Map of Sunset District

San Francisco and surrounding area, locate the restaurant called Old Mandarin Islamic

At first glance, Old Mandarin Islamic may seem like a generic Chinese mainstay with a no-frills décor of carpeted floors and mirrored walls. With further scrutiny, you will find that it is in fact anything but average. This little sanctum dedicates itself to Halal Chinese food, following the Islamic dietary code, yet there is no lack of flavor in these boldly seasoned and truly delicious Mandarin dishes. Lamb is clearly a favorite here and plays the lead in their signature lamb stir-fried in hot oil with cumin seeds and fresh chili paste. True spice-heads will relish the extremely hot pepper chicken with pickled chilies, garlic, and scallions; while flour dumplings sautéed with vegetables in silky garlic sauce are uniquely chewy and deeply flavored.