From Vietnamese banh mi delis to Cantonese BBQ, fortune cookie factories, and more.
One of the old Chinatown districts in North America , Oakland Chinatownwas a hub for fresh immigrants arriving from the southerly region of China in the mid-19th century . In late geezerhood , it became a home where refugees from Southeast Asia settle and started small business concern . Today , Oakland Chinatown is a diverse , intergenerational locality that ’s nestle in the business district core of the urban center , with 8th and Webster Street constitute the neighbourhood ’s central beat , and on the loose bound of twelfth Street to the north , Interstate 880 near 6th Street on the south , Broadway on the Benjamin West , and Lake Merritt on the east . Less touristy than San Francisco ’s celebrated Chinatown , Oakland ’s version have just as many culinary treasure .
But like Chinatowns across the country , Oakland ’s locality support from a loss of stage business in the Wake Island of anti - Asian preconception and violence in 2020 and 2021 . compound with a decline in business due to COVID , the community now require living more than ever .
That ’s the mission ofCut Fruit Collective , founded by Daphne Wu and Maya Kulkarni during the pandemic to support Chinatowns in the Bay Area . “ We go for we can inspire people to not dread , come together , and build a hard community that can be resilient in the face of all these challenges , ” Wu enjoin .
Golden Lotus Vegan
With outside offering , Oakland Chinatown is an ideal smirch to resound in the Lunar New Year that begins on February 1 , and is celebrated by many Asian cultures , include Chinese , Taiwanese , Korean , Vietnamese , and , Mongolian . nutrient represents an substantive part of the holiday , with sure dish representing fate and successfulness in the yr to arrive . As we usher in the Year of the Tiger , below are some must - visit spots , from the oldest boba shop in the East Bay to banh mi sandwiches to Peking duck . TheOakland Asian Cultural Centerwill hold an in - person Lunar New Year solemnization in Chinatown on February 6 , with extra practical events in February .
It should be noted that while many Chinatown restaurants stay put open during major U.S. holidays , such as Christmas , some small mom - and - tonic shops tight for up to two workweek start up on Lunar New Year . Keep this in intellect when jaw .
Cam Anh
Cam Anh is a Vietnamese food shop dish out banh mi sandwiches on fresh - baked Gallic dough with pickle daikon and carrots , and a protein filling of your alternative . The deli opened following the settlement of Cam Huong , one of the most darling neighborhood staple that also serve up banh mi and hot dishes , which fill up in 2018 . Cam Anh serves a potent Vietnamese iced burnt umber , as well as hot dishes for takeout food , many of which are vegetarian . How to order : Walk in or order takeout by calling 510 - 451 - 4389 .
Gum Kuo
This small restaurant with roasted duck and roast porc hang in the windowpane invite you to try traditional Cantonese fare and barbecue , including Wonton and Egg Noodle Soup , Egg Fried Rice , and Rice Rolls filled with crunchy Chinese fried dough sticks ( you tiao ) or shrimp . This is where the mamas and the daddy , the GongGongs and Waipos get their kinfolk meal . It ’s truly a trap - in - the - wall and a treasure trove for Cantonese food . How to place : Walk in or call 510 - 268 - 1288 for takeout orders .
Shan Dong
Shan Dong is one of the few restaurants in Oakland Chinatown pore on Northern Chinese cuisine . Known for their handmade dumplings and knife - cut noodles , everything is made from excoriation here . Charles , the 2nd - genesis proprietor who became involved in the home business while in college , is the smiling , friendly side that first greets client . The eating house has an extremely dedicated following , part due to Charles ’ favorable personality , and the chewy grain of their doughy bean and dumpling . The menu is a intermixture of American Chinese fare alongside more traditional Shan Dong dishes . How to order : Walk in or call 510 - 839 - 2299for takeout and local legal transfer .
Oakland Fortune Cookie Factory
This factory that ’s run by a female parent and daughter pair is the oldest in the Bay Area and one of the few that still makes all of their fortune cookies only by hand . During Lunar New Year , they have special savor and designs — think cookies dipped in red icing the puck and covered with sprinkles . The special Year of the Tiger Lunar New Year sets are available through the end of February . How to dictate : Orderonlinefor pick up or delivery anywhere in the continental U.S.
Tian Jin Dumplings
The lilliputian emplacement is literally a windowpane you order from and eat on the sidewalk or take to - go . They are known for Tian Jin - way Jian Bing , a crepe enwrap around a well - seasoned egg and Allium porrum omelet and served with a savoury , spicy sauce . Their tea eggs and wonton noodle soup , along with fresh soybean milk , all fulfill a breakfast or tiffin craving . While “ dumplings ” is in the eatery ’s name , they no longer serve them . However , everything on their concise menu is deserving a endeavor . How to order : Walk - ins only .
Napoleon Super Bakery
One of several Chinese bakehouse in Oakland Chinatown , you know it ’s good because there ’s always a line out the threshold . make full up one , two , or three pink cardboard boxes with fresh pastry dough — from ananas buns , pork sung buns , fresh taro - meet keister , and testicle tarts , to freshly broil and fluffy white lettuce toast . During the Mid - Autumn Moon Festival in the fall , the 2nd major holiday in Chinatown after Lunar New Year , they trade many types of mooncakes filled with red bean , lotus seed , and more . How to order : Walk - ins only and cash only .
