etc. As we carefully tried each one, there were a lot of "mmmm"s. Not too many "oh F*@# THAT's SPICY!!!". In fact, their food was surprisingly not that hot. The Han Dynasty guru made us guess the spiciness level of the fish on the scale of 1-10, and my friend and I guessed 3. Well, it turned out to be a 10. Most items were very delicious and full of flavors and texture. I think it was a fantastic way to try out the different items, and it only came out to $15/person including tip. The waiter/owner chased us out to the streets because of the tip situation. We definitely paid tip, so not sure what happened.... but the service was definitely very brute and not all that pleasant. And we were with a regular/owner's friend too! So I can only imagine how the more sensitive people feel about the service... Overall, it's a good place to go with a group of friends if you're new, go if you're craving some good, pretty spicy Asian food without frills.

    (4)

  • Lynda Z.

    This place was great! I don't know how they managed to pack in so much flavor to won ton soup in a clear chicken broth, but brother, they did it! So good! I ordered the soup and chicken lo mien and the lo mien was fantastic. They cut the chicken real thin like julienne style and the noodles are packed with yumminess. My friend ordered some fried dumplings and they were awesome too. Get to Han if you want some good, tasty Chinese food.

    (4)

  • Teresa L.

    Han, I concede. I told you that you were only 4 stars...because you didn't have dessert. But I guess my taste buds would have been numb already by the peppercorn infused oil and Szechuan heat. They would only feel the cold. Dan dan noodles make me dan dan happy! Dry pepper style chicken (think chicken poppers with hah-hah-heat!) are delish but so is the dry pepper pork, which come with more meat. (so order that.) Up there with my favs is the Beef Tendons in Chili Oil. I've tried the cumin lamb, Spicy Crispy Cucumber, and Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce dishes, which are great, but if you are on a budget, go for what is unique and unmakeable in the kitchen of Teresa L. The longest wait at this restaurant is at the door, especially if you don't have a reservation. Food otherwise comes in a timely manner, and as long as it remains a BYOB (which is not very long *weep*) and you're with a rowdy group, the Office of Complaints is closed. Word to the wise: Abnormal noise levels and unbridled sweating could really put a damper on candle-lit intentions. Happy, Han?

    (5)

  • G C.

    Spicy and good! But get reservations. This place packs up quickly even late at night. The food comes in a wide variety, small dishes and big plates. You probably will want to get some for the table to share. I would also order a bunch of water or rice to cut the spice. Even me, a hard core spice lover felt the heat! Also, if you are Chinese or know someone who reads it, bring them along. They have a special menu! :D

    (5)

  • Scott H.

    I was working this past monday night, when some of my friends reported to me that there had been a fire in the basement of Han Dynasty. My first thoughts of course were purely based on the fear of when I would be able to get my fix there again. ( I eat there roughly 3 times a week) Luckily for me (and many others) the fire did not stop them from opening the next day! Han Dynasty has become a staple in my life and one of my favorite restaurants this city has to offer. I believe, in Hans words (from their twitter account) " stopped the fire in the basement, so we can bring it to your face and ass" CLASSIC

    (5)

  • Lydia C.

    Service was spotty, but the food was amazing. Definitely worth going back.

    (4)

  • Marissa C.

    I know everyone is saying it, but I'm gonna cosign - the Dan Dan Noodles are the best! Bring some nice cold beers, order the dan dan noodles and some dumplings/wontons, and if you're only with one other person I'd suggest just one entree. Believe me, you will be full from this, you may even need to losen the belt buckel a bit...speaking from experience here. If you're going on a weekend or with a large group make reservations because this place is hot, hot, hot right now. Thanks Han - now I have to make the treck from Manayunk when I get the noodle craving.

    (5)

  • Eileen H.

    I'm going to keep this short because there are so many other reviews if you want more information. I love Han Dynasty! Delicious spicy Chinese food that is a far cry from the hole in the wall places in Chinatown. Prices are very reasonable as well. Highlights: Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy so don't order this if you have a low tolerance for spice. Wonton soup: Homemade wontons in a clear broth that reminds me of the kind of soup they serve in Taiwan. You can't go wrong here. Also, I've experienced nothing but excellent service here.

    (5)

  • Soyoung K.

    As much as I like calling this place Han Die-Nasty - their food is FAR from nasty. It's actually really awesome, to be honest. I went on a Thursday night and the place was PACKED. I have been meaning to check it out for quiet some time. I have been reading so many good reviews of this place and I just couldn't put it off anymore. My sister and I waited about 15 minutes for a table and were sat at a long communal table downstairs. I really didn't care where I sat as long as I got my food. We did regret about 10 minutes of our waiting time because we did not realize that this place was BYOB and we really love drinking. Really really do. Anyways, I thought it was interesting that they have the level of spicyness marked from 1-10. I wanted to try all different levels but it seemed wiser to get about 3 dishes between two people. So we got the spicy pork belly(7), Dan Dan noodles(5?), Chicken Hot Pot(10). All were really amazing and the potions were so generous that we had to wrap up about 40% of what we ordered. However, this is because we just don't eat a lot all at once and were in a hurry. The level of spicyness was nothing to fear for - however, this statement is somewhat subjective as I was brought up in a Korean household where we eat Kimchi like everyday. Sure, Chicken Hot Pot was pretty spicy but if that was a level 10, Kimchi would be like 15. So if you've ever had Kimchi before, you know where you might stand with this level of spicyness. To sum it all up, I can never go back to any other chinese food. This was an awesome experience and I would like to return. Possibly soon.

    (5)

  • Leticia M.

    I wish I could give them 10 stars!!! This is my fave restaurant in Phily by far, the best chinese ever!!! My order; Dan Dan Noodles, Dumplings in Oil, Cold Cucumbers, Salt and Pepper Shrimp. YUMMY!!!!!!!! And the waiters, all are so laid back and chill, really great place. Thanks guys!!!! And get take-out all the time too!

    (5)

  • Michael E.

    This place is definitely worth a trip - no doubt about it. However, you must make your reservations in advance or go for lunch (as we did). They're always slammed at night. The food is really tasty, but the menu isn't exactly expansive. Basically they have 8-10 preparations and you choose one and pick your meat/fish/veggie/etc - sort of what you'd expect from a Thai place. It looks expensive, but it's not because you get more than enough for two people to eat - it's family style. Thankfully our server made us aware of this before my girlfriend and I made the mistake of ordering two entrees. The Dan Dan noodles are a must try - so yummy. Writing this review makes me want to go back for lunch today. Yummmmmm!

    (4)

  • John L.

    The hot spices of the dry dishes make me perspire in public. I was known as "shake and bake" before I would have to give public presentations in my old job. I have since matured and actually don't give a shit any more what people think about my presentations and so no longer "shake and bake" before I give a public presentation. These days the only place I shake and bake (sweat profusely and have shaky hands) is at any of the Han Dynasty restaurants. The super-hot spices make me sweat profusely when I eat their dishes. I actually love to sweat when I eat and wash it down with a nice Sapporo. I feel ALIVE! So painfully ALIVE! A great experience and I highly recommend it to any and all who are tastebud brave enough to eat their hottest dishes. The Han Dynasty is dead, Long Live the HAN DYNASTY!

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    Ever since I moved to Philly in August, I've had a food void that I've tried to fill by drafting long sappy I-miss-you love letters to dan dan mien from back home in NY. The dan dan mien at Han Dynasty has now stolen my heart that I no longer write home. Honestly, this noodle dish had my party of 8 raving about it for days afterward -- even those who weren't huge fans of spicy foods. Some other dishes were hit or miss (the wontons in spicy oil were good but the mapo tofu was meh). My parents gave the place a B- for its lack of authenticity, but I'm not a strict Asian immigrant. (They have a much more lenient full-spectrum grading scale for food than for academics.) Good Chinese food is hard to come by, so I was satisfied. The place itself isn't swanky -- especially the lower level that makes you feel like you're eating in a basement -- but it's BYOB so who's complaining.

    (4)

  • Te R.

    yes yes yes yes good stuff! we were there for sunday dinner. it's good that we made a reservation. it's also byo! everything was good. i recommended fried fish with peppers. they actually put spices in the batter for the fish so the flavor can blast with each bite. awesomeness.

    (5)

  • mayur p.

    Vegetarians beware ....Had high expectations for this place but was disappointed by the service and did not get a chance to eat any food. The server was very rude and did not allow any substitution in the dishes. May be they should post a sign or place on their web site about no substitution of items allowed!!! And I am not talking major changes, I just asked to take out chicken and place tofu.. Seems they are pre making the dishes in bulk so cannot make any changes!

    (1)

  • John B.

    Han Dynasty is an exciting restaurant that seems misplaced in this urban theme park neighborhood. But I'm not complaining. A vigorous culinary experience is worthwhile anywhere. I've eaten spicier meals than the rabbit dry pot. A particular dish of chicken and chili oil once enjoyed in suburban MD will always set the standard. But the HD meal was a more intense sensory experience. My lips vibrated and I had the repeated distinct sensation that my head had been tightly wrapped in a burlap sheet. I have never wrapped my head in a burlap sheet. I don't even know what a burlap sheet is. It is just that the words, "it feels like I am being punched in the face, but it doesn't hurt because my head is snugly wrapped in this burlap sheet" kept popping through my head. I feared the waiter's interruption of this bizarre experience. It wasn't until I had walked nearly to 12th Street that I felt myself "sobering up." There is a distinct enthusiasm for cumin. This is not one of my favorite spices, especially in high quantities. However, the boldness of this cooking, the confidence in bright and aggressive flavors, the punch. These are admirable qualities. Even the Inquirer got it right for once: This place is excellent.

    (5)

  • Noheli T.

    I don't think that I've ever had a bad expereicne with the food at Han Dynasty, but I always order the same thing so I can't really complain. The long hot peppers with beef is always delicious and I could always eat a whole order of their scallion pancakes. Ou waiter Nick was incredibly nice and showed us just the right amount of attention. I only took away a star because I ordered one of their specialty cocktails that was way too sweet. I think that the name had something to do with fuzzy, but it was definitely not the best drink on their menu.

    (4)

  • Jason O.

    This was freaking fantastic. They can accommodate huge groups, had great gluten free choices for a few people in our group and every dish was brilliant. The $30 tasting menu was a boat-load of food. This is not just some decent American-style Chinese place. The real deal. Go. Now.

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    Came here for my birthday with a group of 6, we contacted the restaurant about three days in advance for a reservation and would up with a 9pm reservation on a Friday night. Corkage fee is $10 for wine and $1 for each beer you bring. We brought some IPA's and lager which was great with the food. You can buy alcohol in the Old City location for cheap. Atmosphere is a bit chaotic on a weekend, and it can get a but loud in there. Food was awesome we were able to try a bunch of things, most dishes are able to be shared family style. My favorite things we shared were Dan Dan Noodles, Chili Dumplings, Cumin Style Chicken. I was not intimidated by the spice level of the foods because the heat was complex not just burning. Prices were reasonable, and it was absolutely delicious.

    (5)

  • Pete L.

    Went on a sunday afternoon. Not busy at all. Server was polite. Casual atmosphere. I ordered the dan dan noodles, dumplings in chili sauce and the pork belly. They rated the dumplings a 4 out of 10, it was soooo hot! (but they were so good) The dan dan noodles are probably the best noodles I'VE EVER HAD!!!! They do have takeout and the wait was about 20 minutes.

    (5)

  • Bhavika P.

    I have been to this place 4 times in 4 months...and I think this one definitely deserves a review. Huge quantity entree - very much sufficient to share between the two and if you had few appetizers can do a take away too. Scallion Pancakes - My all time fav. I can just go on eating this.... Spicy cucumber/Chicken in Chilly Oil - I don't eat too spicy food...so not a big fan of it but my husband and friends enjoyed every bite of it. For Entrees we ordered multiple dishes: Dry Pot Style with Tofu/Garlic Sauce Style Chicken - Very good to taste. Though a little dry so I prefer ordering fried rice or some gravy rather than eating this with plain rice. Three Cup Chicken - Good to taste but I found it too much salt in it. So did not enjoy it as much. Double cooked style Fish - It is very difficult for me to like some fish. But this one was just awesome. I think this is one of the only place in Philly so far where I liked Fish and I will go again to eat it. If you are trying to book online..you may see the slots are full but worth making a call to book. Also, we have walked in couple of times and have got the table in 15-20mins. The only thing that has stayed constant is that the Staff is not very cheerful, I always feel they are tired and exhausted and waiting for it to get over soon. Otherwise its all good.

    (4)

  • Wanda C.

    I loved the food at Han Dynasty! We ordered a whole table of food but service was fast and great! Dan Dan noddles were great, hot sauce style fish (if you like spicy food then this Sichuan chili oil sauce is a must!), and wontons in chili oil as an appetizer to share. My friends' favorites (non spicy items) are salt n pepper scallops and scallion pancake. There wasn't one dish that I tried I didn't like. Yum!

    (5)

  • Sam C.

    Great experience.. Dan Dan Noodles and Dry Lamb Pot were the best at a 5 for spicy. Food was good, a little too spicy (peppers extra hot), plenty to eat and price was awesome for five people

    (4)

  • Frank Y.

    Great food. Awesome use of spices. Order about half the entrees you are inclined to. They are big.

    (4)

  • Priya R.

    When I leave Philly, this is the thing I miss the most. I actually first went to the Manyunk location and heard that there was one in center city as well. Having now been to both, I can say that they are equally amazing. ALWAYS get the dan dan noodles. they are perfection. The wontons in chilli oil are also just delicious. If you like seafood, get the salt and pepper shrimp. And if you like chicken, I would recommend the chicken pepper dry pot. These are my go-to's everytime I'm here and if you don't like the food for whatever reason it's probably because you couldn't accurately pick a spice level for your food.

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    Dan Dan Noodles & dumplings in red chili oil - both were unforgettable, spicy, & delicious. Had a great food experience here....

    (5)

  • Wilfred S.

    I thought RZ pingpong was the best Szechuan restaurant in the world, and Han Dynasty blows it out of the water completely. As a Hong Kong native, I'm willing to say that you'll have trouble finding better Chinese food anywhere in the world. Surprisingly a pretty formal place at this location; huge chandeliers, 50 feet high ceilings, full sitting bar. Good atmosphere and vibes for the most part except that some parts can get a little too dark because they try to hard to emulate this romantic classy dinner place. Food was ABSOLUTELY savage. I recommend getting Dan Dan noodles and the noodles with chili sauce as they are the 2 best items on the menu. Everything else was really good from the kung pao chicken to the dry cumin beef...you really can't go wrong with anything as long as you don't get anything too spicy. There were a couple negatives for this place (although the food is so good that it overcomes all of it): 1) If you have a group larger than a few people, you're either gonna have to make reservations of wait at least 30 minutes. We walked in with a group of 5 and got really really lucky and found seating in 15 minutes...but I really wouldn't bank on that. 2) Although everything on the menu is amazing, the options are very limited. There are really only ~10 legitimate entree items to choose from if you don't count appetizers and small bites. Good news is all 10 of those items are good! 3) It's pretty pricy for chinese food. The bill came out to around $32 per person (that's including alcohol money; probably $26 without)...but expect to pay a premium price for premium food. If you can't tell, I love this place. I love it so much I went to the Manayunk location (much closer to me if I'm not in the city) just 2 weeks later. By the way, that location is awful; stick to this one. Oh, and get the fishbowl if you feel like drinking...it'll demolish you!

    (5)

  • Nivedita B.

    I adore Chinese food, and Szechuan cuisine is my favorite. Garlic and chili peppers and tingly Sichuan peppercorns, what's not to love? I was excited about checking out Han Dynasty for everyone I talked to during my visit to Philly said I couldn't miss it. I wasn't disappointed. - Dan Dan noodles: definitely lives up to the hype. spicy sweet peanut-y goodness. We got this in the level 8 and could've definitely gone spicier. - Dry hot pot style with beef: the hot pot sauce was absolutely divine. It comes out in a sizzling mini wok which was terribly cute. The bamboo shoots were money. This was a level 9 and had the perfect amount of heat (as in I sweat just the right amount) Service was fine. The restaurant itself is huge (tall ceilings with intricate crown moulding) and the decor is cool. If I lived in Philly, Han Dynasty would definitely become my go-to place for spicy Chinese food.

    (4)

  • Christina S.

    Thank you, Han Dynasty, for accommodating my weak taste buds. I order most every Sunday, ask for a lowered spice level, and they always do their best to allow me to enjoy Han no matter what spice level. Can I handle it? yes Is it still hot? Yes. If you're the type of person that wants a taste but is unsure that you can handle it... Try it out.

    (4)

  • Paul L.

    My feelings with Han Dynasty is very complicated. Han Dynasty is pretty much the last meal I've had with my now exboyfriend sending off a mutual friend to Chicago, which proved to be painful in many levels. I had put off finishing/restarting this review for that reason. It was also a reunion meal with said friend when he came back to visit Philadelphia. At the same time, I like spicy food but not really Handy Nasty spicy. The owner Han is a very interesting character, he does go around and tell his customers what to order which is only appropriate. If you go to a sushi place in Japan, the chef will only give you the freshest and best dishes, the chef/owner do know best and why would you not listen and follow suit? Wonton in chili oil is awesome, I only wish there were more. same goes to the green bean noodles, and dan dan noodles and cold noodles in chili oil. Since they are similar in nature, you wouldn't want to order all the noodles together but they are spicy with a savory, almost meaty afterkick and leaves you wanting for more. The spicy cucumbers are cool and hot at the same time. Beef and tripe in chili oil are only good for the ones who dare eat tripes. My favorite dish at Han's come in the form of double cook fish. They are lightly fried in a black bean and leek stir-fry, it's soft inside with a crispy outside. It reminds me of the Chinese fried salt and pepper calamari only done better. Cumin lamb is served on a tiny metal plate atop a small stove which gave me a distinct Tibetian feel. double cooked pork belly is good but not superb. The scallion beef and tea roast duck are good but not entirely memorable. My friends ordered a level 13 dish and I ended up scraping away the chili powder and paste that coated on the meat before taking a bite. My friends were saying that it's still not spicy enough and will order level 18 next time, guess I won't be dining with them. After a while I realize that the spiciness are pretty much the same. I mean it is the same kind of spiciness that dulls and paralyzes your tastebuds. You can't taste any other flavors in the dish. It can get old, but for now it's still a novelty. Yes service can be better, but if you're a fan of spicy food. This should be a good place to go. Oh and water doesn't help spice, I heard. Apparently wine does a better job.

    (3)

  • Ginny M.

    Extremely well-prepared dishes. When an item is listed as served with vegetables X, Y and Z, it has a lot of them, not just a token shred. Anything described as having "garlic" is full of just that - we were brushing our teeth and/or using mouthwash with great frequency for days afterward. This is in contrast to many times (at other restaurants) when there is the claim of using garlic but little evidence of it. The heat ratings were helpful but a warning - they go 1-10, so if you think you're adept at eating spicy hot food, and order a 7, be prepared to have a mouth-burning experience.

    (4)

  • Erica E.

    Han's food is great. The dan dan noodles and double cooked chicken are 2 of my favorites. But beware, the spice level seems to change depending on the day. The dan dan noodles are an 8 and the double cooked is a 4 but there have been times where the double cooked is soooo much spicier than the dan dan and other times where it lacks any spice at all. Despite this I have always been extremely happy with my meal here. If you like spicy food you cannot go wrong here

    (4)

  • David F.

    Well, how can you argue with consistency. I have consistently gone to Han Dynasty (in Royersford and Philly) and each time I go I am blown away. This time I happen to go with my good friend 'Limey Sam' and it was to watch Han's Food Network debut. Good friends always make the experience that much better. Han served up a delicious grouping of courses we could all share at our round table (complete with a lazy susan to distribute the food). The rabbit was particularly good and spicy as hell. The tripe once again continues to surprise me. How Han can prepare it to have the texture and taste of an al dente pasta is beyond me but somehow he does it. Trust me, order the tripe and try something new. You'll be pleasantly surprised how if you expand your mind to accept other peoples culture and food that you'll find new foods you enjoy and even love. If you're not sure how to order just ask Han and he'll be more then glad to push you in the right direction. If you feel adventurous and want to experience the full 'Han Experience' then ask Han to order for you and get ready for an full sensory experience in authentic Chinese cuisine.

    (5)

  • Rob Y.

    Came back again earlier tonight. Ordered the following: 1) Twice-cooked pork = Can't remember if I've ever had this dish done this properly since my visit to China back in 2007. Thank you Han Dynasty. 2) Three-cup chicken = Chicken...so tender. Sauce...so flavorful. Mmmm...hungry again as I type this. This dish is a winner. Everyone should try this. 3) "Shui Zhu Yu Pian" (forgot the actual name on the menu...Sichuan spicy boiled fish?) = My #1 favorite Sichuan dish. This is one of the dishes I use to rank how legit a Sichuan restaurant is. The fish was done properly. The sauce had a lot of heat...punches you in the face in a good way. Han Dynasty succeeded with this dish. 4) Dan Dan Noodles = I ordered this the first time I visited this restaurant. I ordered it again tonight. What do you think that means? Yes you are correct my friend,...it's that damn good. Upgrading this place to 5 stars. This is the best Sichuan restaurant I've visited SO FAR in the US. And It is certainly is the best Chinese restaurant in Philly.

    (5)

  • Amie D.

    After you get seated the service staff is quite friendly. The food is good but not the most amazing food that I have every had. There are some dishes that are really doused in tons of oil and in my opinion is a little excessive. The oil takes away from some of the flavor in dishes. My favorite part of the experience is the people and the cucumber appetizer, I will probably visit again, but I wouldn't rush there.

    (3)

  • Nicole C.

    Very very good!!! The waiters will be arrogant and challenge you on your ability to eat spicy food but pay no attention them. This food is fantastic! And you adjust the level of spiciness based on a numeric scale. You may want to start low to get a baseline. Dan dan noodles are amazing! Garlic chicken something was so good!!! Dry pot beef was great!!! Certainly will be back!

    (5)

  • Caleb F.

    Amazing. Reservations for 7pm on a Sunday night for 5 people. We arrived at 7:10pm and were seated immediately. A waiter was about to take our order but was brushed aside by the owner who took our order by memory. After reading terrible reviews about the owner, I was on edge, but everything went smoothly because we ordered family style and spoke in Chinese. Dandan noodles were very good and spicy of course. Fuqi feipian (thinly sliced beef) was amazing ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu… ). Our tongues were burning from the peppercorn so beware. San bei ji (three cup chicken) was very good also. We were expecting meat on the bone, but instead it came out as small pieces of chicken. The twist made it much easier to eat. A tiny bit too sweet but still very good. Hui guo rou (twice cooked pork belly) was also very flavorful. Overall, the best Chinese food I've had in a while.

    (5)

  • S L.

    So good. So HOT. Ordered a 7. Could maybe do an 8. Spicy, spicy, spicy!

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    So I went a second time and tried even harder. Cucumbers in chili oil, dan dan noodles, double-cooked fish, you name it. And my conclusion is... about the same. It's just not working for me. There's no question that the food is good. It just hasn't been as good as I keep expecting given the rave reviews. Now I will admit, it could be because my party has asked them to go easy on the spice both times I've been there. Maybe the full-on, melt-your-face spice hit adds a certain je ne sais quoi. But based on what I've had, it's not someplace I'd suggest again. Even if the food had blown my mind this time around, Han Dynasty wouldn't break 4 stars for me, purely due to the service. My party was again left waiting in the doorway for 10 minutes after the start of our reservation time, despite open tables clearly in view. Beyond that, the service was reliably slow, disinterested, and very informal. For example, both times I was there, the host refered to my party as "you guys." No big deal, except it kind of kills any hope of a sophisticated ambiance - Amada this is not. I get why people love Han Dynasty, and if you go there, you might love it too. It's just not for me.

    (3)

  • Meredith B.

    Han Dynasty would get another star if they were able to nail down consistency. The Dan Dan noodles are off the charts - but I've never had a consistent meal here.

    (3)

  • KuangYou C.

    Why just 3 star? Because I am not a fan of spicy food. We ordered all spicy food except Taiwanese sausage and three cup chicken. Sausage was ok but three cup chicken was so great. The chicken was boneless and tender (It is different from the common three cup chicken) and went well with steamed rice. My friends like spicy food so that's why we went there. However, they could not stand their food because they were so HOT!!! We even used tea to wash the chili oil and pepper, and still can feel the HOT! But the smell and flavor was great, just your tongue and lip got numbed and swelled :) I believe it is 5 star restaurant for spicy food lovers!

    (3)

  • Ai-Chen Y.

    "The food is sexy hot! Pay in cash and get a 10% discount" Try to reserve a seat in advance, then u could sit on the first floor. The first floor's decoration and atmosphere is better than the basement seats. We four people ordered the following things. (1,3,4 are my recommendation) 1. Dan Dan Noodles- $7.95 Spicy: @@ People said it is a must- have. I think it is good but not to must- have level. Still could give it a try. It is not the typical Dan Dan Noodles as Taiwan's. It's dry and with the sauce(taste like sesame/peanut sauce). A little bit like Taiwan's cold noodles. 2. Three Cup Chicken- $14.95 Spicy: not spicy A little bit sweet. I will give this dish a- ok. People can eat this dish with many rice. This is the only dish we ordered that is not spicy. 3. Chicken in Chili Oil $9.95 Spicy: @@@@ My favorite dishes. It is a cold appetizer. Chicken is tender soaked in chili oil. There are green onion slice and grounded Zanthoxylum( or so- called pepper of sichuan). It smells good and I felt my tongue numb when I put them in my mouth. My nose was running and I drunk tons of water. No matter what, I still love this dish so much. 4. Beef & Tripe in Chili Oil $9.95 Spicy:@@@@ Taste gooood. A common dish in sichuan style's restaurant. 5. Fried Taiwanese Sausage $7.95 Spicy: not spicy Normal Taiwanese Sausage, for homesick Taiwanese. Our way is to eat it with sliced garlic. When u pay, remember to ask the waiter whether there is discount if pay in cash! Normally they will provide 10% discount.

    (4)

  • Christian P.

    Everyone raves about the Dan Dan Noodles here. Sure, they're good but the hand-drawn noodle with pork soy sauce at Yummy Lan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House in Chinatown is just as good, if not better (and cheaper). My dish was heavy on the peanut sauce, which, combined with the starches from the noodles, made it feel like it was dredged in peanut butter. (For the record, I ate at the University City location.) It's still much better than the standard Chinese fare that's out there, which is chef Han Chiang's m.o., but a tad overhyped. If you're in Chinatown then you can do better. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you.

    (3)

  • Abhinav N.

    I've been to this place in big groups (15 - 20) or on dates and it's always good fun. Owner Han is a very friendly guy and always makes sure to visit you on the table and give personal suggestions from the menu. Most of the dishes are based on Szechuan cuisine and you can select your own spice levels (1-10) - expect lot of fresh garlic and chili peppers. They have great selection of appetizers, my favorite items are the wantons and dumplings dipped in chili oil along with cold sesame noodles and rabbit. I'm a big fan of their fish hot pot and cumin lamb. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a different style of fine Chinese dining experience and who is spice and chili tolerant. They used to be BYOB but last time I was there they had a sign which said that they are no longer BYOB and will charge corkage.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    My friends and I have had a standing reservation at Han for about two years (give or take, seems like forever!). Each week we are greeted by the staff, who by now we consider as our friends, and are seated almost immediately. We've had everything on the menu and some items of the secret menu! Since some in our group are vegetarian and/or muslim, we special order all the time. No pork, no problem, you can still have the awesome Dan Dan Noodles! No meat, no problem, most of the dishes can be made with tofu! We haven't had a bad dish yet! Can wait until Han gets back from his trip and shares all the new things he learned! Some pointers for newbies: Make a reservation. You don't want the table of shame by the door. Its no longer BYOB, but you can BYOB but be prepared for steep corkage fees. Be prepared to share. The food is served family style, so order appropriately. Good rules for ordering for groups...order one Dan Dan and one other app, order one less entree than people in your group, order at least one veg (the cabbage or eggplant are excellent pairs with most entrees). Don't ask for soy sauce, or duck sauce, or for a fortune cookie...you'll look like a moron and rightfully treated as such!

    (5)

  • Lala H.

    Last night I went to Han Dynasty with two friends armed with info from fellow Yelpers. I brought a 4-pack of Duchesse de Bourgogne and one friend had sparkling wine already chillin in the back! We fancy huh?! First we ordered the Beef and Tripe in chili oil, it was listed as a 10 and the server tried to talk me down but I remember what Miss Eva said about the food not being as hot as she expected so I told him to bring on the heat! I was a little concerned about eating cold beef and tripe but it was actually good and SUPER spicy. For a split second I thought maybe I should've dialed it back to an 8. A sip of my awesome beer choice quickly made me forget that thought. Friend 1 (F1) who "doesn't do tripe" gave it a thumbs up. Unfortunately we found out that night that Friend 2 (yup you guessed it F2) is a vegetarian. Oopsy. Next the oft suggested Dan Dan Noodles for me and F1, very good, soothed my fiery tongue and Dry Pepper Style fish, it was cooked with an incredible amount of chili peppers. The fish was crispy outside and moist inside, loved it. For F2 Vegetable Lo Mein, she was silent, bent over the plate and when she finally remembered we were there she said "This is delicious!" Han Dynasty will be seeing me again!

    (4)

  • Stefanie A.

    Hot, spicy, and slightly hectic, this Old City Schezuan has a great reputation that's well-earned. I'm not ga-ga over it like everyone else but I think it's the best around for this type of food (non-noodles soups, I mean.) Dan Dans are great and spicy, but I'm picky about mine and they're a little thicker/pastier than I like. The hot dumplings will kick your tongue's ass--and it's well worth it. The spicy cuke app is overlooked and should not be. I don't even like cucumbers much but love them here. There are many winning combinations of meats and dishes, but for best suggestions, check out Chef's Feed (if you like food at all, hopefully you have this app, but if not, get it now!) And make a reservation. You will not get in without one. And take out here should be called "take forever." But it's great, so plan ahead and enjoy.

    (4)

  • Preety S.

    Very popular little Schezuan restaurant in Old City. I showed up about 10 minutes to 7pm and put my name down for a table for 2. We were seated in about 30 - 40 minutes. The seating situation was rather hilarious with us first being told we need to finish eating on one hour. Then we were told our table would need to be moved. Finally we were told we can take our time to eat and our table didn't need to be moved. LOL. Glad it all worked out, but pretty funny how they choose to accomodate patrons on a busy night... As for the food...def have to try the Dan Dan noodles! Delicious! The other dish we ordered was a tofu dish that I wasn't too fond of. Next time I will go back and do a chicken or fish dish. I did like the fact a pot of green tea was brought to the table. I think I probably ended up drinking almost all of that.

    (3)

  • Jackie B.

    I had really high expectations for Han Dynasty and feel like it's really hard to find a place that lives up to it's hype. Han Dynasty does and so much more. I went for the second time last night and I'm still dreaming about the spicy crispy cucumbers. First off... if you have an aversion to spicy food... I'm not sure if this... or Szechuan cuisine in general is for you. Next. First time was with a friend and the second was a group of 6. Even though it will take you longer to get seated, I'd say go with a group and get a bunch of things to share. It really adds to the experience. Han came to our table and offered to order for us... if he does this to you. LET HIM. Favorites: won tons in chili oil, spicy crispy cucumbers (!!), dan dan noodles and dry pot fish. Who are we kidding... I've never had anything I don't like here. Oh and get a side of vegetables. It offers a nice respite from the heat. The pea leaves are delicious. Don't expect anything high-end in terms of service or exact wait times or anything like that. This place is crowded, loud and crass.. and it all adds to the charm. Can't say enough good things. Heart bubbles.

    (5)

  • Zachary D.

    My Chinese friend said it was the best Chinese food he had eaten in America. I thought it was better than most of the Chinese food I had he eaten even including my trip to China. Either way, it was really darn good. I was there with about 20 people from school. The restaurant handled the large group very well. We order the tasting menu, and just got a stream of continuously good food. Two warnings. First, the spicy food is really spicy. It took me many mouthfuls of rice until I could feel my mouth after eating the beef. Also, nearly all of the appetizers have pork in them. If you don't eat pork, be warned.

    (5)

  • Kevin X.

    The food: if you can't handle spicy food, then I would suggest you steer clear of this restaurant. I would say 90% of their menu is spicy. They can change the levels of spiciness to suit your taste buds, but from my experience even "mild" caused me to break a sweat. Like everyone else said, try the dan dan noodles and you won't be disappointed. And this place is BYOB. The service: it's good but getting seated seems to be a problem here, even if you make a reservation. My party of 2 arrived at 7pm (without a reservation and plenty of seats openly available) and we were told that someone would seat us "right away." It took them 15 minutes. The same thing happened to a party of 4 that had made reservations and they arrived on time.

    (3)

  • Kunal P.

    This is definitely your non traditional chinese restaurant. As per previous reviews, if you want spicy food, this is the place to go. By spicy, I mean overloading the dishes with fried dry red chillies. It works if that's your forte. I definitely liked it. I went with a bunch of friends and just let them order since they had been to this place a bunch of times already. We had dan dan noodles (absolutely to die for), spicy cucumber (might have been better if the cucumbers were chilled), Scalion pancake (?)(a good option to add on to your order if you were looking to cool down your palate for a bit), taiwanese sausage (pretty descent & sweet, also a good option if you find other dishes too hot and want to cool down your palate), some fish dish (which seemed like your ordinary batter dipped fried fish marinaded with dried red chillies - this was pretty hot - but the sweetness of the fish was a perfect match with minimal residual effects), and lastly, some spicy tofu dish. If I had ordered the food, I would have gone for a bit more spicier taste. But, then again, there was a group of us. I would definitely return to try out some of their other dishes, if not just for the dan dan noodles. The only reason for the lower rating is that, halfway through the meal, I got up to use the rest room to wipe off all the sweats trickling down from my head. The moment I walked into the bathroom, I was shocked at what I saw - an overflown toilet filled gifts left behind by someone (if you can picture it in your mind) - that just totally ruined my apatite for the night.

    (3)

  • John K.

    We had been to the Han Dynasty in Old City before and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The food was tasty, well balanced and spiced, the service was brisk and attentive. We looked forward to returning for another memorable meal. Sadly, we were met with an entirely different experience this time. We came in on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was almost full. The hostess sat us right away at a high top table in the bar area. Our server came over to greet us and offered us drinks. We ordered a round of drinks from him and he said he would be right back. 20 minutes later (and I timed it), I had to flag down another server to go find our server. He finally appeared and said he would go "check to see if our drinks were ready"! Unbelievable! After a 20 minute wait, finally, a mediocre margarita and a glass of the darkest ice tea I have ever seen (I thought he had brought a glass of Coke) appeared. He then proceeded to take our order, now that we have had 30 minutes to study the menu. We ordered the Beef & Tripe and the Beef Tendon, both served in chili oil, as starters and the Mapo Tofu and Double Cooked Style Pork Belly for our main dishes. The two cold appetizers came out relatively quickly and were deliciously spicy. The two main dishes came out shortly afterwards. The Mapo Tofu was incredibly tasty, but also extremely salty. The Pork Belly was also very salty. The food had departed from the light, balanced, and flavorful meal we had remembered in previous visits. Our server had deigned us with a follow up visit to refill my ice tea. After we had been cleared by the ever attentive bus boys, our sever came and offered dessert and dropped the check. 10 minutes later, we were still waiting for him to pick up the payment. Another server came by and picked it up to run our credit card. Shortly after, our server came over to ask if he had brought us our bill! Unreal! This has been a disappointing and disheartening experience. This was the absolute WORST service we have ever experienced. It was almost surreal, an out of body expletive watching the train wreck of what passed for service in this place. Over seasoned, unbalanced, salty food is FORGIVABLE, but inattentive, absentminded service is INEXCUSABLE. Waiting 20 minutes with nothing but water and menus at the outset of the meal sets a pretty poor tone. Making customers wait to pay at the end of their meal is completely UNACCEPTABLE ! And then asking if we had our bill is just LUDICROUS. If there was ever a hint that this server actually cared about our dining experience, this absolutely eradicated such a notion beyond any doubt. What was a 5 star memory has sadly deteriorated to a 1 star reality. It just shows how much a dining experience is affected by the quality of service. We will not be returning.

    (1)

  • Mike S.

    Writing this review as I eat... I've been a long time HAN DYNASTY fan, but recently their signature dish, DAN DAN NOODLES, has fallen off the map. The noodles are smaller/thinner and don't have the same texture or taste from just a couple months ago. Mr. Han is probably saving a few pennies by switching his noodle distributor, but let me tell u this. It's not worth it. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Go back to the old DAN DAN!!

    (2)

  • Gia M.

    This location is conveniently close to my office... too close. Thank God for the lunch specials or I would have a serious problem on my hands. This Han serves up the familiar, spicy, and delicious Szechuan food that we have all come to know and love. My particular favorites at the Old City location are the dry pepper chicken and the spicy cucumbers. Somehow the cucumbers (7) are spicier than the other Han Dynasties, but the dry pepper chicken (8) is more easily inhaled. Two good things that this Han has going for it are: a) the decor. It is absolutely regal inside and totally fit for any fancy occasion. Big pillars, low lighting, and an impressively large bar reminds me of Del Frisco's. and b) the lunch specials! I suppose the others have this too, but in Old City, there are tons of offices (and me!) hungry for Han, just not hungry enough for an entire dry pot. The dry pepper chicken lunch special is $7.95 and comes with the typical rice. Add the cucumbers (also ~$7) and you have a very happy Gia M not spending her entire paycheck on Chinese food for lunch.

    (4)

  • John K.

    One of the most celebrated Sichuan / Schezuan restaurants in Philly is Han Dynasty. Owner Han Chiang was able to parlay his success into several other outposts throughout the city and fairly recently, even in NYC (I believe the count is up to 8?). Still, that doesn't mean the location in Old City is forgotten. In fact, this past year, they moved across the street to a renovated location which is modernized and more grandiose - in tune with Han's interests (not a bad thing!). So when my mother and sister were in town, the GF and I decided to take them to this Old City hotspot to enjoy some lunch. Dan Dan Noodles [$7.95] We started with the requisite dan dan noodles, which showcased noodles that retained the sauce quite well. The sauce was a mix of pork and chili tempered by peanut. The crispy nuggets of pork were nice bursts of salt and flavor. Spicy Crispy Cucumber [$6.95] My mom seemed uninterested and unimpressed by the fact that I was excited for the spicy crispy cucumbers. But after one bite, she was genuinely surprised. In fact, she kept trying to guess the recipe. The spiciness hits you in the back of your throat, but you can't help but go back for more bites of the cool, crisp cucumber. Dumplings in Chili Oil [$6.95] The dumplings were flat and wide, with little nuggets of pork within. Studded with sesame seeds which offered texture, the chili oil bath wasn't overpowering. Garlic Sauce Style Pork [$11.95] Ginger, garlic, bamboo, bell peppers The GF's favorite is the garlic sauce pork and this dish offered juicy bits of pork, bamboo, and ginger, which were accented by the garlic sauce. Dry Pot Style Chicken [$15.95] Bamboo shoots, bell peppers, Sichuan peppercorns I love the three cup chicken and the pork belly dishes here, but I decided to branch out for some dry pot chicken. This may be my new favorite dish. Like crispy bits of popcorn chicken, this was incredibly crisp, juicy, and almost delicate. Apparently there's no batter used - it's just triple flash-fried. A must order. Just watch out for the whole bits of peppercorn! So if you're looking for a great meal with Sichuan/Schezuan flair, Old City still has you covered. Just in a sleeker package.

    (5)

  • Jordan P.

    (To the tune of "Talking Body" by Tove Lo) Heat, lots of heat Your tastebuds when they meet that hot hot meat Cukes cool it down Tsingtaos hit the bar, get another round Day drunk (or sober too), wanna just stay here WIth noodles and beer. Dry pepper fish is my fav Bringing lots of flav Could eat here every day.... Cuz if we're talking spicy Han Dynasty's your spot, so lay it on me Because some like it hot. If you want the spice They're there all night On and on and on. This location, nestled in the heart of Old City, is enormous and wonderful. They've got a great happy hour, and you could feasibly just spend a whole week working your way through the menu of appetizers, soups, noodles, and entrees. Spice ranking from 1-10 fit for any taste, but take it seriously. I've gone with buddies who have higher tolerance than I and ended up not feeling my tongue for the next day or two. They've got a great back room or upstairs for large parties, and they really can cater to your budget or needs. Totally sweet bartenders, the food is always on point, and I love the color and warmth of the space. If you skip the dry pepper fish, you're doing yourself a disservice.

    (5)

  • Caitlin M.

    I fell in love with this place when I went about a year and a half ago at the old location. Now that I went back for my New Year's Eve celebration, and got to experience their new location I had to write my review. There are at least 5 locations that I know of with one even being in New York city, and this location is one of the 3 I've been to. Bay far this is the location that has the 'hottest/spiciest' sauces compared to the other two. I've enjoyed all of my visits to their locations but this one is my favorite. I love the location and the decor inside is amazing. All of the staff members were very patient and courteous (especially Han!) and even on a crazy night like New Year's Eve. If you plan on going at a common dinner hour or a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night I would highly recommend making a reservation. If you are told that it could be an hour wait I would grab a seat at the bar and enjoy a drink, or even order food at the bar because I believe you can get full menu service there. It is definitely worth the wait over all. If you want generic Chinese cuisine or you do not like any type of spice in your food THEN I would recommend not going. Your tongue, tastebuds and chapped lips will be challenged with the amount of chili oil that the food is bathed in. However as spicy as it is it does not diminish the underly flavor of the awesome food. Some food recommendations: Chilled cucumber in chili oil, Dan Dan noodles, the pork belly appetizer, string beans with minced pork (can substitute for asparagus told to us by our server) and the eggplant side dish. They do have great entree selections too, but I am so in love with many of their smaller plates that I load up on those. For 2 people I would recommend 1 entree dish with 2 small plates, or about 4 small plates/sides/appetizers. All the times I have been there I have taken at least 1 item of food home so the price is worth it! Only thing to watch out for: gift certificates can sometimes be location based and/or expire. I was recently given a gift certificate by a family member for Christmas however, that person lives in New York City so the certificate can only be used there. In the end I don't really mind because I wanted to eat here anyway regardless of the gift certificate, and it just gives me an excuse to head up to New York City.

    (5)

  • Justin M.

    Better than the Manayunk location, the other one I have been to because of the cocktail list and the beautiful setting. We had reservations for 8 and were sat within 5 minutes of arriving. First off, the service was perfect. Our waitress asked about spice levels, who has been here before, knew every answer to allergy questions and brought out our apps and entrees in a course like setting which was extremely helpful with 8 people who were starving! Cocktails- Had the strawberry drink, fruity but had some punch to it! I had the jade, the gin drinks which was amazing and the schezuan shandy which was OK but nothing like the jade which I would order again and again. Food-Apps we had two orders of; Friend dumplings (might be the best dumpling I have ever had), Dan Dan noodles which everyone wanted more of, yes they are that good, and the spicy cucumbers my personal favorite which I can have bowls of. Entrees- It comes with white rice, which we didn't know so ordered some vegetable fried rice as well which we didn't complain because it was great to soak up all the amazing sauces from our apps and entrees. Three cup chicken, melt away chicken like no other I have ever had. Chicken in garlic sauce, beef in a mild sauce and the pork in a level 7 sauce which some of my table was sweating. I personally like heat and can handle the 10 so I loved it! Everything you order is meant to be family style and share with others. Usually one entree, with the rice served with can feed two people so order what you want but always can bring leftovers home!

    (5)

  • Ashley O.

    Fantastic service! Came in around 3:30, the hostess was very sweet and there was no wait at all. Drink orders were immediately taken, and it wasnt long before I was eating some delicious fried dumplings with chili oil. The fried rice is delicious, and the braised beef soup is to die for! Great for first dates or a quick lunch. Careful, it can be really spicy!

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    Han Dynasty is my favorite restaurant in the city. The dan dan noodles are amazing, spicy cucumbers are really good. My wife loves the three cup chicken.

    (5)

  • Felix L.

    Great location , bar and the setup - the restaurant being in an old high ceiling place. The food was ok. The dry hot pot was not dry and did not have as many Szechuan pepper as it should. The chili peppers are usually super spicy, yet here I could eat them like chips. The chef would not use small pieces of dark meat chicken ( to avoid tasteless breast meat) but was ok with tiny bony rabbit. Cumin lamb while fragrant missed a kick. Dry fried beef was too dry and tasted more like jerky in sauce. Hope philly has better Szechuan food somewhere.

    (2)

  • Herbie H.

    I've been to the University City location of Han Dynasty, but this was my first visit to the sprawling and exciting Old City location. The Dan Dan Noodles are worth every ounce of praise they receive. I dream about these noodles. Silky and coated in sauce and spice - they are so delicious and packed with flavor. We tried one of the specials on the extra menu - shredded tofu appetizer. I forget what else was in the dish. The spice was a little more subdued and grew over time. It was a really interesting take on tofu - meaty and paired with shredded vegetables. For our shared main course, we split the Pickled Chili Style with Fish. On the website it's only listed as a spice level 5, but it was certainly hotter than that in the restaurant. The dish is loaded with rich chili flavor and accented by the extra tang from the pickling. I'm not sure what kind of fish we had, maybe tilapia? A delicate white fish that absorbed the intense spice from the sauce. Service was notably better here than at the UCity location. We had two servers who split duties among a number of tables in our section. I liked this approach, it made it easier to request more water or ask for a few more napkins without having to wait too long to see you server.

    (5)

  • Aakash C.

    First visit to Han Dynasty. Interesting place with large ceiling and good decor and huge bar w TV's. The food was excellent for Chinese. Our group likes spicy food and we got 8/10 on their scale which a little weak on spiciness. We felt at that level they had overdone the pepper flakes to compensate for the spiciness and they also provided spicy oil. We got the dan Dan noodles, chicken dry pot, mapo tofu, and wonton soup w chicken. The Dan Dan Noodles were a good start. The dry pot chicken had too many pepper flakes but was otherwise well done. The mapo tofu was also excellent, the saucy was not too runny and it was not overpowered by flakes as well. The soup was standard and also a good choice. Service was excellent but their table layout was weird. We sat in the middle of the entire place. We will definitely go again, very reasonable prices, and overall a good experience.

    (4)

  • Candice H.

    A restaurant with authentic Chinese food and great service? I thought I would never put those two thoughts in the same sentence...It's true...it's right here in Old City. (I grew up in the Bay w/ plenty of amazing authentic Chinese food too...) I can't believe I waited a whole year before trying this place out. Number 1 - the outside is very deceiving because the inside is really modern and huge! We sad in the regular dining room the first time and felt cramp for a 2 person dinner. We then went to the bar and found it to be much more spacious and the seats are really wide so there won't be any elbow scuffing from your neighbor! Bartenders are also really nice and can make great drinks! I typically don't drink and eat Chinese food...just never did it as a kid and wouldn't really do it now. However they do have some drinks that pair well. Now, I wouldn't exactly have an old fashion with my spicy Chinese food, but their other popular drinks work very well...like their spicy margarita! I eat Taiwanese style...aka many small plates. The must haves: Dan Dan noodles Taiwanese sausage with fresh garlic Potstickers Scallion pancake Had their spicy beef dish and boy the beef was sooo good and tender, but boy was it spicy! Have an appetite because the dish is big as well. To try: Mopo tofu sauteed pea vines (my childhood fav!) Love the bar, just don't take my stool. :)

    (5)

  • Ashley S.

    I'm sad I never made it to the BYOB location across the street (it was always too packed on weekend nights), so I appreciate that they have much more space at the new location. The new space is pretty with very high ceilings and a nice bar. It feels a little upscale. I usually come with a group of people, so we end up splitting a bunch of entrees. My favorites are the dan dan noodles, which is a noodle dish with peanut sauce, and the fish with garlic style sauce. My friends raved about one of the pork dishes, but I don't eat non-seafood meat so I didn't try it. Be careful when it comes to the spice level. Their baseline is already a little hot, so my friends and I thought a 6-7 was pretty darn spicy. Also, know that the dishes cooked in garlic sauce come out pretty oily. The entrees are large, and I think they would probably be too big for one person, so for a group of 4 we usually order 3-4 and have some leftovers. Prices here are very reasonable, and I don't think I've ever paid more than $25 per person.

    (4)

  • Jamie S.

    Stunningly good Szechuan Chinese food -- and authentic, as far as this easterner can tell. Dined with 3 friends, and ordered four dishes: cold noodle w/ chili oil, braised beef noodle soup, dry pepper chicken, and salt n' pepper shrimp. The cold noodle seemed to be simply black rice vinegar and chili oil mixed with soft wheat noodles -- which was very solid, but probably not worth 7 bucks, given the portion size. We got the noodle soup mostly because my compadres were daunted by the spice level that Szechuan cuisine is known for. It uses the same noodles as the cold noodle dish, but in a sweet and savory beef soup...decent, but not the best beef noodle soup I've ever had. The dry pepper chicken was the highlight of the meal for me -- just spicy enough, with tons of chilies to spare and perfectly fried chicken. Salt n' pepper shrimp was also very good, but it was a little too salty...my tongue was slightly numb afterwards...or was that the capsaicin? Overall, probably the best Chinese restaurant I've eaten at in the US. Fun atmosphere, comfortable seating, and attentive service. Their generosity with the rice was nice, too. I'll return soon for the dan dan noodles, spicy cucumber, and wontons in chili oil.

    (5)

  • Colleen D.

    Consistently delicious food. Felt compelled to write a review after receiving excellent service with my last takeout order. While I didn't discover until I got home that one of the three items in my order was wrong, when I called to notify the restaurant and ask what they could do to save me from having to return for the correct item, the manager arranged to have an employee bring it to me. Now I doubt this is an option for everyone, but they made an exception since I live six blocks away. It was a great resolution and will keep me coming back.

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    Han Dynasty is a pretty solid-go-to for spicy and enticing dishes. And as long as you're open to trying something with a little spice- there are endless options for you here. There are a few well known dishes here and they're well known for a reason. Dandan noodles are the immediate first thing I even think of when Han Dynasty is mentioned. They're creamy, and spicy and savory. Just perfect in every way. The noodles also should be given some recognition- they're magnificent. I've had a few other things too and all of them were really delicious. This isn't your average boring take out. I also believe the dumplings in chili oil and the Twice cooked fish are must-haves when eating here. Every location I've been to (Old City and University City) has been busy. But that's not a bad thing. This is a fun date place, and good for large groups since everything is served family style.

    (3)

  • Maggie H.

    正宗的川菜！爽！The food here is the best in town, you should of really go here if you are looking to eat some traditional Sichuanese food.

    (5)

  • Eunni C.

    I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.

    (4)

  • Mack C.

    Very good Szechuan food. Great staples! Loved the tripe appetizer! I've had better cumin lamb and beef but still good. The noodles were the star of the meal.

    (4)

  • Robert P.

    The single most over rated restaurant in the city. I like the hot pepper chicken. That's it. I keep try and keep being disappointed . All hype no substance. He shouldn't believe his own press. Seriously six times and always crushed by inconsistent Food.

    (2)

  • Swaroop P.

    Everything we ordered was EXCELLENT. As a vegetarian there are seldom such great choices available. It has become my primary reason to visit Philadelphia.

    (5)

  • Antonio C.

    This place was very good. The food is done family style so it's great for sharing/trying a bunch of different food. My hetero life partner and I got the Kung Pao Chicken, Garlic Sauce Chicken, Pork Dumplings and Spring Rolls to share. The entrees come with white rice so I didn't try the fried. Everything was delicious! My favorite being the Kung Pow Chicken. All the portions are very generous and more than enough to share. Aside from the food, the setting was really unique with the restaurant being inside what appears to be an old office/business space. It's on the street level but has vaulted ceilings and a small loft area. In addition to the setting, the service was very prompt and courteous. I will definitely stop by this place for my Asian food fix every visit to Philly.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Service was a little slower than expected, but the food was great and it was pretty reasonably priced, too.

    (4)

  • Kelsey C.

    I usually hate Asian fusion, but Han Dynasty pulls it off. The sizzling Szechuan cuisine is unmistakably authentic with just a touch of Chinese-American. The mouth-watering Dan Dan Noodles are peanutty-sesame-sweet. The sweetness is more west than east, but it's one of the best flavor combinations I've ever had. The Tofu Garlic Sauce Style makes for a tasty stir-fry, and the Szechuan Sliced Fish was tenderly boiled in a red-hot pot of broth. My friends didn't care for the silken tofu it was simmering with, but I think that comes down to texture, not taste. East meets west at Han Dynasty and results in a harmonious marriage of authentic Szechuan with a tolerable level of spice. Just don't go above a 6 in spice if you don't want to die a slow death - the level of spiciness is authentic too!

    (4)

  • Elva L.

    Put on your squeaky breaks, guys. This really is a "methinks not!" but I feel like it's entirely possible to deduce my location based on my check-ins and I worry someone will hunt me down and kill me, or worse, make me recant. Prior to coming I gleamed from the reviews that I have to get the dan dan noodles. I'm sorry Philadelphia who told you dan dan noodles had peanuts in them? This is the second "Szechuan" restaurant where this travesty has happened to me. (also, when can we go back to spelling it like 'Sichuan'?) The first time in happened to me, the restaurant's rendition straight up had peanut butter in it. It was awful. Han Dynasty's version, admittedly, had a more subtle, one might say sophisticated, way of incorporating the peanut flavor, but for what cause?! Come on, guys, chili oil, minced pork, scallions, noodles-- that's it, okay? Let's not make a big thing and add peanuts and then all of a sudden everyone is confused and sad. Cold cucumbers were also sweet. In the grand scheme of things, this is not a terrible liberty to take, and the resulting dish was not inedible, but I was hoping for far more than "not inedible". Regular old way will do it, thanks. You can have the non spicy version with black vinegar marinade, or you can have the spicy kind with whole chili peppers. You can be a real go out on a limb-er and make a sour and spicy kind, and I'd still be right there with you-- on occasion. I also like it when they smash the cucumber with those Chinese cleavers. I think the jaggedness retains more flavor... I could be wrong, this isn't science, and at any rate, I'm no good at science. Han Dynasty peeled and removed the seeds from their cucumbers and then sliced it about 1/4 inch in thickness. The cucumbers were thoroughly pickled at the end of the night, not into it. Dumpling in chili oil was another absolute must according to yelp. Such a simple dish have the risk of being one-dimensional, and theirs was. Chili oil had no substance-- not spiced up with fragrant herbs or have any smokiness to it, just plainly overwhelmingly greasy. Dumplings, additionally, were overcooked, with the fragile wonton skin turning into flour-y mush sitting in oil turning into oily, flour-y mush. Filling was a mushy meat pile, didn't have any veggies or shrimp to turn it up. For entrees we had Hot Sauce Fish (or 'water boil' if you know your Chinese), and Double Cooked... something. Fish is the only thing I would recommend, but then I'd say go to E Mei on Arch St for it. Han Dynasty's rendition is competent, but not such a standout that it merits a return visit all by its lonesome. The other entree was equally unremarkable, and I can't remember what it was. I didn't get to order any drinks because I was not drinking at the time, but I had high hopes this would become my go to authentic Chinese/Sichuan (bite me!) & Bar place. I'm really bummed this hypothetical go-to doesn't exist yet. I just want bomb Chinese and cold, cold pints, What do I have to do?!

    (2)

  • Andrea M.

    My favorite spot for Chinese food in Old City. The dan dan noodles are a must, they have the best flavor profile. We usually get the cumin spiced lamb, extra hot and it is always delicious. also, big thanks to the owner for installing the free phone charger lockers, its a great way to keep everyone of their phones at the table and get a quick charge.

    (5)

  • Rosa C.

    I've been to the University City location many times, and only to this Old City location once. But my oh my, this location is way more aesthetically pleasing than the University City location, not that there's anything wrong with the one in UCity, but this location has a beautiful grand staircase. It's very decadent inside and very un-Chinese-restaurant-like! Han Dynasty is one of the best Chinese restaurants around. Fail safe dishes: Dan Dan Noodles, Double Cooked Fish, Spicy Cucumbers, Three Cup Chicken, Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce, Dry Pot Style anything. Han Dynasty specializes in spicy dishes, so the numbers next to the dishes tell you how spicy the dish is best made, from 1-10. However, you can ask for different levels of spicy, depending on your preferences! Dishes that have disappointed me: Beef tendons. For those of you familiar with the dish, the tendons should be relatively thick, with a nice bite to it. The beef tendons at Han Dynasty are unfortunately shredded paper thin and ooze with oil. No bueno. I highly recommend this location! Good service and good food!

    (4)

  • Allison L.

    Very authentic for a Chinese restaurant that isn't owned by Chinese people. I like spicy and they had a lot of good dishes with spicy taste. Dan Dan noodles is a must.

    (4)

  • Irina K.

    It's hard to review this place because overall I liked it but will not come back. Props to the front of the house staff. Called on Christmas to make a reservation to a fully booked restaurant. Begged to be seated and they called me back! And put me one the list. Thank you host! Food was pretty good but boy was it greasy! I mean swimming in oil is more like it. In very spicy chili oil more like it. I love spicy food but not everyone in my party did. It was pretty hard to order something not spicy. Everything on the menu had 3+ (level of jalapeño pepper spicy). We had a bunch of different dishes. One that stood out as being awful was the dumplings. We asked for steamed ones and they were indeed steamed and served swimming in hot chili oil. It was pretty shocking having to fish them out. One that stood out as being exceptionally good was the pork belly and garlic beef. We had both ducks offered and very disappointed. One had a very intestinal smell / flavor. Crispy cucumbers were also great. There were no descriptions on the menu and we ordered this dish out of curiosity. Place is gorgeous! Used to be a great lounge/club spots nice and open. This was probably very authentic Chinese food that was just not my cup of tea.

    (4)

  • Janice K.

    I love this place!!!! I came here for birthdays and Valentine's Day and I can't wait to go back already! Dan Dan noodle is GREAT for appetizer as well as scallion pancakes. Noodles are perfect with some spiciness at the end. I strongly recommended garlic chicken and dry pepper style fish which are the BEST!!!! Double cooked style fish is similar to dry pepper style, the latter being spicier. The dry pepper fish is perfectly crispy and spicy, and just so delicious. Portions are great so we still have leftovers after being stuffed, I can't wait to eat the leftovers already!

    (5)

  • Rene L.

    What can I say. Dan Dan Noodles. HAn being cute. Great atmosphere ...Friendly...great drinks...I go as often as possible.Feels like home with a great chef!

    (5)

  • Fran G.

    Exceptional food but felt rushed

    (4)

  • Lauren J.

    If you live in Center City, why trek out of CC for Szechuan. Whenever my Rittenhouse Sq friends want to go to Old City for Szechuan, Jane G.'s is obviously the better option. Jane G's is in the heart of Rittenhouse Sq. The waitresses were more attentive at Jane G's. Better ambiance. Han Dynasty is fine if you don't live by Jane G's which is three blocks from my house and relatively new--which is why it is probably a bit on the empty side.

    (2)

  • Bob S.

    I was looking forward to trying this Han Dynasty after reading all the positive reviews and after having a truly wonderful meal at the Manayunk location. I ended up there with a friend on a Saturday afternoon. The dining room, situated in a part of the incredibly over-the top 1903 Corn Exchange Bank is delightful. Our server was great--attentive, friendly and helpful. We ordered dandan noodles, dry pot style fish and cumin style lamb. The most obvious problem was that every dish was swimming in oil. The spice level was fine; both I and my companion love spicy food. The cumin lamb, which I had raved about when I had it in Manayunk was overdone and dry and floating in a sea of oil. The dry pot style fish which our server had recommended was the best dish, despite the ubiquitous oil slick. My high expectations weren't met and I'm hoping the kitchen was just having an off day.

    (2)

  • Larry F.

    My first time here was after a First Friday event. It was a great way to finish the night, and most importantly, it was the first time I tasted the oh-so-famous Dan Dan Noodles. Unfortunately, I think this set the expectations for everything else a bit too high. I don't remember what else I've had there, but after coming back there a couple times, I hate to say, but the food is honestly flat out over-priced. I came here for lunch once by myself, and I can't fathom how I managed to spend $30+ by myself. Sure I felt pretty full, but that's 6x the cost of my Chinese food truck lunches! If you're looking for an inexpensive, but authentic Szechuan food minus the Dan Dan Noodles, I recommend going to E Mei in Chinatown. On the other hand, service is always friendly, and this place is always so crowded. I recommend to request the little section by the window if you're planning on a date here (it feels a bit more private and quiet), elsewhere gets a bit noisy, especially if you catch a group of college students doing a BYO in the basement.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Han Dynasty is the BEST Sichuan restaurant in Philadelphia. I first heard about it through MvF on the travel channel. Adam Richman had come here and I saw the behind-the-scenes look at the place and I knew I had to come. Also, I'm a huge fan of Sichuan cuisine with its numbing Sichuan peppercorns. I've been here numerous times and have order a number of items on the menu. From red oil wontons, dan dan noodles, spicy Sichuan fish, beef stir fry with peppercorns, etc. It has all been great and I've never been disappointed. The service has also been decent despite it being crowded every time we've came. They have a downstairs seating area which is a big help since the main floor can easily get crowded. The prices here are also reasonable, but I'd suggest coming with a larger group if you can. That way you'll be order more than a few dishes. Overall, this is the play to go if you like spicy Sichuan food. The flavors are amazing and will appreciate Sichuan cuisine if you've never had it.

    (4)

  • Carol C.

    We came the Saturday after Valentine's day, so the place was really crowded, but the server was kind enough to reserve 2 bar seats for us (yes, this place has a full bar). We ordered dan dan noodles, vegetables with mushrooms, and a garlic chicken dish. They ended up giving us cabbage with chilli peppers instead of the mushroom dish, but it ended up actually being quite tasty, so we didn't mind the misorder as much. The dan dan noodles were pretty dang spicy, so be warned!!! The garlic chicken tasted like any other garlic chicken you would order at a chinese restaurant, except for double the price. Overall, a cutesy/clean/nice place to eat chinese food. However, if you're in the mood for hole-in-the-wall down & dirty real chinese food, walk about 6 blocks down to Chinatown.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    The food here is definitely pretty spicy, but in a good way. The dan dan noodles are a must try, they mix it up table side and the noodles are nice and springy. Honestly the rest of the food I had was forgettable. It's a decent place to go but I'm not sure it deserves all the hype.

    (3)

  • Tyrell P.

    Great variety to choose from. The cumin style chicken and dumplings in chili oil are amazing! I also enjoy the spring rolls, dan dan noodles, cold noodles and chili oil yum! I think the atmosphere and food is a lot better at the old city location

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    Having been to the the old Han Dynasty location, their new home was a breath of fresh air. It was open and spacious whereas the old space always felt cramped. It's absolutely gorgeous inside, with high ceilings, tall windows, and ample space in between tables. They now offer a full bar instead of being a BYOB and their prices are reasonable on all the drinks. We initially had planned a larger group and wanted to do the tasting menu, but the snow kept a few people into staying home. The six of us who went expressed our interest in the tasting menu even though we didn't have as many people and they told us they have different "levels" of tasting menus and they could do one for us for $30 a person. We gave the OK and they asked us a few questions to tailor it to our tastes. They asked about dietary restrictions, vegetarians, and how spicy we could tolerate. What followed was 14 courses of amazingness. Some of the highlights for me were the spicy cucumbers, the dan dan noodles (of course), the cold sesame noodles, and the double cooked fish. Everything they brought over was fantastic, but those were my favorites of the night. The servers were all very friendly and quick to refill drinks, clear empty plates, or bring over more napkins (hey, I'm a messy eater!). Overall, it was a great night and I'm happy to see Han Dynasty in a better location!

    (5)

  • Tiara W.

    My Husband took me here last week after he was raving about it for over a month. His friends took him there before his bachelor party and he loved it. He bragged so much about the Dan Dan noodles. We made reservations so we got in easily and the food was great we tried the dan dan noodles and I had lamb and rice which was absolutely delicious we will be back. I plan to try the one in university city next time. Great experience everyone should go at least once.

    (4)

  • Demo L.

    Excellent meal. It's true - the food here is spicy - it perfectly complements the food, isn't overpowering and doesn't linger in your mouth and body forever. Perfectly balanced. Started with Steamed Dumplings in Chili Oil, Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork and Spicy Crispy Cucumber. All were delicious. The Cucumbers are a MUST - they were amazing. Dan Dan Noodles were great - Dumplings were superb. Lunch-portioned entrees were: Chicken Dry Pot (ordered spice level 7); Fish Dry Pot (ordered spice level 7) and Chicken Garlic Sauce Style. Speechless. Just perfect. The Chicken Garlic Sauce Style was my favorite - cleared that plate. Paired well with the Cabernet. The shocking part... all that spice didn't leave us incapacitated for the rest of the day or overnight or the next day. It was a perfect meal and I can't wait to head back again. Leftovers the next day were still perfect. I wouldn't change a thing. Go. Order without modifying anything (except for the spice level) and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Went hear last week with a group of 8. We did not have reservations and they were very accommodating and eager to seat us. Food was top notch some of the best Chinese food I have ever had. If you like spicy food this is your place. My mouth was on fire but in a good way food was very tasty and hot. We sat at the big table right when you walk in and my girl friend was cold most of the time as there was a bit of a draft every time someone came in but just Ryder some extra spicy Dan Dan noodles and you will worm up in no time. I am already set to go back and try the tasting menu.

    (5)

  • Susanne J.

    A truly memorable meal! We had a large party of 15 or so and had made a reservation so that we wouldn't be broken up throughout the establishment. We were promptly seated on the basement level of the restaurant, but you don't really need decor when you've got plenty of company. Initially, Han had suggested that we not individually order but allow him to present us with the chef's choice of dishes for our crew. Most were amenable to the idea but because of varying preferences in spice level we decided to buddy up and pick individual dishes to share. If I visit again with such a large group, I think I'll be more open to Han's suggestions now that I know that a spice level of 4 is really more like an 8 for me! Then again, I don't know how I'd feel if tripe showed up in front of me. The pork fried dumplings were tender and delicious and not at all couched in a ridiculous amount of chewy, dough that you find at other chinese restaurants. The cold sesame noodles, with just the right amount of tang, are a must in my opinion to give your palate a rest from the heat of so many chilis. I shared a plate of the garlic sauce style chicken and, while more spicy than I am used to, was still delicious when folded into fluffy white rice. Many of the guys in our group jumped right into the dry pot style dishes to prove their mettle in the face of the dreaded level 10. I'm happy to say everyone made it out alive after consuming many pitchers of water. We didn't get to experience Han's signature service, but our waiter was just as phenomenal - jovial and friendly and accommodating. The food was quite reasonably priced considering the portion sizes and quality of ingredients. I think when all was said and done between tax and tip, I paid $20 for my shared chicken dish and dumplings. I certainly appreciate that Han's provides free "refills" on rice. I wouldn't recommend this place for children given the spiciness of the food, but by all means skip the Stephen Starr, get your best friends together, pick up some wine or beer and treat yourselves to a delicious, filling meal. Then, head down the block and put out the fire in your tummy with good beer at Eulogy.

    (4)

  • Jason F.

    This is seriously one of the best Sichuan-style Chinese restaurants I've been to in the US of A. Reminds me of my time on the Mainland. Especially liked the Dan Dan Noodles, Spicy Crispy Cucumbers, Cumin-Style Lamb, Dry Pepper-Style Chicken, and Dry Fry-Style Beef. Yum.

    (5)

  • Carlos M.

    Well. I always go to Han Dynasty when I can. So this place is so like the Chun ho garden. Anyways, I always have the dried fry style beef, and the String Beans w/ Minced Pork. I also have the hot sauce style chicken. Always. Soooo goood. YUM. I'm getting hungry right now. I don't have the dan dan noodles because, I don't really like noodles. My girlfriend tried them and prolly won't again. It was pretty tasty though. I also always always have Franklin Fountain to cool myself down after having Han Dynasty. Plus, we went to Han Dynasty for Valentines day. : D I probably should try new things. : P

    (5)

  • Erin G.

    I finally finally made it over to Handy Nasty, and I was not disappointed. Many people are scared of the hot hot heat that is Schezuan, but don't be afraid - Han has coded each menu item with a spice number. I know that I have a pretty solid spice tolerance, but really, the "10" here didn't kill me at all - just made me want more. This sultry dish was a "dry pot," a metal bowl of vegetables and meat (sadly, the cooks refuse to substitute tofu) in hot chili oil with plenty of fresh chilis over a flame. In theory, the flame "dries out" the dish before it reaches your table. We didn't find that to be the case, but it didn't affect the deliciousness of the dish. I had the pickled tofu which, coming in at a 5, made me concerned that it would be too tame. I asked our waiter to kick-up the spice quotient, and it came just perfect. On a side note, if you avoid pools delicious oil in your food, this is not the dish, or even the place for you. The oil helps to bring out the heat and flavor of the dried chilies, and is entirely necessary. That doesn't mean that you need to drink the leftover pool at the bottom of your bowl. After hearing so much praise about the Dan Dan noodles, we gave them a go and they were good - a spicy sort of cold sesame noodle, and definitely enough to share between two. With the addition of my companion's chicken dumpling soup (which he deemed fantastic) we ended up taking piles of food home. And of course, as a BYOB, we didn't spend too much money, either. So what's my criticism? Honestly, I almost had to drop two stars for the totally bizarre service. Different people were constantly arriving at the table to take our order (which one was our server? I don't know) deliver or take things away, and check on our meal. Really, like every 5 minutes. I was seated by an employee and then told by a different employees that my previous conversation didn't count because employee #1 "doesn't speak any English." The food came out blazing fast - they're just trying to get people in and out of the door. So YOU have to carefully pace your meal. Order one appetizer, then another, then wait away, then order your dinner. And try to ignore the distracted waitstaff and chef's fighting (and throwing dishes) in the kitchen.

    (4)

  • Heng T.

    Be prepared. Your gut will burn the next morning. But the pain is worth the pleasure of the most authentic Sechuan food in Philly. The spice ratings are accurate, as a 10/10 will make you sweat, but the spices are not painful at all to the palate. I've tried almost all of the dishes, and nothing has failed yet. The staff is very knowledgeable and will offer suggestions if it is your first time. Another great thing about Han Dynasty is that it is a BYOB...so bring your favorite beers. An outmeal stout goes well. A hoppy IPA will bring out the flavors even more.

    (5)

  • Horatio J.

    It's spicy and it's great. Dan dan noodles are delightful. The hot sauce style with fish is probably the best dish on the menu. I usually go there a couple times a month and I never get seated in the basement.

    (4)

  • Michael X.

    Hands down the best Sichuanese Restaurant in Philly. If I'm not mistaken, they have two separate menus, one with Chinese and English and one just English. If you want the real deal, ask for the bilingual menu. The atmosphere is great, love their art collection. The service is friendly and if you run into Han he's a great guy to chat with. They have a upstairs and downstairs. The highlight is the monthly Sichuan food taster, which I have not been able to go to yet. Apparently you get to taste over 20 dishes which just sounds heavenly to me. They also have a lunch menu which comes at smaller portions but the same quality which is great if you want to try different dishes at smaller portions. The Dan Dan noodle is decent, so is their Ma Po Tofu. Try anything that is spicy, because that is what Sichuan cuisine is all about. (I'm from Sichuan) Wonderful spot for a Sichuan person to go to for home food. Please serve Hotpot soon!

    (5)

  • Emmett M.

    So this is what Chinese food tastes like... With over 70 of them already yelped, I am writing this review to agree with anyone else who gave a five star rating. Like many of you out there, I know diddly about Chinese eating (except that the rubbish I've had tends to make my plumbing work faster), so having Han himself order for my table meant I expected the best, and he didn't disappoint. A crew of 11 stopped in on a fairly busy Saturday night with bottles of wine in hand and began planning our orders; luckily, this is when the master himself stepped in. The Dynasty must have seen we were ordering enough grub to satisfy the first and second strings of a professional football team, so the friendly and patient fellow took over and made sure we were getting meals we would actually eat, at the proper spice range for the entire group to enjoy, and in the right amount so that we wouldn't be left with mounds of food on our Lazy Susan (that useful center piece entertained us all night). Here is a list of all the stellar dishes we got down on: (No description simply means it was absolutely great) *Noodles in Sesame oil *Dan Dan noodles- Damn good, but nice and spicy too. I was sweating when finished..... just thinking about it makes me want more *2 orders of wantons in chili *Spicy crispy cucumbers- Spicy, yes, but cool and pallet refreshing as well... a nice way to break up the other hot stuff *Taiwanese sausages- a very good and sweet plate of sausage that i could have happily eaten all of myself *garlic sauced beef *Scallion chicken *Black bean chicken *?Chicken with dry pepper?- (I can't recall the name exactly, but it came from the popular last week portion of the menu) very good, it came breaded and seems as close as you can come to a general tso dish on the menu. A definite crowd pleaser as well *Some type of shrimp dish that never made it to me (because I don't eat sea life) *String beans with pork All diners were very pleased with all aspects of the night, especially when the bill came to under $20 each, tip included. The whole ordering things everyone could handle kept me from getting into the super hot entrees (I am looking at you dry pepper chicken and dry pot pork & rabbit, and possibly even the tripe), but it will happen. What also will happen are frequent missions to score me some Dan Dan to go; it was soooo good. *****Extra points given in rating for no urgent next day bathroom runs!!!!*****

    (5)

  • Ryan W.

    I can't think of anything that would make me give Han Dynasty less than 5 stars. I visited Han with a group of friends (5 of us) for a bachelor party. Although there was a table ready on arrival, it wasn't big enough for the five of us, so we asked if we could get a bigger table. We were told we could be accomodated but would have to wait about an hour. This was fine as they were very friendly and accomodating to us. We returned in an hour, were brought downstairs to a large table and were immediately taken care of. We had a wonderful server who brought us drinks, provided some awesome suggestions and kept us extremely well-fed. Nobody is joking about the heat. The food is HOT, coupled with the restaurant itself which doesn't help matters, lots of customers, a hot kitchen, spicy food and small space all equal sweaty people. There were so many things we got to try that night that I can't really single anything out for being better than the other. I was just so impressed by everything I had, I can't wait to go back. Thanks for the great experience, the incredibly spicy, delicious and unique food, and the service! Just... know beforehand (not like you haven't been warned 113 times,) the food can be spicy! But you can request it to be less spicy.

    (5)

  • m j.

    Went here a couple of times and i enjoy their spicy food. What i like the most and recommend to people are the spicy crispy cucumber and dan dan noodles. Those two dishes made me go back for more. I also liked: not sure was it Beef & tripe or Beef tendon in chili oil, wanton in chili oil, and spicy beef noodle soup. I tried other dishes but really don't remember besides it being spicy. I really would like to try other dishes but the dan dan noodles keeps calling for me. If anyone can recommend something else that's better than dan dan noodles or comparable to it please let me know.

    (4)

  • Harkeet C.

    LOVE the food here. Everything is delicious. Things you need to order are Dan Dan Noodles, Cucumber salad and the Schequan chicken. If you are looking for spicy food, Hans is the place to dine at.

    (5)

  • sako R.

    Does the fact that I recently went there for three meals in one week, and ordered extra food to take home (on top of doggy bags) during each of those visits, make me a glutton? I think not. That's just the envious peanut gallery. Hurricane Irene is about to hit us in less than 24 hours, and I'm sitting here debating on what to order for take out, so that in case of emergency, I will be well fed. I'll need to buy extra cases of water. It's the kind of spicy that is so flavorful that you need to go back for more. Even Mr. R, who hast not the fire tolerance only developed by proper Asian upbringing, is unable to resist the temptation of the burning joy. When Irene brings her water, I'll be ready with Han's fire. The peanut gallery can snicker all they want; I will not share my crispy cucumber or dan dan noodles. Hands off my green beans. And whatever other dishes Han decides I shall have. Drool on, you fools.

    (5)

  • Julie J.

    the Han Dynasty in Old City is 5x better than the one in University City. great date spot, good service, and fabulously spicyy!!

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    I'm not a huge fan of Chinese food but I will say it was quite refreshing to go to an Asian BYO in Old City. Most of my friends (we were a group of 5) got the chicken or tofu in the garlic sauce. The sauce was a bit sweet and sour and it was pretty delicious. I did ask for a bit more of a spicy dish but I don't think they heard me. We had a nice server at our table...even though they put us in their dark and forgotten basement. The whole restaurant closed down and we were left down there without service for a while...when we came back up, the whole place was dark. That was a bit odd, but what was worse (and I see that someone else below commented on this) was that the owner/head server/host was extremely rude to our group. A friend and I attempted to order both the tofu and chicken in garlic sauce, and he interrupted us to say, "Let me tell you something about Chinese food. It's served family style." Now, I've been told this at other places but he said it in a condescending way. We shrugged it off and explained that most of us have dietary restrictions and can't share: I'm vegetarian, two in the group weren't too hungry, one can't eat seafood or pork. Basically, not an easy group to share with so he eventually let us order what we wanted. However, when he saw most of us were ordering very similar dishes, he once again stopped us and told us we hadn't had Chinese food before and that we weren't ordering right and that if we weren't going to order family style, then "it wasn't worth it" for us to come at all. I've been to places where they guide you and tell you how things work, but this seemed a bit much. To me, he was rude and it really wasn't worth it to stay but we decided to stay anyway. So, I guess I have to say low scores on service and good scores on food. Avoid the owner/host!! He won't let you order what you want and will probably lecture you.

    (3)

  • Shannon W.

    If you want to clear your sinuses and sweat a little bit on a cold winter day... you HAVE to check Han Dynasty out! Start with the Dan Dan Noodles (a level 6 on the 1-10 heat scale) if you're not familiar with the spiciness of szechuan chinese cuisine but know that you like spicy food. The heat is definitely present! But the addictive flavor of the sauce makes you keep going back for more. Love this place!

    (4)

  • Jeremy W.

    The 1 star rating is in hopes that the owner/management checks Yelp and tries to make certain that no PORK is included when a customer orders a tofu dish, and specifically requests they make it vegetarian, in the future. Without a doubt Han Dynasty is the best Chinese we've ever enjoyed, but this is the 2nd time a vegetarian request has been ignored or screwed up. I certainly hope they're not doing it on purpose (i know, it's fun to pick on non-meat eaters). I'm not even a full veggie, but my co-diners were. Tighten is up, Han. Don't let the focus sag just because you happen to rule.

    (1)

  • M H.

    Seriously Spicy and delicious authentic asian food. If you love asian food and you can handle the heat go here. This is not the place for an American looking for General Tso.

    (4)

  • Melissa P.

    Got called out today for the fact that my Handy Nasty review is wildly outdated. This cannot stand so here is your update: Our beloved basement, BYOB, slightly hole in the wall teenage Handy Nasty has blossomed into a totally above ground, (and even several levels) full bar, place-you-can-officially-bring-your-boss/parents/­date even if they're not "adventurous" or "foodies" who would not judge a restaurant by the cracks in its walls. This place is nice. They have private rooms. They have giant tables that will make you feel like you are holding a board meeting. The giant tables will make you feel like you BELONG at said board meeting, and could even sit at the head of such a table. I was here a few months ago with a large group and we ordered a large amount of food, left with large bellies, and a large amount of leftovers, and the price was, totally reasonable. Definitely recommend doing the tasting menu if you are more than 8 people, and recommend, finding/making 7 friends (or bribing 7 strangers) if you are not more than 8 people so you can do this. $25, $30 or $35 depending on adventurousness/meat levels. Things I (still) love: Dan Dan Noodles, Sesame Noodles, Spicy Crispy Cucumbers, Eggplant, 3 cup chicken, Dry pepper anything. Warning: If you've been to the suburb locations, the spice is apparently not the same, don't go ordering what you get in Exton and think is a 6, cus in the city your 6 will be a 10, but in the city that's just a 6 and the 10 is insane. It's nice to see Handy Nasty all grown up, maybe I should start calling it HAHN DyNASTY (with a British accent).

    (5)

  • Olivia C.

    It pains me to have to write a not so terrific review of this place... I really wanted to like this place. 2 stars only for great server, huge location, and alcohol selection. The food? I took 1 bite of each and called it a day. Dan dan noodles- overcooked and tasted like they were smothered in peanut butter Crispy cucumbers - not bad but a little too sweet Beef and tripe- a heap of sorta tough & dry meat swimming in hot chili sauce. Yes, it sounds like a contradiction but it seemed like they put the mixture of beef & tripe in the oil after but I would have liked for the meat to be soaked in the oil to take in all the flavors. Not really too authentic. Could be good but way too Americanized aka too sweet and not spicy enough.

    (2)

  • Anna P.

    We chose to sit at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and welcomed us immediately. It's a fun and very casual atmosphere so I would come here with friends before a movie but would not come here for a special romantic night out. Best beef lo-mein in the city though! Did they put butter in this? Because the sauce is silky smooth yet rich and delicious! We also ordered the dumplings in spicy oil and I would have appreciated the heat if they weren't just sitting in a bowl of spicy oil. I would suggest serving them dry and placing a bowl of spicy oil to dip them in.

    (4)

  • Tiffany H.

    Really good food. Waiter was really attentive and friendly. Defnitely going there again when I'm back in Philadelphia. Place looks very nice and comfortable.

    (4)

  • Ren N.

    New location new expectations! This is the spot for any Szechuan food lovers as well as bar hoppers to experience Asian food in a whole new way. The new building they acquired is beautiful!! Not Asian looking at all but for some reason it fits right in to this culture of modern bold and gutsy. Investment here well worth your time. Sit under the high painted roof and admire the surrounding large bold structures and windows. It's amazing!! I love everything about this place. Now to the food: amazing as always. If you want spicy food or a kick in the mouth kind of flavor this is the place to go. They have all your Classical Chinese dishes, however not a huge menu. Come for lunch as they have a special lunch menu. Recommended for anyone who likes spicy food!

    (4)

  • Deidre C.

    Han Dynasty never disappoints. The service, food, and space are all wonderful. It is also incredibly reasonably priced. After ordering quite a bit of food in big groups, I am always surprised at how cheap the tab ends up being. The restaurant is huge but not too noisy or impersonal feeling. The service is fabulous- the waiters always explain the menu to newcomers and share favorite items and suggestions. The dan dan noodles are consistently good and should not be missed. I also love the kung pao style chicken and the dry pot style beef or chicken. Honestly, I haven't had one bad dish here, so I don't really think you can go wrong. The best part is you can adjust the spice level to your liking. They have a full bar and a great selection of beer as well.

    (5)

  • Yingqing D.

    We went to Han Dynasty because of the "CNN top 50 Chinese" title. The service was excellent, and food was served really quickly (probably cauz we were the last group of ppl ). My family (Chinese) felt some of the dishes were too sweet, especially Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce. I personally didnt enjoy the cumin style, and my family loved the spicy tofu fish very much. Generally Han is excellent, but I doubted it could ranked to Top 50 in US.

    (4)

  • Candice B.

    If you're going with a large group (8+), the tasting is the way to go. Price points per person are: $20 - pork, chicken, veggie dishes $25 - add on seafood dishes $30 - add on specials The amount of food is the same no matter which tasting you choose, and as other reviews have stated, it it an unreal amount of food. You can specify your desired level of spice and your group will receive a variety of dishes that suit. Our group was all over the map so we got dishes of all spice levels, and no one left hungry. We were even offered boxes to take leftovers because there was so much left. Let me also add yet another shout out for those Dan Dan Noodles. They are every bit as good as Yelp says. If you are not doing a tasting or your group is small, don't even think about not ordering them. I have two complaints about the tasting experience. We were placed in a separate room with another large group - in a cavernous space with very high ceilings. Two large groups are going to get noisy and compete in any space, but add in all of the echos and it made conversation unpleasant. My other complaint was that service was just not as good as it could have been. Our server was extremely nice, and the food runners were careful when our table started to fill up with dishes, so service was not bad by any means. I was just hoping for prompt water and drink refills, and we never got a refill on the one bowl of rice we received for the whole table. These things are important when you are eating spicy food. All in all, great spot, great food, would go again and again.

    (4)

  • Min Y.

    HANDY (not so) NASTY! I enjoy spicy food, but my body does not agree. I often taste spicy foods and think, "oh this isn't bad" and find my face pouring sweat a few seconds later. I hate it, because I love spicy flavors. I knew what I was getting into with HD, as I've had Szechuan before. I mentally prepared myself and made the trek out to Old City. The venue is very, very impressive. You don't see many chinese restaurants that look this nice on the inside. I think they got rid of their BYOB aspect, but I'm not quite sure of this (full bar now). What I did like was that, although they show the spicy level of each dish, you can adjust it at will. We tried 4 items, and they were all tasty. Mapo tofu (really spicy sauce), dry pepper chicken (excellent crunch and flavor), dry pot beef (very spicy as well), and some eggplant dish. Overall, the flavors were quite amazing. But I had to go to the bathroom twice just to wipe my head from all the sweat. I'm sweating just thinking of this meal right now. I would highly recommend this place for people in the future, but please note that this is no joke when it comes to spicy food.

    (4)

  • Ruiqin Y.

    Outstanding restaurant, definitely a must-go restaurant, sign up in yelp for it. It is definitely authenticated Szechwan (famous in China for great food, probably the best, and pandas) food, I can vouch that as a Szechwan people. Dan Dan noodles is already recommended by a lot others. I would recommend Cold noodles with chill oil and spicy hot pot. Both are spicy enough for Americans and satisfiable for native Szechwan people. For not spicy food, Wontons in Chicken broth is pretty good (my grandparents love it). After all, I do believe that all food should be very good as I spoked to the chef and he is from Szechwan (very rare in other so-called Szechwan restaurant). If you ever had a chance to stay nearby, it is definitely the place you want to try!

    (5)

  • ben c.

    I've been going to the Han Dynasty in Exton since they first opened years ago. Since I work near there, I find myself going there often for lunch and dinner. Han and his family were always very courteous and recommended authentic Szechuan dishes for us to try. With almost no authentic chinese restaurants in the suburbs, Gan Dynasty quickly became a favorite! I came to the Old City location for the first time yesterday for a friends birthday. Being familiar with the Exton location, I was blown away by the size and decor of the Old City location. It has nice historical philly feel to it with a touch of Chinese art. From what I saw, a majority of the employees there are not Chinese which is different than most Chinese restaurants in the US. The service from our waiter was excellent!!! Asian people in general are not the easiest to serve and please, because we are by nature very particular with our foods. Our social life in many ways revolves around food. Our waiter was very patient with us and was always peeking around to make sure we were doing okay! He was always very courteous with us and quick to serve us. Last but not least, the food! It was great as most have posted. It is very spicy and numbing which is character of authentic Szechuan cuisine. The kitchen can always reduce the level of heat to accommodate your pallet. I would definitely recommend this place for casual and party events! Way to go Han...you'll be at 100 restaurants soon if you keep this up!

    (4)

  • Sam T.

    Great food if you like spice in your life. I love chili oil so I love it here. But you have to remember to ask them to hold the MSG

    (3)

  • Steve P.

    Loved it! This place was so great! Went there for Sunday lunch and was not at all disappointed. We ordered Pan Fried Dumplings, Dan Dan Noodles, and the Dry Pot with Beef. All were really delicious. Since the restaurant gives the food out as it's ready, we ended up getting both the noodles and the dry pot before the dumplings, which was totally cool with me. The noodles were really good -- definitely lived up to all the hype, and the dry pot was also really delicious. The dumplings were pretty good -- the sauce definitely enhanced them a lot. The meal ended up being very cheap (especially for the amount and quality), and I brought home a lot of leftovers! Excited to eat them later today! Can't wait to go back to this place!

    (5)

  • Yaasiyn M.

    Food was good! But my wife's beef was chewy. Atmosphere was very relaxing, service was decent. Food came quickly, the rice noodles were amazing!

    (3)

  • Rachel M.

    Han's move across the street is like a rags to riches story. I have many fond memories of dining on large round puckered-plastic covered tables in a musty olde city basement. Han would sit and tell us bullshit stories while taking one of our beers for the road. We'd wait hours for a table or reserve weeks in advance because the food was that good. I thought that Han's proliferation would dilute his food , that the quality of my twice fried white fish would not please me so without the juxtaposition of such shitty ambiance. Not so. The large windows of yellow glass still give you the heeby geebies like you're somewhere you should not be dining. The 20 foot ceilings are ostentatious, and the space between tables unsettlingly large for my taste, but the food has remained exactly the same. Perfect. My spicy cukes are still a win, and as a newfound veggie I have discovered the bok choy served with shrooms is like my own little heaven on a plate. Keep it up Han.

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    The original Han... where it all began. Ok, maybe not since it moved across the street. Still it is much easier to find now. This location has a liquor license and some great drinks. It also happens to me a bit fancier than the other locations (in my opinion). However, don't worry, the menu is the same. I will say the spice level here seemed hotter... Spicy Cucumbers rock. Dan Dan noodles are a must as well. The tea smoked duck is a lot of work to eat (bone in), but bring a lot of flavor. Hell, I even enjoyed the eggplant we got.

    (4)

  • Kiran W.

    Beautiful place but cannot handle catering events - food came out cold, kept finishing and they ran out of plates and forks. Only had about 2 waitstaff for 100 people event. The host had to cut cake on their own. Looks like a beautiful restaurant but had a very difficult time with a large scale event.

    (2)

  • Anthony L.

    I had the most amazing meal here! The prices were great and the food was exceptional! The service was mediocre and the decor was nice! If you eat here you must try the pork belly! It was mind blowingly good! Everyone at the table was raving about it! Definitely a must try restaurant!

    (5)

  • Minzie P.

    I came here with some friends and we ordered the Dan Dan noodles w/ minced pork, pea leaves with garlic, and lamb cumin-style. All three dishes were tasty but my favorite one was the noodles. It was spicy but so good. I loved it! Thanks :)

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    The place was nice. The noodles were good. The waitress was amazing. But beware of the Mala spices. I wouldn't call it spicy but it left a very fuzzy feeling in all our mouths. It was a mixture of numbness and stingy. Hard to explain but I would go back and just get the dan dan noodles.

    (4)

  • J J.

    Very good!!!! I love the atmosphere and ambience of this particular Han Dynasty. It is HUGE on the inside and very nicely decorated. The food was amazing. If you go you definitely have to try their dumplings! The soup was only so-so for me but the rest of our meal, especially the Taiwanese sausage fried rice, was out of this world.

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    I remember this awesome Szechuan restaurant in Old City. Small space, cool little bar, good beers and fresh, spicy food. The vibe was fun, the Dan Dan noodles were tossed table side and the flavors were balanced and delicious.... Last night I went to this ostentatious, touristy crap hole in old city where the mushy noodles were already tossed when they arrived. Very little spice and no balance. Average service. Bathrooms that reeked of piss. The only thing that made my mouth burn was the salt and MSG in the food. Here's the thing. If you have one great restaurant and open many more, it's hard to maintain quality. There is no quality or value here anymore. The second star is given for the spicy cucumbers which were still delicious even with the pool of raw white sugar sitting at the bottom of the bowl. Oh, and I definitely won't be purchasing one of the $15 t-shirts hanging in the front window. In fact, I'll never have the opportunity to purchase one because I probably won't be going back to Han Dynasty. What a shame.

    (2)

  • Ann K.

    Han Dynasty has just moved to this building in October 2013. It is a historic building that fits for a dynasty for sure. It feels like I am walking into the grand reception hall of the Han dynasty emperor. I would prefer that the staff dresses the part too. Well at least they should like clean and professional. I almost walked out at first because I saw several non-Asian wait staff in t-shirts and jeans. I didn't want another westernized Chinese foods like PF Chang or Pei Wei that I can find in any suburbia shopping plaza. After I walked past the kitchen, I saw a team of Chinese chefs. I told my friend to stay put. We will eat here. The owner is actually Taiwanese. This place is perfect for business meeting, big family, and romantic night out that will not cost you arms and legs. They serve lunch special for $8. Szechuan meal can be oily, so order some vegetable dishes too. The food is ok. Dan Dan noodle has too little ground pork. Pork belly hot sauce is good. I wish they use better quality of rice. After all this is Han Dynasty. Thy should serve Asian's Best quality jasmine rice suitable for emperors. They have an upstairs private event venue with curved staircase. I think it will be fantastic for wedding rehearsal or birthday party.

    (3)

  • Jonathan C.

    We were traveling around Philadelphia and were searching for a good Chinese restaurant when the Han Dynasty came into our view. The Dan Dan Noodles were especially spicy, but they were amazingly good. We ordered the Salt'n Pepper Shrimp and it was the best dish of our dinner. The shrimp was fried just right that it was not too salty nor too tasteless. The homemade tofu was also fine, but didn't impress me as to the other dishes. Overall, the restaurant is a fantastic play to enjoy your weekend or just regular day lunch.

    (5)

  • Anish R.

    Amazing restaurant with a few locations throughout Philadelphia. I happen to go to the old city location which had quite the decor. If you're going to this restaurant, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get the Dan Dan noodles. These delicious noodles were served in a peanut like sauce with excellent consistency and topped with grounded pork. This is also one ofnthe main reasons Han is receiving a 5 star rating. The dried pepper chicken is also good, although the plate looked covered with chili peppers. Wonton dumplings served in hot chili sauce are also recommended if you're looking for an extra spice kick to normal dumplings. If you're in philly...this is a must have restaurant!

    (5)

  • Maria G.

    I had high expectations based on great yelp reviews and recommendations. But I do have to give 3 stars. First of all, the decor was absolutely stunning. This was the first time I have ever visited an Asian restaurant with such beautiful interior design. I was absolutely taken away. Unfortunately, that was THE highlight of my visit. They do have a full bar. I read reviews and heard that it can get super crowded here so I came right at opening. Fortunately only several tables were occupied. I was seated right away and given a large menu. I definitely went with its lunch special. The menu definitely seemed promising as it offered real authentic Chinese food options. I haven't had the bok choy with mushroom for so many years so I went with it. I also got the west lake beef soup and garlic sauce style chicken. You can order lunch (smaller and cheaper) portion for most dishes, which is nice. My garlic sauce chicken was served first. It came as a surprise because I thought the soup would be served first. But that was not a problem. It was delicious but the flavor was still slightly Americanized as in the sweetness of the dish. The real garlic sauce style should not show too much sweetness. But, on the other hand, it was the closest garlic sauce style that I have tried in the U.S. so I definitely have to give it a thumbs up. The bok choy was served next. It was rather flavorless for some reason. It has been many years since I have tried the boy choy with black mushroom in mainland China so I don't exactly remember how it should taste like. But for some it was kind of bland. The soup came last and it was very watered down. I have ordered west lake beef soup at lots of Chinese restaurants on both the West Coast and the East Coast - unfortunately Han Dynasty served the least flavorless of all places I have tried. Overall, it did not live up to my high expectations. On top of that, my server didn't check back on my table to ask how my food was during my visit. Oh well.

    (3)

  • Sabrina K.

