When it comes to dim sum, the Bay Area’s deep rooted Chinese immigrant history keeps it authentic and competitive making the Bay among the best places in the world for dim sum, offering a variety of restaurants of this worldwide delicacy. I set out to taste some of the most popular spots nearby, sampling everything from pork buns to sesame balls. Here’s what I found at four locations across San Francisco and Marin.
Yank Sing:
Yank Sing, founded by Alice Y.H. Chan and one of San Francisco’s oldest dim sum institutions, has multiple locations throughout San Francisco. Instead of a waiter coming to your table, servers push carts filled with delicacies—from soup dumplings to fried crab legs—and give a short sales pitch for each item. The taste matched the reputation. The soup dumplings, paired with a house-made vinegar, burst with flavor. The spring rolls did not disappoint; as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of spring rolls, I was surprised by how crispy and flavorful they were, making it a popular item at this destination. Another great item that I tried was the pan-fried chicken buns: buttery, crispy on both sides, yet soft and filled with juicy chicken. Finally, for dessert, the sesame balls were sweet, fresh and a perfect way to end the meal. Although the food and service were excellent, there were two downsides: distance and price. About 30 minutes from Redwood, it was deep in the city. While high-quality food understandably costs more, Yank Sing was the priciest restaurant on the list.
Delicious Dim Sum: …