By George Whitney
Chinese New Year celebrations begin on February 12th and last for 16 days. Treat yourself during this festive season by visiting a few of my favorite Dim Sum eateries. Whether you want to sit down for an elaborate multi-course meal or only have five dollars and five minutes, there is a Dim Sum restaurant for you. All of the restaurants below are currently open for take out.
Yank Sing, located on Spear St. near the Ferry Building, is San Francisco’s most well known Dim Sum restaurant. Featuring an upscale experience, you will find more complex traditional fare here. With refined dishes made to order, Yank Sing is a culinary treat. However, some will argue it lacks the authentic bustling Dim Sum experience in other neighborhoods.
What to Order: Try dishes with upscale ingredients not found elsewhere like the scallop dumplings.
If you have a five dollar bill and an empty stomach, the Dim Sum spot you want is Wing Lee Bakery on Clement St. in the Inner Richmond. A far cry from the banquet experience of Yank Sing, Wing Lee Bakery will transport you to a Hong Kong street level food counter. Be ready with your order because the ladies of Wing Lee’s move the long lines at their service counter quickly. Some say the dumplings and Baos here are the best meal deal in the city. Five dollars will get you a half dozen meat, seafood or vegetarian dumplings along with a pork bun or two.
What to Order: You cannot go wrong with this menu. Nearly everything will leave you astonished at the quality and value here.
While the two restaurants above offer great food, they are missing one quintessential Dim Sum component: food carts. What better way to explore a new and adventurous dish than see it roll by your table piping hot. I recommend traveling just over the border into Daly City to visit Koi Palace. With food to rival the finest Chinese restaurants in the Bay Area, this ultra popular spot offers classic Dim Sum ordering fun.
What to Order: No recommendations here. Every time you see a dish stroll past your table, it probably tastes as good as it looks.
Hong Kong Lounge is my final and favorite recommendation. Located on Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District, this traditional Cantonese-style banquet hall offers Dim Sum service all day long. Due to its popularity and ever expanding brunch lines, you can now order all your favorite dishes any time. Hong Kong Lounge has an extensive menu which can accommodate most dietary restrictions. This restaurant’s Jordan Park location is still rebuilding after a devastating fire in 2019.
What to Order: X.O. Sauce Noodle Rolls are a Chow Fun style dish featuring rolled noodles with chili sauce and minced pork.