    We originally settled on this place because it was one of the few Chinese restaurants open late at night. The menu is atypical; with different flavors of dishes and options of different meats to go with them. We were pleasantly surprised to taste them because the cooking was fantastic! So good in fact that we've been here twice now.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    As a disclaimer, this review has nothing to do with the quality of the food. On a whim we decided to try to get into the Old City location (we live in Old City) last night (Saturday). We showed up early at about 5:50 PM, since we had our 5-month old with us. The place was EMPTY - as in a couple bar tables taken and maybe one in the dining room. When we said we didn't have a reservation the male host was incredibly rude, and said he had nothing. We said ok and turned to head out and with attitude the host said "this is OLD CITY on a SATURDAY night." I understand having no space but you don't have to be rude about it - I know it's Saturday night, we just figured we would try. The attitude alone made us not want to go back, no matter how good the food reviews are.

    (2)

  • Jake G.

    Having been to the Han Dynasty in University City, I was expecting the same or better experience, unfortunately I was disappointed. First, the space is very different than the University City location which is stylish and modern whereas this clearly used to be an old bank with high ceilings and was very dimly lit and not the vibe of a good Chinese restaurant. Second, our server wasn't very friendly and seemed to just do the least amount needed to make sure we were okay. Although he did make sure the food came fast, he could have put a smile on. He also forgot to bring our green beans, but we didn't mind since we were full by the time we realized. Third, the food wasn't as good as in University City. We ordered the Kung Pao Tofu and it came as small cubes of tofu rather than the big fried chunks at University City. Overall, it was still good food but could have been better.

    (3)

  • Suzie A.

    Do NOT eat the garlic pork unless you find having friends inconvenient. I am still burping, farting and sweating garlic the morning after. However, the dan dan noodles were amazing. Order those and share with the friends you still have.

    (4)

  • Jennifer K.

    the service was terrible. and there was no one in the place! would have ordered more food if the waiter was more attentive. however those dan dan noodles are to die for. absolutely delicious and very tasty. spicy.

    (3)

  • Vanessa W.

    Came here with my mom before a show at the Tin Angel and we were absolutely blown away by the complex and intriguing flavors in our dishes. We ordered the dry pot lamb and the garlic shrimp. Both were superb, but the shrimp especially so. I have to take off a star because the place is unbelievably loud and because we ended up basically being crammed in practically sitting in the laps of another dining party. The acoustics are terrible, it felt like we could hear every word being spoken at every other table in the joint. But back to the food--amazing! Definitely the best Chinese food I've had in this city. The service was very good. We were checked on frequently and the staff were friendly and helpful. I'd definitely like to return and my mom has been singing their praises the rest of the night! :)

    (4)

  • Shannon M.

    I'm a big fan of the Dynasty. I have been to the Cherry Hill, University City and now, Old City locations and have never been disappointed. The Old City location is huge, but was packed on a Saturday night. Definitely make a reservation. The cocktails were excellent. Between my friend and myself we tried four different drinks on the menu and they were all really good. I especially enjoyed the Emperor. My only gripe- and it isn't a major one - is that some of the seating is really close together. The two-tops on the left hand side are kind of smushed in there making it a bit uncomfortable. Everything else is top notch.

    (5)

  • Lia B.

    this place was uhhh ok. i guess i was expecting more. vegans take note there is absolutely NO vegan option, the menu is misleading - i think a lot of people forget to ask menu questions (i know i have forgotten before and paid the price later) Entree wise as EVERY ENTREE is made with chicken stock or oyster sauce. - even when you specify TOFU you are getting it COVERED in chicken stock or oyster sauce. BUT they are here to please so as long as you ask the server - they will work with you. i ordered a garlic tofu thing the server suggested and had it made with OUT the oyster sauce. the dish came out and then the server immediately ran back and grabbed it, ran away , and then a minute later ran back and brought me out a new one. it turned out they brought me the wrong plate (someone had ordered the same exact thing as i had- except with oyster sauce). I'm really so happy they grabbed it so quickly and that's why i am giving them 3 stars and not 2. i get that screw ups happen and i totally can see how easy it would be to grab the wrong dish - esp when they look exactly identical. that attention to detail and realization of the switch gives me great confidence in their service and their commitment to the customers. but just over all the reason I'm doing 3 stars is that the food like wasn't that good. it was SUPER greasy, very very very garlicky, no veggies - just tofu and grease with white rice. who eats stuff like that??? also the check in process was very very very overwhelming. i had made a RSVP via open table - and i was running late - i had to call 3 times before i got a live person to answer the phone. when we walked in and there were absolutely NO hosts at the front but a MOB of people waiting to be seated OR waiting for their take out. just seemed stressful and messy up at the front. once we were seated though, the service was absolutely amazing. i guess if you like grease - this place might be more like 5 stars for you, but for me it was so-so.

    (3)

  • Julia C.

    Went here with some friends who were visiting the city. We ordered 4 small plates rather than the entrees to keep the price down. The cold sesame noodles were full of flavor and refreshing on such a hot night! I also definitely recommend the scallion style beef and dumplings in chili oil - cooked to perfection and just the right amount of spice. The only thing I wasn't too crazy about was the ma po tofu - very spicy but not much flavor. At the end of the night our bill was only $40, including drinks! Definitely coming here again.

    (4)

  • James M.

    Han Dynasty has single-handedly redefined what Chinese food can be to me. I was in Philadelphia over Christmas and had seen the recent A.B. Layover episode mentioning this place, plus I saw the abundance of high Yelp praise so decided to try it. I must admit that I've always been somewhat ignorant of Chinese cuisine, though I've eaten it my whole life. I've heard of the various regions (Hunan, Szechuan, Cantonese, etc.) but am confident that I've always had "American" Chinese food, nothing more. I'm sure General Tso was a fine military officer but I'd guess that few Chinese cooks have ever heard of a chicken dish bearing his name. Anyway, I'm now keenly aware of Szechuan cuisine and am soooooo happy! From the many reviews, I knew I had to try dan dan noodles -- changed my life! Flavor depth, spice level, noodle quality, and presentation were all perfect. It was my first time eating dan dan noodles but it was definitely not my last. I also ordered the pork belly in garlic sauce, which was a first for me. I didn't know it was a cold dish but the flavors were still outrageously good and the pork deliciously tender. I don't know any more to say about Han Dynasty that hasn't already been said but I am now anxious to return. Ohh to be the Duke of Han Dynasty... that would be so nice.

    (5)

  • Dennis D.

    I have been to the old location multiple times and had great experiences. I have visited the new space twice now and have had pretty bad experiences both times. The first time was on a busy Saturday night. I had 8pm reservation and was sat right at 8pm. The issue I had here was that a waiter did not come by our table for 12 minutes. It had gotten so bad that I had started to count down when I was planning on getting up and walking out. At this point, I wish I had because what should have been a 1 hr dinner turned into a 2 hour dinner. My girlfriend and I had to wait to basically flag our waiter down each time we wanted to order a new drink. Very disappointing. This past Friday, we figured we would give them a second chance as the food has always delivered. I had 715pm Friday reservation. We were sat right away, and the initial service was right on point this time. But we quickly hit our first issue when pouring our tea. I took my first sip when I noticed a pretty large dead fly in my tea. I understand that things happen, and I quietly got my waitresses attention and got some new tea ordered. The next issue we encountered was that after placing our order with our waitress, we then had two others waiters come up and try to take our orders. This was very strange. We then noted that each thing was delivered by a separate person. It seemed like there is not much coordination with the waitstaff. When it came time for our entrees, my dry pepper style chicken was delivered. My girlfriends garlic style pork was not delivered for 15 minutes. So by the time I could start eating, my meal was cold. The final straw was that as we were finishing up our last drinks, my girlfriend found a gnat in her 123 east drink. By this point, we had already paid and just wanted to leave. I love the food. The dan dan noodles are great along with the spicy cucumbers and dry pepper style chicken. But I cannot suggest this new location until they get the kinks worked out. It is very disappointing as I really do enjoy this place, but I cannot continue to pay for sub par service and products.

    (1)

  • Jessica O.

    LOVE the new location! They moved right across the street and WOW! What a difference. Still the same amazing food and more than fair prices, but now a really great atmosphere to go along with it! Great for date night and girls night out. The Dan Dan noodles are a must have, but I recommend bringing them down to a 4 instead of a 6 on the spicy scale. Service has always been simple and friendly. Been there twice this month. Addicted!

    (5)

  • Kathleen S.

    This place is everything. The food is authentic and delicious. The staff is knowledgeable and charming. I love that everything is family style, it makes for a better experience in my book.

    (5)

  • Wenjie X.

    I'm originally from Szechuan, this is only place I can taste a little my hometown favor in NJ&PA area.

    (4)

  • Juliana K.

    The food at any of the Han Dynasty's are consistently delicious. Can't beat those Dan Dan noodles and spicy crispy cucumber!!! How does he make those!!! The new space is incredible, a complete 180 from the old location. However, it in no way matches the food. The decor is that of a very fancy restaurant (the space was once a bank). High ceilings, columns, 4 flat screens surrounded by a wall of booze...matched with my plastic coca-cola water cup, plastic chopsticks, and lackluster service. There's just a disconnect. The host or waiter or whoever was pretty curt. He was nice enough...but a bit too casual in his delivery. The waiters are everywhere. You don't really have just one. They may not have adjusted to the space yet because there were many times waiters were bringing food to the wrong places, or re-asking if we ordered. No real organization it seems. Get ready to have to hail someone down when you need something. That being said, you don't come here for the fancy new location or the so-so service, you come here for the dan dan noodles, the crispy cucumbers, the salt and paper shrimp, the spicy eggplant, the dry pots, the dry pepper chicken. Food is awesome. Everything else...needs some work.

    (3)

  • Hiral S.

    Dan dan noodles and spicy cucumber!!! Enough said. I've been to this location over 30 times and I cannot get enough of the food. I'm addicted. The service is super slow but that's probably cuz they are always so busy. But I could care less if it does take 15 minutes before a server comes to me because the food is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    New location is terrible. Building is beautiful but customer service stinks. I placed a take out order and saw that it was missing items after I got home. I called and was told that they can't do anything about it except offer me a discount "if I ever decide to order again." The tone of the manager basically told me they don't need my business so, if I feel like going back I can get a small discount. $25 plus a tip for half a meal- no thanks-- it is not that good. Keep treating customers like that, I'm sure other businesses in Philly will gladly take my money and give me what I pay for :)

    (1)

  • Angie K.

    Alright, I've upgraded the star after trying more dishes. The 20-course tasting was dynamite as well. I also recommend the Fish in Dry Pepper Style (probably my favorite main dish, made of tilapia, I think) and Three Cup Chicken (boneless chicken pieces in a less spicy, but more of ginger, sesame oil, sweet soy sauce combo). I always do take-out here. I think it's better to pay a little more for higher quality Chinese, rather than going the cheaper route and regretting what you just ate.

    (5)

  • Don W.

    The Dan Dan noodles were really good, but so was everything else. We also got the Twice Cooked Pork and the Salt & Pepper Shrimp and they were just as delicious. Service was awesome, and nothing could have been better. Well, the tables could be a little bigger and a little farther apart. The woman at the next table spilled her drink while we were there and the tables are so close that the splash barely missed me. But I'm not taking any stars away for that, the food was too good.

    (5)

  • Anthony B.

    I've been here twice now, and I love it, but all the popular dishes are SO SO spicy! Be prepared. If you don't like spice, make sure to let them know (I'm not sure if they will even adjust the amount of spice or not) but they can't at least point out some less spicy dishes. I like spice but this is bordering on my tolerable limits - like I seriously sweat big time when I eat here. It is worth it though - the cucumber salad is awesome - very fresh tasting. The dandan noodles are also awesome. I've never been disappointed with any of fried appetizers or the entrees either, and the salt & pepper is the bomb. If you want some Chinese food in center city, check out Han Dynasty.

    (4)

  • Chelsea B.

    Yowza. This place is good. This was actually my third attempt at going to Han Dynasty, as the first two attempts to get seated were complete busts without reservations. Tonight, with a reservation, we tried again. So glad we did. When we arrived at 7pm it they first went to seat us at a two top quite close to another table and then offered to seat us at a different two top that was next to an empty table. This was much appreciated. They start you off with the customary pot of tea. Our server was a genuinely nice guy who just came off as really laid back. He didn't give us crap for declining to order drinks. We got the dumplings in chili oil, eggplant with garlic sauce, and three cup chicken. This was a perfect amount for two--two "small plates" and one entree. Dumplings in chili oil--delicious and spicy at only a 4 spice rating, which makes me nervous about the 10. I'm talking feel it in my nose spicy. Reallllly tasty though, and it comes with 8 nicely sized dumplings. Eggplant with garlic sauce--sinful that eggplant could be this good. Delicious sauce I couldn't put my finger on. And large pieces meant it was easy to eat with chop sticks! Three cup chicken--as good as the reviews say. I was worried this would be the wimpy American entree, but it really was delicious with small chunks of quality chicken, tiny potatoes and flavorful greens that I think were spinach. Hands down the best Chinese dish I've ever had. Thanks, Han Dynasty, for a great meal. I can't wait to go back, as I think this is the kind of place you can order anything and it'll be delicious.

    (5)

  • Monica D.

    Let me just say Han is the man. We came in late and knew we would only be offered their bar fare menu but that proved just fine cause I got the best sesame noodles! And my bf ordered the beef tendon and loved it but it was just setting his mouth on fire...the guy sitting next to my bf asked if everything was ok and he simply explained it was just "tooo hot for him" no problem says the guy "I'm the chef I'll fix it I want you to enjoy your food" even though my bf said over and over its fine...but nope Han who had by then introduced himself ran to the kitchen even though he was clearly off the clock and fixed it for him in a jiffy! Then came back and chatted us up so much so that when it came time to leave I forgot my purse! A purse full of credit cards and everything! I called back though once I realized and they held it for me! I was so impressed...totally stunningly cool theatre atmosphere and a really accommodating chef to boot.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    Best Chinese food I've had! Love the spice. New space is great and the service is quick and courteous! Must stop in Philly!

    (5)

  • Julie F.

    Here's the deal. I read Yelp all the time to scope out any place I want to try, but I slowed down on writing reviews. I hate to talk smack on a place, even if it sucks, and it feels like only writing five-star reviews will diminish my Yelp street cred. That's changed now. I have something to say, damnit. After spending two years living in Center City, I moved six months ago. Han Dynasty was my favorite restaurant as a Philly resident and it's the place I make sure to hit when I'm in back in town now. The dan dan noodles, the crispy cucumbers, the cumin lamb, the dry fried chicken with all the peppers... THE WONTONS IN CHILI OIL! I'm an atheist but that food makes me see God. Still, I hesitated to write a review. So many people rave about this place. What could I possibly contribute? Well, last night my boyfriend and I tried a Szechuan place down here in Georgia. Yelp reviews indicated that the place would be amazing. Cautiously optimistic, we wondered. Would this new spot ease the pain of missing Han's? From the first slurp of dan dan noodles, as we waited... waited... waited for the fire of Szechuan peppercorn to set our tongues aflame, we knew that no Szechuan would ever compare to our Philly favorite. And now I know what I can say about Han Dynasty. Han Dynasty, you have ruined us for everything else. If you are reading these reviews to decide if you should eat here, here's your answer. Buy a plane ticket, pay your Septa fare, or get in your car. Hail a taxi. Do whatever it takes! Park wherever you can, even if it's five blocks away on 2nd St. and you know you'll get a ticket from some overzealous PPA asshole. Then prepare yourself for some of the best food of your life. Prepare yourself for cravings, for withdrawal, for frequent trips back. For the exasperated queries of the uninitiated: "you went to Han Dynasty, again?" You won't care. This place is that good and it will change you. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Lindsay V.

    Now I already know that my review is pretty much going to be like every other review here, but I can't help it. Us Yelpers know what we're talking about! First things first: make a reservation. It's pretty much necessary, unless you're going for lunch during the week. That's the only time that I've seen this place fairly empty. Second: I know a lot of people have said that Han is kind of a jerk, but really, he has waited on us a few of the times that we have been here, and has shown us to our seats plenty of times, and he's never been anything but nice. But even if he is delightfully mean sometimes, the food is totally worth putting up with it. He knows his stuff. But I digress. Onto the food: Dan Dan noodles. I know, I know, a lot of people have reviewed these. And trust me, they are not steering you wrong. Get the noodles. GET THEM NOW. The waiter brings you a nice big bowl of noodles and mixes the sauce into them tableside. I don't know what's in this sauce, or how they got the pork to be in such tiny bits, but it's delicious. It has a kick of heat to it, and it's absolutely addictive. If you have leftovers, take them home. They're even better the next day. Spicy cucumbers: A really delicious mix of spicy sauce and cool cucumbers. The two flavors seem to fight each other on your tastebuds, but it's works so well. Listen, pretty much everything is spicy here. But it's delicious spicy, not burn-your-mouth-can't-taste-anything spicy. Even if you're not a huge spicy food fan, just give it a try. They can make any dish a little less spicy for you. I feel like I'm completely ranting about this place, but it's really just that good.

    (5)

  • Margarita T.

    My dining companion confused their Old City location with a same-named but maybe not same-owned Han Dynasty in West Philly, so, needless to say, arriving 45mins late to a Saturday evening dinner reservation would've sent any business into a tizzy. But, to my incredible surprise, the wonderful host assured (and then reassured) me that our table would be waiting for us. Although by 5:30p several other diners had requested, and were forced to wait, for a two-person table (a hot commodity on a Saturday night), our table will wait for us because they honor reservations like no other business. Ever. Do what, now?? Sincerely, the food could have been less than the stellar deliciousness that it was and I would not have cared. The dan dan noodles amongst other things were delicious though!

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    OMG. Amazing spicy food. You won't feel awesome in the morning as your body adjust to the massive amounts of oil in your meal, but it's totally worth it. Tip 1: BYO in a major way. Everything is better with bottles of wine, and that includes Chinese food. Tip 2: In large groups, do the tasting menu. You pay $25/$30/$35pp and let the chef take care of choosing your dishes based on your preferences. Great option to get the best items. Tip 3: GET THE DAN DAN NOODLES. (unless you're veggie) You won't be disappointed. Tip 4: Can't make it down to Old City? Order in! I have recently discovered that Han Dynasty does delivery, and this is going to be my undoing.

    (5)

  • Whitney G.

    Be prepared to go into a sweaty (from the spice), mouth-on-fire (in a good way) food coma. There are so many delicious options it's so hard to choose, so, just go for as much as possible. Best to go with a group so everyone can get different dishes to share.

    (5)

  • Mike D.

    Really tasty ans spicy Chinese. Really enjoyed this meal especially coming off of a cold.

    (4)

  • Lisa R.

    We got takeout from this small, dark, interesting place on the basis of strong reviews. Now, granted, we asked for dishes to be prepared, where possible, without garlic -- which we believe, predominantly, they did. (We like it, it doesn't like us.) However, the rice noodle dish we got had a few specks of pork and virtually nothing else in it. (When I re-made it at home with bok choy, carrots, fresh ginger, and sauteed onions it was very good. Seriously, it was 96% noodles.) We got a chicken dish and a pork dish both were tasty but, again, devoid of any vegetables. (Unless they see red chili pepper pods as a veggie -- in that case, it was 25% veggies.) We like flavorful, not painful, and ordered everything at 4 or 5 for this first time out. (You can always add spice, harder to reduce it.) They don't offer brown rice so we just served the two entrees with the rice noodles (since there was nothing eles embellishing them to speak of). The tiny, high-energy waitress greeted us at the door, showed us to the bar to sit and place our order, took the order, advised and guided us a bit through the options, appeared to be the only one waiting on the ten or so tables there, and never seemed to miss a beat. We picked out all the pods as we went, and found the spice level lively but not too much. Before passing judgement, we'd have to dine in there. The observation by others that they are a little chili oil obsessed is true as virtually every appetizer and nearly every entree has chili oil or chilis as the main seasoning. They really need to add brown rice to the menu (although the high sugar content of white rice may help mitigate the spice).

    (3)

  • Dayna R.

    Dan dan noodles are the best thing to ever happen to my mouth. Never before have I had such a craving for something this bad. Drooling as I type.

    (5)

  • F C.

    Wow, Handy Nasty is off the chain! Do you know how a place like PF Changs makes the typical chinese take out look like dog food? Well this place makes PF Changs look like dog food. The Dan Dan Noodles are on another level. Great flavor and spicy bite. The Spicy Crispy Cucumber app was refreshing and magnificent. What we ate after that i couldn't tell you. My brother said I was in "blackout feeding frenzy mode." I can't wait to comeback and show this place off to friends. Big ups to Michelle for telling me about this gem.

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Wonderful authentic, wonderfully spicy. The eggplant, the green beans, the tea smoked duck, everything on their menu is fabulous!

    (5)

  • Nissa G.

    Love Han Dynasty, but who doesn't really. Just recently learned that you can get take out/delivery! This is super convenient since its always packed in there! Scallion pancakes are probably the best anywhere, everything is YUM.

    (4)

  • Lisa F.

    delicious, went 2 nights in a row for their dan dan noodles!

    (5)

  • Brianne J.

    Everything I've gotten at Han has been amazing. Dan dan noodles, spicy cucumbers: a must for first timers. The dry pot is phenomenal, the cold sesame noodles were great (esp after the chili oil they offered me), scallion style was good (though not my personal favorite), ... I can't even remember them all. Nothing has been disappointing, that's the important part. I take every out-of-towner here at least once. SO GOOD.

    (5)

  • Thomas W.

    Another lemming hole. Much is made of the owner/waiter/host that doesn't give a crap about reviews or if guests have a bad experience at his place because he will tell them all to ef-off. He takes a lot of pride in this. Listen my man, it's very adorable that you are raging against the machine and doing your own thing. It would kinda work if the food didn't suck ass. Seriously you are like the soup nazi of chestnut street whose soup blows. Wow- the rogue restauranteur who is so edgy that he just doesn't care about what anybody has to say about his food. Soooooo crazy. Here's the deal though, the food sucks. You are either going to get something super fried, dry, and garnished with random hot peppers or you will get something so drenched in spicy, gnarly-oil that you will want to vomit. The crappy experience is only exacerbated by the owner running around like a methed-up loon raving about how he is the best chef/owner/waiter/host in the city. I'm trying to choke down this mess so please keep your slashy accolades to yourself. Thx so much

    (2)

  • Joseph H.

    It's in my top 5 in Philly. There are only 3 so far. Yes, it is spicy. Yes, you are likely to get hassled by Han if he doesn't like your order. Yes, you can get the F out if you don't like it. It's the best Chinese food a non-Chinese speaking person can get - or at least that I've had - in this country. If you are a Chinese speaker, you can go into most any Chinese restaurant in these United States, order off menu and get amazing food (happens all the time when I'm with my parents). But alas, I don't speak Chinese well, so I don't get the good stuff. Therefore, I'm grateful to Han for educating the uneducated; for enlightening the Philadelphia public to what Chinese food can really be. Han then, is a little like Bruce Lee, teaching his martial arts secrets to the Gwai Lo. I'll gladly take any abuse he serves me, and politely ask for more.

    (5)

  • E N.

    This place has gone downhill since moving! We were huge fans, but since entering this new space it seems like the service and quality has dramatically changed. The food is still good, and the Dan Dan noodles tasty as ever, although other dishes didn't have the same punch as in the old place. But, the service! Oh the service. Our server rushed us to give him our order, and then didn't seem to know what we were ordering so asked us to point it out on the menu. When we were brought our food, one dish was placed on the table and then promptly removed without explanation (we assumed it was the wrong one?). And then, not only received the wrong dish but when we asked if it was correct we were told many times that it was the right one. We were supposed to get pork, but it was chicken. When the bill came, sure enough the bill said it was "chicken" and the server didn't seem particularly concerned. I'm not saying the "customer is always right" nor am I expecting to be treated like a queen, but it kind of hurts my feelings when we are told we are flat out wrong (when we are not). I LOVE THIS PLACE--please fix it!

    (2)

  • Katrina S.

    Boyfriend added Han to our bucket list of places to go in Philly before leaving at the end of July (le sigh!) so today was the day we headed down there. I was adequately warned of the spiciness and a bit scared, but it turned out well :) We started with the dan dan noodles which were very spicy but very good. I think it was almost to the point of spice for spice's sake, but I took it like a man... For the main dishes we ordered the cumin beef and lamb in black bean sauce. The cumin beef was just a bit over spiced (we're talking totally coated in cumin!) and the slices were a bit large (I like smaller bites) but it wasn't nearly as spicey as the dan dan noodles. This is the boyfriend's favorite dish, but I definitely don't think its mine. The lamb in black bean sauce was perfectly done, small slices of lamb, flavorful without making me sip water between bites, all around well done dish. The service wasn't great but it wasn't bad. Would have been nice to have faster water refills but everything else moved along smoothly.

    (4)

  • Joo K.

    Han Dynasty is one of my favorite restaurants in the city! They have amazing Sichuan style dishes that taste just as authentic as those I had in China. Their Chinese cabbage dish is an absolute spot on. Other dishes I love and order every time- Hot sauce chicken Pickled chili style fish and tofu Wontons in chili oil Their new dish called spicy fish tofu is ridiculously delicious! The best part about this restaurant is they cook their meat so tender I usually prefer tofu or vegetarian but not at Han dynasty!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Spectacular! The owner Han was our waiter and he offered to order for our party of five; a generous mix various spice levels that we all shared. This was a much better decision than the five of us ordering single meals. Han is a character, but we thought he was hilarious (I can see why those inferior humans without a sense of humor would find him otherwise). I can't wait to go again!

    (5)

  • G S.

    I've been back two more times - both times the service was better with a big but... In there for take out, I saw one of the waiters being rude to a table of people who were not offending. He came back and took my take out order. I made a wise crack about being able to be rude like that and he said... "hey the food is great here, I can throw some shit when I want to." Nice. Dick. And it was the same guy who threw some attitude at me. The dan dan noodles and cucumber in chilly sauce are terrific. The other dishes I've had there are so damn loaded with garlic that it wreaks out of me for days afterwards. Their three cup chicken is especially guilty of this. If you want that, go to Empress Garden. I had one of the duck dishes which was an absolute disappointment. They chop the duck up so its mostly bones and pieces where the feather starts are. You cannot take a bit of any of these. You have to pick it up with your hands and work to get at what ever little meat is on it. Those duck dishes are $18 to $20 bux. Really not worth it. All in all, I'll go back occasionally for the two dishes I like. If this is how traditional Chinese food is made, with all that garlic, then I'll gladly take a more westernized place.

    (2)

  • Jack P.

    We love this place for many reasons not just the spicy food, great friendly service, food is delivered quickly, inexpensive, great value, etc. We could eat here every week but since we have to come in from the western suburbs try to make it at least every other week We have experimented a bit with some misses but these are our favorite hits: - Dan-Dan regular spice level (5), - dumplings in chile oil regular spice level (4 on the menu but seem hotter) - cumin chicken (we get a 5 down from 7) this is still a very spicy dish but so good. - shrimp with crispy rice (not spicy) - good size and flavor - no mouth burn at all. - chicken with garlic sauce (regular spice level 3) - mildly spicy but very tame. call ahead or use open table for reservations on the w/e, or you will have to wait.

    (5)

  • Amber B.

    Moved here from San Francisco and I'll be the first to admit my husband and I are snobs about Chinese food. We were very hesitant at first but loved the food! I started craving the Dan Dan noodles the day after our meal...looking forward to my next trip and getting through some new items on the menu.

    (5)

  • Lan G.

    I went to this Han Dynasty with a big group for lunch this Saturday. When we got there around 12pm, the place was empty. So we got good seating. And that's probably the only good service we got during our whole time there. Several things that threw me off: 1. I cannot do spicy food and I was glad that they noted on the menu they could alter the spicy level for each dish. But when I asked whether they can make it non-spicy, the waiter gave me a very scary look and told me that they cannot do it. 2. One person in my group ordered fried rice. Later on, the waiter came out and told her that they don't have enough rice so she had to order something else... my question is: what kind of Chinese restaurant can actually run out of rice??? 3. Another person in my group has very bad allergic reaction to MSG and asked whether they put it in their dishes. The waiter told us Chinese people has been putting MSG in their dishes for years and just kept going on and on. As someone who was born in china and had lived there for many years, I can tell you that's not true at all. After going through this kind of arrogant service, I probably won't go back there again...

    (2)

  • Melissa V.

    This was seriously the worst two minutes that I've ever spent in a restaurant. We walked in and there were very few customers and no employee to greet us. A server came out, and was friendly enough and said he'd be right with us. Then he came back, walked right past us, and went to answer the ringing phone. Then he proceeded to take a To Go order. That sucks when you are there, and you are ignored, while the person on the phone gets the attention. Then a man asked if had reservations. We said no. And he make a "that's too bad" face, and asked us if we wouldn't mind sitting at a small table. The restaurant was empty! So, we said nevermind, and we left. Then the guy that ignored us to answer the phone, came running out after us, and asked if there was a problem. Very confrontational tone in his voice. What a weird restaurant....

    (1)

  • Mikey I.

    There was a point in my life where I didn't like Chinese food whatsoever. Those days are long gone and would have been eradicated much sooner had places like Han Dynasty been around. Truth be told, I have a palate that ranges from rags to riches. Honestly, often times, I'd be quite satisfied ordering a Curry Chicken Combo w/ PFR (Pork Fried Rice) at 4:30am with 'chicken' as questionable as the North Philadelphia neighborhood that housed the corner Chinese restaurant complete with bulletproof glass and ordering window. But I digress, Han Dynasty or "Handy Nasty" as it's come to be called is truly remarkable. I had high hopes and they were completely fulfilled. I've had copious amounts of Chinese food, everywhere I go, in the full gamut: urban corner takeout places, modest strip mall restaurants and reasonably upscale dining. My first experience with Han Dynasty was amazing. The dishes all seemed a bit atypical from your average and expected offerings such as Kung Pao and General Tso's, that's a good thing. What exists is really a nice selection of dishes, notably ones that cater to those who prefer some spice in their meals. Service was adequate when it comes to your typical attentiveness. One thing that I truly appreciated though was the capability and insistence to speak up when there's better pairings and choices to be had. For example, I had my mind set on Cumin Beef as I tend to just avoid lamb being that it doesn't really do me well/there's something about it I don't like. The server suggested otherwise and I was wholeheartedly satisfied with his suggestion and appreciated his advice. Lastly, protip: I'm a big fan of insanely spicy food but generally speaking still order things so that they've got a good kick to them but still tolerable to eat in long sittings. That being said, I'd stick to around 7 or 8 on most things, which is probably higher than most people. I'd like to see somebody order the spiciest dish at a 10, I don't think that'd even be edible by most people. Also: Get the dumplings in chili oil. You won't be disappointed. One visit warrants 5 stars from me, I'm craving going there again. With my constant desire to check out new places and never hit up the same spot twice so often... this is pretty remarkable.

    (5)

  • Jim B.

    Dan dans -- Awesome. Pork belly in garlic sauce -- super. Shrimp hot sauce -- delish. We will try the full spicy 10 dry pot next time. Service great. We went early in the evening and didn't feel rushed even as the mad rush came in.

    (4)

  • Joe B.

    Dan Dan Noodles lived up to the hype.

    (5)

  • Pat A.

    PREFACE I've never heard of this BYOB til I was introduced to it by some friends. Was it ever worth the mention. They did build expectation by mentioning dishes they had ordered and enjoyed immensely. Aside from the food, they boasted on the restaurant experience. Most intriguing part was the experience with the staff, specifically with the man Han Chiang himself. SEATING We were seated without delay on a busy Saturday night. I queried the staff, the cliched question, "Is it always busy like this?" Stating this seeing only 2 tables for 2 and 4 occupants, The waiter replied, "No, it gets busier." We were seated on the main floor for a table of 5. There is a basement seating area where I've heard it actually feels like you're eating in someone's basement eating a nice meal. So I take that statement with a grain of salt, and am thankful I'm on the main floor. AMBIENCE/ENVIRONMENT The place was hopping, for a place that usually "been busier" SERVICE I was pleased with how attentive the staff was to our table. The place is BYOB, so a bucket with ice was provided to keep our case of Tsingtao Chinese beer cold and ready to go. Our app order was taken promptly and brought out fairly quickly. Water refills were constant, as were disposable napkins. and were the beer openings, asking if we were ready - yes, beer me sir! Dishes were replaced for the entrees. Entree orders taken by Han himself, not our waiter, without a pen and pad - 5 different orders. FOOD The food is Szechuan style Chinese which can make you beg for milk if you don't know your limits. They have dishes with default spice level on a 1-10 scale. So basically you choose your heat and meat. APPS We start with the Spicy Crispy Cucumbers. Similar to a kim-chi. Cold, with spicy, and fresh and crunchy veggie - a good combo of textures. We also had the Dan-Dan Noodles. This dish is one of their signature dishes. The heat level to me was just right. Chili oil, Szechuan peppers was not too hot to enjoy. The minced pork was not overcooked. The sauce was not overpowering in any way. They use a typical Chinese Mickey noodle. The mixture of sweet and heat to me is somewhat reminiscent of pad thai. Dish is executed nicely. ENTREES We each ordered our own entree, but sampled each other's to try. I ordered the Garlic Sauce Chicken at the default 3 heat level. I'm a wuss, but in this case I know my limits, and certainly ain't tryin to be stuck to a toilet! Chicken is thin strips of white meat, almost like pulled chicken, but a enough to grab it, remember, use of chopsticks. The garlic is pungent (duh!) and the heat at a 3 level is just the right amount of heat. Ate that with steamed rice and was very content. I was also a fan of the Crispy Rice dish with Shrimp. Great texture to the rice, with the sweet and sour sauce poured over it. The shrimp size is large, and there are alot of shrimp. Its actually not even sour, just sweet, but not overly sweet where in 5 bites you can't eat anymore. (I've had that before with bad chinese takeout with the General Tso's Chicken). Just to forewarn, do yourself a favor and do not go balls out on the heat. Everyone should know their limits. My friends went 7 and one went as high as 10 with the dry pot style. They both didn't finish, let alone scrape it cause it was WAAYYYYYYYY too hot. For one, you want to enjoy your meal, and two, don't want to waste your money on something you took only 5 bites and have a whole serving bowl sitting there. You can take it home naturally, but you still couldn't eat it. I'll end it a quick story. Han, the owner, was very engaging and gregarious. We brought a case of Tsingtao to try to keep the theme at this BYOB. When we spot Han, we invite him over and we talk about how busy it is and such. Then we offer him a beer and and says (to a table full of guys)..." Tsingtao? That's pu$$y beer!" Not only did Han rip us a new one, but he then proceeded to open the bottle, bring it in for a cheers and have a drink with us. To most, they'd be completely turned off by his personality. But he let it out with the right people. He came over a few times more when he had a minute to spare from managing to talk and entertain. This restaurant experience, was spot on not only for food, affordability, but for experience. I dare you to find anything better.

    (5)

  • Justin W.

    Best Chinese I have ever had. I usually review Chinese places that have pan fried noodles which isnt on the menu at Han Dynasty. What I do love is the dry pepper chicken. Sooooo many peppers....sooooo spicy. I have never had a chinese dish like this. Very unique and spicy.

    (5)

  • Mario D.

    We had take away from Han Dynasty recently. The entire experience was less than impressive. We were welcomed and ushered through the busy restaurant and told to wait in 2 square feet by the bar. While getting pushed about by the servers, we had to hand our money to the host around someone using a computer at the bar. After getting our change and heading home, we ate the spring rolls (good) and our meals. My girlfriend's meal tasted like soap and chicken, while mine was chock full of the Chinese peppercorns that make your tongue numb (we own some, so I do enjoy them). My dish had a hint of spice (billed as "very spicy"), but was very unpleasant. We ended up throwing away both meals and cooking at home.

    (1)

  • F R.

    Holy shit this place is great. Im a vegetarian so my options are a bit limited, but I love the ones they offer. The long pepper tofu is soooooooo good, and the Dan Dan noodles that everyone loves are great without the pork. Whenever we order takeout my husband gets two orders of the dry pepper chicken and with every bite talks about how much he loves it. Oh, and the service can be terrible, but it is strangely part of the experience or something?

    (4)

  • John B.

    Han, the owner, is a *crazy* dude...in a good way. We did a UYE (unofficial yelp event) at Han's. Han's in Exton is my favorite lunch spot (yes, I work in the burbs), but it is always tough for me to reach out of comfort zone to order other things. This UYE was perfect for us to try different dishes all at once. The event consisted of Han bringing out ~22 dishes out for us to taste. These are what I can remember (there might be one or two missing): -cold marinated cucumber (really good) -cold chicken in chilli oil (really good) -rabbit in chilli oil -pork belly in garlic sauce (really good) -beef and tripe in chilli oil (really good) -beef tendon in chilli oil -slowly cooked pork belly with preserved vegetable (freakin awesome--was my favorite) -dan dan noodles -noodles in peanut sauce -braised flounder -pork belly in black bean sauce (really good) -smoked duck -sauted beef and preserved tofu -sauted pork with peppers -peppered steak with green peppers (really good but really hot) -chicken with dry hot peppers (really good) -fish and tofu in spicy soup (as the waiter serves the dish, "do NOT drink the liquid, guys!") -chinese eggplant with sweet garlic sauce (really good) -chinese okra (really good) -chinese broccoli (i think that's what it was) -sliced chinese sausage served with fresh garlic (really good) -(and some other things I cannot remember) We had to stop Han from bringing out more dish. As he laughs serving approx the 20th dish, he says, "someone needs to die (of eating awesome food) before leaving." It was ridiculous...and ridiculously awesome. For those who couldn't make it out to the UYE, they do this type of tasting (menu is decided by Han) on first Monday of every month. I suggest that you call ahead when making the reservation for the first Monday event. And from the look of things, we'll be back here again for another UYE. Also, when you do come here, don't even think about ordering general tso's chicken or sweet and sour pork. I imagine that Han will tell you (not-so-politely) to get the (insert not-so-kind-word) out of his restaurant. Thanks yelpers who came out and utmost thanks to Han for opening this authentic szechuan place in old city.

    (5)

  • Zoe S.

    Simply the best. I wouldn't recommend it for the spice deficient, vegetarian, or anyone with a problem with gluten, but this has easily become one of my favorite restaurants. Go with an open mind, let Han tell you what to eat, and bring a few bottles of your favorite beverage.

    (5)

  • Chuck H.

    Went for a nice lunch. What a wonderful find. Their menu apparently does not list luncheon portions, but the kind server told us about it. We'll be back. Great to see top notch food in the midst of the old city club and bar scene.

    (4)

  • Bernard L.

    got takeout here, and the beef and tripe in chili oil was fantastic. the mao pao tofu was not to my liking but others mildly enjoyed it. the dan dan noodles were a hit, indeed an authentic dish. the breading on the salt and pepper shrimp, and fish dry pot were a bit soggy from fifteen minute travel time, but all in all it was a dericious meal.

    (3)

  • Anna Y.

    My friend and I tried to eat at Han Dynasty for dinner last night. We arrived around 7 and it was clear that they were pretty busy with only 3 open tables but no line. We stood there for 5 minutes before I could get the attention of a waiter. No hostess ever came to greet us or ask us how many for our party. We told the waiter we needed a table for 3 and he looked confused and took off. Stood there for another 5 minutes in the doorway. By this time another party behind us and was asking where was the hostess and we told her we could not get any service. Another waiter stopped and asked us if we needed help. Seriously??!! We had already stood here for 10 mins and you just noticed. He told us since we didn't have reservations the wait would be an hour! Someone could have told us this sooner if they had a hostess and was better organized. Han Dynasty may have good food but your service is poor and that's before you even eat!

    (1)

  • Jayne E.

    When Han Dynasty first opened my boyfriend and I decided to check it out, as it's just down the street from us. We were blown away.We made the mistake of getting a dish with a 9/10 spicy level on our first visit as we love spicy food but we quickly learned that our spicy was on a different level than Han's. It nearly blew our heads off, but with tears rolling down our cheeks and about 800 glasses of water later, we concluded our meal. We now go here regularly and have never left disappointed. Han always stops by to chat with guests and recommend specials etc. The food is vibrant, flavorful and interesting. This past Monday was a rainy dismal one, yet Han Dynasty was packed to the brim with a special tasting event in addition to regular patrons upstairs. It is great to see him doing well in the city where people can appreciate his authentic style. The dan dan noodles are a favorite. As is the dry-pot style fish.

    (5)

  • Angela Z.

    best chicken fried rice I have ever had!

    (4)

  • Ran T.

    I used to frequent Han Dynasty. I would bring friends and family from out-of-town, local co-workers, and almost anyone who is fond of the Sichuan spice. But since its move across the street into a space that was formerly a steakhouse, the restaurant has become much less intimate. On the surface, the grandiose atmosphere clashes with the menu, which is mainly comprised of intensely spicy, tongue-numbing, and sweat-inducing dishes one would find in the bustling cities of Sichuan. But the core of the problem is how this new space affects the service. On each visit to this "new" restaurant, I found the service noticeably slower and, frankly, inattentive. My last visit was especially frustrating: - We ordered two appetizers and one entrée. Our first appetizer came out promptly, but we never got the second one. After seeing tables next to us (who ordered much later than us) get their appetizers, we finally flagged down a server (since no one came around to check on us). The server said that our appetizer was on its way (which turned out to be a lie). Twenty minutes later, still nothing. We asked again, and the server said the kitchen lost our order slip, but the appetizer should be out any minute. He cleared our table but left us without utensils. Ten minutes later, we got our appetizer, but then we had to flag down another server for chopsticks. - One of the servers knew the customers sitting next to us. That's fine, I love seeing a reunion too, but the server decided that he wants to sit next to the customer, except there's hardly any space between the customer and me. So he squeezes into this small space, prompting me to shift my seat down. I might even be okay with that, but then he starts chatting loudly, completely oblivious to the fact that he is now only inches away from me and has forced me to eat from the corner of the table. Alas, this was as intimate as the service got that day. - The constant waiting was absurd. We waited a long time to place our order, to get our second appetizer and the entrée, and to get the check. - Lastly, and this is the kicker, when we finally got the check, we were double-charged for the second appetizer that took forever to arrive! We brought this, along with the other issues, to the attention of the restaurant manager, who didn't even comp the $6 dish. Instead, he offered us a 10% discount...on a $30 bill. How generous. Han Chiang, I know you've been busy building your empire (the one in NYC opened not too long ago, and I think I read somewhere that there are plans to expand to the west coast too), but please don't neglect the location that put you on the map in the first place. Keep cooking the deliciously spicy food, bring back the diligent service, and your regulars will support you along the way.

    (2)

  • Coco M.

    incredible. regional chinese food for chinese folk too. fragrant, non-americanized dishes that satisfies the pickiest authentic palates. dan dan noodles, chili fish, cumin beef, chil pepper chicken. Enjoy the ma-la ('numbing' hot) spiciness and the secret behind the gorgeous complexions of Szechuan women. for newbies to chinese food: if you start here, it will be hard for you to be satisfied with anything else! exciting that this is in Philly first! the owner's commitment to bring the real deal chefs here for the truest szechuan flavors is the key to this restaurant's success---an inevitable expansion into other cities.

    (5)

  • Vivian T.

    So I'm Chinese and have had a lot of Chinese food in my life both in the US and China. The food was just ok and way to greesy for my taste buds. If you order anything w/ the words 'Chili Oil', note it will be submerged in chili oil. I had the pork belly in chili oil, beef dry hot pot and the shredded duck special. For drinks we had wine and the lemon grass infused vodka cocktail. The only thing that was to die for was the vodka cocktail, way to good. The food I can do without. Also, I've been to the restaurant that it relocated to and they made ZERO changes to the decor. Well if you consider putting in one small potted bamboo plant, then I guess that's decorating (sarcasm). Dear Han Dynasty... spend some money and chg the look of the this place and give if a fusion asian feel.

    (2)

  • Buster M.

    Everybody is right about those Dan Dan noodles. Spicy, chewy, tasty good. Also ordered the dry pepper chicken. Wasn't a huge fan of how small the chicken was chopped up and how little chicken there was. The strangest thing was that despite the fact that there were twice as many dried chilies as there were morsels of chicken, the dish wasn't that spicy. It was flavorful, yes, but based on the reviews, I was hoping for something that would knock me on my rump. (I've actually had Southern fried chicken that was tastier and spicier.) Go for the noodles, though. I would come back for those alone.

    (4)

  • Josh F.

    Dan Dan noodles...nuff said

    (5)

  • Pat A.

    PREFACE I've never heard of this BYOB til I was introduced to it by some friends. Was it ever worth the mention. They did build expectation by mentioning dishes they had ordered and enjoyed immensely. Aside from the food, they boasted on the restaurant experience. Most intriguing part was the experience with the staff, specifically with the man Han Chiang himself. SEATING We were seated without delay on a busy Saturday night. I queried the staff, the cliched question, "Is it always busy like this?" Stating this seeing only 2 tables for 2 and 4 occupants, The waiter replied, "No, it gets busier." We were seated on the main floor for a table of 5. There is a basement seating area where I've heard it actually feels like you're eating in someone's basement eating a nice meal. So I take that statement with a grain of salt, and am thankful I'm on the main floor. AMBIENCE/ENVIRONMENT The place was hopping, for a place that usually "been busier" SERVICE I was pleased with how attentive the staff was to our table. The place is BYOB, so a bucket with ice was provided to keep our case of Tsingtao Chinese beer cold and ready to go. Our app order was taken promptly and brought out fairly quickly. Water refills were constant, as were disposable napkins. and were the beer openings, asking if we were ready - yes, beer me sir! Dishes were replaced for the entrees. Entree orders taken by Han himself, not our waiter, without a pen and pad - 5 different orders. FOOD The food is Szechuan style Chinese which can make you beg for milk if you don't know your limits. They have dishes with default spice level on a 1-10 scale. So basically you choose your heat and meat. APPS We start with the Spicy Crispy Cucumbers. Similar to a kim-chi. Cold, with spicy, and fresh and crunchy veggie - a good combo of textures. We also had the Dan-Dan Noodles. This dish is one of their signature dishes. The heat level to me was just right. Chili oil, Szechuan peppers was not too hot to enjoy. The minced pork was not overcooked. The sauce was not overpowering in any way. They use a typical Chinese Mickey noodle. The mixture of sweet and heat to me is somewhat reminiscent of pad thai. Dish is executed nicely. ENTREES We each ordered our own entree, but sampled each other's to try. I ordered the Garlic Sauce Chicken at the default 3 heat level. I'm a wuss, but in this case I know my limits, and certainly ain't tryin to be stuck to a toilet! Chicken is thin strips of white meat, almost like pulled chicken, but a enough to grab it, remember, use of chopsticks. The garlic is pungent (duh!) and the heat at a 3 level is just the right amount of heat. Ate that with steamed rice and was very content. I was also a fan of the Crispy Rice dish with Shrimp. Great texture to the rice, with the sweet and sour sauce poured over it. The shrimp size is large, and there are alot of shrimp. Its actually not even sour, just sweet, but not overly sweet where in 5 bites you can't eat anymore. (I've had that before with bad chinese takeout with the General Tso's Chicken). Just to forewarn, do yourself a favor and do not go balls out on the heat. Everyone should know their limits. My friends went 7 and one went as high as 10 with the dry pot style. They both didn't finish, let alone scrape it cause it was WAAYYYYYYYY too hot. For one, you want to enjoy your meal, and two, don't want to waste your money on something you took only 5 bites and have a whole serving bowl sitting there. You can take it home naturally, but you still couldn't eat it. I'll end it a quick story. Han, the owner, was very engaging and gregarious. We brought a case of Tsingtao to try to keep the theme at this BYOB. When we spot Han, we invite him over and we talk about how busy it is and such. Then we offer him a beer and and says (to a table full of guys)..." Tsingtao? That's pu$$y beer!" Not only did Han rip us a new one, but he then proceeded to open the bottle, bring it in for a cheers and have a drink with us. To most, they'd be completely turned off by his personality. But he let it out with the right people. He came over a few times more when he had a minute to spare from managing to talk and entertain. This restaurant experience, was spot on not only for food, affordability, but for experience. I dare you to find anything better.

    (5)

  • Justin W.

    Best Chinese I have ever had. I usually review Chinese places that have pan fried noodles which isnt on the menu at Han Dynasty. What I do love is the dry pepper chicken. Sooooo many peppers....sooooo spicy. I have never had a chinese dish like this. Very unique and spicy.

    (5)

  • Mario D.

    We had take away from Han Dynasty recently. The entire experience was less than impressive. We were welcomed and ushered through the busy restaurant and told to wait in 2 square feet by the bar. While getting pushed about by the servers, we had to hand our money to the host around someone using a computer at the bar. After getting our change and heading home, we ate the spring rolls (good) and our meals. My girlfriend's meal tasted like soap and chicken, while mine was chock full of the Chinese peppercorns that make your tongue numb (we own some, so I do enjoy them). My dish had a hint of spice (billed as "very spicy"), but was very unpleasant. We ended up throwing away both meals and cooking at home.

    (1)

  • F R.

    Holy shit this place is great. Im a vegetarian so my options are a bit limited, but I love the ones they offer. The long pepper tofu is soooooooo good, and the Dan Dan noodles that everyone loves are great without the pork. Whenever we order takeout my husband gets two orders of the dry pepper chicken and with every bite talks about how much he loves it. Oh, and the service can be terrible, but it is strangely part of the experience or something?

    (4)

  • John B.

    Han, the owner, is a *crazy* dude...in a good way. We did a UYE (unofficial yelp event) at Han's. Han's in Exton is my favorite lunch spot (yes, I work in the burbs), but it is always tough for me to reach out of comfort zone to order other things. This UYE was perfect for us to try different dishes all at once. The event consisted of Han bringing out ~22 dishes out for us to taste. These are what I can remember (there might be one or two missing): -cold marinated cucumber (really good) -cold chicken in chilli oil (really good) -rabbit in chilli oil -pork belly in garlic sauce (really good) -beef and tripe in chilli oil (really good) -beef tendon in chilli oil -slowly cooked pork belly with preserved vegetable (freakin awesome--was my favorite) -dan dan noodles -noodles in peanut sauce -braised flounder -pork belly in black bean sauce (really good) -smoked duck -sauted beef and preserved tofu -sauted pork with peppers -peppered steak with green peppers (really good but really hot) -chicken with dry hot peppers (really good) -fish and tofu in spicy soup (as the waiter serves the dish, "do NOT drink the liquid, guys!") -chinese eggplant with sweet garlic sauce (really good) -chinese okra (really good) -chinese broccoli (i think that's what it was) -sliced chinese sausage served with fresh garlic (really good) -(and some other things I cannot remember) We had to stop Han from bringing out more dish. As he laughs serving approx the 20th dish, he says, "someone needs to die (of eating awesome food) before leaving." It was ridiculous...and ridiculously awesome. For those who couldn't make it out to the UYE, they do this type of tasting (menu is decided by Han) on first Monday of every month. I suggest that you call ahead when making the reservation for the first Monday event. And from the look of things, we'll be back here again for another UYE. Also, when you do come here, don't even think about ordering general tso's chicken or sweet and sour pork. I imagine that Han will tell you (not-so-politely) to get the (insert not-so-kind-word) out of his restaurant. Thanks yelpers who came out and utmost thanks to Han for opening this authentic szechuan place in old city.

    (5)

  • Anna Marie C.

    when did "tastes like burning" become a sensation that i adore? but it's not just about mouth tingling, sweaty forehead spice. it's a blend of tastiness that cannot be explained. but fear not, spice-avoiders. there are many a dish on the menu to soothe your palates as well. hurry. and then hurry back. you may need a bathroom break after.

    (4)

  • rich c.

    Food was good and tasty. Had little ones with us but there were dishes that were not spicy. Service was a little bit slow but that could also be because we were in a hurry. One complaint would be that the crispy rice dish was good, but the rice was far from crispy... More like soggy. They should think stone pot fired up. A little less sweet would also be good. I only wonder why they haven't resolved the fact that at first glance,their URL looks more like handy nasty than Han dynasty. Go figure.

    (4)

  • Steve T.

    Captain's log, star date 09.13.13. While investigating a strange anomaly in the Degaba sector, we chanced upon a class M planet. Scans revealed several life forms, and an away team was hastily assembled, manned by me, our first officer, our chief engineer, the ship's doctor, and really everyone of key importance on a starship. Should we run into trouble, its quite possible that all the senior officers of the ship would at once be wiped out, leaving the 70 gazillion dollar vessel to be manned entirely by newbs. But, such is Star Fleet protocol. While on the surface, we encountered a strange being who spoke almost entirely in metaphor and parable, and juxtaposed his verbs and nouns. We were able to ascertain that his name was "Yoda", and he invited the away team to a meal made by his latest pupil, Han. Han is a devotee of some mythical "force," and believed the best was to achieve balance in same way to have major imbalance in the amount of chili oil that his dishes contain. The away team first enjoyed his spicy cucumber, which we found delicious but somewhat of a paradox...the refreshing nature of the cucumber was offset by the spiciness of the chilis. We then sampled the Dan Dan noodles...while the senior officers were just barely able to contain their exuberance, a couple nondescript red shirt-sporting away team members perished by the overindulgence of same. We've noticed that despite numerous missions, its always the nondescript red shirt away team members who die. It could be the shirts. We completed our survey with a special dish, the soft shelled crab, which was a thing of intergalactic splendor. If you are in this quadrant around this star date, it would behoove you to stop by and order this. One of the very best interpretations of this rare seasonal treat. At the end of the meal, our hearts a glow and our mouths a fire, and having drank gallons of water in the fruitless attempt to quench same, we bid master Yoda and his devoted pupil Han goodbye. Yoda said something like, "revisit you, the chili oil will" but we were unsure what this meant. Captain out.

    (4)

  • Gina V.

    I went here with some friends on a Friday night. They were really busy, so on weekends I recommend calling ahead and making a reservation. The food was delicious! There are numbers on the menu indicating levels of spiciness, and I recommend you use them. We had various #s in the 1-7 range, and I grew up in Southern California eating spicy Mexican food, and I probably wouldn't go above an 8. The good news is, they are very attentive about keeping your water glass full. There is a special late-night menu that starts at 10pm and features "street food." I highly recommend the coffin bread (a creamy soup inside of a bread box that tastes like slightly cinnamon-y funnel cake) and the spicy cucumbers, which are crisp and refreshing. I really hope that menu gets incorporated into the regular menu, or else starts sooner.

    (4)

  • Nichole H.

    I found this place while walking along a strip of other restaurants and from the moment we walked in to see the menu the smells of the food captured our attention. Everything was perfect. I ordered the Salt and Pepper shrimp and a spring roll. I can't stress enough, this was the BEST salt and pepper anything I've ever had. Extremely well seasoned, the shrimp were not overcooked and they were nice size as well. We also had spring rolls which didn't really stand out compared to others I've had, but were still good. The service was awesome and the food came out really quickly. All in all I'd definitely recommend this place as a must go if you like authentic Asian food and if you're in the area.

    (5)

  • Kathleen K.

    Based on my first experience here, I would give 3 stars. But the fiancee LOVED his first couple times here so I'm willing to compromise (practicing for the plunge I guess) We ordered too much food, which was to be expected because we were starving. We started with the Dan Dan noodles and won ton soup. Ok, yes, the dan dan noodles expect all the raves they're getting. They were a bit spicy for my taste, but I still ate a good amount of them. Very good flavor. The won ton soup wasn't bad, but I've had more flavorful won ton soup elsewhere. For the main course, we got the beef hot sauce style and the tofu garlic style. The beef was pretty good, but the garlic sauce tofu was seriously lacking. It didn't have a garlic flavor at all. And it was rated a level 3 but there wasn't the slightest hint of flavor or spice to it. As a final note, the service was really quite awkward... not bad, just awkward... It's hard to explain, but our server just kinda walked up to our table at the beginning and just said "hey..." We'll definitely give it another shot as I feel like maybe we ordered the wrong dishes. Bummed it's no longer BYOB though!

    (4)

  • Calvin T.

    First time here. Every dish was ordered with the recommended spice rating: Dumplings in Chili Oil - tasty but not much meat - 3/5 Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce - sooo good! - 5/5 Rabbit w/peanuts in Chili Oil - first time trying rabbit. A lot of bones so it'll require you to do some work - 4/5 Dan Dan Noodles - fresh, homemade noodles, one of the best noodle dishes I've ever had - 5/5 Pea Leaves w/ Garlic - fresh and tasty, a good veggie dish to cool your mouth - 5/5 Dry Pot Style w/ Shrimp - shrimp was big and fresh, a good amount - 4/5 Spicy Hot Pot - fish, shrimp, beef, chicken all in a really spicy hot pot. Has a floral tongue numbing flavor. So good my parents took the leftover sauce/oil home to cook fish, shrimp, and chicken in the next 2 days - 5/5 Tea Smoked Duck in Beer Sauce - a lot of bones so it takes work to eat. Not as spicy as I thought it would be - 3/5 Overall, a great place to satisfy your spicy tastebuds! This place will make you visibly sweat! Great for the Winter cold. So good I took my friend here three days later! A great, unique, restaurant that our city is fortunate to have! I wish I knew about it years ago!

    (5)

  • Natalie H.

    Han Dynasty s newest restaurant in old city is a winning combination : delicious cuisine, friendly service, and a gorgeous venue in a great location. We sat at the bar, as we didn't have a reservation and this spot has already become fashionably popular (there was a 45 minute wait for dinner for 2). Happy hr yuengling for $3 . Double cooked fish in Ginger and scallion with just the right amount of spiciness. We enjoyed everything tremendously , and we'll be back.

    (4)

  • Ever F.

    Overpriced Chinese food - I guess just paying for the ambiance. The dry pot chili chicken is like a super spicy popcorn chicken from a boba shop not really worth the $14. Service was poor- which was surprising because it looked like a nice restaurant. Liked the manayunk location better

    (3)

  • Jennifer C.

    Came here this past Sunday for lunch and ordered a bunch of things off their menu. The last time I ate at Han Dynasty in Philly, it was in their old Chestnut Street location (just across the street), so I was shocked to see their caverous new space, which was HUGE (I liked the feel of their old place better). Once seated at one of their many, many tables, we ordered the chengdu mung bean noodles, dan dan noodles, spicy beef noodles, beef and tripe in chili oil, and scallion pancake. Everything came out quickly, and we liked everything, especially their dan dan noodles. The noodle portions were very generous and (almost) everything was spicy.

    (4)

  • Sara L.

    The new location of Han Dynasty delivers all of the epic Szechuan goodness you would expect, but the whole experience is elevated by the gorgeous restaurant surroundings. Even though the new space is bigger, I would strongly advise making a reservation. Every group without one was being turned away on Saturday night. This meal included double-cooked fish and dry pot chicken - two very different dishes that offered a good variety in flavors and textures, as well as (of course) dan dan noodles. I don't think I have ever encountered a single dish as addictive as those noodles! I don't understand why it happens. Every bite is the same slightly monotonous composition of dense noodles with nutty, spicy oil and morsels of minced pork, but I just can't stop eating them. Even when I have demolished half a bowl of them myself and I am feeling full. Even when I know the rest of my meal will be delicious. Even when I have finished the bowl and have the waiter add a second order to our leftovers. I can't stop eating dan dan noodles. Hmm, I seem to have gotten distracted by something there. The new space takes full advantage of the existing high-end European decor of the building's previous occupants, but adds just enough Asian flair to provide a stark contrast. The staff is still dressed in their (10) t-shirts and they carry the down-to-earth attitude from across the street. It almost feels like an ironic take on a fancy restaurant. Most patrons were dressed nicely, and the vibe was vibrant and fun. The bar space is beautiful, and I am sure that the happy hour and late-night menus featuring Taiwanese street food along with some standard Han favorites will further expand the Dynasty's already booming popularity.

    (5)

  • Alan S.

    I gave up on Chinese food a couple of years ago, but came here when a couple friends made the plan... Now I can't wait to go back. Very good food that is crafted with care. Some of the dishes were very spicey like the mung bean noodle appitizer.

    (5)

  • ted z.

    We have visited this establishment twice. The food is very flavorful but HOT and SPICY! My wife dislikes fires in er food and ordered #1 level. The cold sesame noodles are excellent. The level 6 spicy disk was good but hot. Have plenty of water available. although the food is good, the place is dirty, disorganized and the wait staff is slow and not very attentive. If you like spicy dishes, this is the place.

    (3)

  • Albi D.

    Super spicy! 6 of us went to the Han Dynasty last Friday. Admittedly we entered 20 minutes before the kitchen closed and were in a rush to get our orders in. With the waiter there urging us to make our decisions ASAP, we didn't pay too much attention to the menu options and ordered what looked familiar. I'd read on Yelp the night before that the Dan Dan noodles were really good. I had that. One friend next to me had the Dry Pepper Style, two of my other friends had the Hot Sauce Style Chicken. Don't get me wrong, we are all fans of the hot and spicy. I'm the guy that will order hot peppers in my sandwiches. But I am not exaggerating when I say that the level of spice in my dan dan noodles and the hot sauce style chicken was UNBEARABLE. We were sweating and shedding tears the whole night. One friend couldn't finish her plate. Another must have drank like 3 cups of water. Literally, my pee was burning the next day as I cursed for forcing myself to finish my dan dan noodles, which would have been nothing special even without the unbearable levels of spice. I've had lo-mein from food carts on the that have tasted much, much better. I will give the place one extra star because I enjoyed the atmosphere. The place looked nice. Good for a romantic date. We did ask the waiter to move us over to the half-circle empty table adjacent to us, but he apologized and made an excuse that he couldn't accommodate us since the orders had already been made for this specific table. We said OK and left a tip commensurate with the service provided. Maybe I'll give this place another shot in the future and take a long hard look at the menu and ask the waiter many, many questions before I order any specific plate. For now, if you're thinking of going and aren't a fan of sweating indoors or having no feeling in your tongue for a couple of hours, I would suggest you stay away from any plate that says Dan Dan, hot, spicy, chili, peppers, or any related words... just to be on the safe side. Apparently this restaurant has a completely different standard for the words "hot" and "spicy" as compared to all the other Chinese, Indian, etc. establishments that I've been to in Philadelphia.

    (2)

  • Raafia M.

    We went here for dinner on saturday night before our movie. It was last min decision, so we didn't make a reservation. We got there around 7:15 and the place was packed! We found a seat at the bar- which was pretty comfortable. Now for the food...it was DELICIOUS!!! We ordered the spicy crispy cucumber, dan dan noodles and dry pepper style chicken. Everything was so flavorful and so delicious- we finished everything!! The spicy crispy cucumber was a great surprise because it's such a simple dish- just some sliced cucumber with sesame and chilli oil, so simple but so magically yummy! And the sauce is great! I out of some of over my dan dan noodles and white rice- so yummy! The dan dan noodles were my absolute favorite! They were freshly made and perfect noodles perfectly seasoned with sesame oil and chili. I can't wait to go back and get another order of this! Another great point of Han Dyansty is the portions. Everything comes out in family style portions so its enough share and sound to fill you up. Also, there are numbers in parenthesis next to each item indicating the spice level, and you can order items based on your preference. I really recommend of this place for anyone looking for a great meal at a cozy, beautiful restaurant for a great price.

    (5)

  • Eve A.

    I'd read such great reviews and heard so many good things from friends, that I really wanted to love HD. I'd heard that the Dan Dan noodles are the best thing on the menu, so I certainly ordered them. (Since I'm vegetarian, I got the pork on the side.) The portion was large - big enough for my boyfriend and I to share. Unfortunately it was just a large portion of noodles in an oily sauce. The sauce was good flavor-wise (spicy and just faintly peanuty), but far too oily for my tastes. You could spoon the oil right out the bowl. I was also expecting something more than just noodles - some sort of vegetable or garnish? (None of the dishes I saw looked like the photos on the site.) I looooove vegetables so I ordered the vegetable rice noodles. I was sorely disappointed when my entree arrived and saw that it was just another huge portion of noodles. I think I counted 5 pieces of scallion and that was it for veggies. Some Yelp reviewers have mentioned that HD is very authentic Szechuan cuisine; I love authentic Thai, Vietnamese, and other Asian cuisines. Not sure if Szechuan cuisine really uses so few vegetables (there were 8 people in my party, so I saw several different appetizers and entrees) or if HD isn't really very authentic. I was also excited for HD because I love spicy food and other Yelpers had commented on how spicy the food was. HD uses a scale of 1-10 for spiciness. I ordered my entree '10' and was hoping for it to test my limits - alas it did not. On a positive note, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the prices are extremely reasonable, and the space itself is impressive. I won't be going back, though.

    (2)

  • Samantha S.

    Decent service and great food, as long as you're okay with a lot of spice in your food (I think they cook almost everything in chili oil) I'm not the biggest fan of spicy food but the spicy cucumbers are so good it's worth the eye-watering and runny nose!

    (4)

  • Jennifer M.

    This place should be "Mecca" for those who enjoy spicy/well flavored food. If you think you don't like Asian food, don't let this stop you, as this place transcends all those ideas. I've been twice, and both times the food was stellar. Spicy yes, unapproachably so, no. This is not the place for people who want to put an atom bomb in their mouth and not have taste buds for days. It is the place to awaken those taste buds and then question how one can live with such American blandness in daily life. Carpe diem! As of my visit 4/29, they've added a liquor license so I had a nice craft beer that paired well with the menu. Between my two visits, I had and highly recommend: Spicy Crispy Cucumber (rated a 6 on heat scale), Dan Dan Noodles (8), Dumplings in Chili Oil (4), Rabbit with Peanuts and Chili Oil (10), Dry Pepper Style Fish (8), and Cumin Style Pork (6). Everything was delicious, well-prepared and fresh. I'm firmly convinced that I could order anything on this menu and go home smiling.

    (5)

  • Jon W.

    Finally, a 5 star review. This goes on my list of top 10 meals that I've had the pleasure to enjoy. My wife and I drove up from Baltimore, Maryland for our anniversary to eat here because the reviews were so outstanding. We had our meal in Han Dynasty - Old City. All the reviews start with praise for the Dan Dan noodles, they're right. Having had Dan Dan noodles that were just okay in the past I didn't expect perfection, but there it was, perfection that punished me for underestimating it. It left me weak with delight. I attacked that dish with animalistic hedonism. The flavor was full bodied and so exciting I really couldn't get over it. Then our other appetizers came out, spring rolls and pan fried dumplings. The spring rolls were fresh and delicious, but rather ordinary. The dumplings, too, were rather ordinary, and lacked the savoriness that one has come to expect from pan fried dumplings. Because of the rather plain, gentle flavor of the meat, the exceeding thickness of the dough made them less enjoyable as there was very little to really savor. All and all we felt we should have gone with the recommended appetizers, the spicy cucumber, for instance. We will definitely try that the next trip. Our entrees were all 5 star entrees. My wife had the Garlic Sauce Style Shrimp and I had the Dry Fried Pork - my wife doesn't enjoy food as hot as I do so i wanted to get something she could enjoy and it was a perfect fit for her. It was nothing short of astonishing! The use of the sichuan peppercorn (prickly ash seeds) is to perfection (as it was in the dan dan noodles PERFECT!). The bold shrimp broth that permeated the sauce was also a HUGE winner. Their technique is magnificent. My pork was also perfect, though I've had a variation of that dish before, this is the VERY BEST iteration of this dish I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy. If you leave Han Dynasty unimpressed it's quite possible that you are insane. I wanted to give them 4 stars because our appetizers were not up to the level of the entrees or the noodles, but in reality, the place deserves more than 5 stars and I graded on a curve. If I could have given more than 5 stars I would. We will definitely make the trek back to Philadelphia next month for the pleasure of trying new treats on the menu. The waitstaff, by the way, is exceedingly pleasant. The recommendations were open enough that we might choose according to our taste, but everything the waiter recommended was top notch. This is one place that deserves it's Yelp Reputation. Okay, i should stop. Well done! The food

    (5)

  • Edward S.

    I don't get why people like this place. I've gone three or four times, and every time left questioning why I went back. I love spicy food, but the food here is just spicy without any depth of flavor, every dish wallowing in a pool of red oil, topped off with a dizzying amount of MSG. The entire menu is like that- laden with oil, chili, and MSG. That about sums it up. The signature dishes- dandan noodles are a glutinous mound of noodles with small flecks of meat and red oil all over it. The only redeeming thing I ate here was the dumpling soup, which was very good. The servers are all sloppy looking 20 something bros, and if you can get their attention away from eating/hanging out at the bar you may just get them to bring you a check. There are just too many great places in Chinatown...

    (1)

  • Aron N.

    This is absolutely a great restaurant, possibly the best near University of Pennsylvania. The food quality is excellent (according to European standard too), the service is friendly and the price is low, because actually the portions are quite big, you are likely bring home with a nice package :)

    (5)

  • Sarah B.

    It's love. After months of "training" my taste buds to withstand spicier and spicier foods, I told everyone that the time had come. "I'm ready for Han." They weren't so sure; they told me there was a Baby Adult menu, that I could ask for mild-leveled food. HA. I waved these suggestions away. The seven of us ordered Dan Dan noodles, dumplings in chili oil, chicken in chili oil, dry pot fish, dry fry beef, double-cooked pork belly, chicken in garlic sauce, and salt and pepper shrimp. My favorites of the night had to be the noodles and dumplings. If you didn't feel like reading all of that, don't fret. Just order anything, because it's all amazing. Your lips and forehead might hate you, because they will be numb and sweating (respectively), but your stomach will beg for more delicious spiciness. The waiter was attentive and refilled our waters (and bowls of rice) throughout the night, and Han himself came to greet the table once we had finished our meal. Two brave souls from our table signed up for the next 20-course tasting menu. After a few more visits to Han Dynasty, maybe I'll be ready to try the tasting menu!

    (5)

  • Ria V.

    Don't say I didn't warn you - this is not your run-of-the-mill American Chinese place. Be wary of spice levels if you're not used to spice ; I would recommend spice level 2 or 3 if this applies to you. For most others, unless you want to be panting and sweating through the meal, I wouldn't recommend going over level 6. This was one of our favorite places for my friends and I to eat out when we were in Philly; my personal comfort food. It's usually difficult to find a table at the center city location on the weekend, slightly easier at the manayunk and university city locations. Open Table came to the rescue on quite a few occasions! Our favorites were dan dan noodles, wontons in chili oil, cold sesame noodles, Spicy crispy cucumbers, dry fry beef, garlic sauce chicken, cumin style chicken (not necessarily in that order). I still crave this food even though i moved out of Philly last year. I can't wait to go back to this place the next time I go to Philly!

    (5)

  • Shannon H.

    I'm in love with their cold sesame noodles and hot sauce style tofu. What can I say about Han Dynasty that hasn't already been said? A very helpful server did give us a tip for folks who can't handle the heat: if you like the hot sauce style tofu but are looking for a little less heat, try the homestyle tofu. It's just as delicious, but a little less painful. Me? I love the heat!

    (5)

  • Caroline S.

    Came here with a big group and we had a family style dinner. The food was OK -- but covered in unnecessary amounts of grease. Service was decent, a little slow, but we were a huge group on a Thursday night so I don't really blame them. Cork fee was $10 per bottle, which they told us when the bill came... All in all - decent place, but I will probably not go again.

    (2)

  • Sharon K.

    "Sichuan Nazi" The food here was wonderfully spicy and greasy and if it were not for the obscene and horrific service we received by the OWNER of this establishment, I would return. The owner, Han Chiang, is a bootleg Al Yeganeh (the "soup nazi" of Seinfeld fame). I dont know if this is contrived or what, but I am not buying whatever he is selling. Our party of 8 (birthday dinner) placed our orders for apps with a server with no direction or suggestions and pleasant service. We ordered way too much and when it came time to order our entrees, most of us were full. Han came over to take our order for entrees. Because we were full, not everyone wanted to eat as there were plenty of apps still left over to graze on. We ordered the lamb dry pot (raves on yelp), shrimp dry pot (someone does not eat red meat), and eggplant w/ garlic sauce (for the vegetarian in the group). Immediately, Han told us we didnt know what we were doing and that we were disrespecting Chinese culture by placing our order this way. He told us we ordered wrong, and needed to just order what the f***k he told us to order because he owned this piece of s**t restaurant. Yes, he actually said that to us. We should never order the same flavor profile (here, we ordered both the lamb and shrimp dry pot to accomodate people's eating restriction). At this point, I lost what little appetite I had left. We changed the order, dropping the lamb dry pot, keeping the shrimp dry pot and eggplant w/ garlic sauce - 2 separate flavor profiles, no overlap. Han cursed us out told us we were f-ing disrespectful by ordering basically the same thing. He hassled us and argued until we ordered exactly what he told us to order, which in the end was not part of someone's dietary restrictions and had to be sent back. Han was very upset and snatched the food from the table, knocking over a bottle of wine in the process. Everyone was shocked and horrified, but as it was a birthday dinner, we did not make a scene. The scene later came when someone approached Han after we had been waiting 20 minutes for our check. He told us that he owns this f-ing place and he doesnt serve people. He called us s***ty customers and told us to get the f out of his restaurant. He was screaming and carrying on. Everyone in the restaurant was staring. In spite of the owner's behavior, we did not want to penalize the woman who initially served us our apps (and hopefully was getting the tip, we still tipped 20% and left. I would never return here. When I go out to eat, I try to be respectful. We did not order items off the menu and tried to take his suggestions and still were berated, belittled and treated like we were less than. Please do not put up with the tantrums of this child. This is just bad business. I dont know if he is on drugs, bi polar, or what but this is not cool.

    (1)

  • Ken D.

    The food was really good. Serves could have been better, it took awhile to place our order but once the food came it was all good.

    (4)

  • April K.

    I know you don't go to chinese food restaurants for service but seriously, it was bad. No glass with the beer, no recommendations, waited forever for a check! We wound up ordering three spicy dishes but they were all just drowned in chili oil (pork belly, dumplings, and hot sauce beef) I thought the spice would come from different chilis and sauces but no, it was all chili oil. I seriously don't know what everyone is talking about.

    (2)

  • Rachel B.

    Dan dan noodles alone give this place four stars.

    (4)

  • Monica L.

    I had heard some pretty amazing things about Han Dynasty, and although I am not usually a huge fan of Chinese food (maybe because most of the Chinese food I have eaten comes in little white take out boxes) I decided to give this place a try. I am really glad I did, as it was some of the best Chinese food I have ever had. The Old City location, which I visited, is kind of hidden and I had probably passed it a dozen times without ever noticing it was there. The inside is fairly small and gets packed on a Friday or Saturday night - luckily, I had a reservation. Note: I have also been for lunch which is nice because you can get a smaller portion for a smaller price and it is not usually crowded. I had to try the famous Dan Dan noodles I had heard so much about. They didn't disappoint. I love spicy food, and these were certainly nice and spicy. The flavor combination was stellar. I will order this every time I go! I have also tried a few other dishes there, including the spicy crispy cucumbers and the string beans with minced pork, which were both good. The one thing I wasn't crazy about the cumin-style Pork because I didn't care for the dried chilies in the dish and kept having to pick them out.

    (4)

  • Cindy W.

    I had the Dan Dan Noodles, Spicy Cucumbers, 3 Cup chicken, Tofu, Dumplings in Chili Oil and Spicy Beef Pot w peppercorns for a late night stop on the way home to NJ. Everything was simply prepared and delicious!! The only thing I didnt like was the beef pot but only because I didnt know the spicy pepper/peppercorns would numb my entire mouth and it affected finishing my other plates. I will try the Cherry Hill location soon since its closer to me. Great tasting food!

    (4)

  • Nicole F.

    I get the same stuff every time. Dan Dan Noodles, Pork Belly, and Spicy Cucumbers. Eating these comfort food items in the grandeur of a steak house style dining room (used to be) is a great quick dinner, and fun addition to Old City. But other than that, I don't get the hype. The first time I went to Han Dynasty was at the small hole-in-the-wall across the street. I wasn't in the know about what to get then, and though we thankfully did order the Dan Dan Noodles, everything else was awful. I was floored that it was basically Chinese takeout thrown on a plate, but with a much higher price tag. What a rip. Since then I've never deviated from my now informed choices, but from what I see of the food going out, 90% of it looks to be the same cheap quality. I'm sure there are a few other treasures on the menu that I haven't discovered, but I don't want to investigate when they don't put Dan Dan level mojo into every dish. However, when they get it right, they reeaaalllly get it right. Quality does vary though and I've had a couple of soggy noodle experiences. C'est la vie.

    (3)

  • Alex R.

    So good, massive portions. Musts: scallion pancakes, Dan Dan noodles, spicy cucumbers.

    (5)

  • John E.

    Spicy,spicy,spicy this place is perfect if you love spicy food.i can say I have met my krytonite here. The dry pepper style was,too hot but it was über good I couldnt stop eating this place had a really cool feel to it and the window seats have amazing view of the city must go.

    (5)

  • Carolyn L.

    So, the fiance and I decided to try out HD as an early v-day celebration (as an effort to avoid v-day crowds and service). When we walked in, we were impressed by the cleanliness of the place and super high ceilings. When we arrived it was happy hour that runs 5-7PM ($3 beer, $4 merlot, and $5 you-call-its), so we ordered some wine; I also ordered the sweet & spice cocktail off happy hour and it was pretty bad and $9 so do not get that one. After reading through all the reviews, we decided on: Spicy cucumbers, the obligatory Dan Dan Noodles, dumplings in chili oil, Beef Garlic style, and Double cooked pork belly. The spicy cucumbers were amazing. Just get them--Crunchy, tangy, a touch of sweet, and pack a decent kick. SO good! Take it from anyone, the dan dan noodles are insane. Noodles are cooked to a perfect al dente, a little chewy and bursting with flavor, topped with minced pork. The dumplings fell a little short of our expectation. They are mostly dough with a tiny lump of meat. We still liked them because it was like eating a giant noodle--and we love noodles but if you're looking for a meaty dumpling, these aren't for you. I will say that the cucumbers and dan dan noodles are pretty spicy--and I'm a spicy kind of gal. I would suggest ordering them at a lower spice level (a 4 would have been good for us) or ordering 1 spicy app and one non-spicy to give your taste buds a bit of a break. The Pork garlic style was very good. Fairly simple but cooked well, good flavors, super garlicky, and served with sliced bamboo shoots and white rice. This one is pretty mild spice and we really enjoyed it. Now the disappointment. Our double cooked pork belly never came out! What tragedy has befallen us! We waited awhile and eventually told the server our second entree hadn't arrived. When he checked in the kitchen they said they lost our ticket, so we decided to forgo the dish. While it was probably for the better because my pants button was about to explode off of my jeans (3 apps was a bad choice), it was really quite disappointing. Now, they did right their wrong by taking our other entree off our bill. It would have been nice to have tried it though and had some to bring home. In general, it was a great experience full of delicious, affordable food. Service was great. Food comes out fast--or not at all. My only other gripe is that it would have been nice to have a clean plate between appetizers and entrees. No biggie though since the flavors blend well from each dish. We will definitely return because the food was amazing and humans make mistakes, I'm sure a forgotten dish is not a common occurrence.

    (4)

  • Yalonda C.

    I think this place looks quite eccentric with the high ceiling inside and the broad and spacious dining area. Food was ok. I had the salt and pepper tempura scallops and fried dumplings here. The reason I give this place 2 stars is because I paid over $20 for partially over cooked scallops and when scallops are over cook they become rubber to the point where you have to spit it out because you can't swallow it. The fried dumplings were fine but the dough that they were wrapped in was rather thick, also they were seared on the stove top so I don't know why they would call them fried, only one side was brown. I probably won't go back.

    (2)

  • Melissa M.

    Love it here! As usual, courteous and prompt service. Food was amazing, perfect blend of spice and flavor.

    (5)

  • Blake F.

    with 141 [mostly] 5-star reviews to their name, does han dynasty really need another one from me? no. but i'mma do it anyway. spicy cucumbers. when michelle C told me this was her favorite app in all of philadlephia, i knew they'd be something special, and they are. drowning in a bowl of garlic chili oil, these crunchy cukes set my mouth on fire. spice-rating 3? i don't think so! yet i keep going back for more and more and... dan dan noodles. heads up vegetarians: tell your server to prepare these sans meat - tho the crumbles appear to be a part of the sauce, all parts are mixed in separately, so it can be done! again, prepare for serious mouth burn. so good it makes lo mein look like lo lame. tofu, garlic sauce style. ordered this on my first visit to han and enjoyed every last bite (mostly as leftovers - the portion was huge). the tofu itself was a firm, compressed style, and came served with mushrooms and bamboo shoots. tho the spice-rating was fairly low (4), it still packed a solid punch. mapo tofu. on my second visit, i wanted to try something new, so i ordered what seemed to be the only other option for tofu - pickled chili style. han, who was taking our table's order, told me that it was his least favorite preparation for the tofu, and recommended the mapo (hold the minced pork) after i requested a soft style soy. good call, han! tho rated a 7 on the spice scale, it didn't set my mouth aflame, tho perhaps i had just become used to it. han. yes, that han. the young chef's humor & personality brings the dynasty dining experience to the next level. i'm already looking forward to my third visit - to sample more delicious sichuan cuisine, while laughing my ass off at han's crazy stories.

    (5)

  • Meg B.

    We had our first meal here, post-movie on Christmas Day. The setting is absolutely gorgeous! We made reservations weeks in advance and arrived exactly on time. We got seated, but were given a table in direct line of the doorway. Every time the door opened we were blasted with cold air. Our server was far less than attentive. I'd say he was completely disinterested. We ordered drinks and food, which were served by others. This is ok and even normal in good restaurants. The food was good. Our issue was that our server never came to our table to check on anything at all the whole time we were there. In fact, while we sat there watching our server walk up and down his service area, we tried to flag him down to order another drink with no success. The table next to us had the same problem. We ended up finishing the meal without drinks, waited another 30 minutes to get our server to bring our check and had to flag down another employee to take our payment.

    (3)

  • Tim L.

    Dan Dan. Nothing else need be said.

    (5)

  • Jeff W.

    Wow was it hot!!!! But I loved every bite. I read an article in 2010 in the Inquirer and have been wanting to go here for so long. I finally went and it was everything I expected and more, As everyone said the Dan Dan noodles were outstanding, the crispy cucumber were awesome. I didn't like the pork belly just had a funky taste to me and a strange texture just not my style. My brother got the dry pot pork with a 10 spice level, I think my eyeballs starting sweating with that dish. Tofu was great, i don't even like tofu. Cumin chicken was good, LOTs OF CUMIN. Kung Pao was very good. Overall excellent night and very tasty food. I want to go back for the 20 course meal on 1st mondays. Oh yeah and our meal flew out, we literally were done eating in about a half hour of arriving.

    (5)

  • Kathleen D.

    Look at me, I'm dead serious; that's why I'm not wearing that wig. A debt of gratitude is owed to my brother Patrick for introducing my family to Han Dynasty. For. Real. He works nearby Han Dynasty and I'm fairly certain that ever since his first lunch there, he's returned weekly if not more...for like a year...or some shite! He loved it, ya hear? He passed it on. People who love Han Dynasty REALLY love Han Dyansty. They love HAn Dynasty. I love Han Dyanasty. ( I'm kind of saying this all like a droning chant, just suddenly. And then I stop.) I can tell you that it's been the rare occasion that I've had such unapologetically hot, spicy, freaking excellent Sichuan food. It's like...a relief. I am grateful! I love hot, spicy, nerve-enlivening food. I love that Han Dynasty cares to be authentic. I can choose, according to the menu, from dishes ranked 1-10 in terms of their heat. So if I order the beef and tripe in chilli oil (10), I can expect some searing, hot hot, chile heat....and really tender tripe and beef, by the way...delicious. My ears were ringing. It's a relief to know that when I order something HOT, it will arrive that way and I won't have to exasperatedly gripe to my dinner companions, "Uhh. This isn't even hot." I don't appreciate not being believed, ya see. I take that kinda thing personally. I know it's silly, but we're being honest with each other here. So lemme just tell you about what other dishes I've been diggin from this fine place. Why can't all cucumbers be "Spicy Crispy Cucumber (6)?" I got no time you pickle idiots anymore. "Dan Dan Noodles (8)" are as straight up dope as everyone has alleged...I've ordered these every single time. I don't know what my favorite preparation of all was. I don't think that I can choose. I think that we've all sat and debated this question. I'll tell you one thing, I love those "Dry Pots (10)." If we're battling dry pots I'm torn between love for the dry pot fish and the dry pot lamb. Each are served in a sizzling lil wok, mixed with black muchroom, peppers, Sichuan pepper, bamboo shoots, hot pot sauce. They're amazing. Uuuhhhh...if I had to choose one, I'd pick the dry pot fish, yeah. The texture is incredible. Oh yeah, then there are the "Cumin Style (6)" entrees. I like the lamb here the best. It's so crusted with cumin, it's intense, fried with dry peppers and onions. It's really assertive. Love it. The "Double Cooked Pork Belly (4)" is a favorite too. It's so savory with those salty black beans... leeks, hot peppers, chili oil. Ah, that is a good one. It is. Yeah it really is. I've tried the "Dry Pepper Chicken (8)," too, which I liked. Sizzly long hot peppers... I liked it with bites of that cucumber too...As I was typing, just now, I caught myself saying out loud, "Damn that's such a good place." I'm thinking that I have to address my seemingly sudden obsession with lamb meat. Hey I know, why not say the word, "lamb," one more time? I bet that wouldn't be redundant. Look, I just have to say one more lamb thing! I like that "Hot Sauce Lamb (7)." No, I love it. It's thinly sliced lamb, cabbage and celery glazed with a piquant Sichuan hot sauce, It is so peppery, tangy, tender and juicy. And then it's BYOB! That IS a reason to use an exclamation point. Great. I'd also like to point out that Han is cool. I appreciate the vision, and most of all the food. I need to get over there again, and pronto. I have more dishes to try and to psychotically cross off my list. I can't wait.

    (5)

  • Robert C.

    I love this place. I think I have been here more times than any other restaurant I've been to in Philly and I keep coming back. For an appetizer the dan dan noodles are a must. The dumplings and wontons in chili oil are also excellent. For the main course I would recommend coming with in a group and ordering several different dishes. They have a rating of spice level between 1-10 with 10 being the spiciest. I've tried some of the dishes below 4 and while they are decent it is the dishes in the 6-9 range that I enjoy the most. If you like spicy food you are sure not to be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Shirley A.

    WARNING: This restaurant is Szechuan style Chinese food, therefore extremely spicy. The BF and I were traveling to Philly for the weekend. After the rain died down on Saturday night, we went out and he wanted to try out Han Dynasty, seeing that there were so many high rated reviews. Hearing Szechuan style food, I was scared but was forced to go. When we got there around 7-7:30PM, the bar and tables were PACKED! There was a table waiting to be cleaned and according to the hostess, they were understaffed. That's fine, we wait, but we waited an additional ten minutes. The hostess was nice enough to offer and wipe the table down herself when our waiter came and did it. The decor was very nice and TV screens were big and bright enough in mid-dimmed place. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles (one of their popular dishes) level 6, dry pepper style chicken level 4 and salt n' pepper style scallops. For myself, I ordered an Amaretto Sour as well, probably should have saved the money though because it tasted very diluted. Anyways, the Dan Dan noodles tasted very good but the spice intensity gradually built up. It's a mixture of what I would say peanut butter noodles with hot oil, delicious but dangerous. At that point i think my tongue could not taste anything so I don't really know what to feel for the chicken. My boyfriend said the chicken was VERY spicy for a level 4 but it was delicious, so delicious that it hurts so good! Finally the scallops... Holy moly the scallops were so tender and flavorful, my favorite dish of the night! There were a lot and were big and chunky, yum! The atmosphere and design is very nice inside, you will be comfortable sitting alone or with a group. Would recommend if you are an avid spicy food lover like my BF! If you're coming with someone who isn't, you can lower the intensity to 1 or 2 and ask for hot oil on the side.

    (4)

  • John P M.

    We had a fabulous meal at Han Dynasty tonight. I know,I know, don't go out on a Monday night, but this place was great. Our server, Josh, was great. He walked us through the menu and explained the heat levels. We ordered the two apps he suggested--Dan Dan Noodles and Dumplings in Spicy Oil. Both were delicious and reflected the heat and portion that Josh described. The Dumplings were spicy, but not over the top. We had the Dry Pot Chicken to share for an entree. HOT, but delicious. Anybody can make something too hot to eat, but this dish had a satisfying, whole mouth heat that wasn't painful but enjoyable. Definitely returning. Hope Josh is working.

    (5)

  • Gwynedd D.

    Better than ever. Is it possible? Han Dynasty moved across the street to the new location (looks like an old bank building) The high ceilings and the early 20th Century palatial architecture are incongruous to a modern Chinese restaurant but it makes for a stunning bar and a very romantic ambience. So, it's a bit dark. Because you need all the table space for your entrees, there is no candle on the table and you'll want to bring a small flashlight to read the menu if you are older (like me.) The food? It's the same Szechuan cuisine, prepared with consistency and care. Our waiter and one of the partners explained that some of the restaurants serve up spicier food than others--there are seven locations as of this writing. The Philadelphia spot has spice. However, I didn't find it a problem and I am not able to really eat very spicy food. The spice is handled with a delicate touch and with variety; some dishes use Szechuan pepper (recently allowed back in to the US), some use hot chili oil, and one dish we had (the classic baby bok choy and shiitake mushrooms) used white pepper. Everything is served out of the seven-hundred degree woks and comes to the table piping hot. The pea vines (my favorite, and I suppose the favorite of about a million other people) are now cut up into lengths rather than left long and twined into a pyramid. Less beautiful presentation but eminently more eatable. And so delicious. I could eat these for every meal and nothing else. We had tofu soup--which was much better than the West Lake Fish soup I had last time. It also works to quench the heat from the Crystal wontons in hot oil. (dumplings in thin wonton skins, drenched in several kinds of peppers and hot chili oil. They are messy. They are spicy and they are addictive.) The dry-fried scallops were exceptional but three of us (the women) loved the vegetables best of all--eggplant in brown sauce, the pea vines, and the bok choy. We didn't get any meat. The spicy cucumbers (cold dressed cucumbers in sesame and hot pepper and chili oil) were actually the spiciest dish of the evening that we ordered. This location has a liquor license and a bar. We had "Jade Cocktails" (birthday party time) and though I'm not a huge lover of sweet cocktails, especially before a good meal, these were very good.They were the choice of our server. It was a kind of green tea-mint mojito in a martini glass, with something herbal (the tea?) under the sweet and rum. As a favor to our table, the birthday girl was treated to some glutinous rice flour dumplings, coated in chestnut flour, filled with sweet red bean paste and deep fried. We split the two among the four of us and they were really amazing. Chewy, slightly crunchy, soft, sweet. All in a tiny sweetmeat. These were a gift from the ongoing First Monday feast that happens every month--a thirty dollar a person sampling of a huge array of the restaurant's offerings. Despite the big feast and a full-up restaurant on a Monday, they seated us where we wanted, served us with amazing care and friendliness, and the food was perfect. We spoke to the owner a bit--he was circulating, pouring tea, dishing up our soup. He is absolutely devoted to his craft and his business. His staff is well-trained and warmly welcoming--you ask for it, you get it. No fuss, no scowling. The Han gets picked as one of the 12 best restaurants around, and it is simply great food, great service, consistent and in my opinion, flawless. And it's not ridiculously priced, either. Can you say "perfect?" I do. Note: First Monday requires a reservation and frankly, I'd recommend a reservation for this restaurant on any night. it's in a popular part of the city, Old City, right near the river and it's a popular place. It's only fair to the restaurant to let them anticipate your needs.

    (5)

  • Philip T.

    Classy interior, plenty of screens, spicy Chinese fare, great beer selection all for an affordable price. Will be back.

    (4)

  • Jessica W.

    Oh, Han Dynasty, you broke my heart... I'd been wanting to try Han Dynasty for years, but never seemed to get around to it, so my hubby and I booked a reservation and headed down to Olde City. We arrived and waited... and waited.... and waited. We waited for 45 minutes, which wouldn't be a huge deal if we hadn't made a reservation. The hostess was completely inept and would walk away from the podium for long periods of time, during which we saw several other potential customers leave out of frustration. When we finally sat down, the manager apologized for the wait and offered to get us each a drink on the house (very nice). However, when he came back, he threw two beers (the cheapest kind they serve, I should note) down on the table and ran off. Since I don't drink beer, I tried to flag him down and when I finally got his attention, ordered a glass of wine. He short-poured the wine (poor form, Han Dynasty, poor form--why offer a free drink, if you're not willing to oblige?) Anyways, though we were annoyed, we wanted to give the food a fair shot since we'd been hearing raves for so long. The Dan-Dan noodles are very good--a solidly 4 star dish with some kick. We were severely disappointed by our entrees though. The dry pot beef was incredibly average and the crispy rice chicken was inedible because it was so sweet (and just plain bad). Han, I had such high expectations for us, but it's clear that we just weren't meant to be.

    (1)

  • Justin H.

    While I now live hundreds of miles away, whenever I come back to Philly to see the miss, I make a point to eat at Handynasty. Maybe it's the fact that Nashville's Asian restaurants are comparable in quality to a Trader Joe's frozen meal, but I find myself craving Han on a near weekly basis when I'm east of the Appalachians. The sesame noodles are a staple of any experience here. I also suggest hot sauce-style for any of the proteins; shrimp or tofu are done to perfection. Ask to crank the spice-level to a ten, and they'll liberally douse your food in rocket fuel. The peppercorns numb your tongue for going in, but its a shame that it doesn't work in the reverse direction. I do feel bad, being a creature of habit, and only being qualified to review the two/three dishes I've eaten at least twenty-five-plus times. Also, as the miss repeatedly claims, they make the best white rice she's ever had. Quite literally, she has ordered their rice by itself. And although the food is wonderful, by far the best aspect of Han may be the man behind the name. I've had him threaten to kick my ass with ghost peppers after hearing that I thought the level 10 wasn't spicy enough. Less positively, though, I've also been the audience for a Han lecture on the finer points of war as a form of population control. Take the good with the bad, I guess.

    (5)

  • Charlie G.

    There is not a bad thing on the menu as far as I'm aware, although my mouth's sensitivity to being lit on actual fire has kept me from trying much that registers above an 8. The Dan Dan noodles are killer as everyone keeps mentioning, though I advise against taking them home as leftovers and letting them sit in the chili oil they're in for three days and then trying to eat them because they will get hotter and hotter as they sit. And also if you do that and it makes you cry definitely don't try to wipe your tears with any hand that has been near the noodles. And if you have to pee wear a glove. Point being: I have sat in Han Dynasty for nearly the same amount of time I have sat for some tattoos. During that time I experienced a comparable level of pain as I have while being tattooed. And never have I questioned if it is worth it. Han is an evil genius and I will eat his food, however diabolical, as often as possible. Because walking out after a long meal, glistening with sweat, lapel flecked with chili oil, lips beestung with capsaicin, stomach a roiling pit of Szechuan-spiced magma... These are the moments I feel truly alive. Ps. The cucumbers and eggplant bang too.

    (5)

  • James M.

