What Makes the SF Chinatown Night Market a Must-Visit Destination?

The San Francisco Chinatown Night Market is a popular monthly Asian-style night market in California. It is currently in its latest version since its initial grand opening in October 1999. The original creation of a night market in San Francisco Chinatown was implemented and funded by the office of then Mayor Willie Brown. That happened less than a decade after the 1989 earthquake led to the demolition of the Embarcadero Freeway, causing a drop in visitors to the Chinatown area. So, a night market that took place every Saturday in Portsmouth Square was created to support the local traders and small businesses affected by the loss of the freeway. The trend continued for decades. After its latest hiatus, SF Chinatown Night Market returned in March 2024, this time with a new organizer in community-based nonprofit BeChinatown, backed by a substantial grant from The Civic Joy Fund. The new but equally cherished monthly night market also has a fresh venue and schedule. In this post, we’ll explore all of the facts about SF Chinatown Night Market and why it’s a must-visit event. Get ready to learn what foods are popular there and how you can recreate the experience in your home. Let’s dive in! When and Where: Dates, Times, and Location of SF Chinatown Night Market The new SF Chinatown Night Market takes place on the second Friday of every month. Hence, its last two iterations in 2024 are scheduled for November 8 and December 13. The monthly event starts at 17:30 and ends by 21:00. Its main venue is Grant Avenue, located in the bustling heart of the Chinatown district of San Francisco, California. To get to the specific location, head over to the area between blocks 700 and 900 of the avenue. Why SF Chinatown Night Market is a Must-Visit Event The event has seen thousands of locals and tourists over the years thanks to its vibrant atmosphere, bright red lanterns, and delicious Chinese street food. It’s a great place to shop, eat, and have fun exploring Asian culture on a Friday night. Although the market is not open past midnight, as is the case with traditional Asian night markets, you can still do a lot in its opening hours. This monthly fair is not just an opportunity for shopping. It’s also an expression of the Asian culture in San Francisco Chinatown. So, ethnic Chinese immigrants and really anyone interested in exploring authentic Chinese culture can come down to Grant Avenue on the days of the event. More than 20 local vendors set up shop in the venue. They include restaurants, bakeries, food stalls, cafes, and tea shops. Every SF night market promises cultural elements such as a traditional Lion Dance and native music. What Food is Popular at SF Chinatown Night Market? The night market in San Francisco’s Chinatown is one of the best places to enjoy various culinary delights from Chinese cuisine. The following are the most popular offerings from vendors at the fair: Dumplings: China is home to a wide range of pastry dishes made from dough wrappers and sweet or savory fillings. Some of these Chinese dumplings, or jiaozi, are sold at the SF market. Common types include shui jiao (boiled dumplings), xiao long bao (soup dumplings), and zhengjiao (steamed dumplings). Skewers: These are meat, seafood, or vegetables cooked and served on a stick made of wood or metal. The vendors cook skewers with pork, chicken, lamb, and fish. Traditional desserts: People in the market can’t get enough of the traditional desserts on display, such as egg tarts, fried dough twists, glutinous rice balls, and soy milk pudding. Typically, they eat these treats with milk tea or boba tea. Noodles: The SF night market is the place to be for all kinds of Chinese noodles. Although there is no shortage of noodle dish options, vendors mostly sell chow mein, lo mein, and la mian. Top 5 Traditional Chinese Dishes to Try at the Market Let’s explore five iconic Chinese dishes that are staples at the SF Chinatown Night Market. Enjoy! Peking Duck Originally from Beijing, China, peking duck has been a beloved traditional dish since the Imperial era. It’s an extremely complex dish that takes a long time to make. The vendor or cook roasts and serves tender duck meat along with its thin and crispy skin. It can be paired with spring onions, pancakes, and sweet bean sauce. Ducks used to cook the dish are often housed and force-fed for about three weeks to make their meat more tender. You can find the best peking duck at the SF Chinatown night market by visiting the following booths: Sam Wo, Grant Place Restaurant, and Far East Cafe. Baozi Baozi is a type of steamed bun filled with meat or vegetables. It’s popular not only in China but also in Chinatowns across the world, including the United States. There are several types of baozi, depending on the preparation method and type of fillings. These include xiaolongbao (meat-filled), shui jian bao (pan-fried), big pau (pork and egg-filled), and doushabao (filled with sweet bean paste). Wing Sing Dim Sum, House of Dim Sum, and Sam Wo offer some of the best baozi in town, so stop by during the night market. They also make tantalizing spring rolls (dim sum). Stinky