Sampan
Pan-Asian restaurant · Washington Square West
124 S 13th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Highlights
Asian fusion spot with small plates, patio, and happy hour
Asian fusion spot with small plates, patio, and happy hour
"Double Knot, Sampan, and Graffiti Bar have this Goldilocks thing going on. When you want something crowded, lively, and loud, head to Graffiti Bar. For something more upscale, dimly lit, and intimate, check out Double Knot. And when you want the “just right'' mix of both, Sampan is the place. This pan-Asian restaurant also has the lengthiest menu, with small plates like pork potstickers and chicken katsu buns, and larger mains like glazed Chilean sea bass and beef short rib. It’s dimly lit with bright neon walls, while the loud lounge music is perfect for untz-untzing. They also serve massive scorpion bowls that you can split with your friends while mapping out your night (spoiler alert: it’ll end back at Graffiti Bar)." - candis mclean, alison kessler
"From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. every weekday, Sampan’s always-hoppin’ bar discounts a bunch of small plates, including satay, dumplings, buns, wraps, and sides, all offered at $7 to $8 each. House wine, a featured beer, and a specialty cocktail go down quickly at just $5 — or grab a group and go for the $25 Scorpion bowl with vodka, rum, or tequila." - Ernest Owens
"Crowds flock to this always-buzzing Midtown Village restaurant, known for its score of Pan-Asian cuisine with heavy American influence. Its menu (made for sharing) features a slew of delectable bites like the cheesesteak bao bun (a nod to the infamous Philly sandwich), Vietnamese chicken satay (made with pickled papaya and nuoc cham), and the crab wonton taco (featuring avocado, pickled shallot, and cilantro)." - George Banks-Weston
"Simple, but notable — these outstanding dumplings (flavored with sake, pea shoot, and truffle) are a symbol of happy hour and good times to be had in Philly." - Ernest Owens
"A reservation may be necessary to secure a seat at this Center City hotspot (with happy hour every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). It boasts a menu full of fantastic cocktails, Asian fusion light bites (such as edamame, shrimp toast, and mushroom shumai), scrumptious buns and wraps (featuring options like a chili crisp chicken bao bun and a tofu taco), and a scorpion bowl (a $25 cocktail served in a fishbowl with your choice of tequila, vodka, or rum)." - George Banks-Weston