Peony’s Seafood Restaurant
Peony ’s is the last remaining large - scale seafood banquet hall and dim sum restaurant leave in Oakland Chinatown . It scantily survive the pandemic , nearly shutting down until a local clause put a spotlight on the business and enthusiastic community backing allowed it to open once again . It was one of the first Oakland Chinatown eating house to shut down when COVID first get . To see a bustling scene , order dim sum from cart on a weekend during brunch hr and see generations of family line express mirth and dining on chicken feet andha gaotogether . For weddings and other special issue , such as crimson egg and powdered ginger political party ( an babe ’s first calendar month festivity in Formosan culture ) , book in progress . The eatery ’s banquet bill of fare includes more lush fresh seafood dishes : Salt and Pepper Dungeness Crab , Maine Lobster Sashimi , and Whole Steamed Rock Cod are just a few of the standouts . How to hold : take the air in or call 510 - 286 - 8866 for large party reservations . Orderonlinefor takeout .
Sweetheart Cafe
The local Bay Area lore is that Sweetheart Cafe was the first bubble Camellia sinensis store to land in the East Bay in 1996 . The small shop is both a boba store and Asiatic snack stand — cerebrate curry Pisces the Fishes balls and chicken wing — and after - school snack vendor . Fun sidenote : if you play Pokemon Go , you get a rebate . While many boba shops have proliferated in the neighborhood , the original one still stands strong . attempt their traditional boba milk tea leaf . How to consecrate : Walk in ororder onlinefor takeout .
Shooting Star Café
This Hong Kong - style cafe has a creative thinker - boggling , expansive fare and is also one of the only previous - night venues in the area . On the menu , you ’ll find console , diner - manner drinks and dishes such as Hong Kong milk tea , scorched spaghetti , and Russian bortsch soup . The baked spaghetti , served with either basis beef marinara sauce or seafood , hits the billet . They also process fresh yield smoothies and boba drinks , including some fun zodiac - themed beverages . How to book : take the air in for indoor dining or orderonlinefor takeout .
UC Dessert
The dessert outlet feature all kind of hot and cold desserts , such as Sticky Purple Rice with coconut milk and unfermented Mangifera indica , Sago desserts , and hot Black Sesame Paste Soup . They also sell Hong Kong - style egg waffle , with little ovals that you could break off and Lady M. crepe cake by the fade or whole . While it ’s a haven for those with a sweet tooth , the sweet ingredient somehow give you feeling like you use up a healthy afters . How to order : Walk in or call 510 - 922 - 8857 for takeaway orders . speech viaDoorDash .
Greenfish Seafood Market
If you need fresh seafood , this is the spot . A little feverish and alwaysexciting , the popular Pisces securities industry always has some variety of fresh crab , either from Oregon , local Bay Dungeness while they ’re in season , or green pediculosis pubis from Vietnam . There are also many type of fresh Pisces the Fishes and other crustaceans on offer . The parklet alfresco , added during the pandemic , has bank identification number of refreshing produce and fruit . How to set up : take the air in .
Yuen Hop Market
Yuen Hop is a fourth - generation , family - run Oakland business that has have metropolis award for its longevity and chronicle . The market has many food market items , wry commodity , frozen foods , and put up commodity — item you ’d want to stock up your larder or fake a estimable meal at home . However , they are most well - make out for their 10 - 12 case of fresh ballock noodles . The mart opened in 1931 selling those noodles , fresh tofu , and bean sprouts . Today , they still trade impudent soya milk anddou hua(sweetened , piano bean curd ) that tastes exactly like what you ’d discover in Asia . How to order : Walk in .
Golden Lotus Vegan Restaurant
This restaurant with a plant life - based , mostly Vietnamese computer menu is a top option for sundry grouping of vegetarian and omnivore diners . smasher lay out from rice newspaper spring rolls wrapped around mint , cilantro , Daucus carota sativa , tofu , and jicama , to filling dishes that supercede protein with faux sum . One case is their pho that ’s made with soybean protein alternatively of beef and is so flavorful you ’ll hardly overleap the veridical affair . The eatery is on the border of Chinatown near business district . How to order : Walk in , orderonline , or delivery viaDoorDash .
Binh Minh Quan
This Vietnamese eating house is a popular lunch maculation for people who work downtown , sport low Sir Tim Rice dishes and roasted Gallus gallus . One special to try that is tough to get hold elsewhere is the crispy Whole Roasted Catfish . The Pisces should be ordered in advance , and comes with Elmer Rice newspaper natural spring rolls that you may fabricate at the board yourself . The common accouterments are include : Elmer Leopold Rice noodles , carrots , cucumber , mint , other herbaceous plant , and bracing dinero , plus dipping sauce . How to order : take the air in to dine in , call 510 - 893 - 8136 for takeout gild , or order bringing viaDoordash , GrubHub , UberEats , Postmates .
Classic Guilin Rice Noodles
Classic Guilin Rice Noodles was originally locate in Oakland Chinatown proper and then relocate two block away on the outskirts of Chinatown . One of the only restaurants in the Bay Area attend this regional specialty from the Guilin state of China , their Timothy Miles Bindon Rice noodle dishes pack a flavorsome punch . The Hellenic noodles come with a bowl of dry rice noodles and topping like barbeque pork and bitch tripe , plus a side of bone broth to rain cats and dogs over the noggin . Other , more spicy dishes let in rice bean with spicy snail . How to order : Walk in ororder onlinefor takeout .
@oaklandfortunefactory
Peony Seafood Restaurant 金牡丹海鮮茶寮
UC Dessert
Golden Lotus Vegan
