A Dim Sum Feast, Eat in or Take Out, a second Chinatown in SF!

Buns for the Chinese New Year

I am drawn to San Francisco’s Chinatown on Grant Avenue dozens of times a year. I am instantly transported to another land, amazed at the myriad of sights and sounds accosting my senses with each new step. The streets are packed with people, produce and potions with whole stores filled to the rafters with dried roots, spices and “special cures” right alongside shops filled with squiggling fish and seafood, that are quickly grabbed, dispatched and bagged right before your wide eyes, what a scene! However, unless you know where the parking garages are or the best days to come, just getting in and out of this tourist heavy area can be a “trip” of an altogether different kind.

very fresh fish on ice

a steam table full of fresh food

Enter the less famous, less crowded “new” Chinatown in the Inner Richmond area of San Francisco on Clement Street. Clement Street is just as much of an adventure with fewer glitzy tourist shops and often very homey restaurants serving steamy fresh dim sum, Thai, Vietnamese and even French food for bargain prices. You can score a two item plate of food at Wing Lee Restaurant on 503 Clement between 6th and 7th Avenue for less than $5.  


Right down the street is one of San Francisco’s best chef secrets Kamei Housewares at 547 Clement with stacks of jewel-toned Japanese tableware, top notch restaurant equipment and cooking gadgets of every kind at great prices. Give yourself at least an hour to explore… 

Buns at Clement Restaurant

My favorite dim sum place is Clement Restaurant and Deli located at 621 Clement Street at 7th Avenue, another excellent chef secret. Call them at 415-752-9520 and order dim sum by the hundreds for a fabulous Chinese New Year Feast or an easy party any time of the year. I picked up a huge order of savory vegetarian pot stickers, pork sui mai, barbeque park buns and shiny shrimp and chive rolls, all very generous sized pieces for less than 60 cents each! Be sure to order the items “cold” if you are storing them to steam later as I do. 

Also, order a few dim sum to eat there, you can get a freebee with your order. To pick up a big order, you need to bring lots of quarters for the meter, go in and pay and then do a goofy double park maneuver while they run your order out to your car! So VERY Clement Street! 

Talk about cheap eats and great fun right? Your “new” Chinatown adventure awaits!

Join us tonight for our final Dim Sum party at Standards of Excellence in Sacramento for a taste of Clement Street! 

Steaming right along!