Zhen Mei Hair Salon

So I thought I was in he know, getting my cuts for $ 10 on Irving street. Then I found this spot, and wow! How is it possible to offer a cut for $ 6 in San Francisco???
Parking is rough around the area, but with my tiny car I squeezed into a stall just out front.
I wouldn’t dare come to the area when there are events though, not unless I’m walking.
As for my cut, I am totally satisfied with it. I mean I have a simple style, wanting a slight fade on the side and a bit off the top. She was able to rip it out in all under 10 minutes.
My only complaint is that for me at least, they reused an unwashed towel draped around my neck. That or not cleaned well, as it felt itchy as soon as placed on my neck.
It was fast though, and they are all very friendly and welcoming. I will defiantly be back, for a quick, six buck, cut!

Good haircut, no wait time, fast service. And it is cheap!

I’ve finally found my new favorite haircut place. Only $ 6 and much better than my former $ 16 place. With such a low price I can have more frequent haircuts, which makes it easier for whichever barber there to follow the same style as the previous cut. Only 4 stars because 5 stars will be reserved for best haircut ever.

Tucked away in the gentle hills of San Francisco Chinatown is this hidden gem. Hair cuts are $ 6, $ 12 if you are a big spender and want a shampoo and blow-​dry.

The haircut was ok, but bit weird that while paying 6 bucks at the counter, the guy «demanded» for a tip to be paid. And funny thing, was I was about to tip. but before that he started cranking up. Not a good practice.

$ 6 haircut in ten minutes!
I just told them what I wanted and she did the job. I’m sold and will be back again.

Alas, I have decided to downgrade my rating from 4 stars to 3 stars. Ever since my first review, I’ve gone back for at least 3 haircuts with Mandy, all of which ended in odd cuts (e.g., heavy layers, chunky bangs) that didn’t grow out well. My boyfriend still likes their cheap cuts, which I think is now $ 6 for men. Au revoir Zhen Mei – my search for an affordable, decent hair salon continues.

Walked in, in + out in 20 minutes with exactly the cut I wanted, $ 10 + tip. Granted, I’m pretty low maintenance, but great experience. Not everyone spoke English, but there was enough so that I could say what I was looking for, and folks were quite patient with me :)

When you look at orange chicken you think «that doesn’t look good» but then you eat it and you say «wow, that is good.»
What I’m getting at is this place gives the illusion that you won’t get a good haircut, but you try it anyway because it’s so darn cheap. Then the curtain comes down and what’s revealed is mastery precision hidden behind and within a husky Chinese man.
My favorite thing about this place is that no one talks. Thank you!
It could be cleaner.
In and out in 15 minutes with cut and shampoo plus head message. With tip only $ 15. I’m just noicing your noice.

I cannot be MORE satisfied with how the lady cut and layered my hair and what I paid for it, which was $ 10 + tips. Every single haircut I’ve had before had been more than $ 35, but a $ 10 cut turned out just as well as my previous hairdressers’ work.
The lady with the mid-​length hair is so knowledgeable about how to cut your hair based on your face shape and features, and did an equally wonderful job cutting my guy friend’s hair as well, which was only $ 6 + tips.

I always go to the guy closest to the door and my hair turns out great, especially for $ 6. I’m an Asian guy with short hair and he’s very consistent.

I was skeptical at first because the lady who cut my hair knew very minimal English! I also had to go to an ATM nearby because they only accept cash.
Anyway, my haircut was $ 6 and let me just say that I was very satisfied with it. She did an amazing job! This was actually the first time I had an Asian barber and me having Asian hair, most people didn’t know how to cut or style it but thank goodness she was able to.
I would come back here again and definitely recommend it.

Had a $ 5 barber in NYC, he wasn’t doing job good as this guy.
Sure, he spoke no english but who cares?
All i need is short on the side and on the back, a couple inches on the top.
$ 5 = 5 stars.
($ 2 tip)

Going to school in Davis all the kids who graduated from Lowell would tell me:
1. How much greater their high school was
2. How cheap the haircuts are in the city
I was walking through Chinatown with my mom and grandma when I came across this beautiful gem with a sign posting 5 dollar hair cuts. Being the out of town kid with a need for a cut, I walked in and saw fit to see what 5 bucks can get you in the city.
Let me point out that I am a pretty simple guy and my haircut is pretty simple, 1 on the sides and 2 on the top. The guy who cut my hair did what was asked (albeit it a minor language barrier) and I came out of the whole thing a happy man and a witness to the fact that a simple quality cut can be had at a fraction of the price I usually pay. Don’t take yourself too seriously, and you and your wallet will walk out of here 1 happy customer.

