Chef Brandon Jew’s Top 6 Dining Recommendations in San Francisco’s Chinatown

When people think of San Francisco, they often picture the Golden Gate Bridge and Chinatown. Few know the area as intimately as chef Brandon Jew, the talent behind the Michelin-starred Mister Jiu’s, which proudly corrects the misspelling of his family name from its arrival in America to its true pinyin form.

Since opening his restaurant in 2016, Jew has been delighting diners with modern Chinese American cuisine, featuring dishes like “dirty” chicken fried rice—enhanced with okra and corn—and smooth mapo tofu. Over six years, he has garnered numerous accolades, including three James Beard Awards and a Michelin star.

Mister Jiu’s is nestled in the vibrant heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, a neighborhood that Jew has cherished throughout his life. Born in the city, he often visited with his family, sharing stories in our Summer 2022 issue titled, “What Chinatown Means to America—And to Me.”

Whether you’re in the mood for dim sum or a sweet treat, here are Jew’s top recommendations for dining in San Francisco’s Chinatown:

Good Mong Kok Bakery

Address: 1039 Stockton St.
Operating Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Good Mong Kok Bakery is a beloved gem in San Francisco’s Chinatown. This straightforward, no-seating bakery has always been cash-only and take-out, even before the pandemic. Renowned for its steamed delicacies, including baozi (stuffed steamed buns) and har gow (shrimp dumplings), expect a line out front, so aim to arrive near opening time.

Hon’s Wun-Tun House

Address: 648 Kearny St.
Operating Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

For a genuine taste of Cantonese cuisine and Hong Kong-style noodles in a laid-back atmosphere, head to Hon’s Wun-Tun House. While the menu boasts numerous options, this spot is particularly famous for its wonton soup—Jew suggests trying the version with tendon and fish balls. Expect a crowd, so be sure to sign in as soon as you arrive.

The Spicy Shrimp

Address: 150 Waverly Place
Operating Hours: Thursday–Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Spicy Shrimp is celebrated for its generous portions of Cantonese dishes at budget-friendly prices. A standout favorite is the cheung fun (steamed rice noodle roll), often filled with proteins like shrimp or beef; Jew particularly enjoys the egg and shrimp version, though options like barbecue pork and bitter melon are also available. Cantonese is the primary language spoken here, so pointing to items on the menu can add to the experience.

Lai Hong Lounge

Address: 1416 Powell St.
Operating Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.; 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

This Michelin-starred establishment briefly shut its doors during the pandemic for renovations, but it has reopened with a refreshed ambiance and additional dining spaces. Lai Hong Lounge has been a beloved fixture in Chinatown for nearly three decades, renowned for its popular dim sum offerings, including chicken feet, pork buns, and siu mai. Jew particularly enjoys their Hong Kong-style crispy noodles, which are first parboiled and then stir-fried to perfection.

Hing Lung

Address: 1261 Stockton St.
Operating Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Craving tender Chinese barbecued pork and duck? Look no further than Hing Lung, a take-out-only spot that has been serving delicious fare for 41 years. While it offers some vegetable and noodle sides, the focus here is on the meats, including honey barbecue pork ribs and crispy duck wings—Jew highly recommends the roast pork. In October 2021, Hing Lung expanded with a second location, Go Duck Yourself (at 439 Cortland Ave.), featuring the same menu and seating for 20 guests.

Little Swan Bakery

Address: 1249 Stockton St.
Operating Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Little Swan is nestled in the heart of San Francisco’s Chinatown, just a few blocks from Portsmouth Square. Jew loves their pork sung (a sweet, airy, dried pork treat) and scallion cake rolls, but the bakery also features modern desserts like crepe cakes and cream puffs. Be sure to try the pineapple buns—sweet buns that don’t actually contain pineapple but have a distinctive crosshatch topping.