Tofu This is probably going to be the stinkiest meal you’ve ever had, but may also be your most delicious piece of tofu yet. Stinky tofu is a traditional Chinese street food made from fermented tofu. The fermentation process, which is done in brine, could last for several months and is responsible for the strong odor. The resulting flavor is a combination of sweet, sour, and savory. Check out Lucky Creation Vegetarian Restaurant for a taste of vegan tofu options. Chow Mein Chow Mein is a type of stir-fried noodles originating in China. Often cooked with meat or tofu, it’s one of the most popular dishes in Chinatowns around the world, especially in the US, the UK, and India. Eateries like Mon Sing Noodle, Sam Wo, and Far East Cafe make delicious chow mein at the SF Chinatown Night Market. Fried Rice Many countries have their own versions of fried rice, but the Chinese variant is quite special. The rice is greased with sesame oil, lard, or vegetable oil before getting stir-fried and seasoned with soy sauce, eggs, garlic, and other spices. The cooked dish can be topped with pork, mushrooms, scallion, and pepper. San Wo offers the best fried rice in the night market. However, you will find them alongside numerous other merchants with quality options at the venue. Savoring Street Food: What Makes SF Chinatown Special? The SF market stands out from other Chinatown night markets because of its unique street food culture, which incorporates a wide variety of savory dishes. Meat-filled buns and pastries are especially popular during the event. The event is also unique for how much it relies on the local community and small businesses in Chinatown, giving a sense of authenticity and vibrant spirit to the entire affair. Asian Snacks and Drinks at SF Chinatown Night Market SF Chinatown Night Market is arguably the best spot to shop for traditional Asian snacks. AA Bakery, Dragon Papa dessert shop, Yummy Bakery, Golden Gate Fortune Cookies, and Wong Lee Bakery are just a few of the vendors offering these treats. Shop at their booths for your egg tarts, pork buns, walnut cookies, potato chips, spring rolls, and more. You can also get traditional Japanese beverages, like boba tea, milk tea, or green tea, to pair with your snacks at Cool Tea Bar, Tien Ren Tea, or Zhu’s Tea. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/collections/all-drinks/products/itoen-strawberry-milk== If you want to enjoy snacks, desserts, and drinks in the same place, check out Far East Cafe, Enter the Cafe, Metro Hong Kong Dessert and Milk Tea, and Lady Luck Cafe. Bringing the SF Chinatown Night Market Home with Bokksu Market If you can’t travel to San Francisco in time for the next night market event, feel free to shop for similar flavors on Bokksu Market, the best store for Asian food products. We have a collection of Lay’s Potato Chips with night market flavors such as Lime, Sizzling Chinese BBQ, Braised Pork, and Spicy Crayfish. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/collections/asian-lays-chips/products/lays-potato-chips-spicy-crayfish== You can also try our Asian-style sweets ranging from Kit Kat Matcha to Hongyuan Tapioca Candy Milk Tea flavors. Don’t forget to try our instant ramen options if you want a full meal. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/collections/all-asian-kit-kat-bokksu-market/products/japanese-kit-kat-rich-green-tea== Instant Noodles: A Night Market and Bokksu Market Favorite Instant noodles are popular in SF Chinatown night bazaars and Bokksu Market. Feel free to explore our wide range of spicy Asian noodles made by top brands like JML, Hikari Menraku, Yopokki, and Nissin. You’ll find noodles made with pickled cabbage, beef stew, sesame, seafood, and lots more. Cooking Sauces That Bring the Night Market Flavor Home You can recreate night market dishes in your home if you get the same cooking ingredients trusted by esteemed vendors at these events. At Bokksu Market, we offer a wide range of cooking sauces that are perfect for making traditional Chinese dishes. Whether it's spicy hot sauce from Huy Fong and Three Mountains or savory soy sauce from Kikkoman and Pearl River Bridge, we’ve always got you covered. Unique Asian Beverages to Enjoy from Bokksu Market Many of the beverages that are popular at the SF night market are also available on Bokksu Market. Need creamy milk tea? We’ve got delicious flavors by Sangaria Royal, Cravi Digimon, and Evergreen. We also have a rich collection of boba bubble tea created by J-Basket. Want more beverages? You can also find all kinds of ramune, coffee, green tea, and flavored sodas on our platform. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/collections/all-drinks== Popular Asian Snacks for Your Pantry Enjoy popular Asian snacks on Bokksu Market, such as Pocky, mochi, and seaweed snacks that will transform your pantry into a modern collection of night market flavors. All our flavors are authentically Asian, and you can easily sort them by cuisine, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese. Use Bokksu Market to enjoy the SF Chinatown Night Market experience at home by shopping for Asian-inspired snacks, drinks, and sauces on the website.