In a city of $ 30 haircuts, this $ 5 in and out joint is a godsend.
If you’re cheap like me, and don’t want to spend big bucks on something that’s just going to grow out, this is the place.
It’s easier if you know Cantonese or mandarin, as I don’t know how good most of the staff’s english is, but if you bring a picture of what you want, I’m sure they can get close to what you wanted. That’s what I did, and though the cut was shorter than I expected, I can’t complain given how much I paid.
Ultimately, the cuts here are quick and not the most refined, but if you just want a fast, low-​risk cut, you can’t go wrong.
(I can’t speak for their normal business, but walk-​ins are totally fine and waits don’t seem to be long, since there are several stylists and each cut is around 15 – 30 mins max)

For an east coaster that just transplanted to this city, solid hair cut spot. Literally a $ 5; I tipped but I don’t think it would be frowned upon if you didn’t.
Someone of chinese descent will cut your hair. They may or not speak English. A middle aged chinese lady cut my hair and she did a pretty exceptional job. The shape up wasn’t as crisp as I would have liked, but for $ 5 who’s really complaining…

If I could give this place negative stars, I would!
I found this place on Unilocal and based on all the high reviews, I decided to come here. I didn’t have an appointment, so they told me to wait 5 minutes (more like 15 minutes) and got assigned to the «toothpick guy», who based on other reviews was supposed to be good. I showed him some pictures of long bobs (lobs) with long bangs that I wanted, a pretty easy blunt haircut style and indicated that I only wanted my hair shorter by 2 inches. He nodded so I figured he understood.
When he started hacking away at my bangs with a razor, I knew something was up. I tried to tell him that I wanted it straight but he didn’t understand; of course this is Chinatown and everyone only speaks Cantonese (no English, no Mandarin) so I was SOL. When he was finished (and was using the razor the entire time instead of cutting which is how a lob should be done), it was 8 inches shorter than before and short on top with gradual layers, which was exactly the opposite of what I had wanted. I showed him the picture of the haircut, and how he had given me layers all around, he just made some grunting noises with the toothpick in mouth. The damage was already done and I didn’t want to take any more risks with my hair. I figure they give this same haircut to everyone with long hair and don’t know how to cut any other style.
Oh, and the floor was disgusting. There was long hair everywhere that they didn’t bother to clean up and I had to put my purse on top of it since there was no free space to hang it.
The only redeeming thing was the hair wash, which was pretty vigorous (2x shampoo, 1x conditioner). Save your $ 15 and go elsewhere to someone who actually listens!!!
UPDATE: I tried to find a picture that represents the haircut I ended up with, and the best I could find is this one:

Basically, with all the crazy uneven layers, its basically a bob and a mullet. It’s hard to imagine how any girl would want this haircut! So so mad, so I’ll be going to an actual salon to chop the rest off. Ugh. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS if you care at all about your hair!!!

I make it a point to get my hair cut here every time I am back in the Bay Area. The haircuts here are the most inexpensive, efficient and best bang-​for-​your-​buck! I know simple men cuts here are $ 5, and women are $ 10 (if longer hair). The process is painless and goes by very fast. If you don’t speak any Cantonese or mandarin, there might be a slight language barrier if you have a complicated cut in mind.
Guys, if you see the older Chinese man with broad shoulders and a bit of a gut working here, request him. He is the best here!

$ 5 haircut. BOOM.
My hair grows fast and I am often in need of a cut every 2 – 3 weeks. I would cut it myself if I had a bit more dexterity. My hair style is simple and it pains me to drop $ 20 just to get things cleaned up each time. Plus with Asian hair — some stylists just don’t know how. I tried a couple of other spots in town with varied success — nothing wrong with the skill but at $ 15+, a bit more than I would like given my frequency.
Its pretty local here — no frills but they get the job done, clean cut and quick. If you have an intricate hair style and don’t speak Chinese, you may want to think twice. Both times I have stopped by (mid afternoon on weekday), they had 3 people working there and minimal wait. Tell them how you want it and your instrument of choice — scissors or clippers. They let you inspect and will clean up a bit (unlike other $ 5 places).

this place is pretty fantastic! i came here on day when mona lisa was packed and i was in a hurry for a bang trim — sometimes you just need to SEEEE! haha.
super convenient location from Fidi, so you can def get here during lunch, get your hair done, and walk back before your afternoon meetings start. this review is only for the bang trim, which was perfectly piece-​y and only cost me $ 5! the hair salons on fillmore and union charge $ 20, AND you feel obligated to tip, for a less than good bang trim.
the place could be a little tidier and the cantonese soap opera could be quieter, but ya know, its chinatown! will be back next time i need my hair fixed :)