    This was my first time eating Cantonese food. I love spicy food, but I have always been told that Cantonese spice is something brutal. All of the dishes have a heat scale from 1 - 10 with 10 being the hottest. I ended up ordering the pork dry pot style (10), but I dialed it down to a 7 to be safe. We also shared some fried rice as a table. The presentation was amazing, but the food was not spicy. I ended up having her bring out hot sauce to increase my heat level to a 10. The dry pot is large, but not very filling; the fried rice came in handy. Overall, it was a good experience. There are so many food options in Chinatown, so I doubt that I will return.

    (3)

  • Gretchen K.

    Excellent family style dining and flavors that won't disappoint. The Dan Dan Noodles, Cold Sesame Noodles, Garlic Sauce Style and Hot Sauce Style were all amazing. Great atmosphere and surprisingly affordable for what you get.

    (4)

  • Leo I.

    I haven't reviewed you yet? Or maybe I reviewed your other siblings in Mannyunk or Cherry Hill... You're fantastic, and deserve the 5 stars because you make the style of chinese food that I LOVE yet it is so hard to find. It is also of a higher quality than I've found elsewhere. I will tell you though, you are slipping a little bit. The past couple times (once in Mannyunk and once in Ye Olde City) that I have ordered the twice cooked fish, the fish came out a little bit soggy. Previously it was not soggy, but also not quite crispy. I know I'm stumbling for words when I tell you this. I'm sorry. It's because I like you, and that happens when you like someone sometimes.

    (5)

  • Tara G.

    Be prepared to wait a long time for a table, usually around 45 minutes, even if you have a reservation. I know, it sucks. But once you start eating, I promise you won't care one bit. Obviously if you don't like your food spicy, you shouldn't eat here. Luckily, Hubby and I love spicy things, so we just dove in. We went a little crazy with the appetizers because we wanted to try everything. We had the dumplings in chili oil, dan dan noodles, spicy crispy cucumber and pork belly in garlic sauce. I loved the bright acidity of the dumplings, and the noodles were perfectly balanced for me. These were my favorites of the night and I could make a whole meal with just those. The pork belly was not my favorite. It was very chewy and almost slimy, and the flavor was not quite right. I probably won't order that again. The spicy cucumber was awesome. The contrast of the heat to the fresh, watery cucumber flavor was really surprising and pleasing to my palate. For our entree, we shared the chicken dry pot. We asked them to tone down the spice on it a bit and it was still very hot. Certainly not inedibly hot, but we were both sweating. I really enjoyed the warm flavors. Hubby is not a huge fan of five spice, so he was not crazy about this. Even with the wait, this was still a great experience. It's awesome to be able to have some real legit Sichuan food readily available for a very reasonable price.

    (4)

  • Jackie T.

    Listen to all of the reviews - the Dan Dan noodles are a MUST TRY. They were so good! Some other things I liked: 1) their funny signs at the entrance ("This location sucks. So we're moving." HA) 2) the craft beers on tap 3) Dan Dan noodles 4) Leftover rice mixed with the Dan Dan juices 5) That I could make a reservation 6) They sat my husband and I before the other couple we were meeting arrived - some restaurants won't do that so I appreciated them allowing us to get comfy and read the menu before they got there 7) spice levels can be adjusted. Of course, there are very few restaurants that are perfect so some cons of our visit - originally, we were going to be seated in downstairs/basement area. That would have been fine except for the fact that there was NO ONE else there. The hostess said "It'll be packed in an hour" but it would have been awkward for the hour until people arrived so we asked to be moved upstairs where there were still open seats (which they allowed us to do). Not sure the rationale to put us there to begin with when there were open seats upstairs...eh, no big deal though. The garlic chicken was good, but not great. I would return for the Dan Dan noodles again though.

    (4)

  • Lynn G.

    Without a doubt, Han Dynasty is the best Chinese food in Philadelphia, especially if you like spicy food. My husband and I eat at Han frequently, both in town and in University City. When my son is in town from San Francisco, it is the first place he wants to visit. We have frequently take the signature dish, Dan Dan Noodles to him in San Francisco.

    (5)

  • Chris R.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the city. Love the dan dans, love being able to share the big portions, love the speed with which the food comes out. My favorite dish is the double cooked chicken, which comes with leeks, hot peppers, fermented black beans, and chili oil. My only slight criticism is that the spice levels vary by location and cook; sometimes, for example, the dan dan noodles have a little kick to them, and other times your lips will burn. This isn't enough to knock off a star, though. If you haven't been to Han Dynasty and love Chinese food, do yourself a favor and make a plan to get there asap.

    (5)

  • Stacey B.

    TOTAL DISAPPOINTMENT. Incredibly overrated, overpriced and underwhelming. Service was poor on a Sunday night during a snowstorm when the place was empty. Obviously they are proud to be different than other chinese retaurants, as they seem to get offended when you ask for standards such as noodles before your meal, or spare ribs or a fortune cookie. We asked for ice cream or a fortune cookie for the toddlers, and the waiter said, "m'aam I've told you four times, we don't have them!" What Chinese restaurant doesn't have ice cream? I asked what they do for birthdays? He said, "bring your own cake." The lo mein was good enough, but not any better than what I get in Florida for $5.95. Nothing special! In addition to the poor service and rudeness, let it be known that 4 out of the 9 people I had dinner with that night wound up throwing up in the bathroom all night. It wasn't the lo mein , because I ate it, but might have been the fried bok choy. Save yourself the money and get some good Chinese food without the attitude in Chinatown. My daughter spilled her water and no one came by to help clean it at all. I would never go back there!

    (1)

  • Zoya J.

    The Dan Dan noodles. I came here about a week and half ago not knowing what to expect; so the group I was with ordered for the table because of their vast experiences here; and oh my god, the food was other worldly. There was an explosion of flavors and textures going on in my mouth. There were also these cucumber slices in a spicy sauce that perfectly balanced each other. The spicy sauce would set my taste buds ablaze right before I chomped down on the juicy, crispy cucumber that would immediately put the fire out. Bomb food, fast service, great deco. Would recommend.

    (4)

  • Andrew H.

    I went here after a movie and had a good time. Went on a Saturday night with no reservations. We had to wait at the bar for a reasonable amount of time (about 15 minutes). The bar had a good selection of beers and friendly bartenders. The bartenders offered us a menu in case we didn't want to wait for a table. Once we were seated, we ordered the dan dan noodles and wontons in chili oil for appetizers. Both came out quickly and were excellent. The spice was high but good on both. One complaint I have is that we didn't get clean plates and the chili oil soaked into the main course. The food is served family style and one entree is large enough for two people. We ordered one protein dish and a vegetarian dish and had plenty of leftovers. For the main course we shared the pork scallion style and the pea shoot with garlic. Both were very good, once the rice had soaked up the chili oil. The pea shoots were tender and not over cooked and stood up well to the garlic. The pork and onions were also well balanced and flavorful. Our bill came to $55 including drinks, which I thought was a great price for two people. Get the dan dan noodles.

    (4)

  • Tina C.

    Food is pretty good. The decorations have tasteful Asian flare. The background rap music and sporting tv could ruin a romantic date.

    (4)

  • Alicia K.

    overly hot even when we asked for moderate spice. do NOT go here if you are trying to eat healthy --everything is heavy and greasy.

    (2)

  • Heather N.

    Hands down the best Chinese food anywhere. My volleyball team goes at the every season and we get the tasting menu. I love that you can adjust the spice level from 1-7. Fabulous food, amazing service and they even let you take the leftovers home. Here are my favorites: Dumplings in Chili Oil Wonton in Chili Oil Spicy Crispy Cucumber Pea Leaves w/ Garlic Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce Dan Dan Noodles Salt n' Pepper Shrimp Garlic Scallops Cumin Lamb Only suggestion, after eating the dan dan nooldes and the dumplings and wontons, get s new plate. The chili oil remains and is so hit it may affect the taste of your next dish.

    (5)

  • Noheli T.

    I don't think that I've ever had a bad expereicne with the food at Han Dynasty, but I always order the same thing so I can't really complain. The long hot peppers with beef is always delicious and I could always eat a whole order of their scallion pancakes. Ou waiter Nick was incredibly nice and showed us just the right amount of attention. I only took away a star because I ordered one of their specialty cocktails that was way too sweet. I think that the name had something to do with fuzzy, but it was definitely not the best drink on their menu.

    (4)

  • Jason O.

    This was freaking fantastic. They can accommodate huge groups, had great gluten free choices for a few people in our group and every dish was brilliant. The $30 tasting menu was a boat-load of food. This is not just some decent American-style Chinese place. The real deal. Go. Now.

    (5)

  • Amanda C.

    Came here for my birthday with a group of 6, we contacted the restaurant about three days in advance for a reservation and would up with a 9pm reservation on a Friday night. Corkage fee is $10 for wine and $1 for each beer you bring. We brought some IPA's and lager which was great with the food. You can buy alcohol in the Old City location for cheap. Atmosphere is a bit chaotic on a weekend, and it can get a but loud in there. Food was awesome we were able to try a bunch of things, most dishes are able to be shared family style. My favorite things we shared were Dan Dan Noodles, Chili Dumplings, Cumin Style Chicken. I was not intimidated by the spice level of the foods because the heat was complex not just burning. Prices were reasonable, and it was absolutely delicious.

    (5)

  • Pete L.

    Went on a sunday afternoon. Not busy at all. Server was polite. Casual atmosphere. I ordered the dan dan noodles, dumplings in chili sauce and the pork belly. They rated the dumplings a 4 out of 10, it was soooo hot! (but they were so good) The dan dan noodles are probably the best noodles I'VE EVER HAD!!!! They do have takeout and the wait was about 20 minutes.

    (5)

  • Bhavika P.

    I have been to this place 4 times in 4 months...and I think this one definitely deserves a review. Huge quantity entree - very much sufficient to share between the two and if you had few appetizers can do a take away too. Scallion Pancakes - My all time fav. I can just go on eating this.... Spicy cucumber/Chicken in Chilly Oil - I don't eat too spicy food...so not a big fan of it but my husband and friends enjoyed every bite of it. For Entrees we ordered multiple dishes: Dry Pot Style with Tofu/Garlic Sauce Style Chicken - Very good to taste. Though a little dry so I prefer ordering fried rice or some gravy rather than eating this with plain rice. Three Cup Chicken - Good to taste but I found it too much salt in it. So did not enjoy it as much. Double cooked style Fish - It is very difficult for me to like some fish. But this one was just awesome. I think this is one of the only place in Philly so far where I liked Fish and I will go again to eat it. If you are trying to book online..you may see the slots are full but worth making a call to book. Also, we have walked in couple of times and have got the table in 15-20mins. The only thing that has stayed constant is that the Staff is not very cheerful, I always feel they are tired and exhausted and waiting for it to get over soon. Otherwise its all good.

    (4)

  • Wanda C.

    I loved the food at Han Dynasty! We ordered a whole table of food but service was fast and great! Dan Dan noddles were great, hot sauce style fish (if you like spicy food then this Sichuan chili oil sauce is a must!), and wontons in chili oil as an appetizer to share. My friends' favorites (non spicy items) are salt n pepper scallops and scallion pancake. There wasn't one dish that I tried I didn't like. Yum!

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Food may be good but the most arrogant owner and staff I have ever encountered. Owner feels that because is popular he can treat customers like crap. The worst, go to Chinatown for better food and you can get better service from a street cart. Too many really good restaurants in Old City like Fork or Amada which have great atmosphere and food to waste time or money here.

    (1)

  • Kimberly C.

    I am not even a fan of super hot food however this place is amazing. There is nothing like it in Philadelphia (I think). The owner is very hands on and honest. For example I tried to order the meat buns on my first visit there and was told I don't want them, they are no good. I was a little disturbed that my server would be telling me what I want he does not know me. I later learned it was Han. And at a later date I tried them and he was right they are not very good. Why they are on the menu I have no idea. The food is all very spicy with a few exceptions. Which I have tried many of. They are all amazing. The staff is fantastic. And unless you don't want to be told what is good to eat everyone should go their maybe monthly. Its BYOB and enjoy. Not a bad idea to make reservations.

    (5)

  • Natan V.

    Han Dynasty is goddamn amazing. Food is delicious and spicy! Everything, from meat to fish to vegetables is cooked to perfection. Dan dan noodles are a personal favorite of mine, and they are fantastic here. As for entrees, the slow-cooked fish and dry pot lamb are particular stand outs for me and my family. The staff is extremely friendly and accommodating, whether you come with a couple friends, or with a really big party (I'm talkin 11 people).

    (5)

  • Charles C.

    We had a dinner here on a Thursday night - with reservations for 6:00. We were seated promptly, then the trouble began. First, a pot of tea was delivered - it was cold and the whole side of the pot was smeared with sauce from someone else's meal. Gross. We had a good meal, but then the end came...although it was only 6:50 and we had been there just 50 minutes we were asked to vacate: people waiting (actually, just one lone couple at the door and a whole restaurant full of tables, but we were the ones asked to give it up). We were still finishing our wine - not that that mattered. At least we asked to have the remains of our meal boxed to go. Tonight when we opened it, of the two dishes, only one had made it to go. Sorry. So, although the food was interesting and not the usual mall Chinese, I'm not sure it makes up for the really poor and rude service. I don't think we'd go back.

    (1)

  • m j.

    Went here a couple of times and i enjoy their spicy food. What i like the most and recommend to people are the spicy crispy cucumber and dan dan noodles. Those two dishes made me go back for more. I also liked: not sure was it Beef & tripe or Beef tendon in chili oil, wanton in chili oil, and spicy beef noodle soup. I tried other dishes but really don't remember besides it being spicy. I really would like to try other dishes but the dan dan noodles keeps calling for me. If anyone can recommend something else that's better than dan dan noodles or comparable to it please let me know.

    (4)

  • Maria C.

    I'm not a huge fan of Chinese food but I will say it was quite refreshing to go to an Asian BYO in Old City. Most of my friends (we were a group of 5) got the chicken or tofu in the garlic sauce. The sauce was a bit sweet and sour and it was pretty delicious. I did ask for a bit more of a spicy dish but I don't think they heard me. We had a nice server at our table...even though they put us in their dark and forgotten basement. The whole restaurant closed down and we were left down there without service for a while...when we came back up, the whole place was dark. That was a bit odd, but what was worse (and I see that someone else below commented on this) was that the owner/head server/host was extremely rude to our group. A friend and I attempted to order both the tofu and chicken in garlic sauce, and he interrupted us to say, "Let me tell you something about Chinese food. It's served family style." Now, I've been told this at other places but he said it in a condescending way. We shrugged it off and explained that most of us have dietary restrictions and can't share: I'm vegetarian, two in the group weren't too hungry, one can't eat seafood or pork. Basically, not an easy group to share with so he eventually let us order what we wanted. However, when he saw most of us were ordering very similar dishes, he once again stopped us and told us we hadn't had Chinese food before and that we weren't ordering right and that if we weren't going to order family style, then "it wasn't worth it" for us to come at all. I've been to places where they guide you and tell you how things work, but this seemed a bit much. To me, he was rude and it really wasn't worth it to stay but we decided to stay anyway. So, I guess I have to say low scores on service and good scores on food. Avoid the owner/host!! He won't let you order what you want and will probably lecture you.

    (3)

  • Shannon W.

    If you want to clear your sinuses and sweat a little bit on a cold winter day... you HAVE to check Han Dynasty out! Start with the Dan Dan Noodles (a level 6 on the 1-10 heat scale) if you're not familiar with the spiciness of szechuan chinese cuisine but know that you like spicy food. The heat is definitely present! But the addictive flavor of the sauce makes you keep going back for more. Love this place!

    (4)

  • Jeremy W.

    The 1 star rating is in hopes that the owner/management checks Yelp and tries to make certain that no PORK is included when a customer orders a tofu dish, and specifically requests they make it vegetarian, in the future. Without a doubt Han Dynasty is the best Chinese we've ever enjoyed, but this is the 2nd time a vegetarian request has been ignored or screwed up. I certainly hope they're not doing it on purpose (i know, it's fun to pick on non-meat eaters). I'm not even a full veggie, but my co-diners were. Tighten is up, Han. Don't let the focus sag just because you happen to rule.

    (1)

  • Carlos M.

    Well. I always go to Han Dynasty when I can. So this place is so like the Chun ho garden. Anyways, I always have the dried fry style beef, and the String Beans w/ Minced Pork. I also have the hot sauce style chicken. Always. Soooo goood. YUM. I'm getting hungry right now. I don't have the dan dan noodles because, I don't really like noodles. My girlfriend tried them and prolly won't again. It was pretty tasty though. I also always always have Franklin Fountain to cool myself down after having Han Dynasty. Plus, we went to Han Dynasty for Valentines day. : D I probably should try new things. : P

    (5)

  • Katrina S.

    Boyfriend added Han to our bucket list of places to go in Philly before leaving at the end of July (le sigh!) so today was the day we headed down there. I was adequately warned of the spiciness and a bit scared, but it turned out well :) We started with the dan dan noodles which were very spicy but very good. I think it was almost to the point of spice for spice's sake, but I took it like a man... For the main dishes we ordered the cumin beef and lamb in black bean sauce. The cumin beef was just a bit over spiced (we're talking totally coated in cumin!) and the slices were a bit large (I like smaller bites) but it wasn't nearly as spicey as the dan dan noodles. This is the boyfriend's favorite dish, but I definitely don't think its mine. The lamb in black bean sauce was perfectly done, small slices of lamb, flavorful without making me sip water between bites, all around well done dish. The service wasn't great but it wasn't bad. Would have been nice to have faster water refills but everything else moved along smoothly.

    (4)

  • Joo K.

    Han Dynasty is one of my favorite restaurants in the city! They have amazing Sichuan style dishes that taste just as authentic as those I had in China. Their Chinese cabbage dish is an absolute spot on. Other dishes I love and order every time- Hot sauce chicken Pickled chili style fish and tofu Wontons in chili oil Their new dish called spicy fish tofu is ridiculously delicious! The best part about this restaurant is they cook their meat so tender I usually prefer tofu or vegetarian but not at Han dynasty!

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    Spectacular! The owner Han was our waiter and he offered to order for our party of five; a generous mix various spice levels that we all shared. This was a much better decision than the five of us ordering single meals. Han is a character, but we thought he was hilarious (I can see why those inferior humans without a sense of humor would find him otherwise). I can't wait to go again!

    (5)

  • G S.

    I've been back two more times - both times the service was better with a big but... In there for take out, I saw one of the waiters being rude to a table of people who were not offending. He came back and took my take out order. I made a wise crack about being able to be rude like that and he said... "hey the food is great here, I can throw some shit when I want to." Nice. Dick. And it was the same guy who threw some attitude at me. The dan dan noodles and cucumber in chilly sauce are terrific. The other dishes I've had there are so damn loaded with garlic that it wreaks out of me for days afterwards. Their three cup chicken is especially guilty of this. If you want that, go to Empress Garden. I had one of the duck dishes which was an absolute disappointment. They chop the duck up so its mostly bones and pieces where the feather starts are. You cannot take a bit of any of these. You have to pick it up with your hands and work to get at what ever little meat is on it. Those duck dishes are $18 to $20 bux. Really not worth it. All in all, I'll go back occasionally for the two dishes I like. If this is how traditional Chinese food is made, with all that garlic, then I'll gladly take a more westernized place.

    (2)

  • Jack P.

    We love this place for many reasons not just the spicy food, great friendly service, food is delivered quickly, inexpensive, great value, etc. We could eat here every week but since we have to come in from the western suburbs try to make it at least every other week We have experimented a bit with some misses but these are our favorite hits: - Dan-Dan regular spice level (5), - dumplings in chile oil regular spice level (4 on the menu but seem hotter) - cumin chicken (we get a 5 down from 7) this is still a very spicy dish but so good. - shrimp with crispy rice (not spicy) - good size and flavor - no mouth burn at all. - chicken with garlic sauce (regular spice level 3) - mildly spicy but very tame. call ahead or use open table for reservations on the w/e, or you will have to wait.

    (5)

  • Amber B.

    Moved here from San Francisco and I'll be the first to admit my husband and I are snobs about Chinese food. We were very hesitant at first but loved the food! I started craving the Dan Dan noodles the day after our meal...looking forward to my next trip and getting through some new items on the menu.

    (5)

  • Moe L.

    What a great meal! Four people, Tuesday night, seated in the upper level, good service We had: Dan Dan Noodles - awesome! warm, spicy and delicious Garlic Beef - so tasty most of us had seconds and thirds Hot Sauce Sichuan Chicken - very tender Bok Choy with Black mushrooms - just as it should be - crunchy at the base with tender leaves. Like I said - great meal and when I return next, i'll be sure to BYOB

    (5)

  • Lan G.

    I went to this Han Dynasty with a big group for lunch this Saturday. When we got there around 12pm, the place was empty. So we got good seating. And that's probably the only good service we got during our whole time there. Several things that threw me off: 1. I cannot do spicy food and I was glad that they noted on the menu they could alter the spicy level for each dish. But when I asked whether they can make it non-spicy, the waiter gave me a very scary look and told me that they cannot do it. 2. One person in my group ordered fried rice. Later on, the waiter came out and told her that they don't have enough rice so she had to order something else... my question is: what kind of Chinese restaurant can actually run out of rice??? 3. Another person in my group has very bad allergic reaction to MSG and asked whether they put it in their dishes. The waiter told us Chinese people has been putting MSG in their dishes for years and just kept going on and on. As someone who was born in china and had lived there for many years, I can tell you that's not true at all. After going through this kind of arrogant service, I probably won't go back there again...

    (2)

  • Melissa V.

    This was seriously the worst two minutes that I've ever spent in a restaurant. We walked in and there were very few customers and no employee to greet us. A server came out, and was friendly enough and said he'd be right with us. Then he came back, walked right past us, and went to answer the ringing phone. Then he proceeded to take a To Go order. That sucks when you are there, and you are ignored, while the person on the phone gets the attention. Then a man asked if had reservations. We said no. And he make a "that's too bad" face, and asked us if we wouldn't mind sitting at a small table. The restaurant was empty! So, we said nevermind, and we left. Then the guy that ignored us to answer the phone, came running out after us, and asked if there was a problem. Very confrontational tone in his voice. What a weird restaurant....

    (1)

  • Meghan W.

    I give kudos to Han Dynasty's owner for handling a difficult customer (me) last week. Because my taste in Chinese food is overly Americanized, I expected something to be breaded and fried. He explained to me that the dished aren't meant to be served as such. I went with recommendations from my dining buddies and was blown away by the most amazing appetizers I ever had. They far surpassed my main dish. I tried the crispy cucumber, won ton, and dan dan noodles (by far the best item). I will visit again and specifically order the appetizers!

    (4)

  • Sam R.

    Went again; Very similar experience, with some additions: Once again, food was wonderful, spic and complex, went great with a Yuengling lager. And again, service was almost comically bad. Other things we tried: Rabbit with peanuts: a delicious appetizer of VERY spicy succulen--yet-crunchy (a la carnitas) rabbit in a very spicy sesame sauce with crunchy peanuts. Also: pork belly in soy broth. Less spicy, with a generous helping of pork fat, a cold meat appetizer that could have been an entree.

    (4)

  • Mikey I.

    There was a point in my life where I didn't like Chinese food whatsoever. Those days are long gone and would have been eradicated much sooner had places like Han Dynasty been around. Truth be told, I have a palate that ranges from rags to riches. Honestly, often times, I'd be quite satisfied ordering a Curry Chicken Combo w/ PFR (Pork Fried Rice) at 4:30am with 'chicken' as questionable as the North Philadelphia neighborhood that housed the corner Chinese restaurant complete with bulletproof glass and ordering window. But I digress, Han Dynasty or "Handy Nasty" as it's come to be called is truly remarkable. I had high hopes and they were completely fulfilled. I've had copious amounts of Chinese food, everywhere I go, in the full gamut: urban corner takeout places, modest strip mall restaurants and reasonably upscale dining. My first experience with Han Dynasty was amazing. The dishes all seemed a bit atypical from your average and expected offerings such as Kung Pao and General Tso's, that's a good thing. What exists is really a nice selection of dishes, notably ones that cater to those who prefer some spice in their meals. Service was adequate when it comes to your typical attentiveness. One thing that I truly appreciated though was the capability and insistence to speak up when there's better pairings and choices to be had. For example, I had my mind set on Cumin Beef as I tend to just avoid lamb being that it doesn't really do me well/there's something about it I don't like. The server suggested otherwise and I was wholeheartedly satisfied with his suggestion and appreciated his advice. Lastly, protip: I'm a big fan of insanely spicy food but generally speaking still order things so that they've got a good kick to them but still tolerable to eat in long sittings. That being said, I'd stick to around 7 or 8 on most things, which is probably higher than most people. I'd like to see somebody order the spiciest dish at a 10, I don't think that'd even be edible by most people. Also: Get the dumplings in chili oil. You won't be disappointed. One visit warrants 5 stars from me, I'm craving going there again. With my constant desire to check out new places and never hit up the same spot twice so often... this is pretty remarkable.

    (5)

  • Jonny R.

    The best Chinese and specifically szechuan food in town. Super authentic from what I understand and really incredible. Dan dan noodles are a great choice here, and ordering from the "wet" and "dry" sides makes sense, too. Though you could blast yourself with super hot food all the way, try to pick a few dishes in the above six and a few below five to balance yourself out. They actually rate the the dishes based on spiciness too. BYO is possible, and now they have a liquor license.

    (5)

  • Jon L.

    One of the many branches of this yummy Sichuan food empire. This location is relatively newer and has a classy, somewhat palatial feel. Food is pretty much like all of the other Han Dynasty chain..just in case anyone wants to know, I like my food spicy but not burning hot, so I tend to get around a spice level 5 or 6. Also, the cold appetizers are great here..get the pork belly, beef tripe, and spicy crispy cucumber. As many others have said, book early as this place fills up! Which is understandable given that the food is yummy. Nom nom.

    (4)

  • Paul L.

    My feelings with Han Dynasty is very complicated. Han Dynasty is pretty much the last meal I've had with my now exboyfriend sending off a mutual friend to Chicago, which proved to be painful in many levels. I had put off finishing/restarting this review for that reason. It was also a reunion meal with said friend when he came back to visit Philadelphia. At the same time, I like spicy food but not really Handy Nasty spicy. The owner Han is a very interesting character, he does go around and tell his customers what to order which is only appropriate. If you go to a sushi place in Japan, the chef will only give you the freshest and best dishes, the chef/owner do know best and why would you not listen and follow suit? Wonton in chili oil is awesome, I only wish there were more. same goes to the green bean noodles, and dan dan noodles and cold noodles in chili oil. Since they are similar in nature, you wouldn't want to order all the noodles together but they are spicy with a savory, almost meaty afterkick and leaves you wanting for more. The spicy cucumbers are cool and hot at the same time. Beef and tripe in chili oil are only good for the ones who dare eat tripes. My favorite dish at Han's come in the form of double cook fish. They are lightly fried in a black bean and leek stir-fry, it's soft inside with a crispy outside. It reminds me of the Chinese fried salt and pepper calamari only done better. Cumin lamb is served on a tiny metal plate atop a small stove which gave me a distinct Tibetian feel. double cooked pork belly is good but not superb. The scallion beef and tea roast duck are good but not entirely memorable. My friends ordered a level 13 dish and I ended up scraping away the chili powder and paste that coated on the meat before taking a bite. My friends were saying that it's still not spicy enough and will order level 18 next time, guess I won't be dining with them. After a while I realize that the spiciness are pretty much the same. I mean it is the same kind of spiciness that dulls and paralyzes your tastebuds. You can't taste any other flavors in the dish. It can get old, but for now it's still a novelty. Yes service can be better, but if you're a fan of spicy food. This should be a good place to go. Oh and water doesn't help spice, I heard. Apparently wine does a better job.

    (3)

  • Ginny M.

    Extremely well-prepared dishes. When an item is listed as served with vegetables X, Y and Z, it has a lot of them, not just a token shred. Anything described as having "garlic" is full of just that - we were brushing our teeth and/or using mouthwash with great frequency for days afterward. This is in contrast to many times (at other restaurants) when there is the claim of using garlic but little evidence of it. The heat ratings were helpful but a warning - they go 1-10, so if you think you're adept at eating spicy hot food, and order a 7, be prepared to have a mouth-burning experience.

    (4)

  • Erica E.

    Han's food is great. The dan dan noodles and double cooked chicken are 2 of my favorites. But beware, the spice level seems to change depending on the day. The dan dan noodles are an 8 and the double cooked is a 4 but there have been times where the double cooked is soooo much spicier than the dan dan and other times where it lacks any spice at all. Despite this I have always been extremely happy with my meal here. If you like spicy food you cannot go wrong here

    (4)

  • John B.

    Han Dynasty is an exciting restaurant that seems misplaced in this urban theme park neighborhood. But I'm not complaining. A vigorous culinary experience is worthwhile anywhere. I've eaten spicier meals than the rabbit dry pot. A particular dish of chicken and chili oil once enjoyed in suburban MD will always set the standard. But the HD meal was a more intense sensory experience. My lips vibrated and I had the repeated distinct sensation that my head had been tightly wrapped in a burlap sheet. I have never wrapped my head in a burlap sheet. I don't even know what a burlap sheet is. It is just that the words, "it feels like I am being punched in the face, but it doesn't hurt because my head is snugly wrapped in this burlap sheet" kept popping through my head. I feared the waiter's interruption of this bizarre experience. It wasn't until I had walked nearly to 12th Street that I felt myself "sobering up." There is a distinct enthusiasm for cumin. This is not one of my favorite spices, especially in high quantities. However, the boldness of this cooking, the confidence in bright and aggressive flavors, the punch. These are admirable qualities. Even the Inquirer got it right for once: This place is excellent.

    (5)

  • David F.

    Well, how can you argue with consistency. I have consistently gone to Han Dynasty (in Royersford and Philly) and each time I go I am blown away. This time I happen to go with my good friend 'Limey Sam' and it was to watch Han's Food Network debut. Good friends always make the experience that much better. Han served up a delicious grouping of courses we could all share at our round table (complete with a lazy susan to distribute the food). The rabbit was particularly good and spicy as hell. The tripe once again continues to surprise me. How Han can prepare it to have the texture and taste of an al dente pasta is beyond me but somehow he does it. Trust me, order the tripe and try something new. You'll be pleasantly surprised how if you expand your mind to accept other peoples culture and food that you'll find new foods you enjoy and even love. If you're not sure how to order just ask Han and he'll be more then glad to push you in the right direction. If you feel adventurous and want to experience the full 'Han Experience' then ask Han to order for you and get ready for an full sensory experience in authentic Chinese cuisine.

    (5)

  • Rob Y.

    Came back again earlier tonight. Ordered the following: 1) Twice-cooked pork = Can't remember if I've ever had this dish done this properly since my visit to China back in 2007. Thank you Han Dynasty. 2) Three-cup chicken = Chicken...so tender. Sauce...so flavorful. Mmmm...hungry again as I type this. This dish is a winner. Everyone should try this. 3) "Shui Zhu Yu Pian" (forgot the actual name on the menu...Sichuan spicy boiled fish?) = My #1 favorite Sichuan dish. This is one of the dishes I use to rank how legit a Sichuan restaurant is. The fish was done properly. The sauce had a lot of heat...punches you in the face in a good way. Han Dynasty succeeded with this dish. 4) Dan Dan Noodles = I ordered this the first time I visited this restaurant. I ordered it again tonight. What do you think that means? Yes you are correct my friend,...it's that damn good. Upgrading this place to 5 stars. This is the best Sichuan restaurant I've visited SO FAR in the US. And It is certainly is the best Chinese restaurant in Philly.

    (5)

  • William J.

    This is easy. This is easily the best Chinese food I have ever had. To all the naysayers who complain about Han, he is really a nice guy just different. We have been several times with our little kids and the whole staff has been very accomodating. Things do not always run smoothly there, often a wait for a table or food, and the waitstaff, well, not a professional waitstaff but they run around like crazy and are very nice. So if you can put up with the little idiosyncrasies in service, etc. the food is absolutely amazing. We have been there a dozen times by now and have tried almost everything. Highly recommend lamb cumin style, beef/tripe in chili oil, DanDan noodles, Twice cooked fish, dry pepper chicken, spicy cucumber app, I could go on and on. Everything I have ever had is really that good. This is the only restaurant I can currently think of that would make me seriously upset if it went away. There is nothing like it in Philly.

    (5)

  • Tom P.

    Great experience! Food was definitely amongst the most unique Chinese cuisine. I found their pepper ratings on the menu very useful, though one was off...the dumplings were amazing but were hands down the spiciest dish I've ever had. I can't wait to go again...I highly recommend this place. Give them time, as they are still new.

    (4)

  • Shaina F.

    Pretty great first time at Han dynasty, it won't be my last! We got the famous dan dan noodles (heat = 6), the dumplings in chili oil (heat = 4), the shrimp dry pot (heat =5) and the chicken pepper dry pot (heat =5). MY MOUTH IS STILL BURNING, I think the dan dan noodles were a little too spicy for us, so after that my tongue just remained flaming for the entire meal haha but it was really delicious. The chicken pepper dry pot was awesome, the chicken was really crispy, almost like popcorn chicken. This is one of their pots that is absolutely dry, so if you are looking for a sauce for your meal this probably isn't the one for you. But I loved it!! I think next time if we tone down the heat to start off with, we might be better off in the end. He said temps 4-5 are about sriracha spice, but I think it's a little hotter than that. Either way after this heartburn gets under control I'm running back here for more!

    (4)

  • Jacqueline R.

    And I now have a new superhuman power after eating my first meal at Han Dynasty, being able to breath fire! I don't consider myself very good with spicy meals, but I went in warned. And I ended up loving everything. My date and I shared the wontons in chili oil, the cumin lamb and a special soft shell crab dish I'd read about in another review. The wontons were airy and delicious, the lamb was cut very thin and was especially tender. I didn't notice until eating my leftovers just how many pepper seeds were throughout the dish. No wonder it had so much heat. The softshell crab was like walking into an Asian market. An almost overpowering scent that was especially unique. I'd suggest bringing wine as that helped combat the heat. As far as the service we encountered a very nice host who got us seated quickly. And our server was able to accommodate our requests for making things a little less spicy. I don't think I would have been able to handle much more. I just finished the leftovers and can't stop thinking about more.

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    I think the mass infatuation with Han Dynasty is because most people are unfamiliar with Szechuan and Taiwanese cuisine. Most Americans don't know much about Chinese food outside of sesame chicken and other Americanized takeout dishes. They have no idea that there are actually several distinct regional styles of Chinese cuisine, or that Chinese food comes in spicy varieties. Yes, the food is good. Yes, the slightly soapy-tasting numbing burn will melt your face off. But after going with 9 people and trying one of almost every type of dish (with different proteins), I have come to the conclusion that most of the dishes taste kind of the same. Sure, there were a few standouts. Dan dan noodles, I will always love you. Beef with long hots were good, as was a similar beef dish with bamboo shoots and more veggies. But many of the dishes were just fine, and tasted exactly like the next one. I will say that for $21 per person, we did get a lot of food. However, many restaurants in Chinatown are cheaper and their dishes more varied. The worst part of the whole experience was the downstairs dining area with huge tables for groups of 8-12 people. Due to a combination of multiple large parties screaming across giant tables in a small space and people drinking too much due to the BYO policy, it was ear-splittingly loud. I suppose it's fine if you're already drunk, but if you're not, good luck shouting to your dining companions. Furthermore, they were out of glassware, they gave us crappy plastic-sheathed photocopied menus, the walls are a drab prison-cell gray (complete with patches of spackling), and there were these ugly wall sconces that must have been installed long before Han was even born. It was kind of like dining in an unfinished basement. It just didn't seem like they put any love or thought into the downstairs area. It was comparable to your average hole-in-the-wall in Chinatown, which would be fine if they weren't charging an Old City premium for the food. The best part was the free penis-shaped silly band left on our table by the bachelorette party before us. Overall, I would recommend coming here with no more than 4 or so people. You will be seated in the nice upstairs area, and you will not order enough dishes to notice that many of them taste the same. And I would focus more on appetizers and noodles than the main dishes. Sorry, Han. I'm gonna have to deduct a star for this downstairs experience.

    (3)

  • Vahan A.

    Service wasn't too bad. Forgot to bring our drinks several times. Gotta leave 2 stars.

    (2)

  • Lisa C.

    The only place in Philly that we ate at that I didn't like at all. It was hard to get a small vegetarian dish there that was well balanced. You could get a big plate of tofu but you couldn't get any veggies with it. You could get veggies but not with tofu in it it. Not a happy camper.

    (1)

  • Alexandra P.

    I came here with high expectations because everyone raves about it. We had the dan dan noodles, dumplings, tofu seafood soup, and garlic chicken. Everything was tasty but very oily. I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves spicy food.

    (4)

  • David R.

    Very loud and food made me horribly (and quickly!) sick with the runs. I will never return.

    (1)

  • Maria G.

    I had high expectations based on great yelp reviews and recommendations. But I do have to give 3 stars. First of all, the decor was absolutely stunning. This was the first time I have ever visited an Asian restaurant with such beautiful interior design. I was absolutely taken away. Unfortunately, that was THE highlight of my visit. They do have a full bar. I read reviews and heard that it can get super crowded here so I came right at opening. Fortunately only several tables were occupied. I was seated right away and given a large menu. I definitely went with its lunch special. The menu definitely seemed promising as it offered real authentic Chinese food options. I haven't had the bok choy with mushroom for so many years so I went with it. I also got the west lake beef soup and garlic sauce style chicken. You can order lunch (smaller and cheaper) portion for most dishes, which is nice. My garlic sauce chicken was served first. It came as a surprise because I thought the soup would be served first. But that was not a problem. It was delicious but the flavor was still slightly Americanized as in the sweetness of the dish. The real garlic sauce style should not show too much sweetness. But, on the other hand, it was the closest garlic sauce style that I have tried in the U.S. so I definitely have to give it a thumbs up. The bok choy was served next. It was rather flavorless for some reason. It has been many years since I have tried the boy choy with black mushroom in mainland China so I don't exactly remember how it should taste like. But for some it was kind of bland. The soup came last and it was very watered down. I have ordered west lake beef soup at lots of Chinese restaurants on both the West Coast and the East Coast - unfortunately Han Dynasty served the least flavorless of all places I have tried. Overall, it did not live up to my high expectations. On top of that, my server didn't check back on my table to ask how my food was during my visit. Oh well.

    (3)

  • Raghav C.

    Solid spot for a sit down Szechuan Chinese meal at pretty reasonable prices. Best when you order for the table and share as dishes come out as they are ready. This place takes it spice levels pretty seriously and you can order any dish at a diff. spice level, so order with caution. The number next to each menu item is just their recommendation. I can tolerate medium spices and wish I had ordered a few notches lower than the recommended level. - Dan Dan noodles is always a hit. Noodles in chili oil - Dry Pepper Style Chicken was another favorite (aka ma-la chicken).

    (5)

  • Schuyler L.

    One of the best restaurants in the city just got better with this new location!! If you haven't been you should go! Get a small plate and two entrees or 4 small plates and you'll be set. You may run in to THE Han while you're there, but you won't realize it because the dude is so hard working he is hustling like the rest of the servers!

    (5)

  • Kelly F.

    So good! After eating a ton of Chinese I usually feel so gross but this place was amazing. My sister and I ordered the string beans, dan dan noodles (8), and cumin chicken (6). I think the numbered menu is very accurate describing HOW spicy dishes are. I really wanted the spicy hot pot (10) but my sister wasn't feeling it. Anyway, I totally agree that the spicy level isn't so intense that it overpowers all other flavors. It's basically a party in your mouth. DEFINITELY get the Dan Dan and string beans (ground pork comes on both). If you like cumin, the chicken is also good. Not too spicy at all. Also, our service wasn't bad at all. The water glasses were constantly full. I personally hate when servers are all up in your business the whole time you are eating. It took a little while to get seated but we went without reservations and it was pretty bumpin. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Wen C.

    No doubt the best Sichuan restaurant in Philadelphia, and one of the better ones between DC and New York too. The range of spice is impressive - if you like spicy food it this is the place. On the other hand, if you don't like spice just let them know since dishes are cooked to order. I had been going out to Exton to eat at their other restaurant but now that there is a location in Philadelphia couldn't be happier. The portions are big, so you'll probably have leftovers, which are great the next day when the flavors really sink in.

    (4)

  • jessie c.

    Holy Han. This is such a delicious restaurant with great service and atmosphere. I called ahead and spoke to Mark to get a table for 4 on a Sunday night. We arrived about 15 minutes early to our reservation. We checked in with Mark who took our number to call us when our table was ready. The restaurant was packed! At exactly 8 PM, we had a call from Mark saying our table was ready. When we sat down, we were immediately brought wine glasses for our wine (it's a BYOB) water and menus. We figured out what we were going to order and when we ordered, the waiter advised us that all of our dishes were sweet and that we needed some spicy to accompany our choices. He helped us tweak our order. It was an unexpected, but pleasant surprise to have a waiter actually consult us on our order. The food was outstanding - the cucumber appetizer and cold sesame noodles are great. We had a garlic beef dish, cumin lamb, and a chicken dish. We live in Texas and literally dream about the food. Run, do not walk or bus it to Han Dynasty.

    (5)

  • R U.

    I've been to Han Dynasty on multiple occasions and they have never disappointed. Their Dan Dan Noodles are amazing if you don't mind the calories. The dry pepper style and water boiled beef are also very good. The food here is on par with stuff you will find in Asia. I would stay away from their dry pot though, as it didn't taste as great when I tried it. Their portion sizes are generally very generous considering the quality and price of the food. A few complaints: they have no brown rice and they use A LOT of salt in their cooking (the spiciness masks this fact). Also, if you don't like spicy food, I would stay clear of this place as their non-spicy fare isn't extraordinary (it's not bad either, just not worth the price). Still, despite these flaws, if you like spicy chinese food that is somewhat affordable on a student budget, you won't find any better in Philadelphia. Will definitely keep on returning here!

    (5)

  • Noah W.

    For starters-I can't stress enough... 3 stars doesn't mean it was bad. 4 stars means I'm a fan, 3 means a-ok, so maybe I can say I'd give it a 3.5?! Maybe I hit the wrong night, wrong hour, wrong weekend-who knows. What I do know is that my experience was almost the opposite of many yelpers. To start with the positives-the staff was extremely friendly and very professional. I felt at home, and even the cooks would say hi and be friendly as they'd pass my table. The waiter was helpful with ordering, and was a pleasant surprise compared to some stories I heard about a snobbish wait staff. The artwork in the restaurant was beautiful, and I'm still debating on whether or not to buy one of the paintings that was for sale. I know that doesn't have diddly to do with the food, but they were very nice to look at while pretending not to people watch! The food was good. Possibly even above average. After so many amazing reviews, however, I was expecting to be blown away. The wontons in chili oil were definitely hot, but certainly did not rise to the occasion of orgasms and layers and so many other over-the-top descriptions that have been viewed on here. Yelpers exaggerate?!?! Ohhhhhhh never! Since I'm not particularly fond of extremely spicy food, the salt and pepper scallops seemed like a logical choice. When they came out, they were mouth burning hot. Not spicy-nuclear hot. After waiting about 10 minutes for them to cool, I got to enjoy them. Once again-if I were eating take out, it would be above average. After seeing so many stellar reviews, I was left disappointed. The scallops barely had any taste of fresh pepper, and the shredded vegetables under them seemed fitting for a decent coleslaw mix at a BBQ joint rather than as a base for an asian dish. If someone else wanted to go, I'd go again-but it just didn't seem to be anything amazing-unless friends want to impress each other with what number of spiciness they can reach, which seems to be a popular point in many reviews.

    (3)

  • Nassef G.

    Awsome food, great service. Love the BYOB, but is the uncorking charge nessesary? $8 to uncork a 10 bottle of wine is a little crazy! The Dan Dan noodles are incredible. Cant wait to go back!..I'll bring my own bottle opener..LOL

    (5)

  • Shannon S.

    One star taken off because the manager that night was a douchebag that night. Honestly I feel bad doing this, but you should never yell at another employee for no reason in front of customers. Especially when it the customers fault. We had been drinking prior to coming in and so we wear talking to anyone that would listen. It just so happened our server did. Which by the way he was awsome. We felt awful when we left as if it was our fault he got yelled at. We were the last ones in the resturaunt. The food on the other hand was amazing. The 3pot chicken and the Dan Dan Noodles which none of us had ever had before. BTW all our dishes were suggested and selected by the same manager. So props to him on that. The lamb was good and two people at the table were not lamb fans and they ate it up.Everything is fresh fresh fresh tasting. Whenever I am back in Philly I am going to Han Dynasty for Dan Dan Noodles and 3pot Chicken. I will definatly try something else on the menu. Randomly we found this place by stopping a nice looking couple on the streets when we were starving and cold looking for something new. LOVE LOVE LOVE. This is the Best Chinese Food I HAVE EVER had in my life! PS. The pictures dont do the food justice. You have to go and see for yourself.

    (4)

  • tony m.

    Open the door to Han Dynasty and open sight and taste to a new experience in Asian dining. Housed in the grand hall of the 1903 Corn Exchange Bank, the high pilaster lined walls, curving dark wood bar, sinuous staircase and table set in white simplicity accented by red immediately seduce. The flounder soup arrived within minutes. The bowl offered more than enough for the three of us. We eventually took half of it home. Rich and filled with large pieces of fish, the broth pleased taste and mouth feel. As you experience this dish you begin to realize that the heat of spice level matched the heat of the soup itself, an unusual and delightful sensation. Before we had finished our soup the other dishes began to arrive in rapid succession. While the rapid fire, all at once, serving style may be truer to an authentic Asian experience, I find it one of the two drawbacks of Han Dynasty. With so much on the table at once, you cannot savor each offering as you may wish. Not only that, but the dishes become cold. We asked for plates to cover them. With the entrées covered we sampled the dan dan noodles. While the immediate appearance suggests a bowl of Sunday spaghetti, the texture and mouth-feel waken something new: not quite chewy yet certainly not bodiless. The tongue and teeth are strangle aware of the grains and the process that created these exceptional noodles. Now we uncovered the other three entrées already on our table. Certainly tasty but not at all spicy, the scallion style, stir fried in hoisin and oyster sauce with onions and scallions suggested subtle flavors more than the sum of its ingredients. Rich in texture and taste the pork in sour pickled chili sauce and bamboo shoots transitioned between the other dishes while maintaining its own identity. The stir fried chicken with cabbage and celery in Sichuan chili oil hot sauce offered the most interesting dish enticing the palate with the complex textures and flavors. When it comes to price and portions, Han Dynasty does not disappoint. The lunch menu says we offer 60% off for 60% less food. But even at that reduction the servings were more than enough for three of us and we took home a good bit. The bill came to $48 for soup and three entrées before the tip. Of curious note Han Dynasty is the only Asian restaurant where I have eaten that has Western servers. The servers bring up another point. Why in such a beautiful space does the restaurant content itself with waiters in t-shirts and jeans? Casual has gone too far. When dining in a sophisticated setting, a server should be attired in white shirt and black pants. I'm having dinner, not having my gas tank filled.

    (4)

  • Emma M.

    Fantastic Szechwan meal--tasty and spicy, just the way I like it! Everything we tried was just delicious--Dan Dan noodles, crispy cucumbers, eggplant in garlic sauce, dry hot pot tofu, ginger duck, and a few other dishes that escape me in my current food-induced coma. Ditto for the homemade ginger drink...yum! Service was attentive and quick. Our waiter asked us about any dietary restrictions, then was very knowledgeable and helpful as we made our selections. The new location is spacious and beautiful, with high ceilings. Since they now have a liquor license, grab drinks at happy hour prices if you come for dinner before 7 pm.

    (5)

  • Steve S.

    We've eaten at 4 of Han's locations multiple times over the past few years, and the service has always been good to very good- but never exceptional. However, we just had the worst experience of bad and clueless service. We were excited to visit the new location across the street from their old place, since the space is a gorgeous old bank building. Turned out to be a major bummer of a meal and will be a long time before we go back for another try. 1- The hostess greeted us with an unfriendly and non welcoming appearance. 2- The first table were seated at was so uneven and wobbly that we asked if they would fix it or move us. So they moved us - the hostess had no interest in fixing it or mentioning it to the manager. 10 minutes later two other people were seated there and once they realized the table was wobbly they looked annoyed, and kept try to fix it to no avail. 2- The tables on both sides of us were empty for the first 15 minutes we were there, but they got their food 15 minutes before we did. 3- It took 25 minutes to get our soup. 4- It took 65 minutes to get our entrees. It would have taken longer if we didn't ask our server (when we could find him) what the problem was. 5- They did offer to deduct 10% of our check for their foul up. 6- The place looks like they just brought in a cleaning crew and opened up. Hardly any noticable change in design from the last occupant. Not impressed - they clearly did this new location on the cheap. It's such an amazing space (with 50 to 60 foot high ceilings) and if they just hired a consultant to make some inexpensive minor changes it could be so much better. 7- The bathrooms are dirty and not put together well. For a new place there's already graffiti in the mens room. Good management would have had their utility person remove it the next day. The floor in the mens room was discustingly dirty. It looked like it hadn't been scrubbed in days. PS: The food was as great as always, once we finally got it.

    (1)

  • T. T.

    It's the only restaurant on the street without a sign, but if you pay attention to the numbers, you'll find it. Website says street parking only, but there are a couple of lots within walking distance, one really overpriced one right across the street, but it was raining hard, so that's what we did. Having read other yelpers' reviews, we started with the spicy cucumbers and dan dan noodles. Really good...interesting flavors with a serious kick. We originally wanted the garlic chicken, but the waiter talked us into ginger duck. I usually like duck and was looking forward to it. Was disappointed that this was a no-sauce dish, since the sauce on the rice is one of my favorite things. Duck was a little overdone, but that could happen easily with matchstick cuts. The flavors were amazing. Unlike some other reviewers, we had great service. Attentive enough to keep things flowing, not so attentive that we weren't able to have a nice conversation. And once we got to talking we didn't stop...they were long past closed, but no one said a thing, they just let us sit there and finish. Will probably go again.

    (4)

  • Jen H.

    Everyone raves about the Dan Dan noodles here which are honestly good but I personally don't think they're THAT good. This particular Han Dyansty is also my least favorite since the decor is so meh. The dishes I seriously enjoyed were the pork belly and soft shell crab, which is served as a special on certain days. There is another lobster special that I've had which was really really really average. If you're offered it, don't get it. Although the dish is huge, it lacks some serious flavor. And at close to 60 dollars...go buy yourself something nice to wear instead. Han Dynasty has a decent variety of choices with the clever option of allowing for the moderation of spice depending on the individual. However, many of the entrees are essentially the same but just with a different protein. In all though, this is a good restaurant with good food.

    (4)

  • Steve C.

    To start, I've been to the Sichuan district in China known for their spicy (both hot and flavorful) and this is closest I've come to finding a restaurant that meets the amazing flavors of this area in both NYC and Philly. To say the least, I'm returning here a lot. Our waiter (as well as all of the staff) was very attentive. They allow you to alter what spice level you want for any of their dishes. I for one, love spicy food but I wouldn't go past a 7, while a 3 my minimum, I wouldn't try to do anything hotter even on a dare. Two things that knocked them down to a four star would be that the rice started sticking together in big clumps very quickly and became hard to eat with. Second their "special drinks" really aren't special just very sweet and not a lot of alcohol. Just stick with the regular drinks. Just make sure to book early!!! They fill up around dinner time on the weekends but what an amazing atmosphere. Can't wait to go with a big group and do hot pot!

    (4)

  • Katarina M.

    I want to give 5 stars but I just can't because I'm not a fan of spicy (I know I know, why did I go here?! It wasn't my choice) and this was the most painful meal of my whole life. Go here if you like spicy food. And only if you like spicy food. We tried to be careful because a few of us can't do particularly spicy food. Even the 3s are WAY spicy. And I'm not a complete wuss about spice either. But lord my whole mouth was on fire even with a three!!! Anyways, really, this place deserves 5 stars for people who like spice. I'm just angry that their spicy-meter is so biased (in my opinion!). Even my friend who likes spicy food was overwhelmed by how spicy it was. The flavors are so incredible, that's the only reason I kept eating. I mighttttttt go back, but only if everyone at the table agreed to order everything at a level zero if they could do it. Because I'm sure even THAT would have spice to it!!! Order what everyone else says: the spicy cucumbers, the dan dan noodles, the wontons in chili oil.... Yum. Oh, and they don't have milk to save your behind if you order above your spice tolerance. The waitress looked at me like I was crazy for asking! But then she realized why I wanted milk and suggested to eat rice and drink tea, and she brought me more rice. It was a laughable experience and my friend and I bonded over the pain of the meal.

    (4)

  • Zareen S.

    Don't hate me for this Yelpers. It actually is 3.5 for me. I want to give it a 4, but I cant. I have been here 4 times, one of which was on Christmas, each time I liked it less than the last. Probably because every time I went, I saw less and less meat, and more and more dried chilies. LESS MEAT? That never ever makes me happy! [i am borderline carnivorous] Anyhoo, I love the Bok Choy, Cucumber[AWSOME] and the Dan Dan noodles. DO NOT get the cold rabbit appetizer, was not good, it just was not prepared well. I really like the Dry peppered style chicken and Dry pot beef too. Cannot go wrong with Garlic sauce and Scallion either. I really wanted to try the Fish dishes, but never got around to it. If you think you can handle Cumin, go for it. I put cumin in everything! I would imagine the Lamb would be good like that, but we ended up getting the beef. I don't know, I just don't have a burning desire to come back, but I feel like I should. Maybe I'll go for the Bok Choy and eggplant since I am giving Vegetarianism a shot...Also, I felt like servers were not as attentive and everything took forever [not making shit up] I guess I just would like to feel more welcome ?

    (3)

  • Robert H.

    I love this place....but i hate when a server tells me we are slow because we are short staffed...not starting on good foot...especially since we didnt even ask...just do your best to serve with a smile

    (3)

  • Marc Y.

    Simply...The best Sichuan in this Hemisphere. 1.bp.blogspot.com/-nsIux…

    (5)

  • Brad H.

    I've come twice to this Han Dynasty and both times I was extremely happy. I decided to come here the other night after a seeing a movie down the street with my friend. After the movie, we sat at the bar at Han, ordered a few beers and ordered one small plate appetizer and one main dish to split (it was plenty of food for the both of us and we didn't even finish everything): BEEF TENDON APPETIZER: This dish was absolutely amazing. I can't remember if I had ever had beef tendon before but I would definitely order it again after trying this version of it. The dish was very spicy but it was balanced nicely with the Szechuan peppercorns in the dish. The beef tendon is cut into very thin long slices and it is surprisingly fresh tasting. It has great spice and flavor. MA PO TOFU: This dish is also great. The tofu is served with some ground pork and comes with a lot of broth. I definitely always ask them to make it spicy and they Han definitely delivers. I love Han. The food is great and I have not been disappointed yet.

    (5)

  • Rich D.

    I love this place...stop whenever I can; either at this location or the Cherry Hill one. I could eat the cumin style lamb every day of the week. But honestly, all of their food is good. I'm definitely a fan of their rabbit appetizer. People can argue about how authentically Sichuan it is...whatever. The only place I've actually had Sichuan food taste exactly like they serve in Sichuan Province was when I went to Chengdu. This place is well worth eating at.

    (5)

  • Danan R.

    I suppose our expectations were too high due to the glowing reviews but I actually found the food to be overly greasy and just mediocre, as well as in small portions. In all honesty, the same dishes are much better at E Mei and M Kee. The kung pao chicken was okay but oil and made with very small pieces of diced chicken that had a much too thick batter coating so that the meat inside was on the dry side. The seafood tofu soup was just very salty and contained MAYBE a few shards of shrimp; it was mostly a salty, thick gravy with a few scatterings of peas, carrots, and shitake. The black bean shrimp was very salty and the jumbo shrimp was rather dry. The twice cooked pork belly with scallions was just meh - the pork belly was not very tender and very dry and the dish itself was literally bathed in oil. Pork belly is supposed to basically melt on your tongue and this version was tough. The bok choy with black mushroom was also quite bland and I was almost shocked as this is a pretty standard dish that is made in every Chinese household. This version was basically steeped in a bath of vegetable oil with a very small dispersion of soy and wine. The dan dan noodles were my favorite part of the meal - they were flavorful, cooked to a perfect al dente, and blended perfectly with the minced pork and sesame soy dressing. I should also mention that, although the prices are double what is charged in a typical Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, the portions are half that size. Although your server will INSIST that their portions are huge as their dishes are served "family style." The service was not very good, in all honesty, and we had to chase down our waiter for everything, from taking our orders, to napkins, to tea refills, to our check even though it was not very busy tonight. Overall, not very impressed as I had been expecting much better but it is Old City and the ambiance is fun. If you want authentic Szechuan food, I would suggest Four Rivers, E Mei, or M Kee, all of which are located in Chinatown. No, you won't get the Old City setting but you will get MUCH better and more authentic food.

    (2)

  • Darrell L.

    I was skeptical about this place. All the reviews seemed too good to be true. Well they were right on the money great meal and I am highly impressed. I ordered the dumplings in chili oil the Dan Dan noodles and Garlic style sauce scallops all were cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. Our server Mark was great and attentive and was able to answer any questions and give great recommendations. I say definitely check this place out. I hope I can find an equivalent place back in CT.

    (5)

  • Geet M.

    Hold onto your taste buds, they're about to get scorched! I'm really used to restaurants serving "spicy" food that barely makes a cut...but this place gets ish done. Each item is marked on a scale of 1-10 spice level and trust me when I say that after 7 you're heading for some serious spice. The food plus the atmosphere gives it a high 4, the building has the most beautiful high (painted) ceilings (not exactly something I remember when this place used to be a club ;)). Would highly recommend dining in or taking out (they deliver too)...

    (4)

  • Eric N.

    What a really cool spot. Look like it had been a bank or grand room before it's birth as a restaurant. Roomy, kid friendly, large bar with TV's to watch the games. Waiter was very friendly and helpful. Had the mung bean noodles and Dan Dan noodles for an appetizer. Loved the Dan dan noodles, the mung beans not so much. Had Lo mein for the kids. Had the double cooked style chicken which was excellent. Good heat and flavor. Had the dry fry style with shrimp. Good heat, but fried shrimp were way too greasy. Overall, big portions, which usually is a death sentenace for the quality. Not so here. tastiness was excellent. They would do better to reduce the oil and grease quotient, but otherwise, very good asian food.

    (4)

  • Tony M.

    Not much of a quality choice for Chinese food in old city, this is the best, IF you like spicy. This is Szechuan food, very spicy, very good. When we want other Chinese we go to Chinatown. Great place to bring the heat. The Dan Dan noodles and Spicy Crispy Cucumbers are out of this world.

    (5)

  • Sam C.

    Great experience.. Dan Dan Noodles and Dry Lamb Pot were the best at a 5 for spicy. Food was good, a little too spicy (peppers extra hot), plenty to eat and price was awesome for five people

    (4)

  • Lauren J.

    If you live in Center City, why trek out of CC for Szechuan. Whenever my Rittenhouse Sq friends want to go to Old City for Szechuan, Jane G.'s is obviously the better option. Jane G's is in the heart of Rittenhouse Sq. The waitresses were more attentive at Jane G's. Better ambiance. Han Dynasty is fine if you don't live by Jane G's which is three blocks from my house and relatively new--which is why it is probably a bit on the empty side.

    (2)

  • Bob S.

    I was looking forward to trying this Han Dynasty after reading all the positive reviews and after having a truly wonderful meal at the Manayunk location. I ended up there with a friend on a Saturday afternoon. The dining room, situated in a part of the incredibly over-the top 1903 Corn Exchange Bank is delightful. Our server was great--attentive, friendly and helpful. We ordered dandan noodles, dry pot style fish and cumin style lamb. The most obvious problem was that every dish was swimming in oil. The spice level was fine; both I and my companion love spicy food. The cumin lamb, which I had raved about when I had it in Manayunk was overdone and dry and floating in a sea of oil. The dry pot style fish which our server had recommended was the best dish, despite the ubiquitous oil slick. My high expectations weren't met and I'm hoping the kitchen was just having an off day.

    (2)

  • Horatio J.

    It's spicy and it's great. Dan dan noodles are delightful. The hot sauce style with fish is probably the best dish on the menu. I usually go there a couple times a month and I never get seated in the basement.

    (4)

  • Larry F.

    My first time here was after a First Friday event. It was a great way to finish the night, and most importantly, it was the first time I tasted the oh-so-famous Dan Dan Noodles. Unfortunately, I think this set the expectations for everything else a bit too high. I don't remember what else I've had there, but after coming back there a couple times, I hate to say, but the food is honestly flat out over-priced. I came here for lunch once by myself, and I can't fathom how I managed to spend $30+ by myself. Sure I felt pretty full, but that's 6x the cost of my Chinese food truck lunches! If you're looking for an inexpensive, but authentic Szechuan food minus the Dan Dan Noodles, I recommend going to E Mei in Chinatown. On the other hand, service is always friendly, and this place is always so crowded. I recommend to request the little section by the window if you're planning on a date here (it feels a bit more private and quiet), elsewhere gets a bit noisy, especially if you catch a group of college students doing a BYO in the basement.

    (4)

  • Chris C.

    Han Dynasty is the BEST Sichuan restaurant in Philadelphia. I first heard about it through MvF on the travel channel. Adam Richman had come here and I saw the behind-the-scenes look at the place and I knew I had to come. Also, I'm a huge fan of Sichuan cuisine with its numbing Sichuan peppercorns. I've been here numerous times and have order a number of items on the menu. From red oil wontons, dan dan noodles, spicy Sichuan fish, beef stir fry with peppercorns, etc. It has all been great and I've never been disappointed. The service has also been decent despite it being crowded every time we've came. They have a downstairs seating area which is a big help since the main floor can easily get crowded. The prices here are also reasonable, but I'd suggest coming with a larger group if you can. That way you'll be order more than a few dishes. Overall, this is the play to go if you like spicy Sichuan food. The flavors are amazing and will appreciate Sichuan cuisine if you've never had it.

    (4)

  • Carol C.

    We came the Saturday after Valentine's day, so the place was really crowded, but the server was kind enough to reserve 2 bar seats for us (yes, this place has a full bar). We ordered dan dan noodles, vegetables with mushrooms, and a garlic chicken dish. They ended up giving us cabbage with chilli peppers instead of the mushroom dish, but it ended up actually being quite tasty, so we didn't mind the misorder as much. The dan dan noodles were pretty dang spicy, so be warned!!! The garlic chicken tasted like any other garlic chicken you would order at a chinese restaurant, except for double the price. Overall, a cutesy/clean/nice place to eat chinese food. However, if you're in the mood for hole-in-the-wall down & dirty real chinese food, walk about 6 blocks down to Chinatown.

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    The food here is definitely pretty spicy, but in a good way. The dan dan noodles are a must try, they mix it up table side and the noodles are nice and springy. Honestly the rest of the food I had was forgettable. It's a decent place to go but I'm not sure it deserves all the hype.

    (3)

  • Tyrell P.

    Great variety to choose from. The cumin style chicken and dumplings in chili oil are amazing! I also enjoy the spring rolls, dan dan noodles, cold noodles and chili oil yum! I think the atmosphere and food is a lot better at the old city location

    (4)

  • Jennifer G.

    Having been to the the old Han Dynasty location, their new home was a breath of fresh air. It was open and spacious whereas the old space always felt cramped. It's absolutely gorgeous inside, with high ceilings, tall windows, and ample space in between tables. They now offer a full bar instead of being a BYOB and their prices are reasonable on all the drinks. We initially had planned a larger group and wanted to do the tasting menu, but the snow kept a few people into staying home. The six of us who went expressed our interest in the tasting menu even though we didn't have as many people and they told us they have different "levels" of tasting menus and they could do one for us for $30 a person. We gave the OK and they asked us a few questions to tailor it to our tastes. They asked about dietary restrictions, vegetarians, and how spicy we could tolerate. What followed was 14 courses of amazingness. Some of the highlights for me were the spicy cucumbers, the dan dan noodles (of course), the cold sesame noodles, and the double cooked fish. Everything they brought over was fantastic, but those were my favorites of the night. The servers were all very friendly and quick to refill drinks, clear empty plates, or bring over more napkins (hey, I'm a messy eater!). Overall, it was a great night and I'm happy to see Han Dynasty in a better location!

    (5)

  • Tiara W.

    My Husband took me here last week after he was raving about it for over a month. His friends took him there before his bachelor party and he loved it. He bragged so much about the Dan Dan noodles. We made reservations so we got in easily and the food was great we tried the dan dan noodles and I had lamb and rice which was absolutely delicious we will be back. I plan to try the one in university city next time. Great experience everyone should go at least once.

    (4)

  • Kunal P.

    This is definitely your non traditional chinese restaurant. As per previous reviews, if you want spicy food, this is the place to go. By spicy, I mean overloading the dishes with fried dry red chillies. It works if that's your forte. I definitely liked it. I went with a bunch of friends and just let them order since they had been to this place a bunch of times already. We had dan dan noodles (absolutely to die for), spicy cucumber (might have been better if the cucumbers were chilled), Scalion pancake (?)(a good option to add on to your order if you were looking to cool down your palate for a bit), taiwanese sausage (pretty descent & sweet, also a good option if you find other dishes too hot and want to cool down your palate), some fish dish (which seemed like your ordinary batter dipped fried fish marinaded with dried red chillies - this was pretty hot - but the sweetness of the fish was a perfect match with minimal residual effects), and lastly, some spicy tofu dish. If I had ordered the food, I would have gone for a bit more spicier taste. But, then again, there was a group of us. I would definitely return to try out some of their other dishes, if not just for the dan dan noodles. The only reason for the lower rating is that, halfway through the meal, I got up to use the rest room to wipe off all the sweats trickling down from my head. The moment I walked into the bathroom, I was shocked at what I saw - an overflown toilet filled gifts left behind by someone (if you can picture it in your mind) - that just totally ruined my apatite for the night.

    (3)

  • Demo L.

    Excellent meal. It's true - the food here is spicy - it perfectly complements the food, isn't overpowering and doesn't linger in your mouth and body forever. Perfectly balanced. Started with Steamed Dumplings in Chili Oil, Dan Dan Noodles with Minced Pork and Spicy Crispy Cucumber. All were delicious. The Cucumbers are a MUST - they were amazing. Dan Dan Noodles were great - Dumplings were superb. Lunch-portioned entrees were: Chicken Dry Pot (ordered spice level 7); Fish Dry Pot (ordered spice level 7) and Chicken Garlic Sauce Style. Speechless. Just perfect. The Chicken Garlic Sauce Style was my favorite - cleared that plate. Paired well with the Cabernet. The shocking part... all that spice didn't leave us incapacitated for the rest of the day or overnight or the next day. It was a perfect meal and I can't wait to head back again. Leftovers the next day were still perfect. I wouldn't change a thing. Go. Order without modifying anything (except for the spice level) and enjoy.

    (5)

  • Susanne J.

    A truly memorable meal! We had a large party of 15 or so and had made a reservation so that we wouldn't be broken up throughout the establishment. We were promptly seated on the basement level of the restaurant, but you don't really need decor when you've got plenty of company. Initially, Han had suggested that we not individually order but allow him to present us with the chef's choice of dishes for our crew. Most were amenable to the idea but because of varying preferences in spice level we decided to buddy up and pick individual dishes to share. If I visit again with such a large group, I think I'll be more open to Han's suggestions now that I know that a spice level of 4 is really more like an 8 for me! Then again, I don't know how I'd feel if tripe showed up in front of me. The pork fried dumplings were tender and delicious and not at all couched in a ridiculous amount of chewy, dough that you find at other chinese restaurants. The cold sesame noodles, with just the right amount of tang, are a must in my opinion to give your palate a rest from the heat of so many chilis. I shared a plate of the garlic sauce style chicken and, while more spicy than I am used to, was still delicious when folded into fluffy white rice. Many of the guys in our group jumped right into the dry pot style dishes to prove their mettle in the face of the dreaded level 10. I'm happy to say everyone made it out alive after consuming many pitchers of water. We didn't get to experience Han's signature service, but our waiter was just as phenomenal - jovial and friendly and accommodating. The food was quite reasonably priced considering the portion sizes and quality of ingredients. I think when all was said and done between tax and tip, I paid $20 for my shared chicken dish and dumplings. I certainly appreciate that Han's provides free "refills" on rice. I wouldn't recommend this place for children given the spiciness of the food, but by all means skip the Stephen Starr, get your best friends together, pick up some wine or beer and treat yourselves to a delicious, filling meal. Then, head down the block and put out the fire in your tummy with good beer at Eulogy.

    (4)

  • Jason F.

    This is seriously one of the best Sichuan-style Chinese restaurants I've been to in the US of A. Reminds me of my time on the Mainland. Especially liked the Dan Dan Noodles, Spicy Crispy Cucumbers, Cumin-Style Lamb, Dry Pepper-Style Chicken, and Dry Fry-Style Beef. Yum.

    (5)

  • Erin G.

    I finally finally made it over to Handy Nasty, and I was not disappointed. Many people are scared of the hot hot heat that is Schezuan, but don't be afraid - Han has coded each menu item with a spice number. I know that I have a pretty solid spice tolerance, but really, the "10" here didn't kill me at all - just made me want more. This sultry dish was a "dry pot," a metal bowl of vegetables and meat (sadly, the cooks refuse to substitute tofu) in hot chili oil with plenty of fresh chilis over a flame. In theory, the flame "dries out" the dish before it reaches your table. We didn't find that to be the case, but it didn't affect the deliciousness of the dish. I had the pickled tofu which, coming in at a 5, made me concerned that it would be too tame. I asked our waiter to kick-up the spice quotient, and it came just perfect. On a side note, if you avoid pools delicious oil in your food, this is not the dish, or even the place for you. The oil helps to bring out the heat and flavor of the dried chilies, and is entirely necessary. That doesn't mean that you need to drink the leftover pool at the bottom of your bowl. After hearing so much praise about the Dan Dan noodles, we gave them a go and they were good - a spicy sort of cold sesame noodle, and definitely enough to share between two. With the addition of my companion's chicken dumpling soup (which he deemed fantastic) we ended up taking piles of food home. And of course, as a BYOB, we didn't spend too much money, either. So what's my criticism? Honestly, I almost had to drop two stars for the totally bizarre service. Different people were constantly arriving at the table to take our order (which one was our server? I don't know) deliver or take things away, and check on our meal. Really, like every 5 minutes. I was seated by an employee and then told by a different employees that my previous conversation didn't count because employee #1 "doesn't speak any English." The food came out blazing fast - they're just trying to get people in and out of the door. So YOU have to carefully pace your meal. Order one appetizer, then another, then wait away, then order your dinner. And try to ignore the distracted waitstaff and chef's fighting (and throwing dishes) in the kitchen.

    (4)

  • Heng T.

    Be prepared. Your gut will burn the next morning. But the pain is worth the pleasure of the most authentic Sechuan food in Philly. The spice ratings are accurate, as a 10/10 will make you sweat, but the spices are not painful at all to the palate. I've tried almost all of the dishes, and nothing has failed yet. The staff is very knowledgeable and will offer suggestions if it is your first time. Another great thing about Han Dynasty is that it is a BYOB...so bring your favorite beers. An outmeal stout goes well. A hoppy IPA will bring out the flavors even more.

    (5)

  • Jay L.

    my gf lived 2 blocks away when she was at penn.. food here is great. i usually get the fish and mapo tofu. overall the food here is great and service is good. only reason why i wont give 5 stars is because the food can be a bit salty at times. but overall its great. when me and my girl go we usually get 3 dishes and eat like pigs.

    (4)

  • Jihan D.

    Went on a Saturday night a couple of months ago. It was packed with a line out of the door so I would definitely recommend reservations. However, we waited about 10 minutes and one of the servers sat us at a table right up front. Score for us, sorry for those who were waiting longer. It did take awhile for a server to come around. We got the attention of what I'm guessing was a busboy and he said someone would be around shortly. He just ended up taking our order. I had the Dry Pot Pork which is a 10 on the spicy scale on the menu, but I asked them to take it down to an 8. OMG, it was great and just the right amount of heat to not kill me. My bf had the Garlic Sauce Chicken. That was great as well. I'm not going to knock them for the slow service because the place was definitely slammed. There were at least 3 large groups. It really wasn't that bad and the food is absolutely worth it.

    (5)

  • Joe G.

    Some of the most unique Chinese food I have ever had. When planning a trip to Philadelphia and ready various websites about the best places the to eat, Han Dynasty name kept appearing. Before making the trip up from DC to Philly, I made reservations for a Saturday evening. If you're coming here on a weekend, I'd definitely plan on making reservations. The host at the front had to turn people away from coming because the wait would have been at least two hours. The food here isn't the traditional Chinese food you're probably used to. It's all really spicy and the spice levels on the menu are definitely accurate. We got the dan dan noodles that were recommended my the waitress. These noodles didn't taste spicy at first, but after a few minutes the heat hit. However, it was a pleasant and sustained burn, For an entree, we order the the dry fry style beef. The texture of the beef slices was very crispy and unlike anything I've eaten before. There are some hot chilis in this dish definitely bring the heat, so after eating one I picked around the rest. Also, it was a smart move to order a non-spicy vegetable to cut down on the heat from the meat. We got the string beans with minced pork and the saltiness of the pork aided in putting the fire out in my mouth. Coming from DC, it was cool to bring our own wine and the $10 corkage fee is not outrageous. Also, Han Dynasty is in a great location in the Olde City right next to the Penn's Landing area.

    (5)

  • Gene D.

    Not much to add too all the other 5 start reviews except: If you've look at any review here and perhaps noticed the word Szechuan anywhere you might have had a clue that the food is spicy hot. If not, listen. It's hot. So what do you say you not give them a one star review because the food is, well, hot?

    (5)

  • Jason Y.

    Definitely one of the most authentic Sichuan food in Philadelphia! Prices are exceptionally reasonable, and if you go with a large group, you can try a large variety of different dishes (many of these dishes you can't get in Philadelphia's Chinatown). This place has become a regular hang outs for my friends and me... the fact that Han Dynasty is a BYO helps (though Han is working on getting a liquor license). Dishes run from non-spicy (highly recommend the tea marinated smoked duck) to spicy and the exotic 'ma la' (dishes cooked with a peppercorn like spice that actually numb your mouth as you eat it). In short, for the breadth and quality of the food, the fact that it is (currently a BYO), and the amazing price Han Dynasty gets my two thumbs up!

    (5)

  • Michael X.

    Hands down the best Sichuanese Restaurant in Philly. If I'm not mistaken, they have two separate menus, one with Chinese and English and one just English. If you want the real deal, ask for the bilingual menu. The atmosphere is great, love their art collection. The service is friendly and if you run into Han he's a great guy to chat with. They have a upstairs and downstairs. The highlight is the monthly Sichuan food taster, which I have not been able to go to yet. Apparently you get to taste over 20 dishes which just sounds heavenly to me. They also have a lunch menu which comes at smaller portions but the same quality which is great if you want to try different dishes at smaller portions. The Dan Dan noodle is decent, so is their Ma Po Tofu. Try anything that is spicy, because that is what Sichuan cuisine is all about. (I'm from Sichuan) Wonderful spot for a Sichuan person to go to for home food. Please serve Hotpot soon!

    (5)

  • Emmett M.

    So this is what Chinese food tastes like... With over 70 of them already yelped, I am writing this review to agree with anyone else who gave a five star rating. Like many of you out there, I know diddly about Chinese eating (except that the rubbish I've had tends to make my plumbing work faster), so having Han himself order for my table meant I expected the best, and he didn't disappoint. A crew of 11 stopped in on a fairly busy Saturday night with bottles of wine in hand and began planning our orders; luckily, this is when the master himself stepped in. The Dynasty must have seen we were ordering enough grub to satisfy the first and second strings of a professional football team, so the friendly and patient fellow took over and made sure we were getting meals we would actually eat, at the proper spice range for the entire group to enjoy, and in the right amount so that we wouldn't be left with mounds of food on our Lazy Susan (that useful center piece entertained us all night). Here is a list of all the stellar dishes we got down on: (No description simply means it was absolutely great) *Noodles in Sesame oil *Dan Dan noodles- Damn good, but nice and spicy too. I was sweating when finished..... just thinking about it makes me want more *2 orders of wantons in chili *Spicy crispy cucumbers- Spicy, yes, but cool and pallet refreshing as well... a nice way to break up the other hot stuff *Taiwanese sausages- a very good and sweet plate of sausage that i could have happily eaten all of myself *garlic sauced beef *Scallion chicken *Black bean chicken *?Chicken with dry pepper?- (I can't recall the name exactly, but it came from the popular last week portion of the menu) very good, it came breaded and seems as close as you can come to a general tso dish on the menu. A definite crowd pleaser as well *Some type of shrimp dish that never made it to me (because I don't eat sea life) *String beans with pork All diners were very pleased with all aspects of the night, especially when the bill came to under $20 each, tip included. The whole ordering things everyone could handle kept me from getting into the super hot entrees (I am looking at you dry pepper chicken and dry pot pork & rabbit, and possibly even the tripe), but it will happen. What also will happen are frequent missions to score me some Dan Dan to go; it was soooo good. *****Extra points given in rating for no urgent next day bathroom runs!!!!*****

    (5)

  • Ryan W.

    I can't think of anything that would make me give Han Dynasty less than 5 stars. I visited Han with a group of friends (5 of us) for a bachelor party. Although there was a table ready on arrival, it wasn't big enough for the five of us, so we asked if we could get a bigger table. We were told we could be accomodated but would have to wait about an hour. This was fine as they were very friendly and accomodating to us. We returned in an hour, were brought downstairs to a large table and were immediately taken care of. We had a wonderful server who brought us drinks, provided some awesome suggestions and kept us extremely well-fed. Nobody is joking about the heat. The food is HOT, coupled with the restaurant itself which doesn't help matters, lots of customers, a hot kitchen, spicy food and small space all equal sweaty people. There were so many things we got to try that night that I can't really single anything out for being better than the other. I was just so impressed by everything I had, I can't wait to go back. Thanks for the great experience, the incredibly spicy, delicious and unique food, and the service! Just... know beforehand (not like you haven't been warned 113 times,) the food can be spicy! But you can request it to be less spicy.

    (5)

  • Jenna M.

    Ahh the Handy Nasty. This place has been reviewed and hyped far and wide, so I'll just hit the highlights: (1) Szechuan peppercorns. These unassuming little suckers turn spicy food into a psychedelic experience. The first time I had them, it felt like my lips were buzzing. Water didn't taste like water anymore. Yeah, heavy. But it's a good pain. And it leads to... (2) Addiction. I've literally woken up in the middle of the night thinking about dan dan noodles. If I go a week without having fish in dry pot style, I start to experience withdrawal. This food is THAT DAMN GOOD. On the other hand... (3) Tasting menu. I'm gonna disagree with the crowd and say, pass on this. Thanks to Craig LaBan, you need to book this months in advance. When I finally went, the dishes weren't all that special. Worse, though, despite having a reservation for a group my friends and I ended up at the "communal table" in the basement. It was a very Oliver Twist experience: we'd watch a bowl of food get placed on one end of the table, then passed down, passed, passed.... when it finally reached us, there wasn't much left, and further down the line yet more people were hungrily eyeballing that same bowl. I'll take a regular night at Handy Nasty any day.

    (4)

  • Daniel R.

    This place is unlike any Chinese restaurant I've ever been to. I stumbled onto this place just walking around looking for a meal and I knew from the moment I opened the menu that I was going to love it. I've come to terms with the fact that I'm a spice addict and Han has all the heat I can handle! It reminds me a little of a Thai restaurant with the different degrees of spiciness labeled on the dishes but of course in a Chinese style which is light years removed from the predictable menus of every other cookie cutter Chinese restaurant. The dishes are very inventive, creative, and fresh and the ingredients compliment each other so well that I find myself eating everything together instead of pushing certain veggies to the side which I tend to do at less delicious places. The portion sizes are pretty good i think (of course, when it's this tasty you always wish there was more!) When my out of town friends come to visit me, this is where I take them for dinner!

    (5)

  • Adam P.

    I went to Han Dynasty and tried the dan dan noodles and dry cooked pepper chicken. I've eaten these dishes at several competing restaurants, and must say that the food tasted just as it should. The dry cooked pepper chicken made me slighly perspire - mmm mmm good! The waiters were very attentive and offered me napkins and more rice when both ran out. As for the atmosphere, the place was nicely, but unmemorably decorated. The food was priced competitively with similar Sichuan restaurants in Chinatown. To conclude, if you want to get Sichuan while in Old City, come here!

    (5)

  • G. S.

    I'm heartbroken that I live in New York and therefore can't eat at Han Dynasty as often as I'd like (meaning daily). I was visiting friends in Philly this past weekend and they introduced me to this fantastic place. I'm no stranger to great food, living and dining in Manhattan, but I can honestly say this was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The menu is full of the usual "standards," but there is nothing standard about any of these dishes. The cold sesame noodles were AMAZING (I considered ordering another bowl) and the garlic chicken was fantastic - just the right amount of garlic and just the right amount of "spice." The staff was also wonderful - we explained what we liked and they made recommendations and Han even came over to our table to make sure everything was to our liking. Can't wait to go back when I'm in Philly next! Definitely call and make reservations 'cause word spreads fast and this place is sure to be a hot spot!

    (5)

  • April K.

    This food is DIFFERENT from most Asian cuisine you have tried before. Szechuan Peppercorns give the food an exotic, spicy, numbing feeling. It is addicting and makes you eager to come back for more. I have tried most of the menu, and I highly recommend the: double cooked fish, cumin lamb (and usually I am not a huge fan of lamb), beef dry fry, dumplings in chilli oil, and pork with bean curd (which is not on the menu, but still offered). Others rave on about their DanDan noodles, but I found them bland in comparison to the other menu choices. This is not the best place to bring your vegetarian friends, and is no longer a BYOB. Plates are great to share and served family style. However, I have noticed the downsizing of their portions since they've opened. Bring more people, so you can try more things. Prices are reasonable. Atmosphere is average. Bathroom is usually unkempt. The only reason I would not give this restaurant five stars is for one reason only, the customer service SUCKS. When you walk in, you are not greeted or even acknowledged, and just stand there with the rest of the confused mob, waiting to be seated. When you finally are seated, you need to stalk the server for a menu and a water. When you need to place your order or pay for your check, you again need to be in stalk mode. They are very inattentive, even on slow days. Like I said the food is addictive, and the only reason I am an avid frequenter of this joint.

    (4)

  • Michael B.

    The food is really, really delicious and I will go back! One of my favorite things is their willingness to provide a fixed-price banquet ($20-$25) with no advanced notice. My only issue is that the delicious food arrives so quickly in overwhelming quantity that it is difficult to savor anything. I am going to make some suggestions that have nothing to do with food because they are too close to excellent to be kept away by a few things that are easily fixed. Both of the large round tables at which I have been seated on different occasions were very unsteady (don't lean too hard on the table edge). On one of the tables the revolving tray (lazy susan) did not revolve (inconvenient with 9 people). Try to avoid the basement dining area. It has a low ceiling and it is very loud when fully occupied. It is also a little shabby and the toilets were out of order. BYOB.

    (4)

  • Alyssa P.

    Three words: Dan dan noodles! Also, nothing is as spicy as you'd think. Trust me. If I can handle it you can too. The service is a little strange but nothing offensive, just kind of amusing.

    (5)

  • Richi T.

    We came here for a birthday party on a Friday night, and had a great night. Between the 12 of us, we ordered 7 dishes, and the the bill came out to less than $10/person. Two dishes stand out: Dan Dan Noodles and the Double-Cooked Fish. Both dishes were spicy and flavorful. I will definitely come back to this place!

    (5)

  • Omar G.

    The class of Taiwanese dining. Order some dandan noodles (without pork, as I prefer) and fish in hot sauce (not terribly spicy if you have some tolerance for it) and you will walk away with an enjoyable experience. Or let me phrase it this way; when out-of-towners come to visit and say they don't want to do cheesesteak, this is where I take them. Worth the trip, worth the circling to find parking, and worth the wait (unless you call ahead). Worth it and more.

    (5)

  • Tim M.

    If it was based on food alone, Handy Nasty as I like to call it would be 5 stars. But living and working in the neighborhood, I gotta put these guys on blast. On NUMEROUS occasions, I've watched the cooks walk outside the restaurant, blow snot rockets into Chestnut Street, wipe their hands on their aprons, and go in back to work. It's f'ing hysterical how they aren't even trying to hide it. Maybe they wash up after, maybe they don't. But obviously a potential customer doesn't wanna see that, and it's turned my stomach plenty of times. Han, you're the man and your food is off the chain, but crack the whip on your staff bro! Disgusting!

    (2)

  • Lisa Y.

    - Beef & tripe in chili oil: spicy, but not too bad. I love spicy foods and was expecting an over the top burn in my mouth but it didn't happen. Very flavorful, loved the cilantro, peanut, sesame seeds! - Spicy crisp cucmbers: loved it! This dish was also

    (4)

  • Emma N.

    My Actual rating is 0.5 star, only if i can.....I give the 0.5 because it's BYOB and the location (Olde City)...but i was told by management BYOB is going away soon because they got a liquor license now. As for the food, I'm not sure if it's because of all the liquor that other people are drinking before they come here to eat or the ones they drink during the meal...but i really can't see how Han Dynasty is rated that high. This is the second meal that I wish i can ask for my money back! I was here for a birthday party so I can't send my food back in; we're a group of 15+. We ordered quite extensively and I haven't started drinking yet. So my review isn't skewed by alcohol. We ordered and I tasted all: Appetizer * Chicken in Chili Oil * Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce * Beef & Tripe in Chili Oil * Beef Tendons in Chili Oil Entree * String Beans w/ Minced Pork * Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce * Fish Dry Pot Style * Three Cup Chicken * Fish Black Bean Style * Chicken Garlic Sauce Style Everything we order is poorly executed, even down to the simple task of cook steam rice! This place is a joke, how can you not know how to cook rice and call yourself Chinese (Szechuan) restaurant. It's just putting it the rice cooker with the proper level of water and "push" the cook button. Han Dynasty rice is hard and dry, the rice kernel haven't even popped yet and they are serving it to their customers. There's only two reasons for this rice debacle (improper rice to water ratio during the cooking process or just plain undercooked). I love Szechuan food and I eat it quite often, so I had the good and the bad. Han Dynasty was in a league of its own. It's just a small step above inedible. I don't understand how all the appetizers we had can be so salty and taste the exactly the same, just plain hot! It's like they just threw a fistful of salt, and then lather it with chili oil. Szechuan cuisines are known for having slow simmering spice, each spice touching different taste buds creating this complex level of spicy and distinct flavor. Hans Dynasty, their so called "Szechuan" food either tasted, salty, spicy (as in all hot and no spice), bland, undercooked or overcooked. Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce was very salty with a hit of sourness. The Fish Dry Pot Style was overcooked, and bland. Three Cup Chicken VERY SALTY! I used the hot tea and washed the sauce away from the chicken, thinking I can savage it. It was STILL VERY SALTY after 3 wash, so I just gave up. Fish Black Bean Style was very dry...either they used frozen fish and fried it or they just overcooked it. I didn't care of the sauce it came with. It tasted like it came from the Lee Kum Kee can. Chicken Garlic Sauce Style, I had better in Chinese take-outs, it tasted the same as the Eggplant sauce, very salty with a hit of sourness. The String Bean was the only tolerable dish, still poorly executed but tolerable. It was bland and undercooked, which was very welcoming after all the salt and hotness that we had to eat. If I wasn't there for a birthday party, I would have send the food back, or just walk out. I really want to like and really was looking forward to eating at Han Dynasty with all the publicity it received "Travel Channel/ Yelp reviews". I even got lips from people for not having eaten there yet, and I call myself a foodie. Now that I did, I feel so jibbed. I regret spending one of my meals eating Han Dynasty food. These are calories which I feel sour having to work off because it's so not worth it!

    (1)

  • Loy G.

    please don't throw any stones, but seriously i just don't get it. i love chinese food, but i don't understand the unapologetic "authentic" cuisine of han dynasty. the dan dan noodles were bathed in oil and the noodles themselves were tasteless. the pork belly was also just a fatty and greasy mess. making food more greasy and spicy is usually an amateur cover up for flavor and freshness shortcomings. i can't even bring myself to give han dynasty a second chance despite the fact that i only live two block away.

    (3)

  • Andy V.

    Dan Dan Noodles are rock star!

    (5)

  • Leah G.

    I'm giving this a four only because I reserve 5's for places I would eat every single night. Again . . . if yelp had a half star, this would get 4 1/2. Ask any of my friends, if you ask me what I want to eat in order to choose a restaurant, my typical response is "anything but Chinese." I have just simply never been a huge Chinese food fan. My experience tonight may have just altered that response for good. Our meal was excellent. We started with the spicy cucumber, the cold sesame noodles, and the dumplings in chili sauce. ALL were excellent. What I appreciated most, however, was that our waiter recommended that we try out different appetizers in order to figure out our spice tolerance for the evening. I had the lamb in cumin sauce. It was great. The real winner of the evening, however, was the scallops in garlic sauce. It was less spicy, as it ranked only a 3 on the spice range, but the flavors were superb. I am always nervous to select a restaurant for a group of people. I worry with every bite that they won't like what they're eating. I chose Han Dynasty tonight. The second that the cold sesame noodles came out, I was relieved. My entire group was ooohing and ahhing over them. Will I be back? You bet.

    (4)

  • Kim W.

    Oh man, I didn't expect this at all! All of the reviews were so glowing, I was excited to eat here. I ordered take-out--it took under 5 minutes for my food to be ready, which made me nervous and I should have known right there. I read one review that said their common ingredient is spicy grease-oil, well that person was right! First off, the Dan Dan noodles were flour spaghetti noodles! I could not believe my eyes and mouth. They were overcooked and sticky, and soaked in the spicy grease and topped with a meager portion of what I think was fried pork (?), I'm not sure. I took one bite that I thought included some kind of shredded herb, but much to my surprise it was a piece of metal Brillo pad! I lost my appetite :( I'm glad I only wasted $10, but I feel sick and uneasy, and wish I had eaten somewhere else. I would never recommend Han Dynasty!

    (1)

  • Charmaine G.

    I absolutely love this place. The atmosphere is a mix of young and trendy while also being a nice place to take the family or a group of friends. The upstairs is small while the downstairs has much more room for large parties. It is BYOB, which I love. The waiters are down to earth and friendly. To top it all off, the food is top of the line. The spiciness enhances the taste. The aroma and flavors are some of the best of philly. Definitely get the dan dan noodles with the double cooked fish. I have gotten it twice and have loved it each time!

    (5)

  • Casey H.

    I've been here about three times since my initial bad experience with this place. Overall the service has been mediocre since my first run in with the bad hostess experience and I've never really enjoyed my entree, but the dan dan noodles kept me coming back. My experience today however was the absolute final straw; the dan dan noodles aren't worth it. I came to lunch with three co-workers, two of which had never been there before. We all came because a couple of us at work had been talking about the dan dan noodles and how good they were. We wanted the noodles and wanted to order them as our main entree with a couple of Apps to split. Upon trying to place our order, we were initially told by the waiter that the noodles were pretty large so instead of ordering 4 orders of noodles, we said "ok, we'll order two." He then told us that wasn't enough and that we were placing a "bad order." Uhhh, ok. I thought to myself, he must mean that we should add a meat appetizer or just a third appetizer. My co-worker asked, "Ok, is there something you would recommend?" At that point the owner stepped in and preceeded to also tell us that we were placing a bad order. He also snapped at us telling us that he couldn't reccommend anything... At this point, I was completely stunned that we were being chastised for our order and as I sat with my mouth totally agape, my coworker finally said "look, we came for the noodles, we don't want to order anything else, is that ok with you?" They said yes and walked off and then proceeded to openly talk about our order and the owner was going on about how we didn't understand Chinese cuisine. We were sitting no more than 10 feet from where they were standing, so he clearly did not care that we heard every word he was saying. That was it. We got up, told them we're not going to sit here and listen them as they insulted us, so cancel our order. I have never had such horrible service at a restaurant, and I was completely mortified that I brought my co-workers there! Ugh!! Totally second the Soup Nazi comment from another reviewer... this guy is ridiculous. If you really don't want your apps to be ordered without an entree, don't set up your menu as a la Carte!!! Handynasty IS NASTY!!

    (1)

  • QC Q.

    There are usually 2 types of Chinese food in the world: Chinese food and bad Chinese food. I guess growing up eating the stuff I never really thought Chinese food (aside from my Mom's cooking) was ever really that special. But when it comes to bad Chinese food you know when it's apparent. Sadly, it's hard to make bad Chinese food. And when it happens, it's bad. Han Dynasty is a rarity in this world. The food there is extraordinary and my mom didn't even make it! Too bad it's gotten so popular that you have to make a reservation way in advance. The owner is nice too and the atmosphere is great.

    (5)

  • Lee R.

    Too rushed -- give us a chance to enjoy the appetizers before tossing every entree onto the table. Also dishes seem to have lost some heat -- and that's why we come.

    (2)

  • Deborah R.

    While visiting Philly, our nephew highly recommended this restaurant. What a big bummer! They kill the flavor of the food with too many peppers. I can handle the heat, but they were overboard. 25+ hot peppers in the meal - really? I was SO disappointed! The Dan Dan noodles were awesome and so were the dumplings. Neither my husband nor I liked our entrees - cut back on the peppers and let us experience other flavors!

    (2)

  • Brian M.

    This is a general review, but I've had dinner at the Old City location, and eat in the Manayunk one for lunch often. They have a reduced price and size option for lunch that is nice. Okay so I read the reviews, said I like spicy food, ordered a 7 the first time I went (Old City). My girlfriend had to pry the chop sticks from my hands because she thought I was hurting myself. I was sweating, my stomach was angry...but I couldn't stop eating. By the way this was winter, it was 25 degrees out that night and I went to Franklin Fountain for ice cream afterward to cool off. This epitomizes Han Dynasty. Or Handy Nasty. Now that I've learned to temper the heat - order a 5-7, mix some rice in I have a better relationship with the place. Just find your level, go back, push yourself a little more and enjoy the meal. I sure as heck do every time. Also the kitchen is willing to adjust heat to your liking. I lunch with a large Asian man who has asked for a 20 and eaten it like nothing. The sweet older Asian woman in Manayunk serving the group took pictures.

    (5)

  • Sophia Q.

    This place came highly recommended, so my husband, a friend and I headed over there to fill our Chinese food cravings. We were not disappointed. The food is great! We were seated downstairs in the "communal" area, which gave it a really cute, cozy ambiance. The Dan Dan noodles are a MUST here - they are so good. We also had the hot sauce beef (very spicy, but flavorful) and the dry fry style chicken (I don't usually like fried, but the batter was excellent). Overall, we were so satisfied with the meal, I wouldn't be surprised if we end up there again tomorrow. The food does come out as it's done in the kitchen, so if you want your food to come out all at once, that may be a drawback for you. We were so hungry, we really didn't mind.

    (4)

  • Katie P.

