MARTIN YAN’S CHINATOWN: A TOUR THROUGH THE VIBRANT SAN FRANCISCO NEIGHBORHOOD

Written By fresh local vibes

Before there was the Food Network and Bravo's Top Chef, if you wanted see a chef throw down and do their thing on TV, your options were pretty limited. As an 80s kid growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, you really only had one option: KQED Channel 9 and Martin Yan. 

I can still hear his signature tagline, “If Yan can cook, so can you!”  Perhaps I forgot to change the channel one day after Sesame Street, but I vividly remember the Chef bursting onto the screen with his sizzling wok and impeccable knife skills.  My young mind was blown away and I have been an avid fan ever since.

 
Martin Yan San Francisco Chinatown

So, you can imagine my excitement when I got the opportunity to explore San Francisco Chinatown with none other than Martin Yan himself.  The San Francisco Chinatown Visitor Information Center organized this tour with the hopes of drawing more visitors to Chinatown. Despite the years that have passed, Martin Yan has not lost a step. He was every bit the hilarious, entertaining and energetic celebrity chef I had seen on TV, and was instantly recognizable as we navigated the busy streets of Chinatown. Everywhere we went, people would stop to chat with Martin or snap a picture with him.  It was very cool to see his enduring celebrity and popularity.

Martin’s passion for supporting the local businesses in San Francisco Chinatown was infectious, and he generously shared his knowledge and expertise with our group. We visited a number of places on our tour, including numerous grocery and produce stores scattered throughout the area, spanning a 12-block radius.

 

As we passed the many produce stores along the way, Martin would stop and share little nuggets about different vegetables and fruits with the group.  The variety found at San Francisco Chinatown is amazing – you won’t find many of these vegetables or fruits at your local grocery store.  During one stop, Martin recommended trying the Longan, a delicious tropical fruit similar to lychee which translates to Dragon’s Eye. Someone in our group graciously purchased some for us to try. It was sweet and refreshing with a hint of floral, very much similar to a lychee.

 

Next we made our way down Stockton Street, we passed by the Good Mong Kok Bakery, where the line was wrapped all the way down the block.  This popular spot always draws a crowd as they serve up delicious buns and dim sum.  But for those who not in the mood for waiting, there are plenty of other great spots nearby.  And if you happen to make your way to Oakland Chinatown, they’ve got some delicious bites that you need to try.

 
 

A few steps away from Good Mong Kok is Gourmet Delight BBQ, a Chinese BBQ shop where you’ll find savory delights like roasted pork and roasted duck.  In the shop, you’re greeted by racks of roasted BBQ hanging and savory scents that fill the air and draw you in with the promise of a flavorful experience.  We made our way in to sample the juicy crispy roasted pork, packed with flavor from the blend of spices and finished with a crispy exterior that gives a unique crunch—simply put, it’s delicious. Chef’s kiss.

 

Across the street, we headed to Chung Chou City Market, a shop that specializes in rare dry ingredients like dried abalone, ginseng, bird's nest, and sea cucumber. These ingredients can be difficult to find and are often very expensive, so it was great to learn about the culinary and medicinal uses of them, and where they can be sourced.  As we explored, we discovered that beyond their rarity and cost, these ingredients hold deep cultural significance, with traditional methods of preparation and culinary practices passed down through generations.

 
 

After Chung Chou City, Martin led the group down Washington Street and we found ourselves at the Chinatown Restaurant ready to kickoff lunch. Founded in 1919, Chinatown Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in the neighborhood.  A tattered “Grand Opening” sign was hanging out front and Martin joked that it was the original sign from 1919!  We all had a good laugh as we made our way upstairs.  The restaurant was bustling and people were seated outside on a charming balcony that wrapped around.  As we settled in for lunch, the owner came over to say hello to Martin and welcomed our group.  For lunch, we were treated to a variety of delicious dishes including pot stickers, spring rolls and noodles.  Some much needed comfort food that hits the spot after a long walk around San Francisco Chinatown.

 
 

Lunch left me somewhere between needing a nap and ready to continue on into happy hour, as we headed to our final stop of the afternoon – a tea tasting experience at Vital Tea Leaf. As we entered the tea shop, you’re greeted by a long counter with seating and walls of jars filled with a variety of high-quality loose-leaf tea.  As our group settled in, we were welcomed by Ming, the shop owner of Vital Tea Leaf. He kicked things off by pouring a fresh round of tea for the group and explained the different tea leaves, how to brew and the fact that you can use the same tea leaves to brew a couple of cups of tea.  Ming’s humor was refreshing.  Despite owning a tea shop, he admitted to preferring whiskey over tea.  When asked about the best tea for a hangover, he suggested the Blue People Ginseng Tea with Ginseng Powder.  Definitely brought those home with me!

 

The “Green Goddess” tea was a favorite of Martin’s, and it quickly became one of mine too. Its unique flavor and refreshing notes were the perfect antidote for a full stomach.  As the tea tasting concluded, we said our goodbyes and took one last snap as a group.  The entire experience felt surreal.  Here was a man who could have been hobnobbing with Martha Stewart in Vegas, yet he chose to guide a group through his beloved community and share what’s so amazing about it.  As a local and Bay Area native, the touristy activities might not always make it to the top of the weekend itinerary, but this experience with Martin Yan has shown the value of reconnecting with your city and the community in it.

If Yan can show love the city, so can you!

 
 
 

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