New Year is no exception. I celebrated new year recently with a friend for whom sour cream and cheddar chips are an integral part of the evening. He also cooked us a Chinese roast duck; much closer to my ideal celebration.

We spoke to a couple of Bay Area experts about two specialties that are close to us at the museum: Japanese mochi and Buddha hands.

Last weekend, we celebrated the new year here at the museum with mochitsuki (mochi pounding). Local Japanese teacher Yoko Hara writes:

I am from Tokyo, but I’ve never seen mochitsuki there. We bought freshly made big square mochi (Tokyo style) and my father used to cut it into small rectangular pieces. So mochitsuki by Kagamikai was a surprise and delight.
We used to live pretty close to the old site of Asian Art Museum so when my children were still young, we used to enjoy the mochitsuki with Taiko drumming every year. Being a Japanese Teacher, I now spread the word about this lovely event to all my students and friends.

Buddha’s hand has become a common sight at Heart of the City Farmers’ Market, which takes place on Wednesdays and Sundays right behind the museum. Former curator Terese Bartholomew, now a board member of the San Francisco Botanical Garden, shares her knowledge of this funny-looking cousin of the lemon:

One interesting citrus that has appeared in the farmers’ markets in recent years is the Buddha’s hand citron (Citrus medica ‘Sarcodactylis’). This yellow citron with wavy tentacles takes its common name from the shape of its fruit, which resembles the idealized fingers of the Buddha. This fragrant fruit is used as an altar offering during Chinese New Year. The fruit runs completely to rind, and is not edible unless preserved with salt or sugar. Sliced into pieces, the fruit can be prepared the same way as candied citron; dipped in chocolate, these make a most delicious snack. The Buddha’s hand citron is beloved by the Chinese because its name, foshou, puns with blessings and longevity.

Tell us what’s on your Lunar New Year table – or share your recipes for Buddha’s hands.

My last post talked about selected dining options near the Asian Art Museum. I have to say that the new menu at the Café Asia has some really delicious items. I love the Orange Glazed Duck Salad and the Shanghai Dumplings (in case the Shanghai exhibition makes you hungry for Chinese food), not to mentioned the Furikake french fries (they come with the salmon sandwich or as a side). If you are really hungry for some meat try the new Puxi sweet ribs.

If you want to try dining somewhere outside the Museum here are some more suggestions:

I was very excited about a new find that is in the most unlikely neighborhood. It is called Passion Café and is open for lunch and dinner. Located on Sixth St, just south of Market. It is an attractive bistro serving French specialties (tartines, onion soup, croque monsieur, quiche, boeuf bourguignon). For those in a rush, grab-and-go at the walk-in counter. There will be an expanded menu coming soon. On a nice day enjoy the roof-top terrace.

Passion Cafe roof garden

If you are willing to walk about 15 minutes north of the Museum, I adore A La Turca. Informal atmosphere, super delicious hummus, excellent pides (a long flat piece of dough, stuffed with various ingredients and then baked). They make their own bread on premises and if you are lucky you will get it right from the oven. A perfect companion is their Turkish tea.

I could eat Korean food every day. If you are brave enough to hike up through the Tenderloin you can find Dong Baek . They serve a decent Korean lunch at good prices. It is a sketchy walk , but I have been doing it for years and still live to talk about it. They have a lovely variety of Ban Chan and all the classic dishes such as Bibim Bap, Bulgogi, Jap Chae, Soon Dooboo.

If you want a fantastic deli sandwich just a block north of the Museum is Morty’s Delicatessen. Huge, fresh sandwiches (they have salads and soups too) including a killer reuben. They are passionate about using quality ingredients.

Figure 2 - Morty's Delicatessan (photo by Noreylee)

In the mood for some spicy Thai food? Another well kept secret nearby is Lers Ros Thai. Some say it is the best Thai food in San Francisco. I definitely recommend Som Tom Khai Khem (#14), green papaya salad with salted egg. Just a warning that the food is super spicy – if you ask for it mild you will get it less spicy. If you are in good health I might suggest Pad Kra Prow Moo Krob (#62), stir-fried pork belly with crispy rind and basil leaves.

If you are in a hurry, or just want to grab a snack break while touring the Museum you can run over to UN Plaza to La Estrellita Snack Bar (open Monday, Thursday and Friday only) near the BART escalator and check out the freshly made to order El Salvadorean Pupusas. Made to order with a variety of filling choices for only $2.50 each, they are a bargain.

Check out my future posts – when I will hit Hayes Valley…

According to local lore, xiao long bao were created by Huang Mingxian, in the Shanghai suburb of Nanxiang, around 1861. Huang owned a pastry shop and also hawked large steamed buns in a nearby classical garden.  It was a competitive business, and Huang, with his pastry-making skills, came up with the delicate, thin skinned xiao long bao to distinguish his wares from the other vendors’, creating an instant sensation.

Their fame spread beyond the confines of Nanxiang, and in the year 1900, a relative of Huang’s named Wu Xiangsheng brought them to Shanghai, taking over an establishment named Changxing Lou.  He perfected the delicacy, renamed the restaurant the Nanxiang Steamed Bun Restaurant, and booming Shanghai introduced xiao long bao to the world.

