Where To Find The Best Asian Food In San Francisco

Food from a number of Asian countries is still among some of the best to be found in this town. Japanese seems to have been generating the most interest for almost a decade. However, at the same time low-key, and divine, Vietnamese food, has remained a delicious staple.

There is quite a large community of Vietnamese residents, and amazing restaurants, out in the Richmond district near the Ocean. It is also super affordable. I went to one of my old favorites Pho Huynh Sang, for Vietnamese food. The dining room is simple, but dishes like the shrimp papaya salad are beautifully put together. There is not much of a wine list, but the Vietnamese do love their beer. If you love Asian food it’s always great to stay in Japantown, which is close to the Richmond. Hotel Enso is a lovely, cozy property, that is easily walkable to so many great places in Japantown.

Another place, with flavors as authentic as the Richmond, is Z&Y Restaurant. This tiny spot in Chinatown is home to a chef who cooked for the consul general of San Francisco and his food is both refined and accessible. The tea-smoked duck is outstanding and the chicken skewers with lettuce delicious. The braised oxtail is heavenly and the choy prepared with chili-garlic sauce crunchy and savory. Executive chef Lijun Han has worked with two U.S. presidents and was the former executive chef at the Chinese consulate in San Francisco.

Pabu is right in the financial district and it has a fabulous sake sommelier: an American who even makes his own sake in Japan. The restaurant hand-grates its intense wasabi and has a stunning lineup of raw fish featured in its sashimi. The seasonal chawanmushi—an egg custard that generally coddles seafood bites—was a gem.

Chotto Matte occupies a swank, large and loud space. It actually has a lychee ceviche that doesn’t have fish in it (I admit I was confused and others might be).

The restaurant offers a number of prix-fixe menus including vegetarian options.

A New Discovery

Having lived near the Bay in San Francisco, in the Marina District, for many years I can’t say that the local food was always so impressive: unless you are talking high-end such as Ateltier Crenn. However, Blue Whale with a dynamic patio full of booths and space heaters exceeded my expectations. The top-notch service is also a plus.

The restaurant’s take on Chinese food is surprisingly delicious: authentic food quality I didn’t expect from a place this polished with good service and a diverse wine list. No offense intended to mom-and-pop operations while their food may be amazing the other touch points aren’t always there.

I wish I had ordered another two sets of the astoundingly savory pork and truffle Shanghai Xiao Long Bao: they were swimming in decadent pig-fueled broth. The roasted chicken with cumin and chili—while not really a salad—is crunch and has the perfect spice level on the tongue. As always the Asian food finds in San Francisco are fantastic!