    Sooooo good. Their hot scale from 1-10 is nothing to joke about, I wouldn't go past 7. Love the dan dan noodles and dumplings!

    (5)

  • Ellie K.

    Hands down, the best authentic-like Chinese food I have had. I still crave their chili oil dumplings, three cups chicken, and pork belly with leeks long after I moved away. It's all about flavor and heat here, making your meal stand out and your taste buds overjoyed. I usually order dishes between a 4-7 heat level so I can get the most flavor without heat overload!

    (5)

  • Dan A.

    I was with a group at Han Dynasty where we did a vegetarian tasting menu. While there was an extended wait for the food to arrive, it didn't disappoint. One of the opening courses was the Dan Dan Noodle. It was by far the best dish of the night and is the reason I will return to Han Dynasty. There were other dishes that outstood out: Hot Sauce Style Tofu was month numbing in a good way, Bok Choy with Black Mushrooms was playfully delicious, and the Spicy Crispy Cucumbers were an interesting appetizer. Other Positives: - They have LevelUp - JUST added Delivery (but there's a $20 minimum and a $6 fee) - Group sitting in the basement Corkage Fee - They have a high corkage fee. But it's the same charge regardless of the size of the wine bottle. This explained why a few of the tables brought box or jug wine. Instead of paying a fee on inferior box/jug wine, I'd suggest going with a double magnum to get your money's worth and quality wine. Han Dynasty has the best Chinese food I've had in Philadelphia. And using LevelUp helps bring down the price.

    (4)

  • C D.

    We decided to get takeout. We ordered garlic shrimp, crispy rice, chicken noodles, and sesame dumplings. The food was ready in 10 min (although they told to come in 25). So we were able to pick up the food as soon as we got there. Yum! everything was excellent. Strongly recommend.

    (4)

  • Jenn H. H.

    had an amazing and spicy time at the tasting menu... everything was pretty much firey and spicy and delicious, even scary things like tripe! i especially enjoyed the dish that made me feel a bit loopy and made the water taste different, it's like drugs without the flashbacks! you get tons of food with the tasting menu and you get to sit with hilarious strangers. be sure to make reservations! plus, han serves you the food and he's hilarious. if you like your food spicy, then definitely check it out. i didn't even have any issues when it was time for this spicy goodness to leave my body...

    (5)

  • Katie B.

    Honestly, if I could give this place less than one star I would. I went to Han Dynasty for lunch today with a group of co-workers who have been there before and had the lunch specials (half off plus $1 from the dinner menu). A few issues that came up during our visit: 1. Han Dynasty had absolutely NO HEAT - there was a small space heater in the corner but that did nothing to heat up the restaurant - we spent our lunch in our coats. 2. Han (the owner) was also our server. Since it was so cold in the restaurant he was wearing a large ski coat --- don't you think that if you need to wear a huge coat in your own restaurant it may be a bit cold for your paying customers? 3. We were told that the lunch special was not available on this day because it was CHINESE NEW YEAR'S EVE ------- what does that have to do with the restaurant's ability to serve smaller (non-family style) portions? 4. As for the food, I don't know what everyone is raving about? It was mediocre at best. When I asked Han if he would recommend a certain item on the menu he stated that he did not like it - ---- why have something on your menu as the owner if you don't even like it? 5. If you want to experience authentic Chinese cuisine go to Chinatown to avoid dealing with the horrible attitude and no heat that comes with Han Dynasty.....no wonder the place was empty.

    (1)

  • Zafrina S.

    As a Taiwanese I have to say, the food is awesome here. I had scaillon pancakes and Dan Dan noodles. It totally reminds me of home. One of the amazing thing is if you don't like spicy food, you can ask them to make it not spicy! I love it!!! However, I do think the noodle is a bit too salty, is that's less salty it would be wonderful. Overall, the restaurant is totally worth visit more than once. Highly recommended!!

    (5)

  • Graham K.

    Great service at the bar, though I was in at a very slow time of day so I was pretty much the only one there. Had the Dan Dan Noodles and the Spiced Cucumber. The Spiced Cucumber is something special - not sure what all the noise is about the noodles. They were really good - but didn't really blow my mind. Those two items filled me up. I will go back to try an entree......

    (4)

  • Vicky T.

    Food: 5 stars Service: 2 Their food is amazing! I was born and raised in China so I know good Chinese food, especially when it comes to spicy Sichuan-style dishes, my favorite type of Chinese food! I have to say the food at Han Dynasty is very authentic! It's definitely the best in Philadelphia. It's probably not as good as Sichuan restaurant in NYC and definitely not as good as the food in China. But it is the best one can get in Philadelphia. My favorite dishes are Dan Dan Noodles and Chicken in Dry Pot. The sauce they used in the Dan Dan Noodles is very flavorful. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water! I think it's a mixture of chilli sauce, peanut sauces, and small chuns of meat. But I'm sure there much more to it. The noodles are also very tasty. I love the Chicken in Dry Pot dish. The chicken is very tender. And this dish has a very authentic Sichuan taste. We also tried their twice-cooked pork and fish with hot dry peppers. The pork dish is definitely not as good as I expected it to be. I didn't eat a lot from that dish anyway because I can't eat fat. But the non-fatty part I did have was not that tasty. The fish with hot dry peppers was definitely not worth $17. They basically put peppers on top of a few pieces of fried fish. It was nothing special. I would only recommend Dan Dan Noodles and Chicken in Dry pot from this place. Now I'll talk a little about the things I don't like about this restaurants. Their service is not that bad in general. But I'll give it a 2 because it is extremely hard to return or exchange a dish. During the first time we went there, we decided to return the string beans dish because it is way too bland. It was definitely not worth $12. They made us exchange to another dish rather than taking it off our bill. During the second time, we needed to return the pork dish because it has way too much fat in it and I just can't eat fat for some personal reasons. Of course they also wouldn't allow us to return it. But they also refused to let us exchange for different dish. One waiter claimed that he asked the manager and the manager wouldn't allow any exchange. Then another waiter said that the manager wasn't there that day. Then the third waiter came, pretending to be the manager, and insisted that an exchange was not allowed because we had "done it too many times". For god's sake! It was only our second time eating there. Apparently they just didn't want to be a man about it and solve the problem. I don't think I will ever dine in that restaurant again. But I will get take-out so I don't have to deal with their annoying service!

    (4)

  • Jacob L.

    Great food, but no longer a BYO, with 10$ corkage fee per bottle!

    (4)

  • Jaime B.

    I'm not a big fan of Chinese food but many people told me this isn't your typical Chinese restaurant. For awhile, I kept planning on going but never got around to it (needless to say I only lived a few blocks away). One night, my fiancee and I were watching The Food Network and saw spot on this place. Okay, time to go....we made a reservation (gets super crowded) and went the next night. I was blown away by the Dan Dan Noodles. I crave them on a daily basis! My other meal was just okay but I ordered my meal with a spice level of 10 (hottest you can get). Well, my lips went numb. It was totally my fault I couldn't enjoy the rest of my meal. I recommend this place to everyone if you like spicy foods!

    (4)

  • M B.

    the tea was cold and the food was SO HOT. like SPICY. insanely SPICY. maybe i'm just a wuss but oh my god, i swear my lips are so chapped today, it looks like i'm wearing red lipstick. if you like spice you are good to go, if not - ask the server for non-spicy dishes or else you will not enjoy. some food is so spicy that you can't taste anything. not here...this food is spicy but still amazing in flavor. as the meal went on i got used to the spice level and i began not to notice how spicy it was. it wasn't until the next day, when i heated up some leftovers, when i realized OH YEAH. BURNING. place is awesome though - check it out..... dan dan noodles, wontons in chili oil, spicy cucumber, good shtuff. cleared my sinuses.

    (4)

  • Josh Q.

    Very solid Chinese restaurant with surprisingly good (American?) service. The spice level is customizable on nearly all the dishes, so everyone can be happy. I particularly liked the Dan Dan Noodles and beef tripe, but I didn't have complaints with any of the dishes I've had during any of my 3 visits here - and I try new dishes every time.

    (4)

  • Sally f.

    went here with a large group, with kids, and the staff was very friendly and accomodating. the food was FANTASTIC. great place for a big family style dinner. not one waitor got mad at us for the crazy kiddies we had in our group!!!! made us feel very welcome and appreciated as customers. every dish was top notch. i would describe this as upscale chinese because you wont find any general tso here. one downside....the BYOB policy is ending in october and the beer is overpriced : (

    (4)

  • Carrie L.

    I have always been hesitant about fancy Chinese restaurants. Han Dynasty is definitely that: high ceiling, elaborate decorations, and dimmed interior with a hint of exotic and mystic ambiance. Given that it is one of my co-worker's favorite Chinese restaurants, I gave in and came for dinner. The main reason why I stay away from fancy Chinese restaurant is because I refuse to pay for fancy Chinese take-out food. Quite opposite, Han Dynasty is not about that. They are focused on the Szechuan region so majority of their food is spicy. We ordered two of the most popular dishes, which are dan dan noodle and spicy cucumber. The dan dan noodle is basically a peanut butter + spicy noodle. The spice slowly adds up and at the end of a few bites, my mouth was on fire! It was delicious, but there's so much oil in everything...it's definitely not something I can have frequently. The cucumber in garlic chili oil was perfect. The spice was not overpowering and able to bring out the fresh and sweetness of the cucumber. Although it was a side dish, it was my favorite dish of the night. Next, we ordered a seafood tofu soup...which I would say please pass on it. The soup has chopped up ingredients so I can't tell what seafood was in there. Possibly some fake crab meat and fish here and there. It was not impressive, but it did help balance out the spicy meal. Our last dish was the dry pot style fish, which came with a side bowl of rice. I ordered it with a spice level of 5...and it was perfect. The dish came out a little spicy with a good kick and taste. The spice level ranges from 1-10, with 10 being the most spicy. 6-7 is on the same level as sriracha. By the end of dinner, I was completely satisfied with tons of leftover. Although I still feel that Han Dynasty is not as authentic as the hole in the walls I love in Chinatown, it isn't a bad spot to try out Chinese food in a nice setting. The drinks and cocktail menu already provide something different on their own.

    (4)

  • Sunny S.

    Amazing restaurant in the old Cebu location. For starters, their location is great, right on Chestnut, around the corner of 2nd St. The restaurant is in the same location as an old lounge called Cebu, so it has really high ceilings and a very cool, hip ambiance to it. I got dinner here last Saturday with a bunch of friends after running a 5k and hanging around Philly all day. This place has A TON of vegetarian options. I've gotten takeout from the Han Dynasty (Handy Nasty as people like to call it) from the University City location, but I've never eaten at this restaurant. Our waiter was fairly attentive, even though they were super busy on Saturday evening. Half the table was vegetarian so we decided to order a bunch of apps and entree's and just split them. Here's what we got: Cold Noodles with Chili Oil - these were probably some of the best noodles I've ever had! They were spicy, but good spicy, and you could definitely taste the chili oil sauce. The noodles were cooked perfectly and for those of you who don't eat eggs, it's eggless. By far my favorite dish of the evening. Scallion Pancakes - very tasty as well. A few small pancakes come on a dish and they're nice and soft...chewy, but not too much. Spring Rolls - just had to get them - they're normal spring rolls...can't really mess them up Cumin-Style Tofu - you can really taste the cumin in this dish - if you like cumin, you'll love it! Eggplant with Garlic Sauce - this was full of eggplant and veggies in this delicious, rich, dark garlic soy sauce. It tasted really good with rice mixed in. Veggie Fried Rice - this was very good and it wasn't dry...sometimes, rice can be dry. Overall, I love this restaurant. Everything from the ambiance, location, food, service, and price. It was delicious and I'll be back when I"m down in Philly again.

    (5)

  • Jean B.

    I enjoy this place more in Philly for some reason, but definitely the top three go-to when I'm in the mood for spicy, spicy Chinese/Szechuan. Will certainly scratch that itch and leave you satisfied. There chilli oil is addicting, service is as to expected for the genre, and not bad pricing either. I believe the ownership is in-line with the whole young, brash, "eccentric" new-gen Chinese-American restaurateurs? -- they have grown to a few locations now in Philly, and I'm pretty stoked NYC has a location now too. Good stuff. A-/B+

    (4)

  • Howard K.

    A cuisine miracle. Pair affordability and out-of-this world asian cuisine. The spicy cucumber appetizer has a one-two heat punch, immediately cooled by the vegatable's most potent attribute. The three-way chicken was sweet, but not sickeningly so. Care is given to each dish and if you are nice to the owner, he orders for you! It's BYOB as of this review, so hop around the corner to grab some Arbor Mist and rally the kinfolk at this MOST affordable and MOST memorable Asian culinary triumph.

    (5)

  • R K.

    The first time we went here I ordered a dish with a spice level of 8 and I couldn't finish it- toooo hot!! But we went back recently and ordered spice level 5 and it was much better. The mung bean noodles with black bean sauce was nice with white rice. We also tried the tofu in garlic sauce style and enjoyed it. I love the high ceilings and ambience here.

    (4)

  • Sarah S.

    I've been to Han's restaurant on three occasions now. The first night my gal pal and I were headed to another establishment following promises of outdoor seating and tasty veggie dumplings. When the night turned windy and rainy my friend asked about switching locations after seeing Han himself standing outside of his restaurant. The two had struck up a conversation and by the time I arrived I felt like was in Han's pocket. We were intrigued by the Dry Hot Pot style with rabbit and were dissuaded by Han himself to sample the dish with another meat. If I weren't sold already on the simple decor and delicious scents in the air his recommendations sealed the deal. I would have eaten out of his palm. And then there were the dumplings in chili oil. Oh dear lord. I have gone back each time dreaming, salivating, having dirty thoughts about the satisfaction of Han's chili oil sauce. These dumplings make me want to write home to Mama. The flavor is full and well-developed. The heat of the chili pulses outward from my mouth into every pore and yet the food is delectable, not at all overpowered by the heat. Han and Eric (the other gentleman who I've had a chance to meet) are both wonderful. They are warm and welcoming, make genuine recommendations that show they have truly eaten everything on offer and have a keen eye for what makes each dish sing. I told my date tonight that if either of the aforementioned gentlemen suggested anything of the sort I'd have to run away with them. I love the food that much. They've only been in this location a short time but they've already seated themselves firmly in my culinary heart of hearts. Please do yourself the favor of visiting them. Please.

    (5)

  • Karma B.

    I have lived in Philly for four years and have bemoaned the lack of good Chinese food in this town. It really is inexplicable. Han Dynasty changes all of that. It is one the best Chinese restaurants I have ever eaten at. I should say that I love spicy food and this place is all about spice which makes it very appealing in my eyes. The menu is divided into dishes by spice level (10 through 1). And the dishes are simple and tasty. I had the Cumin spiced Lamb and the Dan Dan Noodles (both as 7s). They were damn good. Make reservations for the wait can be long (an hour on a Friday night for 2 people). And don't forget your beer or wine. It's a BYO. But finally good Chinese in Philly.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Tried the Dan Dan noodles. Different than regular take out noodles. Spicy without asking for extra, and the whole dish tasted authentic. I have to try more, but this is not General Sow's stuff. Much better. I did the take out.

    (4)

  • K. A. N. A. K.

    Rah-rah Dan Dan.

    (5)

  • Gloria A.

    We really enjoyed this experience as it tasted like authentic Chinese food AND they served family style. The Dan Dan noodles were great as was the cucumber appetizer and the twice fried fish. Hubby and son liked the tenderloin appetizer, but I could not get used to the texture or heat. We have friends who had the cumin chicken and the dry pot who were also extremely pleased. I would suggest reservations as the restaurant is not large.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Han's is an interesting establishment. From the outside, it looks like walk-in Asian restaurant that has take-out. I was greeted by Han for lunch. My friend had met him previously and he graciously took the time to assist us with the menu selections. As he finished assembling our meal selection, he smiled wryly and said something along the lines of: "Enjoy your meal, if you don't... I really don't care." My companion's retort was: "Well, if we don't, we won't come back." We will be back, and Han will probably maintain his snarky attitude. Han can do this because every item he chose was perfectly tailored to what we mentioned we were in the mood for. The spicy cucumbers are a must-try. They walk the line of: not a pickle, very spicy, and wonderfully refreshing. When a line has three sides, it is a tough line, and one that equates to a wonderful dish at which to pick. The green beans (minus meat, vegetarian here) also balanced out our spicy tofu. The seasoning was spectacularly spicy and the tofu was cooked to give an excellent texture. Han's is surprisingly filling for the three dishes we had ordered, and very reasonable for lunch. One warning about Han's: It's like a great night of drinking. Indescribable fun while you're doing it, but you may end up paying for it the next day (if you're not used to spicy food.)

    (4)

  • C H.

    Han is amazing for certain things and others are only okay. The dan dan noodles and twice cooked pork belly with black bean sauce is to die for. The kung pao shrimp are a great addition if you can't handle the other extremely spicy entrees. I wish it was a little cheaper as it is much higher than anything in chinatown. It is also no longer BYOB, but you could just pay the corkage fee. I have tried pretty much everything on the menu but the above three are pretty much the main things I will order. The 3 cup chicken would be better if the texture of the chicken was different, the cubes remind me of a take out joint's chicken. It is also extremely loud so its great for a group of four but otherwise its difficult to scream over the noise

    (4)

  • Erin S.

    It is no longer BYOB which kind of stinks.

    (1)

  • Satish J.

    Nice place to hangout ,bartender was cool, had few drinks with my friends and tried some food ,everything was good. Will be back....

    (4)

  • Joseph D.

    Always have had wonderful food and service at Han Dynasty. I have only dined at the Old City Location. The dining room is very open and inviting with a lively atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Rky L.

    Oh, man. Best Szechuan food we've found in the Northeast. Spicy, yes - but more important, the spice is nuanced & multidimensional. Even in NYC, have not found a place comparable...sure, lots of places have one or two things on the menu worth stopping by for, but I would be happy to try ANYTHING on Han's menu at least once. Our must-get list will sound like everyone else's: spicy cucumbers, dan-dan noodles, dry-pot (NOT for those friends who can't handle spicy food). And that legendary monthly feast of surprises. Last tip: I recommend you bring your own chopsticks - they only provide those giant slippery plastic ones. And BYOB too (you'll need it for all that tasty heat).

    (5)

  • Ron H.

    All of the heat and all of the flavor of the original Chestnut street location, but now with a bar and a great drink selection to cool of your taste buds! Awesome interior space with 3 story tall ceilings and a wide open bar area to relax at, not much has changed in the interior space since it's previous 3 iterations. What's different in the Han experience is there's even better service since there's a full staff at the bar, and now you can hang-out and meet up with friends at the bar and bar table area. Also, there's a late night menu from 10-1am so you don't have to eat a traditional dinner and leave, you can now make a night of it here. Since it's soft opening, I've been in here twice. I had dinner at a table and enjoyed the usual Dan Dan Noodles and menu favorites, which I couldn't tell a difference from the original restaurant across the street. If I didn't see the kitchen through the window on the way to the bathroom, I'd think they were just cooking in the original kitchen and running it down the street! We also came back and had dinner and drinks at the bar, with small apps through the night (Be wary of the Fishbowl, it packs more of a punch than you might initially think!). Really, this is HD 2.0. It's everything you liked about the original, but now in a more comfortable and open bar space, with bigger and better lit bathrooms, and most importantly, MORE ROOM! Also, with the huge ceilings and open space, you don't get that lingering "Chinese food smell" on your clothing! This is going to be one of you new Old City favorite spots!

    (5)

  • Pam S.

    I love the big new(er) space. I WILL have an event in that private space up the stairs one day. It looks fabulous. Lately, my husband has been bitten by a Han Dynasty obsession. Why he can't stop thinking of cold chili noodles, and picking the worst weather days to go visit, I don't know, but it's totally delicious. I also recently came to this location with a huge group, and they managed to accommodate us (11 people! It was seriously an Old City miracle). I've asked them about vegan-ness every visit, and they continue to be veg-friendly. They did extremely well with that large group, making sure we had options when we decided to go with a flat per person meal deal (there are $20, $25, and $30/person options for this, we went with $25 and there was pleennnnnty of food). I love the tea at the beginning, how absolutely great the servers are, and of course, the food is always on point. Great job!

    (5)

  • JP F.

    I try to visit Han Dynasty every time I'm in Philly. Just phenomenal. Must get the Dan Dan noodles....just noodles in chili oil. Sounds simple, but absolutely delicious with the perfect amount of heat. Other go-to dishes are the Dry Pepper Shrimp and the the Cumin Chicken. Pork Belly appetizer is great and the green beans are incredible as well.

    (5)

  • Farhan H.

    The food is good. But you need to extra careful with the level of spice. Apparently their medium spicy was spicy enough to numb our tongues. The food was so spicy it was hard to tell if the dan dan noodles were good or not. I would give it another shot once they move to new location and see if without the extra spicy if the good has any flavor. My spicy tolerance is high but this Chinese food was Thai spicy.

    (3)

  • Carolyn H.

    When they say spicy they mean it! I've read lots of rave reviews about this place but not many note this. All dishes have a number beside them indicating spice level - but they will adapt any dish to be less or more spicy. Do not ignore the spice level if you are even slightly bothered by heat - I usually like mild or medium spice. I got the dan-dan noodles based on a recommendation - but it was too spicy and I couldn't finish it. Next time I would ask for a level 2-3 spice or without the chili sauce. My friends got the garlic pork dish and it was good, I also shared the Dry Fry style which I would not get again - too spicy and the bamboo shoots and dry peppers overpowered the dish. Service was good - the waiter came over to our table multiple times while we were deciding on our order. Also price was reasonable for the area. I hope to go back and have a better experience with what I learned from the first one.

    (3)

  • Jason B.

    Han, They really freakin' love you on Yelp... and with good reason.

    (4)

  • Angela E.

    I love the spice levels and the ease in knowing whatever you choose is going to be phenomenal. I am still dreaming about the Dan Dan Noodles! The cold sesame noodles are great, too. The dumplings are just okay. I have tried almost everything, but I keep coming back for the lamb done cumin style, a dry rub, and it makes my mouth water just writing about it. I get this every time, but all of the ones I've had have been good for different reasons. You really have to try them all to know. All of my spice levels were 6-8 and I was very happy (i.e., my sinuses had finally opened up!). Can't say enough about this place except that I'm very glad I don't live closer or I would be a fat cow! The service is excellent and they participate in Level Up! Take friends and share the dishes to get the best bang for your buck! Special Note: At lunch time, you get smaller portions and the price is not listed on the menu, but is a bit cheaper. Additionally, there are three other locations. One in Royersford, PA, Exton, PA, and just recently, Manayunk, PA.

    (5)

  • Ramen F.

    Don't come here. I do not want to have to wait in lines any longer than they already are. I refuse to tell you anything about their delicious dishes, because I do not want to tantalize your mind such that you are inclined to go. Mr. Han is great.

    (5)

  • Alicia L.

    This place has the most fantastic szechuan style Chinese food I've ever had. The hot sauce chicken is by far my favorite and is so flavorful and filling it makes a great meal. Not the best dish for people who do not like spicy food, but there are plenty of dishes below the 4 or 5 level mark which should suit people who have trouble with spice and Han Dynasty is very understanding about altering the spice level of their food. Lunch portions are a great deal, you only pay 60% of the original price and you get a nice sized portion, and the dinner portions are huge and obviously a good deal for the great quality of food as well. Great service, great atmosphere, and it's very good for all different types of tastes as long as they are willing to try new things: I've brought people here who don't like spicy food, who love spicy food, and who had no idea what szechuan style meant and they all loved the restaurant and found something to order they thoroughly enjoyed.

    (5)

  • Nicholas F.

    I find it almost impossible to believe that anybody gives this place anything less that 5 stars. While the decor may not be the greatest, the food is incredibly flavorful and extremely bountiful! his is real-deal szechuan cuisine - it is spicy and delicious - and is better than any place I ever visited in Chinatown in Philly or New York. Beyond having great food, this place is an amazing value: its BYOB, so you can bring whatever you want to drink, and for $20-25 per person you get a ton of food. I've been here twice (both times with groups of 8 or more) and I left each time absolutely thrilled. I honestly don't have any specific food recommendations for this place because everything is amazing and worth trying. One of the best parts of this place is that if you just tell your waiter what types of things you like and don't like and the amount of money that you want to spend, they will just order for you (and in doing so bring you all of their best dishes). Just writing this review makes me want to go back to eat there ASAP!

    (5)

  • Regina F.

    Spicy cucumbers.

    (5)

  • Annie C.

    Mr. Han brought over a chef from Sichuan, so it's definitely legit, despite the Taiwanese owner. With my Riesling and Gewurztraminer in tow, six of us decided to check this place out on a Saturday night. I called earlier in the week, so our table was ready and waiting for us before we even got there. This is definitely a welcomed side effect of having an ethnically diverse clientele. We ordered a variety of appetizers, including the delicious tripe (which was gone very quickly) and the red oil dumplings, cooked to al dente perfection. The cumin lamb we ordered was exceptionally tender and flavorful, and the sizzling rice and pork balanced out an otherwise spice filled table. Each dish, while spicy, retained its own personality and spice profile, which is what makes Sichuanese food addictive even when you're frantically sucking in air to cool your tongue. My only gripe is that the menu was a bit limited. It felt too much like: 1. pick your flavor, 2. pick your meat. It does break it down for the Chinese food tourists, but it feels a bit limiting for a native like me. And the menu doesn't veer too far from the Sichuan top 40 list, which can tire an indie eater like me out. But if you're not a Sichuan native or you don't miss the likes of pigs blood or tiger skin peppers, you're in good hands at Han.

    (4)

  • Parker S.

    consistently awesome. used to be a regular visitor to the location in exton, pa before moving and was excited that one existed in the city. the only downside is they don't offer combination deals like most chinese restaurants, so if you want soup, egg roll, and an entree your going to spend more than most chinese places, but the prices aren't too bad and the quality top notch, so its worth a few extra bucks.

    (5)

  • Candis D.

    Oh Dan Dan Noodles...how I've missed thee! Han Dynasty is the epitome of Szechuan heaven. We practically drove all the way from Georgia to Philly just for this...well not just for this but it was definitely a must before we left the Northeast. Han Dynasty moved into a much larger and nicer space across the street than what I remembered from 2 years ago. That being said, the place was huge and we were the only ones in there at 3:00pm. Maybe the lunch crowd had vacated already or maybe it was the fact that there was snow and ice on the ground, either way come hell or high water we were gonna leave there in a Dan Dan noodle coma. Our waiter was a nice guy. We ordered the noodles, scallion pancake(my new found love...oh scallion pancake where have you been all my life??), and the 3 cup chicken as a entree. Han Dynasty is always generous with their portions. It was more than enough for 2 hungry people looking to leave with a spicy szechuan food coma. The reason I take away one star is because my husband had to send back our Dan Dan noodles because they were only luke warm...not piping hot like they should have been. Our server apologized and admitted that this happens sometimes when things are slow. Hopefully the nice and much bigger spot can still produce quality food that people have come to know and love. Can't wait until we go back in April!

    (4)

  • Grace C.

    Food was flavored well but I would have preferred if the dishes were less greasy. Some dishes were sitting in a pool of red oil. As a group, we ordered the Ma Po Tofu, Spicy Cucumbers, Scallion Pancakes, Garlic Chicken, Chicken Lo Mien, Dan Dan Noodles. Not exactly what I would have ordered but we were dining with really picky eaters so we had to make do. My favorites were the ma po tofu and dan dan noodles. I've had Szechuan food before in many places and in Asia so it was surprising to me how oily some of the dishes were that came out. It is possible for Szechuan food to be seasoned well without being greasy. The worst part of the experience here was the service for sure. It was hard to get anyone's attention and we had multiple things that needed to be addressed during our visit. We were first seated at a table that was on uneven surface so we had to hail someone down to move us. At first the server didn't understand our grievance until my future mother-in-law placed the tea cup on its side and it rolled to the other end. The guy who came to bring us our water said okay he can try to move us so he leaves with the water and tea to get someone to do so. A few minutes pass and another guy comes back to move us. We sit at the other table for a while before the original guy comes back with water and tea. When our appetizer comes, we realize we need forks so we find the guy who served us water to grab us some forks. We waited several minutes before seeing the guy we asked for forks, at another table folding dan dan noodles. Okay... Someone (I'm assuming management) saw my rotating head and stops to ask me if I needed anything. I asked for forks and we finally got them so we could start eating. Between getting our apps and entrees, it took about 20 minutes. It took a long time to get our appetizers too. During which, no one ever came to offer us refills on our water or hot tea (which was true for our entire visit). I had wanted to order a few dishes then order more because I wasn't sure of serving sizes. The time it took to get our food made me realize this was not going to happen. Overall, the service was slow and inefficient. We didn't go at a busy time since it was a weekday and it was rainy so that was definitely not the reason.

    (3)

  • Nando F.

    I wonder if I can just say Dan Dan noodles and be done with this review? I suppose you want more insight than just a bowl of noodles? I guess I will have to accommodate seeing this is a restaurant that clearly should be the bench mark on all things authentic Chinese cuisine. If you are looking for General Tso's chicken, or Sesame , maybe Sweet and Sour Chicken , then Han is NOT the place you want to go to. What I am saying along with other fellow Yelpers this is not your everyday can I get a number 22 with an egg roll kind of place. I will say it again , Han Dynasty is a true authentic Chinese establishment . When you ask for spicy at you regular Chinese joint it is a mild , to medium kick, nothing that is alarming where you are looking for relief. Han on the other hand pushes the envelope between clearing up your sinuses by the scent alone, to I think I just kissed the devil. Myself I love spicy food, something about it I feel makes the meal or dish stand out even more with the spices used. Let me ask you this if I may. Should breaking into a sweat sound off alarms while eating ? To answer that at some places this might be unusual, here at Han this is a normal occurrence. We (Myself, Jim H. ,and Joe C. ) decided to go to Han after a Yelp event in search of food to fill a void. We were seated below, I'm thinking this is where they put the trouble makers, or maybe it was the fact upstairs was jam packed. I am going with upstairs was packed in our defense. We decided to do an all appetizer approach for our dinning pleasure. We all know with out a doubt that an order of Dan Dan noodles with minced pork was guaranteed to make its way to the table. This was an awesome, intense flavor fun filled ride with beads of sweat that just waken your taste buds. Simply amazing, they mix that lovely bowl with the pork covering over top like a blanket , making sure this is evenly distributed. Along with those spices and a chili oil that they are not afraid to pour on, this is a MUST ORDER. Best part about it is the remainder at the bottom of the bowl, (pork and chili oil) can be added to the white rice if ordered making that party a non stop party. Our second and third appetizers were Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce served cold and Dumplings in Chili Oil pan seared. First off these guys know how to extract all the flavors , pretty much your taste buds will go into a full tilt. The Pork Belly you will immediately taste the garlic which has a nice little kick to it. The Dumplings with sesame seeds sprinkled over top, with words could not express how good they were. A great assortment of 3 dishes with white rice added all being demolished, with glasses of water cooling you down. Prices were reasonable, actually prices were relatively cheap, for the quality we had gotten. The best part was we had left overs in rice, dumplings, and pork belly, the Dan Dan noodles were annihilated in minutes. Best part about it is I brought this to work , so I could have something at 4 am. When it came time to make other jealous while they were eating their bland meals, I opened up the carry out boxes. That enticing aroma filled the air , heads turned with curiosity wondering what I was eating. I will say this tasted just as good cold, compared to right out the kitchen. Great establishment , great service, great all around. I will say this, as others have said ... Dan Dan noodles is a must order.

    (5)

  • Daniel Z.

    I'm sorry but I just don't see the appeal. It's good but its also just greasy Chinese food, made well and quickly. You don't have to try too hard to make it good.

    (3)

  • Vincy O.

    We just had my sister's bridal shower at Han in Old City and I must say that it was probably the best service we have received. We had the whole basement and had a lot of needs and not once did the staff seem irritated or made us feel like we were a nuisance. Everything from A-Z was accommodated for us. Gustavo helped us with the booking and alot of our concerns and Mau, our waiter was sooo pleasant and made our guests feel like gold. I appreciate the both of them for their hospitality and their patience dealing with a group of bridesmaids, who were running around like a bunch of crazy chickens without their heads. I was very happy we decided to choose Han Dynasty as our venue because the staff made it that much more memorable. The food was not only amazing it was prompt and palatable. Please consider holding your parties at Han.. you will not be disappointed. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your assistance in making our bridal shower a great experience!

    (5)

  • Rob F.

    My girlfriend hates Chinese food. A lot. and yet she loves Handy Nasty. That's sayin' something.

    (5)

  • Chris L.

    A hidden find in Olde City, a part of Philadelphia I rarely visit since I live in Graduate Hospital. Go for their spicy sichuanese dishes! Ask the owner what is good and he will not treat you wrong.

    (4)

  • E.J. C.

    Han Dynasty is one of the best, if not the best, Chinese restaurant in the city. The food is fresh, there is a wide variety, and if you are one who enjoys spicy foods, you are in luck. The food is quite good. My favorite dish without a doubt is the cold sesame noodles. They are brought over to the table and mixed with the sauce right in front of you. Noodles to dream about (not to sound sappy or anything). They are so good that I had to get one to go for lunch the next day. The dry pot style has a ton of flavor, but beware about the spice level, it is as hot as it comes. Also, the dry fry beef is a very interesting dish. I have never had anything like it before. It almost had a jerky texture, but was much more tender than any jerky would ever be and has a good kick to it. (Note: if something is too spicy, you can alter the spice level upon request.) The scallion chicken is not my favorite. While cooked well, it just didn't have nearly as much flavor as the other dishes. Finally, I know that the scallion pancake is on the "kids/baby adults" menu, but I can resist a good scallion pancake...and this is probably the best one in the city. It is brought out hot and flaky. So why am I not giving 5 stars? A couple reasons. First, as mentioned in other reviews, the service is a little hit or miss. Second, one dish was somewhat disappointing...the 3 cup chicken. While the sauce was great, the meat itself was not good. It was all dark meat, which can be ok, but it was incredibly fatty and some of the pieces were filled with cartilage. After a while, just gave up on eating that one. Final note, make a reservation even if you think you don't need one. I have seen them turn people away for not having a reservation. Cant wait to go back...especially to get those cold sesame noodles.

    (4)

  • Deeparnab C.

    Summary: A novel Chinese restaurant experience. Not for the weak hearted or the mild stomached, but enjoyable food. Moderately priced, and great portion sizes make it a place worth checking out. --- There is a scene in one of the Tintin books, Tintin in Tibet to be precise, where Captain Haddock is fooled by mischievous Nepalese street urchins into thinking that a red pimento is a sweet fruit. In the following panel the captain is shown running towards a water tank hollering "FIRE!". My sentiments were not far from his through most of my dinner at Han's Dynasty in Old City. This Chinese restaurant is located very close to Penn's Landing near the intersection of Front and Chestnut. The outward facade is pretty nondescript; it took us a few seconds to locate it even though we were standing right outside it. The interiors also resemble a standard Chinese restaurant in the USA. We were seated with customary Oriental efficiency, and the menu card seemed to be the first indication that this affair would probably be a little different then from what one would expect in 'New Dragon' or 'Fortune Cookie'. Almost every item in the menu is accompanied with a number between 1 to 10, printed in red. One could be fooled into believing these were prices, except that would make it a very cheap dinner. Digging deeper, one would see that it is indeed, as the astute reader might've guessed, the spice level. Interesting! My friend and I ordered the cold chicken in chilli sauce (7) as an appetizer, and the lamb dry pot (10) and cumin chicken (8) as the main course. The appetizer came out promptly; sliced chicken breasts dunked in a bowl of chili oil, garnished with scallions and peppered with the famous Sichuan pepper, served cold. On taking the first bite into the chicken, the chili mildly hit me. I remember at that point joking that if this was seven, ten would be child's play. I am not sure if the server heard us or not, but he came over to our table and informed that we hadn't mixed the pepper yet. Indeed. Sichuan pepper has a very interesting effect; it is supposed to be tongue numbing, but it left the tip of my tongue tingling. If I drank hot tea, it felt as if I was being tickled there. It was a novel experience, one that I would like to try again some day. The dry pot and the cumin chicken came out shortly after. The dry pot was very spicy. At the end of our meal, with a lot of help from my friend, we did finish all our food. The spoils in the dry pot after we were done consisted of at least 20 red chilies, if not more. No wonder I was reminded of, and sympathized with, the captain; poor thing was expecting a dessert! The problem I have with super-spicy food is, although I really enjoy the whole gushing experience, that it hides other flavors that are present. For instance, I am not sure the lamb was well cooked - I sure didn't enjoy it, and maybe a more neutral tasting meat like chicken would be a better choice for the dry pot. The cumin chicken, although not as spicy as the dry pot, had a little too much cumin for my taste which overwhelmed all the other flavors in the dish. Nonetheless, it is a novel experience, and I would recommend it. Although I craved for something sweet after dinner, we were quite full to order any desserts. In fact, we were not even offered a dessert menu, so I am not sure if this joint serve them. Nonetheless, something sweet is highly recommended post-Han Dynasty. As I write this, some three hours since dinner, I can still feel the heat.

    (4)

  • Epic N.

    went with a large party and was able to try a lot of the dishes they had there - the spicy fried fish, the mapo tofu, shredded tofu, dan dan noodles, sesame noodles...and more highlights - or what I will order the next time I come here Dan dan noodles + sesame noodles - great having them together - i would have loved to see some julienne cilantro in the sesame noodles... Dry pot chicken - wow the flavors on this one really hit the spot for me - there was some traditional chinese flavors coming through with this one - five spice + anise while bringing the heat from the peppers and peppercorns - I really digged this dish the spicy fried fish was 3.75 stars for me. I wish the batter were more crispy, but I will probably order this next time because I loved the spice and the garlic in this dish is to die for! I scooped it all up! Overall, it was a great meal - will definitely be coming back soon...

    (4)

  • Sharon P.

    I had heard so many good things about Han Dynasty that I was just dying to try it myself, and I'm so glad I did. I went in a group of 8 and was surprised with just how quickly we were seated. It was a Wednesday night, but they still managed to have a decent crowd. The environment was more casual than I expected but it was something I enjoyed. The host and servers were all really laid back and cordial and were eager to meet our needs, which my friends and I greatly appreciated. Since it was our first time, our server led us through the menu and the point system - do you like your tongue to tingle or feel like there's a fire in your mouth? - and pointed out that the portions are family size so not everyone needed to get a separate dish, or order the same thing. That was awesome because it allowed each one of us to order something different and (literally) rotate our food and experiment with different levels of spice. I'd like to point out that even if you're not into too much spice, Han is worth trying because the cooks will adjust the food to your liking, and although heat is a major factor, all of the food is incredibly flavorful. For example, I started off with the Dan Dan Noodles, which were amazing! They were a 6 and made my lips tingle just a little so I was comfortable enough to test my own limits on spice with hotter dishes. In the end, I didn't find one meal that night that I disliked. I'm really glad to know that they have other locations in the Philly area because I definitely plan to experiment with those too.

    (4)

  • Samantha D.

    Went here last night with my boyfriend we had the Dan dan noodles, spring rolls, the garlic style chicken and the kung pao shrimp. The noodles were fantastic, The spring rolls mediocre, and both entrees were terrific! We ordered our entrees to come with brown rice and they seemed to skimp and not give enough for two entrees worth. No big deal. So I ordered another side of brown rice, and the kitchen was all out and I was told it would be a half hour. No wonder for the skimp. So i took white rice instead. Mind you iit was 7pm on a Saturday night. The service is no muss, no fuss, but we wanting something quick with great good and han dynasty nailed it.

    (4)

  • Mer C.

    We had dandan noodles and spicy Sichuan noodles lunch. Based on the pictures here, the dandan noodles look very plain and simple. Made fun of it but still had to try it. It really blew us away on how good it is but yet so simple and complex. Try it. Enjoyed the spicy noodles as well. Order it if you like the Sichuan 'ma la' chilli taste. Beef was tender.

    (4)

  • Michael O.

    Amazing. I'm not completely sure I can explain how epic this place is. I knew it was good as soon as we walked in, because there were a lot of Chinese people eating there. If anyone knows good Chinese food, its a Chinese person ( I'm not trying being racist here, I'm just stating the obvious.) Here's a breakdown of what I had: Dan Dan Noodles - absolutely delicious. Mapo Tofu - amazing Two Cup Chicken - great This place has easily the best chinese food I've had in a LONG time. I even can't remember the last time I've had chinese food as good as I had at Han Dynasty. I honestly don't understand how anyone could give this place less than 4 stars. Go here if you wanna know what Chinese food should taste like.

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    Unfortunately, I've only visited Han Dynasty for take-out, but the food was phenomenal. Dry-pepper fish with rice blew my tongue right off with the amount of heat it contained, while the dan dan noodles had a perfect combination of pork, sesame and spice. My picky gf who ordered the kung pao chicken at a 0 spice level was extremely happy with her dish as well. From the quick glance I had of the restaurant interior, Han Dynasty has that casual and laidback atmosphere where lighting was fairly dim even at high noon... the perfect go-to place for hangover lunchies the day after a super bender. Haven't seen the infamous dining basement yet, but the stairs leading down were enough to make my eyebrows twitch in fear. Still, I'm ready to come back for a dine-in experience one of these days!

    (5)

  • Susan P.

    Great place! Upon entering, it was as if I traveled back in time to my college days. If anyone remembers, this used to be a restaurant/lounge called Cebu --- a place that was popular on Friday/Saturday nights for college kids. I haven't been here for about 7 years and not much has changed about this place --- the decor is pretty much the same except for a few pieces of added artwork. Our waiter was awesome --- unfortuanely, I don't remember his name but he was friendly and very attentive! Similiar to many other establishments in the city, some of the seating isn't the greatest. My boyfriend and I were seated super close to the guests beside us --- so having a private conversation is totally out of the question. FOOD We love spice so we ordered all of our dishes at a spice level of 7 - 8. Dan dan noodles - You cannot leave this place without trying this! It may look like an ordinary bowl of noodles but I promise you, it's anything but ordinary and it tastes amazing! String beans with minced pork - Not your usual bland string beans --- these are delicious! Cumin style lamb - Amazing! Dry pot style chicken - It was ok Double cooked style pork - It was flavorful but the peices of pork were almost like flabby pieces of bacon... not exactly what we were expecting.

    (4)

  • Nick T.

    walking in you can immediately tell that this is not your average Chinese restaurant (ok Szechuan). the space itself is rather nice. dark. high ceilings. deep booths. huge bar. I had the dan dan noodles and fried dumplings. the noodles were great however the dumplings could have been better. service was excellent too. the wait staff was very attentive but no overbearing. all in all a good spot.

    (4)

  • Sherri H.

    Man. Oh. Man. Friends finally took me here with a group of 9 for dinner and it was everything I dreamed it would be and more. We had a reservation so we got to sit at the big round table with the lazy susan, which was awesome and made sharing our family-style 20 or so dishes a breeze. I think we ordered at least half the menu and every single dish was amazing. But the gold star goes to (as if they need yet another person to say it): Dan Dan Noodles. A supremely spicy yet sweet and addictively delicious layer of flavors: sesame, peanut, chili, Szechuan peppercorns, and probably crack. In this dish, Han achieves the perfect spiciness, one that coats your tongue, wakes you up, and makes you sweat but only long enough to shovel in the next bite; a spice complex enough to take side stage after the initial burn so that all the other flavors can come out to play. This dish is a homerun. And now I'm salivating for the sweet, sweet burn.

    (5)

  • Tony F.

    It's been said roughly a million times but the Dan Dan noodles are amazing. Enough for a meal or perfect to share as an app. And you can adjust the spice levels if needed but the level on the menu was good for me! The three cup chicken was also very good but the highlight of the meal was definitely the noodles and I can't wait to come back again for more.

    (5)

  • Ryan N.

    Been in the restaurant and I've had this food delivered. Could be better than P.F Changs honestly (just because they deliver). Definitely the best Chinese restaurants in Philly. Favorite dish: Spicy Cucumbers

    (5)

  • Katie P.

    After hearing great things about Han Dynasty and also seeing the owner & friend of Anthony Bourdain featured on Anthony Bourdain's LAYOVER Show ( episode on Philly), I was chomping at the bit to try this restaurant. I didn't make a reservation. A mistake. But when I arrived shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday ( Friday), I thought there would be no problem as the restaurant was at least two thirds empty . The hostess asked me and my companion if we had reservations. When I replied no, she said she had only one table available but we only could stay at the table for 40 minutes because it had a reservation. I thought this was VERY odd. She said we could eat at the bar which we opted to do. By the time we finished our meal- about 40 minutes later, the restaurant was STILL two thirds empty although other walk-ins were at the bar too. "No table available" line from the hostess was pure BULL. I felt like this is a ploy to get people drinking and spending more money by diverting the walk-ins to the bar. They knew we were there to eat. I was disappointed. Everyone is raving about how great the Dan- Dan noodles are. I didn't like them. Yes the noodles were fresh and handmade but the sauce was dry and didn't taste right. I have eaten many noodle dishes and when something is tasty and great , you keep wanting and more. After a few bites ,I was done with Dan Dan. Even noodles from Pei Wei are better. I did love the pea leaves with garlic and my dry pepper fish. The dumplings were o.k.- I ate one and unfortunately my companion is a dumpling freak and when I went back to eat another- the plate was empty. I think the dumplings at Sang Kee or Margaret Kuos are MUCH better. I won't be coming back to Han Dynasty. I don't like being lied to. Nothing more to say.

    (2)

  • Kayte Y.

    I am giving two stars for now, but I am also going to give it a second chance on maybe a Monday because I'm not sure if the fact that today is Saturday might have contributed to our awful experience. I'm going to try to put these in order. 1. Upon being seated: some tables are too close to the door. Unpleasant in the winter months, but tolerable in the other seasons I'm sure. One of our tea cups was dirty. Pretty much never acceptable. For a table of two we had three chop sticks.....? The server took forever to get us one choptsick and a tea cup. The server actually took forever to do anything. I finished my water with my appetizers asked for another water the next time I saw him, which, was halfway through my main coarse. I asked him a second time when I stoop up to get his attention after my meal. I left without having my water refilled once. My meal came out before my husband's, we didn't think anything of that because we were warned each dish comes out as soon as it is ready so you can enjoy it at it's best. 20-40 minutes later my husband's meal comes out. I am long done with mine and his meal was cold. Very cold. At this point my husband gave up and we just focused on catching any waiter to get a check so we could leave. After waiting another 20 minutes. I just asked the hostess at the door. So the waiter finally comes back and offers to take things off the bill and we told him we didn't mind paying we just wanted to leave (mainly so I could stop by a corner store and buy a water cause obviously I wasn't getting any closer to getting one from my server.) We also asked for clean napkins, but those never showed either. The redeeming part was my meal was very tasty. (Sorry to my poor husband who's cold meal was also rubbery and gross) but mine was good. So, we are going to give it a second chance and hopefully I will edit this into a four or five star review. Long story short we were really disappointed.

    (2)

  • Cat L.

    Extremely disappointed in the food. My boyfriend and I read all of the reviews on here & in Philadelphia magazine & thought we would try it. After waiting 15 minutes after we had even made a reservation, we were seated. Our waiter was good and attentive but the food was subpar. After he explained the spicy level (5) my food was way too spicy for what he explained an I eat spicy food all the time. The tofu was way too soft and the pickled chili had no substance to it - just tofu in an extremely spicy sauce. It gave me indigestion the rest of the evening. My boyfriend was also unimpressed with his Kung pao chicken. If you can't make good Kung pao chicken what are you doing? Overall - way too overrated & we were both extremely unimpressed.

    (2)

  • H. I.

    The food is good but nothing out of this world. Also, the service hasn't been the most stellar every time I eat here. My food usually comes out in big gaps so we can't enjoy everything at once. The specialty here is the spicy dan dan noodles. I always order these along with scallion pancakes. For me, Han Dynasty is about location and convenience. It's nice to have good Chinese food nearby but it is on the pricier end if you go with a group and share multiple things. The interior space is an old bank vault I think. They have a nice bar with TV's and a huge room in the back too if you want to host a party.

    (3)

  • Monica S.

    I want to weigh in on the spicy factor. I ordered Dan Dan noodles (spicy: 8), spicy crunchy cucumber (spicy: 6), and rabbit with peanuts in chili sauce (spicy: 10). I love spicy foods, but sometimes I am hesitant to order the top dose at new restaurants, since often "burn factor" (which I can stand) is confused with "overpowering all other flavors" (which I won't). Luckily, Han Dynasty offers the right kind of spicy. My sinuses cleared at level 10 (perfect!) but the many other flavors in each dish also sang through the heat. The Dan Dan noodles were tasty and accessible; the rabbit was interesting (although I am still deciding whether I like numbing Szechuan pepper); and the spicy crunchy cucumber, despite its innocuous name, stood out as one of the most complex and satisfying dishes I have had in months - at once nutty, salty, spicy, sweet, with a refreshing crunch. I'll be googling that recipe later. Portions are large, even for the appetizers. Bring a friend, or find someone to share your leftovers with.

    (5)

  • Ken C.

    True gem of Philly. Once bourdain came and validated this place everyone starting coming. Great food, esp if you like that spicy stuff. Great overall experience, def try the fried shrimp and ofcourse them DAN DAN noodles also. This is one of my # 1 food spot when im in Philly This is some good stuff

    (5)

  • Karen Ann C.

    The food was awesome. Tender Dumplings, and Dan Dan Noodles were to die for. Homemade Ginger Ale was especially refreshing with the spice level. Good for older children or younger ones with and an adventurous palate. Mine 16 and 10 enjoyed the food very much. Beautiful space! We were there for the soft opening so the service as a bit slow. Plan on going back our next visit to Philadelphia.

    (5)

  • Karen A.

    We lucked out on our first doctor appointment in the city when we found this place! The waitress went out of her way to explain the menu to us as first timers. She was so concerned that we liked what we ordered-so refreshing! My husband's Kung Pao Chicken was so tender and the spices were amazing and my Crispy Rice Style Pork was exceptional in every way! We will definitely go back, although now that I have a feel for the menu(and the "hotness scale") I'll be going hotter next time! It looks like the doors open up to the street when the weather gets warm. Would love to try that next time, too!

    (5)

  • Katie R.

    OMG. Amazing spicy food. You won't feel awesome in the morning as your body adjust to the massive amounts of oil in your meal, but it's totally worth it. Tip 1: BYO in a major way. Everything is better with bottles of wine, and that includes Chinese food. Tip 2: In large groups, do the tasting menu. You pay $25/$30/$35pp and let the chef take care of choosing your dishes based on your preferences. Great option to get the best items. Tip 3: GET THE DAN DAN NOODLES. (unless you're veggie) You won't be disappointed. Tip 4: Can't make it down to Old City? Order in! I have recently discovered that Han Dynasty does delivery, and this is going to be my undoing.

    (5)

  • Whitney G.

    Be prepared to go into a sweaty (from the spice), mouth-on-fire (in a good way) food coma. There are so many delicious options it's so hard to choose, so, just go for as much as possible. Best to go with a group so everyone can get different dishes to share.

    (5)

  • Yiwen S.

    over the past couple months that i've been living in a yelp-devoid hole, i built up quite a list of places to review. and the one at the top of my list was han dynasty. i ate here a couple months ago in the dead of summer, when it was nasty humid outside and people avoided spicy foods like the bubonic plague. call me crazy, but i'll take sichuan food any day. i've been scouring the city for a place that serves real authentic sichuan food. the kind with lots of chili oil and peppercorns, that leaves you walking away feeling like you're drooling because you can no longer feel your lips and hence don't know if saliva is dripping from your mouth or not. real sichuan food is not for those with weak stomachs, so eat at your own risk. of course, you can always ask the waiters to have the dishes made less spicy, but then you're not really eating sichuan food anymore. my experience was mostly good. good in that this was probably the closest i've come to tasting sichuan food in the city. and all four of the dishes we had (see pictures!) were well-cooked and seasoned, and the meat was tender, so quality of food was great. however, it was bad in that they didn't serve my favorite dish (shui zhu yu- translated to water boiled fish) the way it was meant to be served. meaning in a big vat of chili oil + peppers + peppercorn. just thinking about it makes me want to hop on a plane to china right now. instead, it's served in more of a thicker broth with tofu and an assortment of peppers and garnish leaves. all i'm asking for is a liquid chili oil base with fish and soybeans. is that so hard? but i'm just being picky and trying to recreate one of the best dishes i've ever had. it doesn't take away from the fact that food here is still yummy and that you will leave with a tummy full of fire. han dynasty has added their own little spin to some of the dishes, and i can appreciate some culinary creativity when done right. and you may disagree with me, but in my opinion, this is the best sichuan restaurant in the city. so for that, han dynasty gets my five star approval.

    (5)

  • Lauren O.

    After years of living downtown, I finally visited the Szechuan Province with a few friends. We walked in and found myself wondering what all the fuss was about...one bite of my Dan Dan noodles and I got it. The food is effing good. Waiter wasn't the most helpful... Us: "Any recommendations if we're looking for tofu, chicken, and seafood?" Him: [proceeds to list nearly every thing on the menu] Spoiler alert: the spice at this place is not for the faint of heart! My group shared the dan dan noodles, pea leaves, garlic tofu, and a few other dishes...all were great. The corkage fee is high in my opinion ($10 per bottle) but obviously it's better than if you were going to a non-byo and hoping to drink yourself silly. At the end of the night, the bill came, we threw down a credit card (happy that we could at least save him the effort of splitting it 4 ways) and he returned with a request that we tip him in cash...'scuse me?! "The owner takes a while to get us our tips when it's on a credit card so I'd prefer cash" Hmmm... Worth knowing in advance just in case everyone wants to use plastic. All in all, I'll visit again...and maybe coat my lips in olive oil so they don't burn off after the first bite.

    (4)

  • Ken M.

    My buddy and I decided to check this place out for lunch. It was crowded but we got seated right away. We loved everything we ate. The servers were on-point. The food came out in a reasonable time, each course was spaced-out perfectly. Portions are nice size. The food was not over-sauced. Our waters were refreshed continuously. So many items to try and it was just the two of us; I am looking forward to coming back to this place with a larger group so we can sample more from the menu. We decided that the two of us would just share each plate, family style. Interestingly, the order in which each item came out to the table happened to work out perfectly, from the spicy to the more mellower beef entree. Appetizers: 1) Dan Dan Noodles: Very tasty, it lived up to the hype. The initial bite came with some spiciness then I got hit with a semi-sweet taste (sesame/peanut like?)........ YUM ! 2) Dumplings in chili oil: They were delicious, it was spicy but the kind of spicy that does not linger too long, just a residual tingling in the mouth. I think I would of liked the dumplings in a separate bowl so I could dip them in the chili oil......instead, the dumplings were 'bathing' in the oil, it kind of masked the taste of the dumpling (was still very tasty though) Entrées: 3) Garlic Sauce Chicken: Just delicious, perfect mix of sweet/sour/spicy, was not over-sauced. 4) Scallion Style beef: Thin slices of beef, hoisin and oyster sauce with onions & scallions........ TASTY ! Both entrées paired perfectly with the rice. As we were eating, I noticed a group at another table that were drinking Corona beers.... You know, it's not Mexican but that may work well with the spiciness of this cuisine, gonna have to give that a try next time. Just a sidenote, I have used wooden chopsticks, stainless steel chopsticks, etc...... but damn, these chospsticks seemed real long, was a little hard to hold, I had to keep doing the 're-set' to reposition them in my hands :-) Looking forward to returning

    (4)

  • Felicia D.

    Visualize chefs Georges Perrier, Jose Garces and Han Chiang all lined up, a la Sesame Street. {musical interlude} One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong! Can you guess which thing is not like the other? By the time I finish my song... Stumped? You shouldn't be. Two are old-school, crankypants chefs who turn out food that defines its particular style. One is a new-school, practically cuddly chef whose food is equally transporting, but who came of age in the era of Food Network. Things coming clear yet? If forthright opinions on what you are ordering don't appeal to you, go elsewhere. If language barriers with some servers make you nervous, go elsewhere. If you require deference, hand-holding and/or General Tso's chicken, I beg of you, go elsewhere. If cool crunchy cukes bathed in a spine-tingling mixture of chili and sesame oils sound excting, get to Han Dynasty. How about dry-pot flounder cooked twice and served flaming to the table, or paper-thin-skinned pork-filled wontons swimming in yet more bright red chili slicks? Han Dynasty will make you sit straight up in your chair and bark like a seal. So THIS is what Schezuan is supposed to taste like! I've been here four times and each time have a new experience with new dishes. The cooling bok choy with mushrooms is one of the only un-spicy dishes on the menu, and creates earthy interludes between all that heat. Didn't know about it until last night. Beyond how good the food is, it is an unbelievable value. Dinner for six last night, including a very good tip, was $20 each. Believe the hype, and BYO some sparkling wine.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth H.

    I'm so glad I live only two blocks from this place! This place serves delicious and truly authentic Chinese food. Sometimes a girl needs to follow her cravings and eat here two days in a row (I wish I was joking), :). Everything I've tried here has been great. I LOVE pork belly, and it reminds me of my mom's cooking. So I was so happy to see that they have braised pork belly with preserved vegetables on their menu. My mouth salivates just thinking about it. Some other dishes that I've tried and loved: Spicy noodles with minced pork, deep fried beef, eggplant with garlic sauce, string beans with minced pork. There's a few things to keep in mind of. When a dish says it's spicy, be forewarned, as it will be ridiculously spicy. Just get the mild spicy items, and you will be okay. They also have amazing nonspicy food (like the braised pork belly with preserved veggies, above), so don't let that scare you away. Also, the owner of the place is not particularly nice and friendly. If the place is super busy (like on a Friday night), don't expect to see a smile from him. But, don't let him give you a bad first impression of the restaurant -- let the food speak for itself. It's worth the effort. :)

    (5)

  • Ramy G.

    Went back to Han's last night and we as usual were blown away!!! The place was super busy and service was fast and amazing as always. I don't even know where to begin about how good the food was. We had the Dan Dan Noodles, Cold Sesame Noodles, Wonton in Chili Oil, and Dumplings in Chili Oil for appetizer...well there were 5 of us!!! And of course we each had our own entrees. I love lamb in cumin!! OMG EVERYTHING was out of this world. All night my husband kept saying how good the food was. Once you start tasting the food you just can't stop eating it. HAN you are the MAN!! You and your staff ROCK!! HAN DYNASTY puts P.F. Chang's and all the other Chinese restaurants to shame. Can't wait to go back again with old and new group of friends.

    (5)

  • Lauren L.

    This place is absolutely fabulous -- come here if you want tons of food that is extremely flavorful, spicy, and fun to eat. It's family style, which is great for groups because you can try a big portion of everything that gets ordered instead of fighting for a bite of something (which often can happen with group outings!) All eight of us in the group I went with stuffed ourselves until we couldn't eat anymore, and everyone had at least seconds and thirds of each dish. The rice is plentiful, service attentive and friendly, and prices totally reasonable. The spicy crispy cucumber is fresh, light, and full of flavor. The cold sesame noodles were delicious, but the best noodles were the dan dan noodles (hot, aromatic, nutty, spicy). The beef tripe was spicy and had a nice peanut flavor, but the tripe idea kind of weirds me out and there was a slightly rancid undertone to that dish. We then got double cooked style pork belly, cumin style beef, and my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE (I could have eaten this non-stop all night) 3 cup chicken. I highly recommend this restaurant, I'd come back here in an instant with just another person, it's worth it! Bring alcohol to help alleviate the extreme spiciness of the dishes... and go to Franklin Fountain to cool down with ice cream afterward (even if it's 30 degrees out).

    (4)

  • Kaitlynn S.

    If I were basing this review just on the food, it would definitely be a four, probably even a five. I went here on a Sunday afternoon with a party of four-- we ordered the dumplings, wontons, spicy beef soup (my favorite!!!), dan dan noodles for appetizers and then chicken, shrimp, and pork in garlic sauce (respectively) and an order of the cumin lamb. The only complaint about the food was the average quality of the lamb meat--everything else was spectacular. The reason that despite all this I can only give Han Dynasty a 3 is the service. Our waiter from the very beginning did not want to be there, and seemed to hold it against us. Getting refills was a chore, he had an attitude with every question we asked as first time diners, and when a friend in our party wanted extra meat (and was willing to pay for it) with her dinner, he acted like she had asked to eat his first born. Not to mention, he practically threw our plates on the table, and kept copping out by saying "The owner doesn't do that." From what I've heard of Han, he seems like a great guy, and this waiter was a terrible representation of that. Later during our meal another waiter came to give us refills and was very charming, friendly, and accommodating (like getting us an big bag to carry our leftovers, which was out of the question for our initial waiter). I am not sure if the latter was the typical service and we just got unlucky with the former, or if he is an onomoly, but I won't be returning to find out. It will be take out if anything, and just so my boyfriend doesn't kick the other guy's ass, I'll have to go in for it.

    (3)

  • Nicole W.

    Been here twice and definitely worth all the hype. Really delicious food and good service. Yumz. That's all I can really say.

    (4)

  • Niyant S.

    We decided to check this place out a few months back after seeing it on one of those TV shows (I think it may have been Man vs. Food). As soon as I saw the crazy spicy hot pots that they offer, I knew I had to check it out for myself. So, I of course got a hot pot with chicken, meanwhile my girlfriend got one of the tofu meals. Han Dynasty asks how spicy you want your food, from a level of 1-10. Me being the big spicy food connoisseur I am, I decided to try the level 8, while my girlfriend got her tofu at a level 4...all I can say is getting level 8 was a HUGE MISTAKE! If you ask for spicy food here, you're asking for pain. Don't get me wrong, the food was delicious (although I would have preferred a different assortment of vegetables in the hot pot), but I would have been much more comfortable with something like a level 5. Even my girlfriend's level 4 tofu had some serious kick to it! Han Dynasty is definitely a place to try for Chinese Food lovers, they offer dishes that are different from what you would get from your normal take-out joint. But be warned, the food is not for the faint of heart, especially if you for anything with a spice level of 7 or above.

    (4)

  • Christopher P.

    I have experimented with Szechwan peppers in my home kitchen but stopped one afternoon after thinking I had damaged myself - or more specifically, my tongue. In an experience not dissimilar to the scene from ALIEN, where the so called "molecular acid" blood from the creature burns through the decks of the spaceship, there was something that seemed to be eating a hole in my tongue -- and not stopping, no matter how much milk I drank, or how long I scrubbed my tongue with a toothbrush. I was like a phosphorous flare had gotten mixed in with my peppers and into my mouth. The reason I bring this up is that last night, at the Han Dynasty, I relived that experience. Times 1000. At one point, there was a sparkler in my mouth. I turned to my wife and to the woman next to me and asked what was going on. They both had a similar experience but not as strong -- probably because they were smarter and did not grab the piece of chicken with the large spice coated skin on it. Weirdly, if I took a drink of beer, the experience stopped momentarily - and then came back. This continued for about 10 minutes, then went away. Or it was the endorphin buzz that took me elsewhere. When I talked with Han about the spice in the chicken, what it did to my tongue - and the faith I relied on to tell myself I was OK, he said there is no reason to worry, because "it is all natural". I felt like saying yes... box jellyfish is natural too. But I didn't. I can't cover everything about the tasting dinner we enjoyed, so just let me say it was wonderful. But not for everyone. Those that love it are part of the club of adventurous eaters that want to explore authentic, undiluted cuisines and experiences. The meal was more a communal party in a cramped basement than your regular dining experience. Service is friendly but strained due to the low ratio of staff to diners. So maybe we had to take the first step to get wine & beer glasses, but I didn't mind. The water glasses were always filled and the foods kept coming. And at the end, Han came over with take out containers for any leftovers. One last word about the spice and heat level. I love spices. I grow chiles. I love heat as a dynamic element in food as long as it isn't the only objective. And in my opinion, it was not the only objective here. I tasted everything and felt a wide range of flavors and experiences in my mouth. After the meal, I shook Han's hand than thanked him for not dummying the food down to average tastes. I think he appreciated the vote of confidence.

    (5)

  • Katherine K.

    My boyfriend and I have been here a few times. Each time I try to go with a "low-spice" menu choice. If you look at the menu ( handynasty.net/philly_me… ), you'll see that each "style" of entree has a number next to it. That number is supposed to stand for the level of spiciness- 1 the mildest and 10 the SUPER CRAZY SPICY. I feel kind of like Goldilocks when saying this, but the Garlic Sauce style is just right for my spicy needs- it's a 4, and it's delicious. This is what I am assuming actual Chinese food is like, although I have never been to China and do not know that many Chinese people to validate this statement. It's BYO. It's the bomb. Spice up your life.

    (5)

  • Steven C.

    The cops may have a new drug on the street to worry about and that drug is Han Dynasty. It is one of the most addicting meals I have ever eaten. I was fortunate enough to go last year and I could not stop raving about it. I have been there on numerous occasions and it has never disappointed. A few years back I started traveling to Shenzhen, China for work and I was never able to eat Chinese food in America again. No where I went was anywhere close to the flavors or quality that it was in China. I went to Chinatown a few times and it was closer, but still fell short. Then I went to Han and I finally found what I was looking for. It is by far the closest thing I have had in America to the food I ate in Southeast China. I absolutely love this place. If you go, I suggest the Dan Dan Noodles. They are to die for, but you honestly can not go wrong with anything on the menu. The other thing I would suggest is to do this with a group because it is best to order multiple dishes and just pass them around to try everything.

    (5)

  • Dan F.

    If I never have sex again, I will have had Han Dynasty. This place rings my prostate like a doorbell. A glowing, stuck doorbell that won't stop blinking and making noise. For my New York readers, Han Dynasty is similar in spirit and menu to Grand Sichuan on 7th Av. S. And in many ways, it's even better. Cumin lamb. Spicy crunchy cucumbers. Dan dan noodles. So many divine, perfectly prepared items. All delicious beyond words. Unless your words are, Please paint my nipples with chili oil, spank me with chopsticks, tell me I've been bad, then feed me the most delicious, spicy meal of my life. If you've got even a tiny bit of room left, head around the corner to Franklin Fountain for dessert. (But be warned the heavy tourist crowds.)

    (5)

  • Timothy D.

    Step 1 : Run here Step 2 : Order spicy green bean noodles, cumin beef, twice cooked fish. Han will try and talk you out of the noodles, do not let him talk you out of it. They are special like the first time you heard Purple Rain. Step 3: Have mind blown by almost hallucinogenic amount of heat and flavor from all of the above. It's a perfect kind of hurt.

    (5)

  • Justin U.

    Go to Chinatown if you want good Chinese. Dishes lack flavor, heat for heats sake, and overly salty. Beautiful place but go for the view leave for the food

    (1)

  • Ashley D.

    Catered to my high level taste for spiciness, friendly staff, lovely decor and reasonable prices! I loved the Dan Dan noodles :)

    (5)

  • Shirley Y.

    Made reservation for a large group last minute and they delivered. Service was great and waiters were attentive. The food was good. I liked the appetizers more than the main course. Dan dan noodles were good but I had better. I didn't really like my entree, it was lacking flavor. The ambiance was great and my friends loved it. I will go back again and try other dishes.

    (4)

  • Bethany S.

    Great spot in Old City. I love this place for its Dan Dan noodles, fantastic service, and BYOB Tuesdays. The Dan Dan noodles are listed under appetizers, but I found them to be perfectly adequate as an entree. Combine that with BYOB Tuesday and it's a great value!

    (4)

  • Chelsea B.

    Yowza. This place is good. This was actually my third attempt at going to Han Dynasty, as the first two attempts to get seated were complete busts without reservations. Tonight, with a reservation, we tried again. So glad we did. When we arrived at 7pm it they first went to seat us at a two top quite close to another table and then offered to seat us at a different two top that was next to an empty table. This was much appreciated. They start you off with the customary pot of tea. Our server was a genuinely nice guy who just came off as really laid back. He didn't give us crap for declining to order drinks. We got the dumplings in chili oil, eggplant with garlic sauce, and three cup chicken. This was a perfect amount for two--two "small plates" and one entree. Dumplings in chili oil--delicious and spicy at only a 4 spice rating, which makes me nervous about the 10. I'm talking feel it in my nose spicy. Reallllly tasty though, and it comes with 8 nicely sized dumplings. Eggplant with garlic sauce--sinful that eggplant could be this good. Delicious sauce I couldn't put my finger on. And large pieces meant it was easy to eat with chop sticks! Three cup chicken--as good as the reviews say. I was worried this would be the wimpy American entree, but it really was delicious with small chunks of quality chicken, tiny potatoes and flavorful greens that I think were spinach. Hands down the best Chinese dish I've ever had. Thanks, Han Dynasty, for a great meal. I can't wait to go back, as I think this is the kind of place you can order anything and it'll be delicious.

    (5)

  • Monica D.

    Let me just say Han is the man. We came in late and knew we would only be offered their bar fare menu but that proved just fine cause I got the best sesame noodles! And my bf ordered the beef tendon and loved it but it was just setting his mouth on fire...the guy sitting next to my bf asked if everything was ok and he simply explained it was just "tooo hot for him" no problem says the guy "I'm the chef I'll fix it I want you to enjoy your food" even though my bf said over and over its fine...but nope Han who had by then introduced himself ran to the kitchen even though he was clearly off the clock and fixed it for him in a jiffy! Then came back and chatted us up so much so that when it came time to leave I forgot my purse! A purse full of credit cards and everything! I called back though once I realized and they held it for me! I was so impressed...totally stunningly cool theatre atmosphere and a really accommodating chef to boot.

    (4)

  • Aaron S.

    Best Chinese food I've had! Love the spice. New space is great and the service is quick and courteous! Must stop in Philly!

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    Dan Dan Noodles are perfection in a bowl along with Green scallion pancakes that were light, filled with onion and perfectly cooked. The dry spiced soft shell crab special was incredible and the portion (3 whole crabs) was delicious. Rounding out the meal were, wonton in red chili, tea duck in beer sauce and sautéed water spinach with garlic. The spice was just right, loosing up the sinuses. This is a great spot...soon to be moving...try it out ASAP!

    (5)

  • Julie F.

    Here's the deal. I read Yelp all the time to scope out any place I want to try, but I slowed down on writing reviews. I hate to talk smack on a place, even if it sucks, and it feels like only writing five-star reviews will diminish my Yelp street cred. That's changed now. I have something to say, damnit. After spending two years living in Center City, I moved six months ago. Han Dynasty was my favorite restaurant as a Philly resident and it's the place I make sure to hit when I'm in back in town now. The dan dan noodles, the crispy cucumbers, the cumin lamb, the dry fried chicken with all the peppers... THE WONTONS IN CHILI OIL! I'm an atheist but that food makes me see God. Still, I hesitated to write a review. So many people rave about this place. What could I possibly contribute? Well, last night my boyfriend and I tried a Szechuan place down here in Georgia. Yelp reviews indicated that the place would be amazing. Cautiously optimistic, we wondered. Would this new spot ease the pain of missing Han's? From the first slurp of dan dan noodles, as we waited... waited... waited for the fire of Szechuan peppercorn to set our tongues aflame, we knew that no Szechuan would ever compare to our Philly favorite. And now I know what I can say about Han Dynasty. Han Dynasty, you have ruined us for everything else. If you are reading these reviews to decide if you should eat here, here's your answer. Buy a plane ticket, pay your Septa fare, or get in your car. Hail a taxi. Do whatever it takes! Park wherever you can, even if it's five blocks away on 2nd St. and you know you'll get a ticket from some overzealous PPA asshole. Then prepare yourself for some of the best food of your life. Prepare yourself for cravings, for withdrawal, for frequent trips back. For the exasperated queries of the uninitiated: "you went to Han Dynasty, again?" You won't care. This place is that good and it will change you. Enjoy.

    (5)

  • Lindsay V.

    Now I already know that my review is pretty much going to be like every other review here, but I can't help it. Us Yelpers know what we're talking about! First things first: make a reservation. It's pretty much necessary, unless you're going for lunch during the week. That's the only time that I've seen this place fairly empty. Second: I know a lot of people have said that Han is kind of a jerk, but really, he has waited on us a few of the times that we have been here, and has shown us to our seats plenty of times, and he's never been anything but nice. But even if he is delightfully mean sometimes, the food is totally worth putting up with it. He knows his stuff. But I digress. Onto the food: Dan Dan noodles. I know, I know, a lot of people have reviewed these. And trust me, they are not steering you wrong. Get the noodles. GET THEM NOW. The waiter brings you a nice big bowl of noodles and mixes the sauce into them tableside. I don't know what's in this sauce, or how they got the pork to be in such tiny bits, but it's delicious. It has a kick of heat to it, and it's absolutely addictive. If you have leftovers, take them home. They're even better the next day. Spicy cucumbers: A really delicious mix of spicy sauce and cool cucumbers. The two flavors seem to fight each other on your tastebuds, but it's works so well. Listen, pretty much everything is spicy here. But it's delicious spicy, not burn-your-mouth-can't-taste-anything spicy. Even if you're not a huge spicy food fan, just give it a try. They can make any dish a little less spicy for you. I feel like I'm completely ranting about this place, but it's really just that good.

    (5)

  • Margarita T.

    My dining companion confused their Old City location with a same-named but maybe not same-owned Han Dynasty in West Philly, so, needless to say, arriving 45mins late to a Saturday evening dinner reservation would've sent any business into a tizzy. But, to my incredible surprise, the wonderful host assured (and then reassured) me that our table would be waiting for us. Although by 5:30p several other diners had requested, and were forced to wait, for a two-person table (a hot commodity on a Saturday night), our table will wait for us because they honor reservations like no other business. Ever. Do what, now?? Sincerely, the food could have been less than the stellar deliciousness that it was and I would not have cared. The dan dan noodles amongst other things were delicious though!

    (5)

  • Elizabeth S.

    I had my second meal at Han Dynasty on Saturday night and it was just as good and memorable as the first time. I do not eat spicy food that often because I consider myself to be kind of a wimp when it comes to spice, but the food here is so good. I did my best to work through the fire that was building cumulatively in my mouth with every bite....specifically from the Dan Dan Noodles. The sauce in this noodle dish is deceiving, because upon first bite, you taste the creamy, peanutty sauce, followed by (for me) some fairly intense heat. I couldn't eat that much of them, but what I did have I really enjoyed. I also had the dumplings in chili oil and the eggplant with garlic. All of the sauces have this rich, comforting, savory flavor that makes you feel good even though by the end you feel like a fire-breathing dragon :) With that being said, I wouldn't mind turning into a dragon again sometime soon.

    (4)

  • John R.

    I was very happy we went to this place. Like all the reviews say, this place is Szechuan Chinese and is thus extremely spicy. We were going to order 8/10, but the waiter (who was awesome and chatted with us for a bit) suggested we stick to 6 or 7. That was an excellent call. I love spicy food, but the Dan Dan Noodles made me feel as though I was breathing fire :) We also had a beef dish, which although at a 6/10 was not as spicy, had roasted peppers (with seeds inside) that about melted my face off. That's not to say it didn't taste like one of the best meals I've ever had - it was. The waiter explained that this place gets very busy on weekend evenings, but it was very quiet during lunch on Sunday when we were there. Definitely give it a try!

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    SPICY, SPICY SPICY - and that's a beautiful thing. I can't think of anything wrong. Fantastic and I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Christopher D.

    This place is amazing. Dan Dan noodles are a must, and the hot pot is incredible. Everything that I saw come out of the kitchen looked great. The staff is friendly, the food is good. What else can I say. Go eat there if you want something delicious. ps hopefully there's some snow outside, because if you order a (10) AKA a spicy dish you're gonna want to dunk your face into a snow bank.

    (5)

  • Vi N.

    A fellow yelper (Brad P) recommended this place and also suggested that I make reservations. I'm soooo glad he did!! I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance, even w/reservations, when we got there, they told us they were running behind schedule. The place was PACKED!! We had to wait about 30mins before we could be seated. The host suggested we can grab drinks next door at Mexican Post and get 10% off our bill if we mentioned Han Dynasty. So after we finally got seated, I was ready to order!! Brad suggested that we order the basics: Three Cups Chicken, Dan Dan Noodles & Spicy Cucumbers. We ordered his suggestions plus the hot chili tofu & the dry pot chicken. The recommendations were perfect, everything was really good. I got spice level 10 on the Dan Dan noodles and tofu, it had kick to it, but I definitely wished it was spicier. The waiter told me that sometimes they get customers in who orders spice level 30!! That's nuts!! Overall, it's definitely good sichuan food. The place is packed, so make reservations and dont forget to BYOB!!

    (4)

  • Trisha W.

    Real Schuan food no doubt. Yummy. Get the Dan Dan Noodles!!! Approach with caution here, the food can get really spicy. It's all very good, I wish they had one in New York City!!!! Will return next time I'm in Philly.

    (4)

  • P Y.

    :( Han Dynasty was one of those places that I always wanted to try, but was never able to. Finally I went with someone who had been before and loved it. I consider myself a pretty adventurous eater, and I LOVE spicy food. Humblebrag: I have a crazy high tolerance for spicy food. Ugh, I just found so many things here pretty inedible. The dan dan noodle were just o-kay and everything was excessively greasy. I was stomach-sick for a couple of days following this meal. Will not be going back again.

    (1)

  • Kristin W.

    After tons of rave reviews, we ventured over as a two-some. You can still try several dishes as long as you're willing to take home some leftovers, but a big group is the way to go to sample broadly. We started with the Wontons in Chili Sauce - perfectly steamed and tasty, but I would have liked a little higher meat:dough ratio. We then moved to the Pickled Vegetable with Flounder Soup that had sizeable chunks of fish and veggies mixed together in a good broth with a faint heat. The spice got kicked up a notch when we ordered the Chicken Hot Sauce Style (bumped down to a level 5 of spiciness) and the Beef Dry Fry Style (maintained at a 6). The Hot Sauce style is authentic, but fairly oily; I preferred the Dry Fry which featured the distinctive white peppercorn - loved that numbing burn!

    (5)

  • Sri S.

    The food is good and extremely flavorful. We gave Dan Dan Noodles a 2nd chance after reading the raving reviews. They live up to the hype! The first time we tried Dan Dan Noodles was on a to-go order, and I wouldn't recommend that. Mainly because the dish curdled since the sauce and hot noodles were trapped inside a container. It is a dish to enjoy at the restaurant or have them separate the noodles and the sauce on to-go orders. We also had Garlic Sauce Shrimp. It was absolutely flavorful and delicious. On the other hand, Long Hot Pepper Style - chicken was below par. Especially, since the other two dishes were full of flavor! This place will definitely be on our repeat list.

    (4)

  • Linda S.

    I dunno if it's because I got takeout and didn't eat it on the spot... But the dan dan noodles dissolved in my mouth like mud...and the spicy oily sauce was spicy and oily not in a good way... I can tell the wontons were homemade but it was drowned in the chili oil. I'm like extra mad I spent money here, especially because there were such good reviews.

    (1)

  • Alexa R.

    Excuse me, person sitting next to me. I am going to elbow you out of the way and eat all of the cucumbers and dan dan noodles. I had been looking forward to this day for years. We sat at the round table (table of 8) and did the tasting for $25 a person. It was everything I had hoped it would be and so much more. My tum was in knots after eating all of the chili-oil drenched food, but it was worth it. I can't wait to go back and bring all of my friends!

    (4)

  • Jen M.

    The spicy crunchy cucumbers were my favorite. The kung pao chicken was really good too.

    (3)

  • Ashleigh M.

    Love love LOVE this place - may favorites are the Dan Dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, eggplant with black bean sauce, and Dry pepper chicken - sooo spicy and sooo good! Tuesday nights Han turns into a BYOB which is always awesome! Make sure you make a reservation cause it's always pretty packed here. Service is fast and efficient. Fair warning though... NOT for the faint of heart - if you aren't into spicy make sure you ask them to make your dish a lower number.

    (5)

  • Christine B.

    I've been trying to get here for ages, but it proved to be difficult. Fortunately, Katrina C. and I made a trip for a late dinner after a movie, and I can now consider myself a Han Dynasty convert. I didn't know Chinese food could taste this good and fresh. I'm not a spice fiend, so I had them take it down a few notches, I think 3/4 is good for me, but with that little tweak everything was delicious. I loved the Dan Dan noodles of course. They are like the cold sesame noodles, except warm, and spicy, and not as sweet. I also tried the garlic sauce with tofu which was fantastic. I would probably get that next time, and I'm really not even a tofu fan. I wish this place was closer to me, but it will definitely be my go to stop in Old City.

    (5)

  • Kim H.

    This place probably had the best Chinese food I've ever had in my life. And coming from an Asian, that is quite a compliment. However, I guess my Asian background gives me a biased opinion on this, but I don't think the food was as hot as everyone boasted, or as it was rated on the menu. Still, SO EFFING GOOD. The only thing I didn't enjoy was the $10 "cork fee" for bringing wine which I have never heard of at any BYOB. Ever. What's up with that?!

    (4)

  • Janna G.

    This place is ridiculously good. Especially if you love spicy. The food itself was incredible--the spice was addictive and we couldn't stop eating! We got the dry pot with fish which our waitress recommended as authentic and was excellent with complimentary spicy marinated cucumber as a starter which was equally tantalizing. Our waitress was SO helpful and took do much time to walk us through the menu with honesty and cheer. We cannot wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Lizette H.

    I can't say enough about this place. We took the whole family *and* a guest! They were really accommodating to seat us promptly and not mind that 3 of our party were under 7. They were fast at service and really understanding. He food, spectacular. Large portions, great prices, and the freshness was something you don't really get to brag about often from Chinese food. I do, however, recommend you look up their website as handynasty.NET *not* .com. I tried to tell my friends on FB about it only to completely embarrass myself! Great food, even better staff.

    (5)

  • Jamie S.

    Han is awesome, make friends with him and he will treat you right. It seemed kinda strange to eat Szechuan food in a legit restaurant with a color scheme rather than a dingy hole- but this is still the real deal. Their dan dan noodles impressed me the most; easily the best I've had. I also loved the pickled carrots and pork belly apps and they make some kick ass green beans. If you call ahead, they can make you a frog in dry pot dish to shock your friends.

    (5)

  • John L.

    The hot spices of the dry dishes make me perspire in public. I was known as "shake and bake" before I would have to give public presentations in my old job. I have since matured and actually don't give a shit any more what people think about my presentations and so no longer "shake and bake" before I give a public presentation. These days the only place I shake and bake (sweat profusely and have shaky hands) is at any of the Han Dynasty restaurants. The super-hot spices make me sweat profusely when I eat their dishes. I actually love to sweat when I eat and wash it down with a nice Sapporo. I feel ALIVE! So painfully ALIVE! A great experience and I highly recommend it to any and all who are tastebud brave enough to eat their hottest dishes. The Han Dynasty is dead, Long Live the HAN DYNASTY!

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    Ever since I moved to Philly in August, I've had a food void that I've tried to fill by drafting long sappy I-miss-you love letters to dan dan mien from back home in NY. The dan dan mien at Han Dynasty has now stolen my heart that I no longer write home. Honestly, this noodle dish had my party of 8 raving about it for days afterward -- even those who weren't huge fans of spicy foods. Some other dishes were hit or miss (the wontons in spicy oil were good but the mapo tofu was meh). My parents gave the place a B- for its lack of authenticity, but I'm not a strict Asian immigrant. (They have a much more lenient full-spectrum grading scale for food than for academics.) Good Chinese food is hard to come by, so I was satisfied. The place itself isn't swanky -- especially the lower level that makes you feel like you're eating in a basement -- but it's BYOB so who's complaining.

    (4)

  • Te R.

    yes yes yes yes good stuff! we were there for sunday dinner. it's good that we made a reservation. it's also byo! everything was good. i recommended fried fish with peppers. they actually put spices in the batter for the fish so the flavor can blast with each bite. awesomeness.

    (5)

  • Kai M.

    My taller half and I were hungry for good Chinese and in the mood to try something new this past Saturday. We'd read all the good reviews from fellow Yelpers and figured Han sounded like a safe bet. We were also brave: we rolled in around 5pm on a Saturday with nary a reservation in sight, and figured if we got kicked to the curb, we'd just head up to Ray's in Chinatown (mmmm, Ray's...). Lady luck was on our side, though, and we scored a table. Our waiter was adorable, though to be honest, I think we had four separate servers: the guy who sat us and then took the check; a gal who refilled our water; a busser who brought our food and also refilled our water (I guess they're used to putting out fires here); and the guy who helped us sort through the menu, made recommendations, and then checked that we were happy. Woo, so not used to having that many people to interact with, but unlike other reviewers, we were extremely pleased with the level of service: yes, they were a touch busy and harried, but everyone came to a halt the second a question was asked, and took the time to answer it. Five stars for service, guys. :) (I was especially impressed with the gentleman who helped us pick out what we wanted: usually you ask someone "if I like X, would I prefer Y or Z from the menu?" and they'll answer with "uh, well, um, I guess a lot of people like Y." This guy, though, was awesome. He suggested the wontons over the dumplings because we were already getting stuff with a similar flavor profile to them, and mentioned off-the-menu items we might like. Rock on.) We knew walking into this place that we were to expect mouth-burning goodness; usually I have a slightly higher threshold for all things capsaicin, but I had my world rocked by the revelation that when it comes to Szechuan peppers, the gf's got me beat. And trampled. And left in the dust. And hopefully stuffed with ice cubes. We started with cucumbers in garlic/chili oil and wontons in chili oil. Holy crap, was this stuff GOOD. I developed a masochistic relationship with these cucumbers: they didn't burn until I swallowed, and then they sort of numb-sizzled for a good 20-30sec. I alternated between stuffing two in my mouth at once, or trying to wait, while my gf watched, bemused, because she didn't find them spicy at all. Did I mention they were good? So were the wontons, which I could have easily devoured a giant bowl of. There were plenty of them (I think 8?) and the bowl of cucumbers was huge. For mains, she got the tea-smoked duck and I got the cumin lamb. And then we switched plates, because the lamb was too hot for me. The duck was awesome: a touch salty, but in a really good way, and awesome in combo with bites of (ow ow mmmm ow) cucumbers. Our water and tea were refilled liberally, and dinner came to around $40 for two generous starters and two big mains. We had cucumbers, duck, and lamb to take home, and yeah, it was all just as good the next day (when the lamb mellowed, and I was able to eat more of it: win!). Moral of the story? Now that Mr Szechuan Peppercorn and I are acquainted, I'm going to scale down to a humbling and less-ambitious heat level next time, while the gf is going to cheerfully scale up. But we will totally be back.

    (4)

  • mayur p.

    Vegetarians beware ....Had high expectations for this place but was disappointed by the service and did not get a chance to eat any food. The server was very rude and did not allow any substitution in the dishes. May be they should post a sign or place on their web site about no substitution of items allowed!!! And I am not talking major changes, I just asked to take out chicken and place tofu.. Seems they are pre making the dishes in bulk so cannot make any changes!

    (1)

  • BostonBestEats X.

    Quick update to previous review: Han Dynasty-Olde City is still Han Dynasty (hot, noisy, and good), even with Han-dy Nasty himself in China (according to Twitter hopefully bringing back some great new recipes--Stinky tofu??? Maybe a food truck???). Just an FYI on their BYOB policy, now that they have a liquor license: BYOB for $10/bottle of wine ($1/bottle of beer) corkage every day, except Tuesday which is free. However, the Tuesday freebie will be going away at some point when they upgrade the basement to have draft and cocktails. Also, half off on the corkage for groups of 8 doing a tasting menu. We had the usual Sichuan classics: Dandan noodles (see exciting photo) -- 8/10 on the hotness scale Beef and tripe in chili oil (fuqui feipian) -- 10/10 on the hotness scale Dry pepper-style chicken, triple flash-fried with long hot and dry chili peppers -- 8/10 on the hotness scale Pea shoots and garlic BYOBed: 2008 Domaine Barmes-Buecher Gewurztraminer Rosenberg de Wettolsheim BTW, the short wine and beer list is improved and some decent selections on it. Alagash White is a good beer for Sichuan. Slainte!

    (4)

  • Julie B.

    I ordered food from Han Dynasty in October 2014 and can't stop thinking about it! As we were in a bit of a rush, we ordered the food to go. Everything was ready when we arrived and portion sizes were very good. We ordered the wontons and chili oil, eggplant with garlic sauce, asparagus, and their famous Dan dan noodles. The vegetables didn't sound like they would be anything out of the ordinary but they were so delicious. Great blend of spices, not too oily, and were cooked just right. The dan dan noodles were very flavorful and very spicy. If you have any issues with spice, I would recommend you heed their ratings and request that they reduce or remove the chilies. You also can't beat the prices. The total meal cost was extremely reasonable and easily fed three people. I am looking forward to the next time I can go to Philly and eat here again!

    (5)

  • Jonah K.

    I went here with a really large group (Read: 12 people) and we did what they call a "tasting menu". It was definitely a great choice. The service was good, and the new location is definitely a welcome change from their "hole-in-wall" digs down the street.

    (5)

  • Paul K.

    Believe the hype, this is as good as it gets folks! Started with the dumplings and chili oil, fantastic! Taking heed to other recommendations, I tried the cumin encrusted lamb. Amazing... try it, you'll like it. The spice level was 7 by default. I'm a chili-head so I thought about bumping the level up a bit. I ended up not bumping the spice, but a 7 was a pleasant surprise of flavor. An 8 or 9 might have been just top-notch, which I'll keep in mind for a future visit. This place is top-notch, stop into Eulogy across the street for some pre-dinner beers, and then head into the beautiful Han Dynasty for dinner, you will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Jill L.

    Remember those old Looney Toons cartoons where a character would eat something super hot (usually from the Acme Co.) and steam would come out of their ears? That's how I felt after my first meal at Han Dynasty. Upon arriving, my first impression was that the service is excellent. We got there a bit early (6 pm) on a Saturday and were seated immediately. Our waiter was super nice and explained not only the different spice levels, but highlighted a few dishes (all of which I had read about here on Yelp) that appeal to newbies. We decided to go with the dan dan noodles (obvi), the crispy cucumbers, dumplings in chili oil, and hot sauce style tofu. Let me say this-- Dan dan lived up to the hype hype. As for the other dishes, I liked the cucumber because it provided a brief respite from the crazy heat. The dumplings were super tasty- although there wasn't much filling to them. The hot sauce style tofu was good, but I would have liked some more veggies in there. Overall, a great meal with great service at a great price. Looking forward to getting a dan dan fix fix sometime again soon!

    (4)

  • Jeanne C.

    So good. Also so random - Chinese owned but Caucasian hosts and waiters. My Jewish friends brought me here while I was visiting. Leave it to the Jews to bring. Chinese girl to a Chinese restaurant... probably the only people whose opinion I would trust. Everything we ordered was amazing but most notably the dan dan noodles. So good. Don't be fooled that it's not dark black and looks like spaghetti noodles. It is legit. So are the spicy Szechuan beef and chicken. The menu is exorbitantly long and confusing, and they also rate the level of spiciness. Basically you choose a space to douse your choice of protein in. Very cool. I wish we had one here in SF! We ordered 3 entrees and a cold app for $60 (enough for 3 people with leftovers).

    (5)

  • Sarah R.

    We have been to Han Dynasty about 4 times and the food has been great each time. Both the spicy dishes and the mild dishes are very good and flavorful. If there's a dish you want to try but are afraid it will be too spicy for you, just let the server know because the chefs are very willing to accommodate your tastes and tone down any dish. The restaurant decor is also very stylish and cozy.

    (5)

  • Andrea V.

    Came here with a date. Ordered some form of dumpling in chili oil (don't recall which), Dan Dan noodles, and 3 cup chicken on recommendations from friends. The dumplings were really good, but bear in mind that the chili oil is SPICY. I can tolerate spicy food, but my mouth was on fire for quite some time after that. It did interfere a little bit with my tasting of the noodles and chicken dishes. I wish they offered something to help cleanse the palate between dishes/courses. That said, the dan dan noodles were amazing. Also spicy, but less so than the dumplings. The 3 cup chicken was good as well, but not something I would order again. It's very sweet and the dan dan noodles were way more memorable. Overall, definitely go for flavorful food that's a little different from your usual fare. BUT, heed the ratings of spice level, and if you're like me, bring something to cool the fire between courses.

    (4)

  • Christine H.

    You don't go here for the service, you go here for the food, which is fantastic. I like the spicy cucumbers, dan dan noodles, dry fry, black bean chicken, kung pao, etc. etc. Makes for great leftovers so don't hold back the ordering. The service is really hit or miss, often to their detriment. The last time I was there we probably would've ordered more drinks if they had ever come to check on us.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Been here twice and each time it's been right up there with the best Chinese food I've ever had in my life. I actually stopped here on my way back from Baltimore just to go to this place. Their dan dan noodles are the best I've had anywhere, hands down. Everything else is delicious and the portions are very generous. Service is great and food comes out very fast (at least during my experiences). Definitely a must if you're ever in Philly.

    (5)

  • Rizwan A.

    A lot of ups but also a lot of downs that unfortunately force me to give this popular and normally successful restaurant a mixed review. I came here twice in the same week, one day of which happened to fall on the 4th of July. The added hustle and bustle of the holiday proved to be just too much for the host/hostess, server, bus boy, and in the end Han Dynasty as a whole. My wife's and I first visit went rather well. We started with the dan dan noodles and also ordered some house-made lime and mint ginger ales (both awesome). The first entree we had was the long pepper chicken which was mostly red peppers and very small pieces of fried chicken which had more batter and coating than actual chicken. I wasn't impressed. Our second entree was the garlic sauce style beef. This was just okay too. Our second night there, the inconsiderate and inexperienced new host at the door was playing hopscotch with the line of customers, selecting people who had smaller or larger parties to go ahead of the people who had been waiting longer. When we asked the other hostess why this was the case, she apparently had no idea and had to pull the first host aside and tell him that he's not a bouncer at a club, everyone is allowed inside. We wasted a lot of time waiting. Reluctant to stay much longer we finally got a table only to be asked two minutes later if we could move to another and smaller table. No thanks. Did you mess up again? This time it needs to be at your expense, not ours. Our server was the most absentee server I've ever had. I had to ask a bus boy walking by if he could bring me a new dish since it was clearly dirty. He took the dish to the back and later a different server brought me the same exact dish back that was dirty in exactly the same spot with the same marks. Everything we ordered came swimming in oil and our waiter forgot that we had actually wanted to order a third dish. By the time he remembered us, there was no need. Definitely do not order the chef specials, they are just served in a bowl of nothing but oil and are just plain gross. Sorry Han Dynasty, the jig is up.

    (2)

  • Dave H.

    Think of everything that makes every Han Dynasty kickass. Now toss on a special late night menu, and keep the place open until 2 AM. In Old City, this is a recipe for success, especially for partygoers. Disclaimer: Many of their dishes pack a punch, so it helps if your tongue is made of asbestos.

    (5)

  • David M.

    The twice cooked fish and the dan dan noodles. Make sure to look at the specials. Place used to be an international bank and is a great atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Maria C.

