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.

Bangkok Noodles makes various curries and flat noodle dishes that are especially good, the Pad Ga-Prow (minced chicken or pork with thai basil, chili, and bell peppers) is also one of my favorites. Portions are a good value that won’t stretch the wallet that much, just remember to bring cash (no plastic accepted).

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11am-1am

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.The restaurant features an extensive menu, though they are best known for their seafood dishes. Specialties would include their various preparations of Dungeness crab, my favorite being their Salt & Pepper style. Salt & Pepper Calamari is one of my favorite appetizers served here, as well as the honey-glazed spare ribs. |R&G Lounge|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-9:30pm

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.

My favorite dishes include the minced chicken lettuce cups, salt and chili pepper calamari, Mongolian beef, lemon chicken, and the walnut prawns with candied walnuts. The noodle dishes are also worth trying. Menu items are served family style, meant for sharing. The large bowl of chocolate and vanilla fortune cookies brought with the bill are a nice touch. On warm evenings try for the table near the front window, which is usually opened up to bring in the cool evening breeze. Dine in and take-out only. |Dragonwell|

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 11:30am-10pm

La Taqueria

2889 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA, 94110
(415) 285-7117
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While nearly every district in the city has its own decent Taqueria, it’s no surprise that when I am craving delicious Mexican food, a trip to the Mission is always in order. Though there are plenty of noteworthy places that serve good tacos and burritos in the Mission, La Taqueria is always worth a mention. I love this place for their steak tacos, garnished with beans, salsa, sour cream and a heaping scoop of guacamole. This place is pretty authentic with meat choices like beef tongue and cabeza, though I tend to stick to the more standard meats like carne asada or the barbecued pork. Refreshments include ice cold cervezas, sodas, and house made cantaloupe, mango, and strawberry agua frescas.

Plenty of impassioned purists tout La Taqueria’s no-rice menu as more authentic and superior compared to other Taquerias, but when that craving also calls for a little Spanish rice with your burrito, La Cumbre on Valencia is a good bet.

Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm
Sun: 11am-8pm

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. The workday lunch is especially busy so it’s common for strangers to share a table.

I usually find myself here when I am craving imperial rolls and a large bowl of regular pho(pronouced Fa), my roommate prefers the special spicy version. Since this restaurant is pretty authentic, some menu items have exotic parts of beef like tripe and tendon, the spicy one even has liver, so it helps to read the variations on the menu. Chicken, pork, and vegetarian options are also available. For those hot days, the cold vermicelli noodle salads are a refreshing alternative to a steamy bowl of hot noodles. After I simply cannot eat another bite, an iced Vietnamese coffee is the perfect end to a great meal.

Open 7 days a week:
Mon-Sun: 10am-9pm
Cash only.