You will probably agree that the following combination is a great one.
Chinatown = Amazing Food
This may not be true for every Chinatown in the world. However, if you visit San Francisco’s Chinatown, you will have no other choice but to agree. If people are waiting one hour in line to get pastries, then something must be good (take a look at photo below)
You know how I feel about overhyped places. It is kind of scary to visit them. The disappointment feeling can materialize at any moment.
For example, this is what I have heard about San Francisco’s Chinatown:
- Oldest Chinatown community in North America
- Largest Chinese community outside Asia
- It has over 300 restaurants
- The area retains a great amount of cultural heritage
- More tourists visit the neighborhood than the Golden Gate Bridge
- Its dim sum places are world famous
- 500 hundred of my closest friends say the place is awesome, amazing and astonishing (I may be exaggeration a little bit about this one)
Chinatown's Main Drag
Chinatown's Gate
While visiting the city, we stayed on the Nob Hill area. Since Chinatown was at a relatively close distance from our hotel, we ate there like 4 times (plus, the area suck out my husband’s brain). Every dish we tried was delicious, way better than what you find in most restaurants.
I even remembered the Chinese food cooked in Puerto Rico. I know this sounds weird but it is true. The Chinese rice found in Puerto Rico is very different from what is served in most places in the United States. In Puerto Rico, the rice is fried with ham, red pork, peas, carrots, onions and eggs. Sometimes, green onions and shrimps are added. I am not sure what style of fried rice is this one but the red pork is what makes it different.
In one of the restaurant we visited in San Francisco, we had the house special fried rice. When the server brought us the dishes, I couldn’t believe what my eyes were seeing. When I tasted it, I was transported back home. Crazy I know. I felt at home in the most unusual place.
On other occasions, we had bok choy beef, green tea ice cream, succulent dumplings and much more.
Take a look below at all the goodness we tried.
Give Chinatown a bite (in my honor) next time you visit.
Buns for sale
Famous Bakery
Tofu and vegetables soup in a claypot
Xiaolong bao or soup dumplings
Potstickers
Hot and Sour Soup
Cantonese Fried Rice and Soup
Cantonese Fried Rice and Mushu Beef
Bok choy beef
Spicy Beef
Have you visited San Francisco’s Chinatown? Any good restaurants you can recommend? Let me know in the comments section below.
***************
Turkey is a country that has been under my radar for a very long time. I get excited thinking about the ruins of Ephesus, the spice markets of Istanbul and the gorgeous beaches along the Turquoise Coast. Consider a holiday to Turkey if you are interested in experiencing a mixture of culture, natural wonders and relaxation.
Chinatowns in every country are my favourite places to visit, especially in South America because I know I’ll fin vegetable dishes.
Ayngelina recently posted..Food Friday: Edible Toronto
I HAVE been there! I don’t know where we ate, but we went up some stairs and had some heavenly food! I also got some gorgeous Xmas tree decorations on that street. What a great place to eat and shop!
Jan Ross recently posted..Blues, Barbecue and Elvis Presley – A Girls Getaway to Memphis, Tennessee
My favorite place for fresh seafood is the R&G Lounge at 631 Kearny. And for dessert, a stop at Golden Gate Fortune Cookies Co. at 56 Ross Alley.
Can you remember the names of the restaurants yourself, Ruth? We had a very short time in San Fran and unfortunately didn’t do our research, ending up having a very ordinary meal in Chinatown. As with Chinatown in London, you need to know where to go as some of the restaurants are tourist traps.
Julie McNamee recently posted..French Election Commentary in a Toy Shop Window