Three Authentic San Francisco Chinatown Restaurants To Celebrate AAPI Month

Since it was designated by the U.S. government in 1990, May has been recognized as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. San Francisco in particular is home to a large Asian American population of which includes the early Chinese immigrants who came to the city back in the 1840s, and of course their decendents. San Francisco’s Chinatown is not only the largest in North America, but the largest outside of Asia, and as such, it boats some of the most authentic, delicious Chinese food you’ll find outside of China itself.

To get you started on your exploration of the City by the Bay’s historically significant Chinatown, here are three must-try restaurants that offer incredible cuisine and memorable dining experiences. We chatted with the chef and owners of China Live, Empress By Boon and Z&Y restaurant on AAPI month, Chinatown, hertiage and more. Here’s what they had to say.

China Live

George Chen is on a mission to bring fine Chinese food to the forefront of worldwide culinary recognition. His establishment China Live was created as the space to immerse locals and tourists to the Chinese cuisine and culture, demystifying ingredients and recipes while educating our guests on the rich history and influence of Chinese gastronomy. This cultural and culinary destination is a true place for all things that make Chinatown and Chinese food special.

The bustling 30000 square foot emporium houses the Market Restaurant which features open-style kitchen stations preparing classics like Peking duck and fried dumplings served to your table; the fine dining establishment Eight Tables by George Chen which offers an elegant, refined tasting menu per person; Cold Drinks Bar, one of the sleekest bars in the city; an actual marketplace selling food products, decor, kitchen items; and more.

“China Live has also invested $20M into this Chinatown property to remind America that diversity is not prejudiced based on stereotypes,” explains China Live Owner George Chen. “China Live is a glorious reminder that all can enjoy each other’s cultures in a beautiful way which enriches all of us. We celebrate AAPI Month each year, so we don’t regress into division and hate from our history (Japanese internment, Chinese Exclusion Act, etc.) towards any ethnic group.”

A few of China Live highlights include the #1 Seller Famous Sheng Jian Bao ‘SJB’, ‘Peking Duck’ in Sesame Pockets, and Shanghai Xiao Long Bao ‘XLB’ Soup Dumplings. All these dishes are prepared with Chinese ingredients, including the produce, proteins, and sauces, in a different light hoping to educate all Americans on our culture, explains Chen.

Empress By Boon

At Empress By Boon, Michelin-starred Chef Ho Chee Boon is challenging stereotypes of what Chinese food can be by elevating traditional Chinese dishes with his impressive culinary background. He designs rotating menus that feature fresh, seasonal ingredients while retaining traditional cooking techniques to show the natural evolution of Cantonese cuisine. The current new menu features dishes like scallop and caviar roll, Iberico pork xiao long bao and red snapper with Malaysian asam and more.

Chef Boon focuses on the integrity of the food utilizing organic produce from California and the region. When it comes to presentation, he uses a modern and artistic style of plating. Chef Boon hopes to continue to share his elevated style of Cantonese cuisine, creating unique and special guest experiences around the world.

The 7500 square foot Empress By Boon is in the former location of Chinatown’s historic Empress of China banquet hall and features several stunningly ornate, unique dining areas with one-of-a-kind city views. From the elegant tea lounge underneath a skylit pergola to the classy, bar area with flashy red leather stools, this restaurant’s ambiance is unbeatable.

Z&Y Restaurant

Z&Y Restaurant is one of the few restaurants in the bay area to primarily serve food from the Szechuan region in China and is an award-winning culinary destination that received the coveted Bib Gourmand Michelin ranking in 2012 and has since retained the status every year.

“After attending a top culinary school in Beijing where I specialized in Szechuan food and culture, I was appointed as the executive chef for the Consulate General of China in San Francisco, where I was able to cook for many distinguished guests, including two Chinese presidents, several foreign ministers and more,” explains Chef Lijun Han, of Z&Y Restaurant.

“During my time at the Consulate, I was fortunate to be able to showcase the glorious beauty of the Szechuan cuisine and culture to visiting dignitaries. Through my food, I was able to unveil the mysteries behind the cuisine to our guests.”

Szechuan is much more than just spicy and numbing dishes, he explains. In 2008 he opened his Szechuan restaurant to continue his mission of sharing the best of the cuisine with his guests. “As we celebrate AAPI month, we look forward to continuing serving our guests with all the different flavors of Szechuan cuisine, including House Special Fresh Fish Filet Boiled in House Spicy Sauce, Tea Smoked Duck, Stir-Fried Crab with House Spicy Sauce and Mao Xue Wang, and making them feel welcome and at home when dining with us.”