San Francisco Travel Forum

What is there to do in China Town. Where is a good place to get some din som?

What is there to do in China Town? Where is a good place to get some din som?

Chinatown in San Francisco starts at the Dragon Gate on Grant at Bush St. Walking tour of Grant and the side streets is entertaining as well as educational. A must is the free tour of the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory in Ross Alley to the west of Grant, between Jackson and Washington. As for Dim Sum, there are many restaurants that have Dim Sum in Chinatown. One that is frequented by the locals is Dol Ho at 808 Pacific, about 8 blocks up Grant from the Dragon Gate entry and over one block to the west or left.

Dim Sum - actually.
There's a good place over on Commercial street, about a block from the Transamerica building called "City View" that has good dim sum. The tourists like Yank Sing over off Market street, but it's not in Chinatown, and is pricey.
You can snag bits from the shops along Grant and Stockton streets in Chinatown, they all have specialties. A good stop in Chinatown is the Wok shop, on Grant street around Jackson. Kitchen supplies galore! Also, the Empress is a classic stop for a Mai Tai up in the top cocktail lounge - great view. Also, don't miss tea tasting at the Red Blossom tea shop, 831 Grant. The Jasmine blossom is wonderful - very fresh and FREE tastings daily. (It's across the street from the Empress)

There's not much to do in Chinatown. There are numerous souveneer shops that sell the usual items plus samurai swords. The food for the most part caters to White tourist, however there are a few exceptional restaurants. My favorite dim sum restaurant is called Great Eastern. It's located on Jackson between Grant and Keary. It's easy to find and is always packed with 99% Chinese, so you know it's the real stuff. I've never had a bad meal yet, they serve dim sum until 3 pm. My favorite Chinese restaurant is called R&G. It's located on Kearny and Commercial. I'd recommend the beef brisket, special beef, fried crab, shark fin soup...you really can't go wrong here. Enjoy!