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- Hit List: Chinese Food in the Richmond
It feels like the longer you live in SF, the stronger the draw is to the outer districts (Richmond, Sunset, etc.). The first few years I lived here were very downtown-centric and heading all the way out the Richmond for Chinese food seemed insane given the bounty of SF’s Chinatown.
How naive I was…
A trip to the Richmond will be rewarded with new twists on well-known classics, unexpected new favorites, and rock-solid comfort food. The neighborhood is huge and packed wall-to-wall with Chinese restaurants so discovery for this list took years and sage counsel. At places like this, you’re going to want to maximize the amount you can order, so bring friends and a big appetite.
🍢 Aceking BBQ / sfaceking.com
skewers on skewers
So uh…this place is kinda crazy. You’re here to devour as many skewers as possible while also paying mind to the side dishes that are by no means an afterthought. If you’re looking for a casual place to meet up with your most serious eating friends, this is it.
Order This ⬇️
Smashed cucumber salad
Chili rice noodles
Scallop with garlic and vermicelli razor clam
Beef skewer
Lamb chop skewer
Chicken wing skewer
Thin tofu wrap skewer
Bacon enoki roll skewer
Potato skewer
Garlic enoki mushroom foil packet
Garlic eggplant foil packet
Eat Here 🔗 Reservations | Delivery & Takeout | Map
NOTE: huge shoutout to JJ to getting me here after years of hyping it up. At the height of his power he was taking down skewers once or twice a week.
🌶️ Chili House SF / chilihousesf.com
Chicken with explosive chili // image credit: Eater SF
This is some down low, home-cooked Sichuan goodness right here. If spicy food isn’t your thing, you can move right along because this is going to be a bad time for you. Chef Li Jun Han’s Chinatown outpost Z&Y Restaurant, famous for it’s visit from President Obama, has been one of my standbys since I arrived in SF.
Order This ⬇️
Beef roll pancakes (ask if they’ll bring an extra side of sauce for dipping)
Spicy wontons
Pork xiao long bao
Ma po tofu
Tan tan noodle
Chicken with explosive chili pepper
Mongolian beef
Dry braised string beans
House special fried rice
Eat Here 🔗 Reservations | Takeout & Delivery | Map
🍚 Mamahuhu / eatmamahuhu.com
Full spread // image credit: Eater SF
If you’ve ever wondered what a Michelin-starred chef would do with a fast-casual Chinese restaurant, now you have your answer.
Brandon Jew opened Mamahuhu before he won his first star for Mister Jiu’s but by then he was already an internationally-recognized superstar. His commitment to quality Chinese ingredients at a reasonable price point makes Mamahuhu the perfect place for a casual weeknight dinner. Look out Chipotle.
Order This ⬇️
Classic pork mapo tofu
Sweet & spicy chicken sandwich
Tomato garlic chow mein
Kung pao chicken
Jade fried rice