On a cool, misty day in early April 1992, I had my first ever meal on Chinese soil – a brunch consisting of xiao long bao at the Nanxiang Mantou Dian.  My host Daisy (she’s now my sister-in-law) decided that the quaint snack shop that had hosted the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and Fidel Castro was a suitable introduction to Shanghai, and it is testimony to her judgment that I have been xiao long bao-mad ever since.  The timing of our visit there was fortunate, for when we attempted to return three weeks later we found it closed for an extensive remodeling and reconfiguring as a more tourist-oriented enterprise.  The dining area was expanded from a single room to three on two upper floors, and a takeout window added on the ground floor.

The Nanxiang Mantou Dian is now owned by a holding company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, and has added additional branches in Shanghai and more than a dozen franchises in other Asian countries. Xiao long bao connoisseurs will tell you that its dumplings no longer meet the gold standard the restaurant established, though smaller enterprises throughout Shanghai have risen to the challenge.  Nonetheless, locals still revere the Nanxiang as the Mecca of xiao long bao and flock there to jockey for tables; the street-level takeout window, where the dumplings are still a proletarian $1.80 for sixteen dumplings, draws hour-long lines.

– Contributed by Gary Soup, a retired transportation planner with an abiding interest in Shanghai and its food  stemming from his first visit and a xiaolongbao epiphany there in 1992.  He keeps a blog at http://eatingchinese.blogspot.com and has contributed articles and photos to a number of on-line and print publications.

Ananda Fuara salad and samosas. http://www.flickr.com/photos/maxkiesler/ / CC BY 2.0

Ananda Fuara vegetarian restaurant on Market St. is hardly a well kept secret and I certainly do not want to add to the peak lunchtime wait for a table, but if you have not tried the amazing “neatloaf” (yes it starts with an N) you are truly missing out.  Do not be put off by the fact that the restaurant is run by students of Sri Chimnoy – everyone working there is super professional.

A bit of a walk over to Van Ness is one of the local Indian chains, Naan N Curry, if you are short of time they have a lunch buffet.  I prefer to order off the menu and go with a group so you can have a real feast.

Another place where you will have to line up to get in is the cozy Brenda’s French Soul Food on Polk St. Here you will find traditional French and Creole soul food such as a tasty shrimp po’boy or some delectable beignets – worth the wait!

Does the Emerald Cities exhibition put you in the mood for Burmese food?  Just a couple blocks up Larkin St. is  Burmese Kitchen, be sure to order the tea leaf salad and/or the samusa soup.

Speaking of soup,  Hai Ky Mi Gia,  is Vietnamese/Chinese noodles at its best. Not a lot of atmosphere, but authentic.  The braised duck leg noodle soup is yummy.

If you want some quick Mexican food the Los Compadres taco truck is parked at Polk and Hayes. The carnitas taco is delicious (lunch only M-F) .

Showdogs is new to Market St. (near Taylor and Sixth streets – be warned you will get an eyeful walking over),  across from the Golden Gate Theater. The menu of a dozen or so hot dogs and sausages cull the best from Bay Area producers.

First, the Asian Art Museum has its own Café Asia and the food is delicious. The line moves quickly so you can get right back to the galleries, resource room, North Court or Samsung Hall activities — and of course the gift shop — in no time. If it is a sunny day you are in luck because you can sit outside on the terrace –– one of the very few al fresco dining options in the neighborhood.

Cafe Asia's delicious Chinese Chicken Salad

If  you are done for the day or Cafe Asia is busy, there are a number of nearby eateries that are pretty tasty — too many to list in one post. However, the Asian Art Museum is located just outside San Francisco’s official Little Saigon so the selection of Vietnamese food is particularly impressive. Here are some nearby places to try this cuisine:

If you need a quick meal to go do not miss the Saigon Sandwich shop at 560 Larkin (at Eddy). Don’t be put off by the line out the door. These sandwich pros take orders for a dozen people at a time and make the sandwiches in efficient batches, and they never forget whose sandwich belongs to who. I go for the roast pork, but there is also roast chicken, pate, tofu, and various combinations to be had. You can take your banh mi (and a can of mango or coconut juice) back to the Museum and grab one of the outside benches.

Sing Sing sandwich shop 309 Hyde Street (between Eddy St & Ellis St), is another nearby banh mi option (perfect with an iced coffee). You can try and grab one of the 4 tables inside. I have not actually tried this place yet, but it has good buzz.

For a sit down Vietnamese dinner after a day at the museum, try Pagolac at 655 Larkin St (between Ellis St & Willow St) . The 7 course beef is ridiculous; the menu has many veggie dishes as well.

My absolute favorite place for a group lunch is Bodega Bistro at 607 Larkin (at Eddy). The green papaya salad is da bomb, garlic noodles and tiger prawns make a great combo, and the “shaking beef” (bo luc lac) is to die for. This restaurant can be crowded at lunch time so try and get there before noon. The atmosphere at dinner evolves into a white tablecloth affair. Unlike Pagolac, there are not a lot of vegetarian options here.

On a cold and foggy San Francisco summer day, head to Turtle Tower at 631 Larkin St (between Eddy St & Ellis St).  Some say TT has the best pho in SF –– pho for breakfast anyone? One of our recent distinguished visitors from Japan went to TT every day during his visit with a mission to try all the different pho variatons.  He loved every one of them.

If the line is too long at TT another nearby pho option is Pho 2000 at 637 Larkin (near Eddy).

Look for more chow tips for our museum visitors in future posts.