Lobster dish at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
SAN FRANCISCO - Amber Lee's Chinatownshares memories of the food our reporter grew up with as a San Francisco native. Amber was born at Chinese Hospital in Chinatown, so the subject here is very dear to her. KTVU is airing four special segments each week throughout the month of May for Asian American Pacific Islander Month. Plus, catch a special half-hour segment on Memorial Day with extra bonus footage. Here's another look behind the scenes of our culinary tour in images.
Located at 1416 Powell Street, this Chinese restaurant is slightly off the beaten path for Chinatown. They are known for their innovative take on some traditional dishes. We went for dim sum and toured this very busy kitchen. This is a family-owned business with brother-sister duo, Tiffany and Leon Zhou, in charge as the managers and owners. Their father is the chef. His signature baked pork bao, a creation they started making in 2008, is incredibly delicious.
Line cook chopping ingredients at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cook steaming dim sum baskets at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cooks at work at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Line cooks at work at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Line cooks at work at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Chef pours sauce from a wok at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge.
Shrimp chips at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cook mixing ingredients at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cook with garnish and toppings at Lai Hong Lounge San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cook at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Cooking in the kitchen at Lai Hong Lounge in San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Shaping egg tarts at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Chef shaping egg tarts at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Food preparation at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Line cook with dim sum dishes at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cook with an array of noodles at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Line cook prepares bao and pork belly at San Francisco Chinatown Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Fun fact: The literal translation is dim = bit and sum = heart. Think of it as a piece of my heart. Or the chef's heart as the case may be.
Try the fresh seafood at Lai Hong Lounge, San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Seafood freshness is everything
Lai Hong Lounge prides itself on the freshness of its seafood. Here's a glimpse at how one of their black cod fish dishes is made from the beginning to the final product.
Fun fact: When Amber Lee was a young girl, she would have an allergic reaction to eating shrimp. The seafood would irritate her eyes and they would swell up. Her grandfather, whom she loved very much, would not stand for this. He said she could not be allergic to shrimp since this was such a staple of the Chinese diet. "Keep eating it," he'd tell her. Amber says that and traditional medicine worked. She is no longer allergic to shrimp!
Fresh seafood being prepared at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Fresh seafood being prepared at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Fresh seafood being prepared at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Fresh seafood being prepared at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Try the fresh seafood at Lai Hong Lounge, San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
An impressive spread of dishes from Lai Hong Lounge, 1416 Powell Street, San Francisco, Chinatown.
Amber Lee out to dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge 1416 Powell Street. San Francisco, Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
The dishes and presentation
The dishes are colorful and packed with phenomenal flavors. Amber noticed how the modern farm-to-table movement in the U.S. was something Chinese culture had been doing all along! Here's a look at some of what we saw coming out from the kitchen. It was quite impressive. These spreads are no joke.
A fried green tea ball with black sesame filling. One of the innovative treats from Lai Hong Lounge in San Francisco Chinatown.
Leon Zhou made sure to get us some extra baked pork buns, since we enjoyed them so much. He also told one of our crew members that we had to try their version of Peking duck. Yes, the skin was crispy. Underneath the skin, texture wise, it almost felt like eating a spare rib. The pan-fried turnip cake, made with house-made XO sauce, also packed a flavorful punch and was cooked to perfection. It is made with dried shrimp and scallops.
Chef prepares shrimp chips at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Dim sum being prepared at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Dim sum being prepared at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Baked bao with pork. A signature dish at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Chef pours sauce from a wok at San Francisco Chinatown's Lai Hong Lounge.
Shrimp chips at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Chicken feet and barbecue pork at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Lai Hong Lounge San Francisco Chinatown. Food in the kitchen, including shrimp chips and green beans. April 17, 2023.
Dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
A puffed sesame ball with red bean paste for dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Shrimp chips and a signature fried noodle dish at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Bao and pork belly at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Peking duck at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Customer dining out for dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge. April 17, 2023.
Amber Lee dining out for dim sum with customers at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown.
Dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge, including turnips. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
A signature fried noodle dish at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Dim sum at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
An impressive spread of dishes from Lai Hong Lounge, 1416 Powell Street, San Francisco, Chinatown.
A spread of dishes from Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Try the fresh seafood at Lai Hong Lounge, San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Lobster dish at Lai Hong Lounge. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
AA Bakery & Cafe owner Henry Chan made a mango cake right before our eyes. He is a skilled baker who demonstrates attention to detail. This is one of the shop's more popular desserts. One thing we learned is that in Chinese culture, it is preferred to have desserts that are light. Chan mentioned how oftentimes and traditionally, Chinese customers perceive American desserts as too heavy. That's why at Chinese weddings and parties, you will often see fruit-based cakes and desserts.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Making a mango cake. AA Bakery, San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Henry Chan, owner of AA Bakery, making a mango cake. San Francisco Chinatown. April 17, 2023.
Amber Lees Chinatown map.
"Chinese Tamales": one of Amber Lee's favorites
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee remembers her grandmother making growing up. This is the House of Dim Sum version of salted pork & egg sticky rice.
"Chinese tamales" (Amber Lee's nickname for this food, as she did grow up in the Mission District) is something Amber remembers her grandmother making growing up. This is the House of Dim Sum version of what they list on their menu as 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'. We took one home, re-steamed it and dove right in! Here's a look at how to deconstruct this dish for consumption.
Unwrap the leaf by cutting the string and look how when you cut into the rice layer, the meat begins to pour out. You can see a bit of lap cheong, that's Amber's favorite – Chinese sausage.