    If you like spice, and like family style - this is the place to go. I have never been here with just one other person, and I do not know if it would be great for that, but with a group - a few appetizers, some Dan Dan Noodles and one or two entrees is all that you need. I have never had anything that wasn't delicious, I have only had great service, and the prices are right! The location is great, the decor is fun, and it somehow is not loud even when it is super crowded. They also have several TVs over the bar if there is a game on that you don't want to miss. The staff is friendly and always super helpful if you want help with ordering. The last time I went we arrived with three different people with food allergies - so annoying I know, but can't be helped, they did not bat an eye, modified food, and made sure we knew what items were in what dishes to prevent any dramatic incidences! Some of my favorite items are: 1. Dan dan noodles - a necessity, we normally order one per 3 people 2. Sesame noodles 3. Spicy crispy cucumbers - I have tried to duplicate them at home, but they are just not the same 4. Kung Pao Style (normally with chicken) 5. Dry Pot Style I have tried A LOT of items and have never been disappointed, but those are the items I tend to get a lot.

    (5)

  • Kristin H.

    The new "Handy Nasty" is super swank compared to it's last location across the street. Set up in what HAS to be an old bank (or similar) building, it is a far cry from sitting in a basement with Journey playing in the background, sucking down blue-colored cocktails in an attempt to extinguish the slow burn of the Szechwan peppercorn (although those times are and will remain memorable). I guess it should be said that my most recent trip to Han Dynasty was different in the way that I had never dined there with no less than eight people and under twelve dishes flying around a lazy susan. This time, a nice man took me here because he was craving Dan Dan noodles and I happily obliged. Although the Dan Dans didn't manage to wow me before, something about them this time made them really great! Because I'm a pescetarian, we ordered the noodles sans protein and I was still wowed by their perfect texture and delectable sauce. We also ordered the crispy cucumbers and the garlic sauce style shrimp. The cucumbers were surprisingly crispy at first bite, followed by a refreshing burst of juiciness. Paradoxically, the spicy heat off of these definitely had me reaching for the water at times! I recommend ordering the shrimp: this was delicious. The sauce was mild with just a little kick at the end. By the end of the meal, I had mixed them all together on my plate, sans rice: it worked! Overall, I had a wonderful experience except for two things: our waiter would not let us alone until we ordered! He was really horrible at looking for cues as to when he should ask us if we were ready to order. We ended up having to inorganically stop the flow of our conversation several times to get him to go away! It's not like the restaurant was hurting for extra tables at the time either. And when we were ready to continue on with our evening and wanted the check? He was nowhere to be found! Also, where we were seated was not in an ideal spot for two people trying to share intimate conversations. Of all of the tables open in that place, they continued to lump all parties into the middle of the restaurant where it sometimes felt like our neighbors were getting to know us, too. Of course, I'll return: Han Dynasty is delicious! But next time I'm on a date, we're sitting at the bar.

    (4)

  • John D.

    We arrived here for lunch on Sunday, June 21st, all the way from D. C. It's a huge place and the interiors are interesting with high ceilings. The service at the table is below par though. The lady waiting on us seemed uninterested and quite dry. The food, however, is authentic Chinese from the Szechuan province and absolutely delicious. This was our first time here so started off with Dan Dan noodles and steamed seaseme pork dumplings in chili oil. Very spicy but very very good. Be prepared to sweat it out if you're not used to the chili oils. The spice does kill the hunger a bit so we ordered black pepper dry tofu. Didn't like it as it was deep fried and these guys were generous enough to take it back. We ordered firm tofu in garlic saucevwgichnwas better, though still not anywhere close to the appetizer. We did mange to chat with Mark, one of the co-owners, about the munchies episode we saw on YouTube. He recommended an ice cream place to go to after eating the spicy food and even called one of his friends who runs a Mexican Barbacoa place to see if they were open coz we said we wanted to eat there. What a wonderful gesture!

    (5)

  • Grace D.

    Tried this place for a new experience and wasn't bad at all. Good food, and also spicy seems to be their forte. Just don't go when their closing or they'll rush u out.

    (3)

  • James S.

    This is everything you'd hope it'd be from the reviews. Awesome Chinese food. Do they need another good review? Probably not, but I just have to throw out some of my favorites. Loved the dan dan noodles (still spicy after we turned the heat down 2 notches!), the scallion chicken was a big favorite at our table, Kung Pao chicken packed some great heat with the chilis and crunch with the peanuts, and the garlic sauce beef was my personal favorite. Prices are awesome. We shared 6 items: soup, noodles, fried rice, and 3 entrees, ordered two beers and it only came out to $84. Service was solid and happy to fill you in on how they do things at Han Dynasty. Menu is really user-friendly and breaks it all down for you. And the food comes crazy fast. It was easily less than 15 minutes from the time we ordered that we got everything brought to our table. Cin Cin in Chestnut Hill had been my favorite Chinese in Philly, but this has just taken the lead. Can't wait to get back in here.

    (5)

  • S S.

    A new location (just across the street from the earlier one), but the same, great menu. The food is authentic, though very spicy. Take the waiter's advice on the level of spiciness you want, or you might regret it. The service is unpolished, casual, and at times unprofessional, but the food is very good.

    (4)

  • Kristin C.

    Was just in here for lunch and you could hear crickets. My colleagues and I were worried that Han was going to go the way of the dinosaur, and I was relieved to see it was highly rated and often! Top notch gourmet cuisine, I can't speak to authenticity but there wasn't a dish we didn't love. We had the green beans/fried minced pork deal, amazing. We had beef with long hot peppers, and kung poa chicken... the heat is a little much for me, but my fellow diners were sweating with delight. LOVE the dumplings in chilli oil. Come here, often, BYO, it's wonderful.

    (5)

  • Vy D.

    Emperor Han Chiang, you did it again. The previous Han Dynasty ruled China for approximately 400 years. The current reign here in the states may even last longer. So what else can I say about the great Han Dynasty that hasn't been said? How about the Taiwanese street food menu at the new location that opened across the street from the original place in Old City? From 10PM to 1AM daily, they serve some exclusive food. I recommend sitting at the bar. Bartenders like Jesse were a joy to chat with. They were both friendly and helpful. With Han himself serving us the dishes, service was impeccable. Late-night dishes are also affordably priced around $7-10. THE FOOD: 1) Order the dan dan noodles- Don't let the simple and amusing name fool you. It's a rather complicated dish that Han has perfected. So friggin' good. 2) Be prepared to explore authentic Taiwanese/Szechuan food. Han Dynasty does not adjust to our American palates. You won't find a piece of broccoli here. 3) There is a full bar here! The bartenders are fantastic. Washed down our meal with some imported asian beer and even a homemade ginger ale. 4) Will not regret ordering the Dumplings- They're so damn good! Fried on one side only. They're unbelievably flavorful, juicy, and crispy all in one bite. Does not come with sauce for a reason. 5) You will return. Came for the Taiwanese street food and I left dazed and addicted. Profoundly impressed with Han's new establishment. The high ceilings, magnificent architecture, gorgeous bar, and beautiful calligraphy drew by Han's own father created a very special place to eat Chinese food. Thank you Han Chiang and the rest of the staff for a great experience. I will be back soon!

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    "Hurt so good, come on baby make it hurt so good!" Even low spice levels will leave you in pain, but the intense complex flavors are worth it. Nothing here is anything but excellent. Favorites are the Dan Dan Noodles, the Dry Pot, and - saving the best for last - the Hot Sauce Style Pork.

    (5)

  • Abby G.

    There is no doubt about it -- the food here is incredible, a solid 5+/5. If dining in, you are in for a treat. Ordering delivery, however, is quite a different story. Han Dynasty only uses an online food delivery system, Foodler, which (for our neighborhood, Wash Sq West) is run by Dashed. This service is horrendous. I've tried to order take out four times now, and they have all been incredibly painful delivery experiences. At baseline it takes at least 2 hours for delivery, which is annoying but I can deal with. However the second time I placed an order, I waited two hours and then finally called Dashed and was informed that they were no longer delivering tonight. No notice, no phone call. Just decided to drop my order. The third time I tried to order I again waited 2 hours and called Dashed, and was informed that due to "high volume" my order had not yet been placed and would be at least 2 more hours until it would be delivered. When it dawned on them that this was unacceptable they offered me a $20 credit, which I accepted. We just ordered for the fourth time tonight, expecting a $20 credit which was nowhere to be found. I again called Dashed (against my better judgement) and it took 30 minutes to have the credit placed on my account. My continual return to this service is a testament to the food at Han Dynasty. But I think this will be the last time I get delivery, and from now on will walk over to Old City for my double-cooked fish.

    (3)

  • Ange B.

    Han Dynasty is where we found the most authentic Szechuan food in town. Really spicy, lots of Szechuan peppers, garlic, hot chilly and meat parts typical to Chinese cuisine that go unused in other types of cooking. Despite his location in trendy Olde City, Han apparently has no desire to cater to the mainstream American idea of what Chinese food is, but stands his ground to deliver authentic food the way it is served in Asia. Whether or not you will enjoy everything is a matter of personal opinion and taste, but you can't fail to experience undiluted, uninfluenced, authentic flavors you may not have tried before. Warning: If you go to Han's and order something like General Tso's Chicken, you may be shown the door! I've seen it. The service is not what you might expect from a good restaurant, but it is indeed typical of a very busy restaurant in Asia. You may have to wait, and the scene may be chaotic, but it's friendly. The server spends time helping every customer with unique dishes and recommendations. They do such a good job creating the experience and making recommendations that I don't think I want to influence with recommendations of my own.

    (4)

  • Aday F.

    Yes.... Awesome, if your lucky Han will decide what you eat....

    (5)

  • Elizabeth C.

    My husband and I went to Han Dynasty last night. We were definitely expecting more of a classier, romantic atmosphere. What we got was pretty "bare bones" as another reviewer puts it. They refill your water with a plastic tupperware pitcher with the label half torn off. We walked in (about 10 minutes late for our reservation) and we waited in line for a few minutes to see the host. When we got to the host, we were seated immediately at a two-top by the window, which we were excited about. Then we waited about 10 minutes at our table. We had no menus, water, or anything. We just sat there. After ten minutes, a waiter brought over one menu for us to share. This was weird. Five minutes later, we got a second menu, and a promise of water and tea. ANOTHER 5 minutes later (after the other three tables around us had their water refilled), we got tea and water. But it got better from there. The waiter was very apologetic about the wait, and immediately offered drinks on the house. The menu is pretty big, and the spice scale is pretty accurate. The dan dan noodles are a must have, even if you don't eat pork (they'll take it off for you). The noodles are a 6, but the deeper you go into the bowl, the spicier it gets. I love peanut butter sauces, especially with noodles. We also ordered the spring rolls, which were pretty great, although our dipping sauce for them was VERY vinegary, much more so than we were expecting. I ordered the cumin chicken (7); it was PERFECTION. The peppers added a huge amount of flavor to the dish, as well, but they were a bit awkward and didn't add much to the dish after cooking. My husband ordered the dry fry pork (7), which I would have absolutely tried if I actually ate pork. It looked really crispy, and my husband was extremely please. Though, he had the same peppers and didn't like them much either. We were definitely feeling the burn with our dishes, but it was a good kind of burn. I think we had the adrenaline going a bit by the end of our meal. We were flying high on spice. Overall, this place is a winner for us. It's a little rough around the edges, but the food is so good that I didn't care at the end of the night. We'll definitely be going back.

    (4)

  • Amanda F.

    There really isn't much not to like about Han Dynasty except for the fact that it's so popular and therefore sometimes difficult to get a table on short notice. I've been twice; once with a larger party and a reservation, and once, my boyfriend and I showed up last minute and sat at the "bar," which, since they don't have their liquor license, is a combination prep/staging/bitch area for the staff. When we had a table, it was with a party of six and even though we HAD a reservation, there was still a wait of about 30 - 40 minutes, which was kind of frustrating. I'm not sure if they overbooked or if the table before us was just taking their sweet old time. It also took a really long time to have our order taken, but on the other hand, we weren't rushed out once we got our food. I guess it's a give and take. And they are ALWAYS packed--we got another view of that eating at the bar. At the bar, we were seated pretty much right away. There are only two or three seats and you will have to duck occasionally as huge trays of food go by. But you can listen to the chatter of the staff and see just how busy the kitchen is. Food is CONSTANTLY coming out and waiting for a waiter to bring it to the tables. The dishes appear at an impressive clip, one after another. The food still took a bit to come out but it was kind of awesome to get a small glimpse of the kitchen and really get a taste of what it takes to run a busy restaurant like that--it's akin to directing a small army. I'd recommend the bar if you've got a small party and can't get a table, it's certainly an experience. Both times we've gone, we've shared the dry pot chicken and spicy crispy cucumber--both delicious, and with enough food to comfortably feed both of us WITH enough for a meal of leftovers! The cucumbers are spicy but super refreshing, and very addictive. Even when we weren't hungry anymore it was hard to stop eating them. The dry pot chicken is really something, I'd never tasted anything like that before. It's very flavorful but the spice is the true showcase: first your mouth is numbed by the peppers and then, as you eat, it feels a bit like small fireworks are going off in your mouth. It was just right for me, but my boyfriend was sweating up a storm as he was eating. Also, it's SO reasonably priced. The aforementioned meal for 6, in which we also picked up the tab for a friend of ours, came out to $15 a person including tip (and not including the several bottles of awesome beer and cheap wine--did I mention it's BYO?), and the meal for two was about $10 or $11 a person, all with leftovers. The value for the quality of the food is another reason to head there. All in all, this is probably the only reason we bother going to Old City anymore.

    (4)

  • T.J. W.

    To call this Chinese Food is an insult. Handy Nasty is some next level ish. The place is crowded, busy, and one of the more gratifying meals I've ever had. The Dan-Dan Noodles are sublime, and explode in your mouth like so many mini-firecrackers. Whatever is used to create the Cucumber appetizer is nothing short of Wizardry, and I passed on the opportunity to find out despite Han himself drunkenly stumbling upon my table clutching a bottle of DogFish Head and inviting the members of my party to get naked. This place is simply special, and I am fully prepared to challenge anyone who says otherwise to a duel.

    (5)

  • Mike N.

    This place lives up to every expectation, whether it be from your friend who knows every little byob, or Philadelphia Magazine. The server was very attentive and honest when asked about the menu. Which is the main point of my review for this restaurant. When you look at the menu and see the part that says, "we can alter the spice level to your taste" don't even mess with it. My first time at this restaurant I went with a group of people and my girlfriend wanted a certain dish a little bit spicier than the "3" it was listed at. Something you have to understand here is that if you are a spice geek, like myself, none of this stuff is as unbearable as you or I would label a "10". We were lucky enough to have Han, the owner, take our order the first time. While he came off a bit gruff when he snapped that "if you want something that's a 7, order something that is a 7 on the menu. Don't blame me when the chef makes it too hot." While that was a little preemptive, after a couple of times eating there now, it really does make sense. Try the different things on the menu, and you'll see that it's not like getting a pad thai, at your favorite thai place and asking them to make it a little spicier by throwing in either a pinch, a spoonful, or a cup full of red chili flakes. No, the composition of these szechuan style dishes is largely the actual pepperss and the sichuan peppercorns that make up the spice level. The stuff here is delicious, spicy, authentic, and very share-able. If you are unsure about the spice, order something that isn't on the hot side of the menu. Don't order the Dry Pot becasue you want mushrooms and bamboo shoots, order something else on the menu and ask if you can have those things added to your less spicy dish. One bit of advice though, watch out for the Dry Fry style, the sichuan peppercorns are wild, they numb your mouth leaving the feeling of chewing on the tops of few 9-volt batteries. If you're the kind of person that used to get your kicks from licking the tip of a nine volt, have at it, they're not for me.

    (5)

  • Daniel L.

    Was looking forward to getting food from here but disappointed in the end. Ordered the Dan Dan noodles, 3 cup chicken, and dumplings. Dumplings were ok, nothing special. Thought Dan Dan noodles were a bit soggy, noodles overcooked. Then the 3 cup chicken was a bit odd. The chicken was so over tenderized that it barely had the texture of chicken in the end (too rubbery). Overall a bit disappointed based on the reviews. The ambience itself is nice though.

    (2)

  • Jennifer T.

    Okay okay okay. It's finally time to lift the "Han Ban" as my friends Eric G., Dennis O., and Dan W. would half-affectionately call my distaste for their favorite restaurant on earth. It started by throwing Eric G. a surprise 30th birthday here (he would never suspect I would take him to the handynasty) - boy was he surprised! Food was great, so of course, a few months later when I read that Han has just come back from China and had some new dishes to try out for the infamous 12-course tasting menu, I knew I had to go. February's tasting: by the time the 8th course rolled around, I was in a spicy food coma and don't remember many details, but I can say it was DELICIOUS. We tried come back for March, but it was booked, so April 1st... we shall meet again. I can predict the future: it will be spicy. And it will be good. And Han will have some funny, drunken jokes.

    (5)

  • John K.

    In Philly for business and found Han near my hotel. My main problem is how am I going to transport this place back to DC? The food was fresh and spicy. Obviously made with love. The dumplings in spicy oil was great - giving me a slow burn as it started out cool and built to a nice warm sensation. I decided to hit a few more appetizers - spicy cucumbers were sweet and spicy with enough to share. Finished with scallion pancake to cool me back down. In addition to the great food the wait staff was super friendly and helpful. Just need to find reasons to get back to Philly now...

    (5)

  • Kelsey G.

    Service was definitely lacking. Took about 20 minutes for a waiter to come to our table and then our dan dan noodles came out 5 minutes later. Before our drinks even arrived. Then our entrees came out about 10 minutes later, about the same time as our drinks. The noodles were amazing. Definitely can't complain about any of the food we ordered. If I was to come back here, it would probably be for take out. I'd rather not have to deal with the awkward service.

    (3)

  • Jodie S.

    I mean ... Dan Dan Noodles ... enough said. I will forever be a fan of han dynasty!

    (5)

  • Sal W.

    This is my favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly. I ate here twice last month and decided to give them an upgrade due to some improvements. The service has picked up. Reservations recommended because this place can get busy. I recommend the Long Hot pepper Chicken. The Spicy Oily dumplings (I think they use a more attractive name) were also pretty good. The big disappointment was the three cup chicken. It tasted marginal this time and seemed like it was cooked differently than the last times I had it there. I am used to it coming out on a sizzling plate, and having a dramatic flavor, but neither was the case. I may have to downgrade them if the next time the three cup chicken fails the taste test because in my opinion this used to be one of their best dishes. Will update you later...

    (5)

  • Nikki M.

    I don't know who Dan is, but I surely like his noodles. It's easy to taste AND see why Han Dynasty is on the top of best Chinese Food lists all over the country. THIS is the best, spicy food I've ever eaten. Dan dan noodles, dumplings in chili sauce, pork belly, tea smoked duck and mapo tofu w/ minced pork are my go-to items when I visit Old City. They can change the spice levels listed, if you like but these people know what they're doing. Don't change it. I think (4) is a little too low for the dumplings but the (8) is right on point for the Dan Dan Noodles. For a small corkage fee, you can even BYOB!

    (5)

  • Kimmy T.

    I ate here once over a year ago and still dream about their dan dan noodles. Need to get back to Philly...soon...drool....

    (5)

  • Zhangfan H.

    so slow!!!!! Wait for the cuisine for looooooong time ! Oh my god. And waiter is indifferent and cold!

    (2)

  • Staci S.

    Dan Dan noodles were alright, felt like they were hyped up. A little too spicy for me. Scallion pancakes were pretty good. Ambience is awesome, I really loved the decor.

    (3)

  • stevee b.

    UPDATE Finally made it back here on a friday night. place got crowded quickly after 6pm, mostly Chinese people. Food was once again spectacular. Brought some riesling wine and a framboise lambic to go with the spicy food. Cannot say enough about the quality of the food and the HEAT! The owner offered me some pig intestines but I declined, I am not really an offal man. The owner also offered me some pork dumplins in Man-O-Naise but I didn't try those either... I had the pork dry hotpot and the chicken in chili oil appetizer. I cannot wait to return, the food is really addictive and I was glad to see that the place was now drawing a crowd.

    (5)

  • Wendy W.

    i love chinatown but i may have found a new go-to place for szechuan food. If you enjoy eating spicy food, you will appreciate the szechuan peppercorn. It's not just spicy but a fragrant, citrusy flavor that leaves your tongue tingling and numb. han dynasty does offer non spicy food... but it's like eating chicken at a steakhouse. nothing wrong with it, but their best dishes are the spicy ones. apparently han has an americanized and authentic menu. when we walked in we were given the authentic menu and it wasn't until i noticed other tables eating things not on our menu did i realize this. so my review will be based on the "authentic" dishes. now a bit about szechuan food. this region of china is known for its bold flavors. szechuan cuisine uses a lot of garlic and chili peppers. han offers quite a few street stall favorites like chicken in chili oil (ko shui ji), wonton in chili oil, and spicy noodles with minced pork (dan dan noodles), etc... the above dishes were all seasoned with the same chili oil. our tongues were tingling from the pungent peppercorns but the dishes were so flavorful that we enjoyed the slight torture. we also tried a few of their non spicy dishes. the braised beef noodle soup had a rich broth and the beef and tendons were really soft. i hate how other places have stringy beef or chewy tendons. here everything was cooked to perfection. the scallion pancakes were crispy and delicious. and the bok choy with black mushroom tasted fresh. flavors were clean and right on. if you don't like it spicy, stick with dishes that don't have the word chili in it. none of the taiwanese or cantonese dishes are spicy so there are plenty of options for everyone. han dynasty does get really crowded so aim to go during off peak hours for some peace and quiet. however, if you like the loud, boisterous, chinese family style kind of dining that reminds you of being in asia, then you will be leaving smiling.

    (5)

  • Jeannie S.

    Just wanted to give some updated love to my all time favorite restaurant in Philadelphia- my main man Han. Your food is what dreams are seriously made of- easily about my 25th time there and I have converted about over 20 people to follow. Recent discoveries is the soft shell crab- spicy and absolutely amazing; eggplant side mushy but garlicky; and the double cooked pork belly. Faves still stand as Dan Dan (duh); wontons in chili oil (could literally eat a bucket); double cooked fish; sesame noodles; pea leaves; cucumbers- it never ends. Go there NOW!

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    I really enjoyed the whole experience, HOWEVER - It was was VERY spicy. I realize you can alter the varying levels of spice, but I wanted to sample the dishes as they were meant to be. I've decided that I am a 4 - at best - on the spice scale. Be careful!!! I'm looking forward to trying other dishes and now that I've learned my painful lesson, I will order accordingly!!!

    (4)

  • Frank Q.

    If you want to experience Thanksgiving on steroids, substituting authentic Sichuan specialties for Grandma's turkey and stuffing, show up at Han Dynasty at 7 pm on the first Monday of every month for a $25 communal feast to be remembered, and bring your own booze. Don't eat lunch, and don't make any plans for the rest of the night. This culinary marathon spanned a solid three hours, during which we were treated to twenty courses. 20. Not a typo. I end this short review simply with a list of the dishes (*I have posted photos of all of them*): Quick Stir Fried Cucumber Tripe in Chili Oil Pork Belly with Fresh Garlic Sauce Green Bean Noodle in Chili Oil (Wide) Green Bean Noodle in Chili Oil (Narrow) Taiwanese Sausage Wonton in Chili Oil Wonton in Chili Oil (flatter in shape with less filing, sweeter and with sesame seeds) Sesame Cold Noodles Cold Noodles in Chili Oil Red Braised Pork Belly (Hong Shao Rou) Double Cooked Pork with Wood Ear Mushroom Lamb in Cumin Honey Walnut Shrimp Boiled Fish in Hot Sauce Diced Chicken with Pickled Chili Twice Cooked Chicken Stir Fried String Beans with Minced Pork Boiled Beef in Hot Sauce Bok Choy with Black Mushrooms

    (5)

  • Rob T.

    A little pricey but the food is good. I got the dry pot chicken. I t was delicious, but a little too spicy. My friend got the dry pepper chicken and it was equally good tasting, but much less hot.

    (4)

  • Peter B.

    Dude, this place is awesome. The food is slammin and it has a sweet Philly atmosphere. A friend of mine had been talking this place up for some time. The wife and I had considered going there once but decided against it b/c we saw there was no drinks (you know... Fridays). Anyhow, it turns that it is indeed a BYOB, so problem solved there. But really this place is good enough without the drinks. I highly recommend the beef tripe with hot chili oil. I've never had tripe before this, so I didn't really know what to expect but it tasted much better than what I expected from the wikipedia entry: "Tripe (from Italian trippa) is a type of edible offal from the stomachs of various farm animals." (Offal means entrail or internal organs). Also for appetizers the cold sesame noodles are pretty incredible. For a main course I had the pork dry pot which is basically like a really incredible stir fry dish. It is really spicy. Seriously, I consider myself someone who enjoys spicy food and this was pretty hot. One thing that is really great about this place is that they list a "spicy rating" (1 - 10) with each dish, so you know what you're getting into. The wife had something less spicy, tofu with long hot peppers (it sounds spicier than it was). It was nearly equally delicious. The other people with us were not as into the spicy-ness as we were and they got more mild dishes. They were impressed with the food nonetheless. One thing that I should mention is that, if you are in a hurry or you expect perfect service you might consider someplace else. It took us a while to get seated (even with a reservation), and the concept of splitting a check (even when we told them before ordering) seemed to be a challenge. None of this really bothered me however since the people that worked there are so genuinely nice. Really, the people that work there are incredibly nice and I think that whatever issues they had were due to the fact that they only opened recently and they just had a review published in the Inquirer. Summary: This place is good. It is way better than pretty much any other Chinese restaurant that I've tried in Philly. The service is a little chaotic, but the people are nice.

    (5)

  • Dan B.

    Dan dan noodles are great. So was the garlic sauce shrimp. Pork belly was terrible.

    (4)

  • Jean C.

    I once contracted food poisoning from eating "Chinese" food years ago and I've been reluctant eat that type of cuisine since (I have not had General Tso's chicken in 10 years), so it was with some hesitation I decided to try Han Dynasty. The first thing that intrigued me was the reviews of it's authenticity in serving Chinese food (see aversion above), and the description of those dishes. I ordered the dumplings in chili oil and the garlic style lamb. The dumplings were great. The appetizer had just the right amount of heat in the dish and the dumplings were very tasty, with a great consistency. The lamb was cooked with bamboo shoots, chestnuts, snow peas & red peppers. Again, another tasty dish, with large portions. This place is definitely worth another trip there to try another dish.

    (4)

  • Morten B.

    First visit to a Han Dynasty. We we're in town from NYC, wanted to try it in Philly first. A busy Friday night. Our 9 PM table was not ready, but the wait was only 5-10 minutes. Hostess didn't seem very happy to be working that night (what's up with that?), but it just got better after that. Our waiter was nice, sweet even, made lot's of suggestions and asked if we knew about the spice levels. We poured the green tea, a great thing for lots of meals, and ordered dumplings in chili oil and spring rolls for starters. By far the best dumplings I've had to date! Crispy spring rolls were nice too. The main course we made up of shredded duck with ginger and beef scallion. It's often hard to sense what you're really getting at Asian restaurants, but the ginger and duck had all the great things delivered right to our tastebuds. The beef was amazing, cooked to perfection. There was no wait on anything, the noise level was low, the waiter really great, portion size is impressive and prices are low for what you get.

    (5)

  • Carolyn B.

    As part of a group of fellow teachers and students, I arranged a graduation dinner here for 15+ people. Not only was the service helpful and courteous, but the dinner was fantastic and I was very happy with my selection. The dishes came out family style, as is typical in traditional Chinese restaurants and it was great to share good food and conversation with everyone around. Just a WARNING: if you don't like spicy foods, please ask the waiter to help you navigate around the dishes that are traditionally spicy (which is most of the menu). I am a wimp when it comes to spice, and I was pleasantly surprised that I could tolerate (in small portions) the hot factor of the foods. Regarding the food, everything was tasty and delicious. I'm a big fan of the cold sesame noodles and scallion pancakes. The chicken with dry pepper is a great dish with just enough spice to get you going, while the dry fry shredded pork is savory and spicy at the same time. You're not going to find your staple take-out Chinese-food dishes here... instead, Han offers a great alternative to the typical Asian food selection. Great prices, great food, and even better company make for a great evening. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone.

    (4)

  • Heidy M.

    I have been here twice and both experiences were amazing. Besides great food the prices are more than reasonable. If you love some spice this is the place to go. Great for groups and a nice evening out. Love it! I will definitely go again!

    (5)

  • Joseph C.

    When a friend mentioned Han Dynasty, I said I was in for sure after recognizing the name from the front page of Yelp. I guess if I had actually clicked through and read the reviews, I would've understood the scale of their spiciness 1-10 scale. Needless to say, I didn't see those warnings so when I see the Dan Dan Noodles rated at number 8, I think "oh sweet, I love spicy flavorful things, let's do it." That didn't really pan out that well; although the noodles were awesome and fresh (I felt like Bourdain, making it even more awesome), they were, in the words of Larry David, prettay prettay prettay spicy. Overall the rest of the food was epic. One star off for the dude with a rolled-up newspaper in the front window swatting flies. Would've added character if this place was in Chinatown, but it was just kinda gross.

    (4)

  • Benevolus K.

    For Han Dynasty, I say three stars. Not two or four or five but three! If under poor weather, and being in the vicinity, I may venture once again into this establishment for a hot meal. Among those places which serve such cuisine, it is the best in the area, but once the novelty of spice wears off, there is something missing. My tale follows: Recalling the event of month's past, I received a hand written invitation from a good friend to dine, round table style, for the chef's tasting. We prepared for the feast by bringing wineskins filled with low quality booze. I will sum the rest of the experience here: Atmosphere - young paupers and older dregs like myself were excited in anticipation of the feast. In the basement, decorations of kitsch did not lend well. The round table was wobbly, and the malfunctioning lazy susan was visibly layered with grime. Service - Alas the poor wenches! Those hard working souls were too understaffed to meet the crowd. A stern eye to the owner! After much delay, wineskins were chilled in a makeshift bus-tub, and glasses were few. The first dishes were served very late - my party was famished and starting to become foul. I asked myself - if the first dishes were of the cold type, why didn't they arrive sooner? Once the first dishes were served, the plates came out in a timely fashion. Food - laced with exotic spices, the dishes assaulted the palate in beneficial ways. Textures were plentiful, the dishes' colors were pleasing. Alas, there were too many spiced dishes for the tasting - flavors started to run into each other. Summary - The chef's tasting makes for an eyeopening experience for the uninitiated, however I would recommend going for a more traditional meal and order fewer dishes. I hope the kitchen is cleaner than the dining area.

    (3)

  • Lolly G.

    I'm a huge fan of this place. Dan dan noodles are a must order. Also I love the tofu in hot garlic sauce. It is VERY spicy, so obviously if you don't like that I would not even try this place because even "mild" has a kick to it. The food is always very fast, and the service is perfect every single time I've been here (over a dozen times.) They have beer and wine, and offer BYOB, however I think they changed that to certain days.

    (5)

  • Tod B.

    Last meal was Hacked rabbit,spicy cucumbers, and the crispy green beans.....all freaking excellent . This is my 4th or fifth time here and I plan trips to Philadelphia so I can eat at Han Dynasty.

    (5)

  • Ellena S.

    Allow me to reaffirm my love for this establishment after another meal here. The cucumbers were fantastic, as usual. My dining companion had the cold noodles in chili oil toned down: delicious.

    (5)

  • Ryan M.

    Just finished up the Han Dynastys' 21 course tasting. Im stuffed to the rafters with some of the most authentic, best tasting, incredibly balanced, beautifly spicy, Chinese cuisine. 21 courses ranging from cucumbers in chili sauce to Ma Po tofu to spicy beef and tripe. The highlights for me were the cucumbers in chili sauce, the twice cooked fish (steamed and then fried) and the Don Don noodles. Those were just my personal favs, every dish had somthing to remember. The Han Dynasty has a wait staff that run around making sure everyone is catered to, but also have the time to tell pertinent stories for many dishes. They earn every cent of their 20%, which is why i left 30%. Which leads me to the best part of the meal, besides the food, the meal only costs $25!!! Like most great things in philly, the Han Dynasty is a diamond in the rough. 5 stars across the board! Thank you Han Dynasty, i will be back.

    (5)

  • Greg B.

    Okay, the food was spectacularly amazing. But the service was the single worse dining experience ever, in any city. The four of us were seated after waiting 1:15, awkwardly at the doorway, even after having made reservations. The thing is, we would have bailed much earlier if I had know that it would have taken so long. The host/manager was completely in over his head handling the volume of customers on this particular night. They were completely understaffed - 3 waiters for the whole place with an 80 person reception downstairs. It was heartbreaking and frustration to watch their panicked faces, as we were reassured every so often that our tables would be ready soon. Make no mistake, this place does Scheun immerse justice. It was simply authentic and delicious. But the service that night sucked royally and I'm still bitter. You could have comped an appetizer or something...

    (4)

  • David Z.

    Have been twice now. I would go twice a week if it were near me. Haven't had one thing that didn't illicit a "Yum!". Dam Dam noodles, spicy cucumbers and the dumplings and won tons in oil are all fabulous. Perhaps the most interesting thing we had was the cummin style with lamb. Delicious and unique. I don't understand the criticism of Han's tableside manner. He has been nothing but polite to us and the staff in general has been very pleasant and helpful. If you have not eaten here, understand that this is not your typical Chinese place. You won't find sweet and sour soup or General Tso's Chicken on the menu. And if you don't like spicy food, there is not much sense in going.

    (5)

  • s k.

    your restaurant experience is half food based and half atmosphere based. if it was only based on food, han dynasty would get a 4. unfortunately for me, atmosphere and service may outweigh the quality of the food and hence the 2 stars. the service is BAD. ive been to han dynasty a few times and the waiters come by the table to take an order maybe once every 30 mins so dont pass up the opportunity to order when they come by! my last visit to han dynasty the waiter was straight up rude. my friend who is a vegetarian, wanted some tofu as a side dish. granted this wasnt on the menu but usually restaurants are accommodating and for an extra fee will give provide such items. our waiter's response to this question was "no. we dont do that" not "oh let me ask the manager and/or the chef for you" youre at 3 stars now, han dynasty. also what is this $10 corkage fee for BYOB? thats so ridiculous! down to 2 stars, han dynasty we got the dry pot lamb which is served at a level 10. the entire dish was chili peppers we had like 5 pieces of meat in the dish! for $18, in a family style restaurant, not cool, han dynasty not cool at all. you can keep your 2 stars. sadly, im obsessed with spicy food so ill be taking out of this place but will not be dining in anymore.

    (2)

  • Lauren B.

    Just got home from the tasting...and I'm hesitating on writing this review because it's such a good deal- 20 course for $25!!! 14 out of the 20 were really spicy but still good. Come with an open mind and a VERY open belly. It's a TON of food.

    (5)

  • Hayley Sara B.

    If I found a magic lamp with genie inside and it gave me one wish, it would be this: To dive into a pool of Han Dynasty's sesame noodles and slurp my way out. The only downside: this place has blown up to epic proportions...reservations are now a MUST.

    (5)

  • Matt H.

    I'm not going to say anything other reviewers haven't already mentioned, but the combo of the fiery food, hilarious owner, and attentive staff makes this place one of the best restaurants in Philadelphia. I know the scale for spiciness goes to ten and that it may seem tempting to order above 10, but I promise you it's not worth it: the kitchen will accept your challenge and offer you a dish so spicy you'll embarrass yourself by crying and sweating profusely in front of whomever you're with. Unfortunately, this isn't a lesson I learned until I asked for Dan Dan at a 12...

    (5)

  • Neil S.

    Han Dynasty offers fantastic, fiery Sichuan cuisine at rather reasonable prices. None of the common main entrees are more than $20 (the fish and scallops are a few bucks more), and the portion sizes are quite ample. For a party of four, 3 mains will suffice. They don't joke around with the spicing here either, when they say something is a 10 they mean you'll break a sweat. My masochistic attitude towards chilis draws me towards their dry pot, and both the succulent pork and bony but pleasantly gamey rabbit versions blew me away with their fiery intensity, numbing slow burn, and perfectly cooked proteins and vegetables. Of course, there's more going on than sheer heat. Chicken cumin style is a milder but equally flavorful dish of crispy on the outside tender on the inside pieces of chicken encrusted in a delightful mix of spices (mainly cumin, as the name suggests) with some smoky dried chilis. The dan dan noodles are dreamily chewy without being mushy and have a nice balance between rich peanuts and bright (but again, not too spicy) chili oil. In fact, anything with their house steeped chili oil is a treat, including the dumplings and wontons soaked in the stuff. So why not the full five stars? Their service has taken a dip since opening. Before, the waiters would make suggestions and guide you through the menu deftly. Now, it's a struggle to get them to comment on any of the dishes. The suggestions on what to eat prior were rather helpful, and made the experience worthwhile. Also, the spring rolls were crappy, they tasted like the ones you can find in your supermarket freezer. This relates back to the first issue, as in the "old" days the waiters would've suggested getting something else. Those 2 issues aside, Han Dynasty offers intense, challenging, and rewarding flavors at relatively low price points. Their fiery food is definitely worth a try, and you'll be coming back for more.

    (4)

  • Aaron O.

    Yes...it's spicy. Yes, it's relatively inexpensive (unless compared to other ethnic restaurants, in which case its locations range from over priced to average). Perhaps it's authentic - like 99% of the rest of the people writing reviews, I wasn't born in Sichuan, so i wouldn't know. The relevant piece of information is that the ingredients are well below expected norms of decent food. The chicken has invariably been dry and poorly prepared. Duck had no flavor...it's fatty and tough. Their beef is of the level typically associated with drive through Chinese. The scallions and onions lacked flavor and the veggies I've been served were invariably overcooked mush. Yes it's spicy, it has to be in order to overpower the poor overall preparation of the food. If you weren't born in Sichuan Province, please don't speak to authenticity, and no - having a Chinese roommate, or visiting for a month, doesn't qualify you as an expert on foreign cuisine. Hell - plenty of people in Philadelphia think Geno's is edible. Bad taste is universal. One more thought...people traditionally ate things like tripe because they couldn't afford better quality meat. The proper term for tripe is offal...you aren't sophisticated for eating offal, you're over paying for crap. One of the nice things about being a 21st century American is not having to eat garbage like tripe and chitlins. Really - it's not a delicacy. The gringo vs. natives division of the menu is a cute gimmick to help delude people into thinking that they're elitists. Pure tripe.

    (2)

  • Kevin L.

    My first time at Han and stopped in because I saw a good crowd inside. The entrees here are all served family style so I decided to try some apps. The bartender suggested the dan dan noodles and explained that the numbers next to the meal names are intended for the amount of spice added, 1 is mild and 10 is hot. The dan dan was a 5 so I figured why not. Wasn't disappointed with the spice, really nice flavor to it. The noodles though reminded me of spaghetti with a little bit of meat added. So not really excited about it. Also ordered some fried dumplings which were very good. Definitely going to try some more options from the entrees when I return. Bare tenders were friendly and helpful.

    (3)

  • Camila Z.

    Very yummy. I love the bok choy, the dun dun noodles, the kung pao chicken and the spicy cucumbers. The spicy scale gets really high. I can tolerate some spiciness and I can do a 5 at most. But I usually get a 3 or 4.

    (4)

  • christina j.

    Went for the Monday night tasting menu and it's great way to sample a variety of items, some spicy and some not so. All dishes served family style. Look forward to checking out again and at the new location.

    (5)

  • Ebisawa H.

    Sensei Spicy Rating: Dan Dan Noodles

    (5)

  • Cat P.

    I've been searching for a great Chinese restaurant in Philadelphia for about three years. Han Dynasty definitely fits the bill. The number system that they use for spice levels is easy to decipher, so I had no problem ordering from the menu. I like that the dishes come out to the table family style and they are a decent size. I particularly enjoyed the chicken with garlic sauce and the dan dan noodles. The food seemed to come out pretty quickly, as well. The only thing that irked me was the waiter. He told us that he was "really bad at math in high school" and had a hard time splitting our bill onto two credit cards. Come on, man. It wasn't like we were asking you to split it thirteen ways. I will be back again with my appetite and a calculator for our server.

    (4)

  • Todd L.

    Off the charts. Best in the city- any city Try the Dan Dan noodles and you'll become a believer.

    (5)

  • Rachel A.

    A+++ This place is a gem. I've eaten there several times, and I swear every single thing they serve is ridiculously good. It's not like any Chinese food you've ever had - other Chinese restaurants are to Han Dynasty what Chef Boyardee is to authentic Italian food. I've taken several friends to try it out, and everyone leaves saying the same thing: "Best. Chinese. Food. Ever." A lot of the menu is crazy spicy, so if you're into that kind of thing, you've hit the jackpot. Prepare to sweat, cry, and have your sinuses cleared. For those that can't or won't handle spicy stuff, there is plenty to choose from that is not spicy at all. I agree with all the reviewers that the Dan Dan noodles are AMAZING, but try the Cold Sesame noodles too - they will haunt your dreams!

    (5)

  • Christina P.

    Totally not what I was expecting. From what I've heard about Han Dynasty, their website, and the reviews I was expecting some dim, fancy,intricately decorated dining room. Not the case. This place is bare bones as far as ambiance and decor goes (if you need a visual, picture our riesling chilling in a plastic water pitcher) and it's clear everyone is there only for the food. They recently got a bar, so we found out in advance there was a $10 corking fee for wine. We made reservations and only had to wait about 5 or so minutes before we were seated. The place was packed since it was a Saturday night so they separated a four top into two in the back corner, and we sat a few inches away from another couple which was slightly uncomfortable, but fine. We ordered the Dan Dan noodles since we heard they were a must, and decided to split the shrimp hot sauce style, since we heard the portions were large. The noodles were amazing, great slightly spicy, peanut flavor and the portion is decent. The shrimp hot sauce style, which was only one number higher (7) than the noodles on their "spicy scale" was so hot we could barely eat it. This was surprising since I have a pretty high tolerance, and I thought the noodles were tame. The dish was good, it was basically a bowl of sauce with some veggies and perfectly cooked shrimp mixed in, but I think most of the flavors were masked by the heat. I think next time I might go for the 4-5 range and try their other recommendation, the double cooked style. Portion wise, this was more than enough food for two hungry girls. Two complaints I have are the service and the price. The service was pretty terrible. A table who sat down after us got their noodles before we did, and I had to get up and ask someone where they were before we got ours. We also had to wait a good 20-30 minutes for someone to clear our plates and bring the check. I mentioned this to one of the managers, Ben (I think), and he was very understanding. He had only been there two weeks since they were transitioning away from having Han take all the orders. He said he learned that every night one table seems to end up forgotten about, and service is half of the experience. He made some adjustments to our check for the inconvenience without us having to ask, and thanked me for speaking up instead of acting annoyed that we did. Although our first experience wasn't stellar, the manager made a great recovery and the food was still really good, so I will definitely be back for a second visit. Ben mentioned that they do a tasting menu on Monday nights - 20 courses for $25!

    (4)

  • Rachael Gray C.

    LOVE ME SOME HANNNN!!!! this is the best Chinese food I've ever had, hands down. The flavors are intense and authentic, everything is made to perfection. I love spice so I'm not afraid of the 5 and ups on their spice numbering system, but almost all their dishes are incredible. Best dishes I've had: 1) Wontons in chili oil 2) Dan dan noodles (which everyone mentions) 3) Anything with their Black Bean Sauce mmmmmmm 4) Sesame noodles The only thing I wasn't a huge fan of was the cumin preparation.. it's a little too powdery and cuminy for me, but I loved the rest. And if you're looking for a near death dining experience, try the Spicy Hot Pot (spice #10) - it will murder all of your innards. I wouldn't "recommend" it, but it's somethin. So all in all, great prices, delicious food, good for sit in and take out, they don't do BYOB but if you bring your own it's only $1 per beer.

    (5)

  • Tracy K.

    'Twas the night before Christmas, and so this Semite went out with her friends for a traditional Jewish Christmas dinner... After reading other reviews, it's apparent that we didn't interact with the owner--our service was very, very attentive, and helpful. There was a man who took our drink order, but it was a woman who initially greeted us, and after she learned we hadn't been there before, her response was an enthusiastic, "Oh! I love newbies..." She proceeded to make several recommendations for us. We ordered the Spicy Crispy Cucumber; the Dan Dan Noodles (no pork, and not terribly spicy, which was refreshing with the rest. Perhaps it's the pork that carries the heat in this dish?); Shrimp Hot Sauce Style; and my favorite dish: the Double Cooked Style Fish. One of our trio ordered the Wontons in Chicken Broth... she didn't receive a lashing for this, as others have reported. I love the fact that when the dish is listed as spicy, it actually *is* packing some heat. I would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Dan B.

    This was awesome. We ordered the spicy crispy cucumber, dan dan noodles, wonton in chili oil, kung pao chicken, double cooked pork belly, and hot sauce style chicken. The wontons were paper thin and delicious, the dan dan noodles lived up to my expectations, and all of the entrees were exceptional. The best thing all day was the cucumbers, which I was very pleasantly surprised about. Nothing was too spicy, everything was delicious, and I'll never be able to eat typical chinese food again. Well done Han Dynasty, well done.

    (4)

  • Liangchen L.

    The food here is really great!

    (5)

  • Jennie C.

    I've been to this location twice, and both times it was a bit of a letdown. The first time I went, I forgot to tell the waiter to tone down the spiciness (I know, it's weird: I'm a spicy-wimp at a Szechuan restuarant), and the chicken in chili oil was insanely spicy, with so much szechuan pepper my mouth went instantly numb. Not that I have anything against szechuan pepper, but a bit of balance would've been nice. The chicken, while perfectly cooked, was swimming in a sea of red chili oil and turned out way too greasy. The other thing I ordered was some sort of stir-fried pork, which was soooooo salty it tasted bitter. The second time I went was with a big group of people and this time we remembered to ask for toned down flavors. The food came out better, but still over-salted. I've been to both of the other locations and think there was better flavors/balances there. Not sure if I'd give this place a 3rd chance. Quite a disappointment considering how much I liked the other two locations.

    (3)

  • Brent S.

    If you think you like Chinese food and all you've ever had is the weird stuff that comes in takeout containers, you owe it to yourself to take a trip to Han Dynasty. Your taste buds will be introduced to the awesomesauce that is authentic Szechuan cooking. If you like spicy food you'll be in heaven. Give the Dry Pot Style a try.

    (5)

  • Paul B.

    City Center: This place is F'ing cool! Great vibe. Great room. Cool atmosphere. It's a mix of Chinese restaurant, pub, and night-club. The food is spicy and awesome! I loved the dumplings in chili oil. Spicy as hell! So good! Dan Dan noodles were delicious. Go after you've had a few and enjoy the experience. It's really nice.

    (4)

  • Samantha H.

    Went here for my birthday's eve lunch with a few friends. What a treat! A few had been to and recommended the one in Royersford but this one is closer so we figured we'd hit it up. With the guidance of our very helpful and attentive waiter, we started with some scallion pancakes, steamed dumplings with chili oil, and pork with pickled veggies all to share. All of them were very delicious, the scallion pancakes being some of the best we've all had. The big servings also made us realize we ordered too much, as there were four entrees to come and five of us, one of whom was not going to be eating much. But who cares because it was all delicious! We got the double cooked pork, the dry pot rabbit, the hot sauce beef, and the three cup chicken. While we didn't get near finishing, we certainly enjoyed the hell out of everything we could eat. Some of the things were pretty spicy so the free tea and water was much loved. AND! The place is BYO so my friend brought a couple of his homebrews for us to enjoy. We also got a great little dessert on the house because of my birthday, a neat little soup made with fermented rice and eggs. Overall, an absolutely wonderful experience with phenomenal food and fantastic service.

    (5)

  • Sue H.

    Ordered for delivery through DASH: Dumplings in chili oil Dan Dan Noodles Spicy cucumbers Bokchoy & mushrooms Dry Fried Pork Scallion chicken Scallops (garlic styled) Overall I thought that the food was delicious and had met my expectations (not exceed it) What was unfortunately disappointing was the dandan noodles that everyone here have been raving about.. perhaps its one of those dishes that should be reserved to be eaten AT the restaurant and shouldn't be on the online DASH menu... or perhaps they should simply separate the sauce from the noodles when ordered for delivery... cuz it was allll MUSH by the time we got our food:( I would've given it a 4 but rated it a 3 only bc I felt that the food although delicious was way overpriced... (compared to what we can get from chinatown ex. shiao lan kung) PLUS the fact that they had forgotten to provide basic takeout necessities (plates/ napkins/ forks/ chopsticks... shouldnt these be given for take out??) lastly DASH didn't have some of the main dishes like pork belly w/preserved veg avail. for delivery :( ***when they say spicey... its spicey***

    (3)

  • Joshua J.

    Now this is real Chinese food! This was my first experience here, and food was amazing. I would definitely recommend the Dan Dan noodles too any first time customer. The food comes out quick and the service was great. I'm definitely going back in the near future.

    (4)

  • Brad P.

    I'm updating my review to just comment on how Han Dynasty has kinda gone down recently since becoming popular. Yeah, right. I'm kidding. This place still rules and every time I eat here it is like Zeus and Loki have a crazy keg party in Valhalla and decide to open up the heavens and send peppercorns into my mouth via lightning blast express. I'd like to take this moment to give props to the Taiwanese sausage and dry pepper style shrimp. The dry pepper shrimp has a nice, subtle sweetness to it that is unexpected at Han Dynasty. The chicken with garlic sauce and salt&pepper shrimp are delicious dishes for your less spice-inclined companions(who you shouldn't be hanging out with anyways because they are weaklings). Also, no review is complete without mentioning the Dan Dan noodles. I have mentioned them.

    (5)

  • Audrey L.

    I feel like all of what I want to say has already been gushed about, but I will reiterate that the dan dan noodles here are incredibly delicious--one of my favorite bites to have while in Philly, for sure. Be careful though, if you don't have a great spice tolerance! Weaned on jalapeno peppers since early childhood (and then bhut jolokia sauce for the first half of college...), I don't find the noodles very spicy, but my boyfriend (who is incredibly sensitive to spice) nearly always starts sweating and nearly dying. The scallion pancakes are nice, though a little too fried for my taste--they do some different kind of sauce here that's a little heavy on the white pepper too. The serving staff are also very outgoing and friendly, striking up conversation on the fly and generally engaging with you in a fun way. All in all, definitely try it out!

    (5)

  • Ryan R.

    I really hate to do this but I hope that it can be some what constructive... Since the move things haven't been the same. My wife and I (and her whole family) loved this place at it's old location, but now it has lost it's charm and quality. Still a good place, but not "the best and most authentic". Some places get popular and keep the charm and quality but it pains me to say Han Dynasty isn't one of those places : (

    (3)

  • Kevin R.

    One of my favorite spots to eat! Food is bangballin! This is just a heads up- the new location is huge! So big it makes te staff seem like one person. They need to hire about 5 more servers and then open. Went for lunch and the 1-2 servers were running around literally trying to keep up!

    (2)

  • M A.

    I live in NYC and came here based on Yelp reviews when I was visiting Philly. WOWOWOWOW! I still dream about this place and we are already planning another trip back to Philly in the summer and this will be the first restaurant we come too. We were really really impressed. Got the dan dan noodles with pork on the side (I ate mine w/o pork), and the 3 cups chicken. We love spice and this delivered. We loved it so much we tried to find a good spot in Flushing, Queens near our home, that has several highly reviewed Sichuan spots and we were SO disappointed. Maybe Han Dynasty is not authentic? I don't know - but authentic or not - we preferred it and we cannot wait to go back to Philly to dine here again. PLEASE PLEASE owners of this restaurant, come to NYC and open up a restaurant here with the same menu!

    (5)

  • Katy S.

    Han Dynasty has the best Chinese food I have ever eaten! I no longer live in Philly, and I miss Han's food dearly. Menu items I urge you to try: Spicy Crispy Cucumbers as a cold appetizer, and Cold Sesame Noodles! The Cold Sesame Noodles have a very simple flavor but are absolutely delicious. I could eat a whole order on my own. All of the entrees are delicious as well. I particularly like the double cooked fish; however, they are not lying with the indication of how spicy some dishes can get. The servers are super helpful on coaching you to make a wise decision for your palate. Other benefits-- Han Dynasty is BYOB and super accommodating for groups. Han Dynasty is a must try for anyone visiting or living in Philly.

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    Happiness is.... accidentally finding this place during a day of buisness at the Old City Custom house. Read the reviews... this place is no joke.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    This place is legit. Don't be fooled by the hoity-toity setting. The cooks crank out real Sichuan food. We had the "dry pot style" beef, the "crispy rice style" pork, and the "double cooked style" chicken. Each tasted how it would in Chengdu, Sichuan (the world's best culinary city), and those three together made for a nice combination of flavors. Also tried the "Won tons in chili oil." Yes, again. Price is reasonable, especially in light of the large portions.

    (5)

  • A Z.

    Was in town for a work trip and am SO glad we stopped here. The server made excellent suggestions, including fan favorites and dishes he thought we'd like. We loved everything, including the delicious cocktails as well. They also allowed us to sit outside with our dog. Will definitely be back again next Philly trip!

    (5)

  • Lauren O.

    Delic!!! Very reasonably priced. Wasn't bloated the next day like most Chinese food places. I'd go light on the spiciness-5 was crazy hot for me:/

    (5)

  • Alicia O.

    I was interested in Han Dynasty when I saw the following sign for their tasting party in Royersford. "Everyone eat spicy. No vegetarian." Sounded right up my alley. I ended up coming to this location in the city however on a non-tasting party night. I heard all about the spicy crispy cucumbers and the Dan Dan noodles before I walked in the door, so we ordered those right away. I wasn't sure what I was expecting with the cucumbers. When I heard "crispy" I thought it might be a fried cucumber, but nope, it's just cucumbers in a really hot (but delicious) chili oil. It works cause the cucumbers and the heat balance each other out. The Dan Dan noodles were excellent and definitely worth the trip here, but in my opinion, those cucumbers had way more heat than the Dan Dan noodles. We also got two entrees as well to split between the four of us, although I would have been happy with just the cucumbers and noodles. Definitely worth checking out, but make reservations cause everyone is crazy about Dan Dan noodles.

    (4)

  • Michael F.

    The original Han... where it all began. Ok, maybe not since it moved across the street. Still it is much easier to find now. This location has a liquor license and some great drinks. It also happens to me a bit fancier than the other locations (in my opinion). However, don't worry, the menu is the same. I will say the spice level here seemed hotter... Spicy Cucumbers rock. Dan Dan noodles are a must as well. The tea smoked duck is a lot of work to eat (bone in), but bring a lot of flavor. Hell, I even enjoyed the eggplant we got.

    (4)

  • Kiran W.

    Beautiful place but cannot handle catering events - food came out cold, kept finishing and they ran out of plates and forks. Only had about 2 waitstaff for 100 people event. The host had to cut cake on their own. Looks like a beautiful restaurant but had a very difficult time with a large scale event.

    (2)

  • Anthony L.

    I had the most amazing meal here! The prices were great and the food was exceptional! The service was mediocre and the decor was nice! If you eat here you must try the pork belly! It was mind blowingly good! Everyone at the table was raving about it! Definitely a must try restaurant!

    (5)

  • Cyrus T.

    I really wanted to love this place but had a bad experience that just got worse as the night went on. the menu looked amazing and I was excited to see Chinese food that was not the standard Americanized fare. I ordered one of their sizzling mini-woks with fish. When it arrived it looked incredible...so far so good. One taste and I almost spit it out. It was so salty as to be almost entirely inedible. This is from someone who always drowns his asian food in soy sauce and loves salt. I'm a big foodie and really appreciate how salt brings out flavor. But this was extreme. On a scale of 1-10 this was 10. I called the waiter over and expressed my sincere distaste for having to send it back to the kitchen, but it was just terribly salty and really not edible. The server said "it's supposed to be salty" and I said, "dude, not this salty. have a taste for yourself. it's crazy". He said ok and asked me to take some of the fish from my plate and put it back on the wok before he took the wok back. He returned after a while with unknown modifications to the dish and said "i tried it and it was a bit too salty". Great...I try it and it's just as salty as before...I decide to just try my best to eat the damned dish as is rather than waste the food. The waiter checks on me again and I tell him it's not really better but I'm just going to eat it. He sits there and tells me it's the way this style of food is supposed to be and salt brings out the intensity of the flavor and spice. I tell him I'm very familiar with salt and spice and this is just simply too much...he argues with me, saying "I tasted it and it was fine with me"...I declined to point out that he had already admitted that it was too salty and just let it go. Overal experience with the service was that, while friendly, it was fairly inattentive. I had to rubber-neck and wave at them everytime I needed something. The menu was incredible and I hope to try them again, and I seriously doubt that the level of salt in the food is really standard there or else they would not have gotten all the positive reviews. I'm going to give them another try on my next trip to Philly and will revise this review accordingly.

    (3)

  • Vivian T.

    This place is a MUST!! For those who like spicy food, I cannot get enough of this place. If you come here, you MUST MUST MUST get the Dan Dan noodles.so yummy that I dream of it everytnight. I heard the twice cooked fish is yummy. I got the twice cooked pork b/c I was on a pork belly binge but instead of thick cut port belly, it was served with thin strips of bacon which was not as good. I would get the twice cooked fish next time. the dry pepper style chicken is yummy as well. I'm dying try other stuff too but for some reason every time I come, my friends either cannot handle spice or cannot eat certain animals. ahhhh!! but dont' worry...we manage.. here is a tip: DO NOT get the rabbit appetizer, first of all, all of us except one was keen on getting it and it was not good at all. the scanty meat was chewy and hard to get off the small bones. It felt like we were eating a small rodent which is essentially what a rabbit is...and it was not pleasant at all. bottom line- don't get it. not good. for those who cannot eat spice, not to worry, they have other stuff on the menu as well, their eggplant and veggies are yummy as well. the old cty one is way better compared to the one in university city. maybe it's the older building feel that accentuates the flavors? b/c the place in university city is of course way more upscale and trendy. I have been to both places and I still feel that the food is way better in old city even though they have the same menu.

    (5)

  • Minzie P.

    I came here with some friends and we ordered the Dan Dan noodles w/ minced pork, pea leaves with garlic, and lamb cumin-style. All three dishes were tasty but my favorite one was the noodles. It was spicy but so good. I loved it! Thanks :)

    (5)

  • Elizabeth R.

    The place was nice. The noodles were good. The waitress was amazing. But beware of the Mala spices. I wouldn't call it spicy but it left a very fuzzy feeling in all our mouths. It was a mixture of numbness and stingy. Hard to explain but I would go back and just get the dan dan noodles.

    (4)

  • J J.

    Very good!!!! I love the atmosphere and ambience of this particular Han Dynasty. It is HUGE on the inside and very nicely decorated. The food was amazing. If you go you definitely have to try their dumplings! The soup was only so-so for me but the rest of our meal, especially the Taiwanese sausage fried rice, was out of this world.

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    I remember this awesome Szechuan restaurant in Old City. Small space, cool little bar, good beers and fresh, spicy food. The vibe was fun, the Dan Dan noodles were tossed table side and the flavors were balanced and delicious.... Last night I went to this ostentatious, touristy crap hole in old city where the mushy noodles were already tossed when they arrived. Very little spice and no balance. Average service. Bathrooms that reeked of piss. The only thing that made my mouth burn was the salt and MSG in the food. Here's the thing. If you have one great restaurant and open many more, it's hard to maintain quality. There is no quality or value here anymore. The second star is given for the spicy cucumbers which were still delicious even with the pool of raw white sugar sitting at the bottom of the bowl. Oh, and I definitely won't be purchasing one of the $15 t-shirts hanging in the front window. In fact, I'll never have the opportunity to purchase one because I probably won't be going back to Han Dynasty. What a shame.

    (2)

  • Ann K.

    Han Dynasty has just moved to this building in October 2013. It is a historic building that fits for a dynasty for sure. It feels like I am walking into the grand reception hall of the Han dynasty emperor. I would prefer that the staff dresses the part too. Well at least they should like clean and professional. I almost walked out at first because I saw several non-Asian wait staff in t-shirts and jeans. I didn't want another westernized Chinese foods like PF Chang or Pei Wei that I can find in any suburbia shopping plaza. After I walked past the kitchen, I saw a team of Chinese chefs. I told my friend to stay put. We will eat here. The owner is actually Taiwanese. This place is perfect for business meeting, big family, and romantic night out that will not cost you arms and legs. They serve lunch special for $8. Szechuan meal can be oily, so order some vegetable dishes too. The food is ok. Dan Dan noodle has too little ground pork. Pork belly hot sauce is good. I wish they use better quality of rice. After all this is Han Dynasty. Thy should serve Asian's Best quality jasmine rice suitable for emperors. They have an upstairs private event venue with curved staircase. I think it will be fantastic for wedding rehearsal or birthday party.

    (3)

  • Jonathan C.

    We were traveling around Philadelphia and were searching for a good Chinese restaurant when the Han Dynasty came into our view. The Dan Dan Noodles were especially spicy, but they were amazingly good. We ordered the Salt'n Pepper Shrimp and it was the best dish of our dinner. The shrimp was fried just right that it was not too salty nor too tasteless. The homemade tofu was also fine, but didn't impress me as to the other dishes. Overall, the restaurant is a fantastic play to enjoy your weekend or just regular day lunch.

    (5)

  • Anish R.

    Amazing restaurant with a few locations throughout Philadelphia. I happen to go to the old city location which had quite the decor. If you're going to this restaurant, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS get the Dan Dan noodles. These delicious noodles were served in a peanut like sauce with excellent consistency and topped with grounded pork. This is also one ofnthe main reasons Han is receiving a 5 star rating. The dried pepper chicken is also good, although the plate looked covered with chili peppers. Wonton dumplings served in hot chili sauce are also recommended if you're looking for an extra spice kick to normal dumplings. If you're in philly...this is a must have restaurant!

    (5)

  • Walter K.

    Delicious specialty Chinese food perfect for sharing. The leftovers will even blow you away. Bring as many friends as you have, and order everything on the menu. For what they serve up at Han, the prices are reasonable. They recently acquired a liquor license but still allow BYO ($10 for wine, $1 per beer). One a month monday tasting menus are awesome.

    (5)

  • Matthew L.

    Greasy. Lacks flavor. Expensive Chinese food. I came with five others and we ordered family style. I will admit the Dan Dan noodles were pleasant, though they were also greasy. My fish and tofu hotpot was maximum spicy but unfortunately this spice had no depth. Chewing on spoonfuls of chili flakes saturated in oil was fairly disappointing. I am informed the tasting menu is quite good so I will give them a second chance. For the price, I find the quality really subpar. Decor is decent and service is par. Not the worst Chinese food I've had but not very good to me. A little disappointing for the price. Why not go to Chinatown? Cheers.

    (2)

  • Sang D.

    The hype is real. I have had pork, lamb, fish, and tofu here - it was all very good. Dan dan noodles. They make a big show out of everything being really spicy, which is sort of a stupid concept. It's bordering on a challenge to order the hottest stuff you can handle, or like you're a big man if you can eat something that is an 8, 9 or 10...that is, everything is rated on heat from 1-10, 10 being hottest. Great. Hype aside, it's a good place, service can get hectic...ask my girlfriend how she felt when we waited 30 min for a table, starving and they straight up forgot our appetizers and didn't comp it or anything...but I always had a good time and I'll be going back as long as I live in Philly.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    You know what boyfriends like for Valentine's Day? Lingerie and Han Dynasty take-out. Served separately, of course.

    (5)

  • Nick H.

    I'm glad I didn't eat in. I brought the spicy goodness home after downing a beer at the bar (service was spectacular even for take out) and headed home. The waitress warned me a teeny bit that it was going to be hot, I said, no problem, bring it on! (Mind you I enjoy spicy food for the most part, and being an ethnic minority, I suspect they opted to not hold back). At home, I cried, I coughed, I wiped sweat off my brow and blew my nose repeatedly. The eruption of flaming death in my mouth was tremendous, but wonderful at the same time. I'm so darned glad I didn't eat in because I would imagine the folks sitting around me would probably have been judging me for my lack of heat level check, and at least I would not have an audience watch me down six glasses of water as I continued to plow through the spicy wonders of Han Dynasty. In short, it was devastating, but in a masochistically wonderful way. What can I say? The dumplings with sesame seed and spicy hot oil? Pretty epic. My hot sauce style chicken? Fabulous, tasty even- but just be sure to put it on your white rice (not the white rice in the oil) lest you truly wish to torture yourself. Did it live up to the hype? I think so- fresh, made to order food with a clear care for quality and excellent service all around. Highly recommended- but be ready for true spiciness- as some of my Indian friends declare- even so-called "hot" American food is for the most part bland so be ready for the different level of spiciness because at Han Dynasty they won't hold back.

    (5)

  • Kelly P.

    FINALLY. i FINALLY ate at the legendary handynasty. it was the perfect place to celebrate my birthday dinner with 10 of my closest friends. we opted for the $25pp tasting, and i couldn't have been happier with the resulting spread of food. there was definitely something for everyone (we had a mix of wimps and spice lovers at the table). i dont even need to say it, but i will: dan dan noodles were a big winner for all of us. the cucumbers were also refreshing. i could have made an entire meal out of the wontons and dumplings alone. i didnt try the rock shrimp but it smelled and looked great. there was a lamb dish that i LOVED. simply, it was an amazing meal. it was also a great treat to meet Han himself! i don't want to brag or anything, but he gave me a beer and we chatted for a bit.. nobigdeal. happy birthday to me! side note: our waiter told us that they were just named one of the 50 best chinese restaurants in the country by CNN. congrats, Han!

    (5)

  • Ginny L.

    Extremely loud with pretty bad music in the background. Lamb with cumin was so loaded with cumin and red pepper, we couldn't distinguish the actual ingredients. Appetizers seemed overpriced for the portions. We had a party of six and probably should have been made aware by the waiter that the apps portions were small. Shrimp in chili oil was the star of the evening. Well done and perfect with the white rice. Slippery red chopsticks were at each place setting- I'm sure they are easy to throw in the dishwasher for the owners, but try eating noodles or dumplings without dropping on the table. Our waiter never offered any choices, but finally someone from our table spied wooden chopsticks and even plastic forks on a serving station and we became much better equipped. If you're looking for a loud, hipster type atmosphere where the food is hit or miss- Han Dynasty is the place. If you're looking for great food and a laid back atmosphere- stick to Chinatown.

    (3)

  • Monica L.

    PROS: Tasty, spicy, good value CONS: Crowded, sometimes slipshod service I've been to Han Dynasty on multiple occasions, but a couple of days ago, I went with a friend when I wasn't feeling very hungry. I ordered some cold sesame noodles, which were really good. The service was somewhat crappy though, since they forgot to bring us tea and water until after our meals arrived...

    (4)

  • Danna C.

    We've been here at least five times and finally decided to start a Yelp account to review them. The food is spectacular, and we always leave happily, wondering when we'll be coming back. Reserving a table a few days in advance is not a bad idea. It's possible to reserve the day of, but they probably won't have room until later in the night. The dining hall is not very large, but there is a space downstairs for larger group reservations. Although it's never noisy enough where one has to by the person sitting across the table, it might not be the best place to take someone on the first date. The spiciness of their dishes is rated on a 1 to 10 scale. Dishes come with a suggested spiciness level, but the spiciness of any can be altered to suit one's preferences. Most dishes are marinated with chili oil and/or Szechuan peppercorns. The flavors can be intense, but they are certainly worth trying. Portions are served "family style"; an appetizer and an entree should suffice for two people. We tend to order more because we're more than happy eating the leftovers the next day. Every time we go, we order the Spicy Crispy Cucumber for an appetizer. A spicy, tangy peanut/chili oil sauce coats the cucumber slices that creates a truly delicious combination. One order suffices for two people, and there's usually enough sauce left over to pour on rice during the main course. This time, we also ordered the Mapo Tofu with Minced Pork (7 out of 10 on spicy level) before the main dish. Chili oils and hot peppers made this a relatively hot dish, but a wonderful accompaniment to the meal. For the main dish, we ordered the Hot Sauce Style (also 7 on the spicy level) pork dish. It's a delicious stir-fry of sliced pork, cabbage, and celery in a Szechuan pepper sauce. Food: 5/5 - We really do look forward to going back to try new things Service: 4/5 - Sometimes the waiters take a while to refill water, but they are very friendly and willing to alter orders. Ambience 4/5 - A bit noisy, but very nicely decorated and well-lit. Overall: 5/5

    (5)

  • Abbie D.

    Oh Han how I love thee.... So my review is as follows the stars indicate my love for the food... ***Don don noodles - spicy very yum **Cucumber not too spicy but garlic *Scallion pancake **Sesame noodle - yum not spicy *Wonton in chili oil scheshwan weird numbing *Rice ***Snow pea leaves **Stir fry green beans **Scallion style beef ***Double cooked fish deeelish ***3 cup chicken - sweet *Dried pepper shrimp- spicy! Stir fry kidney slices- not for me ****chocolate malt cake!!! Amazing!! YUM YUM YUM

    (5)

  • Dietrich C.

    My wife recently ordered delivery from Han Dynasty at around 9pm. The order arrived almost 2 hours later at 10.45pm at which point the food was cold. Because the order was taken online her credit card has already been charged. Almost 2 hours for a delivery?!!!! Cold food. This is horrendous service.

    (1)

  • Arathi S.

    I really loved this restaurant! I was here visiting Philly for the day and my cousin told me we absolutely HAD to go here because it was one of her favorite restaurants in Philly and I have to say this may be one of my favorite Chinese restaurants that I've tried recently! One thing I love about Han Dynasty is that the food comes out whenever its ready, ensuring that each dish is fresh and hot. Also, you get to choose your spiciness level on a scale from 1-10. We first ordered the dan dan noodles, which was most definitely the best dish of the day. The sauce the noodles came in was perfectly balanced with just a hint of spiciness. Second, we ordered the scallion pancakes. Not my favorite dish just because I could see the remaining oil stick to my fingers which was slightly unappetizing, but I enjoyed the flaky crust and the filling thoroughly. Lastly, we ordered the Kung Pao tofu which was also extremely good, but not the best I've ever had. From the moment I ate it I could tell that it was filled with flavor and fresh from the kitchen.If you are in Philly, and love chinese food, this is a great place to go!

    (4)

  • David G.

    In the hours before rushing to the airport for my mid-afternoon flight home, I needed a place for a quick, convenient, filling, and moderately healthy power-lunch. It'd been far too long since I had decent Chinese food, and the buzz surrounding Han Dynasty was too much to ignore, so I quickly huffed it over to Old City. It was pouring rain, and there was already a crowd outside the door at 11:25am, eagerly waiting for the doors to open at 11:30. This was undoubtedly a good sign. A restaurant must be delicious if people are willing to get soaked in bitterly cold temperatures for a bite of their offerings. I was promptly seated at a two-top by the window and had a chance to browse the menu. Lots of spicy Sichuan Chinese offerings. I smiled when I saw absolutely no references to either fictitious Chinese generals or bland lettuce wraps. The menu helpfully reports the spice level of each dish on a scale of 1-10, but the spice level of everything is customizable to your liking. (I requested to have everything served at level 3, since I'm a wimp like that.) Simply put, the food here is divine. Probably the best Chinese food I've ever had. My mouth is still watering just thinking about it. I decided to start with a plate of spicy crunchy cucumbers. Who knew that cucumbers could have so much flavor? Tossed in a complex spicy sauce, these cukes were simultaneously cool and tangy and spicy and rich and fatty and refreshing -- and amazing. If you think cucumbers are a boring, bland vegetable, you must try Han Dynasty's version. For the main course, I ordered a bowl of Han Dynasty's celebrated Dan Dan noodles. While they look like fairly ordinary noodles, looks can be deceiving. I can only describe of texture of these noodles as...silky. At the table-side, the server tossed the noodles with an intensely flavorful pork broth. I could eat tubs upon tubs of these breathtakingly perfect noodles and never tire of them. I can see why this dish is the signature of the house. The service was as lovely as the food. Quick and efficient, but not rushed. I was in and out of Han Dynasty in no time, but the server never made feel like I had to turn my table over any faster than I wanted to. Han Dynasty has legions of adoring fans both in and outside the Philly area. You can now count me among them. For a quick and outstanding lunch in the Old City, you can't do much better than this. ---------------------------------------- And now for the executive summary version of this review: Handy Nasty -- very handy, but not nasty.

    (5)

  • Grace S.

    If you are not a fan of spicy Chinese food, beware! We're talking hot red chillies everywhere and tons of intense peppercorns. Been here twice in a group of 6 and a group of 10. I think small groups are accommodated just as well. I'm rating this place relatively and Wu Liang Ye and Grand Sichuan in Manhattan are just hands down better. (sorry yelpers--please don't crucify me!) - dan dan noodles are excellent. (flavors are all there, the noodles aren't overly cooked, but i think it could be made more aesthetically appealing) - cold noodles in sesame sauce(?) are a great appetizer as well - dumplings are just ok - wontons in spicy sauce are excellent! - stir fried cucumbers are great, but I make this at home all the time and it's so easy - Taiwanese sausage was awesome w/ the sliced raw garlic - double cooked chicken, not a fan. some ppl like that overly crisp texture but i find that it's not substantive and lacks good flavor since it's dry (no sauce). - hot pot was very meh. - lamb in cumin was way too overpowering. it could be much more well-balanced - eggplant in garlic sauce is good but on the heavy side. i prefer it at sangkee. - the fried seafood w snowpeas is very forgettable (i'm not a fan of Chinese dishes that just have salt & pepper on them) - the beef in a gravy sauce was pretty good (I think it's water-boiled beef; see pics I uploaded) Han is great for big groups and the service is great, but I wish the food was a bit better. You also get a ton of food for $15-20 pp.

    (2)

  • Reyana F.

    Holy moly. Listen to these reviews when they say it's SPICY. For a Pakistani I'm embarrassingly sensitive to spicy foods, and couldn't breathe after trying the spicy cucumber app. I do have to say the Pork Belly Double Cooked? dish was amazing. My bf loved the Dan Dan noodles but I'm a meat girl, and although it was cooked with pork nothing beats a good slab of meat. I'd definitely go back for the atmosphere alone. I'm used to cramped Center City places but it was beautiful with the high ceilings and open atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Drew L.

    Went to Han for dinner tonight, I was expecting just the same old same old No way this place Han is a great exprience. If you spicy good food Han is place for you. Good prices and fanatic service!

    (5)

  • Mike Z.

    Came here multiple times usually during lunch or happy hour. They moved across the st to a new location. Its a huge open space with very high ceilings and a really large bar. The servers are very friendly and always tell you their favorite recommendations. Most of the food is very spicy and comes with a number 1-10 indicating the level of spice. I like the don don noodles and I like the dry chicken. The food here is pretty good. They also have a pretty large beer selection. The only thing that im not a fan off and whats keeping me from coming here more than twice a year is that the food is VERY unhealthy. Its deep fried and noticeably loaded with sodium (all pretty standard for chinese food). One of the dishes we ordered was so salty we couldn't eat it.

    (3)

  • JP H.

    Amazing and authentic food. Prepared to your spice level. The cold sesame noodles are one of my favorite starter dishes. The dry pot style was great and very spicy, but I would not recommend getting it with the rabbit. The rabbit is good, but it is not great enough to warrant the work that is required to pick out all of the bones. The lamb is very nice and tender. We got the lamb cumin style. The drinks are pretty good here as well. Great place to bring a group of friends or travelers from out of town.

    (4)

  • Simon S.

    After wandering down Chestnut street from my hotel looking for a place to eat I came across Han Dynasty. From the outside it was very unassuming but once you enter it's a beautiful old building with interesting architectural details. I'm guessing it was maybe an old bank. There is a large bar area and they have a great selection of beers and spirits. The bar staff was very attentive. I'm rating this 4 out of 5 instead of 5 star due to the following reasons: I was not greeted by the hostess as she was busy chatting with an employee and the food was ok, not phenomenal but not bad either. They also bring out the food in random order depending on what is cooked first. They did tell me about this when I was given the menu. My appetizer made it out 10 minutes after my entree. I would eat here again.

    (3)

  • Ness S.

    I went here on a recent business visit with a colleague from China and suggested that he order from the menu. The food was authentic and the flavors were very deep and satisfying. We ate spicy cold noodles for appetizers, which was quite good. The tofu and fish special was spicy and fabulous. The deep fried shrimps were large and cooked with lots of red chilies, again outstanding. The dry cooked beef was also delicious. Even though we ordered smaller dishes, we had lots of leftovers so plan accordingly. They were out of the red sangria so we hesitantly ordered the white sangria instead. It was sweeter than expected but we liked it so much we ordered seconds . This is a must go to place especially if you are a fan of authentic schezwan food.

    (5)

  • Cara M.

    Michael Barnett was my server, he was amazing. Excellent drinks and spicy food! The atmosphere is chill, the building it's self is gorgeous! It's a fabulous place for large groups or private parties. Plus the new location is in a wonderful part of old city.

    (4)

  • Shaun L.

    Great ambience. Interesting menu choices. Staff are fun and service could be more attentive. The famous Dan Dan noodles are just hot and don't have a rich flavor. Too noisy to have conversation easily.

    (3)

  • hibba u.

    Only place I go for Dan Dan noodles!

    (5)

  • Jennifer Z.

    I like the fish there

    (4)

  • Adam D.

    Dear Mr Han, I love you. Yes, I said it. I as a man, firmly confident in my heterosexuality can comfortably say that I love another man. Done. Why do I love Mr Han you may ask? Well because he takes shit from NOBODY. He runs his place the way it should be run. He has rules. You must follow them. If you do , everything is gonna be alright. My first encounter with Mr Han could have ended badly. He ordered me to go back to the hostess stand and wait as the table I thought he pointed me to was in fact not mine. He sternly said "No , go back over there and WAIT". Normally I would have been upset and offended , somehow , I was not. I knew he meant well. I knew he was running his restaurant. Then I ate there. Now I will speak of that legendary meal. Dan Dan Noodles. Fish in Dry Pot , Ravioli in Chili Sauce ............ 5 gallons of water. A smile a mile wide. No feeling in my tongue for 90 minutes. Happiness. If you like spice. this is the joint for you. If you like General Tso's Chicken or Chow Mein , Or Lo Mein , Chop Suhy or Chow Fun you will not have any fun here. Its an authentic chinese eatery ( did I actually just write eatery? , sorry ) Its a real chinese joint and please leave your moo shoo pork at the door. A side note. Han always has on 50's and 60's Jazz. I love that. One night I commented on the huge computer screen and said "Hey man, that's Lester Young playing in the house." He laughed and said "I don't know a ton about jazz but I know I like it playing while its busy" Much like Lester Young was the president of the saxophone , Mr Han is the president of chinese cuisine ( at least he is in Philly ) Hats off Mr Han. Congrats on BEST OF PHILLY this year and congrats on running an amazing business.

    (5)

  • Ashok V.

    Good place but can get quite expensive. The chicken lowei is awesome ,I wish they could actually give a student discount

    (3)

  • Caroline R.

    I have never been treated with such pretension and condescension in any restaurant experience. I had heard wonderful things about the food at Han Dynasty and was curious to try it. From the moment that the owner began taking our order, things went down hill. He proceeded to criticize our selections and tell us "You can get fried dumplings any place, people don't come here for fried dumpling." Then why are they on your menu? He answered the phone when one of us was mid-sentence with our order. It was unbelievably rude. After that, I thought, the food here must be amazing because no one would put up with this attitude for mediocre cuisine. But you know what? It wasn't amazing, it was just ok. I would never put myself through this experience ever again. Don't bother with this restaurant unless you want average Chinese food served up with its insanely arrogant owner.

    (1)

  • Taylor D.

    Great for spicy food lovers. Good spot to entertain friends, interesting menu with an atmosphere. Family style meals, so you can share and try lots of stuff on the menu.

    (4)

  • Karin R.

    We found the food to be too spicy to be able to taste the other flavors. Everyone in my group arrived thinking we enjoyed spicy food. Apparently we do not. We ordered only dishes that had mid-level heat ratings (4-6) and found that with only one exception the flavors were overpowered by the chilies. The \dish we most enjoyed were the dan dan noodles. So,if everyone in your group likes really, really hot food this is the place for you.

    (1)

  • Sandy K.

    Without a doubt my favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly. One of my really good friends recommended Han Dynasty and then later that night I caught the restaurant on Food Network, so I knew I had to try it. I would call a few days in advance for a reservation, because they do fill up really quickly with reservations (Friday and Saturday nights are kind of tough to get, especially for bigger groups). The service is great. The staff is really helpful explaining the menu and the levels of spiciness. I personally LOVE spicy food, so I was able to handle the level 10 without much of a problem. But then again, I am Indian and was raised eating very spicy foods. The Dan Dan noodles are AMAZING. I would definitely recommend them for the appetizer. SOOO good, although a little pricey for not having any veggies or meat. For entrees, I have tried: Beef Dry Pot Lamb Dry Pot Chicken Dry Pepper Chicken Garlic Sauce Chicken Kung Pao My favorites were both of the dry pots. AND it's a BYO!! You can never go wrong with that... Tip: bring beer to curb the heat from the food

    (5)

  • Julia H.

    Definitely the place to go when you want spicy food! But if you want flavour - make sure you don't get everything spicy! After reading reviews, my BF and I decided to get the following: - Spicy Cucumbers - Spicy Dan Dan Noodles - Spicy Ma Po Tofu the spicy cucumbers and dan dan noodles were great! however, as we ordered everything spicy, once we started to eat one thing, the rest taste the same, as the spice lingers in your mouth so everything gets spicier and spicier as you eat it. what we should have done was ordered another item that wasn't spicy to help dilute the spiciness. I'm a big fan of ma po tofu, so when we saw it on the menu, we had to order it. Big mistake - It has no taste - only spicy. My BF told me my version was better =p Customer Service - servers were nice, but the hostess was not really nice. She was rude to all the customers walking in, including us. And the seating sucked as there were so many party of twos, they put everyone on the bench seating and everyone felt like there was no room to move and no privacy what so ever.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Han Dynasty has several locations in the Philadelphia area but the same incredible spicy food everywhere. Their Dan Dan noodles and Spicy Cucumbers are legendary on the Philadelphia Foodie scene. But this is a review of their new flagship space in Old City and not the food - I did that in a review of the Manayunk Han Dynasty last year. I can summarize their newest restaurant location in one word - "Awesome." I could add a second word - "Spectacular." Their move into the elegant Rococo inspired building of the old Philadelphia Corn Exchange will give this oft-attempted and failed restaurant location a long-running hit. One could be dining in a Viennese palace rather than in Old City when you take in all the architectural features intertwined with the soaring columns and glowing lights. Just remember, to see this décor and eat this food, it's best to make a reservation. And if your reservation isn't ready when you arrive, sipping a single malt in the well-stocked bar area is a great way to pass the time until you hear the magical words - "Your table is ready!"

    (5)

  • Morgan M.

    Best Chinese food I've ever had...living in LA that's a tall order for any restaurant outside of the west coast. Oh yeah...sit at the bar...great ambiance.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    So I went out with a bunch of Yelpers to check out this Han Dynasty jawn. We are a group of 16 and we were seated in the center of the dining room very comfortably. What we got were like a 15 course tasting menu, if not more, and everything was definitely on par. There are a couple memorable ones that are worth recommending. - Beef & Tripe in Chili Oil - Beef Tendons in Chili Oil - Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce - Spicy Green Bean Noodle - Pea Leaves w/ Garlic - Hot Sauce Style - Fish - Chinese Okra in clear sauce - Slow cooked Pork Belly with pickled vegetable Notice half of the recommendations are appetizers and they are awesome. They are spicy and tongue numbing. It is the first time I had a green bean noodle dish and it is very different and tasty. It has a unique texture and very refreshing. Chinese Okras are not something that you can always get in a chinese restaurant and they prepared it very well. It has a soft texture and very flavorful. The slow cooked pork belly is very traditional to my family and I know they did it good. I am a big garlic fan and the pea leaves and fish in hot chili sauce just goes very well with it. There are a couple memorable ones that are worth not recommending. - Cold Sesame Noodle - Dan Dan Noodle - Dry Fried Style - Beef - Smoked Duck - Shredded beef with hot pepper Smoked duck dish was dry and could have use more smoky flavor. Cold sesame noodle and dan dan noodle was nothing special compare to other places. Same goes to dry fried beef and shredded beef with hot pepper. Over all Han Dynasty is a very good place to grab a good night of spicy food. The dining room is not big at all so plan on getting there early for seats. I would go back. The End.

    (4)

  • Celine A.

    Great Food - be careful about how spicy you want your food - mild for them is already pretty spicy!

    (4)

  • Alex S.

    Been here 3x now, and love it! Dan Dan noodles and spicy cucumbers are amazing! Super spice and a bit greasy food, so only come with a fortified stomach. As much as I love it here, it always takes me a few days to recover fully.

    (4)

  • Manzana Z.

    I can say , Chinese will like thier food! If they opened in China, also many people would come to try~ Dan Dan noodle is yummy. It is so lucky to find here. Hmm, wiring comment makes me hungry!

    (5)

  • Joe B.

    I am not a spicy person and the waiter explained how they gauged the spice content 0 being not hot/ spicy 10 being hottest. We asked for a 2 and my mouth is on fire the rest of the food i cannot enjoy. The staff is very friendly their beer selection is awesome but if you can't handle spice just get a zero and enjoy yourself

    (2)

  • Judy L.

    For excellent Szechuan food, go to Han Dynasty. I would recommend, only go to this location. The food and service are both better. It is a bit pricier than some of the other Szechuan restaurants in Philadelphia, but the noodles are better here. I would not recommend: Kung Pao Tofu or Long Hot Pepper Tofu I always get the same items: -Dan Dan Noodles -Spicy Cucumber -Double Cooked Fish -Dumplings in Chili Oil

    (5)

  • Lou P.

    Great for larger groups Don't ask for the general Go hot or go home I won't pretend to be an expert on excellent Sichuan cuisine, but I will tell you that the food here is amazing. Every meal here is the type you revisit in your mind hours, days and weeks later. Thoughts of Dan Dan Noodles can cause a one to break into a sweat all over again in the wee hours of the morning, their slight crunch and spicy punch echoing through your mind. This is the kind of food that takes hold of you. The spice moves easily from mouth-hot to whole-body warm. Each dish arrives at your table having been tipped out of the pan less than a minute prior, the fat on the lamb with cumin and hot peppers still crackling in the oil. All the flavors mix perfectly and balance out the heat. If you're a glutton for spicy punishment, this isn't the place for you. It's not a Fear Factor situation with ghost pepper wings and gallons of milk. It's a masterful blend of flavor, texture and spice in every dish. And yeah, it'll probably clear your sinuses; you'll love it. Anytime you get tired of whatever new culinary trend has taken over the city, spend the night with a few friends trying the tasting menu at Han. It's a meal that you'll excitedly talk about with those who weren't seated around the table for months to come. Or until the next time you just can't stand it anymore and get takeout Dan Dan Noodles and spicy cucumbers just because.

    (5)

  • Mike O.

    This is the absolute best, most delicious Szechuan-style Chinese food that I have ever eaten. The Dan Dan Noodles are an absolute must-have as a starter. My favorite dish is the Shredded Chicken in Garlic Sauce. Every time I'm in Philly, I always make time for a trip to Han Dynasty. Simply put, I love this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Kaitlin L.

    Not a week goes by that I don't dream about the Dan Dan Noodles. I am aware how sad this makes me seem, but if you've ever had them, you understand. The food here is just amazing. You haven't had Chinese food until you've eaten here. As someone that enjoys some heat but wants to have taste buds at the end of the meal, I appreciate that Han Dynasty allows you to alter the level of spice in most of their dishes. However, it's worth pushing your normal boundaries, the flavors that are delivered on each plate are truly amazing. Keep in mind that the portion sizes are very large, big enough to share. I need to come here with a large group, that seems like the way to go. However, I was perfectly happy with my experience as a table of two.

    (5)

  • Leonardo L.

    It's definitely different! SPICY! and We LOVE IT! Handynasty! all the way!

    (5)

  • Jim B.

    Dan dans -- Awesome. Pork belly in garlic sauce -- super. Shrimp hot sauce -- delish. We will try the full spicy 10 dry pot next time. Service great. We went early in the evening and didn't feel rushed even as the mad rush came in.

    (4)

  • Joe B.

    Dan Dan Noodles lived up to the hype.

    (5)

  • David J.

    Great preserved vegetable soup. The new location is a bit fancier, but gives the restaurant a good feel. The mapo tofu is delicious. As is the double Cooked fish. Everything we ate here was delicious and well-cooked!!

    (4)

  • Alicia C.

    4.5 stars Had a great dinner here this past weekend with a group of friends. I was glad we were able to get a table for an early Sunday dinner since I really wanted to check this place out while I was in town visiting. We had tried to get a reservation the night before but they were completely booked. So, if you have a larger party or are aiming to go on a weekend night, reservations are recommended. I think the best way to go here is to order a bunch of different dishes to share among the table. However, 3 out of the 5 in our group weren't quite on board with this idea, so they opted for a dish each to have for themselves. So the other 'sharer' and myself decided still to get a variety of menu items: dan dan mien, spicy cucumbers, eggplant in garlic sauce, scallion pancake, and the twice cooked pork belly. As the 'sharing' dishes started to arrive, the rest of our party quickly regretted their decision to have a dish to themselves... luckily we were nice and still shared with the whole table, there was more than enough. The dan dan noodles were definitely a highlight. I'm used to wider noodles and a thicker peanut sauce for this dish, but Han Dynasty's take on it was still delicious, and definitely had a good spicy kick (rated a 6/10 on their spiciness scale... I don't think I want to know what the 10 tastes/feels like!) But if you're a spice lover, one of my dining companions will attest that the 10 rating definitely brings on the heat (he got the clay pot). All in all, a very satisfying meal. Friendly and attentive waitstaff. Glad I did my Yelp research before getting to Philly so I found this place and did not miss out. I would definitely return if I'm passing through Philly again.

    (4)

  • M G.

    The new Old City location is awesome!!! I love spicy food so this is the perfect restaurant for me. If you don't like spicy food, you probably won't be as amazed, but there is still food on the menu that you'll like. They have all the spice levels on the menu, so you know exactly how spicy your dish will be! A few of my favorites are the dan dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, and the hot sauce chicken.

    (5)

  • Shannon L.

    It's not bad. I just don't find it spicy enough. We asked for the spiciest they could give us and it was just okay. My friends drank the chilli oil and ate the chilli without issues. I guess I went there expecting really spicy food, especially after all the hype - and I didn't get that. That disappointed, but the food was not bad. It's pretty good as far as Chinese food here goes. I guess it is just pretty hard to find really spicy food in Philadelphia. Probably will not go back to the Old City location, but I'm looking forward to the new branch opening in University City. I will definitely drop by that one a lot since it'll be so convenient!

    (4)

  • S G.

    Better than sex, the thought really did cross my mind for a nano-second. Cannot stop thinking about their beef hot-sauce style (aka 'water' boiled beef), it is THAT good. Actually wanted to go back the next day to order it again! I should say though, despite the millions singing praise to the dan-dan noodles- we ordered them (without meat/pork) and didn't like them at all. For my man to pass on a dish, well- you know it's gotta be bad.

    (4)

  • Kase M.

    Good food. Great service from Nick. He's attentive and informative. Good prices. I love the place and the food. Been here a handful of times and will continue to dine at this wonderful restaurant.

    (5)

  • Karl H.

    I'd like to start with, I'm from MN and we don't really have any authentic Chinese restaurants that I know of so this is really the first Chinese I've had. We do however have lots of good Thai and Vietnamese and Cambodian places in MN so I'm not just going off of crappy buffets or something here. We started with the crispy cucumbers which were great. We then moved on to the main event. We had garlic lamb, double cooked flounder and the dry pot with rabbit. Every one of the dishes was great and I was unable to identify a favorite. I will say the Flounder was so perfectly done I'd probably lean towards that if it wasn't for the garlic lamb having some amazing flavors as well. The dry pot rabbit (a 10 of 10 on the spicy scale) was somehow very good even though it was spicier than a banshee. The flavor came out first instead of an immediate burning spice, which was nice. This was the first time I actually felt like my taste buds had been singed off of my tongue. Even so, I'd have the dry pot again, somehow it was still good even after that. I'm now going to have to scour MN for a Chinese place that measures up to Han Dynasty but sadly, I somehow doubt this will ever happen.

    (5)

  • Will S.

    Had a surprise birthday dinner and it was amazing. The staff was so upbeat and friendly and the food was AMAZING!!! The option of how spicy you wanted your food was awesome. Can't wait to eat there again.

    (5)

  • Paul D.

    If we are in Philly- we must go. Dan dan noodles- and also wontons in hot oil-just spicy enough to make your tongue tingle, your lips burn and your eyes mist- and you still can taste the food- YUM Dried sauteed stringbeans-crunchy, juicy, salty and not spicy. cumin lamb- spicy and smoky. taiwanese sausage- a little sweet and savory with some raw minced garlic. Can't wait to return- next week!!!

    (5)

  • Abigail L.

    Oh, handynasty I wanted to looooooove you, but I just didn't. The food was fine, but didn't blow me away. My husband and I shared the spicy cucumbers (which were phenomenal and I would go back for these alone), the dan dan noodles sans meat, and two entrees of garlic sauce style tofu and the hot sauce style tofu that we asked to have kicked up to a level ten. The dan dan noodles were really yummy, as were the cukes, but the entrees just didn't have any wow factor and the hot sauce style tofu was just oily, and I could handle the heat so there is just no way on Earth it was a 10. Perhaps if I went back I'd try a few other entrees and they'd be better. It didn't help that we were seated near a drafty window in a tiny, sort of cramped corner in the front/top of the restaurant. Sure it could've been romantic overlooking a rain soaked Chestnut Street, but instead I was just cold and annoyed with the little room we had. I also found it odd that our entrees were delivered while we still had apps on the table, and the tables are just not built for that much food at once. It made us feel a bit rushed and overwhelmed. The service was pretty good otherwise. I had a red wine and my husband had two beers. The drink specials sounded too sweet and kind of gross. I wasn't sure if they had a full bar otherwise or not. All in all we had a fast dinner of great to mediocre food that literally left a bad taste in my mouth. I think it was the garlic sauce. It took three separate brushings of my teeth and a full meal to get the taste to finally go away. Kind of reminds me of a scene from the movie Kids, which is not something you want to associate with your dinner nah mean?

    (3)

  • Anahi B.

    If you like spicy and Chinese food, you MUST go to this place! We went to Han Dynasty on a Friday night with a large group. The host/waitstaff were very friendly and not put out by the fact that our reservation was for 22 and dwindled down to 14 after some regrettable no-shows. We decided on the tasting menu, which is a total steal at $20 per person. This is not for small groups, though: I think they said you need 8 people in order to take part! Han himself came to our table to discuss our food items and dietary restrictions, and was quite accommodating to our kosher person, and amazingly, even to the three people at our table who didn't like spicy food. Everything that we received at our table was incredibly tasty, but some standouts include the Dan Dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, and the dry pot lamb. The double cooked fish was a big hit with the table as well, as were the cold sesame noodles, the wontons in chili oil... and now I could just name everything we got. It was, in short, an amazing meal! By the end l, I was sweating and quite content. Couldn't get the garlic taste out of my mouth for two days, but still can't wait to go back for more! A word to the wise: They used to be a BYOB, but apparently just got a liquor license. I guess you still can't go wrong since the food it so reasonable.

