A cherished neighborhood landmark bids farewell
Four decades of delicious Chinese eats come to an end as Mission Hunan, a San Francisco staple in the Mission District, bids farewell on October 31. At 2960 16th Street, within a stone’s throw of the 16th Street Mission BART plaza, the building where Mission Hunan resides is slated for demolition to make way for a new development that includes affordable housing.
A Mission Hunan server confirmed to SFGATE that the restaurant is closing officially at the end of the month. Locals view this as the end of an era, as Mission Hunan has been a source of comfort, authentic Chinese cuisine, and hospitality for 40 years.
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New housing project to replace restaurant
The closure is tied to a redevelopment plan from the Mission Housing Development Corporation, which would develop a nine-storey apartment building with 136 units for chronically homeless adults. The project, set above the 16th Street BART station, hopes to help end San Francisco’s chronic housing shortage and provide more avenues to affordable housing.
Work on the new building—christened “La Maravilla”, which translates to “The Marvel”—will begin in December 2025 and finish by November 2027, as per city government documents, said the San Francisco Chronicle.
The project has not been without its controversies. Residents have sought to block its construction, with many objections from the height and shadow impact of the building to safety concerns. Even one group claimed that the building’s shadow could deprive local children of vitamin D, while other neighbours complained that the housing could introduce addiction issues to their neighbourhood. The city has not been willing to slow down, however.
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Part of a broader redevelopment effort
Mission Hunan’s shutdown follows other recent news within the Mission District linked to the same affordable housing project. Mission Local reported on the story that Mission Cabins, a village of tiny homes providing transitional housing for homeless adults, is also shutting down to make way for the new development.
The Renaissance reflects the city’s overall attempt to confront homelessness and contribute to the supply of low-income housing in a community that has been a cultural hub for immigrants and working families for generations.
A culinary legacy that will live on
While the closing of Mission Hunan is regrettable, aficionados of its fiery Hunan-style dishes won’t have to say goodbye completely. The owners, the restaurant server explained, purchased Andy’s Hong Kong Restaurant in South San Francisco at 121 Hickey Blvd two years ago. The restaurant serves up Mission Hunan favourites, such as Mongolian beef, Korean fried chicken, and sweet and sour pork—all classics that have attracted repeat customers for decades.
On Yelp, customers have praised Mission Hunan for its large portions, low prices, and friendly staff. “It’s one of those places where you feel like family,” a customer wrote in their review. To many in the community, the restaurant has been more than a place to grab a bite to eat—it’s been a gathering spot for generations of neighbours, students, and passers-by making their way through the crowded BART tunnel.
An emotional farewell for the community
With demolition imminent, locals are nostalgic for Mission Hunan’s long history in the Mission District. For some, its closure marks the city’s ongoing gentrification—where long-time family-owned businesses are being displaced by new construction.
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Though “La Maravilla” will bring much-needed affordable housing to the city, many claim to miss the familiar fare and community Mission Hunan offered for 40 years.
Fans will continue to have their favourite dishes available at the South San Francisco location of the restaurant, so the Mission Hunan’s taste—and the memories it brought—will live on.
