Yank Sing

The story

Yank Sing San Francisco: Award-Winning Dim Sum Since 1958 | Bib Gourmand

A Contemporary Take on Traditional Dim Sum

Since 1958, Yank Sing has been a San Francisco destination for dim sum, a third-generation family-owned restaurant that honors the traditions of this iconic Chinese meal while embracing a modern dining experience. The restaurant’s story begins before its opening, when founders George and Alice Chan fled China during the Communist Revolution and settled in San Francisco, where they began creating their signature chili pepper sauce. Their first location opened on Powell Street with just 35 seats.

Today, Yank Sing operates two locations in the city. Guests are invited to enjoy the adventure of selecting from over 100 rotating varieties of Chinese cuisine and dim sum, served from traditional pushcarts wheeled through the contemporary dining room. Rather than ordering from a menu, diners share the meal family-style, sampling dishes as they pass by. The menu includes classic steamed BBQ pork buns, shrimp dumplings with paper-thin wrappers, plush pork and shrimp siu mye, and memorable Shanghainese xiao long bao. The signature Peking duck, with its lacquered skin and fluffy buns, is a notable highlight.

The restaurant’s quality has been consistently recognized. Yank Sing holds a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand, a testament to its good quality, good value cooking. The James Beard Foundation also honored the restaurant with an America’s Classics Award, noting that third-generation owner Vera Chan Waller is in the kitchen every day, ensuring that Yank Sing maintains its high standards and traditions. The family’s dedication to elevating Chinese cuisine is evident in every cart that rolls by.