    (5)

  • Andrew T.

    I'm sweltering. Mouth numb and I can barely taste any food as a sweat drips down my neck. Oddly no one mentioned to me how spicy the food is until we sat down and started reading the menu and noticing the numbers next to every entrée. Our waiter then explained what madness we were about to engage in. I have to say though everything here was pretty amazing and I love that the heat was a little bit overbearing at times. Cold spicy cucumber legit, two orders of Dan Dan noodles for four people obviously they're that good, a really tasty pork appetizer and then they brought out the entrées. We got the still flaming bowl of chicken and vegetables and the fish broiled twice. I would not recommend getting a different protein with the fish dish and especially since the chicken dish is a level 10 and we knocked it down to a six; I would definitely go lower than that number to actually taste your food. By the end of this meal your taste buds are ravaged And the only thing I knew was that I was eating spicy Chinese food. I'd consider giving them a five but heat was unbearable at times which compromised a lot of the flavor but still for Chinese food this place is awesome. Overall the prices were fair and five $5 dogfish head 60 minute; I can't complain. Unfortunately the server was a little distracted, he might of been juggling too many tasks which is not his fault but we had to flag his attention to order and to get more water to quell the raging palate inferno and to take care of the bill and for that reason I'm going to go with the 4/5.

    (4)

  • Angela W.

    Out of all the locations, Old City has the best consistent bold taste and heat to their dishes! But due to my Chinese upbringing, I wish the dishes were spicer. Tried their hottest level 10 and was not challenged. Good news though! Got a chance to meet Han's partner here who encouraged me to customize my order and raise the heat! Glad to know for next time. Just know they are always willing to tailor to their level of spicy. Must haves: - Dan Dan Noodles (can't leave without it) - Dry Hot Pot With Beef (or chicken)

    (4)

  • Judy C.

    We had a great experience at Han Dynasty last night. If you are going with a group (8+), I highly recommend going with the tasting menu at $20,$25 or $30 per person. Our group went with $25 and we were allowed to out in preferences for any dishes. We also had a mix of people who loved spicy food and those that couldn't eat very spicy so the dishes we received were all 7/10 or less. We started with the Dan Dan noodles, scallion pancakes, cold Sesame noodles and Taiwanese sausage. I really enjoyed the Dan Dan noodles (5/10 on spice) and you can't go wrong with Taiwanese sausage. We then got the Hot Pepper Beef which is much less spicy then it sounds (I'd rate a 2-3 out of their 10 scale), Salt and Pepper Scallops, Crispy Rice with shrimp (on the sweeter side and 0 on spicy), Chinese Cabbage with dry peppers, and some chicken dish. Most memorable dishes for me were the Scallops, Fish, Beef and Dan Dan noodles. Service was attentive without being overly pushy. Our server came back enough to refill on drinks and ask how we were doing. The amount of food was more than plenty for our group but so good that we ended up stuffed for eating so much since it was all tasty. Main reasons for the 4 vs 5: some of the dishes could have used a little bit less sauce. The Crispy Rice style was swimming in sauce and could have had more crispy rice and the chicken dish was not memorable. All in all, a great experience and as other reviewers have said, probably one of the nicer Chinese restaurants in terms of decor and cleanliness.

    (4)

  • Danny C.

    Ok. The food is terrible comparing to any Sichuan restaurant in New York City. Wonton in hot oil has tons of vinegar. The fired dumpling has thick skin. Dan Dan noodle has a huge quantity, but the flavor wasn't there. The price is more expensive. The cocktail is not bad. I won't come back again for sure. So disappointed.

    (1)

  • Nkaonou M.

    I tried the Dan Dan noodle because of reviews on here and it is amazingly spicy just like how I want it. The pork belly in garlic sauce is so good! Will be coming back again.

    (5)

  • Barbara D.

    I went to the NYC location about a month ago and thought it was spectacular. Therefore, I couldn't resist checking out the Philly location. The Old City setting is much more grand than the NYC, which resembles more of a diner/comfy kitchen setting than a grand dining room. We had the wontons in chili oil and Dan-Dan Noodles to start. Then we continued on and ordered the Kung Pao chicken, brown rice, and spicy cucumbers. Everything was AMAZING. The Empress cocktails complemented the meal perfectly. Not a place to miss... already craving the Dan-Dan Noodles again! My client was so impressed and can't wait to return.

    (5)

  • lu z.

    I went to this restaurant owing to all the positive reviews on yelp. It came out a bit disappointing. The interior decor is well but the food is mediocre comparing to the price. Dan Dan noodle, as everyone comments, tastes authentic and flavorful. But the double cooked pork belly and leek lamb and mushroom bok Choy all swim in black soy sauce and oil, which r quite greasy. If u prefer light-oil Chinese food with reasonable price, pick up a another restaurant..

    (2)

  • Lili B.

    I heard a lot of good thing about Han dynasty and my experience there did not disappoint me. First off,, kudos to our waiter, he was amazing. I do not like spicy food and the waiter was great at helping me choosing something I could eat. He was on top of our orders and came multiples to check how we were doing. We started off our dinner with the sesame noodles. It was just super good. Then we ordered the chicken fried rice and some other spicy plates (can't remember the name). My plate was amazing! Unfortunately, I couldn't try my friends' plate because it was too spicy for me but my friends only had compliments. The prices are in the mid-range. Great experience overall and looking forward to go back to Han dynasty. Tips, if you have a "normal appetite", sharing an appetizers and an entre is MUCH more than enough for two!

    (4)

  • Cameron P.

    This is the best Szechuan style Chinese food in philly. I have never actually eaten in the restaurant but have ordered from them a number of times. The Dan Dan noodles are my wife's favorite. The pickled, dry, cumin and hot sauce styles are our staples. The dumplings in chili oil rock. We both like a lot if heat so usually go for between 7 and 9 but be forewarned this is very, very hit and you can pick a heat level you are comfortable with.

    (4)

  • Aditi M.

    Oh my my!! I am in love with this place in my every first visit. It is a heaven for people who like spicy schezuan food.

    (5)

  • Joe S.

    As a first timer here at the Han Dynasty on Chestnut. I picked on a wide variety of the different dishes they offer here. For apps I tried both the fried dumpling and the dumpling in chili sauce and I would say the latter was a lot better then the former. The Fried dumpling was way too doughy for me and had little taste though the dumpling in chili was balanced in terms of the dough and meat and it was spicy but not over powering and overall was light. Last for apps I tried the wonton soup in chicken broth which was one of the better wonton soups I have had. The broth was light and packed with flavor and was not greasy as some soups tend to be. For main courses we got a couple different dishes. The crispy rice styled shrimp was great in flavor but was just more in a bowl of sauce which I did not particularly like because you could barely tell it was sitting on top of rice and the rice just ended up swimming in the sauce but the flavors were there. Also tried the Garlic sauce style scallops and it was very similar to the previous and I could not make to much of a distinctive difference between the two dishes. Now for the good part, the Kung Pao styled chicken had a great flavor it was not over powering in heat, like some Kung Pao styled dishes I have had at other places, which was a good thing. Though the best dish for me was the Lo mein noodles with pork which was cooked perfectly and I could not stop eating it as the sweet and sour flavors of the dish were addicting. Overall this was a good experience and if you are going with a small crowd, 1 or 2 people I would just get possibly just an app and a noddle dish and for a larger crowd go with a couple of the entrees as the portions are pretty large. If you are looking for some good spicy sichuan cuisine in the area this is the place to go to.

    (4)

  • Mr P.

    Five stars means as good as it gets, right? Well, this is not as good as it gets. It is however a pleasant surprise. The food is good. Vegie are nice and crisp. Wanton has delicate wrapping and tasty fillings. The cold noodle could have use a little more peanut sauce and a tad less hot oil. Dishes are hot and spicy as Han said it would be, but not unbearably so as he repeatedly warned us. All four dishes we ordered had lots of Sichuan pepper corn in them which is a good thing. I love that stuff, just not lots of it in every dishes. May be it just happen to the four we ordered. I had eaten in Sichuan before, and if you think authentic Sichuan cooking is with lots of Sichuan pepper corn, then you don't know what you are talking about. Service is some what odd. We brought wine and they opened it right away,but we had to ask for wine glasses. We were dinning chinese style but has to ask for bowls. Noticed that the table next to us also brought wine, but was given brandy sniffers. This place is open for a while now, not sure why these kinks are not work out already. A nice touch would have been some pickled radish or napa cabbage and roasted peanuts when you sit down. Which is a given in every restaurant I went to when I visited my colleagues in Chung Do and Chung King. From the fanciest restaurants to the road side dinners. Since I already decided that I will be back just for the spiciness and try other dishes to be fair. I will give it a 4 stars for now. Will adjust up/down after I try again.

    (4)

  • Jessica E.

    The food here is absolutely delicious. SPICY and delicious. I enjoy spicy food and I think that the spiciness definitely enhances the flavor, but I will admit that I was sweating a little bit toward the end of my meal. It was well worth it though and they were very generous with the water refills. The menu is clearly laid out with the spiciness level of each dish rated on a 1-10 scale. I am a big fan of comprehensive menus, so that was a big plus in my book! I imagine that they can alter the spiciness according to your taste as well. Something else to be aware of is that the portions are large. Between two of us, we ordered two appetizers and one entree and could not finish, so be prepared for leftovers. (Which is certainly not a bad thing!) Service was delightful! There were two different servers who periodically came to our table and I got the impression that they both really loved the food and were eager to share it with people. The restaurant is BYOB. We brought a bottle of Zinfandel and one of the servers did suggest that white wine or beer would be a better pairing. After experiencing the food, I can see that a dry white or a belgian ale or IPA would probably be a nice complement to the spicy food. If you like Asian food, I highly recommend diverting from your neighborhood take-out joint and going to Han Dynasty. The food is reasonably priced and, as previously mentioned, delicious! Just be prepared to sweat a little.

    (5)

  • Clifford Q.

    food is great - but the delivery service / dashed delivery is awful - the order is always screwed up and takes an hour or more - dash blames the restaurant - no more delivery - eat in only

    (1)

  • Alie A.

    This place is AM-AH-ZING. Went here recently with a group. I think family style is the way to go here; I was absolutely stuffed after having ordered several small dishes for the table. The food comes out as soon as it's cooked, so it's just a flow of deliciousness from nearly the second you arrive to the second you leave. We had the dumplings in chili oil which was probably my least favorite thing, the dan dan noodles which were to DIE for, and a hand full of entrees. The cumin style pork was my favorite entree. This place lives up to it's spicy rep, too; I definitely had to stop to take a breather more than once. This is a GREAT place for groups; it's a BYOB, but our waiter mentioned that they are beginning to sell alcohol as well..so I'm guessing they are transitioning over. Either way, I will hands down be back here very soon. Muy Delicioso!

    (5)

  • Shawn S.

    Lamb cumin is the best! Plus they serve alcohol now!

    (5)

  • Sherry T.

    Yummy! The food here is excellent. Stumbled onto Han Dynasty by accident. The group was trying to go to Khyber for their Izikaya event but after finding out the ramen was sold out, we headed over to this spot. I had been wanting to see what all the hype was about so it worked out well. We waited for a while for a table but the staff seemed very apologetic about it. While waiting, got annoyed with a couple of tables who were just sitting around, after getting the check but decided it would be a great time to now open their bottles of wine and have a pretentious show of swirling and sniffing and sipping their wine. Once we FINALLY sat, ordered the Dan Dan noodles- delicious. Then, we had the Kung pao chicken which was ok. Beef-garlic style and the dry pot chicken was excellent. Have had authentic Chinese food before in China and this was comparable. Didn't get too adventurous this time but will the next time...

    (4)

  • Barrett L.

    If you're looking for a run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant, don't come here. But if you're looking for an interesting new approach to Szechuan Cuisine, then Han Dynasty is for you. This BYO in Old City makes exceptionally spicy and delicious Chinese food served in big, shareable portions that's sure to leave you feeling satisfied and maybe in need of a glass of milk. Instead of tired standards like Sesame Chicken and Beef with Broccoli, expect to see more fiery creations such as Beef Curry, Dry Pot Shrimp, and Long Pepper Chicken. The numbers next to each of the menu items indicate the spice level of the dish, ranging from 1 (mild) to 10 (hold onto your hat!), but I found that the numbers don't really have much of an affect on the dishes' actual heat. Presentation is put to the wayside as the dishes' flavors and spices do most of the work. The Pork Belly with Garlic was sensational, as well as the Dry Pot Beef and Lamb Curry. Surprisingly, my mouth was able to stand up to the intense, recurring heat. Furthermore, with a liquor store located just a block away, you can easily pick up the wine of your choice on your way or while you wait. Reservations are highly recommended as there's usually a long wait time on peak nights, but the food is definitely worth it. I came in expecting Wonton Soup, Egg Rolls, and Kung Pao Chicken, but left with a greater appreciation for the variety and flavors of Chinese cuisine.

    (4)

  • Danielle W.

    Went here with a few friends one night after a long day at work. Since it was later in the evening, the wait wasn't too long, but the place was still packed. Overall, I was not blown away. As a vegetarian, I was disappointed that many of the vegetable dishes had meat in them. However, I think if I ate meat, this place would be great. I got the tofu garlic sauce style (I chose the extra firm tofu and probably I should've gone with firm) and it was just okay. Kinda like eating paneer (cheese) stir fry. Not my idea of a stellar meal. The star of the meal, though, was the spicy crispy cucumber. Two words: damn good. I think about them regularly and it's been months since I was there. I would give this place another chance just off the strength of those bad boys.

    (3)

  • Anthony F.

    Dan dan noodles were very tasty. Dry pot as an entree was spicy and tasty but the ginger was a little overwhelming for me. Service extremely quick. $10 corking fee

    (4)

  • Kristine D.

    Not at all what I expected. I wish I had a Han Dynasty next door to my house, I would be there every day. We had the Dan Dan Noodles (amazing!) and the dumplings in chili oil for appetizers. You do not need to order a whole meal for yourself, it will be too much. Choose 1 per couple. This would be a great place for a group outing. The food is spicy, very spicy! They will keep you refilled on water. Watch the corkage fee. They will charge you $1 to open a beer.

    (4)

  • Wilfred S.

    I thought RZ pingpong was the best Szechuan restaurant in the world, and Han Dynasty blows it out of the water completely. As a Hong Kong native, I'm willing to say that you'll have trouble finding better Chinese food anywhere in the world. Surprisingly a pretty formal place at this location; huge chandeliers, 50 feet high ceilings, full sitting bar. Good atmosphere and vibes for the most part except that some parts can get a little too dark because they try to hard to emulate this romantic classy dinner place. Food was ABSOLUTELY savage. I recommend getting Dan Dan noodles and the noodles with chili sauce as they are the 2 best items on the menu. Everything else was really good from the kung pao chicken to the dry cumin beef...you really can't go wrong with anything as long as you don't get anything too spicy. There were a couple negatives for this place (although the food is so good that it overcomes all of it): 1) If you have a group larger than a few people, you're either gonna have to make reservations of wait at least 30 minutes. We walked in with a group of 5 and got really really lucky and found seating in 15 minutes...but I really wouldn't bank on that. 2) Although everything on the menu is amazing, the options are very limited. There are really only ~10 legitimate entree items to choose from if you don't count appetizers and small bites. Good news is all 10 of those items are good! 3) It's pretty pricy for chinese food. The bill came out to around $32 per person (that's including alcohol money; probably $26 without)...but expect to pay a premium price for premium food. If you can't tell, I love this place. I love it so much I went to the Manayunk location (much closer to me if I'm not in the city) just 2 weeks later. By the way, that location is awful; stick to this one. Oh, and get the fishbowl if you feel like drinking...it'll demolish you!

    (5)

  • John K.

    We had been to the Han Dynasty in Old City before and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The food was tasty, well balanced and spiced, the service was brisk and attentive. We looked forward to returning for another memorable meal. Sadly, we were met with an entirely different experience this time. We came in on a Sunday evening and the restaurant was almost full. The hostess sat us right away at a high top table in the bar area. Our server came over to greet us and offered us drinks. We ordered a round of drinks from him and he said he would be right back. 20 minutes later (and I timed it), I had to flag down another server to go find our server. He finally appeared and said he would go "check to see if our drinks were ready"! Unbelievable! After a 20 minute wait, finally, a mediocre margarita and a glass of the darkest ice tea I have ever seen (I thought he had brought a glass of Coke) appeared. He then proceeded to take our order, now that we have had 30 minutes to study the menu. We ordered the Beef & Tripe and the Beef Tendon, both served in chili oil, as starters and the Mapo Tofu and Double Cooked Style Pork Belly for our main dishes. The two cold appetizers came out relatively quickly and were deliciously spicy. The two main dishes came out shortly afterwards. The Mapo Tofu was incredibly tasty, but also extremely salty. The Pork Belly was also very salty. The food had departed from the light, balanced, and flavorful meal we had remembered in previous visits. Our server had deigned us with a follow up visit to refill my ice tea. After we had been cleared by the ever attentive bus boys, our sever came and offered dessert and dropped the check. 10 minutes later, we were still waiting for him to pick up the payment. Another server came by and picked it up to run our credit card. Shortly after, our server came over to ask if he had brought us our bill! Unreal! This has been a disappointing and disheartening experience. This was the absolute WORST service we have ever experienced. It was almost surreal, an out of body expletive watching the train wreck of what passed for service in this place. Over seasoned, unbalanced, salty food is FORGIVABLE, but inattentive, absentminded service is INEXCUSABLE. Waiting 20 minutes with nothing but water and menus at the outset of the meal sets a pretty poor tone. Making customers wait to pay at the end of their meal is completely UNACCEPTABLE ! And then asking if we had our bill is just LUDICROUS. If there was ever a hint that this server actually cared about our dining experience, this absolutely eradicated such a notion beyond any doubt. What was a 5 star memory has sadly deteriorated to a 1 star reality. It just shows how much a dining experience is affected by the quality of service. We will not be returning.

    (1)

  • Mike S.

    Writing this review as I eat... I've been a long time HAN DYNASTY fan, but recently their signature dish, DAN DAN NOODLES, has fallen off the map. The noodles are smaller/thinner and don't have the same texture or taste from just a couple months ago. Mr. Han is probably saving a few pennies by switching his noodle distributor, but let me tell u this. It's not worth it. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Go back to the old DAN DAN!!

    (2)

  • Royce L.

    Great Chinese restaurant in downtown Philly. Decor was more think an old high class bar than a restaurant. Our server was attentive and asked right away if this was my first time there. Typical Chinese Menu. You can chose how spicey you want your dish on a scale from 1 to 10. I went with a 6 and it was just the right amount. (I like my food spicey). I ordered tofu with minced meat and brown rice. Food was very good and tasty. I will be back when I am back in the Philly area

    (5)

  • Susan L.

    This is my to-go place for Szechuan/Chinese food in Philly. The food is great, service is good, and their decor/restaurant is always impressive. I always get their hot sauce style fish. It is my absolute favorite in any Szechuan restaurant and Han Dynasty does a great job with this dish. I also had their Dan dan noodles, dumplings, fried soft crab in chili oil. They are all great. Never disappointed here. However, be warned, if you can't handle spicy food, this place may not be the place for you.

    (5)

  • Amie D.

    After you get seated the service staff is quite friendly. The food is good but not the most amazing food that I have every had. There are some dishes that are really doused in tons of oil and in my opinion is a little excessive. The oil takes away from some of the flavor in dishes. My favorite part of the experience is the people and the cucumber appetizer, I will probably visit again, but I wouldn't rush there.

    (3)

  • Nicole C.

    Very very good!!! The waiters will be arrogant and challenge you on your ability to eat spicy food but pay no attention them. This food is fantastic! And you adjust the level of spiciness based on a numeric scale. You may want to start low to get a baseline. Dan dan noodles are amazing! Garlic chicken something was so good!!! Dry pot beef was great!!! Certainly will be back!

    (5)

  • Caleb F.

    Amazing. Reservations for 7pm on a Sunday night for 5 people. We arrived at 7:10pm and were seated immediately. A waiter was about to take our order but was brushed aside by the owner who took our order by memory. After reading terrible reviews about the owner, I was on edge, but everything went smoothly because we ordered family style and spoke in Chinese. Dandan noodles were very good and spicy of course. Fuqi feipian (thinly sliced beef) was amazing ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu… ). Our tongues were burning from the peppercorn so beware. San bei ji (three cup chicken) was very good also. We were expecting meat on the bone, but instead it came out as small pieces of chicken. The twist made it much easier to eat. A tiny bit too sweet but still very good. Hui guo rou (twice cooked pork belly) was also very flavorful. Overall, the best Chinese food I've had in a while.

    (5)

  • S L.

    So good. So HOT. Ordered a 7. Could maybe do an 8. Spicy, spicy, spicy!

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    So I went a second time and tried even harder. Cucumbers in chili oil, dan dan noodles, double-cooked fish, you name it. And my conclusion is... about the same. It's just not working for me. There's no question that the food is good. It just hasn't been as good as I keep expecting given the rave reviews. Now I will admit, it could be because my party has asked them to go easy on the spice both times I've been there. Maybe the full-on, melt-your-face spice hit adds a certain je ne sais quoi. But based on what I've had, it's not someplace I'd suggest again. Even if the food had blown my mind this time around, Han Dynasty wouldn't break 4 stars for me, purely due to the service. My party was again left waiting in the doorway for 10 minutes after the start of our reservation time, despite open tables clearly in view. Beyond that, the service was reliably slow, disinterested, and very informal. For example, both times I was there, the host refered to my party as "you guys." No big deal, except it kind of kills any hope of a sophisticated ambiance - Amada this is not. I get why people love Han Dynasty, and if you go there, you might love it too. It's just not for me.

    (3)

  • Meredith B.

    Han Dynasty would get another star if they were able to nail down consistency. The Dan Dan noodles are off the charts - but I've never had a consistent meal here.

    (3)

  • KuangYou C.

    Why just 3 star? Because I am not a fan of spicy food. We ordered all spicy food except Taiwanese sausage and three cup chicken. Sausage was ok but three cup chicken was so great. The chicken was boneless and tender (It is different from the common three cup chicken) and went well with steamed rice. My friends like spicy food so that's why we went there. However, they could not stand their food because they were so HOT!!! We even used tea to wash the chili oil and pepper, and still can feel the HOT! But the smell and flavor was great, just your tongue and lip got numbed and swelled :) I believe it is 5 star restaurant for spicy food lovers!

    (3)

  • Marissa C.

    I know everyone is saying it, but I'm gonna cosign - the Dan Dan Noodles are the best! Bring some nice cold beers, order the dan dan noodles and some dumplings/wontons, and if you're only with one other person I'd suggest just one entree. Believe me, you will be full from this, you may even need to losen the belt buckel a bit...speaking from experience here. If you're going on a weekend or with a large group make reservations because this place is hot, hot, hot right now. Thanks Han - now I have to make the treck from Manayunk when I get the noodle craving.

    (5)

  • Eileen H.

    I'm going to keep this short because there are so many other reviews if you want more information. I love Han Dynasty! Delicious spicy Chinese food that is a far cry from the hole in the wall places in Chinatown. Prices are very reasonable as well. Highlights: Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy so don't order this if you have a low tolerance for spice. Wonton soup: Homemade wontons in a clear broth that reminds me of the kind of soup they serve in Taiwan. You can't go wrong here. Also, I've experienced nothing but excellent service here.

    (5)

  • Ai-Chen Y.

    "The food is sexy hot! Pay in cash and get a 10% discount" Try to reserve a seat in advance, then u could sit on the first floor. The first floor's decoration and atmosphere is better than the basement seats. We four people ordered the following things. (1,3,4 are my recommendation) 1. Dan Dan Noodles- $7.95 Spicy: @@ People said it is a must- have. I think it is good but not to must- have level. Still could give it a try. It is not the typical Dan Dan Noodles as Taiwan's. It's dry and with the sauce(taste like sesame/peanut sauce). A little bit like Taiwan's cold noodles. 2. Three Cup Chicken- $14.95 Spicy: not spicy A little bit sweet. I will give this dish a- ok. People can eat this dish with many rice. This is the only dish we ordered that is not spicy. 3. Chicken in Chili Oil $9.95 Spicy: @@@@ My favorite dishes. It is a cold appetizer. Chicken is tender soaked in chili oil. There are green onion slice and grounded Zanthoxylum( or so- called pepper of sichuan). It smells good and I felt my tongue numb when I put them in my mouth. My nose was running and I drunk tons of water. No matter what, I still love this dish so much. 4. Beef & Tripe in Chili Oil $9.95 Spicy:@@@@ Taste gooood. A common dish in sichuan style's restaurant. 5. Fried Taiwanese Sausage $7.95 Spicy: not spicy Normal Taiwanese Sausage, for homesick Taiwanese. Our way is to eat it with sliced garlic. When u pay, remember to ask the waiter whether there is discount if pay in cash! Normally they will provide 10% discount.

    (4)

  • Alfonso L.

    Dan Dan: A MUST.....and it's spice level is an 8. So be very careful. I can stand a lot of spice but it was even spicy for me. But it's such a lush, intensely flavored dish that you really can't miss it. It would have been nice to have some tiny sliced cukes on top, which is how I have had it at other spots, or even in China. Dumplins: Whoa! Killer good. But killer spicy, these were an 8 too I think. You can see the numbing peppers in the sauce where the dumplings are swimming in. Note the dumplings are not plump like pot stickers. They are more like flatter raviolo. The sesame seeds take it over the top. Hot sauce chicken: I wish I could show you the extreme red color of all the peppers that this dish was in ---definitely an 8 or 9 in spice level. The chicken was plentiful and so too were other small veggies. Get the rice with it and eat it together. Otherwise you will go thru so much pain with the chile sauce in this dish. You will not regret this. But I really wanted the dry pepper chicken, which was even spicier. It's hard to imagine that a chicken WITHOUT sauce would be spicier. But must come back and try this next time. Interesting concept: kill the customers with the spice and be bold about it --love it, love it. I like that this place doesn't have a 20 page menu. I like that it wants to really take care to prepare well seasoned dishes.

    (5)

  • Bobby P.

    This is not your run of the mill, General Tso's serving, chicken fried rice no onions please Chinese restaurant. Give it a shot if you suspect, as I do, that most Chinese restaurants have been on a steady decline for the past few decades. My faith has been restored. The dry pot and dan dan noodles are two of my favorites, with plenty of that funky flavor you get from a good sauce such as a Hunan/black bean. Skip the cold mung bean noodles. They're like flavorless jello strips, doused in said sauce that could have been much better utilized otherwise. The dumplings have good flavor but little stuffing, reminiscent of lightly filled ravioli.

    (4)

  • Alicia J.

    In short: - My favorite restaurant in Philly - Get the Dan Dan Noodles - This is what real spiciness feels like I don't think I usually go to eat Sichuan food very much. More often than not, spicy food just tastes spicy but nothing much else at all. But incredibly enough, Han Dynasty taught me otherwise. The friend who recommended this place to me said that Han Dynasty was better than any Sichuan-style restaurant in NYC, and I am absolutely willing to believe that. The food here is extremely well-cooked, and every single dish has a complex taste where the combination of spices goes perfectly with both the meat and the vegetables. I have a favorite restaurant in every U.S. city I have lived in, and for Philly it's definitely this place. Ever since I came here for the first time last month, I've been to Han Dynasty 3 times by now, and I find it quite noticeable how there would be a bowl of Dan Dan Noodles at almost every table. It's by far their most accessible and delicious dish. Personally I also really like the boiled fish in hot sauce, but maybe that's because it suits my tastes for tender fish. Speaking of that particular dish - I had it twice and for some reason the portions were larger the first time we came here. Needless to say that the price has not changed. Odd. I heard that they have longer waiting times if you come late in the evening, but since we went twice for lunch and once around 5.30 on a Monday, the wait was never long. When we left there was a little bit of a line though, so reservations are probably well advised. I've always wondered where I should take my parents for my graduation, and I think I just found the right place.

    (5)

  • james v.

    Came here early after work. Easy Parking around the corner along the river. had the dan dan noodles. when it came out they mixed it for me. It was delicious. It is a little spicy, so be careful, but I like spicy food alot. Its a good dish. if you like spicy food this is a good place to go. I recommend it to anybody in the area. Its a nice walk from the liberty bell and across the street from the restaurant is a small park you can take a stroll at to help you digest after enjoying the meal.

    (4)

  • Natasha S.

    Love Love Love

    (4)

  • Sean H.

    Well I finally tried Han Dynasty after hearing about it for all these years. I must say, I was not disappointed at all. We had spicy cucumbers, wontons, and a dry pot style fish. Each of them was amazing in its own right, but I could seriously eat nothing but those spicy cucumbers for the rest of my life and be perfectly content. I wasn't as bowled over by the spiciness as I'd been warned I would be, but that's okay. There was still some kick, and it was delicioussssss. The service was meh, but that's to be expected in a place as busy as Han. I certainly plan to return very soon!

    (5)

  • W C.

    Han Dynasty is just okay. I am Chinese, so I eat Asian food and rice everyday. With that said, naturally I'm pretty picky about the food. We have been to Han Dynasty a few times and just like everything in life it's got its pros and cons. This place is packed every time we go. And it doesn't matter if we made a reservation or not, you still gotta wait. I'm talking about 1 hour plus! In my opinion the food is good, but it's not the best Chinese food in town. The Dan Dan noodle is good, a lot of the other chicken and spicy fish main dishes are just okay. Most of the times, if you sit downstairs you'll get poor service. Overall, the wait is always ridiculous, service is poor and food is just okay good. So in conclusion, I would rather go to Chinatown and get better food and better service for the same price or less.

    (3)

  • Paige C.

    I just am not getting the hype! I have heard so many great things about this place and have tried to get in time and time again, so when we finally got a seating I was pumped. I was ready for an amazing meal. Unfortunately what I got was an entirely average meal that didn't even rival my favorite take-out spot. I love spicy food, but the problem with Han Dynasty is that they hit the spicy note on their dishes and forget about everything else. Where is the complexity? Where is the mix of textures and flavors that makes this cuisine special? The smoked duck was too smoky, the garlic chicken was undergarlic'd (yep, I made that word up.) Course after course was a one note bite. I did enjoy the cold sesame noodles but other than that the meal was a total wash. Bottom Line: Wayyyy Overrated.

    (2)

  • Stephy S.

    YES, as good as all the reviewers said. Tremendous wait already building up early Saturday for dinner. Thank heavens I read the Yelp reviews and had a rsvp! Had the Dan Dan noodles (i still dream about you and your spicy love) and a fish dish (tasty goodness). The only reason why i am not rating a 5 is because of the mapo tofu dish I got. My date and I could not eat it. I don;t know what season/herb/etc was in it, but it tasted funky. I think maybe we just got a bad batch. We literally had 2 bites and left it aside. I didn't feel that guilty after eating because I was sure I burned off all my calories sweating. The heat is intense, but sooo worth it. I've never had this heat in any dish I've eaten in Philadelphia until here :)

    (4)

  • Chad B.

    Finally tried this place after hearing about it for some time. Found a reservation on a Saturday night and myself and two others. Busy but comfortable atmosphere inside and a friendly waiter greeted us. We had the spicy cucumber dish to start...good, not too spicy for us (it's rated a 7) and had sweet salty and spicy. We moved on to the Dan Dan noodles. My first bite was "these are good but not earth shattering". Somehow with every bite I grew to love them more and more but could have used more spice. We went with two suggestions from the waiter. The first a fish, black bean, and leek dish. Very delicate and tasty. The 2nd was a pork that was twice fried with red chilis. Also good although not sure any of us would order again. My only flaw with the place was the pace at which everything came out...very very fast. I wish I had more time between dishes.

    (5)

  • Christina G.

    I heard about this restaurant as a great American-friendly Chinese restaurant, and the Yelp reviews seemed to confirm the authenticity of the food--perfect for a combined dinner between my discriminating Chinese family and my boyfriend's American family! Maybe I came at this fusion background from the wrong angle, but I was pretty disappointed. Rather than an authentic Chinese place that had adjusted its format or options to be more accessible, it was more Chinese-American that happened to feature somewhat more authentic flavors than General Tso's chicken. Upon being seated, I became skeptical. We were seated at a large table in a dark corner with folding chairs that creaked and swayed, next to a well-lit table with regular dining chairs that would later seat a comparably-sized party. Oh well, I don't know how reservations over Thanksgiving weekend work. Other signs were there throughout the meal: my father asked if there was a Chinese-only menu and the waiter pointed out that the menu was printed in both English and Chinese (traditional eaters will know that's not the point of the question). My parents noted some words were mis-translated in Chinese. When we ordered soup, it sat for a few minutes as the staff searched for bowls and spoons (not the usual soup spoons, but large, shallow, metal spoons maladapted to the small bowls), and then walked away after dropping off the bowls and spoons, whereas it's been universal in my experience for the server to dole out soup portions. The entrees came with small forks for serving rather than large spoons (hey, maybe we used them all during the soup course!). In terms of the food, it was indeed more authentic than Chinese-American places in terms of flavors (I did enjoy the spicy beef tendon appetizer), but the quality was not clearly superior to what I order when I'm in the mood for cheap and local and Asian-ish. In particular, a lamb dish was smothered in an incredibly viscous, salty sauce, and the rice was packed together and mushed rather than being fluffy and slightly sticky. Duck dish was kind of dry, but people seemed to enjoy most of the dishes. I also thought most were pretty good, just none outstanding, and some were clearly not worth it. Overall, it wasn't an awful meal; it was just fine to pretty good. Our experience in particular didn't seem to match that of the reviews I read before (yes, I double checked the name and address!!) and I think the absence of some basic service customs (inaccurate Chinese translation, not serving the soup, forks for serving) had us throwing up our guard. Combined with the food, we felt we mostly missed out on the authentic Chinese part of the meal that others have raved about.

    (2)

  • Ann L.

    Had a fantastic meal here. With so many reviews, I just want to point out a few important details. 1) Chopsticks are the only utensils given. I'm not sure if they have utensils available upon request, because I was too embarrassed to ask. 2) BYOB. The host was very helpful in suggesting place within two blocks to buy wine and also recommended which wines would go best with our meal. 3) This place is popular and not large. We made reservations, and I recommend you do too. 4) They are serious about the spice levels. I had Kung Pao with a 3 or 4 level of spice, and it had plenty of kick enough for me. I would recommend meals 6 and over only for those who are very serious about spiciness! 5) Three credit card limit per table. Oh... and just move the space in the name over and you get Handy Nasty. Can't beat that.

    (5)

  • Marissa G.

    After seeing this show on the Food Network's "Meat and Potatoes", Han Dynasty made the list of places to eat at in Philadelphia and I am sure glad it did! As soon as the appetizers came out I knew I wasn't in for the same old Chinese food. I've never been to China, but I could tell this seemed much more authentic than the usual Chinese fare. The menu is organized by spice level - which is helpful. We stayed in the 6 -10 range. Don't be afraid of trying the higher level spice foods because Han Dynasty uses schezwan peppercorns in some dishes to help "numb" the heat. Foods I would eat again in a heartbeat: Dan Dan Noodles Spicy Crunch Cucumbers Double Cooked Pork Belly We also had had the Lamb Dry Pot, which was good, but a bit too spicy for me. The setting inside is perfect for groups and also couples. We sat right by the window. It was great for lunch. The staff was friendly and helpful with questions we had about the menu. In the end I would say that you can't really go wrong here. You will find authentic, delicious Chinese at Han's Dynasty. Oh and there is a reasonably* priced parking lot right across the street. *reasonably - coming from a Chicagoan, I don't know how prices compare throughout Philadelphia

    (5)

  • Allie Y.

    Wow this place is delicious! I had several people including several of my Chinese friends rank Han Dynasty as either their favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly or in the top 5, so expectations were high when I finally tried this place, and it surpassed even those expectations. Han Dynasty specializes in Szechwanese food so the food is on the spicy side (come prepared!). It's also a BYOB, so come prepared with that as well! I went with a group so we ordered family style, and every dish was pretty fantastic. Among our favorites included the pork belly and three cup chicken. I am still having some dreams about eating that pork belly... The owner is a funny quirky Taiwanese guy who really likes chatting up his customers, I thought his visit to our table was one of my favorite parts of the dinner. He is a really amicable fellow whose presence added some fun to part of our dinner conversation as we waited for the food to come out. All in all, I'm really happy that there's a solid place like this for Chinese food, and I'll definitely be coming back soon!

    (5)

  • Frank H.

    CNN Top 50 Chinese Restaurants in the US. If you love spicy chinese food this is one of the best I've had! The Dan Dan Noodles were the best!!! ...just jumping on the bandwagon of reviews. The Dumplings in Chili Oil for appetizers was awesome!! One of my favorites for the evening was the Crispy Rice Style which is both unique and tasty!! Remember be prepared for some spicy dishes!!! Trendy atmosphere. A little small so if you have a large group, make a reservation.

    (4)

  • Ling X.

    I usually can't do spicy but had to come here...it's all over magazine and TV shows for good reason. It's best to eat with a bigger group, family style, so you can try more dishes. They are not kidding when they describe this place as spicy...for the faint of tongue, have plenty of water, rice, and some non-spicy dishes to balance out! It's nice that they give a "rating" for how spicy a dish is. I didn't bother trying anything with a 10 since even my spicy loving friends thought it was a lot. Dan dan noodles are a must. Just get that to go if you don't have time for anything else.

    (4)

  • Melanie E.

    If I knew that I was going to die tomorrow, I would go to Han today. It is my favorite restaurant. It's casual, and delicious and wonderfully spicy. It's best to go with a group because you can get more dishes and its less expensive. Make sure you get the dan dans, spicy cucumbers, and the double cooked fish. Service can be slow sometimes and you've gotta make reservations for the weekends a head of time because it gets packed, but it's worth it because it's amazing!!

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    I just had to update because my boyfriend and I went to Han Dynasty last night for a random yet amazing evening. We found ourselves walking into the location only to find out it was closed?!?!? Turns out they moved across the street into the big beautiful building on the corner of 2nd and chestnut. NOW I can eat Han Dynasty amazingness AND feel amazing with this killer ambiance. The new place is SO beautiful... and our meal was SO good... I need a 6th star!

    (5)

  • Alessandro N.

    I guess you never had real Chinese food if you didn't go to Han Dynasty. Get ready to forget everything you know about take-away Chinese food and get ready to experience some special food. Really good.

    (4)

  • Micah M.

    This is the surly response I got from Han Dynasty's management. Shocking. PS -- I checked their menu. ganbian sijidou = "four season beans" = what Han Dynasty calls "sautéed string beans w/ minced pork." All the same dish. I guess the staff doesn't know the menu too well either. Han Dynasty "I work at Han Dynasty on 108 Chestnut St. and Ive only seen the TV on for Eagles games with no volume. We also don't have four season beans on the menu and no dishes that are coated with sugar. You thinking of a different restaurant."

    (1)

  • Carl C.

    Worst service ever. Forgot our beers, and appetizer. Never came back after dropping food off. Thank God I had napkins in my pocket. Never coming back.

    (1)

  • Nan S.

    quite authentic sichuan food, compared to what's available in the city. what I don't like: 1. the meat dish (like kong pao chicken) usually have too little chicken, but too much other stuff. 2. need to have less sodium, less oil and more fresh material. 3. the dryer version of kong pao chicken is the authentic one, with less starch/sweet sauce.

    (3)

  • Swaroop P.

    Everything we ordered was EXCELLENT. As a vegetarian there are seldom such great choices available. It has become my primary reason to visit Philadelphia.

    (5)

  • Walter C.

    The Dandan noodles are amazing. Also try the string beans with pork. This could be a veggie to replace French fries. Great space as well. An old cavernous bank. Although after walking out into the cold brisk winter I realized how loud the place was. It needs to decide whether it's a bar or a restaurant. It's not fun yelling during dinner with Nirvana screaming in the background.

    (4)

  • Charlie S.

    What a bizarre experience we had here. The food was undoubtedly delicious--some of the best in town--but the restaurant was just off. Nothing really worked as it should. Though we were seated far from the front, a cold blast of air hit us each time the doors opened. We were shivering, along with many of our neighbors, the entire time. When it's 20 degrees outside and you want to escape into a restaurant for a warm, relaxing dinner, this was very frustrating. They brought the wrong food to our table, and our neighbor's table, multiple times. Our server, while very nice, was not the most skilled. I asked for some more hot tea, in part to help against the cold, but he never followed through. He also accidentally left an item off our check. Rather than just letting it go, as restaurants usually do when they make a billing mistake, he took an extra 10 minutes to rerun the card, and we were already in a rush. To top it off, he accidentally swapped our bill for our neighbor's when he returned. To be clear, none of these incidents were shocking in its own right. Sometime when you go out to a restaurant, an unlucky draft of air will keep you cold, or you get the wrong food, or an order is ignored, or you get billed incorrectly. These things happen. But it was just very strange, and surprising, that an expensive, well regarded restaurant like Han Dynasty made so many of these mistakes, one after another. It felt like a newly opened restaurant still working out the kinks, not the respected Philadelphia institution we were expecting.

    (2)

  • Steve L.

    I handle spice really well, suprisingly. Han Dynasty was no exception, of course, but FINALLY a restaurant that is not afraid to heat things up. It was a simple Thursday evening that got loud quickly. No biggie, we were here for the food. We ordered the popular Dan Dan noodles with beef tripe in chili oil and the fish. Noodles were tasty smothered in a peanut sauce. I foun the dish a bit heavy for my liking though. The beef tripe was my favorite of the night. There is plenty of great little pieces in there. Philly has found their Sichuan destination.

    (4)

  • Lisa L.

    Let me just say up front, I love this place. But Friday night, we were actually disappointed -- this has never happened before at Han. What is up with the Kung Pao Chicken? It's made with thigh meat, I know, it's fattier. But this dish was really inedible--no meat anywhere, all fat. I know we've ordered it in the past, and it was okay. I'm so hoping it was a Memorial Day Weekend (head chef-taking-a-few vacation days) kind of fluke. Thankfully, there are a ton of amazing things on the menu. Won't be ordering that again.

    (4)

  • Anthony B.

    I've been here twice now, and I love it, but all the popular dishes are SO SO spicy! Be prepared. If you don't like spice, make sure to let them know (I'm not sure if they will even adjust the amount of spice or not) but they can't at least point out some less spicy dishes. I like spice but this is bordering on my tolerable limits - like I seriously sweat big time when I eat here. It is worth it though - the cucumber salad is awesome - very fresh tasting. The dandan noodles are also awesome. I've never been disappointed with any of fried appetizers or the entrees either, and the salt & pepper is the bomb. If you want some Chinese food in center city, check out Han Dynasty.

    (4)

  • Shelly V.

    I can't get enough of Han. I first came here for a 10-person tasting, which was pretty legendary, but I am a picky eater and didn't try a lot of the items they brought out. I finally went to the restaurant again for a normal a-la-carte dinner and was BLOWN away, and now I can't stop going. The food is really spicy, somewhat torturous but... so delicious that I am 200% willing to endure it. I might sweat bullets and be a hot mess, but I still can't stop eating the food. Start with the Spicy Cucumber and Dan Dan Noodles. The Spicy Cucumber is crunchy, cold and delicious. The Dan Dan noodles are cooked so well, and taste best with the minced pork it comes with, although I'm sure you can do without it (it's more like ground pork, and they don't put a lot in. I usually don't eat pork but you can barely taste it.) We usually go family style and share everything on the table. The Dry Pepper Chicken is a must-have, and I don't find it as spicy as the Dan Dan (as long as you're not eating the whole red peppers that are infesting the dish). The chicken is fried and in tiny pieces, and is more salty than spicy. I don't find it to be the full 7 spice level it's noted as in the menu. The fried rice here isn't riddled with soy sauce, it's more like white rice sauteed with egg and veggies. We like to get it to balance out the intense spice/flavor in the rest of the food, and it also tastes ridiculously fresh and authentic. There's a good amount of egg and that flavor comes out pretty strong, but in a good way. I usually don't eat egg either, but I actually don't mind it in this dish. We tried other things here as well but were underwhelmed. The Cold Noodle in Chili Oil isn't much more than the description says it is, and the Dan Dan is much more flavorful. The Garlic Sauce Chicken was good but not great, especially compared to the other options on the menu. Apparently they do takeout and delivery... and they deliver to Northern Liberties! This is a great option - I usually crave Chinese food but hate the standard delivery places where you don't know what you're really eating and get an MSG hangover/depression period afterwards. The only downside is their delivery fee and $20 minimum. I wouldn't recommend this place for the faint of heart.. especially if you're not looking to get a lot of spicy and oily food in your belly. If you are, and if you love good Chinese food - you won't be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Debbie A.

    Not quite what we expected since this restaurant is on so many "Best of Philly" lists. The very hyped Dan Dan noodles had good noodles but were pretty bland. The sesame noodles were much better and the scallion pancakes were delicious. The eggplant and the twice cooked chicken were both good. Skip the Crispy Rice dish. Nothing crispy about it. Yes, the dishes are spicy. A 6 makes your mouth firey but in a good way. A 4 or below are still a little spicy so if you don't like heat, make sure to get 3 or less. It was lively and loud - a small place.

    (3)

  • Mimi S.

    Authentic chinese food. We tried the scallion pancakes, the dan dan noodles, and the twice cooked chicken at level 6 (normal level is 4). Everything was delicious. The dan dan noodles come with pork on top but I don't eat pork, so they made it without it. The service is a little bit slow, but it was worth the wait. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Abby W.

    My boyfriend and I came here on Friday night with a reservation for 9pm. We waited about 20 minutes to be seated and the place was jam-packed, but we placed our order and the food started rolling out very quickly. The dan dan noodles came first, tossed table-side in their seductive nutty spicy peppercorn sauce. They are assertively spicy, but if you like hot you will not be overwhelmed as you shovel perfectly toothsome strands of heaven into your mouth. Be sure to save room for later! Next came the wontons in chili oil. The wrapper was so delicate and ethereal, and while they sit in a puddle of almost fruity chili oil they become translucent orange slippery little packets filled with the perfect pork mixture. Eat them while they're hot and fresh because if they sit too long they stick together, and they're not so great left over. We got two entrees to share, our typical arrangement that makes decisions a lot easier. I ordered the pork dry pot style, and at a 10 I'd say it barely edged out the dan dan noodles for spice intensity, but holy cow was it delicious. He got the beef triple dry fried, which was also really great. It had an incredible texture and the whole dish was really satisfying. This feast took up the whole table, we ate maybe half of everything, and the dinner service probably took 45 minutes. Bringing some great beer from Hawthorne's is an excellent way to keep costs down when you go out, and the whole tab was just shy of $50. Our dilemma upon finishing: there's all this delicious food left but we're going out! We made some pretty elaborate arrangements to provide for temporary leftover storage at a friend's house along the way, and my mouth is watering in anticipation of those leftovers coming home with my boyfriend when he goes out to the gym later.

    (5)

  • Ben B.

    Reading Yelp's extremely positive reviews, I circled this restaurant for my visit to Philadelphia. Yes, I ordered the Dan Dan noodles. And yes, they were good. They tasted vaguely peanutty, so I assume that was the sauce. I have no idea what else was in the bowl aside from the noodles (something kinda gritty?) but I was a fan. My waiter cautioned me that the food was incredibly spicy. I like spicy food, but my waiter kept giving me this look like I was about to torch my tastebuds forever. So he talked me down to the garlic sauce style chicken. Holy garlic, Batman! It was so ridiculously heavy on the garlic, I'll be able to kill all vampires in a 20-mile radius every time I belch for the next ten years. I wish they would have dialed back the garlic so I could have enjoyed the flavor of the food underneath. I could have been eating cardboard slathered in garlic sauce and I wouldn't have known the difference. Between those two items, there was a ton of food. I ate until I was beyond stuffed and I still had plenty left. What pushed me to a 4-star rating was the incredible niceness of my server. He was on point with multiple water refills and was totally attentive. Super-nice guy. Seems like the food options in this part of Philly are few, but Han Dynasty is probably worth a visit.

    (4)

  • Karen D.

    I wish I could give 1/2 stars because this place would get a 4.5. The location is amazing, a tall columned hall that might once have been a bank building with frescoed ceilings. The dishes are true to authentic sichuan flavors (speaking as a sichuan native) and definitely will be different than any other Chinese food if you've never tried food from the area. I recommend the beef tendon in chili oil appetizer - trust me it's better than it sounds. The appetizers in general were delicious, the main courses were all quite good but did not 'wow' me. We got the cumin lamb and beer sauce tea smoked duck. The duck was delicious but there just wasn't very much meat in the dish. We got maybe ten 1/2 inch sized nuggets in the dish and then small on-bone scraps with the veggies. Definitely would go again. Great value for an elegant old city location. Great, knowledgeable service. Great cocktails, not the typical over-sweet selection. Would definitely go again.

    (4)

  • Adhish R.

    Good, but overrated. I heard about the prowess of the Han Dynasty before checking out its yelp reviews, and as advised I checked out the one in Olde City. To be honest, I think I went in with extremely high expectations and was somewhat disappointed with the good but not great food. I ordered the cold sesame noodles and the cumin lamb. I wanted to go all out family style, but I held back because I didn't want the inconvenience of carrying left overs around town. Noodles - I've had better. Cumin Lamb - good. In my past encounters with good Szechuan food, the heat, the spice and the flavors come together perfectly, taking my taste buds to another stratosphere. At Han, though still pretty dang good, it left like the spice and flavors were turned down a notch. I was content with my tasty lamb dish and tsintao beer, but missed the Szechuan zing. I will probably frequent Han Dynasty and recommend that you check it out. That's all.

    (4)

  • Julia C.

    Went here with some friends who were visiting the city. We ordered 4 small plates rather than the entrees to keep the price down. The cold sesame noodles were full of flavor and refreshing on such a hot night! I also definitely recommend the scallion style beef and dumplings in chili oil - cooked to perfection and just the right amount of spice. The only thing I wasn't too crazy about was the ma po tofu - very spicy but not much flavor. At the end of the night our bill was only $40, including drinks! Definitely coming here again.

    (4)

  • Jessica O.

    LOVE the new location! They moved right across the street and WOW! What a difference. Still the same amazing food and more than fair prices, but now a really great atmosphere to go along with it! Great for date night and girls night out. The Dan Dan noodles are a must have, but I recommend bringing them down to a 4 instead of a 6 on the spicy scale. Service has always been simple and friendly. Been there twice this month. Addicted!

    (5)

  • Kathleen S.

    This place is everything. The food is authentic and delicious. The staff is knowledgeable and charming. I love that everything is family style, it makes for a better experience in my book.

    (5)

  • Wenjie X.

    I'm originally from Szechuan, this is only place I can taste a little my hometown favor in NJ&PA area.

    (4)

  • Juliana K.

    The food at any of the Han Dynasty's are consistently delicious. Can't beat those Dan Dan noodles and spicy crispy cucumber!!! How does he make those!!! The new space is incredible, a complete 180 from the old location. However, it in no way matches the food. The decor is that of a very fancy restaurant (the space was once a bank). High ceilings, columns, 4 flat screens surrounded by a wall of booze...matched with my plastic coca-cola water cup, plastic chopsticks, and lackluster service. There's just a disconnect. The host or waiter or whoever was pretty curt. He was nice enough...but a bit too casual in his delivery. The waiters are everywhere. You don't really have just one. They may not have adjusted to the space yet because there were many times waiters were bringing food to the wrong places, or re-asking if we ordered. No real organization it seems. Get ready to have to hail someone down when you need something. That being said, you don't come here for the fancy new location or the so-so service, you come here for the dan dan noodles, the crispy cucumbers, the salt and paper shrimp, the spicy eggplant, the dry pots, the dry pepper chicken. Food is awesome. Everything else...needs some work.

    (3)

  • Hiral S.

    Dan dan noodles and spicy cucumber!!! Enough said. I've been to this location over 30 times and I cannot get enough of the food. I'm addicted. The service is super slow but that's probably cuz they are always so busy. But I could care less if it does take 15 minutes before a server comes to me because the food is worth the wait.

    (5)

  • Kate M.

    New location is terrible. Building is beautiful but customer service stinks. I placed a take out order and saw that it was missing items after I got home. I called and was told that they can't do anything about it except offer me a discount "if I ever decide to order again." The tone of the manager basically told me they don't need my business so, if I feel like going back I can get a small discount. $25 plus a tip for half a meal- no thanks-- it is not that good. Keep treating customers like that, I'm sure other businesses in Philly will gladly take my money and give me what I pay for :)

    (1)

  • Angie K.

    Alright, I've upgraded the star after trying more dishes. The 20-course tasting was dynamite as well. I also recommend the Fish in Dry Pepper Style (probably my favorite main dish, made of tilapia, I think) and Three Cup Chicken (boneless chicken pieces in a less spicy, but more of ginger, sesame oil, sweet soy sauce combo). I always do take-out here. I think it's better to pay a little more for higher quality Chinese, rather than going the cheaper route and regretting what you just ate.

    (5)

  • Don W.

    The Dan Dan noodles were really good, but so was everything else. We also got the Twice Cooked Pork and the Salt & Pepper Shrimp and they were just as delicious. Service was awesome, and nothing could have been better. Well, the tables could be a little bigger and a little farther apart. The woman at the next table spilled her drink while we were there and the tables are so close that the splash barely missed me. But I'm not taking any stars away for that, the food was too good.

    (5)

  • Antonio C.

    This place was very good. The food is done family style so it's great for sharing/trying a bunch of different food. My hetero life partner and I got the Kung Pao Chicken, Garlic Sauce Chicken, Pork Dumplings and Spring Rolls to share. The entrees come with white rice so I didn't try the fried. Everything was delicious! My favorite being the Kung Pow Chicken. All the portions are very generous and more than enough to share. Aside from the food, the setting was really unique with the restaurant being inside what appears to be an old office/business space. It's on the street level but has vaulted ceilings and a small loft area. In addition to the setting, the service was very prompt and courteous. I will definitely stop by this place for my Asian food fix every visit to Philly.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    Service was a little slower than expected, but the food was great and it was pretty reasonably priced, too.

    (4)

  • Kelsey C.

    I usually hate Asian fusion, but Han Dynasty pulls it off. The sizzling Szechuan cuisine is unmistakably authentic with just a touch of Chinese-American. The mouth-watering Dan Dan Noodles are peanutty-sesame-sweet. The sweetness is more west than east, but it's one of the best flavor combinations I've ever had. The Tofu Garlic Sauce Style makes for a tasty stir-fry, and the Szechuan Sliced Fish was tenderly boiled in a red-hot pot of broth. My friends didn't care for the silken tofu it was simmering with, but I think that comes down to texture, not taste. East meets west at Han Dynasty and results in a harmonious marriage of authentic Szechuan with a tolerable level of spice. Just don't go above a 6 in spice if you don't want to die a slow death - the level of spiciness is authentic too!

    (4)

  • Katie N.

    This review is mainly for the service. My best friend and I went to dine here yesterday on a Sunday evening. We had made 7PM reservations, but arrived at 6:45PM and were set immediately by a hostess who did not say hi or speak much of anything. We sat there for about 10 minutes before a girl came over with water and hot tea for the table and she stated our server would be with us "shortly". Fast forward 10 minutes and our server comes over asking us if we have any questions on the menu. After sitting there for 20 minutes, I think we could answer every question we had on our own about the menu. We order a carafe of red sangria and our food. The server comes back about 5 minutes later stating that they were out of red sangria but they definitely have white sangria.. 10 minutes later, he comes back no white sangria but he can recommend some punches that they have. No, thanks, I'll just take a vodka club. The food was pretty good, I don't really have any complaints about the food. I will give it another shot and just hope the service is better the next time.

    (2)

  • Mohit S.

    Really loved this place. Let's start with the Ambiance, nice decor, high ceiling which makes the place look huge. Michael was our server, and he was very patient and knowledgeable. He took his time to explain the dishes on the menu and answered all the questions that we had. Menu indicates how hot a particular dish is, which i thought was great. I love spicy food so we had the chicken with chili oil as an appetizer and it's amazing, it's very spicy, yet flavorful. We ordered kung pao chicken as our entree and it was lot less spicy but one of the best kung pao chicken i have had. Overall a great experience and will visit again.

    (5)

  • T G.

    I happened upon this place by happenstance trying to kill time before meeting up with friends. Their food and cocktails are simply amazing. Be sure to adjust the spiciness level to your liking or you may not be able to taste your food since your mouth will be burning. Maliki was an amazing server, full of recommendations, suggestions and just fun! Will definitely make a special trip to Philly (i live in NJ) for a meal here. Bar none, hands down the best Asian food I've had!!!

    (5)

  • Boris M.

    President Boris enjoy full weekend in the Philadelphia restaurants. NOT! After much good experience Friday night the Boris and magical sweetheart DOUBLE DOWN and go to this Chinese cathedral in the big Old city. Boris Russian mind blown back to Moscow with heat on Dan Dans noodles. However tasty although the Mr. President Boris sweat and eyes turn red. Spring rolls exciting like hang turtleneck sweaters on clothesline and watch them dry. Garlic porkles and white rice get B- on Professor Boris report card. You underachiever, Han! Why no work hard like Beijing sweatshop?? Mr. Marlon the waiter? Boris believe this man employed perhaps as bad valet driver or lazy garbage man and come to wrong workplace drunk. BORIS DAYDREAM: Owner Mr. Han twirl mustache and watch mr. Marlon crash in front door. "That drunk and lazy valet has made a mockery of my establishment for the last time," think Han. "Marlon! Come forward, my boy! How are you this evening?," Han say. Marlon: "Dumb dee doidey hoo hoo, Mr. Han!" Han say, "You fine specimen of a gentleman, spin yourself 'round twenty times and go tend that RUSSIAN FELLOW OVER THERE!" If you come to Han dynasty and a mister Marlon say "I am a Mista Marlon and I your waiter" you say "YOU. DONT. WORK. HERE. . YOU PARK CAR." then you go jump in Delaware river

    (2)

  • Vanna T.

    3.5 Stars: Tried the crunchy cucumbers, salt and pepper scallops, double fried fish and snow pea leaves. Cucumbers and double fried fish were tasty but we didn't really like scallops or snow pea leaves...service was also quick...but...I still prefer chinatown restaurants.

    (3)

  • Stone Z.

    I took my Uncle, Aunt, Mom, Dad, & Grandmother here when we were touring the City. My Uncle and Aunt were visiting from Lanzhou, China. They really enjoyed the food. I basically ordered like every traditional spicy dish. Finally, got to drink a beer with my uncle since I haven't seen him since high school. He really likes Yuengling. He thought it was a Chinese beer cause it sounds Chinese lol. This place is bomb. The place has a great atmosphere. I would take anyone to this spot to eat some authentic food. It's not the best Sichuan food I've had in the States but it is pretty bomb. Service is above average for a traditional Chinese place. lololol

    (4)

  • Laura A.

    Now, i LOVE Han Dynasty. The food at Han Dynasty gets five stars from me any day of the week. So deliciously spicy (my favorite things are the cold crispy cucumbers, the dan dan noodles, the eggplant, and the kung pao tofu). However....... This location is terrible! I brought friends here from out of town because i figured we could wander around the touristy stuff after and they could see a different part of Philly. But this place really has the feel of a tourist trap. The decor inside is awful, but the worst affront was the loud, worst of the 00's music blaring inside as we were eating. Yuck! Do yourself a favor and stick to the UCity location!

    (3)

  • Elva L.

    Put on your squeaky breaks, guys. This really is a "methinks not!" but I feel like it's entirely possible to deduce my location based on my check-ins and I worry someone will hunt me down and kill me, or worse, make me recant. Prior to coming I gleamed from the reviews that I have to get the dan dan noodles. I'm sorry Philadelphia who told you dan dan noodles had peanuts in them? This is the second "Szechuan" restaurant where this travesty has happened to me. (also, when can we go back to spelling it like 'Sichuan'?) The first time in happened to me, the restaurant's rendition straight up had peanut butter in it. It was awful. Han Dynasty's version, admittedly, had a more subtle, one might say sophisticated, way of incorporating the peanut flavor, but for what cause?! Come on, guys, chili oil, minced pork, scallions, noodles-- that's it, okay? Let's not make a big thing and add peanuts and then all of a sudden everyone is confused and sad. Cold cucumbers were also sweet. In the grand scheme of things, this is not a terrible liberty to take, and the resulting dish was not inedible, but I was hoping for far more than "not inedible". Regular old way will do it, thanks. You can have the non spicy version with black vinegar marinade, or you can have the spicy kind with whole chili peppers. You can be a real go out on a limb-er and make a sour and spicy kind, and I'd still be right there with you-- on occasion. I also like it when they smash the cucumber with those Chinese cleavers. I think the jaggedness retains more flavor... I could be wrong, this isn't science, and at any rate, I'm no good at science. Han Dynasty peeled and removed the seeds from their cucumbers and then sliced it about 1/4 inch in thickness. The cucumbers were thoroughly pickled at the end of the night, not into it. Dumpling in chili oil was another absolute must according to yelp. Such a simple dish have the risk of being one-dimensional, and theirs was. Chili oil had no substance-- not spiced up with fragrant herbs or have any smokiness to it, just plainly overwhelmingly greasy. Dumplings, additionally, were overcooked, with the fragile wonton skin turning into flour-y mush sitting in oil turning into oily, flour-y mush. Filling was a mushy meat pile, didn't have any veggies or shrimp to turn it up. For entrees we had Hot Sauce Fish (or 'water boil' if you know your Chinese), and Double Cooked... something. Fish is the only thing I would recommend, but then I'd say go to E Mei on Arch St for it. Han Dynasty's rendition is competent, but not such a standout that it merits a return visit all by its lonesome. The other entree was equally unremarkable, and I can't remember what it was. I didn't get to order any drinks because I was not drinking at the time, but I had high hopes this would become my go to authentic Chinese/Sichuan (bite me!) & Bar place. I'm really bummed this hypothetical go-to doesn't exist yet. I just want bomb Chinese and cold, cold pints, What do I have to do?!

    (2)

  • Melissa L.

    One of my family's favorite spots in Philadelphia. An awesome environment, and the quality of food is authentic (just as good as Chinatown with better service). If you like spicy, this is your spot. If you don't you can always ask for less spice. The dandan noodles are a must. The mung bean noodle was a first try for me - refreshing cold noodle worth the try if you want something different. The eggplant and string bean dishes are delicious as well - we get it every time. Some of the dry pepper dishes are more hot pepper than anything else so be careful with those orders! Super friendly staff and the food comes out fast!

    (5)

  • Rosa C.

    I've been to the University City location many times, and only to this Old City location once. But my oh my, this location is way more aesthetically pleasing than the University City location, not that there's anything wrong with the one in UCity, but this location has a beautiful grand staircase. It's very decadent inside and very un-Chinese-restaurant-like! Han Dynasty is one of the best Chinese restaurants around. Fail safe dishes: Dan Dan Noodles, Double Cooked Fish, Spicy Cucumbers, Three Cup Chicken, Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce, Dry Pot Style anything. Han Dynasty specializes in spicy dishes, so the numbers next to the dishes tell you how spicy the dish is best made, from 1-10. However, you can ask for different levels of spicy, depending on your preferences! Dishes that have disappointed me: Beef tendons. For those of you familiar with the dish, the tendons should be relatively thick, with a nice bite to it. The beef tendons at Han Dynasty are unfortunately shredded paper thin and ooze with oil. No bueno. I highly recommend this location! Good service and good food!

    (4)

  • Allison L.

    Very authentic for a Chinese restaurant that isn't owned by Chinese people. I like spicy and they had a lot of good dishes with spicy taste. Dan Dan noodles is a must.

    (4)

  • Irina K.

    It's hard to review this place because overall I liked it but will not come back. Props to the front of the house staff. Called on Christmas to make a reservation to a fully booked restaurant. Begged to be seated and they called me back! And put me one the list. Thank you host! Food was pretty good but boy was it greasy! I mean swimming in oil is more like it. In very spicy chili oil more like it. I love spicy food but not everyone in my party did. It was pretty hard to order something not spicy. Everything on the menu had 3+ (level of jalapeño pepper spicy). We had a bunch of different dishes. One that stood out as being awful was the dumplings. We asked for steamed ones and they were indeed steamed and served swimming in hot chili oil. It was pretty shocking having to fish them out. One that stood out as being exceptionally good was the pork belly and garlic beef. We had both ducks offered and very disappointed. One had a very intestinal smell / flavor. Crispy cucumbers were also great. There were no descriptions on the menu and we ordered this dish out of curiosity. Place is gorgeous! Used to be a great lounge/club spots nice and open. This was probably very authentic Chinese food that was just not my cup of tea.

    (4)

  • William E.

    In my book, hands down the heavyweight champion of all Chinese restaurants. Decor is stunning. Food is clean and fresh. They don't have a huge menu here.... but what they do, they do VERY well. The double cooked pork belly with leeks is probably my favorite dish of all time. A great beer selection which should not be overlooked. Dumplings in chili oil should be a standard order along with the Dan Dan Noodles.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    Got called out today for the fact that my Handy Nasty review is wildly outdated. This cannot stand so here is your update: Our beloved basement, BYOB, slightly hole in the wall teenage Handy Nasty has blossomed into a totally above ground, (and even several levels) full bar, place-you-can-officially-bring-your-boss/parents/­date even if they're not "adventurous" or "foodies" who would not judge a restaurant by the cracks in its walls. This place is nice. They have private rooms. They have giant tables that will make you feel like you are holding a board meeting. The giant tables will make you feel like you BELONG at said board meeting, and could even sit at the head of such a table. I was here a few months ago with a large group and we ordered a large amount of food, left with large bellies, and a large amount of leftovers, and the price was, totally reasonable. Definitely recommend doing the tasting menu if you are more than 8 people, and recommend, finding/making 7 friends (or bribing 7 strangers) if you are not more than 8 people so you can do this. $25, $30 or $35 depending on adventurousness/meat levels. Things I (still) love: Dan Dan Noodles, Sesame Noodles, Spicy Crispy Cucumbers, Eggplant, 3 cup chicken, Dry pepper anything. Warning: If you've been to the suburb locations, the spice is apparently not the same, don't go ordering what you get in Exton and think is a 6, cus in the city your 6 will be a 10, but in the city that's just a 6 and the 10 is insane. It's nice to see Handy Nasty all grown up, maybe I should start calling it HAHN DyNASTY (with a British accent).

    (5)

  • Olivia C.

    It pains me to have to write a not so terrific review of this place... I really wanted to like this place. 2 stars only for great server, huge location, and alcohol selection. The food? I took 1 bite of each and called it a day. Dan dan noodles- overcooked and tasted like they were smothered in peanut butter Crispy cucumbers - not bad but a little too sweet Beef and tripe- a heap of sorta tough & dry meat swimming in hot chili sauce. Yes, it sounds like a contradiction but it seemed like they put the mixture of beef & tripe in the oil after but I would have liked for the meat to be soaked in the oil to take in all the flavors. Not really too authentic. Could be good but way too Americanized aka too sweet and not spicy enough.

    (2)

  • Charlie B.

    This place is great. Amazing quality for the price. Dan Dan noodles, Sesame noodles, and spicy crispy cucumbers. Amazing. I appreciate the candor of this place, too. The owner is the chef and even takes orders. That's so fucking legit! And he'll tell you when you're out of line when ordering stuff. Again, legit. I'm so pumped on this place that I'd bust out some cardboard and break dance if my belly wasn't so full.

    (5)

  • G D.

    Great place, good food. They have a good number of options in the menu and the food is really spicy. They have spice levels from 1 to 10, our group went with the six and it was quite spicy for someone like me who is used to eating spicy food. It's good to make a reservation especially on a weekend. Also the seating is a bit cramped. Its really difficult to move around without brushing on other chairs. But overall a good experience with a nice urban feel.

    (4)

  • Vanessa L.

    We've been twice. Once on Christmas and once for the monthly tasting. Christmas was a mad house and even though we had a reservation we did wait for a little bit. Not that big of a deal because everyone was waiting and they had reservations too. The food was great and service fine. They were seriously slammed. They did lose my credit card so that was a bummer but I still wanted to go back. Now the tasting dinner was different. They set everyone up downstairs and Han walks around and talks to everyone. He is really funny and great to talk to. There were some real standouts - the beef jerky, spicy fried fish, and the spare ribs were awesome. Not all dishes were as spicy as I would have expected but it was still very tasty. Word of caution - you never know who you will be seated next to so be prepared to chat with everyone and there may be some people who are less than pleasant. Not Han's fault at all. Some people don't know how to behave in mixed company.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth L.

    Greatest restaurant in Philadelphia, no questions asked. This spot will knock your socks off!

    (5)

  • Ms M.

    I have to say, this was very disappointing. While the Dan Dan noodles were as good as described and the Kung Pao chicken was also good, everything else ranged from ok to terrible. The dumplings were ok, but nothing special. The dry fry beef was certainly dry!! It seemed either overcooked or reheated and wasn't at all spicy. We should have heeded one of the reviewers suggestion to avoid the garlic sauce style, but to our regret, we ordered the garlic sauce style chicken - just plain nasty! Strange that the Kung Pao chicken (listed at only a 3) was the spiciest and tastiest of the three main courses! To top it off, the service was terribly slow. Fifteen minutes after asking for the check and to have our food wrapped up, we had to get up & find our waitress to repeat our request. Pretty frustrating when there were only 2 other tables of people being served.

    (2)

  • M H.

    Seriously Spicy and delicious authentic asian food. If you love asian food and you can handle the heat go here. This is not the place for an American looking for General Tso.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    Really tasty ans spicy Chinese. Really enjoyed this meal especially coming off of a cold.

    (4)

  • Harkeet C.

    LOVE the food here. Everything is delicious. Things you need to order are Dan Dan Noodles, Cucumber salad and the Schequan chicken. If you are looking for spicy food, Hans is the place to dine at.

    (5)

  • Gerard Z.

    This another established Philly place that I find vasty overrated. Is everyone afraid to give it a bad review because its hip, supposedly authentic chinese, and ultra spicy? Its noisy. Okay, I can deal with that. Except for that fact that it was noisy because they were blaring horrible pop music. I do not want to scream at the top of my lungs to talk to the person across the table from me at dinner because "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Lep is blaring in the background (literally). This was a Wednesday night too! Overall, the service is awful and the food is mediocre.

    (2)

  • sako R.

    Does the fact that I recently went there for three meals in one week, and ordered extra food to take home (on top of doggy bags) during each of those visits, make me a glutton? I think not. That's just the envious peanut gallery. Hurricane Irene is about to hit us in less than 24 hours, and I'm sitting here debating on what to order for take out, so that in case of emergency, I will be well fed. I'll need to buy extra cases of water. It's the kind of spicy that is so flavorful that you need to go back for more. Even Mr. R, who hast not the fire tolerance only developed by proper Asian upbringing, is unable to resist the temptation of the burning joy. When Irene brings her water, I'll be ready with Han's fire. The peanut gallery can snicker all they want; I will not share my crispy cucumber or dan dan noodles. Hands off my green beans. And whatever other dishes Han decides I shall have. Drool on, you fools.

    (5)

  • Julie J.

    the Han Dynasty in Old City is 5x better than the one in University City. great date spot, good service, and fabulously spicyy!!

    (5)

  • Lisa R.

    We got takeout from this small, dark, interesting place on the basis of strong reviews. Now, granted, we asked for dishes to be prepared, where possible, without garlic -- which we believe, predominantly, they did. (We like it, it doesn't like us.) However, the rice noodle dish we got had a few specks of pork and virtually nothing else in it. (When I re-made it at home with bok choy, carrots, fresh ginger, and sauteed onions it was very good. Seriously, it was 96% noodles.) We got a chicken dish and a pork dish both were tasty but, again, devoid of any vegetables. (Unless they see red chili pepper pods as a veggie -- in that case, it was 25% veggies.) We like flavorful, not painful, and ordered everything at 4 or 5 for this first time out. (You can always add spice, harder to reduce it.) They don't offer brown rice so we just served the two entrees with the rice noodles (since there was nothing eles embellishing them to speak of). The tiny, high-energy waitress greeted us at the door, showed us to the bar to sit and place our order, took the order, advised and guided us a bit through the options, appeared to be the only one waiting on the ten or so tables there, and never seemed to miss a beat. We picked out all the pods as we went, and found the spice level lively but not too much. Before passing judgement, we'd have to dine in there. The observation by others that they are a little chili oil obsessed is true as virtually every appetizer and nearly every entree has chili oil or chilis as the main seasoning. They really need to add brown rice to the menu (although the high sugar content of white rice may help mitigate the spice).

    (3)

  • Andrew O.

    Dan Dan noodles and String beans please. I don't think I've had anything bad at Han Dynasty. I just wish it were a little more inexpensive, and not so trendy.

    (5)

  • Ashley S.

    I'm sad I never made it to the BYOB location across the street (it was always too packed on weekend nights), so I appreciate that they have much more space at the new location. The new space is pretty with very high ceilings and a nice bar. It feels a little upscale. I usually come with a group of people, so we end up splitting a bunch of entrees. My favorites are the dan dan noodles, which is a noodle dish with peanut sauce, and the fish with garlic style sauce. My friends raved about one of the pork dishes, but I don't eat non-seafood meat so I didn't try it. Be careful when it comes to the spice level. Their baseline is already a little hot, so my friends and I thought a 6-7 was pretty darn spicy. Also, know that the dishes cooked in garlic sauce come out pretty oily. The entrees are large, and I think they would probably be too big for one person, so for a group of 4 we usually order 3-4 and have some leftovers. Prices here are very reasonable, and I don't think I've ever paid more than $25 per person.

    (4)

  • Jamie S.

    Stunningly good Szechuan Chinese food -- and authentic, as far as this easterner can tell. Dined with 3 friends, and ordered four dishes: cold noodle w/ chili oil, braised beef noodle soup, dry pepper chicken, and salt n' pepper shrimp. The cold noodle seemed to be simply black rice vinegar and chili oil mixed with soft wheat noodles -- which was very solid, but probably not worth 7 bucks, given the portion size. We got the noodle soup mostly because my compadres were daunted by the spice level that Szechuan cuisine is known for. It uses the same noodles as the cold noodle dish, but in a sweet and savory beef soup...decent, but not the best beef noodle soup I've ever had. The dry pepper chicken was the highlight of the meal for me -- just spicy enough, with tons of chilies to spare and perfectly fried chicken. Salt n' pepper shrimp was also very good, but it was a little too salty...my tongue was slightly numb afterwards...or was that the capsaicin? Overall, probably the best Chinese restaurant I've eaten at in the US. Fun atmosphere, comfortable seating, and attentive service. Their generosity with the rice was nice, too. I'll return soon for the dan dan noodles, spicy cucumber, and wontons in chili oil.

    (5)

  • Colleen D.

    Consistently delicious food. Felt compelled to write a review after receiving excellent service with my last takeout order. While I didn't discover until I got home that one of the three items in my order was wrong, when I called to notify the restaurant and ask what they could do to save me from having to return for the correct item, the manager arranged to have an employee bring it to me. Now I doubt this is an option for everyone, but they made an exception since I live six blocks away. It was a great resolution and will keep me coming back.

    (5)

  • Seema F.

    Wow, this place has gone really downhill! Service is terrible-- you can't even get your water refilled and the staff can have a bit of an attitude. The food is now mediocre. I ordered an extra spicy beef, but instead of a well flavored entree, I got a plate of dried chilies that I had to dig through to find a few tiny pieces of protein. They got way too big for their breeches and are suffering from it. I will not be coming back.

    (3)

  • Sara S.

    Han Dynasty is a pretty solid-go-to for spicy and enticing dishes. And as long as you're open to trying something with a little spice- there are endless options for you here. There are a few well known dishes here and they're well known for a reason. Dandan noodles are the immediate first thing I even think of when Han Dynasty is mentioned. They're creamy, and spicy and savory. Just perfect in every way. The noodles also should be given some recognition- they're magnificent. I've had a few other things too and all of them were really delicious. This isn't your average boring take out. I also believe the dumplings in chili oil and the Twice cooked fish are must-haves when eating here. Every location I've been to (Old City and University City) has been busy. But that's not a bad thing. This is a fun date place, and good for large groups since everything is served family style.

    (3)

  • Maggie H.

    正宗的川菜！爽！The food here is the best in town, you should of really go here if you are looking to eat some traditional Sichuanese food.

    (5)

  • Eunni C.

    I heard so much good things about Han Dynasty and couldn't wait to try. Got bunch of dishes include spicy cucumber salad, dan Dan noodle, dumpling in hot oil, scallion pancakes, fried rice, fish in clay pot, dry chicken, garlic eggplants and mapo tofu. Dumpling in hot oil was big hit, it was simple but had so much flavor in it. Scallion pancake was fried well and chewy, dipping sauce wasn't salty. Everyone seems excited about their dan Dan noodle but it didn't so much for me. Maybe I am not a big fan of noodle. I did enjoy mapo tofu, wasn't too greasy and enough spicy for me. Dry chicken was delicious but was too salty for me. I had few bite then couldn't touch more. Fish in clay pot had full of flavor but a bit greasy for me. Since most main dishes we ordered had powerful flavor, the fried rice was most popular dish on our table. Dinner was enjoyable and liked the fun ambiance. Like old Chinese restaurant in movie. I will definitely go back soon but I will order more appetitive and be easy on strong flavored main dishes next time.

    (4)

  • Mack C.

    Very good Szechuan food. Great staples! Loved the tripe appetizer! I've had better cumin lamb and beef but still good. The noodles were the star of the meal.

    (4)

  • Robert P.

    The single most over rated restaurant in the city. I like the hot pepper chicken. That's it. I keep try and keep being disappointed . All hype no substance. He shouldn't believe his own press. Seriously six times and always crushed by inconsistent Food.

    (2)

  • Jen A.

    Delicious! Love the Dan Dan noodles and Three cups chicken. Spicy but flavorful and amazing! The two times we have had this food, we ordered in via Foodler/Dashed (horrible service-Han Dynasty, PLEASE use another delivery service! There are so many great ones in Philly) We have never been to the actual restaurant so can't review the service or atmosphere but I can say that the food IS good.

    (5)

  • Felicia Z.

    We came into the Resturant and was placed on the waiting list. The host said that it would take approximately 45 minutes before we could get a table and that she would text us once one became available. We stepped out to a nearby bar and waited for the text message which never came. An hour later, we returned and were told that we could not be found on the list. We then located the original host we spoke to who then told us that she had texted us but the number might have been wrong. She also said that she stopped taking customers due to the kitchen being backed up. However, we were never notified. She then proceeded to explain that even though she could seat us, the kitchen was closing in two minutes and we would be waiting for an indeterminate amount of time before getting service. While the staff seemed apologetic, they did not attempt to accommodate us in any way. I would suggest avoiding this place when it is busy as the staff does not communicate with each other and the restaurant seems unable to accommodate large weekend crowds. Also, any error on their behalf will not be addressed.

    (1)

  • Michael H.

    My girlfriend became a Yelper Elite member, so I decided to check out what was so special about this community where she is the top of the food chain. Well, I decided to start by writing a review for my favorite Chinese restaurant in Philly: Han Dynasty. My favorite dish would be the Dan Dan noodles, as most have said. They make it here much more flavor than the ones I've had in other restaurants. I would also recommend the double cooked pork and for those who don't like spicy foods (which consists of 99% of the menu), definitely try the 3 cup chicken. They cook the chicken to be very tender and tasty. If you do like spicy, I would recommend the beef tripe appetizer, although I believe it is one of the spiciest dishes on the menu. They opened a new restaurant at 38th and Market which has a little more of a modern ambiance to it.

    (5)

  • M B.

    Top notch far eastern cuisine. I can't leave this spot without destroying a bowl of DanDan noodles. Also, the Chinese cabbage and cucumbers are swell. Do yourself a favor and stop by for take out or to dine in. Be aware that the food is quite spicy - so if that's not your bag I would stick to the unauthentic American Chinese food that is available everywhere in the suburbs.

    (5)

  • Allison B.

    It was a Saturday around 3 PM. Kind of an awkward time to eat a meal, but we were walking around old city looking for a lunch special and Han Dynasty claimed to have one. It wasn't really a lunch special, though. No egg rolls or wonton soups here- just a dinner menu with smaller portions and smaller prices. The place was pretty dead, and the Chinese owners were chopping vegetables at a table just a few feet away from us. Our waiter was American- a total bro who just wanted us to eat some authentic Chinese food. I dig white waiters in Asian restaurants- I used to be one and I know how difficult it can be. We shared Kung Pao chicken and a tofu dish. The Kung Pao lacked some flavor, but the tofu was spicy and wonderful. It was dried tofu- the compressed kind- and next time I would ask if I could have soft or fried. As we left, I yelled out "xie xie!" to say thank you to the people snipping string beans. "You're saying it wrong," said my boyfriend, who spent 3 months abroad in Beijing. I guess I didn't learn as much Chinese in the kitchen of the Golden Wok as I thought.

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    Is it bad form to write an update on a place you haven't visited more than once? About halfway through my family dinner at P.F. Chang's last night, I suddenly got the urge to sweep the table with my arm, sending plates of chicken in a spicyish sauce, beef in a spicyish sauce, shrimp in a spicyish sauce (all with a few stir-fried veggies thrown in) to the floor. I would demand that someone in the kitchen give me something *different.* Wantons in chili oil came to mind first, then the spicy crispy cucumbers, then those amazing green beans, and please throw in some shrimp that is perfectly cooked and packed with a flavor other than generic "Aisan." Alas, my dream cloud was popped by a server walking by with yet another tray of lettuce wraps, and I went back to my Hunan Pork (read: pork in a spicyish sauce with a few stir-fried veggies thrown in).

    (5)

  • Dave K.

    What's all the hoopla about this place? On a scale-o-Yelp: 1) Dan Dan Noodles - 4.5 stars. Good flavor with a bit of spice 2) Spicy Cucumbers - 4 stars. Good portion. Good spice! The flavor is very similar to that of Korean-style kimchi cucumbers. 3) Dumplings in chili oil - 3 stars. A-OK. The dumpling wrap was nice and chewy but the filling left me with something more to be desired. 4) Beef Dry Pot - 2.5 stars. Super spicy the way I like it, but where's the beef? 5) 3-cup chicken - 2 stars. It's OK. Oddly soft textured chicken in a dark soy-type glaze with a few pieces of garlic slices thrown in. I'd rather pay half the price for Americanized Chinese chicken any day.

    (3)

  • Chris D.

    Love Han Dynasty and frequently eat at the Manayunk location and University City location. Was excited to see that the Old City spot was going to be open late night- thought it would be an awesome place to grab a meal after the bars. Problem is- the location is never actually open late night. Tried to go last Saturday after the bar, arrived at 1:15 am after walking by earlier in the night and seeing the sign advertising late night menu till 2 am. Not so- closed early. Then the next weekend, called ahead at 12 to see if they were still open. Was told yes, but it was kind of slow and they probably would close at 1 am again. Immediately got in a cab and got there at 12:15 am excited to enjoy late night meal only to find out that they decided to close up shop. Asked the server I spoke to on the phone why he didn't just say that when I called and his only response was to shrug and say "Kitchen closed, have a good night" Skip this location, service is better at the Manayunk and University City locations.

    (1)

  • Enid C.

    When I drove by this place with my mom in the car, she just looks at the sign and says, "What's Handy Nasty?" That being said, this place is phenoms. Bring some pepsid and a Chinese friend, and you're good to go.

    (4)

  • Tony F.

    I think I posted an anonymous review a while ago. Han is everything people say and more. The Dry Pot Fish, Pea Leaves, and soft shell crab (in season) are amazing. Lately, I've been enjoying the Cumin pork and the salt & pepper shrimp. Han's food pairs well with Belgian beers. Bring an extra for the chef, and he just might sit down and drink it with you! Please note, if you are a only-eat-at-TGIFridays-type, and you're idea of ethnic food is sweet and sour chicken, you're definitely not gonna be happy here. (But if you insist, don't worry, there is a kids' menu, and Han will chide you about it because...you deserve it!) Adventurous diners on the other hand, this is your spot...come hungry!

    (5)

  • L L.

    Definitely above average, and although I can't say for sure maybe one of the best in town, but I was unpleasantly disappointed with my meal, whig included the much loved dan dan noodles. Points for byob status, chill waitstaff, huge tables in the basement, and a surly Mr. Han who will visit your table. I'm a bit spoiled after living next to a Grand Sichuan up north, so I may be back to amend this review as my search continues.

    (3)

  • dragon r.

    The tasting menu was too much food, but appetizing! I especially liked the cucumbers and pork belly. I would go back.

    (4)

  • Synie W.

    our waiter was the best! (i think he was also the owner) he had such a great sense of humor (but good thing we had one too lol) the food taste great esp. if you love mouth numbing spicy foods! their food tasted as good as it does in authentic szechuan resturants in flushing. yummm. def gona pay them a visit everytime i visit PA hahah

    (5)

  • lisa b.

    Had a fantastic meal there with friends, only had to wait one tecate at the Mexican bar next door. Ate the noodle dish every raved about, the rabbit appetizer (hot! And watch the bones) steamed dumplings absolutely delicious, pork, dry pot chicken....and the service was great...we will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Maggie l.

    Found this place wm from yelp when me and my daughter were in Philadelphia. We loved the place. The food is so authentic except it's not spicy enough ( even the scale of 10). The setting is so nice and they are very thoughtful to have ice water and hot tea for you at the same time. The only reason I give it a four star is the dishes are a bit salty. You'd better try this place if you love Chinese food and especially spicy Chinese food when you are in town.

    (4)

  • Claudia L.

    I had lunch here for the first time. I was very surprised by the atmosphere because it's such a large space. Very nice but I remember being there when it was another establishment. I have to say that the food was just okay. Not bad but nothing that makes me want to say "You HAVE TO go there!". But I have to say the service was entirely too slow. Sadly, I most likely will not go back.

    (3)

  • Kuriakose K.

    I recommend the spicy beef noodle soup. Its one if the spiciest dishes I've ever had in america. BTW im indian so im used to spice, but this dish blew my mind. The pair it with a good light beer and some fried rice to reduce the damage from the spice.

    (5)

  • Nivedita B.

    I adore Chinese food, and Szechuan cuisine is my favorite. Garlic and chili peppers and tingly Sichuan peppercorns, what's not to love? I was excited about checking out Han Dynasty for everyone I talked to during my visit to Philly said I couldn't miss it. I wasn't disappointed. - Dan Dan noodles: definitely lives up to the hype. spicy sweet peanut-y goodness. We got this in the level 8 and could've definitely gone spicier. - Dry hot pot style with beef: the hot pot sauce was absolutely divine. It comes out in a sizzling mini wok which was terribly cute. The bamboo shoots were money. This was a level 9 and had the perfect amount of heat (as in I sweat just the right amount) Service was fine. The restaurant itself is huge (tall ceilings with intricate crown moulding) and the decor is cool. If I lived in Philly, Han Dynasty would definitely become my go-to place for spicy Chinese food.

    (4)

  • Christina S.

    Thank you, Han Dynasty, for accommodating my weak taste buds. I order most every Sunday, ask for a lowered spice level, and they always do their best to allow me to enjoy Han no matter what spice level. Can I handle it? yes Is it still hot? Yes. If you're the type of person that wants a taste but is unsure that you can handle it... Try it out.

    (4)

  • Gia M.

    This location is conveniently close to my office... too close. Thank God for the lunch specials or I would have a serious problem on my hands. This Han serves up the familiar, spicy, and delicious Szechuan food that we have all come to know and love. My particular favorites at the Old City location are the dry pepper chicken and the spicy cucumbers. Somehow the cucumbers (7) are spicier than the other Han Dynasties, but the dry pepper chicken (8) is more easily inhaled. Two good things that this Han has going for it are: a) the decor. It is absolutely regal inside and totally fit for any fancy occasion. Big pillars, low lighting, and an impressively large bar reminds me of Del Frisco's. and b) the lunch specials! I suppose the others have this too, but in Old City, there are tons of offices (and me!) hungry for Han, just not hungry enough for an entire dry pot. The dry pepper chicken lunch special is $7.95 and comes with the typical rice. Add the cucumbers (also ~$7) and you have a very happy Gia M not spending her entire paycheck on Chinese food for lunch.

    (4)

  • Sarah L.

    Sight upon entering? Jose Garces and family clan at an adjacent table. First good sign. Second good sign? All the remarkable dishes I watched pass me by. Needless to say, I had high expectations as I sat for my first dinner at Han Dynasty...it didn't disappoint. Upon recommendation of my friend, our table ordered the cold sesame noodles and spicy cucumber salad to start. Second course was twice cooked fish and hot pot chicken. My mouth is watering as I type...should be a good indication of the taste... In the words of my dear pal Ryan Biner "the food was dy-NASTY!!!"

    (5)

  • John K.

    One of the most celebrated Sichuan / Schezuan restaurants in Philly is Han Dynasty. Owner Han Chiang was able to parlay his success into several other outposts throughout the city and fairly recently, even in NYC (I believe the count is up to 8?). Still, that doesn't mean the location in Old City is forgotten. In fact, this past year, they moved across the street to a renovated location which is modernized and more grandiose - in tune with Han's interests (not a bad thing!). So when my mother and sister were in town, the GF and I decided to take them to this Old City hotspot to enjoy some lunch. Dan Dan Noodles [$7.95] We started with the requisite dan dan noodles, which showcased noodles that retained the sauce quite well. The sauce was a mix of pork and chili tempered by peanut. The crispy nuggets of pork were nice bursts of salt and flavor. Spicy Crispy Cucumber [$6.95] My mom seemed uninterested and unimpressed by the fact that I was excited for the spicy crispy cucumbers. But after one bite, she was genuinely surprised. In fact, she kept trying to guess the recipe. The spiciness hits you in the back of your throat, but you can't help but go back for more bites of the cool, crisp cucumber. Dumplings in Chili Oil [$6.95] The dumplings were flat and wide, with little nuggets of pork within. Studded with sesame seeds which offered texture, the chili oil bath wasn't overpowering. Garlic Sauce Style Pork [$11.95] Ginger, garlic, bamboo, bell peppers The GF's favorite is the garlic sauce pork and this dish offered juicy bits of pork, bamboo, and ginger, which were accented by the garlic sauce. Dry Pot Style Chicken [$15.95] Bamboo shoots, bell peppers, Sichuan peppercorns I love the three cup chicken and the pork belly dishes here, but I decided to branch out for some dry pot chicken. This may be my new favorite dish. Like crispy bits of popcorn chicken, this was incredibly crisp, juicy, and almost delicate. Apparently there's no batter used - it's just triple flash-fried. A must order. Just watch out for the whole bits of peppercorn! So if you're looking for a great meal with Sichuan/Schezuan flair, Old City still has you covered. Just in a sleeker package.

    (5)

  • Deborah F.

    This place is SO delicious. I qualify it as tied for the best Chinese food I've had outside of China alongside The House of Nan King in San Francisco and a tiny place in San Gabriel near Los Angeles (in the 'real' China town there, not the touristy one). A friend took me for my birthday and the two of us ordered enough for at least 4 people, but we counted on savoring the leftovers. MAKE RESERVATIONS! They had a table for two waiting for us at the exact time we had reserved. Others had to wait for I don't know how long because the place was crowed (7:15 on a Wed. night). The service was slow, but the food was so good I didn't really care. We ate the crispy cucumbers, dan dan noodles, and chicken dry pot. So amazing. Very spicey (they took down the spice to about a 7 for us - as low as they would go without affecting the quality of the taste. I could manage that with some water. I might even be able to handle an 8). Also the pea leaves (delicious complement to the spicey and meaty dishes), double cooked fish (delicious fried fish, a little salty but I couldn't stop eating them), and egg plant (so good I basically used it for desert even though it wasn't particularly sweet). Looking forward to going again soon. And yes, I'm savoring the leftovers.

    (5)

  • Emily K.

    After La Ban's smashing review of Han's monthly tasting, we immediately made reservations for - how 'bout this - three months later. Luckily, the experience proved worth the three month wait. We arrived armed with a bottle of wine and were ushered awkwardly down into the dingy basement dining room. Seated on folding chairs at a table covered with more of a tarp than a tablecloth, we prepared for we knew not what as a young waiter hastily opened our bottle and grabbed glasses. Suddenly, after the chaos of seating a seemingly endless stream of parties of all shapes and sizes at large communal tables, trays of food began to appear. Dish after dish, one per table, came streaming in from above. Dumplings, Chicken in Chili Oil, Dan Dan Noodles, Pork-fried String Beans, Beef and Tripe in Chili, Cumin Chicken, Tofu in Garlic Sauce, Napa Cabbage, Fried Chicken Cubes with Dried Red Peppers -- each of our plates (of which you get one and one only) became a sea of glistening chili and oil, ready for sopping from the well-stocked bowl of white rice. Unfortunately, despite the spice-hype, there was only one point in the meal during which I felt a bead of sweat ooze out of my forehead, and the most exotic protein we encountered was the slivered tripe. I had been very much looking forward to a blisteringly spicy and challengingly bizarre meal - but instead encountered a more traditional Chinese feast. Still well worth the flat $25 fee, but perhaps slightly south of expectations.

    (4)

  • Dayna R.

    Dan dan noodles are the best thing to ever happen to my mouth. Never before have I had such a craving for something this bad. Drooling as I type.

    (5)

  • F C.

    Wow, Handy Nasty is off the chain! Do you know how a place like PF Changs makes the typical chinese take out look like dog food? Well this place makes PF Changs look like dog food. The Dan Dan Noodles are on another level. Great flavor and spicy bite. The Spicy Crispy Cucumber app was refreshing and magnificent. What we ate after that i couldn't tell you. My brother said I was in "blackout feeding frenzy mode." I can't wait to comeback and show this place off to friends. Big ups to Michelle for telling me about this gem.

    (5)

  • Lisa M.

    Wonderful authentic, wonderfully spicy. The eggplant, the green beans, the tea smoked duck, everything on their menu is fabulous!

    (5)

  • Nissa G.

    Love Han Dynasty, but who doesn't really. Just recently learned that you can get take out/delivery! This is super convenient since its always packed in there! Scallion pancakes are probably the best anywhere, everything is YUM.

    (4)

  • Lisa F.

    delicious, went 2 nights in a row for their dan dan noodles!

    (5)

  • Brianne J.

    Everything I've gotten at Han has been amazing. Dan dan noodles, spicy cucumbers: a must for first timers. The dry pot is phenomenal, the cold sesame noodles were great (esp after the chili oil they offered me), scallion style was good (though not my personal favorite), ... I can't even remember them all. Nothing has been disappointing, that's the important part. I take every out-of-towner here at least once. SO GOOD.

    (5)

  • Brian S.

