Yank Sing (Spear St.)
Dim sum restaurant · Rincon Hill
101 Spear St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Highlights
Authentic dim sum with cart service, Xiao Long Bao, and Peking duck
Authentic dim sum with cart service, Xiao Long Bao, and Peking duck
"It’s lunch time in SF if you can hear the sound of rolling stainless steel carts carrying delicious steamed baskets nearby. Yank Sing is a great SF establishment that keeps the city’s reputation for good Cantonese food. For dim sum, Yank Sing is definitely on the pricier side compared to locales in Chinatown and the outer neighborhoods, but the food is still authentic and the location is optimal for both downtown workers and tourists. You can find traditional items on the menu such as Pork Shrimp Siu Mai and Xiao Long Bao (juicy soup dumplings), as well vegetarian and “Westernized” options for those at your table who are not as adventurous. If you’ve never had a soup dumpling, we recommend placing it on a spoon and using your chopstick to pierce open the skin so the hot soup doesn’t squirt everywhere (like your eyes!), and eat with a little sliver of ginger and vinegar." - outlier
"Yank Sing is arguably the place in town for dim sum. The upscale setting boasts reasonable prices, and while peak hours entail a wait, one can be assured of quality and abundant variety from these carts rolling out of the kitchen. The signature Peking duck with its crispy lacquered skin and fluffy buns makes for a memorable treat, not unlike the deliciously sweet and salty char siu bao. Of course, dumplings here are the true highlight, and range from fragrant pork xiao long bao to paper-thin har gow concealing chunks of shrimp. Don’t see favorites like the flaky egg custard tarts? Just ask the cheerful staff, who’ll radio the kitchen for help via headsets." - Michelin Inspector
"A long-standing dim-sum institution 'going back to 1958,' noted for being a staple of the city's Chinese dining scene and recommended for couples who want a classic, communal Cantonese meal." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"There’s a reason this dumpling dealer was recognized with an America’s Classic award in 2009. The restaurant was involved in a wage theft lawsuit in 2014, which has since been settled, and remains a standout Chinese restaurant in the city, offering plump siu mai and shrimp dumplings to its legions of fans." - Paolo Bicchieri
"This old-school place has been around since 1958, and is arguably the most famous Cantonese dim sum restaurant in the city. They’re still going strong, signature cart service included. Yank Sing makes consistently great xiao long bao, steamed barbecue pork buns, and scallop siu mai, so it’s easy to leave satisfied. Yank Sing has two locations, but the more spacious Spear Street outpost inside the Rincon Center is the best—the sky-high atrium with funky geometric walls lets in tons of natural light." - julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez, patrick wong
