Betelnut

2030 Union Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 929-8855
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Named after the natural stimulant that is quite popular in Southeast Asia, Betelnut’s menu of contemporary Asian dishes and selection of crafted cocktails may evoke a similar reaction of mild hot sensations in the body and slightly heightened alertness to one’s surroundings. Located right along Union Street, the street facing windows are often opened up on warm days to encourage people watching while dining and drinking. The interior of this restaurant has one of the cooler Asian-inspired designs, similar in theme to a beer house found in places like Singapore. Design touches from the wooden Chinese paddles nailed to the wall, the sprinkler pipes painted to look like bamboo and the wall art posters all help transport diners far from its Cow Hollow locale.

Betelnut takes a contemporary approach to more traditional dishes from Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and China. Read more »

S&T Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant

2578 Noriega Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 665-8338
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A fairly consistent barometer for delicious and authentic Dim Sum can often be surmised on the quality of the siumai. This Outer Sunset destination does not disappoint with their large-sized pork, shrimp, and shiitake mushroom dumplings, which are freshly prepared in-house and served piping hot. Unlike other establishments that have their menu items wheeled around the dining room on carts, the Dim Sum here arrives to the table directly from the kitchen, often needing a few moments to cool down.

Favorites here include the shrimp dumplings, stuffed rice noodles, minced pork dumplings stuffed in deep-fried glutinous rice, pork spare ribs, mixed sticky rice steamed in a lotus leaf, and the bell peppers stuffed with crab. Read more »

Ton Kiang

5821 Geary Boulevard
between 22nd & 23rd Streets
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 752-4440
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Freshly prepared dim sum can be hard to find in many districts outside of Chinatown, but when the plan calls for venturing out, it’s always worthwhile to stop in at Ton Kiang for some authentic Chinese cuisine. Located on busy Geary Street, this local favorite in the Richmond District is always popular, especially on the weekends when both levels of the dining room are packed with diners. Though at times dining here can require waiting in a line, dim sum is ideal for daytime meals because of its speed and efficiency, making a quick power lunch before heading back to the office possible. Read more »

Bangkok Noodles

110 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
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When wandering around the streets near Union Square, it’s easy to get distracted by the sea of retail and restaurants dotted along Powell Street. It’s best to push past the aggressive restaurant greeters indicative of tourist traps and instead, opt for a crowded seat or table at Bangkok Noodles. Judging by the hungry diners that often congregate outside during meal times, it’s no secret that this place is a local favorite for some of the best affordable and delicious Thai cuisine in the city. Read more »

R & G Lounge

631 Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA
94108
(415) 982-7877
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While the choices can be somewhat limited in the city for dine-in Chinese fare on the fancier side, look no further than R&G Lounge for deliciously authentic Cantonese cuisine. Located across the street from Portsmouth Square, the restaurant is only a few short blocks from the Financial District and North Beach, making it a convenient locale for a reasonably priced work lunch during the week. Read more »

Dragon Well

2142 Chestnut Street
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 474-6888
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For delicious Chinese food on the healthier side, Dragon Well is an excellent choice. A fixture in the Marina district since 1998; the service is consistently friendly and attentive, and the food is always fresh, delicious and reasonably priced. Dragon Well is a great place for a casual date; the high ceilings give a loft-like feel to the space, while the subtle lighting makes dining here feel more intimate. I really like this restaurant for its clean and contemporary decor; the dark wood furniture contrasts nicely with the cream paint, creating an interior that feels welcoming and warm. Read more »

Golden Star Vietnamese Restaurant

11 Walter U Lum Place,
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 398-1215
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When the mood strikes for some authentic Vietnamese cuisine, one place always comes to mind: Golden Star. Located in Chinatown, on a nondescript street adjacent to Portsmouth Square, this very popular lunch spot has an expansive menu of freshly prepared Vietnamese dishes that are both delicious and affordable.  Read more »

Sushi Sam’s Edomata

218 East 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA, 94401
(650)344-0888
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Since raw fish is pretty much as synonymous with California cuisine as avocados, I figured it would be best to open with my favorite spot for amazing sushi. Being so close to the ocean, it’s pretty obvious why the fish here seems to taste better, but this accessibility has also caused many of the places that serve raw fish to become something ubiquitous and uninspired, prepared by just about anyone from fancy grocery stores to uber-hip Asian fusion restaurants. Read more »