Eating Through San Francisco's Chinatown

In the 1850s, China's economy was in chaos due to factors including the Taipeng Rebellion and Opium Wars. Diaspora sent many to San Francisco where North America's oldest Chinatown was established.

The Chinese immigrants shaped their neighborhood to ease the transition and have everyday reminders of the home they left. Architecture from the period endures to this day.

One of the most powerful touchstones to one's homeland is food. This is why cuisine from every region is China is represented in San Francisco's Chinatown. Here are the best restaurants to dine in the area.

The small space is always packed so get there early. Their specialty is noodle soups like their signature Chong Quing numbing spicy noodle with spring onions and lots of chili oil.

Fast food chains have nothing on this place. You'll be out the door with a belly full of won ton and broth in under 20 minutes. Don't miss the pig's feet and beef tendon wun tun soup.

Their specialty is food from Sichuan which is famous for their fiery dishes. Their specialties include lightly flour-dusted fish fillet with pepper oil and Mapo tofu hot and sour soup.

Don't let the slightly shabby storefront with a letter-missing sign fool you. This is the oldest, beloved dim sum joint in Chinatown. Small plates allow diners to try everything from pork buns to soup dumplings.

This retro-trendy spot is adorned with 1990s Canto-pop decor. The fare puts a modern fusion spin on Cantonese classics like seven-day dry-aged squab and XO escargot.

The bakery is a staple for people on-the-go rushing around Chinatown, usually on a weekend morning. Their offerings are perfectly one-handed such as pillowy on the outside, rich on the inside bao buns.

There are Chinatowns in virtually every major city of the United States. Each has their own flavor with regards to people and cuisine.