    Went hear last week with a group of 8. We did not have reservations and they were very accommodating and eager to seat us. Food was top notch some of the best Chinese food I have ever had. If you like spicy food this is your place. My mouth was on fire but in a good way food was very tasty and hot. We sat at the big table right when you walk in and my girl friend was cold most of the time as there was a bit of a draft every time someone came in but just Ryder some extra spicy Dan Dan noodles and you will worm up in no time. I am already set to go back and try the tasting menu.

    (5)

  • Thomas W.

    Another lemming hole. Much is made of the owner/waiter/host that doesn't give a crap about reviews or if guests have a bad experience at his place because he will tell them all to ef-off. He takes a lot of pride in this. Listen my man, it's very adorable that you are raging against the machine and doing your own thing. It would kinda work if the food didn't suck ass. Seriously you are like the soup nazi of chestnut street whose soup blows. Wow- the rogue restauranteur who is so edgy that he just doesn't care about what anybody has to say about his food. Soooooo crazy. Here's the deal though, the food sucks. You are either going to get something super fried, dry, and garnished with random hot peppers or you will get something so drenched in spicy, gnarly-oil that you will want to vomit. The crappy experience is only exacerbated by the owner running around like a methed-up loon raving about how he is the best chef/owner/waiter/host in the city. I'm trying to choke down this mess so please keep your slashy accolades to yourself. Thx so much

    (2)

  • Joseph H.

    It's in my top 5 in Philly. There are only 3 so far. Yes, it is spicy. Yes, you are likely to get hassled by Han if he doesn't like your order. Yes, you can get the F out if you don't like it. It's the best Chinese food a non-Chinese speaking person can get - or at least that I've had - in this country. If you are a Chinese speaker, you can go into most any Chinese restaurant in these United States, order off menu and get amazing food (happens all the time when I'm with my parents). But alas, I don't speak Chinese well, so I don't get the good stuff. Therefore, I'm grateful to Han for educating the uneducated; for enlightening the Philadelphia public to what Chinese food can really be. Han then, is a little like Bruce Lee, teaching his martial arts secrets to the Gwai Lo. I'll gladly take any abuse he serves me, and politely ask for more.

    (5)

  • Carter P.

    Love spice and enjoy chinese food? This is the spot for you - it's definitely the spot for me. And wow, the place looks as incredible as the food. Having been to the Manayunk location, it was great food, but in a much more low key surrounding. Step into the Old City location and the ceiling must be four stories high - the bar goes up almost that height. Just an incredible place. We ordered the Wontons in Chile Sauce which were spicy (as was the rest of our dinner) - for dinner, we had the Hot Sauce Chicken. Incredible. Everything was fresh and the heat really made the meal. A great date night type place, but could also be a good spot for a night out with friends.

    (5)

  • Katie M.

    Get the Spicy Cucumber!

    (5)

  • Jamie S.

    Great food at a great price. I LOVED it!!!

    (5)

  • E N.

    This place has gone downhill since moving! We were huge fans, but since entering this new space it seems like the service and quality has dramatically changed. The food is still good, and the Dan Dan noodles tasty as ever, although other dishes didn't have the same punch as in the old place. But, the service! Oh the service. Our server rushed us to give him our order, and then didn't seem to know what we were ordering so asked us to point it out on the menu. When we were brought our food, one dish was placed on the table and then promptly removed without explanation (we assumed it was the wrong one?). And then, not only received the wrong dish but when we asked if it was correct we were told many times that it was the right one. We were supposed to get pork, but it was chicken. When the bill came, sure enough the bill said it was "chicken" and the server didn't seem particularly concerned. I'm not saying the "customer is always right" nor am I expecting to be treated like a queen, but it kind of hurts my feelings when we are told we are flat out wrong (when we are not). I LOVE THIS PLACE--please fix it!

    (2)

  • Elizabeth M.

    I like Han Dynasty, though my experience of the food has been mostly through take out from another location. I went to the Old City location with a group for lunch. We were seated quickly and were one of the first groups in for the lunch rush, but service was slow. We didn't care at first and enjoyed some appetizers, but we then noticed that everyone's food was coming out at vastly different times (first group received food, then we waited for another 10-15 minutes before more food came out). This pattern continued until everyone had their food but me, and I continued to wait for a few minutes thinking that perhaps it would be on its way. The waiter did not come over for some time, and by that point most of our table had already finished eating, given the staggered serving times. Turns out he never put my order in. He was only vaguely apologetic and didn't offer to provide any compensation for the meal until I asked. I should have asked to speak to a manager. I don't think I'll be returning anytime soon!

    (2)

  • Jaycee H.

    Stopped in with our son after hearing about this place on yelp and various other media mentions. Excellent food. Addictively hot. This is really spicy why can't I stop eating it. Have read some negative reviews on here about it being to spicy. How can you give a restaurant 1 star because you don't like spicy food. That's what they serve why did you go there? Anyway, good service, attentive if a little disorganized. They need a host to stay at the door and remain a host and not serve tables it gets busy. Han was most accomodating to our 5yr old who won't eat anything. Made a special plate of bland rice and chicken then a lollipop on the way out. Thanks. Will definitely return and bring friends.

    (4)

  • dc h.

    Its funny reading some of the negative reviews. If you want the same fried rice that you can get at the other 15 Chinese places then go to one of them. If you want beef and broccoli, go to one of those 15 places too. If you want the same crap that you're used to - go somewhere else. If you want really unique and authentic Chinese then Han Dynasty is awesome. That's what makes this place special.

    (5)

  • Liz J.

    Does Han Dynasty need yet another glowing review praising the superbly spiceful, mouthwateringly memorable dishes? Probably not. Will I superfluously provide such a review anyway? Heck yes. Our party of four showed up half an hour early for our reservations on a surprisingly packed Tuesday night, and after a 20 min wait were efficiently seated at the next open table. The waiter promptly uncorked our two bottles of wine as we started off with the much-heralded Dan Dan Noodles - and wow, they were indeed a spicy, flavorful standout. Plus the one order was perfect for our 4-person table. Definitely a recommended starter! Next, our family-style entrees arrived - and I absolutely suggest approaching Han Dynasty family style. We tried to balance our dishes in spice and flavor, ordering the Hot Sauce Style Fish, Mapo Tofu, Kung Pao Style Chicken, and Cumin Lamb. The fish and chicken were the big standouts, with the lamb a bit of a disappointment - not bad, but slightly off in meshing with the other, more traditionally Asian flavors. But in all, everything we ordered was voraciously gobbled up, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and already we are collectively plotting our prompt return! If you have been thinking of going to Han Dynasty, but haven't yet made the pilgrimage - GO, GO, GO now!!!! I regret the three months I waited as time I could've been savoring the succulent spicy delight of Szechuan cooking at its best. Next time, we are going for the number 10!

    (5)

  • Percy N.

    Craig Laban reviewed Han Dynasty on 7/18/2010 and gave it 3 deserving bells !!

    (5)

  • Gabie L.

    I ordered food for take out so I don't judge or make any review service here. I ordered dandan noodles and others (can't remember). Dandan noodle was soooo good. Little spicy and moisture, which make tasty. Chinese food is not one of my favorite but I can eat dandan noodles multiple times. Dandan noodle is highly recommended when you visit Philly (if you can't eat spicy food, just don't try it, busters).

    (5)

  • Hitesh S.

    Every time we visit family in philly, we end up trying a new place and it was Han dynasty's turn this time. Looking at the great reviews, we went with high expectations and we definitely satisfied with our experience. We had the usual favorites - spicy cuccumber and dumplings in chili oil which were pretty good, we had dan dan noodles which were excellent. Although we had nothing to compare the dan dan noodles to since it was our first time eating them. We also ordered the classic american chinese dish - The kung pao chicken which is hard to screw up in my opinion. All in all good service, and good food. We will come back when are in philly again and feel like eating chinese.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    great place. liked the interior setup. we tried all the recommended dishes. Favorite was the dumplings in oil. Most of dishes we tried were tasty and good but were all on the salty side. our whole group felt the same way about the food being too salty. otherwise everything was good. and we will give it another try.

    (3)

  • Ryan D.

    First, I want to say that I really enjoy Han Dynasty on 37th and Market - great service and pretty good food. However, I did have a different experience at the one on 123 Chestnut St. I want to preface what I write with the fact that I worked at a high-end restaurant in Philly, and so know certain protocols that are expected in restaurants - especially high-quality ones (like attending to tables, clearing tables, refilling cups with water, and following company protocol). After making a reservation, we were quickly seated. However, upon being seated, a server didn't come to our table for 10-15 minutes. A key thing to note is that the place was not busy, and servers were walking by our table without addressing us. We were finally spoken to by the man who seated us (he actually happened to be our server and was standing in for the hostess). My girlfriend and I both ordered cold sesame noodles, and a crispy rice style dish that we requested be vegetarian. Before the server could leave with our order, I stopped him and to make sure the dish was fully vegetarian and didn't have any extraneous meat derivatives in it (partly because I have a vegetarian diet, and partly because I'm allergic to shellfish). He confirmed that it was fully vegetarian - though not in attentive, present manner, but rather a nonchalant, whatever manner. I let it go - figuring it was his personality. Later on, though, after receiving the dish, I remembered that when my girlfriend and I were at the Han Dynasty on 37th a while back, the server made a point to tell me some of the dishes had oyster derivatives in them - almost as if it was protocol to tell me. I asked for the waiter back, and asked him if my dish had shellfish derivatives in it. He said it had oyster sauce. I told him I couldn't eat it because of my allergy, asked for a new dish, and pointed out to him that he didn't mention the oyster sauce when we asked about there being no meat derivatives. He said that a concern for oyster sauce was a vegan concern, and not a vegetarian one. Nevertheless, we got a new dish. It was okay (in comparison to the Han Dynasty on 37th). In all honesty, the dish was too sweet and not that memorable. My girlfriend and I both felt this way even before talking about it - when she brought it up - it was the clear consensus between us. After finishing our sesame noodles and the plates we ate them on - our dishes were not cleared by any servers for a while - when they did clear them, they put the empty plates on the empty table next to us, and did not clear them from there until about 10 minutes later. Our cups were rarely refilled with water and we had to consistently stop one of the few servers that were frantically attending to the quarter-filled restaurant. In other words, they were scanning the tables and walking around attentively, but not really noticing our actual needs at the table. Definitely a mediocre experience, especially compared to the Han Dynasty experience I had on 37th.

    (2)

  • Christine N.

    I love this place! I know that it is a bit commercialized, but the food here is both spicy and delicious. It's the perfect place to take folks who are visiting and are craving chinese food. I don't stray from my favorites often, so here they are: - Spicy Cucumber - Dan Dan Noodles (I've tried Spice 28's and they're okay compared to these) - Dry Pot Style Lamb - String Beans with minced pork

    (5)

  • Kate D.

    The dumplings in chili oil are good! I could eat them all the time. Nothing too special, but very addictive. We also got some of the "dry style" chicken. Were a lot less impressed by this. This was extraordinarily spicy (which is mentioned on the menu, so we knew in advance), but didn't have a lot of flavor. It was served with rice, and the presentation was pretty neat. The three star rating does not come from the food in this situation, but instead from the service. When we came in, we sat at the crowded bar while waiting for our table. The bar tender instantly came over and asked us what we wanted. I appreciate that, and don't even expect that. Just as he asked us about our drinks, we were informed that we got a table. They took us to the back room of the BEAUTIFUL building. We were impressed by the decor, grand ceilings and giant staircase. We sat down, excited to try the place, but then waited a full 15 minutes before anyone even took our drink order. The server walked over and said "you ready?" No apology for the incredibly long amount of time we sat there without even glasses of water. I have served before, and service like this completely infuriates me. You could stop over and say "I will be right with you" or when you arrive you could say "I am SO sorry about the wait" but there was none of that here. We were also one of his three tables, and he in fact was not busy... Overall, the food saved this rating. For the food, and the attentive bar tender, I would give this place a 4/5 star. However, the server ruined our experience, and I have to knock it down to 3/5

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    4 stars for quality, value, and decor. Let's start with the bad, end with the good. Spring rolls were like any other takeout Chinese place. Shrimp with crispy rice was shrimp soup with mushy rice. And while I want to say good things about the lamb cumin, it was a bit dry, overly cumin, with spice only coming from the crunchy peppers in the dish (so spice can be avoided). Prices for seafood jumps quite a bit too, around $19 for shrimp and $22 for scallops. That being said, scallops were worth it. 8 big salt and peppers guys that were perfect. Also had a garlic sauce chicken - we used inappropriate moans to describe the deliciousness we got for the same price as takeout Chinese. It had the right amount of spice in it too. And like everyone else, we had the dan dan noodles, which I'm happy to continue singing their song of praise. Mix drink called the empress was quite refreshing too - tasted summertime in the depths of winter. Last few points - service was fine, place is massive and organized for easy flow of traffic. Will be back again to hit up some other parts of the menu.

    (4)

  • Flora L.

    So this is really like the food that you can have in China. The Dan dan noodle is so aromatic and tasty. The eggplant is just like the dish my mom cook if not better. We ordered dry hot pot lamb and it is the first time I have chance to eat lamb since I came to the U.S. Even the steamed rice is provided in a bowl. I feel like I am back in Shanghai!

    (4)

  • Kathleen R.

    Not a typical chinatown restaurant. High ceilings, modern, great staff, & great food. Everything that was recommended to us was delicious from the Dan Dan noodles to the scallion pancakes, but what was the least favorite was the duck. However, our server did mention it was a lot of work b/c it's boney. Which was true, but aside from that...the taste was not great either. Other than that dish everything else we had was great!

    (4)

  • Rosta M.

    It's not bad. Their soups need alittle work though - you can tell they don't cook their broth with real bones for a long time. They also use tons of msg. I mean, a lot of msg. This is coming from a person in the food ingredient business. My girl friend and I don't mind msg. If fact many of the Vietnamese restaurants we goto use it however, they use way too much at han. They need to stop trying to grow so fast in other areas and focus on what they have by making the food a bit more delicious

    (3)

  • Kristyn F.

    Now, I'm not a foodie, nor do I have dietary restrictions, but I will always take well prepared tofu over meat, and damn it's nice to find a restaurant that knows how to cook tofu. My crispy noodle tofu came out within 10 minutes of ordering and it was delicious. A little too pricey to go often, but I will return.

    (4)

  • Debrhea V.

    Now I am not Asian, so I can't tell you the authenticity of these dishes but I can tell you they are delicious! Especially if you prefer spicy. The building is absolutely beautifully and probably my second favorite thing about this place! The third would be that the prices are extremely reasonable and they are generous with portions. I recommend the garlic chicken.

    (5)

  • Mike H.

    Stopped in for the first time last night. We had a great experience. We sat at the bar had a few drinks and ordered the Dan Dan Noodles, Wontons in chili oil, Spicy cucumbers, and the dry pot beef entree. Since it was our first time, the bartender explained the portion, spice level, etc... Which was a big help. We enjoyed everything and the portions were pretty big. Def coming back. Def get the dan dan noodles, they were addicting but like I said everything we tried, we really enjoyed. The service provided by bartender P (per my receipt) was great. See you guys soon

    (5)

  • Danielle D.

    I came in on a Sunday night, there was a 20 minute wait (not that bad), walking in the place was a bit overwhelming but the setup was nice. I came with one other person we sat at the bar while we waited for a table. The bartender took 15 minutes just to talk to us, gave us two of the worst whiskey sours we ever had, was rude and then added gratuity when we told her we were waiting for a table. Then we get seated at the table. No one comes to our table for 15-20 minutes, a server shows up to bring us drinks and take our order and then we don't see him until he drops off the check. My friend's food came out... my food came out 20 minutes later. We had to flag down another server who simply said, "weren't you explained that's the way the food comes out." Honestly the food is good. Really spicy, but still really good. The server comes to our table, says, "no hard feelings" and took off a percentage off of our bill. The food is not good enough to make up for the horrible service

    (2)

  • Christine L.

    What happened?! The only thing hotter than the spicy food was the temperature in this cafeteria-seating zoo. It's summer. Invest in AC; it's all the rage. Also, I don't know if there was a "Buy 1 Ton of Chili Oil, Get 2 Tons Free" special going on or something, but it would be the only reasonable explanation for the obscene swimming pool of oil on each of our plates (eggplant with garlic sauce and beef hot something sauce style). Not coming back. Time to take a shower and unclog my arteries.

    (2)

  • Michael G.

    Great food terrible service. When we were there the place was maybe 1/3 full. The hostess sat us almost immediately but clearly didn't tell the waiters, as 20 minutes later despite seeing several waiters buzzing about the tables we had to flag one down so we finally got service (where he admitted that he had no idea who of the three tables that filled up in the last 20 minutes were seated first). Throughout the meal service was spotty to non existent, with water not being refilled (a big issue if you're serving very spicy food) and a beer ordered before appetizers not appearing until there was a reminder after we had finished our main courses. The building is beautiful, and the food was very tasty, but for that service I can't think that anyone in my group would be in a hurry to go back. It is cheap though.

    (2)

  • Peter C.

    The food was fantastic, but the service and ambiance were really sub par. I ordered the dan dan noodles along with cumin pork. Both dishes were excellent, and among the best Chinese plates I've had. The dan dan noodles were spicy yet flavorful, and the cumin pork was intensely flavorful and aromatic. The service however, was BAD. I had reservations, and arrived about five minutes early. The host failed to acknowledge our existence and we waited for ten minutes to be seated. During the meal, a waiter spilled my tea, and just left the mess sitting on our table. Service was altogether a mess. Eat the food, just not at the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Phil S.

    If its purely about the food, the place knows how to prepare Sichuan dishes. Our selections were spicy and flavorful. But...... if atmosphere is added to the equation, the joint sucks. We had a reservation for 6pm on a Friday evening with 8 people at our table, and by 6:30 we were in the middle of our meal. As we listened to classic rock playing on a cheap boom box that was sitting near the unlit service bar, about 15 people were jammed near the entrance to the restaurant unabashedly gawking down their noses at us with annoyed looks on their faces as if we were sitting at THEIR table. The hostess kept walking past us to see what progress we were making, and as we were finishing our drinks our waiter frisbeed the check onto the middle of our table not even asking if there was anything else he could get us. A restaurant is the sum of its parts not just food quality. Once again for the umteenth time I've encountered a downtown Philly restaurant that is way over-hyped and ultimately above average at best. There are plenty of Chinese restaurants out there with food that is equal to Han Dynasty and which provide a better overall dining experience.

    (3)

  • Henry Z.

    I'm Chinese and one of my favorite types of cuisine is Szechuan food, because it's spicy and flavorful. Now I have been to a LOT of Szechuan restaurants in my life and enjoyed all of them. When I went to Han Dynasty though, everything else paled in comparison. The food here is incredible! The Dan Dan noodles are addicting, the Mapo Tofu is heavenly, and everything else rocks! It is also in a great location downtown near the 2nd and Market station so it's easy to get here without a car. Although the service could have been better (I was refused a refill because I still had water in my glass...who does that!?), the food is worth coming here alone for.

    (5)

  • Steven B.

    This country is full of folks that have only eaten Americanized Chinese food. You know the deal- You order won-ton soup or if you really want to walk on the wild side maybe you choose egg drop. Maybe you order an egg roll. Then its chicken with broccoli and pork fried rice and you have yourself a Chinese meal. I have an acquaintance who manages one of these restaurants and I can hear him laughing now. He sees this exact order dozens of time a week! So you open the menu at Han Dynasty and you figure out right away that you're not in Kansas anymore! Most of your staple dishes are missing. Yikes! Don't worry, the staff can help you and you are in for a great culinary experience. Let's get the spiciness issue out of the way first. They use a 1-10 scale here which makes me laugh every time. Let's say you order a dish at level 4. Do you really think the busy chef is sampling every dish and adjusting to 10 different distinct levels of spiciness? Not a chance! I think there are three general ranges. Everybody's palate is different but here are my thoughts. Most Americans will think levels 1-5 are fairly mild. Level 6-8 will get your attention. We're talking lips and tongue tingling. Levels 9 and 10 pack some serious heat. Level 10 is too hot for many Americans. The lovely wife and I rolled in last Sunday around 6:30 PM. We were seated immediately without a reservation. We ordered drinks and received them promptly and throughout our meal the waiter was great. For appetizers we ordered Spicy Crispy Cucumber $6.95 (6) and Rabbit w/ Peanuts in Chili Oil $9.95 (10). As always the cucumbers were incredible. The sauce makes this simple dish amazing. The waiter mentioned that the rabbit was served on the bone. Even with this warning the wife was not pleased. She thought it was tasty but there were so many tiny bones it was very difficult to eat. We considered this dish a "miss." Next came Dan Dan Noodles $7.95 (8). As literally hundreds of reviews have mentioned, this dish is practically required. Don't even think about, just order it. For our entrée we split the chicken Dry Pot Style $15.95 (10). It's served in a sizzling mini wok and cooked in a spicy hot pot sauce with black mushrooms, bamboo shoots, bell peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns. Note that it's on the menu as level 10 and we asked the waiter to dial it back a little. The sauce in this dish is incredible. Every bite from beginning to end was an explosion of flavors. This was easily one of my favorite Asian dishes of all time. We walked out with contented smiles on our faces. The next morning I was tossing some cloths in the laundry and I could still smell the Szechuan spices clinging to them! It made me smile all over again.

    (4)

  • Juju W.

    Authentic Chinese food! Almost everything is good here. I have lived in DC for more than 8 years, and this is the best Chinese restaurant than any of the Chinese restaurants in DC. The atmosphere is great. The interior design feels Asian and sophisticated. Food is delicious and cheap. I will definitely come back again.

    (5)

  • Megan T.

    very good flavor, but smaller quantity than the regular Chinese resturant. food is kind of greasy. that is why one star was deducted.

    (4)

  • M P.

    this was the perfect place for a wonderful, inexpensive, fast late dinner on our first night in philadelphia. pea shoots with garlic, spicy cucumbers, and home style tofu all amazing. great service. very vegetarian-friendly. menu makes it easy to understand how spicy everything is going to be.

    (5)

  • Superfly T.

    Tried the new location and the food was as good as ever, had the cumin beef with the dan-dan's to start. Full bar now and good beer prices ( necessary to quench the mega-spicey palate!)

    (5)

  • Casey R.

    Just an update after a lovely meal for a friends birthday last night. They now serve beer (dogfish head 60 min and a few others) and have wine so there is a corkage fee if you byob. I believe the menu said $1 per beer and $10 per wine. Tuesday is free corkage however, which we took great advantage of. Food was amazing as always, service was excellent. Han helped with some ordering questions and made specialty vegetarian dishes for our side of the table.

    (5)

  • Ishan G.

    The food was excellent, as always, and the service was on point. I got the cumin style chicken and upped the spice level to 10 (I like spicier food), and I wished I could've made it a bit more spicier. Try the spicy cucumber and Dan Dan noodles! You won't be disappointed. Nevertheless, the food was delicious, and I will certainly frequent this and the Manayunk location. Thank you Han Dynasty for always being an excellent and reliable dinner choice.

    (5)

  • M S.

    I really hate to rate the Old City Han Dynasty so low, but my recent dinner there was a total disappointment. (I've eaten at the University City location on a couple of occasions as well as having their take-out for a dinner party, and have always been impressed with the experience, so to have this one be so unappealing was a real surprise.) The first impression was good, because it was of the quite impressive space - high ceilings to mask noise, dark interior to give an air of intimacy, all good. I didn't have a reservation, although it didn't look as though I would have needed one at 6 on a Thursday evening. I was half expecting a large happy hour crowd, but either that's not a "thing" here or I missed it. Anyway, I took a seat at a high top in the bar area and someone came over with menus immediately. I asked about a couple of the cocktail offerings, and on my server's recommendation went with one called the Empress - lemongrass vodka, St. Germain (I think), soda, one or two other things. It had NO FLAVOR WHATSOEVER. Seriously, nothing. "OK," I thought, "I just picked wrong, it happens." Chose dumplings in chili oil and the cumin-style lamb. The lamb came out first - I'd forgotten about the food-comes-out-when-it's-ready rule. Now, see, I love lamb. And I love cumin. And I love spice. This dish was at best room temperature, and when they say "cumin crusted" what they mean is "liberally sprinkled with cumin-flavored sand." Every lukewarm bite was gritty, and I ran across some pieces that were crunchy in a way that screamed "gristle." Perhaps not being able to see the dish in the half-light kept me from realizing the truly unappetizing nature of what I had ordered. The dumplings in chili oil were basically large wonton-type wrappers with a tiny amount of filling - honestly, I swear two of them were just wrapper - in a nicely spicy oil, finished with a heavy handful of sesame seeds. Again, not exactly appealing and not exactly warm but at least this time I could tell why it was crunching with every bite. The tea was perfectly fine. Based on my earlier visits to the U City Han Dynasty, I will probably go back there again, but I think Old City has lost me as a patron for good.

    (2)

  • Samantha B.

    My boyfriend is in love with Han, simply put. He took me for one of my first dates, and probably ordered the whole menu. We also came with a group (of fellow jews) on Christmas Eve, to continue the Asian food on Christmas tradition of our people. I much prefer sitting on the first level, as the basement feels like something they forgot to decorate and is horribly loud. Food is pretty standard across all locations, which is a huge plus in my book. You can always count on the same flavors. Highlights: -Spicy Crispy Cucumbers -String Beans (I will say, I don't even like cucumbers or string beans) -Dan Dan Noodles (occasionally too spicy for me, but flavors are great) -Three Cup Chicken (a great non-spicy element to the meal, comes with white rice to soak up all the extra dan dan juice) We went to the University City location last night, and while not the original, it has a bit more panache. Ambience and service are spot on. Dan Dan Noodles were also extremely tasty (don't spear me, but tastier than those in Old City).

    (3)

  • Jordan S.

    I first came across this place in URL form- handynasty.com and swore it was called handy nasty, so that is how my friends and I refer to it to this day. Dan Dan. Get it. Getting noodles instead of something more carnivore appropriate might seem disappointing, but Dan Dan does not disappoint. The sauce is so savory and the portion so filling. I pretty much nose dive the bowl once the noodles are gone to ensure full consumption of every last drop of Dan Dan sauce. Handy Nasty Good. My friends have gotten their spicy food quota quite satiated here as well so if looking for something challenging spice-wise, go here as well. In general, great establishment for other reasons too! Location (perfect dinner date in combo w/ the Ritz theatres nearby). Good decor, cozy atmosphere. Not too loud/crowded. Just the right amount of everything. Me like! Pretty much addicted to Dan Dan.

    (5)

  • Jessica W.

    Long overdue review. I love Han Dynasty. I still crave it, even though I moved out of Philly last May after finishing up grad school. But during my 2 years there, Han's was a perennial favorite among friends and classmates. Beyond the food (dan dan noodles, get a serving for each person, they're so good you won't want to share), the atmosphere can't be beats, especially for large parties. They have several large tables, especially downstairs, that are great for birthdays or any type of celebration where you want to get rowdy. They're totally down with that. Also a note about (and shout out to) the owner, Han. He's awesome, and if you go there enough, he will remember your name and welcome you like family when you go. He knew the names of a lot of my classmates by the end of our 2 year stint in Philly. There's nothing like walking into a restaurant and having the owner greet you by your first name (and then drinking with your party later that night)! And finally, a request: Han, please open up a restaurant in SF. ASAP. Thanks!

    (5)

  • Rebecca Y.

    Food: 5 stars, Service: 2 stars. Holy crap the food here is effing amazing! I LOVE Sichuan food, it's my favorite Chinese cuisine, and this place does an excellent job of recreating authentic Sichuan flavors. We got the chicken dry pot (awesome!), dan dan noodles (AMAZING), Sichuan string beans with minced pork (bland, don't get them), eggplant with garlic sauce (beautiful and tasty, albeit very oily), twice cooked pork (pretty good if you like pork belly), fish with hot dry peppers (good). I would definitely get the chicken dry pot and dan dan noodles again, just thinking about them makes me salivate!! You can customize the spice level for each of the dishes (1-10, with 10 being the hottest). I got 10 on everything and it wasn't THAT hot, so feel free to go balls to the wall if you wanna be adventurous! This is the first place I'd hit up if I go back to Philly. Prices are very reasonable, considering it's the best Sichuan food I've had outside of China. Service could be better, but it's not a dealbreaker.

    (4)

  • Hope M.

    Was in Philly for work, and met up with a group of friends at Han Dynasty for some delicious tofu dishes and Dan Dan Noodles. Service was awesome, and the food lived up to all of the hype. We tried several different styles/textures of tofu dishes, and all were full of flavor. Veggie Heaven.

    (4)

  • Thor T.

    Since the Philly Dim Sum places tend to run hot and cold (in other words, are totally unreliable), I opted for lunch at Han Dynasty, a place of reliable Sichuan fare and eager provider of capsaicin highs. The menu describes the various cooking styles (dry pot, double cooked, cumin style, etc.), so you can enjoy your favorite meats in many different ways. The number one ingredient of Han Dynasty, however, remains hot Chili Oil and while the menu indicates various degrees of fire, the outcome is mostly at least "two alarm" - exhilarating. My usual favorites (Dan Dan noodles, beef tendons) were standard, although I would have liked the noodles less soft and a bit more fresh. The dumplings in chili sauce were different this time. Instead of little soft wonton bundles, I got thick, chewy crescents with some meat filling and a rather non-exciting sauce. Excellent again were the mains: silky Mapo Tofu with minced pork had enough Sichuan peppers to provide that novocaine numbness so unique to this spice, and the dry fry beef and cumin style lamb were deftly cooked and very good. Best of all - expectations fulfilled, contrary to the last few dim sum outings.

    (4)

  • Rebecca P.

    Han Dynasty (Handy Nasty) is amazing. It's yummy. It's fresh. And it's spicy. What's not to like? I think it's the absolute best Chinese food I have ever had. Plus Han has been at the Philly location every time I have been there and he actually knows how many times I have been to the restaurant (five times). Also, if he tells you not to order something that's on the menu (not sure why it's on there if he would not recommend, but anyway), don't order it. I think you might offend him and he is probably right. If you love Chinese food, or even if you don't, you have to eat here. Plus the atmosphere is pleasant and it's a byob.

    (5)

  • james l.

    Horrible Service! The good reviews must be friends of the owners. We did the 25/person dollar tasting menu. What a waste of money! 1shrimp here 1 dumpling here... We had 10 people at the table 9 dumplings showed up and the waiter said sorry we ran out. Overheard our waiter say "f... them" to another waiter about a table who said the food was not enough. Would never eat there again.

    (1)

  • William T.

    This place is just terrific. Excellent food. Prompt, efficient service. A real gem.

    (5)

  • Chris K.

    I absolutely LOVE Han Dynasty! I'm really surprised to read some of the reviews saying that the service was terrible. I've been there twice and have not yet had any problems. Quite the contrary! Everyone I've encountered has been helpful and friendly. The food, though....the food. AMAZING. Run, don't walk...and only order stuff over a 6 (on the spicy meter) if you really, really like spicy food.

    (5)

  • Bernadette F.

    If your looking for Chinese food that comes in those fun little containers this place is not for you. If you want fresh authentic cooking you will love it. Everything on the menu is incredible, but the Dan Dan noodles are a must try and I crave the dry pot fish and Mapo tofu. The chef / owner is wonderful, personable and offers helpful suggestions. BYOB.

    (5)

  • Liza T.

    holy crap spicey- i had the chicken in a chili sauce.. and honestly, when you see nothing but chili seeds and chicken and oil, you better be prepared with a few glasses of water-- or better yet milk! dont get me wrong, it tasted fantastic, but HOTDAMN! in the future, im avoiding that, but i did enjoy the other dishes. tons of flavor!

    (4)

  • Judy C.

    Authentic Chinese. If you are looking for the Americanized kind, look elsewhere. This is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Shawn R.

    Been there with large parties twice and it was excellent. Everyone orders something different so we all get a chance to try something new. ALl of the food is excellent. The owner/chef is great and very hospitable.

    (4)

  • Sam L.

    Ok so the Dan Dan noodles are great and so is the Double cooked fish, but the crispy rice is DISGUSTING. The sauce had the gloppy texture of egg whites and it smelled rancid. When we asked our waiter if we could get something else instead he said "yeah... I mean if you don't mind paying for that. I know its annoying." That IS NOT how you treat a customer. Frankly with a $10 corkage fee for wine they can afford to take the hit for 1 returned dish. We decided we would eat the two other dishes we had gotten and then see if we were hungry for more food. Later in the meal the waiter came back and asked if we wanted anything else and I promptly said no. He said, "thats probably good because honestly a big party just sat down so it would probably take a while." SERIOUSLY? This guy had no idea whatsoever how to treat a customer, and I doubt I will be back after that kind of rude service.

    (2)

  • Peter L.

    The service was miserable and it took 10 minutes to get us seated, irrespective of our reservation for seven. The food was good and different than anything I've had before, but the wait staff were useless and hardly knew English, which made inquiring about menu items nearly impossible. The DanDan noodles are rated a 7/10 on the spicy scale and were barely mild; the hot sauce style chicken was rated an 8 and was insanely spicy. We sat in the basement which smelled of cigarette smoke and had a cold draft, next to a table of anti-discipline parents with misbehaving young children. It was like communist China: we were not allowed to have a second teapot since one was not enough for seven of us, and we had to beg for wooden chopsticks since plastic ones are slippery and harder to eat with. It was authentic and as close to the real deal as Chinese food gets, but other than the food, the place was miserable.

    (2)

  • Travis T.

    I had the soft shell crab last night and it was bananas. So insanely good. Everytime I walk in, it seems the crowds are packing in more and more, but with quick service, Han never skips a beat. I also partook in the tasting dinner that was so epic. I highly recommend it for those who want a chance to try other menu items... though you may not be able to roll out of bed the next morning.

    (5)

  • Jennie K.

    not your typical chinese restaurant! my husband and i love good chinese food, but we knew shechuan chinese was going to be even in a category of its own when we went to han's. first of all, han is very helpful in recommending foods based on palettes since many of the dishes are very spicy. we were very impressed with the food as well as him as an owner. we ordered dan dan noodles (amazing!) which is the dish that stands out the most. we ordered three more dishes from the last page which is the "top ordered foods from last month" page. we left so full but still ready for more. we will be back, han! especially for that tasting menu that is booked through december!!!

    (5)

  • Pete T.

    Best Chinese food for me so far, so tasty and spicy.

    (5)

  • defi l.

    not bad in a pinch, would eat here again, go with someone or a group to experience the hot pot, worth it !!!

    (3)

  • Nadim K.

    Han Dynasty has been getting alot of hype lately due to the review in the paper but Han can deffinately back it up. The downside is the price and the service you will recieve. I came in and the place was empty aside from the party that left and I was expecting to be served quickly. As we ordered our food a few more parties came in and this caused chaos to the poor server trying to assist them all. 45 minutes later the entree finally arrived. It was right on the point, the quality of the meat, the quality of the ingredients and the heat that I was anticpating. This place is not for those who can't handle taco bell fire sauce but for those who want to leave drenched in sweat. Bottom line- Good food, it is spicy, also kinda expensive, and the service is slow be prepared to wait to get you glass refilled.

    (4)

  • Bob K.

    I read a review in the Inquirer years ago, and always wanted to try it, so I went for lunch this week. The staff was great, and explained the rating system for how spicy each dish was. The Dan Dan noodles were awesome, and not too hot at all. I also had the cumin chicken - a bit too hot for me, but very tasty. The folks at the table next to me ordered garlic chicken and garlic shrimp, and it looked awesome. I'll come here again next week and try another few dishes.

    (5)

  • Kyle R.

    so many haters! I have been here a handful of times now and am always impressed. The price is great, the food is great and the service is okay. I think it was put best by my friend John, "flavor explosion." I loved every minute of it!

    (5)

  • Thierry D.

    My favorite Szechuan restaurant. If you love spicy food, this is the place for you. NOT your typical chinese restaurant. Cumin lamb, Dan-Dan noddles and pea-leaves with garlic are some of my favorites.

    (5)

  • David V.

    My wife and I can't go more than a few weeks without eating at Han Dynasty. We love pretty much everything on the menu, but always get an order of dan dan noodles.

    (5)

  • Frank D.

    If you live in Philly, I am jealous. Han Dynasty popped up on the Yelp list of places to go near my hotel when I was in PHL last year. The experience was so much more than I expected. I arrived at the hotel late and ended up at the restaurant on my own, but they seated me right in the middle of the action. Definitely get the Dan Dan - no kidding, it's great - but hot. Ditto for the spicy crispy cucumbers. I had dry pepper style (triple fried) shrimp as an entree... never had anything like this, and there is no shortage of asian food in San Diego where I'm from. I took the leftovers back to my hotel, stored them in the crappy hotel fridge and ate them cold the next day - it was that good. By the way... if you want to make the Dan Dan noodles, the owner gave the recipe to a local Philly magazine: philly.com/philly/food/r… I've made it several times.. it's the real deal.

    (5)

  • Ben W.

    One of my personal favorites. Ever since I've discovered this place freshman year, I have taken all of my friends and family to try it. Some of the most authentic spicy food in Philly, definitely one of my favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, the portions have gone down over the past year, but the pizzaz is still there! Warning: Not for those that can't do spicy! Dishes to try: Peppercorn Tofu Fish Stew, Three Dry Pepper Chicken, Hot Red Oil Cold Noodle, Dan Dan Noodles

    (4)

  • Dennis V.

    When I'm not making love to Ekta, Han Dynasty comforts me. My dear Han is so consistent in quality. Always spicy, always good, always filling. And she's so much more attentive since she whitewashed her staff. But my dear Han has a problem. The word has been out for a while. The visitors are different now. Less demanding of her. They don't understand her like I do. I fear for her. She will not stay good for much longer. She will compromise. She will let herself go. I will enjoy my dear Han while I still can, and cherish my memories of her greatest heights forever. I hope the next time I'm in Philly, you'll hold me and still be the same. But only after I've visited Ekta first.

    (5)

  • Rachel A.

    If Han had his choice, the Taiwanese sausage would be made fresh daily and hanging outside in the snow. As America would have it, that ain't flying with the health department. So we settle for as close as authenticity can get. As I chewed on the sweet and snappy Taiwanese sausage, I knew I was in for something good. I thought the raw garlic was too sharp for my tastebuds but they cut the grease and really woke me up. Interesting bites at Han Dynasty. We also engaged in the Dan Dan Noodles, Three Cup Chicken, String Beans w/ Minced Pork, and Beef Dry Pot style. The Dan Dan Noodles had the type of spice that crept up on you and then lingered on your tongue. The Three Cup Chicken was a bit salty but delicious none the less. The string beans were for the win and the beef dry pot style was fiery, tender, and over a flame. I would come back in a heartbeat and do it all again. But next time I must order the lamb cumin style. I classify this as upscale Chinese food. We did make a reservation but that proved useless for when we got there. There was no table with our name on it. Fortunately, we were blessed with just a 5 minute wait (55 minutes shy of the hour long waits we heard of). I like Han Dynasty better than Grand Sichuan in Bay Ridge, NY. We had the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Han while out for a smoker's break. Who are you, where are you from, and how did you like the food? Maybe they were just pleasantries but I felt like Han cares about his customers. After all, if he had it his way, he would make sausage just how they did in the motherland.

    (5)

  • Laura T.

    Last night, I was lucky to be involved in the Spruce Foundation's partner dinner, which is a charity focused on the youth in Philly. Good people; look them up. They are having a dinner series at Han Dynasty. We got the tasting menu. Try this!! Dan Dan Noodles, Cold seasame noodles, spicy cucmbers, a variety of pork and chicken dishes, pork belly, white rice, and the best scallion pancakes I've ever had. The food just kept coming, all served in family style portions. They were very vigilant about food allergies and preferences; several vegetarians and shellfish allergies yet we all had plenty to eat. The eggplant in garlic sauce was a HUGE hit. We were fighting over scraps. 3 cup chicken is very hot and delicious. The Dan Dan noodles defy explination. The best thing I've ever eaten. BYOB- no limitations. Staff was attentive and nice.

    (5)

  • Nick K.

    I miss the old days when this restaurant was first opened close to the premium outlet. The food quality has gone downhill ever since it moved to the city. The only thing left that's eatable is the dan dan noodles. Everything else has lost the authentic taste of Szechuan. The food quantity has also become smaller and smaller; and the price has gone up at the same time. The owner is not friendly to certain group of people, unlike his father who made everybody feel welcomed all the time. 3 years ago, I would say this was the best Chinese restaurant in Philadelphia, but it has been outrun by other newcomers in or outside the city. Disappointed...

    (1)

  • Olivia J.

    Go here. Just do it. Get Dan Dan noodles and be happy. Other notable foods: spicy crispy cucumber (different, but awesome), cumin-style anything (REALLY cumin-y, but I can't get enough. Try the lamb).

    (5)

  • Ritu K.

    My mouth is on fire.. As I tucked into plate after plate of the spiciest Szechuan food I've ever tasted, I felt the burning sensation continue to build. Mind you while this is some of the spiciest Szechuan I've had, its also some of the tastiest. There's definitely moments when I wish the kitchen would lay off the peppercorns, and let some other flavors shine. Here's some standouts and some total misses: Pea Leaves with Garlic- delicious. I would highly recommend ordering this since there's absolutely no spice, its very flavorful, and it cuts into some of the spice of the other dishes.. Ma Po Tofu- Tasted terrible- avoid at all cost unless you're a huge tofu fan String beans- tasty, but not nearly as good as the pea leaves Dumpling- bit oily, but tasty Dan Dan noodles- next to godly! You cannot eat here without ordering these heavenly noddles- I'm drooling as we speak Fish dry pot style- Hot as hell, but so so good! Lamb cumin style- way too much cumin and the lamb was a bit tough Shrimp Salt and Pepper Style- all sorts of fried, salty goodness. No sauce but very very good! Overall the food makes my mouth burn, but oh how I enjoy the burn. Its not perfect, but its very very good. On a side note, they charge a corkage fee now, but there is now liquor on the menu...enjoy...

    (4)

  • Victor C.

    I want to give Han 5 stars, I really do. I know, I know, this is probably the most popular Chinese restaurant in Philly right now. But 10 minutes until we get a menu? Kinda lame. Let's get to the good part. OF COURSE you would order the Dan Dan Noodles, who wouldn't?! I am fantasizing about that dish as I'm writing this. Yes, it's spicy and yes, it is VERY addicting. I've only had the Fish Dry Pot Style, probably because it is insanely awesome. I heard the lamb was good too so I'l give it a try next time. Just a heads up while eating this, your tongue will go NUMB. But in a good way. The Crispy Rice Style is very creative, and not all that Chinese (not that I know of). I didn't care much for this dish. Probably because I am not a huge fan of vinegar. The brown sauce that the waiter pours over the crispy rice (which kind of looks like rice crispy treats) has a bit of red wine vinegar in it. The pork was a little too chewy also. I think the dish would be great if it didn't have that sour taste. Don't forget to bring your booze and appetite!! manman chi (or not)

    (4)

  • KT L.

    I love the dan dan noodles here! I always get it when I'm here it's spicy but still flavorful (remember to mix it) and with a side of the spicy garlic dumplings. Those are 2 must haves.

    (4)

  • Misha T.

    This was the #1 most favorite Chinese restaurant in Pennsylvania! I feel like this place has a good menu. They have both American-Chinese and Authentic Chinese. The staff was always polite to is when we went! I think everyone should try the scallion pancake(which are my most favorite item on the item)!!! If you get a chance to go I guarantee that you will love it!

    (5)

  • Raeesa H.

    One of my favorite restaurants in the whole world. I've had Chinese food in San Francisco, Boston, LA, NYC, and Paris. I have yet to have Chinese food like I've had at Han Dynasty. Or as some of the douchey locals call it: Handy Nasty Don't even think twice before ordering the Dan Dan noodles. They will change your life. The three cups chicken is also good. I've tried a variety of dishes here. It's my first stop whenever I'm in Philly. Always delicious, flavorful, spicy, and beyond satisfying.

    (5)

  • Sabrina K.

    We originally settled on this place because it was one of the few Chinese restaurants open late at night. The menu is atypical; with different flavors of dishes and options of different meats to go with them. We were pleasantly surprised to taste them because the cooking was fantastic! So good in fact that we've been here twice now.

    (5)

  • Liz W.

    As a disclaimer, this review has nothing to do with the quality of the food. On a whim we decided to try to get into the Old City location (we live in Old City) last night (Saturday). We showed up early at about 5:50 PM, since we had our 5-month old with us. The place was EMPTY - as in a couple bar tables taken and maybe one in the dining room. When we said we didn't have a reservation the male host was incredibly rude, and said he had nothing. We said ok and turned to head out and with attitude the host said "this is OLD CITY on a SATURDAY night." I understand having no space but you don't have to be rude about it - I know it's Saturday night, we just figured we would try. The attitude alone made us not want to go back, no matter how good the food reviews are.

    (2)

  • Jake G.

    Having been to the Han Dynasty in University City, I was expecting the same or better experience, unfortunately I was disappointed. First, the space is very different than the University City location which is stylish and modern whereas this clearly used to be an old bank with high ceilings and was very dimly lit and not the vibe of a good Chinese restaurant. Second, our server wasn't very friendly and seemed to just do the least amount needed to make sure we were okay. Although he did make sure the food came fast, he could have put a smile on. He also forgot to bring our green beans, but we didn't mind since we were full by the time we realized. Third, the food wasn't as good as in University City. We ordered the Kung Pao Tofu and it came as small cubes of tofu rather than the big fried chunks at University City. Overall, it was still good food but could have been better.

    (3)

  • Suzie A.

    Do NOT eat the garlic pork unless you find having friends inconvenient. I am still burping, farting and sweating garlic the morning after. However, the dan dan noodles were amazing. Order those and share with the friends you still have.

    (4)

  • Sammy S.

    I very much enjoyed my meal at Han Dynasty. We started off with dan dan noodles which were very nice and spicy. I found the menu very interesting because they had a wide variety of different kind of meats and spicy foods. The menu items had numbers 1-10 to indicate how hot the food was. I had dumplings in chili oil, they were very good. For my main course I had Kung Po chicken, some of the best chicken I have ever had. It was spicy while not being overly so not to ruin the great flavor.

    (5)

  • Kaynaz M.

    One of my fave restaurants here in philly and my absolute favorite Chinese. This place is so authentic and flavorful, if Youhaven't tried it, go now! The Dan Dan noodles are a must, I get them every time. They have this spice and seasoning that's addicting. The cold cucumbers, scallion pancakes and dumplings are good apps as well. I've been here numerous times and tried basically everything on the menu and the twice cooked fish, garlic chicken, salt and pepper shrimp are standouts! Also, make sure you try the tasting menu! It's sooo much food and you get to try so much off the menu. It'sThe first Sunday of every month for 25 dollars a person. Reservations go fast and if u don't have 8-10 people with you, you'll be sitting with randoms.

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    To be honest, I've had better Chinese take out. If you want great Chinese food without breaking the bank, start at Sang Kee in or at any of the other amazing restaurants in Chinatown here in Philly or NYC. I don't know where to begin with my list of complaints, so I'll leave you with three. 1) The spice index was foolishness. Why a 1-10? Nothing starts to get spicy until you hit a 6. 2) Every dish was excessively oily. Nuff said. 3) The wait staff was not friendly.

    (1)

  • Janet S.

    Granted we came in a half and hour before closing on Saturday, but the restaurant was full of other parties who didn't look like they were leaving anytime soon. In fact, by the time our server was finished rushing us through dinner the majority of the other tables were still sitting ordering drinks. Needless to say, the service we received greatly impacted the stars I gave. However, the food was fantastic. Definitely get the Dan Dan noodles.

    (3)

  • Danielle I.

    I visited Han Dynasty in Old city once before. It's a great location. This delectable food is meant to be enjoyed with large groups of friends and family. The food was scrumptious!

    (5)

  • Rajat S.

    Food was excellent. We ordered Cumin lamb, Noodles and Chicken twice fried. Excellent food, a little on the spicy side but quite flavorful. The Cumin lamb had a lot of red chillis and opened up my sinuses. :)

    (4)

  • Michael M.

    Dumpling dough to pork stuffing ratio in the appetizer tilted heavily to the Dough Boy. Increasing the chili oil volume in a main dish does not necessarily complement the other fresh ingredients or make the dish more authentic..

    (1)

  • Suchee V.

    Han is a pioneer Sichuan food restaurateur in the Phila area! This is evidenced thru this meteoric rise in the greater Phila area, and now in NYC's east village. Every item on the menu is meticulously prepared and served with the right amount of spice and flavour! He often hosts a tasting dinner for a set price, where a patron can sample all his top dishes. Top notch items include - Dan Dan Noodles, Cumin Chicken, Wonton in Chili Oil and the ever spicy Dry Fry style! If you chance upon Han Chiang, the eponymous owner, do engage him in a conversation - mighty interesting chap!

    (5)

  • Kimberly S.

    Han Dynasty, or handy nasty, as I secretly pronounce it in my head due to the website address, is a great spot to get your next spicy food fix for all you spicy food addicts out there. Chinese food had become my least favorite of the mainstream Asian cuisines [Thai being my absolute favorite], probably because I associate it with dishes like pork fried rice and wonton soup. While I'm not familiar with authentic Sichuan food, this place gives Chinese a renewed reputation for the better. My coworkers and I have been known to take turns using the serving spoon, as it's the only spoon on the table, to slurp up the chili oils after all the food bits have been consumed. Probably not a good idea for my waistline or my stomach lining, but it's worth it. I am obsessed with the dan dan noodles and have even tried to recreate them myself. Like a teeny bopper with a boyband crush, I worship, dream and think about the dan dan noodles nearly all the time. I've also tried some of the "styles" from the menu. I think the garlic style is my favorite. Stay away from the dry pepper style unless you really enjoy eating just dried chili peppers, as the dish is drowning with them. I like spicy, but that's crossing the line.

    (4)

  • Megan Y.

    I sometimes have to try very hard not to eat at Han Dynasty more than once a day. My fiance and I first went to Han Dynasty shortly after they opened because it's on our block. We didn't know at the time that it would become an addiction. We were lucky enough to get to know Han before the Best of Philly and three bell rating from Craig LeBan, and he's given us quite an education on Sichuan food. We've tried just about every main dish on the menu, the tasting menu and several things that aren't on any menu, but Han happens to have something special he wants us to try. Some of our favorites include the fish and tofu in hot sauce, cumin-style lamb or beef and dry fry lamb or beef. The cucumbers and dan dan noodles are also fantastic. If you're looking for authentic, mouth-numbing, completely addictive food and a unique experience, come in a let Han take you on a tour of his menu. It's well worth it.

    (5)

  • Candace C.

    Han Dynasty is such a great place to bring friends. We came yesterday in a group of 25 and tried the $25 pre-fixe menu. Han literally brought out 10-15 courses of food, 5 or so were appetizers. It was such a wonderful dining experience. The spicy wontons are incredible, as are the yummy cucumber in hot oil. For 25$, we got lamb, chicken, two fish dishes, two vegetables, a soup, one shrimp, one crab dish (to name a few). The fried fish was incredible, and the soup that Han selected for us was a surprise hit. It was had little sour vegetables but a deep flavorful broth. I highly recommend Han for large parties. It is a BYO, and the service was prompt, friendly, and fun. My first time here warranted 3 stars, but after trying Han Dynasty with a huge group, my final decision is 4 stars.

    (4)

  • Amy W.

    How have I not written a review for Han Dynasty yet? Quite possibly the best spicy Chinese experience in Philly, or even yet on the East Coast, Han Dynasty is one of my tried and true favs in Philly. The mind (and tongue) numbing spiciness of its dishes are countered with enormous authentic flavor. Staff is really friendly and always accommodating. Must tries: dan dan mian - it might even be better than China's. MUST GET chili-oil cooked fish - just watch that you don't completely lose feeling in your mouth spicy wontons - ahhh-MAZING and pretty much everything else. HINT: If you want to throw larger events, be sure to try to get the downstairs reserved. It's got some huge round/long tables and service is alllwwayyys fast there. Also, it's BYO.

    (5)

  • Karina A.

    If you are planning on coming here: The food is great and SPICY! I recommend Dan Dan Noodles Cucumbers in hot sauce double cooked fish and cumin lamb I come here at least once a month =)

    (5)

  • Michelle L.

    I've always heard about this ever-elusive, legendary thing known as "authentic Chinese food." Though I can't be sure, I may now have experienced it with Han Dynasty... All I know is I love love love whatever type of food it is that they do make! Ordering here takes a bit more creativity than at most restaurants, as the menu is basically divided into different "styles" of dishes and leaves it up to you to choose what kind of meat (beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, etc.) is to be so "styled." Each style also has a different heat rating (1-10) to denote how spicy the dish is. So it takes some mixing and matching to reach the perfect combination to please your party... Would make for an interesting math problem - you know the kind. (Stacy likes chicken and hot sauce style, but not garlic sauce style; Bob likes bla bla bla.) That said, there are a few dishes (okay maybe a lot) that I love so much that I'd probably override anyone else's preferences in order to get. They include the crispy spicy cucumbers, dan dan noodles, beef in hot sauce, three cup chicken, and this fried fish dish I tried once - which, looking at the online menu now, might have been dry pepper style (yes, I do a little recon sometimes when writing my reviews!). The tripe appetizer and scallion-style chicken are also delicious, but maybe not must-haves if push comes to shove. Reservations for dinner are a must, at least on weekend nights. And it's BYO so don't forget to bring the fam bam and a few bottles of vino!

    (5)

  • foodie c.

    GREAT Chinese food and service! The server was AWESOME! Nice contemporary decor and big open space. Large portions and awesome lunch menu. GO!!!

    (4)

  • Olga O.

    Yum! This place is delicious. If you're looking for some good food, great staff, and a casual dining experience you've come to the right place.

    (5)

  • Prasath S.

    Blew my mind. Dan Dan Noodles, Tripe Appetizer and the Dry Pot. Omg !!! Can't wait to go back next weekend and try the other entrees.

    (4)

  • Nadia B.

    Wow. Just WOW. I think this is the best chinese place I have ever eaten at and I have been eating egg drop soup since I was 1-years-old.... and was at NYC Chinatown every other week to quench my father's obsession! Winning items: Fish (flounder, mild-taste) in hot spicy sauce, dan dan noodles sans pork, and kung pao shrimp. It is so good that by the end of the night I contemplated eating the leftovers at 11 PM... or whether I should enjoy it the next day for lunch. This is an especially key point because I STILL had these thoughts after my Han Dynasty dinner night proceeded to become hell... MY CAR WAS TOWED A BLOCK AWAY WHIIIILE I WAS PROBABLY ENJOYING MY DANG DAN DAN NOODLES!!!! My friend and I spent 45 minutes of bliss in Han Dynasty saying yummmms and mmmmmmmms (and where an all-white wait staff in a chinese restaurant conjured up some unique first thoughts on what the food will be like, but I digress)... AND THEN spent 2+ hours at the Lot 1 (aka Philadelphia Impounding Center)... $240 in fees and tow charges and a ticket for a spot I SHOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN A TICKET (I will stand by my story even though 50 others claimed the same thing that night)... So this is not just a story about my car being towed, this is a story about how a typically angry Jersey girl still had Han Dynasty's amazingness and taste (and the leftover bag that emanated hot oil smell in the air) to get her through the night without tears... This food is golden!!!! I don't think I would get towed for it again, BUT.. I will visit Philly even though it's on my official sh*t list now (still a lil bit angry). Dear Management of Han Dynasty... After this tow story, I deserve a free dinner for two, hook a sista up!

    (5)

  • Paula N.

    My visit to this restaurant was probably the worst experience I've ever had in a restaurant. The food was okay, although not as wonderful as all the raves have led me to believe. The reason our dinner at Han Dynasty was so awful was that we were treated like prison inmates. I don't know why we were even given menus, since the owner insisted on commenting on and correcting everything we said we wanted. According to the owner, he knows best, and if a diner doesn't agree with his ideas, the diner does not deserve to eat in his restaurant. No, he's right, we DIDN'T deserve to be treated like members of a concentration camp. The food was just okay, and I will never darken his door again. The whole experience cost me $100 for three people, including tip. And he is very hard on his servers. Altogether, an awful place for dinner. We were so tense when we left that we had to take a walk to relax.

    (1)

  • Lily Q.

    Best chinese food in philly! Very worth the trek out to olde city! Don't let the spicy factor scare you, each dish can be customized according to your spice tolerance. I think hot cheetos are unpleasantly spicy and I still managed to enjoy all the han dynasty dishes. The Dan Dan noodles definitely live up to all the hype, i love all of the pork dishes, my bf loves the cumin beef. Reservations are recommended, tried to walk-in on a tuesday once and the wait was 45mins. Its a BYOB with a fun social vibe, the owner came over and chatted with us for a few minutes, very friendly staff, great for group dinners.

    (5)

  • Jared S.

    I don't give out 5 stars easily, but this place actually deserves it. I'm not going to say it's perfect, but it's pretty darn close. They set us up in the basement, which was probably the worst part. It's kind of like a defunct bunker of sorts with some terribly uncomfortable chairs we ended up trading out with another table as soon as we got there. The water is delivered in plastic pitchers that thankfully didn't impart any of the plastic flavor. Now I don't really care about these type of things customarily, but for a place in old city with these prices it seemed a little low rent. The server, however, was quite good. He seemed knowledgeable and delivered items promptly and efficiently all with a cheery demeanor. Now the food. Pretty damn splendid. I've never been to China, but I've heard from people that have been there that this is the closest to authentic Chinese food that they've had in the states, and I'm all about authenticity. We started with some of those crispy cucumbers. I had it in my head that these were going to be tempura style for some reason before I came in and they were not at all, but they were still very good. The oil they were soaked in was fantastic, my friend even had the leftover packed to go. We ordered many other things. I wasn't crazy about the dan dan noodles everyone raves about. I didn't dislike them, just didn't feel they were worthy of all the praise I read. The highlight for me was the dry fry style pork, which had fabulous texture and flavor. Another favorite of mine were the black mushrooms lining the inside of the bok choy dish. They were so succulent and rich. Melt in your mouth amazing. There wasn't one bad item the whole meal though. So yeah that's it. Go there if you haven't. The prices are very reasonable even though the portions weren't as large as I was assured, and the food is excellent. I must say nothing was all that spicy, but I can handle my heat. The menu is pretty expansive and I will most definitively be headed back soon to dry some other items.

    (5)

  • Scully D.

    Hello spicy. We tried to order on the low end of the scale, but I ended up with indigestion for the next 24 hours. I could still taste the food the next day in a not so good way. Some of the food is oily and the sauce can overpower the ingredients. Still, there were quite a few tasty dishes. I loved the cold sesame noodles. Three cup chicken and the spicy cucumbers were also good. Dumplings were meh. I tried a bite of the lamb (hot pot?) but it was crazy mala- it made my mouth so numb, I couldn't taste the next dish. The tea had very little flavor, but that's no different than most restaurants- good tea is expensive- so I won't knock them for that. We got good service and hung out with Han for a while. Love that this place is a BYOB- bring an extra for the owner. Tons of food for the money. If you want authentic Szechuan, here it is in this one-of-a-kind place. I'm not going back due to my poor stomach, but this is the place for you super spice-lovers.

    (3)

  • glenn g.

    Great tasting spicy Chinese food--the real thing. Dial down the temp to number 5 unless you have experience with higher spice levels. Bring beer or Riesling to help keep things in balance. Try Dan Dan Noodles or anything dry pot. You'll be back.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Lots of people have recommended this place to me, and I think it's just fine. The ingredients are clearly of higher quality than those at Four Rivers or Chung King Inc. But, I would say the execution of the dishes is more or less equivalent, with some being marginally better at the Chinatown restaurants in my opinion (I feel the wontons in chili oil are superior at Four Rivers, for example). The crowds are really loud here, though, the lines are long, and I felt the service, while not inept, is very slow because of the huge volume of people and apparent lack of experience. And to go along with higher quality ingredients are higher prices. I'll probably be back, but it might be a while.

    (3)

  • Matt T.

    This place has horrible Chinese food, and i am not just saying that because i am actually half chinese and am useed to a certain quality. I mean, like even for american chinese standards, this was not good at all. all the dishes taste similar and you can just tell they doused everything in copious amounts of soy sauce, oyster sauce and sesame oil.

    (1)

  • YogaMom G.

    Han Dynasty - how much do I love thee? Let me count the ways - Dan Dan Noodles, dumplings in chili oil, sesame noodles, pork dry pot, and the spicy hot pot. This is not food for the faint of heart - it's authentic Sichuan goodness. Can't wait for a return trip.

    (5)

  • Nick M.

    I'm going to go against the grain here and say, "Don't believe the hype." It might of been what we ordered, but it certainly wasn't worth waiting for an hour for a table on a Monday night. I had the beef dry pot, which many of the reviews I read said was a go-to dish. First, the spiciness rating is a little misleading here. If they're going to use a scale of 1-10, this is really only about a 6-7, so if you're worried about it being too hot, don't be. It was okay, but not really the dynamic dish that all the reviews make it out to be. The three-cup chicken was basically cubes of chicken in a bowl of soy sauce, rice wine, and burnt tasting sesame oil with a couple of pieces of basil sprinkled on top. This dish was actually kind of gross, and we only ended up eating 1/4 of it. The service bordered between rushed (at best) and absent (at worst). The server copped an attitude with me when he tried to press us into ordering dan dan noodles and I told him that I wasn't interested because I make dan dan noodles all the time at home. "Yeah, but they're not as good," he said. Actually, Han Dynasty, if the other two dishes are any indicator, they probably are.

    (2)

  • bernie v.

    We first went to Han Dynasty about 3 months ago. Since then we've been back on multiple occasions - many times with some friends in tow. Those friends loved it so much that they've been back on multiple occasions with their friends and coworkers. Soon I think it will be almost near impossible to get a table there! Bottom Line - It's THAT good. The food is spicy but the layers of flavor on all the dishes are incredible. From the cucumbers in chile oil, to the dandan noodles, to the drypot style, to the dry fry style - it honestly doesn't really matter what you get - it'll be delicious. One thing I would recommend, go with a group of people - you'll be able to try more dishes off the menu. The tastings he has the first monday of the month are definitely something you should try if you enjoy this type of food. 20 courses for 25 bucks is an absolute bargain. Also, I've come to realize that beer works MUCH better with this style of food than wine. So stop reading reviews on yelp, make a reservation (you'll need one) and go try out some awesome food!!

    (5)

  • luna r.

    I am ridiculously addicted to han dyansty. so good. the dan dan noodles are delicious and spicy

    (5)

  • James W.

    I love this place! Have been here a few times and am always pleased with the food and service. The restaurant is usually crowded but the service is quick and knowledgeable. Huge fan of the dan dan noodles. If you like spicey food they also have quite an assortment of options available. The dumplings are very good as well. Highly recommend checking out this restaurant for a good meal that doesn't break your budget.

    (5)

  • Margaret W.

    I LOVED this restaurant!! Yesterday was my first time, but I definitely plan to go back again. Instead of ordering separate dishes, you can pick a "family-styled" meal for everyone. We had probably 10-15 dishes between 7 people and all of them were delicious! Twice-cooked chicken, pork belly, dan dan noodles, spiced cucumber. We also ordered beef tripe on the side. Lots of peppercorn and chili sauce. Yummy! The seasoning was "ma", spicy, and a little on the salty side. That's why it's not all 5-stars..but it should be more like a 4.5-stars. It's a very particular taste, but it's a good one. Go if you like (spicy) food!

    (4)

  • Ross A.

    By far the best Szechuan/Chinese restaurant in the city! Not only will your mouth be lit on fire with spices and flavors, but so too will your taste buds! Highly recommend to anybody who loves great food!

    (5)

  • Tim P.

    I've eaten here a few times and have been absolutely impressed each time. The entrees are pretty much all spicy but not in a way I was familiar with, it doesn't compare to curry or normal pepper dishes. The peppercorn is an interesting and unusual flavor especially when used in these amounts. The staff is more than willing to dial the spiciness down (or up) and they are also very helpful with pairing menu items together. They will also offer unsolicited recommendations if they feel two things you have ordered won't go together or are too similar. Since I am not very familiar with this type of cuisine I found that helpful. I also was glad our server suggested beer and not wine as pairing best with their food, on a return visit we came better prepared and he was proven correct. One thing to keep in mind is the portions are large, don't over order unless you are able to take leftovers home. I was in with 3 other people and 2 appetizers and two entrees were enough to fill us up. The prices are excellent as well, besides the menu items being inexpensive (especially when you can split them in half easily) it is BYO.

    (5)

  • Yingqing D.

    We went to Han Dynasty because of the "CNN top 50 Chinese" title. The service was excellent, and food was served really quickly (probably cauz we were the last group of ppl ). My family (Chinese) felt some of the dishes were too sweet, especially Pork Belly in Garlic Sauce. I personally didnt enjoy the cumin style, and my family loved the spicy tofu fish very much. Generally Han is excellent, but I doubted it could ranked to Top 50 in US.

    (4)

  • Gareth G.

    Don't let the brevity of my review convey apathy, this is by leaps and bounds the highest quality, most authentic Chinese food I've had since my return from living in Beijing. It's like eating Chinese food in China...except you don't have to worry that the kitchen has been accumulating 300 years of grime on all the pots and pans and the tea kettle makes tea without putting anything in it (don't get me wrong, I'm all about eating whatever whenever, but I do get tired of eating antibiotics like they're jolly ranchers). Han strikes the perfect balance. We started out with the steamed dumplings in hot chili sauce and the dan dan mian. Both were spectacular. The Dan Dan noodles are the best I've had in the US, peanutty, hot, and mixed up for us westerners because most of us wouldn't know how to properly treat a noodle (I don't know if they have noodle Cotillions, but they should). For our mains the lady and I enjoyed the Dry Pot, which is the first time I've seen it in the US, the san bei jirou, or three cup chicken, and the black mushroom / bok choy dish (dong gu / bai cai). The Dry Pot was better balanced than all the dry pots I had in China...numbed your mouth, spiced it up, and then high quality perfectly seasoned chicken. The three cup chicken was sesame chicken..but not fried and with whole cloves of garlic. I might have commented during the meal "Why doesn't everything have garlic in it? When I'm eating food, I never want to not taste garlic. I'll have the Cap'n Crunch with garlic powder please." And the mushrooms were fantastic. For such a feast the price was absolutey right, way cheaper than from the night before and way classier and kinder. And you know what, Han is there running a business, he's incredibly friendly...but he's also proud of his restaurant. I LIKE that he advises me on what to eat. Perfect mixture of Westernization and Chinese Authenticity. My favorite restaurant experience in a long time.

    (5)

  • Cherryl L.

    I am a fan of their Dan Dan Noodles- it's kinda spicy but this noodle is very addicting although it's a lil salty We also ordered double cooked chicken- it's milder but smells spicy looks can deceive you! Scallion Pancake- nothing special about it i will go back here for their dan dan noodles I find most of their dishes too oily! I wish when we ordered that they bring all the food altogether but we they brought our dan dan noodles first so i ended up eating it and became full as the rest of our orders came it!

    (3)

  • Vlad K.

    How on Earth did this happen that I've never been to Had Dynasty before? We had to wait for about half-an-hour (there are enough bars around so no big deal) before getting a table, but once we were seated the service was fast, friendly and very helpful. We settled on Dan Dan Noodles (I cannot wait to have more), Dumplings and Stir-Fried beef. Everything was outrageously tasty (though the stir-fried with Spice Rating of 10 and yes they did warn us, was a bit too much for us but that's okay next time we know to stop at 8 :)... All in all a great place for really good not your traditional Chinese food.

    (5)

  • Colette D.

    Love The HAN!!!!! So, when I go I have to get myself ready to embrace the mouth-numbing experience. This is not your average hot-spicy. This spicy is more of a tongue-numbing (I can't feel my tongue when I drink water numb) but not without flavor. Our meal always begins with Dan-Dan Noodles, this is the most spicy for me. Enjoyable and bursting with interesting flavor. Followed by Dumplings in chili oil. This starter is my all-time favorite. Homemade and light, not too doughy. Just right sprinkled with sesame seeds on top. We did split an entree which was the Double Cooked Fish. Very tasty. My only real negative experience during our meal was the music. Just terrible! Service is always good and Han is a pleasure to jaw with. Without reservations get there by 5:30 or expect to be turned away. Always a tasty food adventure. Just remember to throw back 2 TUMS on the drive home :)

    (4)

  • Max K.

    Came here on a Saturday afternoon. The place wasn't too crowded and the service was great, welcoming and warming. The food was fantastic. Luckily this place isn't in Chinatown or it would sort of just be skipped over. This isn't your typical Chinese place. Very little grease and the food isn't typically slimy. I got the wonton soup and the wontons were to die for. So light and airy. I could have eaten a million! I can't wait to go back and sample more of the menu!

    (4)

  • Anjali M.

    How do I even begin this review? I have been anticipating this location for a long time, especially after hearing accolades over the Royersford location. I've wanted to drive all the way out there, but why travel so far when a location opened up in Olde City? My friend and I promptly visited at the end of January. Han was hilarious as he was helpful. For those who don't know already, most of the items have a number next to them that indicate what they are on a spice scale of 1-10 (10 being the spiciest). I ordered the Dan Dan Noodles (6) and my friend ordered Garlic Sauce Style Tofu (4). A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! The great thing about the Sichuan spices is that the heat doesn't annoyingly linger for ages but is able to be warded off. Whew! Trust me, my friend and I were sweating though. Since then, we've visited many times with friends and I've introduced the Dan Dan Noodles to my parents as well. Everyone I've introduced to the restaurant has enjoyed it, hands down. I just visited this past Friday and it's great to see that Han Dynasty is blossoming into a very popular place. The only thing I would change is the Mapo Tofu. Something about it is amiss.

    (5)

  • Poliana I.

    Han is THE MAN. Spicy, crispy, flavorful, fresh food. Excellent, attentive, unobtrusive service. Casually comfortable decor. Nice bathrooms, even! I love it here. I will have pork belly dreams, noodle notions, and chicken cravings until I get the chance to dine here again. I don't think it's fair to compare Han Dynasty to the best of NYC, but I'd place it among the best of Philadelphia. I'd like to know where else in Center City, South, or West Philly you'll eat as well.

    (5)

  • Karen B.

    the first monday of every month, han hosts an approximately 20-course tasting at this location. if you enjoy spicy food (and the idea of 20 courses for $25), this event is not to be missed. the whole thing goes down family style, so either make reservations for eight and fill a whole table, or else bring your social skills because you'll be seated (and sharing every dish) with strangers. han devises the menu himself -- there are no choices, so if you're a strict vegetarian or otherwise picky, maybe stay home. i tried allllmost everything (tripe is not my thing, sorry -- but everyone else in our group braved it and gave thumbs up). the menu changes monthly, but standouts for me this time were cumin lamb, double-cooked fish and warm, spicy chinese cabbage. set aside the entire evening if you plan to attend, because it takes a full three hours to finish. by the end of the night, our clothes all fit a little tighter and we had serious cases of the itis, but it was well worth it. han's wonderful food and entertaining stories more than made up for my subsequent crazy dreams, which i'm pretty sure were sparked by an overdose of sichuan peppercorns. and if your stomach is a bit torn up while attempting to digest all the heat, just revel in the opportunity to torment your partner by dutch-ovening them in bed!

    (5)

  • Vinny P.

    You can't go wrong here. You just can't. I've been here about 6 or 7 times now. This place totally rocks. The food is daring, spicy, flavorful, well presented and most of all, affordable. The host Han is a very nice guy and with his dry sense of humor he is very descriptive about the entrees you are ordering. The food is served family style. The plates are large and meant for sharing. I happen to be very partial to the beef tripe in chili oil. He did warn me that it was one of their hotter menu items. I didn't care. So, so, so good. The salt and pepper calamari is excellently cooked and really tasty with a good IPA. The pork belly is to die for. I know I should be more descriptive about the food, but basically, as the beginning of my review says, you cannot go wrong here. I challenge you to find something bad at this restaurant. The service is prompt and attentive. Even the first time I attended, with a group of 14 people (yeah Pho Real), we had great service. Han even asked us that evening, with a fire in his eyes, "can I get experimental with you guys?" We all responded with hell yes. That evening I had a sample of so many things on their menu. I knew after tasting each dish, this place was here to stay. On subsequent times, I have never been disappointed. The menu is very extensive so I plan on becoming a repeat offender and getting through the entire menu.

    (5)

  • Amy G.

    The lo mein is not up to par as other dishes. It was mostly noodles and not much vegetable or meat.

    (3)

  • Blair L.

    Not worth it. Hipster Chinese food. Spicy cucumbers are great and the lo mein was good. The rest was just so - so.

    (2)

  • Regan A.

    The quality and experience is always a pleasure!! Dan Dan noodles and egg plant are two sure bankers for the table! Mai Thai fish bowl went down a treat....

    (4)

  • debbie a.

    I have to say that my first experience with Han Dynasty was with the owner/manager who picked up the phone on a Tuesday night. To say that the owner/manager was extremely rude, is the nicest way of putting it. My sister and I were walking there and thought of calling head to see how busy they were to see if they could accommodate us - if not, we planned just to go somewhere else. I called and asked if there was a need to make reservations for dining that night. He replied by asking what time, and when I mentioned that I was asking because we were walking that way (arrival within 20 mins) and was wondering if there would be possiblity of seating. He responded (again, rudely), "Well, I guess it doesn't matter about reservations. Luck for you we are dead and you can have a seat." We walked into the restaurant (better decorated that most Chinese restaurants) and waited for our server, the owner/manager who had answered the phone came by with our server and started speaking to us as though we were complete morons and stared at my nephew as though he was a piece of trash when he (age 2) was playing with the chopsticks. Speaking over our server, he made suggestions rather rudely and short with a level of curtness that I was not ready for. Being a 2nd generation Asian American, I tried to trust that maybe he had not fully acclimated to the American culture. We ended up ordering Fried Taiwanese Sausage (for the nephew - he loved it) semi-sweet and well, tastes like a sausage. Fish Dry Pot It was pretty good with a nice spice, but not a total Szechuan Gastronomic experience that othershave described it as. It was pretty good compared to the bad and mediocre Szechuan restaurants that are out there, but nothing to write home about. This dish was the start the slew of entrees that were unbalanced. The Chinese 5 Spice overpowered almost everything. That is all I could taste - but then again, I am not a huge fan of it - too much anise/cloves? Chicken Hot Sauce Style The flavor, I could tell, was good, but the sauce was so over-starched, it might pretty much was a gelatinous goop of good flavor mixed with the tinge of too much corn starch - mistake only poorer cooks would make. I was pretty disappointed. There was a pile of minced garlic sitting on the top that seemed a bit much of a punch of flavor to this already flavorful dish. I understand the need to garnish a dish to make it look fancier than your local Chinatown dish, but it just was not balance with this edible garnish/whatever it was. Salt and Pepper Style Shrimp How can you really go wrong with fried food?!?! This salt and pepper shrimp was pretty good, but all I could taste here was the five spice powder, too. The server that came was pretty good at his job - friendly, warm and understood English, but I felt bad that the owner/manager kept on showing up and ruining our experience by staring at us (wanting us to relinquish the table faster no doubt) and making his own suggestions. Overall: Atmosphere: bare, but better than most Chinese restaurants (at least more westernized?) Service: Fine as long as the Owner/Manager doesn't get involved Food: Better than most Szechuan cuisine I've had, but slightly above average.

    (2)

  • Kemi A.

    I don't know how I managed to live here for almost 3years and didn't know of this place until 2months ago. Since then, I've been here twice. 1st visit I was recommended the Dandan (?) noodles which, although is listed as an app, can be a meal on it's own. Got it also the 2nd time. The menu has a full list of items that you can't possible go through unless you remain dedicated to coming back here every so often to try something new. It's a bit out of the way for me but it's good for group meal if I'm ever in the surrounding area.

    (4)

  • Vince T.

    Very pleasantly surprised with how good and authentic this restaurant was. I was expecting Americanized Sichuan food, but only the decor and service and menu prices made one realize that it wasn't a real Chinese restaurant. I guess the fact that all the chefs in the kitchen are clearly Chinese should have gave me that hint. The braised beef noodle soup was delicious - some of the best I've had. Delicious rich beefy broth, warm with star anise and brightened with chopped cilantro on top. Not for the faint of heart, it's got all the chewy good bits of offal (if you don't know what it is, it won't hurt you!) in addition to melt in your mouth braised short rib. The only mark against it was the fact that the noodles could have used a bit more bite to them. The other dishes were quite good as well, with nice hits of Sichuan peppercorns. The prices are on the high side, which prevents a 5-star review... but flavor-wise, this place is definitely up there!

    (4)

  • Michael C.

    I wish I remember what I had. But the intensity of the spices send my mind into another space/time continuity. I'll admit, when I first entered I was suspicious, because I saw no other Asian people there. But those fears were quickly allayed, not just by the superb food, but by the large Chinese family that came in shortly after I did. I had the dumplings in chili oil, homestyle tofu and some sort of pork with chili peppers that caused all the pores in my tongue to open up. Did I suffer the next morning? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes.

    (5)

  • Ron M.

    First, I knew that Han Dynasty was going to be a treat when I saw how hard it was to get in on a Friday night. As soon as you walk in, you notice its warm, casual atmosphere, packed with a plethora of smells. Han Dynasty operates in a traditional family style for serving. To get the best out of your experience, pair multiple dishes together. Something to keep in mind about the menu. Each dish is listed with a number from 1-10 to indicate spiciness; 1 is the lowest grade of spice, while 10 is the highest. The restaurant offers a variety of cooking styles for their entrées, such as Hot Sauce Style (7), Dry Pepper Style (8), Kung Pao Style (3), and the list goes on. All of them have their own unique flavors, served with rice, vegetables, and a choice of meats. The Dry Pot Style option, rated with a 10, is a very hot, yet rewarding dish. I also highly recommend the Dan Dan Noodles. These noodles have the perfect texture, served in a peanut sauce with chili, which makes them very flavorful. This was some of the best Chinese cuisine I've had, and I've had a lot! I hope to go back! (Full Review - livredetresors.wordpress… )

    (5)

  • Jay T.

    Wasn't impressed. The Dan Dan noodles was just ok and the rabbit w/peanuts in chilli sauce consisted mostly of peanuts, chopped scallions, rabbit bones and three small pieces of rabbit meat.

    (1)

  • Rose N.

    Wow. Wow, wow, wow. Can I say wow again?? Holy macaroni this place is good. Thanks for one of my best friends who shared the news about this place. She's been devotionally going to this restaurant for the past 2 weeks and I told her I was coming to visit so she let me in on her secret. We dined together here this past wkend and she kept going on and on about how good the food was. To be honest, I was skeptical. There were barely any asian restaurant goers and that always raises a red flag for me (prob bc its in olde city?). Long story short, the spicy crispy cucumbers were phenomenally good. Dan dan noodles all day baby! Wonton in chili oil was okay. Dry Pot Style with Shrimp was great. Salt and Pepper Style with the scallops were OUT OF THIS WORLD good! The scallops were fried and the batter was so light and perfectly salted. Oh My Goodness. I think I died and went to heaven. If you're going to drink, get yourself a beer and ice cold water. The beer pairs so nicely with all the salty and spicy flavors. Nice job Han Dynasty. Nice frickin job.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    A great place for dinner in Old City. Walked in here on a Wednesday night with 3 kids early. Service was prompt and good. Food was even better. Yes, it is SPICY. But they can temper it a bit. We did Pork Belly and Dan Dan Noodles - and rated them both for a 5 (medium) - plenty of heat. But really tasty. Other portions of Beef with Garlic Sauce and Chicken in 3 pot were huge. Kids choices are good too. Would love to come hear with a larger group. Had way too much left over. But so good. Great choice for locals and tourists alike.

    (4)

  • Mara K.

    Here is the thing, if you can deal with the cocky owner, as well as the wake & bake host, you will love the food at this place. I was persuaded to go back with some friends and truthfully, the food is really good. This is a great pre-ritz movie restaurant. I suggest going early, and making a reservation. Don't forget to bring wine or beer.

    (4)

  • Jack J.

    The staff makes no hesitation to recommend a dish for you that he thinks is better than the one you ordered. The dan-dan noodles comes out quick and is spicy and delicious! The dumplings in chili oil was the perfect appetizer. Hot sauce chicken comes out in a large filling portion and the double fried fish was crunchy and delicious with black bean flavor! Too much spice makes the next morning somewhat painful though so be warned!

    (4)

  • Tesh S.

    This is the place to go if you need a spicy fix....had the dan dan noodles without pork (since we had a vegetarian in our group) and the wontons in chili oil to start...both were addictively good...for dinner had the mapo tofu without pork, chicken hot pot style, and the garlic shrimp.....the spice level was similar to indo chinese food and they even had pieces of garlic and ginger inside

    (5)

  • Tim H.

    I think the three words that best describe Han Dynasty are: Spicy, Authentic, and Chaos. I ate here on a Saturday night and the place was packed. It was so busy and chaotic that I felt like I was eating in Beijing. There was no hostess. There were two people working the floor. Both people were running around like crazy. What this restaurant lacks in service, it makes up in the quality of the food. It's definitely worth checking out.

    (5)

  • MRD D.

    Unfortunately I just had a really bad dinning experience at Han Dynasty. I had been to this location previously and had a great meal but this weekend was a bit of a Han Disaster. On friday night I made a reservation for the location in Manayunk. Upon arriving it was clear that they were extremely backed up. We waited upwards of 15 min with out a hostess coming by to check in and at least four parties ahead of us. We cut our losses and decided to try the Han Dynasty the following night in old city. With our bottle of win in hand from the night before we excitedly got seated quickly with our reservation the following night at the Old City Location. We were told that the policy had changed and this francise was no longer BYOB. No apology and no attempt to rectify or clarify the situation we were left with a bottle of wine at 9:30 and no where to drink it..... We stayed for dinner thinking the meal would make up for it and the food was tastly but the waiter was anything but friendly. All in all I think I'm going to wait a while till I try Han Dynasty again. If I had to rate this dinning experience on a scale of (1)- (10) I would give it a (3).

    (1)

  • I-Sauce J.

    Good food. Attentive staff. As spicy as you want.

    (4)

  • Tiana B.

    I was there once before and I remember leaving quite satisfied. But I dunno, this time around everything just seemed really oily. Sesame noodles are great, as well as the three cup chicken. I wouldn't rule it out, i would go back again.

    (3)

  • Justin M.

    A great place for ppl who appreciate authentic flavors not served up at typical American-Chinese restos. The Sichuan peppercorns, which are a signature ingredient in several dishes, will leave a buzz on your tongue to which most are unaccustomed. The owner circulates and asks you questions. He cares what you think, and he's not shy about making recommendations. Listen to him since the point of coming here is to push your limits of what you know and love about Chinese cooking. He told us he'll be adding more Taiwanese dishes which is exciting since they're hard to come by in Philly.

    (4)

  • Daniel M.

    Pretty good stuff here, I ordered a Sichuan dish that came in it's own flaming wok served at the table - very spicy but full of flavor as it should be. Dumplings appeared to be hand made and cut, seasoned to perfection and in a generous amount for being an appetizer. Great restuarant!

    (5)

  • Stephanie Y.

    I love Han Dynasty, but this location is always packed! I would give it 5 stars if it was easier to get a reservation. The food is so good and spicy! I went with a large group (10+ people) and it was a good experience. My favorite dishes are the Dan Dan Noodle, Cumin Style Lamb, Home Style Tofu, and the String Beans w/ Minced Pork. I recommend the University City/West Philly location because it's bigger (easier to get a reservation or walk-in), but the food is good at both locations!

    (4)

  • Annie L.

    Thanks Josh. You're a rockstar. Perfect memory, dedicated service, conversationally appropriate, excellent guidance. As one person at our table of five-picky-demanding-dining-experienced women put it, think of great service, he's even better. The perfect compliment to the well preferred and on-point assortment of food and beverage.

    (5)

  • Rob B.

    Amazing! We loved everything! We ordered so much and what we didn't order we ate from there table to either side of us. I am not sure if it was hospitality brought on by New Year's Eve, the proximity of the tables, or the warmth of the chills but it was so fun! Thanks guys! When the Dan Dan noodles was delivered to the table, I looked down disappointingly. They did not look like the ones I had in Chengdu, nor was I really expecting an exact match. But one bite of them and I was thoroughly happy. Delicious! Authentic, maybe not, but incredibly delicious yes! The double fried fish was a hit as were the pan fried plain dumplings, though the ones in chili sauce from the next table were better. Hot Pot Chicken wonderful and plentiful. So glad our Marriott room had a fridge as we took home some of nearly everything!

    (5)

  • Christina C.

    Spicy cucumbers are the best! Don't be scared off by a wait, we were told 45 min on a Saturday night and it ended up being 20. Be warned, when they say spicy, they mean it.

    (4)

  • Hardy B.

    Server spent too much time explaining the menu to one table who came after us, especially when we made reservation. look up the menu online please before going to this kinda place. Food, I have no complain..yet.

    (2)

  • Aileen W.

    Han Dynasty is pretty good for Chinese food in America (but still nothing compared to Chinese food in China haha). We went there on a Friday night and got the last empty table in sight. If you don't like waiting for a table, remember make a reservation! The place isn't too decorated or flashy, just a homely Chinese restaurant. We ordered dan dan noodle, cumin lamb, garlic eggplant, mapo tofu, and some crispy spicy cucumbers. Dan dan noodle was definitely the best dish, and the cumin lamb was not bad either although I've eaten at other places with a little more lamb. The food is needless to say, spicy, so you should be aware of the spice ratings depending on how brave you are (or how tough your taste buds are). Other reviewers aren't too fond of the service but I thought it was okay. Our main server was pretty attentive although a few of the others were a bit absentminded, but nothing too bad happened. I suppose it helps to speak Chinese if you have a Chinese waiter but if you don't, you still get your noodles. :P Overall very decent Chinese food for the area, especially for Szechuan fans. I would definitely go again! They opened up a new branch on 38th and Market so I will be visiting that one sometime in the near future.

    (4)

  • Eric C.

    This place does not disappoint. It's legit chinese food - not the americanized chinese food you see most places. Almost anything on the menu is good. I recommend the Cold Sesame Noodles, anything fish, and the Kung Pao Style chicken. It can get busy, so plan ahead and make a reservation. OR show up for lunch. I would say this is in my top 2 restaurants in Philly. I will always go here, and I never leave unhappy -- only tremendously full. Also note, if you like spice, this place is your place. Prices seem to have gone up but it's still ok with me.

    (5)

  • Stef A.

    Wow. This place lived up to the hype. I cannot recall the last time I have been out to eat and had so many dishes with so many awesome flavors. We got: Dan Dan noodles (as everyone seems to agree, they are so tasty. I am a wimp when it comes to spice level so I ask for a level 4). Spiced cucumbers (a must have. fresh and delicious) Dumplings (I think they are better things on the menu but still good) Won ton soup (Delicious but spicy) Garlic sauce chicken (LOVED IT....so so good and such a good combination of flavors) Hot pepper beef (very spicy but I couldn't stop eating it). Other tips: Reservations are a good idea and you may still have a small wait. No corkage fee if you BYOB on Tuesday nights. My one complaint is the fact that there's a two credit card limit per table, but hey, no place is perfect.

    (5)

  • Christine K.

    Really good food in a beautiful location. The soaring ceilings made the noise level higher at times, but we were laughing a lot so we just got louder, too. Our waiter forgot our appetizer order, but when we 'reminded' him, the apps showed up quickly. It was Chinese New Year, so I guess they were extra-busy. Still, had to order two drinks at a time, as the waiter seemed overwhelmed. Nice, but overwhelmed.

    (3)

  • Anthony S.

    I like that Han Dynasty still seems to be a hidden gem. Although it's always packed when i go and reservations are required, there are a lot of people I speak with that haven't heard of it. It's really hard to express to people how important it is that they try this place. I try to tell people that although it's similar to a Chinese restaurant that specializes in Schezuan style, it's SO much more. It's an experience that has to be had for anyone that appreciates a new kind of spicy, likes family style dining and trying lots of new foods. It's just awesome. Don't forget to make reservations for the once a month tasting dinner. Take your time and eat very small portions!

    (5)

  • Aisha M.

    Totally overrated place. No, it wasn't spicy like the claim. The food was big on oil and salt. Not very authentic like promised, and quite pricey! Ordered the fish (Chinese style) - lacked absolute flavor and was a HUGE disappointment Eggplant - so-so, but not as good as what I usually have. This dish is a staple Chinese dish, and very hard to mess up. Lamb - decent, but overloaded on salt. Dan dan noodles - decent, but your typical noodles, and anything BUT spicy (I even asked everything to be spicy) Overall: don't bother coming here

    (2)

  • Mike C.

    New space is very nice, which honestly made me feel a bit uncomfortable (I like Philly-quaint places). Beer selection is average at best and overpriced. Had one cocktail which was a tad weak. Food was decent, although quite sweet. Good heat if you want it. I would say the recent NYTimes (Pete Wells) review of Han (NYC) is pretty much dead on. Head to Chinatown if you want better and cheaper Chinese food. Head to Han if you want to impress your Yelp buddies that you also do trendy stuff.

    (2)

  • Ziggy Z.

    . Hans Dynasty was #12 in Philadelphia Magazine's Top 50. Unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment. First of all the spice levels were super wimpy. A 7 should be serious fire, alas it was mild compared to what I'm used to in Los Angeles, where I live now. Some stuff was OK. My favorite of the night was the 3 cup chicken with it's slightly burnt, smokey taste. I know that one is not supposed to be spicy but it would be killer with some heat. Second best was the pork belly. Now for the boring: Dan Dan noodles - a limp bull of noodles with a little sauce and pieces of pork. Not much flavor and the 7 spice rating was a joke. Spicy cucumbers - eh, a little spicy but boooooring. Scallion pancake - meh city. Had a few other things but were all unmemorable. Philadelphia Magazine needs to come out to LA and eat in San Gabriel Valley or Thai town and see what asian food should actually taste like. If you guys at at Jitlada in Thai town you'd probably pass out from the spice.

    (2)

  • Melissa J.

    Have heard about Han dynasty and how good it was for over a year... Bf and I were super excited... But ended up being disappointed and a bit sick to our stomach after meal. First of all on a Saturday night we were in and out in 40 minutes, kind of a disappointing date night. Then there was the food. Dan Dan noodles were so hot my mouth went numb and I cleared three huge glasses of water and felt a bit woozy from the 1/2 gallon of water I now had in my belly. The dumplings in chili oil had no meat in them at all, all they were empty dumplings soaking in oil!! Garlic pork was edible but not great. Salt and pepper shrimp was ok as well but everything was soaked in oil it was hard to enjoy meal. Maybe the fast service is to get you out before the stomach ache starts because by the time we got home (5 blocks away) I was doubled over in pure pain. It was as if Dan Dan himself punched me in the stomach! Overall we will not return - too many better options for this Asian food lover! Skip Han dynasty and go to Chinatown. Vietnam or lee how fook... Two of the freshest, cleanest, most delicious places on 11th street.

    (2)

  • Lora L.

    Hot damn this place is good! I tried the Dry Pot style shrimp and adjusted the heat from the suggested 10 to a 7. Good move. I have a decent heat tolerance but I would not really have wanted it any hotter, especially after my starter of the Spicy Crispy Cucumbers - Crispy & cool yes but the heat just builds....Szechuan style. Everything was outstanding. Lovely beer selection, down to earth no nonsense servers, warm atmosphere...I was totally comfortable there dining alone. I'd heard the Dan Dan noodles were a cult fave so I ordered some of those to take to work for lunch the next and this was another good move. Of course 1 serving was enough for 3-4 meals but I am not complaining - I was perfectly content to eat it for lunch 2 days in a row and I'm pretty sure the rest was eaten as a snack here & there... Peanut-y noodle goodness with little bits of minced pork. Sounds weird until you eat it and then you understand.

    (5)

  • A A.

    This place was a pleasant surprise! My two buddies & I ventured here after a late night at the office. Though we got there pretty close to closing time, Han welcomed us with open arms. I mentioned to Han that I wanted a very spicy dish. I got exactly what I asked for! The dish was quite tasty & it had quite a punch! Han recommended dishes for my two colleagues. Both of the dishes met to their satisfaction. I can't wait for my next meal at Han Dynasty!

    (5)

  • Yohann S.

    Contemplating if I should give this place 1 star or 5 star solely based on their service. It suck. But Mark, the manager saves the night. Still.. I have to wait for 10 mins just to get seated even though I was by myself. None of them seems to care. They just like clean the table real quick and told me to go sit there.. and this dude like left immediately. No where to be found. I'm pretty sure I got this super confused face by this time already. Waited for another 5 mins just to get the menu and water. This one waiter brought my the 'Chinese' version of the menu.. which gets me all confused even more since at the time I was looking at the online menu. And the Chinese and online menu is totally different. I called someone else and asked him if this is the right menu. And he said that the book infront of me was the Chinese version. Online was the American / English version. He asked me if I needed English version. I immediately said yes. I closed the Chinese version menu and saw it says 'China Bistro' o_O? He brought me the English version of the menu. Waited for another 10 mins till someone actually approached my table and asking if I was being helped already. But I was already pissed off by then. I closed the menu right infront of his face and walked out from that place. I told him that I waited forever and that he should tell his manager that they should do better not to ignored a customer. I even told him that I found out about this place because of the shining ratings from yelpers and I wanted to try it myself. But to my surprise, he was the manager. His name is Mark. So he quickly apologized and to give them one more chance. He said he gonna fixed me their famous Dan Dan noodles and it will come out in 2 mins. I hesitated a little bit but at the same time I was mad hungry. So I compromised my anger and followed what my stomach demand. When I sat there again for about a minute, this waiter who left me alone and just went away somewhere earlier, came to me asking if I'm ready to order. I looked at him with my 'shut the f up or I'll smash your head' look. He still doesn't get it. He just smiling and start giggling. I never said anything to him though since Mark quickly tap his back and told him that he already taken care of me. So as promised, the noodle came pretty quick. He told me to enjoy and if I didn't like it, I can order anything else on the menu. Well.. the truth is Dan Dan noodle was the main reason for me to come to that place that night. I didn't want to be an ass and told him I wanted something else and pretended that the noodle was awful. The noodle was indeed tasty and spicy. I love it. I would love my friends and family to taste it too. Especially my girlfriend. But considering their service.. I can't help but have to think twice if I wanted to introduce Han Han Dynasty to them. This place shocked the heck out of me, considering this is located in Olde City. 2.5 stars rounded to 2 for now.

    (2)

  • Bri H.

    Please don't kill me, but I wasn't feeling the Dan Dan noodles. Sure, they were fine but would I care if I never ate them again? Do I crave them days later? No and no. We also shared the Pork Crispy Rice Style and the Shrimp Garlic Sauce Style. Both were good, but I wouldn't say I'm dying to go back to Han Dynasty. Surprisingly, my favorite was the Spicy Crispy Cucumber appetizer. I loved the contrast of cool crisp cucumber doused in chili oil. Service is part of what bumps this down from a 4 to a 3 star review. We were ignored for much of the night and they forgot one of our dishes.

    (3)

  • Ainsley A.

