The best day trip to Chinatown in San Francisco

Chinatown from San Francisco is the oldest Chinatown in North America and the largest Chinese enclave outside of Asia. It was founded in 1848, in the same year the first Chinese immigrants in California arrived on board an American ship called the Eagle. Nowadays the neighborhood runs into Grant Avenue and Stockton Street and attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year.

I have done a lot of research in Chinatown and this day trip Het all my favorite places.

➞ If you are looking for more, view my favorite things to do in San Francisco.

Buy an egg cake from AA Bakery

First things first: fuel. And there is no better way to kick the day than with an egg cake AA Bakery. These golden small beauties are flaky, buttery and filled with silky custard goodness that you might just let that croissants ever exist.

AA Bakery bakes them fresh daily, and while you are there, you can also grab other classics such as pineapple rolls (which usually hide a sweet coconut filling) or their airy Japanese cheesecake.

Suffle and Learn at Vitaal tea leaflet

Then go to Vital tea leaf For a tea-smoking experience that are equal parts relaxed and eye opening. This teahouse in the family business has more than 300 types of tea-white, green, oolong, black, herbal after. And the best part? You can taste before you buy.

If you’re lucky, you might get your tasting led by Uncle Gee, their legendary 90-like tea master who is full of wisdom and personality. He will like you and tell you precisely Which tea you need based on your energy, age or even your love life.

You drink everything from flower jasmine to “blue people” ginseng oolong and probably walk away with a bag of tea that you didn’t know you needed. Because tea is not only a drink in Chinese culture – it’s a way of life.

Go to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory

Take a walk from there to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie FactoryA little bit stopped tucked away in Ross Alley where since 1962 Fortuinkakjes have been made in the old-fashioned way with the hand on a rotating cast-iron baking sheet.

Step in and you will be greeted by the sweet scent of fresh cookies and seeing employees who professionally fold fortunes in the warm, pleated dough. They make up to 10,000 cookies a day and you can view the process. Moreover, they usually hand out a few samples so that you can taste before you buy.

➞ If you just go for the photomans, there is a Tippot at the Griddle and they really appreciate the support.

Wander Ross Alley

Because you are already inside Ross AlleyTake the time to wander through it. This narrow lane is the oldest alley in San Francisco and houses brothels, gambling and hairdressing shops of 10 cents. Nowadays it is filled with colorful laundry that is lined above your head, hanging red lanterns, tucked doors and a rich (sometimes dark) history.

In the 1800s, this rose had a reputation as a rough place, and there were even legends that it was the place where spirits could cross more easily in the world of the living. Spooky? A bit. Fascinating? Absolute.

Lunch in House of Dim Sum

Now that you have walked a bit and shopped, it is time to eat again (because that is what Chinatown is really about, right?).

Be on their way to Dim Sum HouseA withheld place that is large on taste and generous on portions. This restaurant run by the family has been around since 1985 and serves a classic Cantonese Dim Sum at super reasonable prices. Think of Dim Sum like Chinese Tapas-Bite-Sized, tasty dishes that are meant to be shared.

We ordered a bit of everything: Siu Mai, Shanghai Soup Dumplings, Sesamballs, Spinach Dumplings and BBQ Pork Buns. You will definitely be full … but not full enough to skip Boba.

Grab a brown sugar boba at Chinatown Taiwan fruit tea

Along the street, put it in Chinatown Taiwan Fruit tea And treat yourself to a brown sugar parel latte. This popular drink is made with brown sugar boba that has been stewed for more than two hours to be perfectly tough and caramelized. Combine that with fresh organic milk, and you have a sweet, creamy pick-me-up that is actually dessert in a cup.

Tip: don’t forget to shake it up before you drink!

Visit tin how temple

For a peaceful moment in the midst of the crowds, then go to Tin how templeOne of the oldest still operating Chinese temples in the United States. It was originally founded around 1852 and was dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese Zeegeodin.

It is not flashy or touristy – you will quietly tuck it away on the third floor of a modest building. Climb the stairs, take off your shoes and step into a serene room full of incense, golden sculptures and tables with offers. Worshipers are still coming here, but visitors are welcome to look, think and even say a prayer

Walking and shop through Chinatown

This is a good time to wander, shop and admire some of the lively public art of the neighborhood.

Keep your eyes open for the Chinatown MuralsThey are spread throughout the area, especially near Grant Avenue. You will find large -scale works of art with Chinese mythology, immigration history and local pride. For a complete list, view the Chinatown Public Art Map.

Make sure you come by to come by The wok shopA family business that has been delivering professional chefs and home cooks with woks and kitchen tools for decades. You can also pick up loose leaves, herbs, fresh products or traditional souvenirs in stores around Grant Avenue and Stockton Street.

Step into the old St. Mary’s Cathedral

Is just a few blocks away Old Cathedral of St. MaryOne of the most historically important buildings in Chinatown. Built in 1854, it was the first cathedral in California and has passed earthquakes, fires and all the other San Francisco. Inside you will find beautiful stained glass, marble columns and rotating exhibitions about the multicultural history of the neighborhood.

Sipus van Ti Ti at Li or Lounge

While the day ends, go to Li Po LoungeChinatown’s famous diving bar – and the house of the legendary Chinese Mai Tai.

This place has a serious old -fashioned charm: red lanterns hanging on the ceiling, zoo calendars on the wall and a somewhat sandy (but fun) atmosphere. The Chinese Mai Tai is their characteristic cocktail and comes with a blow (literally). It is fruity, strong and served in a large glass with their secret recipe, which is actually based on the American patent office.

Grab one of those and perhaps a lucky Buddha beer (the bottle has the shape of a Buddha!).

Finish with dinner at four kings

End your Chinatown Day Trip with dinner at modern Four kingsA nostalgic Cantonese restaurant run by chefs Franky Ho and Michael Long. Their mission? Determine the flavors of their youth in Hong Kong – but with a turn.

The place is small, loud and full of energy – it reminded me of some Isakayas that I visited in Japan. We ate things like ClayPot Rice with Chinese sausage, creamy potato salad with tofu dressing, popcorn chicken and pork rice with tomato egg. The “fish scented eggplant” eventually became one of my favorites, although I was a bit skeptical in the beginning.

➞ Reservations are difficult to get. Your best gamble is to go online Open table On exactly the afternoon, this is when the reservations open. Or be prepared to stand in line for an hour before they open for the first seats.

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