Chinese Restaurants in San Francisco

San Francisco’s Chinatown is the obvious place to start if you want classic Chinese food, but there’s so much more than that in the city. You’ll find killer dim sum joints in the Richmond and Sunset districts that locals swear by, where you can watch carts roll by piled with steamed buns and dumplings that taste nothing like the touristy spots downtown.

And if you’re craving something regional or more modern, places like Mister Jiu’s mix old-school flavors with a stylish vibe right in Chinatown, while spots like R&G Lounge have been serving salty, crispy salt and pepper crab for decades. Bonus tip: don’t just stick to the menus,ask for specials or off-menu dishes, especially in smaller, family-owned places. They often have secret wins.

I’d skip the standard takeout listings and go hunt for neighborhood favorites. If it’s summer, you have to try some cold sesame noodles, and in winter, a steamy bowl of hand-pulled noodles from a no-frills joint will warm you up better than anything. San Francisco’s Chinese food scene has layers and surprises, and you’ll learn a lot just by chatting with the servers or watching the locals order.