    The Han Dynasty legacy has always been a curious idea to me. Growing up outside of Exton PA (their first location) has allowed me to see the growth of this amazing and creative restaurant. Han Dynasty in Old City is the first time I have ever had the opportunity to enjoy Chef Han Chiang's culinary creations- and I was blown away. We started with the spicy cucumber appetizer and the ever popular Dan Dan Noodles. The spiciness of the sauce paired with the crisp and cool refreshing cucumbers allowed your taste buds to dance in every direction. Is it spicy? Is it not? AH! I'm not sure- there is so much going on with this dish. The Dan Dan Noodles are the most popular item on the menu, we had to try them as a first time visitor. They did not disappoint- not a traditional noodle dish, the DDN features a mixture of sweet, savory and spicy. My entrée was the Garlic Shrimp stir fried with ginger, garlic, bamboo, wood ear mushrooms, and bell peppers. Due to the appetizers being spicy- and after drinking three glasses of water already, I wanted to tone my dish down. Originally at a 3, I chose to make it a 2 which was the best decision of the evening. It had a little tiny kick, but nothing too overpowering where I couldn't taste the complexities of the dish. The shrimp were more than JUMBO (huge oxymoron) and there were plenty for leftovers. My sister had the Kung Pow Chicken, which featured peanuts- again not too overpowering, and my mom had the fish (flounder) with black bean sauce- another amazing dish. I loved the idea that you can customize the heat/spiciness of your dish on a numbers scale. Most Asian food that appeals to me is spicy even though I dislike foods that contain too much heat. At this restaurant, feel free to order ANY dish without having to worry about the heat factor. The decor is unreal, it used to be an old bank turned nightclub turned steakhouse turned asian restaurant. They had a projector set up to watch the World Cup which was VERY convenient, and their happy hour featured great specials. I want to come back and try everything on this menu. Tip: reservations are always recommended, but feel free to do a walk in here, especially on the weekdays.

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    After seeing a play on 2nd st. My family and I walked over to Han Dynasty. Thief place is a must for anyone who loves Chinese cuisine. I love the decor of the place. They have high cathedral ceilings. The food was spectacular. I word ordered the don don noodles. I could not get enough of them. The spices in them were perfect. One thing I will advise is I lower the spiciness of the dish if you are a person who doesn't eat spicy food the rabbit in chili sauce was delicious also. I was first scared to try this dish because one i never ate rabbit before and two the dish was served cold. But my fears dissolved with I took the first bite. I highly recommend this place .

    (5)

  • Travis W.

    By far my favorite restaurant in Philly! Han and his masterful culinary staff are geniuses at combining heat and flavor in true harmony. The tongue is bombarded with the essence of flavor from every ingredient in each dish. This framework of flavor is vexed to sing in it's most bright tones with the addition of beautiful spicy heat. As a result, the endorphin release prompted by each dish is truly something to be experienced. The spicy cucumber appetizer and fish pickled style are must try dishes. Han is honest when he comes to your table and this same honesty speaks in the dishes he creates. Do not miss an opportunity to eat as this restaurant.

    (5)

  • Keon P.

    Abysmal. came at peak hours to see how the original would fare against the university city branch and this is what we got. 1. seating arrangement: the manager needs to rethink the seating arrangement. there was a row of 2 seater tables against the bar making a very thin strip of walking space. I sat on the seat near the bar and the whole dinner experience was one of much discomfort and zero personal space. - try arranging the seats in a 90 degree fashion so this doesn't happen in the future 2. food: the food was drowning and crusted with MSG. It was enough to give us a headache RIGHT AFTER the meal - oh, and this was after we requested low sodium for our dishes. Rice: they messed up the rice, some grains were uncooked, some grains were disintegrating... turned into mush in our mouthes - a symptom of unpressurized huge bulk processes 3. Service: Server forgot our order (came back to ask for it - which was fine) I had to ask 2 different people 3 times over 30 minutes to get an extra bowl of rice for the table. After we realized the rice wasn't going to get any better we decided to take the rest of the food home. we all crave chinese food sometimes - my advice is to stick to takeouts (possibly make your own rice)

    (1)

  • Smrithi D.

    DAN DAN NOODLES ARE PHENOMENAL! (i get them made vegetarian, without the pork but theyre are still one of the best i've tried) Their new space is very large and their waitstaff is always friendly and gets the food out really quickly.

    (4)

  • Dawne S.

    Food was super yummy and nicely spicy! Nothing "Chinese takeout" about any of it. We arrived on time, they sat us immediately, and the server was super friendly with good suggestions on what to eat. Great experience overall. Recommend the dad dan noodles, spicy cucumbers, spicy fish (yum!!), Bok Choy dish.

    (5)

  • Finessa S.

    Awesome if you love Chinese. We had the dan dan.noodles. They were the spiciest we had at a 7 rating, comparable to siracha sauce. If you like pad thai you'd like these. Slight nutty taste. If you like these, try pad thai if you haven't. Chili dumplings were yummy. Great noodle texture. Chili sauce not as spicy but saltier. The waiter mark was very informative. We wanted scallops and he recommended garlic sauce or salt and pepper. We went with the garlic sauce but asked for it to be a 6 instead of a 3. Very good. Alot of scallops, about 10. They are breaded and fried like General tsos. The garlic sauce was sweeter which balanced out the saltiness of the chili sauce. Great food, came to $40. Big portions, so decide together and share.

    (5)

  • Mark L.

    Finally a good Sichuan place that looks good enough to take non Asian friends to. A perfect and unusual location in Old City to boot. Relatively new but quite good spicy food.

    (4)

  • Es L.

    liked this place a lot esp since i LOVE LOVE LOVE spicy foods. we started off with the wontons in spicy chili sauce (definitely spicy) which was pretty good. Then we had the deep fried shredded beef (excellent and VERY spicy) and the three cup chicken (to offset the spicy dish- also really good). Service was good- really friendly. One of the servers was also pretty cute (in a babycute kind of way). ;) It's a BYO so bring a crisp reisling to offset the spicyness and you can also bring in your own cake/dessert if you're there to celebrate someone's birthday (since they don't carry desserts there). The only negative is that it would have been nicer had they turned up the air-conditioner (spicyness and alcohol mixed together causes a lot of heat). =P

    (4)

  • Falon B.

    One word: Addicting! One more: Amazing! Ok, one more: Wowsa! Food is absolutely delicious. Worst part about coming here is attempting to get a reservation on a weekend night and deciding what to order off of the menu. We eased in to the "Han Dynasty" experience with ordering the Chicken with Peppers, Scallion beef, and Garlic beef at a range of spice levels. The 7 had my pores opening, but with copious amounts of water, tea, and soda, I was able to manage. The roof of my mouth was burning, yet I couldn't stop... Leftovers were packed with steamed rice at no-charge (which was appreciated). The reasonable prices, great atmosphere, and quality of food will keep us coming back. BYOB and reservations a must!

    (5)

  • Theresa G.

    I love Han Dynasty! I've been there at least 10 times, and once for the tasting menu. For sure, go for the tasting menu. It's an incredibly good deal. Just remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. I stopped eating after the appetizers because I was too full! Favorites are dan dan noodles (a must!), cold cucumbers, scallion pancakes, three cup chicken, chicken in chili oil, beef and tripe in chili oil, whole fish, wontons in chili oil, and beef with scallions. Han is welcoming and so nice. I'll be moving to a new apartment three blocks from this place in Philly, so I'm sure I'll be here every day!

    (5)

  • C K.

    Food is great and decently priced for olde city. It is very great for authentic spicy szechaun chinese food comparable to Chinatown, if not better. The hostess was an idiot and an asshole however. We had the most uncomfortable table for a group of 6. It was the worst seating configuration. My friend was seating at the end near the aisle, and was in the hostess' way, he got mad about that.... he was the one that made the seating configuration. But we solved that problem ourselves. We went on a saturday night, it was very busy. Lots of drunk people too... getting ready for a night of old city, its BYOB. I would recommend not coming here on weekend night because it is way too packed. Bottomline: great food..okay waiter service, shitty hostess.

    (4)

  • Megan M.

    Hot sauce stlye, is hot like the name, and very delicious. Sesame noodles and.chili dumplings are a must.

    (5)

  • Diana K.

    I did it! I finally made it to Han Dynasty, ordered level 7 spiciness, and didn't die! This was a hilarious meal where we all sat around basically sweating profusely, crying, and blowing our noses. People, please don't go here on a first date, you don't need to see someone turn bright red and sweat out of their eyeballs until dating for at least 3 months. :) We of course ordered the Dan Dan Noodles and the Spicy Cucumbers for appetizers. I would be shunned by the Yelp community if I didn't, I know. The noodles were the highlight of the night and made me cry tears of chilies. The cucumbers were good, but nothing amazing. Our other two dishes, Duck Smoked in Tea Leaves, and the Cabbage w/ thai chilies were very tasty, but really not up to the 4+ star restaurant that I expected. Also, the service was a little bit unorganized. Although our food came out quickly, we had three different servers try to take our order when we first sat down. Honestly, try Red Kings 2 that just opened up at 10th and Race if you like Han Dynasty. It is a good option that has many of the same dishes, with a different and unique taste.

    (3)

  • Lili W.

    I don't know what the hype is about this place. I ordered a bunch of things (dan dan noodles, cold sesame noodles, pork belly, spicy beef and tripe, garlic chicken, fish hot pot) and everything was mediocre. The prices are a bit high for Chinese food, needless to say you can get cheaper and better food from Chinatown. The service is nothing to rave about either.

    (2)

  • Adam G.

    Excellent sichuan food, helpful hipster service, and a bargain lunch special. If you're familiar with the NYC branch, the spaciousness (and no-need-to-wait) of the philly branch is fantastic.

    (5)

  • Cici B.

    Everything about Han Dynasty is authentic save for the prices, portions, and decor. After coming to the restaurant for the first time in May, I had a strong urge to bring my parents because I couldn't believe my tastebuds; authentic Sichuan food in Philly? Yes it exists! And they even have a separate Chinese menu, just in case anyone expresses any doubts. Although it seems like they all look alike due to the redundant use of chili peppers and other particular spices, the dishes can definitely be differentiated by taste. Their intrepid and generous use of spices also pays homage to Sichuan cuisine and takes me back to my dining experiences in China. Do not pass up on the dan dan noodles, we get it every time and it is consistently delicious. Ask the servers for recommendations if you're clueless or indecisive-the latter applies to me. They will usually recommend the right dish based on your preference in spice level and choice in poultry. I have yet to try something I did not like! The only gripes I have about Han Dynasty are their modest portions and the price you pay for the amount of food. That being said, I can't complain too much because some dishes are appropriately sized albeit not overwhelming; while others (cumin beef and Sichuan boiled fish/shui zhu yu) are clearly lacking. Entrees are on average $15 - which I guess is not bad but I'm just stuck in the whole cheap Chinese food mentality characteristic of Chinatown. This is the only place that I've come across that defies the general rule of thumb for Chinese restaurants: judging the authenticity of its food by its clientele. The popularity is undeniable across the board and I'm so glad that Han Dynasty has filled the void for me in terms of spicy Chinese food. Without a doubt, I'll be back.

    (4)

  • Jan K.

    Nothing here will make you cry unless you are a real wuss. Like everyone says, the Dan Dan noodles and crispy cuke are must-have appetizers. I found the cumin dishes a little grainy in texture. There is a great unpublished (to my knowledge) lunch deal .. I work a few blocks away.. where you get 60% servings for 50% of the price. Service has been fine, overall, but of you go with a party of three or so, you will need to harass the server for more than one skimpy serving of white rice to go around. Best deal it to go with a bunch of friends, and order a #10 dish and expect everyone to share. That way, you get to scoff all their stuff and yours as well, since one bight will typically discourage an average non-Schezuan eater. Seriously, the beef with long peppers is great for the timid. Dry-pepper fish is a killer dish for those who enjoy breaded flounder, but with a bit of a kick. Would love to come by for one of their evening tasting events. Since I work in Olde City, I tend to concentrate on lunches (affordable) and this is on the weekly regular list.

    (4)

  • Janet B.

    For starters, I'm not the biggest fan of SPICY spicy food, the kind that make you grow nonexistent balls and sweat them. In fact, and I'm kind of ashamed to admit, I don't eat kimchi very well because it's too spicy. I'm Korean, so I get a lot of crap for it. Anyway, so I was a little apprehensive when my friend and her boyfriend hosted a luncheon at this place known for their spicy food. The 8 of us sat at a round table with one of those round spinning trays for foods in the middle. The Han Dynasty guru of the group ordered a bunch of stuff, ranging in hotness from 2-10, I think. Since we had a lot of people, we got to taste a variety of foods: peanutty noodles, shrimps, beef, spicy cucumber, fish, etc. As we carefully tried each one, there were a lot of "mmmm"s. Not too many "oh F*@# THAT's SPICY!!!". In fact, their food was surprisingly not that hot. The Han Dynasty guru made us guess the spiciness level of the fish on the scale of 1-10, and my friend and I guessed 3. Well, it turned out to be a 10. Most items were very delicious and full of flavors and texture. I think it was a fantastic way to try out the different items, and it only came out to $15/person including tip. The waiter/owner chased us out to the streets because of the tip situation. We definitely paid tip, so not sure what happened.... but the service was definitely very brute and not all that pleasant. And we were with a regular/owner's friend too! So I can only imagine how the more sensitive people feel about the service... Overall, it's a good place to go with a group of friends if you're new, go if you're craving some good, pretty spicy Asian food without frills.

    (4)

  • Jim G.

    Went here with a party of 6 based on Yelp reviews, and we weren't disappointed. The food was all delicious. Loved the "family style" service so we could try different things, The Dan Dan noodles were as good as everyone claimed. We also had Chicken Dry Pepper Style (very tasty and crunchy), Shrimp Hot Sauce Style (delicious and warm), and Pork Garlic Style (reminded me of a very good garlicy Lo Mein). The service was a bit sporadic at times, but always friendly and courteous. Would definitely return.

    (4)

  • Teresa L.

    Han, I concede. I told you that you were only 4 stars...because you didn't have dessert. But I guess my taste buds would have been numb already by the peppercorn infused oil and Szechuan heat. They would only feel the cold. Dan dan noodles make me dan dan happy! Dry pepper style chicken (think chicken poppers with hah-hah-heat!) are delish but so is the dry pepper pork, which come with more meat. (so order that.) Up there with my favs is the Beef Tendons in Chili Oil. I've tried the cumin lamb, Spicy Crispy Cucumber, and Eggplant w/ Garlic Sauce dishes, which are great, but if you are on a budget, go for what is unique and unmakeable in the kitchen of Teresa L. The longest wait at this restaurant is at the door, especially if you don't have a reservation. Food otherwise comes in a timely manner, and as long as it remains a BYOB (which is not very long *weep*) and you're with a rowdy group, the Office of Complaints is closed. Word to the wise: Abnormal noise levels and unbridled sweating could really put a damper on candle-lit intentions. Happy, Han?

    (5)

  • G C.

    Spicy and good! But get reservations. This place packs up quickly even late at night. The food comes in a wide variety, small dishes and big plates. You probably will want to get some for the table to share. I would also order a bunch of water or rice to cut the spice. Even me, a hard core spice lover felt the heat! Also, if you are Chinese or know someone who reads it, bring them along. They have a special menu! :D

    (5)

  • Scott H.

    I was working this past monday night, when some of my friends reported to me that there had been a fire in the basement of Han Dynasty. My first thoughts of course were purely based on the fear of when I would be able to get my fix there again. ( I eat there roughly 3 times a week) Luckily for me (and many others) the fire did not stop them from opening the next day! Han Dynasty has become a staple in my life and one of my favorite restaurants this city has to offer. I believe, in Hans words (from their twitter account) " stopped the fire in the basement, so we can bring it to your face and ass" CLASSIC

    (5)

  • Lydia C.

    Service was spotty, but the food was amazing. Definitely worth going back.

    (4)

  • M D.

    Ironically, I had ONLY been to the Han Dynasty in Manayunk but happened to be in Old City for business so brought a bunch of colleagues down there. It surely did not disappoint! The food is AMAZING. Perfect places to share a bunch of entrees/apps with some friends. My personal faves are the Dan Dan noodles and the spicy cucumbers. But, I have never had anything that let me down. Love this place!

    (5)

  • Sweetly B.

    If your looking for TASTY genuine cuisine with kick, THIS is your spot! If you can get a reservation for there tasting you WONT regret it!

    (5)

  • Soyoung K.

    As much as I like calling this place Han Die-Nasty - their food is FAR from nasty. It's actually really awesome, to be honest. I went on a Thursday night and the place was PACKED. I have been meaning to check it out for quiet some time. I have been reading so many good reviews of this place and I just couldn't put it off anymore. My sister and I waited about 15 minutes for a table and were sat at a long communal table downstairs. I really didn't care where I sat as long as I got my food. We did regret about 10 minutes of our waiting time because we did not realize that this place was BYOB and we really love drinking. Really really do. Anyways, I thought it was interesting that they have the level of spicyness marked from 1-10. I wanted to try all different levels but it seemed wiser to get about 3 dishes between two people. So we got the spicy pork belly(7), Dan Dan noodles(5?), Chicken Hot Pot(10). All were really amazing and the potions were so generous that we had to wrap up about 40% of what we ordered. However, this is because we just don't eat a lot all at once and were in a hurry. The level of spicyness was nothing to fear for - however, this statement is somewhat subjective as I was brought up in a Korean household where we eat Kimchi like everyday. Sure, Chicken Hot Pot was pretty spicy but if that was a level 10, Kimchi would be like 15. So if you've ever had Kimchi before, you know where you might stand with this level of spicyness. To sum it all up, I can never go back to any other chinese food. This was an awesome experience and I would like to return. Possibly soon.

    (5)

  • Leticia M.

    I wish I could give them 10 stars!!! This is my fave restaurant in Phily by far, the best chinese ever!!! My order; Dan Dan Noodles, Dumplings in Oil, Cold Cucumbers, Salt and Pepper Shrimp. YUMMY!!!!!!!! And the waiters, all are so laid back and chill, really great place. Thanks guys!!!! And get take-out all the time too!

    (5)

  • Jordan P.

    (To the tune of "Talking Body" by Tove Lo) Heat, lots of heat Your tastebuds when they meet that hot hot meat Cukes cool it down Tsingtaos hit the bar, get another round Day drunk (or sober too), wanna just stay here WIth noodles and beer. Dry pepper fish is my fav Bringing lots of flav Could eat here every day.... Cuz if we're talking spicy Han Dynasty's your spot, so lay it on me Because some like it hot. If you want the spice They're there all night On and on and on. This location, nestled in the heart of Old City, is enormous and wonderful. They've got a great happy hour, and you could feasibly just spend a whole week working your way through the menu of appetizers, soups, noodles, and entrees. Spice ranking from 1-10 fit for any taste, but take it seriously. I've gone with buddies who have higher tolerance than I and ended up not feeling my tongue for the next day or two. They've got a great back room or upstairs for large parties, and they really can cater to your budget or needs. Totally sweet bartenders, the food is always on point, and I love the color and warmth of the space. If you skip the dry pepper fish, you're doing yourself a disservice.

    (5)

  • Caitlin M.

    I fell in love with this place when I went about a year and a half ago at the old location. Now that I went back for my New Year's Eve celebration, and got to experience their new location I had to write my review. There are at least 5 locations that I know of with one even being in New York city, and this location is one of the 3 I've been to. Bay far this is the location that has the 'hottest/spiciest' sauces compared to the other two. I've enjoyed all of my visits to their locations but this one is my favorite. I love the location and the decor inside is amazing. All of the staff members were very patient and courteous (especially Han!) and even on a crazy night like New Year's Eve. If you plan on going at a common dinner hour or a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night I would highly recommend making a reservation. If you are told that it could be an hour wait I would grab a seat at the bar and enjoy a drink, or even order food at the bar because I believe you can get full menu service there. It is definitely worth the wait over all. If you want generic Chinese cuisine or you do not like any type of spice in your food THEN I would recommend not going. Your tongue, tastebuds and chapped lips will be challenged with the amount of chili oil that the food is bathed in. However as spicy as it is it does not diminish the underly flavor of the awesome food. Some food recommendations: Chilled cucumber in chili oil, Dan Dan noodles, the pork belly appetizer, string beans with minced pork (can substitute for asparagus told to us by our server) and the eggplant side dish. They do have great entree selections too, but I am so in love with many of their smaller plates that I load up on those. For 2 people I would recommend 1 entree dish with 2 small plates, or about 4 small plates/sides/appetizers. All the times I have been there I have taken at least 1 item of food home so the price is worth it! Only thing to watch out for: gift certificates can sometimes be location based and/or expire. I was recently given a gift certificate by a family member for Christmas however, that person lives in New York City so the certificate can only be used there. In the end I don't really mind because I wanted to eat here anyway regardless of the gift certificate, and it just gives me an excuse to head up to New York City.

    (5)

  • Justin M.

    Better than the Manayunk location, the other one I have been to because of the cocktail list and the beautiful setting. We had reservations for 8 and were sat within 5 minutes of arriving. First off, the service was perfect. Our waitress asked about spice levels, who has been here before, knew every answer to allergy questions and brought out our apps and entrees in a course like setting which was extremely helpful with 8 people who were starving! Cocktails- Had the strawberry drink, fruity but had some punch to it! I had the jade, the gin drinks which was amazing and the schezuan shandy which was OK but nothing like the jade which I would order again and again. Food-Apps we had two orders of; Friend dumplings (might be the best dumpling I have ever had), Dan Dan noodles which everyone wanted more of, yes they are that good, and the spicy cucumbers my personal favorite which I can have bowls of. Entrees- It comes with white rice, which we didn't know so ordered some vegetable fried rice as well which we didn't complain because it was great to soak up all the amazing sauces from our apps and entrees. Three cup chicken, melt away chicken like no other I have ever had. Chicken in garlic sauce, beef in a mild sauce and the pork in a level 7 sauce which some of my table was sweating. I personally like heat and can handle the 10 so I loved it! Everything you order is meant to be family style and share with others. Usually one entree, with the rice served with can feed two people so order what you want but always can bring leftovers home!

    (5)

  • Ashley O.

    Fantastic service! Came in around 3:30, the hostess was very sweet and there was no wait at all. Drink orders were immediately taken, and it wasnt long before I was eating some delicious fried dumplings with chili oil. The fried rice is delicious, and the braised beef soup is to die for! Great for first dates or a quick lunch. Careful, it can be really spicy!

    (5)

  • Tom C.

    Han Dynasty is my favorite restaurant in the city. The dan dan noodles are amazing, spicy cucumbers are really good. My wife loves the three cup chicken.

    (5)

  • Felix L.

    Great location , bar and the setup - the restaurant being in an old high ceiling place. The food was ok. The dry hot pot was not dry and did not have as many Szechuan pepper as it should. The chili peppers are usually super spicy, yet here I could eat them like chips. The chef would not use small pieces of dark meat chicken ( to avoid tasteless breast meat) but was ok with tiny bony rabbit. Cumin lamb while fragrant missed a kick. Dry fried beef was too dry and tasted more like jerky in sauce. Hope philly has better Szechuan food somewhere.

    (2)

  • Jeff H.

    I said before I'd give it 5 stars if they found a way to improve the downstairs dining area. Well they did by moving into another building. Check their website because there is a bunch of Han Dynastys now, all over the greater Philadelphia area. I'm sure theres one in your back yard.

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Reporting live from Han Dynasty on a pretty kick ass computer that sits bar side. I didn't originally intend to be here, or even really write a review update tonight. But when you run into Han randomly on the corner and he's incredible enough to remember you and invite you down for a beer its kind of how things set in motion! Besides I did need to revisit and do a recap of the epic ARSE 2 event that I hosted here a few weeks back. From the get go of setting things up with Han it looked like it was destined to be a tasting event of epic proportions, and it showed how much he and his crew really work with a group to meet your expectations. As for the food if your looking for fried dumplings and General Tso's hogwash, this isn't the restaurant for you. But if you're looking for a unique and spicy kick in your cuisine then get ready to climb down the rabbit hole! Also don't come if you're expecting a normal humbug restaraunteur. Han is a crazy in the good way kind of guy who has fun with his patrons, and saves the seriousness for the spice of the epic dishes. For our tasting we were treated omakase style to somewhere around 23 dishes (mental note get the entree list from Sam's Facebook and add it!). Among them we were wowed by dan dan noodles, green bean noodles, spicy cucumbers, amazing sausages, spicy rabbit, strange taste chicken, pork belly, pork tenderloin, soft shell crabs, and then some! hungry already? the taste of spicy peppers and chili oil made the fabled and legendary name of full name of our tasting event really realistic the next day. But such is the thing to expect when you really step it up to try some real cultural cuisine of greatness. And for that Han Dynasty always manages to be a spicy and entertaining good time!

    (5)

  • Os F.

    I have to quickly praise this restaurant for the great service we received last night. 20 of us showed up without a reservation just as the kitchen was closing. We were immediately taken to a private room and assigned 2 waiters. They took our "individual" orders and the food came out quickly and accurately. The food was awesome! The staff was pleasant. Congrats on the new location. The place was beautiful.

    (5)

  • Carla F.

    I love this place. It is no frills but ridiculously good Chinese food. It is very spicy which I love. I highly recommend their noodle dishes, the hot pot with fish and broccoli.

    (5)

  • Stef S.

    I don't even remember what I ate, because i was like a firestorm of Chinese food coming from every direction. The Chinese food is high quality and delicious. If you love spicy, you're in for a treat. Service can be slow, and it's not exactly cheap Chinese food. I've had better Chinese in other cities BUT this is the place to go for Chinese in Philly.

    (4)

  • Nick G.

    The food was the only saving grace. First a manager had to take our drink order. Then an another manager had to take our food order. Our server only boxed our food up, and took the check. The place was practically empty. The food was great. I have no complaints there. I'll check out the other locations next time.

    (3)

  • Matt K.

    This is going to end up being a happy story, read the OTHER Han Dynasty review that I am doing after this one. My main point here is that if you've never been to Han before, it is probably a good idea to go with friends or to get Han himself to help you. The service here is average, attentive enough but that is all. The decor is kinda funky and cool, with interesting art on the walls. I liked it. We were flying blind, having been warned about spice levels, but unprepared for what we got. (I have eaten whole habaneros in the past so I wasn't scared, guess I should have been) To be fair, we ordered 4 dishes and knew that 3 would be very spicy. Unfortunately, they were blow-your-nose, sweat-like-a-pig spicy. Beef and tripe in chile oil, pork belly in garlic oil, green bean noodles in black bean paste (this was supposed to cool us down a bit, but noooooo, it didn't) and finally the pickle style chicken. Everything was extraordinarily tasty, and I got a sense that Han is clearly head and shoulders above other Chinese cuisine, but I have to be honest and say that this particular experience was not a happy one. After all, we're not reviewing the way a restaurant SHOULD be, right? We're reviewing what actually happened. However, 2 of my friends insisted that we try again, and I am very glad I did. Read the Royersford review above this one.

    (3)

  • Suzanne L.

    Yummy food. Our daughter insisted on fried rice and it was notable for the individual tastes of the contents - it was not overdone with soy sauce like most. We had the pea greens and garlic which was a bit too salty and oily; it could have been a great dish. The Kung pao chicken was very good, but for asking it be spiced as a 1 I was disappointed at how many pieces of dried hot pepper I had to pick out (after eating one by mistake, as I wasn't thinking about them). The hot tea was tasty, not bitter. Great service.

    (4)

  • Jack B.

    BEST CHINESE FOOD IN PHILLY. Definitely recommend getting a reservation, but I've been lucky enough to get a table for 2 with about a 30 minute wait once. Dan Dan Noodles are pretty awesome, BUT TRY THE PORK BELLY APPETIZER- it is easily one of the best dishes Philadelphia has to offer. This menu leans toward the spicy side, but they are happy to scale back the heat for you or dial it up IF YOU DARE. Definitely the destination for taking friends from out of town who love chinese food, but have never had QUALITY chinese food (Not to say sloppy super salty chinese food isn't great too) GO FOR IT.

    (5)

  • Sydney S.

    I love the food, and love the new place, but we had really bad service tonight, and no one seemed concerned at all. The host was rude after making us wait at the door, the server never came, and after we stopped the manager to order drinks, it was another 10-15 minutes before our server came over. They charged us over 20% gratuity on our bill, like we were a party of 8. We're really laid-back eaters, and we've both worked in restaurants, so this was weird and disappointing. I left feeling like it was not money well spent. Any sort of apology or acknowledgement would have helped, but there was nothing, and it tainted a good meal.

    (2)

  • Herbie H.

    I've been to the University City location of Han Dynasty, but this was my first visit to the sprawling and exciting Old City location. The Dan Dan Noodles are worth every ounce of praise they receive. I dream about these noodles. Silky and coated in sauce and spice - they are so delicious and packed with flavor. We tried one of the specials on the extra menu - shredded tofu appetizer. I forget what else was in the dish. The spice was a little more subdued and grew over time. It was a really interesting take on tofu - meaty and paired with shredded vegetables. For our shared main course, we split the Pickled Chili Style with Fish. On the website it's only listed as a spice level 5, but it was certainly hotter than that in the restaurant. The dish is loaded with rich chili flavor and accented by the extra tang from the pickling. I'm not sure what kind of fish we had, maybe tilapia? A delicate white fish that absorbed the intense spice from the sauce. Service was notably better here than at the UCity location. We had two servers who split duties among a number of tables in our section. I liked this approach, it made it easier to request more water or ask for a few more napkins without having to wait too long to see you server.

    (5)

  • Aakash C.

    First visit to Han Dynasty. Interesting place with large ceiling and good decor and huge bar w TV's. The food was excellent for Chinese. Our group likes spicy food and we got 8/10 on their scale which a little weak on spiciness. We felt at that level they had overdone the pepper flakes to compensate for the spiciness and they also provided spicy oil. We got the dan Dan noodles, chicken dry pot, mapo tofu, and wonton soup w chicken. The Dan Dan Noodles were a good start. The dry pot chicken had too many pepper flakes but was otherwise well done. The mapo tofu was also excellent, the saucy was not too runny and it was not overpowered by flakes as well. The soup was standard and also a good choice. Service was excellent but their table layout was weird. We sat in the middle of the entire place. We will definitely go again, very reasonable prices, and overall a good experience.

    (4)

  • Candice H.

    A restaurant with authentic Chinese food and great service? I thought I would never put those two thoughts in the same sentence...It's true...it's right here in Old City. (I grew up in the Bay w/ plenty of amazing authentic Chinese food too...) I can't believe I waited a whole year before trying this place out. Number 1 - the outside is very deceiving because the inside is really modern and huge! We sad in the regular dining room the first time and felt cramp for a 2 person dinner. We then went to the bar and found it to be much more spacious and the seats are really wide so there won't be any elbow scuffing from your neighbor! Bartenders are also really nice and can make great drinks! I typically don't drink and eat Chinese food...just never did it as a kid and wouldn't really do it now. However they do have some drinks that pair well. Now, I wouldn't exactly have an old fashion with my spicy Chinese food, but their other popular drinks work very well...like their spicy margarita! I eat Taiwanese style...aka many small plates. The must haves: Dan Dan noodles Taiwanese sausage with fresh garlic Potstickers Scallion pancake Had their spicy beef dish and boy the beef was sooo good and tender, but boy was it spicy! Have an appetite because the dish is big as well. To try: Mopo tofu sauteed pea vines (my childhood fav!) Love the bar, just don't take my stool. :)

    (5)

  • Clint W.

    On the whole, Han Dynasty is a 5-star Philadelphia attraction. In fact, both the Manayunk and University City locations have garnered 5-star reviews in my book. Despite being the original location, however, the Old City Han is my least favorite of the 3 locations I've visited. It's crowded, offensively loud, and always a little more rushed than the others. And yet, it's still Han Dynasty. Bring on the Dan Dan and the Crispy Rice, and I'm a happy boy. There are some differences to note, however. Believe it or not, the spice levels vary from location to location. I've been to each of the Hans 3 times and the one in Old City is by far the spiciest. I regularly order the Dan Dan at a 4 or 5; in Old City, I have to get a 2. I have no idea why the adjustment, but this was a lesson learned the hard way - so take my advice. If I have the chance to steer someone toward the University City Han Dynasty, I will. And, for you Manayunkers, you better frequent your Main Street home for home-style Szechuan. The Old City Han Dynasty is still wonderful, still worth a visit, but given the spice level and the ungodly noise level, I'd go elsewhere if I had my druthers.

    (4)

  • Carlo M.

    Probably the best Chinese restaurant in Philly. You can read all the reviews below. Don't have much more to add, but I'll let you know my top three dishes: Double Cooked Pork Belly Dan Dan Noodles Garlic Style Shrimp Definitely get a reservation, whether you have three people or 15 people -- you'll need it. Beware -- the service sucks. Worth putting up with though.

    (4)

  • Tina T.

    This place was on its game the night I ate here. I was in a group of 14 people and we had 2 people serving us. Wish I got the name of one of the guys who was awesome...all I can remember is that he smiled a lot and had poofy hair in the front. The food was GREAT. We ordered a lot of different stuff and shared it around the table. Everything was tasty! The Dan Dan Noodles are HOT but fantastic.

    (5)

  • Dredge K.

    Everything seems to be cooked in the same sauce. Good, but boring after a couple dishes.

    (2)

  • Iman E.

    Went last night with reservations for five. We were seated immediately. To sum the night up in word: DELICIOUS! For appetizers we ordered spicy cucumbers, vegetarian Dan Dan noodles and scallion pancakes. The cucumbers and noodles were so good we ordered another serving of each! For dinner we had dry fry style chicken, cumin lamb and ginger beef. The ginger style beef and dry fry chicken were my favorite. A word of warning this food is not for the faint of heart, it is most definitely spicy. I will definitely be making the drive out to Philly for more Han's until the NYC location opens!! (Parking at this location is till 10 o'clock SHARP. At 10:05 pm the meter maid(S) were giving parking tickets.)

    (5)

  • Edward M.

    Some weekend a while ago, after readying all the rave review, I wanted to try Han Dynasty, but they had a long wait so we went elsewhere that night. Finally, last week, I got to try it and it did not disappoint. We started with the famed dan dan noodles -- which are tasty even without the crumble -- and the spicy cucumbers, which live up to their name (hot stuff). The appetizers were followed by a yummy garlic-sauce chicken. We also brought a bottle of white wine that went nicely with the spicy dishes. But I think next time I'd bring a few beers (pilsners, perhaps), which would also go well with the food, but carry less of a corkage fee ($10 for wine, $1 for regular beer, $2 for large beer). The servers were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Prices are fair.

    (4)

  • Wesley C.

    Went with my wife on a relatively busy night - unfortunately, we went on a whim and didn't have a reservation - so that meant we waited about 45 minutes to get seated. This place definitely has a "buzz" about it. Lots of people are always coming in and out through the doors, and most people leave with a big smile on their face. After getting seated, we finally had the chance to order our courses for dinner: dan dan noodle, dry pot lamb, dry pepper fish, dry fry beef, salt n' pepper shrimp, and three cup chicken. After we asked the waitress if that would be enough for the two of us, and she proceeded to tell us that we got "too much," we were satisfied with our order. That's what we like to do. Order lots of food, taste lots of different dishes, and bring home leftovers to enjoy the next day(s) - if it lasts that long. The highlights of the night were the dan dan noodles (as everybody says), and the dry pepper fish. The noodle texture/quality of the dan dan noodles are just perfect! however, I would have to say that the flavoring of the dish itself is lacking the peppercorn "ma" numbness that I'm used to in my dan dan noodle dishes. That'd be the only thing that prevents me from saying that this dish is a 5/5. The dry pepper fish had some decent heat, and the flavor was great. I only wish that the fish would have been crispier with the frying process. Overall, Han brings the heat, but although my understanding is this is supposed to be a "Szechuan"-style restaurant, I'm really not feeling the numbing of the peppercorn like I expected. The dishes were respectable, and I would definitely be interested in coming back for their special first Monday of the month tasting dinners. Also, it's great to see a whole lot of diversity in the restaurant - and I think that's one of the draws, not being in chinatown. Also, another plus is if you don't hand the heat well, after your meal, just walk up the street (2 minutes) to Franklin Fountain. Even though my lips weren't burning any more by the time we left, we still went and got our ice cream on!

    (4)

  • John C.

    The place is great. Staff is very attentive and knowledgable about drinks and food options. I just could NOT handle how spicy the food was. I guess I'm a wuss about that stuff. Otherwise, everything was fine.

    (4)

  • Mandy H.

    I've only ordered delivery from here, but I have to say, all the hype about the Dan Dan noodles is justified. The dumplings in chili sauce are also very tasty. I love spicy food. That being said, one of my BFF's mom makes the the spiciest Indian food I've ever had and it does not even compare to the lthe recommended level 6 of spice of the Dan Dan noodles. If you want to avoid sweating through your shirt while eating their noodles, I would suggest a lower level of spice than 6. But even being that spicy, I couldn't stop eating the noodles, so I can't imagine what kind of damage I would have done if I wasn't being a literal hot mess. I'm going to have to try Han Dynasty inside the restaurant next time along with some additional dishes.

    (4)

  • Divya N.

    The spicy food which we ordered is just ok, but didn't find it exceptional.

    (3)

  • Shereen C.

    Han Dynasty is probably as good as it gets for Chinese food in Philly. It's also pricier. Dumplings in chili oil (appetizer): Disappointing, the filling is not as flavourful or juicy as I'd like. I'm not a fan of overcooked meat. Entrees are much better -- very flavourful. Cumin-style lamb is really tasty, with the meat fried up just right, still tender. Garlic pork is good, sweet and savoury. I wanted to soak up the rest of the sauce with my rice, even though it's a bit greasy -- it's that yummy. Service is lacking -- slow and inattentive. Waited 20 minutes for a menu, so I finally had to get up and thread through the crowded restaurant to get a menu myself. I'd want to come back for the entrees. It's BYO, with corkage fees. 4.5 stars

    (5)

  • Mary M.

    Handy Nasty, I heart you. And I'm not even a fan of spicy food! A tiny little place in Olde City, unassuming in a portion of Philly that is SO assuming. I love the red chopsticks. Tea and water are served right away. Oh the delights that awaited us. We stuck to the 3 Pot Chicken and Pork Fried Rice. The only word I can use to describe the food is : DIVINE. I would call this elevated Chinese food. The flavors you know and love but done so well that it's like a whole new experience. The wontons in chile oil are great (I have had them via delivery not in this dining experience) as well but I could only eat one before I was tearing up. I wish I could be more adventurous with the spicy items available but I will leave that for another time when we bring friends with a more adventurous palate. Dash delivers but keep in mind you will pay a premium for the service. I would say it is almost worth the extra bucks b/c the food is awesome. My only negative criticism is in our service, and not that of the bus boy or servers, but our waiter seemed too busy to take care of us. Everyone else was attentive. We left happy. And I can't wait to nosh on the leftovers!

    (5)

  • Michael H.

    double cooked fish. best platter in town.

    (5)

  • Lindsay H.

    I finally made it. I've been wanting to try Han Dynasty for what feels like forever and I thankfully was not let down. First off, our server was great. He explained the spicy levels really well, gave us a heads up on the corkage fee and even suggested a way to course out our meal and test the waters in terms of our spicy tolerance. It was awesome. After receiving our round of appetizers, I realized that I was not aware of the serious heat in the dishes at all. I think I would top out at 6 on the heat scale of 1-10 and i always thought i could handle spice! I'm so glad we tested out different levels or else my poor friend (who isn't into serious spice) would have left hungry. Now that I've sufficiently warned you over the spice, I'll move on to what we actually ordered.... Yes, the dan dan noodles rocked. Thank god. I would have been so upset if i hated them. Next for apps, I loved the taiwanese sausage. It had a sweetness to it that was surprising and awesome. We also got the dumplings in chili sauce. I felt the chili sauce over powered the dumpling. I didn't really taste dumpling at all...just heat. On to the main dishes...the three cup chicken was out of the world. It was sweet and salty and covered in sauce. Yum. I also loved the scallion style. I'm a lover of hoisin sauce so this was an easy decision. We got it with lamb and it was well cooked so i was happy. I also happened to love the rice they served with everything. Last, we got the ginger shredded duck. I liked it but i wanted it to be more gingery but I love ginger so may be it's just me. Basically, I thought the food and experience was very good.I would love to get back and experiment with some with their spicy levels more. I will definitely go back with my spicy adventuresome friends!

    (4)

  • Gally L.

    Not sure what all these great reviews are about. The food is nothing more than over priced stir fry or soup drenched in chili oil and chili flakes. I got a Dry Pot with fish fillet and it had four measly pieces of fish, a bunch of in edible chilies and some veggies all for 19.95. For that price I was expecting much more. For Chinese food their are much better and cheaper options.

    (1)

  • C. M.

    OMG, OMG, OMG - this place is simply awesome - first time was on Christmas - wait was tremenous 1.5 hrs., so we went around the corner for a beer and waited until it died down (around 9) - well worth it. Anything chili will set your face on fire, but well worth the pain, it was delic - great beer selection and the bartenders knew thier stuff when it came to asking about dinner options. Will be my new go-to spot !

    (5)

  • Isabelle K.

    WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG!?!? I'm sure you've heard the hype about Han Dynasty. And it's exactly what you've heard. Spicy isn't even the word to describe it. Menu is coded on a heat scale, from 1 (slight kick) to 10 (almost unbearably tastebud burning). A 5 is about the same level as Sriracha. You can adjust spice to your tolerance so use your judgement. You MUST order the Dan Dan noodles. It's pretty much a requirement. I also loved the cucumbers in chili oil to balance heat with cool refreshingness. You really cant go wrong with anything there (though I didn't love the dumplings in chili oil...most people rave about them), so be adventurous, try things out, and don't be a hero...that stuff is way spicy so order accordingly. It hurts so goooooood.

    (5)

  • Michele R.

    All I can say is, wait for the new one to open up. There was so much hype behind this dining experience, that I expected to have my socks knocked off, but they remained firmly in place. Not that it was bad. The DanDan Noodles delivered their peanut-y, slippery tastiness, but they're still just noodles. We split the Fiery Shrimp, and it was indeed fiery, but that requires adding lots of chili flakes, not culinary genius. The good news is, during this slow dining hour, the employees were cleaning fresh string beans, so the food was fresh. The bad news is, they did this in the dining room. Maybe wouldn't have normally bothered me if I didn't have to point out to our server that a mouse just scurried by. Like I said....wait for the one across the street to open up. I'll give it another shot with some fresh mojo.

    (2)

  • Valerie P.

    I came here last night with great expectations, but left feeling "eh" about the whole experience. Customer service was seriously lacking, and the main dish had no flavor besides excessive peppercorn. I tagged along with friends who were loyal customers of the other Han Dynasty locations, including the previous Philly spot before they had moved. The service was slow, it took around 10 minutes for the waiter to come over and greet us. When ordering, he explained that there was an upcharge for brown rice, which is normal, but he lost his credibility when he said that this was due to a brown rice shortage in the facility..... really?? After he took our orders he went to a table where his friends were just seated and chatted with them for a while before putting our orders into the kitchen =/ The Dan Dan noodles were great, but that was the height of the whole experience. I shared the hot pot, which I've had from the NJ location and fell in love with. This hot pot was much different. To start, it came out with two handfuls of dried chilis and peppercorns thrown on top. I scooped these out as I couldn't see how they would add any meaningful flavor to the dish. From the first bite I couldn't taste any discernable flavor except for dry-flaky peppercorn. Each spoonful had so many peppercorns in it, it was terrible to bite into them as they ruined the texture and flavor of the dish. It was spicy, which is fine ...(10) spice is okay by me, I shared another (10) dish with a friend and it was much better in flavor. The hot pot was just so unlike the same dish from the other location that I was very disappointed. I explained this to the waiter and asked if I could switch it out for something...anything else. He took the bowl back to the kitchen and returned some time later saying he wasn't able to do this. "Each restaurant has it's own chef, who makes things his own way" blah blah blah. Basically, your taste buds are screwed up and how dare you question my taste as a chef. This was a terrible attempt by a lazy kitchen/waitstaff to help the customer. I was upset as the dish was not worth the time or money. Overall, I don't think I will visit this location again. They seem to be wanting to be more than they are, what with the grandiosity of the interior, but with such slow and unpersonable service, they aren't close to matching it. Waiting for 10 minutes to be greeted is irksome, at least throw in a free drink/spring roll, or trust the customer when they say that their dish tastes awful.

    (2)

  • Frank Y.

    Great food. Awesome use of spices. Order about half the entrees you are inclined to. They are big.

    (4)

  • Min Y.

    HANDY (not so) NASTY! I enjoy spicy food, but my body does not agree. I often taste spicy foods and think, "oh this isn't bad" and find my face pouring sweat a few seconds later. I hate it, because I love spicy flavors. I knew what I was getting into with HD, as I've had Szechuan before. I mentally prepared myself and made the trek out to Old City. The venue is very, very impressive. You don't see many chinese restaurants that look this nice on the inside. I think they got rid of their BYOB aspect, but I'm not quite sure of this (full bar now). What I did like was that, although they show the spicy level of each dish, you can adjust it at will. We tried 4 items, and they were all tasty. Mapo tofu (really spicy sauce), dry pepper chicken (excellent crunch and flavor), dry pot beef (very spicy as well), and some eggplant dish. Overall, the flavors were quite amazing. But I had to go to the bathroom twice just to wipe my head from all the sweat. I'm sweating just thinking of this meal right now. I would highly recommend this place for people in the future, but please note that this is no joke when it comes to spicy food.

    (4)

  • Ruiqin Y.

    Outstanding restaurant, definitely a must-go restaurant, sign up in yelp for it. It is definitely authenticated Szechwan (famous in China for great food, probably the best, and pandas) food, I can vouch that as a Szechwan people. Dan Dan noodles is already recommended by a lot others. I would recommend Cold noodles with chill oil and spicy hot pot. Both are spicy enough for Americans and satisfiable for native Szechwan people. For not spicy food, Wontons in Chicken broth is pretty good (my grandparents love it). After all, I do believe that all food should be very good as I spoked to the chef and he is from Szechwan (very rare in other so-called Szechwan restaurant). If you ever had a chance to stay nearby, it is definitely the place you want to try!

    (5)

  • ben c.

    I've been going to the Han Dynasty in Exton since they first opened years ago. Since I work near there, I find myself going there often for lunch and dinner. Han and his family were always very courteous and recommended authentic Szechuan dishes for us to try. With almost no authentic chinese restaurants in the suburbs, Gan Dynasty quickly became a favorite! I came to the Old City location for the first time yesterday for a friends birthday. Being familiar with the Exton location, I was blown away by the size and decor of the Old City location. It has nice historical philly feel to it with a touch of Chinese art. From what I saw, a majority of the employees there are not Chinese which is different than most Chinese restaurants in the US. The service from our waiter was excellent!!! Asian people in general are not the easiest to serve and please, because we are by nature very particular with our foods. Our social life in many ways revolves around food. Our waiter was very patient with us and was always peeking around to make sure we were doing okay! He was always very courteous with us and quick to serve us. Last but not least, the food! It was great as most have posted. It is very spicy and numbing which is character of authentic Szechuan cuisine. The kitchen can always reduce the level of heat to accommodate your pallet. I would definitely recommend this place for casual and party events! Way to go Han...you'll be at 100 restaurants soon if you keep this up!

    (4)

  • Sam T.

    Great food if you like spice in your life. I love chili oil so I love it here. But you have to remember to ask them to hold the MSG

    (3)

  • Steve P.

    Loved it! This place was so great! Went there for Sunday lunch and was not at all disappointed. We ordered Pan Fried Dumplings, Dan Dan Noodles, and the Dry Pot with Beef. All were really delicious. Since the restaurant gives the food out as it's ready, we ended up getting both the noodles and the dry pot before the dumplings, which was totally cool with me. The noodles were really good -- definitely lived up to all the hype, and the dry pot was also really delicious. The dumplings were pretty good -- the sauce definitely enhanced them a lot. The meal ended up being very cheap (especially for the amount and quality), and I brought home a lot of leftovers! Excited to eat them later today! Can't wait to go back to this place!

    (5)

  • Yaasiyn M.

    Food was good! But my wife's beef was chewy. Atmosphere was very relaxing, service was decent. Food came quickly, the rice noodles were amazing!

    (3)

  • Rachel M.

    Han's move across the street is like a rags to riches story. I have many fond memories of dining on large round puckered-plastic covered tables in a musty olde city basement. Han would sit and tell us bullshit stories while taking one of our beers for the road. We'd wait hours for a table or reserve weeks in advance because the food was that good. I thought that Han's proliferation would dilute his food , that the quality of my twice fried white fish would not please me so without the juxtaposition of such shitty ambiance. Not so. The large windows of yellow glass still give you the heeby geebies like you're somewhere you should not be dining. The 20 foot ceilings are ostentatious, and the space between tables unsettlingly large for my taste, but the food has remained exactly the same. Perfect. My spicy cukes are still a win, and as a newfound veggie I have discovered the bok choy served with shrooms is like my own little heaven on a plate. Keep it up Han.

    (4)

  • Geoff c.

    i've had some mixed experiences here, but overall, i would not hesitate to make another trip. sometimes the heat can be painful.. like.. they should weaponize it- painful. but other times, its a good level of heat. (even across the same ordered dish). So the intra-dish variability is a bit risky at times. but its definitely very flavorful and a good eat. and i say this even though im not a huge fan of the spicy. the staff isnt the greatest, but nothing major to complain about at a chinese eatery. it gets very crowded, so be ready to wait to be seated. even if you make reservations. and if youre in a big group, you may be seated downstairs where the decor isnt as nice. but no biggie. still nicer than many places in chinatown. its a bit more expensive than the average chinese restaurant and for some reason my mind tells me that the portions have gotten a bit smaller over the past few times ive visited. probably because theyve gotten quite popular and can afford to do that while still maintaining demand. sometimes i go and its a 5star. sometimes its more like 3star. so ill interpolate.

    (4)

  • Gul A.

    Isn't it fun to read good reviews and then not be disappointed? Well we weren't' disappointed at Han Dynasty. Went last night (Tuesdays are BYOB so one of us went around the corner to pick up some wine). Service is good (though sometimes we couldn't find our waiter..) and the food is not only delicious but really unique (as someone who has been to China and other Asian counties... it is not really Chinese food but food from a wonderful fantasy Asian land yet to be discovered... i.e. you won't find any Kong Pow Chicken here). Here is what we ordered (mostly based on recommendations from other reviewers): * Dan Dan Noodles - get it! really good and difference, the sauce is amazing... I had my doubts at first because the picture shows a boring noodle dish but the flavors are really unique and worth the taste. * Cucumber Crunchy Salad - again, amazing sauce (spicy!) and really nice dish. * Cumin Lamb - ok dish, we weren't crazy for this dish actually, it wasn't bad but I guess we were expecting more. The lamb was cooked very well in a marinade. * Eggplant with Ginger sauce - was really really good, the eggplants were cooked perfectly and the sauce was delicious * Bak Choy with black mushrooms - just ok, probably wouldn't order it again, I wanted some green veggies on the side but it seemed that there was only a bit of sauce on the mushrooms and that the bak choy were only steamed with no real seasoning.. All in all we will definitely be back again to try more dishes, it was unique and different. Note: most dishes are very spicy, meaning they use a lot of different spices (as well as some of the dishes being very spicy - hot). Note #2: The red numbers next to each dish represent amount of heat in the dish. I recommend!

    (5)

  • Tyler B.

    Flavorful, spicy, delicious. Han provides excellent service, as well as a menu full of tasty dishes. I tried the tofu with hot sauce, terrific! Definitely will be back, scored bonus points for being b.y.o.b.

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    My stomach dances at the thought of Han, and I am left speechless. Han's mastery of heat and flavor could convert anyone willing to eat outside of their comfort zone. The pièce de résistance was the peppercorn ice cream. We were promised ice cream to top off a wonderful meal; a generous offer by a very busy server. A small scoop pulled from the bottom of the tub made its way into a tea cup, and then hurriedly into my mouth. The taste was reminiscent of a potent Earl Grey tea, and left my tongue happily numb. A complete surprise, but then again, nothing about Han's should surprise me.

    (5)

  • Howard S.

    I enjoyed my meal and would eat there again. The tasting menu sounds interesting, I'd like to try that. I enjoyed dumplings as an appetizer, they were spicier, rated at #4, than the pickled fish entree I had, rated at #6 for spiciness; both were delicious, although the dumplings were a bit too large and slippery to handle with chopsticks. Maybe I need more chopstick lessons.

    (4)

  • Maruko X.

    good food with limited categories, nice environment and service

    (3)

  • Bo H.

    I think the food here is great! Service is also great! The only thing preventing me going there is the parking.

    (5)

  • Laura P.

    Went to Han Dynasty last night after reading all the great reviews on Yelp. If you love spice, this is the place for you! We had: Dumplings in chili oil: Delicious with just the right amount of spice. The dumplings were very delicate and light..not doughy at all. Cucumbers in spicy sauce: This cold appetizer was very refreshing again with the perfect spice. Chicken in Dry Pot: This was rated at a 10 on the spice scale. The presence of the sichaun peppercorns made your tongue numb. It was a strange sensation but delicious. You get a choice of white or dark meat. Pork in hot sauce: This was also very good with a spicy red sauce. Shrimp with garlic sauce: This was our favorite dish and was slightly sweet but with a nice heat ( rated a 4). It was a great way to cool down from the intense numbing of the peppercorns. The three of us were stuffed with plenty to take home. For dessert we were offered complimentary fermented rice. This was a strange dish but good dish. Han Dynasty is the real deal and we can't wait to go back for more!

    (5)

  • Michael F.

    Dined at Han Dynasty for the first time this weekend and it was amazing. Yes the service is a bit odd, but get over yourself and let them show you a great meal. After deciding we didn't know what we were doing, he collected our menus and said he would handle the meal for us. We had 2 people with somewhat restricted diets in our party of 6, but they played it beautifully and provided us with a great dining experience. I can't wait until I can get into one of the tastings.

    (5)

  • Colin M.

    My co-workers and I have made this a frequent location for after work! The food is always great, and Han is always willing to offer new suggestions. He always remembers what we have ordered before, and what we have liked, and is able to suggest great dishes for us each and every time we go there. The food is authentic, and always delicious. No "Americanized Chinese" here!

    (5)

  • henna s.

    Their Dandan noddles are delicious, but be aware that it has pork in it. As such we always order it without pork, but the first time we tried it we made the mistake of not asking if it had pork in it and it took us a few bites to figure out which meat they used. With the food being as spicy as it is its hard to decipher certain flavors when your mouth is on fire.

    (4)

  • Denise M.

    The food was good however what ruined the whole experience was when we were asked to finish up because there were people waiting at the door for a table! Talk about rude! We had not been there that long, ordered right away, and since it is a BYOB, we were finishing up our beer, so you can imagine our shock when, we think it may have been the owner, came up to our table and asked us to "finish up!" I wish we had not already paid because we would not have left a tip since he was the one who had waited on us. When we did leave one of the people in our party of 3 said how rude that was and the owner knew he was upset. We left the restaurant, obviously never planning to return, when the owner comes running after us to say, Hey, I have a small place here and I needed your table!" Don't care Buddy, it is still extremely rude and if you make a practice of that kind of behavior, you won't have a restaurant for long!!! The 3 of us will never return and we have already told friends of the experience.

    (2)

  • Julie H.

    Han Dynasty is an amazing Sichuan restaurant. For years, I ate loyally at its Exton location, and I was ecstatic to see an opening in Philadelphia. Han Dynasty provides the most authentic Sichuan food I've ever experienced in Philadelphia, if not the East coast (bold statement, I know.) Some dishes I always order include: Chicken in Chili Oil, Wonton in Chili Oil, Fish w/ Pickled Vegs, Dan Dan Noodles, and any of the Dry Pepper and Pickled Chili style dishes. Now that the secret's out about how amazing Han Dynasty is, I feel like the restaurant has not been prepared for its surge in popularity... it's sometimes understaffed with a few poor waiters running around amuck to serve the crowd. I better stop telling everyone to go to this delicious restaurant ;)

    (5)

  • Arleen M.

    I've been here three times so far - I always order the dry pepper chicken and dan dan noodles. Both are very good as I like the flavors but the chicken dish is quite small...not enough to fill me up :( I also tried the bok choy the other day and it was a bit overcooked. I would go back to this place but will try something different.

    (3)

  • L R G.

    Best Chinese yet on my new east coast adventure. Sure it was hot but woth it. One problem is service. One of our guest did not get his food until 20 minutes after the rest of us and the appetizer never would have come if we didn't ask for it. But the twice cooked pork was super. A little expensive but what can you do,

    (4)

  • Yelena G.

    This restaurant has moved to a new location, just up the street from the old one, and now resides next to Triumph. It's big and beautiful inside, with vaulted ceilings and very classic decor, although it doesn't feel stuffy. My boyfriend and I came here for dinner after ice-skating at the River Rink, so we were by no means dressed to impress, and we didn't feel out of place. The food was delicious, as always, and the service was actually great this time (we have had some pretty bad experiences in the past). Most impressive were the cocktails, well crafted and very tasty. I also tried the housemade ginger ale, which was a real treat. Overall, I definitely recommend the new and much improved Han Dynasty!

    (5)

  • Jolena M.

    Perhaps one of the best places in Philadelphia for Szechuan food. The spice level and taste is on point. All items on the menu are ranked from 1-10, 10 being the highest, level of spiciness. I highly recommend the DanDan Noodles as a starter for new diners and then try other items on their menu, it's all very very good. One of the items on their menu that is not spicy but amazing (we order it every time) is the Salt and Pepper Shrimp. The service is really relative to what waiter you get but the waiters are all trained very well and the ones that we've had have all been very enthusiastic about the food served at Han Dynasty, so if you're unsure of what to order ask your waiter for a recommendation.

    (5)

  • Wil C.

    Totally disappointed and I'm genuinely confused how this place is getting such good reviews. Was really excited to go to a place with spicy food, as I love spicy food. The food isn't spicy at all. On a scale of 1-10 the 10 (spiciest dish they make) is more like a 2. My wife easily ate it and she can't really eat spicy food. The dan dan noodles were mushy and not very good, and that was the best thing we had. The dumplings in hot oil were awful. The double cooked pork belly was worse than the dumplings. The mini-wok lamb dish we ordered was pretty bad but at least we ate half of that. Even the rice was bad. I'm baffled. Either everyone in the world doesn't know what good food is or what spicy means, or I've become too picky. My wife said the exact same thing as we were leaving. She said everyone raves about the place and even Anthony Bourdain visited there, and she thought it was terrible. It was so bad my wife asked to have the pork belly wrapped and as we were walking back to the car I threw it in in the trash receptacle. This isn't good Chinese food, or even good food in general. If you want good Chinese, go to Sang Kee Duck house or Shiao Lan Kung. They are both light years better than this place.

    (1)

  • Xiao M.

    Overrated...Dan Dan noodle not authentic at all. I guess it is a little Americanized. Decoration is good though.

    (3)

  • Christine B.

    So Han Dynasty. Oh how I loved you at first! So many delicious fiery flavors! And then something happened. We ordered more and more dishes and it turned out that everything tasted of the same spicy chili oil, and then there was SO much of that oil. And well, I like a grease bomb as much as anyone, but eventually it gets to be a bit much. If I may - try Jane G's. Similar flavor profile, but a little better made. I will confess that the cucumbers were not as crispy or delicious, but Jane G's dan dan noodles and the chili dumplings were better. And there were dishes that were not just coated with chili oil and they were wonderful.

    (3)

  • Jerry T.

    I gave them a pass on customer service last time, but not this time. Arrived right on time for our noon Open Table reservation. Even though we told them, they didn't check the reservation and register it so it shows we arrived as promised. Sure we were the first, but their lack of attention cost me Open Table points. We were seated by the window (nice) and given menus. The waiter took our order promptly but wrote nothing down. He repeated our order back three times (only three things to remember). Still, we didn't get the spicy cucumber dish. The Dan Dan Noodles were great again. The dumplings were only average at best. Missed the cucumbers which were a favorite last time. Couldn't help feel the staff today would have preferred being somewhere else. They did however seem to always enjoy getting back to their conversation at the bar. Good food is even better if joined by attentive, professional service. They cant count themselves as one of the best in the country until the service is also among the best.

    (3)

  • Y. Isabel L.

    Tried the Dan Dan noodle which was like regular chinese takeout noddles (minus the pork strips, shrimp, etc.) with hot chilly garlic oil. It was very very greasy and you're better off ordering chinese takeout. The pork belly bun was good and the bartenders were good. The Taiwanese sausage was merely just one sausage that I could have bought at my local Asian supermarket, what a waste of money! Would not go here again.

    (2)

  • Whiterock R.

    the beef tendon appetizer was too salty. could taste the salt granules. Hot pot was too salty and spicy. I enjoy spicy and salty food but this was beyond reasonable. Cocktail was horrible as well. Very disappointed since my other han dynasty experiences was better and was expecting to be the flagship. Apparently not!

    (1)

  • Steven U.

    The dan dan noodles are amazing.

    (5)

  • Christian P.

    Everyone raves about the Dan Dan Noodles here. Sure, they're good but the hand-drawn noodle with pork soy sauce at Yummy Lan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House in Chinatown is just as good, if not better (and cheaper). My dish was heavy on the peanut sauce, which, combined with the starches from the noodles, made it feel like it was dredged in peanut butter. (For the record, I ate at the University City location.) It's still much better than the standard Chinese fare that's out there, which is chef Han Chiang's m.o., but a tad overhyped. If you're in Chinatown then you can do better. Your taste buds and wallet will thank you.

    (3)

  • Abhinav N.

    I've been to this place in big groups (15 - 20) or on dates and it's always good fun. Owner Han is a very friendly guy and always makes sure to visit you on the table and give personal suggestions from the menu. Most of the dishes are based on Szechuan cuisine and you can select your own spice levels (1-10) - expect lot of fresh garlic and chili peppers. They have great selection of appetizers, my favorite items are the wantons and dumplings dipped in chili oil along with cold sesame noodles and rabbit. I'm a big fan of their fish hot pot and cumin lamb. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a different style of fine Chinese dining experience and who is spice and chili tolerant. They used to be BYOB but last time I was there they had a sign which said that they are no longer BYOB and will charge corkage.

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    My friends and I have had a standing reservation at Han for about two years (give or take, seems like forever!). Each week we are greeted by the staff, who by now we consider as our friends, and are seated almost immediately. We've had everything on the menu and some items of the secret menu! Since some in our group are vegetarian and/or muslim, we special order all the time. No pork, no problem, you can still have the awesome Dan Dan Noodles! No meat, no problem, most of the dishes can be made with tofu! We haven't had a bad dish yet! Can wait until Han gets back from his trip and shares all the new things he learned! Some pointers for newbies: Make a reservation. You don't want the table of shame by the door. Its no longer BYOB, but you can BYOB but be prepared for steep corkage fees. Be prepared to share. The food is served family style, so order appropriately. Good rules for ordering for groups...order one Dan Dan and one other app, order one less entree than people in your group, order at least one veg (the cabbage or eggplant are excellent pairs with most entrees). Don't ask for soy sauce, or duck sauce, or for a fortune cookie...you'll look like a moron and rightfully treated as such!

    (5)

  • Lala H.

    Last night I went to Han Dynasty with two friends armed with info from fellow Yelpers. I brought a 4-pack of Duchesse de Bourgogne and one friend had sparkling wine already chillin in the back! We fancy huh?! First we ordered the Beef and Tripe in chili oil, it was listed as a 10 and the server tried to talk me down but I remember what Miss Eva said about the food not being as hot as she expected so I told him to bring on the heat! I was a little concerned about eating cold beef and tripe but it was actually good and SUPER spicy. For a split second I thought maybe I should've dialed it back to an 8. A sip of my awesome beer choice quickly made me forget that thought. Friend 1 (F1) who "doesn't do tripe" gave it a thumbs up. Unfortunately we found out that night that Friend 2 (yup you guessed it F2) is a vegetarian. Oopsy. Next the oft suggested Dan Dan Noodles for me and F1, very good, soothed my fiery tongue and Dry Pepper Style fish, it was cooked with an incredible amount of chili peppers. The fish was crispy outside and moist inside, loved it. For F2 Vegetable Lo Mein, she was silent, bent over the plate and when she finally remembered we were there she said "This is delicious!" Han Dynasty will be seeing me again!

    (4)

  • Stefanie A.

    Hot, spicy, and slightly hectic, this Old City Schezuan has a great reputation that's well-earned. I'm not ga-ga over it like everyone else but I think it's the best around for this type of food (non-noodles soups, I mean.) Dan Dans are great and spicy, but I'm picky about mine and they're a little thicker/pastier than I like. The hot dumplings will kick your tongue's ass--and it's well worth it. The spicy cuke app is overlooked and should not be. I don't even like cucumbers much but love them here. There are many winning combinations of meats and dishes, but for best suggestions, check out Chef's Feed (if you like food at all, hopefully you have this app, but if not, get it now!) And make a reservation. You will not get in without one. And take out here should be called "take forever." But it's great, so plan ahead and enjoy.

    (4)

  • Preety S.

    Very popular little Schezuan restaurant in Old City. I showed up about 10 minutes to 7pm and put my name down for a table for 2. We were seated in about 30 - 40 minutes. The seating situation was rather hilarious with us first being told we need to finish eating on one hour. Then we were told our table would need to be moved. Finally we were told we can take our time to eat and our table didn't need to be moved. LOL. Glad it all worked out, but pretty funny how they choose to accomodate patrons on a busy night... As for the food...def have to try the Dan Dan noodles! Delicious! The other dish we ordered was a tofu dish that I wasn't too fond of. Next time I will go back and do a chicken or fish dish. I did like the fact a pot of green tea was brought to the table. I think I probably ended up drinking almost all of that.

    (3)

  • Jackie B.

    I had really high expectations for Han Dynasty and feel like it's really hard to find a place that lives up to it's hype. Han Dynasty does and so much more. I went for the second time last night and I'm still dreaming about the spicy crispy cucumbers. First off... if you have an aversion to spicy food... I'm not sure if this... or Szechuan cuisine in general is for you. Next. First time was with a friend and the second was a group of 6. Even though it will take you longer to get seated, I'd say go with a group and get a bunch of things to share. It really adds to the experience. Han came to our table and offered to order for us... if he does this to you. LET HIM. Favorites: won tons in chili oil, spicy crispy cucumbers (!!), dan dan noodles and dry pot fish. Who are we kidding... I've never had anything I don't like here. Oh and get a side of vegetables. It offers a nice respite from the heat. The pea leaves are delicious. Don't expect anything high-end in terms of service or exact wait times or anything like that. This place is crowded, loud and crass.. and it all adds to the charm. Can't say enough good things. Heart bubbles.

    (5)

  • Zachary D.

    My Chinese friend said it was the best Chinese food he had eaten in America. I thought it was better than most of the Chinese food I had he eaten even including my trip to China. Either way, it was really darn good. I was there with about 20 people from school. The restaurant handled the large group very well. We order the tasting menu, and just got a stream of continuously good food. Two warnings. First, the spicy food is really spicy. It took me many mouthfuls of rice until I could feel my mouth after eating the beef. Also, nearly all of the appetizers have pork in them. If you don't eat pork, be warned.

    (5)

  • Kevin X.

    The food: if you can't handle spicy food, then I would suggest you steer clear of this restaurant. I would say 90% of their menu is spicy. They can change the levels of spiciness to suit your taste buds, but from my experience even "mild" caused me to break a sweat. Like everyone else said, try the dan dan noodles and you won't be disappointed. And this place is BYOB. The service: it's good but getting seated seems to be a problem here, even if you make a reservation. My party of 2 arrived at 7pm (without a reservation and plenty of seats openly available) and we were told that someone would seat us "right away." It took them 15 minutes. The same thing happened to a party of 4 that had made reservations and they arrived on time.

    (3)

  • Lynda Z.

    This place was great! I don't know how they managed to pack in so much flavor to won ton soup in a clear chicken broth, but brother, they did it! So good! I ordered the soup and chicken lo mien and the lo mien was fantastic. They cut the chicken real thin like julienne style and the noodles are packed with yumminess. My friend ordered some fried dumplings and they were awesome too. Get to Han if you want some good, tasty Chinese food.

    (4)

  • Michael E.

    This place is definitely worth a trip - no doubt about it. However, you must make your reservations in advance or go for lunch (as we did). They're always slammed at night. The food is really tasty, but the menu isn't exactly expansive. Basically they have 8-10 preparations and you choose one and pick your meat/fish/veggie/etc - sort of what you'd expect from a Thai place. It looks expensive, but it's not because you get more than enough for two people to eat - it's family style. Thankfully our server made us aware of this before my girlfriend and I made the mistake of ordering two entrees. The Dan Dan noodles are a must try - so yummy. Writing this review makes me want to go back for lunch today. Yummmmmm!

    (4)

  • Priya R.

    When I leave Philly, this is the thing I miss the most. I actually first went to the Manyunk location and heard that there was one in center city as well. Having now been to both, I can say that they are equally amazing. ALWAYS get the dan dan noodles. they are perfection. The wontons in chilli oil are also just delicious. If you like seafood, get the salt and pepper shrimp. And if you like chicken, I would recommend the chicken pepper dry pot. These are my go-to's everytime I'm here and if you don't like the food for whatever reason it's probably because you couldn't accurately pick a spice level for your food.

    (5)

  • Amanda G.

    Dan Dan Noodles & dumplings in red chili oil - both were unforgettable, spicy, & delicious. Had a great food experience here....

    (5)

  • Jacki G.

    I was so excited to try Han, and I finally got to, and it was AMAZING!!! Han has the best Chinese food I've ever eaten, and has got to be in the top 3 restaurants I've tried in my life. And to top it all off, you'll leave with tons of leftover food. The spicy cucumbers were phenomenal; crunchy, sweet and slathered in this delicious spicy chili oil mixture. Deceptively delicious!!! The spice hits you at the end. The dan dan noodles were perfection. Tender, spicy and superb. There really are no words. The wontons in chili oil were ok; I like more meat and less dough with my wontons which is why I wasn't a big fan, but the flavors were delicious. My husband had the garlic sauce pork, and it was amazing! The pork was tender and cooked perfectly, and wasn't too spicy (he can't eat foods that are extremely spicy due to GI issues, but we went here to celebrate my birthday). I had the dry pepper chicken and was blown away. It was simply the best chinese chicken dish I had ever eaten. The chicken was so crispy, yet juicy, and wasn't greasy at all like you'd expect it to be. The flavors just exploded in my mouth, but unfortunately, I was too stuffed from the monstrous appetizer servings to eat most of it. Han Dynasty is simply amazing; stellar food, stellar service and huge portions. Just make sure to bring some tissues to blow your runny nose. I can't wait to come back here!

    (5)

  • Yvonne H.

    The cold noodle dishes are full of flavor, and the portions are HUGE! I had lunch here with a friend, and we ordered two cold noodle dishes, the homemade pickles, and the short ribs. It was way too much food for two people, but delicious! Great place to go for authentic and delicious Chinese food if you're in Philly.

    (4)

  • Dusty M.

    Food was really good but the place is a bit chaotic. We were with a group of 11 which may have contributed. Overall the place was a success. Good food, good portions, decent service. Not your average Chinese food. Very creative menu.

    (3)

  • Wendy P.

    Really good. Spicy and flavorful.

    (4)

  • Clay S.

    Han, you are the man. Came here for the first time with a group of friends last night and was blown away. If you're looking for authentic Sichuan Chinese cooking, this place delivers in spades. The heat doesn't detract from the flavor at all. The way it works is that the menu is organized by "styles." You pick your style, your meat/vegetable, and the level of spiciness (1-10). One of these dishes is pretty much enough for two people, but ordering some appetizers or noodles wouldn't hurt either. If you're not sure what to order, Han will help you out if he's there. If you like it spicy (and I do), I recommend the Dry Pot Style with fish and the Dan Dan Noodles or the cold noodles with chili oil. The Cumin Style Lamb was really good too. Can't wait to try lots of different things on the menu. Oh, and the place is BYOB, so get yourself some nice IPAs to bring along. You're going to need them to take the edge off the heat.

    (5)

  • Snow F.

    Overall, I thought the food was decent. Service wasn't always the best, we had to flag the waiter down multiple times for simple requests, but I sort of expect that when going to any asian restaurant. Coming from San Francisco, I guess I'm used to a higher standard of Szechwan faire, so that's probably why I just felt like it was only OK. Even though I haven't tried any other Szechuan restaurants in Philly yet, Han dynasty is probably one of the better options, so I would come here again if the craving hits. The dan dan mien and the cumin lamb were decent, but the flavor was one-dimensional compared to other restaurants I've tried in California. The beef brisket noodle soup wasn't so great and lacked flavor. I prefer my noodles to be on the chewier "QQ" side and both these and the dan dan mien were a little more soggy. Spicy cucumber salad was surprisingly my favorite, even though it is really such a simple side dish.

    (3)

  • Lauren D.

    I was really excited to try Han Dynasty, especially because I was invited to a 20ish course tasting with 20 good friends. I had read all about this place in reviews, blogs, etc, and I was super pumped because a) I love Asian food, Szechuan in particular, and b) I heard the tasting menu was ridiculous. And it was delicious, don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed everything that I ate...I just think this place is on the "foodie" trendy list at the moment. Our meal was divided up into two parts: appetizers and entrees. Of the appetizers, the noodles were the highlight. Cold sesame noodles were delicious and extremely flavorful, which is saying a lot because most of our appetizers were drenched in chili oil and spices. For those noodles to cut through all that spice was impressive. The dan dan noodles, which were spicy, also packed a flavor punch. I really enjoyed them and wish I could've gotten seconds. Both the dumplings and wontons in chili oil were good and the wonton had a tang that took me off guard, but I enjoyed them. Definitely better than most upscale dumplings, but nothing OMGworthy. We also got to sample the beef and tripe in chili oil (I'm going to stop saying in chili oil from now on - you should just assume everything is served in it unless otherwise specified) as well as the tendons. Now, I've never had them before and was slightly hesitant, but I did and I just have to say I didn't like them. It wasn't the fact that I knew what I was eating, it was the texture. It's no fault of Han or the kitchen staff because the flavors themselves were good, I just couldn't get past the rubbery aspect of the tendon and the "fuzzy" texture of the tripe. The entrees were definitely the high point of the meal and was where you could see Han's skill with spices the most. The Mapo Tofu was absolutely delicious and spiced well. Not too spicy (to me, at least), but definitely with a kick. The tofu itself was insanely silky and delicate, definitely one of the best preparations I've seen. The cumin style lamb (no chili oil but chilis on the plate) was also one of my favorites. It wasn't as spicy as some of the other dishes in terms of heat, but flavor wise you could literally feel the granules of spice in the meat. It was SO good. I want to eat it every day. Of the non tongue-burning variety, the pork and bean curd (no chili oil) falls into the same category as the cold sesame noodles: absolutely delicous and able to cut through the heat of the other dishes. I loved it. Finally, we had a tofu and fish "stew" (the stew was chili oil, of course) that was definitely hottest dish of the night. The tofu and fish were drenched in the stuff and really absorbed a lot of it. Even I, who apparently has a high tolerance for hot and spicy food considering nothing made me sweat tonight, thought my tongue was in a bit of pain. Despite all the amazing and delicious dishes we had, a few things just fell short enough to knock this place down a star. First, the kung pao chicken was definitely over cooked. It was almost kind of chewy, which was unfortunate because everyone has raved about that dish. Conversely, one of the people at the table thought it was his favorite of the night and took it home so it was maybe just a personal qualm. Secondly, there was a rabbit dish during the appetizer portion that, while in a good peanut-y sauce, was kind of hard to eat because they literally chop up the entire rabbit, bones and all. Rabbits, being little tiny things, have tiny bones, so it was kind of challenging to eat. I kept being afraid I'd swallow one and cut my throat. The fried crab legs fell into the same catergory - they weren't soft shell so you couldn't just bite it, but you had to dig around (without a shell cracker) to try and find a little tiny bit of meat. It just wasn't worth it, in my opinion. Don't get me wrong, the meat you got out of both those dishes was good, I just didn't particularly enjoy the dishes as a whole. The whole chili oil on 80% of the dishes also kind of bothered me. We kept joking around saying that there must be huge kegs of it in the kitchen with someone continually pumping it out because there was just a huge amount of excess. I could barely hold my chopsticks once we got halfway through the entrees because I felt coated in chili oil at that point (and I am not a messy eater, thank you very much). Finally, I think you all over-hyped the spice and heat level of the place. Like I said, maybe my tolerance for spicy foods is way above everyone else's because yeah, it was spicy but I wasn't guzzling water or asking for more rice. Although this was probably due to the fact that it was part of a tasting menu and not my own particular dish. You can alter the spice to your will. Just a small issue, not a huge one. But the food really was delicious, honestly. I would go here again in heartbeat, Han's down (come on, I had to take that one ;D )

    (4)

  • Sam B.

    Great experience at Hans, the table was ready when we got there even though we were early. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was delicious and the bill was reasonable. I like the restaurant, the vaulted ceilings are beautiful and it's not too loud, I could hear my friend across the table without having to shout or drown out the convos at the next table. My only slight issue was how close to tables are together, there isn't a lot of elbow room, but it wasn't anything to not go there again- just do what we did- make new friends!

    (5)

  • John F.

    I have ate here many times. I first came here when they were in the old location across the street. Every time the food is better. I think that the double cooked fish is one of the best dishes in the ENTIRE CITY! and I am a food junkie. The salt and pepper scallops are also unreal. Try this place or one of the other Han Dynasty locations. Dont forget to get the Dan Dan noodles or the dumplings in chili oil.

    (5)

  • Nicole O.

    THE BEST FOOD I HAVE EVER EATEN! Literally, the best. Not just the best Chinese. Best ever! And I am hard to please. I could eat those dan dab noodles forever. I'm getting hungry just thinking about them. AMAZING

    (5)

  • Tiffany P.

    BEST FOOD EVER. I wish my stomach could expand to 3 times its size so I could stay there and eat more! I was pleasantly surprised by the interior of the restaurant. I was expecting a typical run down chinese food place, but the inside was actually very nice. MUST order the Dan Dan Noodles. I'm not really sure what the sauce was but it made the noodles so good! I think it was a spicy rating of 7 which was kind of spicy for me but I would suffer for those noodles any day. Double Cooked Fish- this is another must order! Not too spicy as this was a 4 on the spicy scale. Crispy fried fish on the outside and fishy goodness on the inside. Enough to share for 2 people. Wontons in chili oil- also very delicious! The usual wontons that you can get anywhere but the chili oil adds a little something special to them. Also kind of spicy since it was a 6 on the spicy scale. Will definitely be back for more!!

    (5)

  • Julia L.

    When we got here, I requested a table by the window because I wanted better lighting for my photos. The waittress said no because it was a 4 person table (which I thought was reasonable cuz there were only 2 of us) until she took us to the back and sat us at a 4 person table (she took away 2 place settings before we sat down but i'm not blind!) Then I watched as more White Americans walked in and they were all seated along the windows while all the Asians were seated more inside. What is this? self-hating chinese waittress? Or is it a ploy to get more white people to come dine in the "clean chinese restaurant." i'm sorry though, if I were walking by a Chinese restaurant and I only saw White Americans in the windows, I wouldn't dine there because I would assume that it must be Americanized chinese food. But with my first bite of food, I thought "Dam it! It's delicious!" A part of me was hoping that the food would be rotten to match the rotten service. But the window full of acclaims for one of the best Szechuan restaurants in the country were spot on. These cucumbers were crunchy yet refreshing. he hot sauce style is beef stir fried with cabbage and celery in an authentic Sichuan chili oil hot sauce. This was ranked a 7/10 in terms of spiciness by the restaurant. I loved the bit of cilantro on top, added a freshness to the spicy dish. The beef slices were tender and juicy and the chili oil sauce was delicious. The shrimp is triple flash fried with long dry chili peppers. Ranked a 8 out of 10 for spicy. This dish was my favorite. It was a dry spicy and the shrimp were huge and covered in a deep fried batter. My only complaint was that there were few pieces of shrimp., But still oh so delicious.

    (5)

  • Benjamin H.

    EASILY the best chinese food in Philadelphia... maybe on the East coast.... maybe the western hemisphere... Beware: spicy here is not for the faint of heart. Get the Dan Dan noodles. This place is a great experience.

    (5)

  • JB Y.

    Shout out to managerette at Han Dynasty, really took care of us, awesome restaurant, amazing good - one word: rabbit.

    (5)

  • Ashley C.

    This place was AMAZING!!! Dan Dan Noodles were ON POINT! loved this place and would recommend it to ANYONE!

    (5)

  • Rafael G.

    I didn't expect to give Han Dynasty 2 stars. I think it has a very good reputation but today's lunch was a big disappointment. Our primary complaint was the poor service. My lunch partner asked our waiter for a fresh plate and didn't even mention it was because of the hair in his food. The waiter took the plate with an annoyed look and never returned (we finally grabbed a plate from another table). Various other waitstaff walked by periodically and gave us funny looks but never asked us if we need anything and didn't bring the check until we asked twice, even though there were customers waited to be seated. The food was fine, but really pretty greasy. I'd eat it again if it were half the price.

    (2)

  • Dana M.

    Great for anyone who like spicy Szechwan food. My boyfriend and I both eat at the Old City location and order take-out from there. We LOVE the Dan Dan noodles (at 8-10 spice level), and our other favorites are: the hot sauce style beef, the chicken with long-hots, the spicy cold cucumbers, the double cooked pork belly, the chicken with garlic sauce, the dry pot style fish and the three cup chicken. We will get a big delivery order and then stuff ourselves for like two days! It's that good! We like it hot, so we usually go for 6-10 on our spice levels depending on the dish. The only thing I've had that I didn't like was the Chicken in chili oil cold appetizer. The chicken had too much fatty skin on it and it just wasn't that flavorful. The only other kinda negative thing I can say about Han Dynasty is that sometimes the hot sauce style dishes are just smothered in the chili oil. Just way too much oil and everything is drowning. Our orders and experiences have varied, so I think it's just a difference in what chefs are working that day. But we really love hot food so it's not too much of a problem for us. We have always been happy with the flavor. I want to mention that I have also eaten at Jane G's. They are competitors from what you see here on Yelp. I have to say Jane G's Szechwan was also very good, though I can't speak to the non-szechwan items. I particularly like their dan dan noodles and chicken with Long-hots. Also, I actually preferred their dumplings with chili oil to Han Dynasty's dumplings. They go lighter on the oil. I think the flavor of Han Dynasty's food is better then Jane G's and their spicy levels are higher/more intense.

    (5)

  • Jackie P.

    NYE dinner before the 6pm firework show at Penn's Landing. Wait staff was friendly and attentive. Meal was delicious. Decoration and interior is beautiful. Seating is spread out. It is nice that you aren't packed in. I would recommend this place to anyone.

    (5)

  • Rissa V.

    I thought for sure I already wrote about my love for Han Dynasty. Or is it an addiction? I can't believe this wasn't the first place i reviewed on yelp. I introduced my fiance to this place on our first couple of dates, and he still cannot get enough of this place. Over a year later, he still tries to come here at least 1-3X a week with me. I've desperately tried to slow down our times we eat here, because we need to explore the rest of what this city has to offer us, but I can't help it, i love it too. He even sneaks in a takeout order in the middle of the week without me or when i'm out of town. I'm not a fan of take out, and will decline to do so, only because i love my double cooked fish to be crispy, and it gets soft by the steam and travel time. We were recently in Manayunk, and what restaurant out of all of them did we end up at? Yup. Han Dynasty. The University city one is pretty cool too, younger crowd though. I will come to Old City every time though, if it's up to me. I don't mind that they fancied up the place by moving, although i do miss my hole in the wall, BYOB Han Dynasty Old City that it once was. But now i feel like i'm at a sweet date spot in the new locale! My faves are Dan Dan Noodles, Wonton in chili oil, crispy cucumbers, and double cooked fish. Those are pretty much the same things we get EVERY single time, and it never gets old, the double cooked fish is perfectly crispy, and it NEVER gets old to have this as the dish every time. I've pretty much tried the whole menu, and variations of protein for each style, but I'll have to say that the above is what i wish i had anytime i've ordered other things, and they are allllll good. I recommend bringing a crowd so that you can order more off the menu

    (5)

  • Jenn H.

    Oh man. oh man oh man. My brother goes to UPenn, and he told me about Han Dynasty. A few other friends of mine in Philly had also told me about HD...and the friend that planned our Philly day trip insisted that we had to stop here. I'm so, so incredibly glad we did. We got several tasty, and pretty authentic dishes. dan dan noodles, of course, and water-cooked fish (don't be deceived, this stuff is SPICY). We got beef noodle soup (boyfriend is a NRM fiend), wontons in chili oil (tasty!), kung pao chicken (chinese style, not that saucy crap they serve at americanized restaurants), 3 cup chicken, and a couple veggie dishes. Everything was delicious. I'm drooling just thinking about all that spicy goodness that we got that night. mmmMmmMmm!!! I haven't eaten much around philly, but I have to say--this is one of my favorite restaurants in Philly. I'm definitely making my brother take me back, as payment for helping him move in :P

    (5)

  • Jessica J.

    Amazing food and service - reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Anna P.

    We chose to sit at the bar and the bartender was very friendly and welcomed us immediately. It's a fun and very casual atmosphere so I would come here with friends before a movie but would not come here for a special romantic night out. Best beef lo-mein in the city though! Did they put butter in this? Because the sauce is silky smooth yet rich and delicious! We also ordered the dumplings in spicy oil and I would have appreciated the heat if they weren't just sitting in a bowl of spicy oil. I would suggest serving them dry and placing a bowl of spicy oil to dip them in.

    (4)

  • Tiffany H.

    Really good food. Waiter was really attentive and friendly. Defnitely going there again when I'm back in Philadelphia. Place looks very nice and comfortable.

    (4)

  • Ren N.

    New location new expectations! This is the spot for any Szechuan food lovers as well as bar hoppers to experience Asian food in a whole new way. The new building they acquired is beautiful!! Not Asian looking at all but for some reason it fits right in to this culture of modern bold and gutsy. Investment here well worth your time. Sit under the high painted roof and admire the surrounding large bold structures and windows. It's amazing!! I love everything about this place. Now to the food: amazing as always. If you want spicy food or a kick in the mouth kind of flavor this is the place to go. They have all your Classical Chinese dishes, however not a huge menu. Come for lunch as they have a special lunch menu. Recommended for anyone who likes spicy food!

    (4)

  • Deidre C.

    Han Dynasty never disappoints. The service, food, and space are all wonderful. It is also incredibly reasonably priced. After ordering quite a bit of food in big groups, I am always surprised at how cheap the tab ends up being. The restaurant is huge but not too noisy or impersonal feeling. The service is fabulous- the waiters always explain the menu to newcomers and share favorite items and suggestions. The dan dan noodles are consistently good and should not be missed. I also love the kung pao style chicken and the dry pot style beef or chicken. Honestly, I haven't had one bad dish here, so I don't really think you can go wrong. The best part is you can adjust the spice level to your liking. They have a full bar and a great selection of beer as well.

    (5)

  • Candice B.

    If you're going with a large group (8+), the tasting is the way to go. Price points per person are: $20 - pork, chicken, veggie dishes $25 - add on seafood dishes $30 - add on specials The amount of food is the same no matter which tasting you choose, and as other reviews have stated, it it an unreal amount of food. You can specify your desired level of spice and your group will receive a variety of dishes that suit. Our group was all over the map so we got dishes of all spice levels, and no one left hungry. We were even offered boxes to take leftovers because there was so much left. Let me also add yet another shout out for those Dan Dan Noodles. They are every bit as good as Yelp says. If you are not doing a tasting or your group is small, don't even think about not ordering them. I have two complaints about the tasting experience. We were placed in a separate room with another large group - in a cavernous space with very high ceilings. Two large groups are going to get noisy and compete in any space, but add in all of the echos and it made conversation unpleasant. My other complaint was that service was just not as good as it could have been. Our server was extremely nice, and the food runners were careful when our table started to fill up with dishes, so service was not bad by any means. I was just hoping for prompt water and drink refills, and we never got a refill on the one bowl of rice we received for the whole table. These things are important when you are eating spicy food. All in all, great spot, great food, would go again and again.

    (4)

  • Andrea M.

    My favorite spot for Chinese food in Old City. The dan dan noodles are a must, they have the best flavor profile. We usually get the cumin spiced lamb, extra hot and it is always delicious. also, big thanks to the owner for installing the free phone charger lockers, its a great way to keep everyone of their phones at the table and get a quick charge.

    (5)

  • Janice K.

    I love this place!!!! I came here for birthdays and Valentine's Day and I can't wait to go back already! Dan Dan noodle is GREAT for appetizer as well as scallion pancakes. Noodles are perfect with some spiciness at the end. I strongly recommended garlic chicken and dry pepper style fish which are the BEST!!!! Double cooked style fish is similar to dry pepper style, the latter being spicier. The dry pepper fish is perfectly crispy and spicy, and just so delicious. Portions are great so we still have leftovers after being stuffed, I can't wait to eat the leftovers already!

    (5)

  • Rene L.

    What can I say. Dan Dan Noodles. HAn being cute. Great atmosphere ...Friendly...great drinks...I go as often as possible.Feels like home with a great chef!

    (5)

  • Fran G.

    Exceptional food but felt rushed

    (4)

  • Jennifer K.

    the service was terrible. and there was no one in the place! would have ordered more food if the waiter was more attentive. however those dan dan noodles are to die for. absolutely delicious and very tasty. spicy.

    (3)

  • Vanessa W.

    Came here with my mom before a show at the Tin Angel and we were absolutely blown away by the complex and intriguing flavors in our dishes. We ordered the dry pot lamb and the garlic shrimp. Both were superb, but the shrimp especially so. I have to take off a star because the place is unbelievably loud and because we ended up basically being crammed in practically sitting in the laps of another dining party. The acoustics are terrible, it felt like we could hear every word being spoken at every other table in the joint. But back to the food--amazing! Definitely the best Chinese food I've had in this city. The service was very good. We were checked on frequently and the staff were friendly and helpful. I'd definitely like to return and my mom has been singing their praises the rest of the night! :)

    (4)

  • Shannon M.

    I'm a big fan of the Dynasty. I have been to the Cherry Hill, University City and now, Old City locations and have never been disappointed. The Old City location is huge, but was packed on a Saturday night. Definitely make a reservation. The cocktails were excellent. Between my friend and myself we tried four different drinks on the menu and they were all really good. I especially enjoyed the Emperor. My only gripe- and it isn't a major one - is that some of the seating is really close together. The two-tops on the left hand side are kind of smushed in there making it a bit uncomfortable. Everything else is top notch.

    (5)

  • Lia B.

    this place was uhhh ok. i guess i was expecting more. vegans take note there is absolutely NO vegan option, the menu is misleading - i think a lot of people forget to ask menu questions (i know i have forgotten before and paid the price later) Entree wise as EVERY ENTREE is made with chicken stock or oyster sauce. - even when you specify TOFU you are getting it COVERED in chicken stock or oyster sauce. BUT they are here to please so as long as you ask the server - they will work with you. i ordered a garlic tofu thing the server suggested and had it made with OUT the oyster sauce. the dish came out and then the server immediately ran back and grabbed it, ran away , and then a minute later ran back and brought me out a new one. it turned out they brought me the wrong plate (someone had ordered the same exact thing as i had- except with oyster sauce). I'm really so happy they grabbed it so quickly and that's why i am giving them 3 stars and not 2. i get that screw ups happen and i totally can see how easy it would be to grab the wrong dish - esp when they look exactly identical. that attention to detail and realization of the switch gives me great confidence in their service and their commitment to the customers. but just over all the reason I'm doing 3 stars is that the food like wasn't that good. it was SUPER greasy, very very very garlicky, no veggies - just tofu and grease with white rice. who eats stuff like that??? also the check in process was very very very overwhelming. i had made a RSVP via open table - and i was running late - i had to call 3 times before i got a live person to answer the phone. when we walked in and there were absolutely NO hosts at the front but a MOB of people waiting to be seated OR waiting for their take out. just seemed stressful and messy up at the front. once we were seated though, the service was absolutely amazing. i guess if you like grease - this place might be more like 5 stars for you, but for me it was so-so.

    (3)

  • James M.

    Han Dynasty has single-handedly redefined what Chinese food can be to me. I was in Philadelphia over Christmas and had seen the recent A.B. Layover episode mentioning this place, plus I saw the abundance of high Yelp praise so decided to try it. I must admit that I've always been somewhat ignorant of Chinese cuisine, though I've eaten it my whole life. I've heard of the various regions (Hunan, Szechuan, Cantonese, etc.) but am confident that I've always had "American" Chinese food, nothing more. I'm sure General Tso was a fine military officer but I'd guess that few Chinese cooks have ever heard of a chicken dish bearing his name. Anyway, I'm now keenly aware of Szechuan cuisine and am soooooo happy! From the many reviews, I knew I had to try dan dan noodles -- changed my life! Flavor depth, spice level, noodle quality, and presentation were all perfect. It was my first time eating dan dan noodles but it was definitely not my last. I also ordered the pork belly in garlic sauce, which was a first for me. I didn't know it was a cold dish but the flavors were still outrageously good and the pork deliciously tender. I don't know any more to say about Han Dynasty that hasn't already been said but I am now anxious to return. Ohh to be the Duke of Han Dynasty... that would be so nice.

    (5)

  • Dennis D.

    I have been to the old location multiple times and had great experiences. I have visited the new space twice now and have had pretty bad experiences both times. The first time was on a busy Saturday night. I had 8pm reservation and was sat right at 8pm. The issue I had here was that a waiter did not come by our table for 12 minutes. It had gotten so bad that I had started to count down when I was planning on getting up and walking out. At this point, I wish I had because what should have been a 1 hr dinner turned into a 2 hour dinner. My girlfriend and I had to wait to basically flag our waiter down each time we wanted to order a new drink. Very disappointing. This past Friday, we figured we would give them a second chance as the food has always delivered. I had 715pm Friday reservation. We were sat right away, and the initial service was right on point this time. But we quickly hit our first issue when pouring our tea. I took my first sip when I noticed a pretty large dead fly in my tea. I understand that things happen, and I quietly got my waitresses attention and got some new tea ordered. The next issue we encountered was that after placing our order with our waitress, we then had two others waiters come up and try to take our orders. This was very strange. We then noted that each thing was delivered by a separate person. It seemed like there is not much coordination with the waitstaff. When it came time for our entrees, my dry pepper style chicken was delivered. My girlfriends garlic style pork was not delivered for 15 minutes. So by the time I could start eating, my meal was cold. The final straw was that as we were finishing up our last drinks, my girlfriend found a gnat in her 123 east drink. By this point, we had already paid and just wanted to leave. I love the food. The dan dan noodles are great along with the spicy cucumbers and dry pepper style chicken. But I cannot suggest this new location until they get the kinks worked out. It is very disappointing as I really do enjoy this place, but I cannot continue to pay for sub par service and products.

    (1)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : Yes
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Han Dynasty

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