Fun fact: Amber likes this sausage so much, she once named her wiener dog Lap Cheong!
House of Dim Sum is located at 735 Jackson St. in San Francisco Chinatown. This is a great takeout place to get dim sum on the go.
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee's grandmother used to make. This is the House of Dim Sum version of 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'.
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee's grandmother used to make. This is the House of Dim Sum version of 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'.
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee's grandmother used to make. This is the House of Dim Sum version of 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'.
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee's grandmother used to make. This is the House of Dim Sum version of 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'.
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee's grandmother used to make. This is the House of Dim Sum version of 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'.
Abbey Huang from House of Dim Sum, 735 Jackson Street. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
"Chinese tamales," something Amber Lee remembers her grandmother making growing up. This is the House of Dim Sum version of 'salted pork & egg sticky rice'.
A 167-year-old business, Chinese dynasty
Amber Lee with her Auntie Lily and the owner of Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., who is holding (Lap yok) Chinese bacon. This is at a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
That's not a typo. Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. has been in business since 1856. Lien Lee is the sixth generation owner of this business that is every bit as much a trip through time as its longevity suggests. It's quite an operation. When you walk in, one of the first things you will see is the stunning display of cured meats. Flayed ducks adorn the wall, almost decorative against the mint-green tile. The back-room operation is something to behold. Workers sit on stools and soak the assorted meats in large vats of wine. Then they're put in an equally impressive drying oven before being hung to air dry. This is where you can get your supply of lap cheong. Many of the customers we saw coming in were getting goods to ship to New York City and Los Angeles.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. is located at 774 Commercial St. in San Francisco Chinatown.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Meats drying in the oven in Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Products on display at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
A display of products available at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Flayed ducks on display at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. April 13, 2023.
Customers order at Mow Lee Shing Kee. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Duck bones at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Curing and drying meats in the back of Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown.
A worker hoists Chinese bacon (lap yok) at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
An employee carries Chinese bacon (lap yok) as he works at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Duck legs dry at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
A customer steps up to order at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Chinese bacon, or lap yok, hangs to dry at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Flayed ducks are cured at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Lap cheong (variant lap chong) dries at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. This is one of Amber Lee's absolute favorite foods. It's Chinese sausage. Also seen drying, Chinese bacon or lap yok. April 13, 2023.
Lap cheong (variant lap chong) dries at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. This is one of Amber Lee's absolute favorite foods. It's Chinese sausage. Also seen drying, Chinese bacon or lap yok. April 13, 2023.
Lap cheong (variant lap chong) dries at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. This is one of Amber Lee's absolute favorite foods. It's Chinese sausage. April 13, 2023.
Meats in an oven to dry at Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Amber Lee with the owner of Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. at 774 Commercial Street in San Francisco. This is a 167 year-old business. Lien Lee is a 6th generation owner. April 13, 2023.
Amber Lee with her 'Auntie Lily' and the owner of Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., who is holding (Lap yok) Chinese bacon. This is at a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Amber Lee with the owner of Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co. at 774 Commercial Street in San Francisco. This is a 167 year-old business. Lien Lee is a 6th generation owner. April 13, 2023.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Mow Lee Shing Kee & Co., a 167-year-old business in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Hing Lung Company, aka, "Go Duck Yourself"
We loved our time at Hing Lung Company located at 1261 Stockton Street. Again, this is on the far north end of Chinatown, so it's a little off the beaten path.
This is the type of place you could pass hundreds of times as a San Francisco resident and not even know of the treasures within. But you must step foot inside. Good thing we had Amber as our tour guide.
This experience was true testament to bridging the past to the present, and looking toward the future. Brothers and business co-owners Eric and Simon Cheung took over their father's business. While they are helping preserve the neighborhood, its character and culture, they are also on social media. They have a trendy butcher paper menu written in English and Cantonese and a sassy sign in the window reads ‘Go Duck Yourself.'
Hing Lung Co. is officially recognized as a legacy business with the San Francisco Small Business Commission. The business got its start in 1977.
Don't be afraid to go inside and try new things. The barbecue pork and duck is phenomenal. Simon told us he must have ruined 50 entire hogs before he got his process down to a science.
Fun Fact: This brother duo is planning a brick and mortar expansion in SF's Bernal Heights neighborhood and the name of it? You guessed it, ‘Go Duck Yourself.' Looking forward to the company's continued growth!
Hing Lung Co. aka, Go Duck Yourself. 1261 Stockton Street, San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Simon Cheung, co-owner of Hing Lung Company in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Eric Cheung, co-owner of Hing Lung Company in San Francisco Chinatown in front of ducks waiting to be cooked. April 13, 2023.
A whole hog hangs before it is roasted at Hing Lung Co. in San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Simon Cheung, co-owner of Hing Lung Co. shows Amber Lee his kitchen operation.
Simon Cheung, co-owner of Hing Lung Co. shows Amber Lee his kitchen operation at 1261 Stockton Street. San Francisco Chinatown. April 13, 2023.
Roasting ducks in a chamber at San Francisco Chinatown's Hing Lung Co. April 13, 2023.
Amber Lee with Simon (left) and Eric Cheung (right) the brother co-owners of Hing Lung Company, a Chinese takeout restaurant at 1261 Stockton Street.
Amber Lee's Chinatown is a cultural bridge for those who may not know the treasures and tastes within San Francisco's Chinatown. Our longtime reporter is an SF native who grew up going to Chinatown often. Now she shares where to get some of her favorite dishes.